Chapter 344: A Three-Person Confrontation, Who Feels Better?
Jiang Qingli admitted it: she had a weakness for good looks.
But she swore she had never done anything cruel or unjust. So why did two of her husbands have to walk in on her, right at the moment she accidentally touched her friend... *there*?
’Why!’
’How am I going to explain this to both of them!’
As the door creaked open, an intense sense of crisis made Jiang Qingli’s brain short-circuit.
At the critical moment, Jiang Qingli felt a weight settle on her shoulder, and a large, thin blanket enveloped them both.
Yuan Shiyao adjusted the blanket, holding it up to create some space underneath.
From Gu Nian’s perspective, Yuan Shiyao was draping his own blanket over Jiang Qingli.
Gu Nian glanced at the terminal in his hand.
Yuan Shimo’s holographic projection was quietly watching the two of them. He asked, "Yuan Shiyao, what are you two doing?"
Though his voice was gentle, it was laced with sharp accusation and rejection.
Hearing the question, which sounded like it came from a dean of students, Jiang Qingli felt a jolt of panic, like a kid caught doing something wrong. Her fingers trembled and her grip tightened, and she clearly felt Yuan Shiyao’s entire body go rigid.
She was beyond tears.
’I don’t want to be doing this, but I’m afraid they’ll find out if I move.’
Fortunately, at that moment, Yuan Shiyao shook the blanket again, and Jiang Qingli seized the opportunity to quickly withdraw her hand.
Sensing that she was now sitting properly, Yuan Shiyao sighed to himself. Outwardly, he answered Yuan Shimo earnestly, "I was just about to cover Qingli with a blanket."
’A blanket?’
’Don’t tell me he was planning to use the blanket as an excuse to get handsy with her?’
’This shameless homewrecker has no limits; what wouldn’t he stoop to?’
Gu Nian asked, feigning confusion, "Why are you two wrapped in a blanket in this heat? Senior Yuan, are all you cat-people sensitive to the cold?"
As he spoke, he looked over at Yuan Shimo on the video call.
His emerald eyes, the same as his younger brother’s, narrowed slightly.
Yuan Shimo said nothing, yet his silence was more stressful than a thousand words.
Yuan Shiyao, however, acted as if he didn’t notice and replied calmly, "Gu, just a few minutes ago, you were the one saying you were worried I’d catch a chill."
Gu Nian: "..."
Ignoring the comeback, Gu Nian walked straight up to them. "Secretary Yuan, your constitution is weak, so it’s normal to feel warm. But Qingli can’t stand the heat."
As he spoke, he had already reached them and was about to extend his hand when Jiang Qingli scrambled out from under the blanket.
Gu Nian carefully looked the girl over from head to toe, twice. Only after confirming that not even the hem of her clothes was out of place did he breathe a sigh of relief.
In truth, Jiang Qingli’s palms were already getting sweaty. Facing the stares of three males, she could only clear her throat and force a calm expression as she looked at Gu Nian. "Why haven’t you changed yet? Hurry up, hurry up, don’t keep everyone waiting. I’m only giving you three minutes—"
She pushed Gu Nian by the back, shoving him out of the room, then snatched the terminal. "Cat Teacher, was there something you needed?"
The girl’s expression was calm, but the tips of her ears were pink, and she didn’t quite dare to meet his eyes.
Yuan Shimo glanced at his younger brother.
Yuan Shiyao was still sitting on the sofa, wrapped tightly in the thin blanket with his hands crossed over his chest. He asked calmly, "What is it, brother?"
After his gaze lingered for a few seconds, Yuan Shimo looked at Jiang Qingli and gave her a faint smile. "It’s nothing. I just missed you."
For someone like Yuan Shimo, who was usually too reserved to express his feelings, hearing him say "I missed you" was a rare treat.
As if she were seeing a little white kitten rubbing against her palm, asking for pets, Jiang Qingli’s heart melted. She said softly, "I missed you, too."
Her emotions were easy to guess; Yuan Shimo saw right through her.
But he didn’t call her out. Instead, he used the opportunity to make his own request. "In that case, after you get back, would you like to come stay with me for a couple of days over the weekend?"
