While all three girls outside the lecture hall had their eyes fixed on Jiang Qian, no one noticed Fang Meng sneaking in quietly through the back door. She had her hair tied in a side ponytail and her jacket wrapped around her waist.

In the middle of reading, Lin Zhengran sensed something and looked up, spotting Fang Meng.

Their eyes met.

Fang Meng paused, hugging a notebook to her chest. “Lin Zhengran, are you interested in joining our Private Time Club?”

Lin Zhengran blinked in confusion. “What’s the Private Time Club?”

Fang Meng replied, “It’s a club specifically created to offer you and Qianqian a private space. You can talk about anything you want inside.”

Lin Zhengran was speechless. “...Do you really think I’d join something like that? I’m out.”

Fang Meng wasn’t surprised. After all, Qianqian’s plan sounded pretty unrealistic. It had taken a lot of effort just to lure those three girls away, and now she was sent in just to ask this?

“Alright. I’ll tell Qianqian the plan failed.”

Lin Zhengran sighed and returned to his book. “Honestly, I get what Jiang Qian’s been trying to do these past few days. She probably wants to explain what happened that night at the Jiang house, right? But she already apologized over WeChat.

And the piano piece she played during the welcome party—I understood what she meant. So there’s really no need to have a face-to-face talk. I won’t interfere with her feelings. Whether she likes me or not, that’s her own business—I have no right to control it.

But… at least for now, I just don’t feel that way about her.”

Fang Meng looked at the side of Lin Zhengran’s face. “Is that so? Can I ask why? Because from where I stand, Qianqian is beautiful, graceful, and persistent. No matter what happens, she never gives up. Even when she fails, she always gets back up and starts over.

Especially in high school—under your influence—she’s become much gentler. I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t like her.”

Lin Zhengran glanced at the pretty Fang Meng with curiosity. “Everything you said is true. Those are definitely great qualities. But just because someone’s amazing doesn’t mean everyone has to like them. Feelings are about chemistry.”

Fang Meng responded, “I get that. Every guy has different preferences in girls—some are into personalities, some into certain features. But from what I’ve observed about you, Lin Zhengran, you seem to have a pretty wide range of interests in girls. I mean, just look at those three outside and the rich girl—you’ve got all kinds of types around you. Don’t tell me the only type you don’t like is the cold, aloof one?”

Lin Zhengran was at a loss for words. “That’s not what I meant. I do have, let’s say, broad tastes. But... to put it simply, I’m a decent guy, right?”

Fang Meng nodded. “You’re exceptionally decent.”

Lin Zhengran immediately felt weird about complimenting himself. “But when you first met me, you didn’t like me either, right? That’s what I mean—feelings take time and a spark.”

Fang Meng’s face flushed. It was true. Back when they first met