He had been living in the researcher dorms at the academy recently. The place was spacious, and the bookshelves behind him were crammed with books.
"Two days?"
Jiang Qingli paused. She had also promised Xie Youchen she would spend a day with him at the Xie Family estate. And Baili Jing was leaving soon, and she still had to see his new clothes. Right, she also had to send Qin Muye the photos she took at the beach. Oh, and then there was Ye Linyuan...
The more people she counted, the dizzier Jiang Qingli became. It felt like there wasn’t enough time to go around.
"Is that a no?" Yuan Shimo sighed, his voice dropping a little. "It’s alright. You can just come find me when you have time. It’s not that important..."
"It is important! Of course, it’s important!" Jiang Qingli couldn’t bear to see her little kitten’s ears droop. She quickly promised, "I’ll make it work!"
"Good. I’ll wait for you to come back."
Yuan Shimo’s lips curved into a slight smile. Before hanging up, he said slowly, "female master, don’t tire yourself out having too much fun."
The call ended. Yuan Shimo lifted his gaze to the young man sitting across from him, seemingly surprised by his silence.
Baili Jing, holding a white lotus-styled teacup, took a sip of green tea and smiled. "I thought you’d be more direct. You don’t seem like the magnanimous type."
Yuan Shimo took a sip of his tea. "I’ve already sent you the data you requested."
Baili Jing thanked him and got up to leave.
Before closing the door, Baili Jing smiled and offered a piece of advice: "It’s fine for you brothers to be jealous and compete, but don’t make things difficult for her."
"Don’t act like you know us so well."
Yuan Shimo knew it. An old fox like Baili Jing suddenly showing up, claiming he was just passing by after a shoot and wanted to borrow some reference materials, was just an excuse.
He reached out and shut the door on him, then picked up his terminal and sent a message to his brother.
While he waited, Yuan Shimo sat by the coffee table and poured himself a cup of tea.
He certainly wasn’t a magnanimous person, but he had no right to stop Jiang Qingli from liking whomever she pleased. It was also a fact that Yuan Shiyao had taken a bullet for her today.
’As long as Jiang Qingli is happy.’
’It’s just that... Yuan Shiyao is still a million miles away from even being the other man, let alone taking over my spot.’
No matter what stage they reached, Yuan Shimo would not let Yuan Shiyao have an easy time.
He wouldn’t go easy on a rival in love.
Raising the teacup, he slowly drained it in one gulp.
-
In the guest room, Jiang Qingli placed the disconnected terminal on the table and breathed a sigh of relief.
But after the tense check-up was over, the awkward atmosphere from before crept back in.
The two of them sat on opposite ends of the sofa, neither speaking first. For a moment, they were plunged into silence.
Jiang Qingli snuck a peek at the person next to her.
The young man’s eyes were lowered to the coffee table, his gaze unfocused, but the tips of his ears were red.
Sensing her gaze, he turned his head. Jiang Qingli quickly looked away, feeling her face flush with heat.
looked from one to the other and commented: [Well now, you’re both turning pink. How festive.]
Jiang Qingli was about to have a meltdown: [Don’t you dare mention that word again!]
cautiously tested the forbidden word: [...You two?]
Jiang Qingli: [...]
Feeling a wave of helplessness, Jiang Qingli simply blocked the little guy.
Jiang Qingli looked up and met Yuan Shiyao’s direct stare.
She touched the tip of her nose, her gaze sweeping around the room before she poured Yuan Shiyao a glass of water. She asked tentatively, "Um... I didn’t do that on purpose just now, you know?"
Yuan Shiyao took the glass and asked, "Know what? I don’t remember anything happening."
’That’s great! He also thinks it was an accident!’
’He’s so magnanimous.’
Jiang Qingli broke into a smile. "I don’t know either. Then let’s just leave it at that..."
She patted Yuan Shiyao’s shoulder and had just stood up when she suddenly heard his voice again. "But there is something I want to know. Can you answer a question for me?"
Jiang Qingli: "What is it?"
Yuan Shiyao looked into the girl’s eyes. Bracing himself with one hand on the sofa beside him, he slowly leaned closer. His voice was soft and slow, yet it was filled with an intense desire to win:
"Me and my brother... who felt better to touch?"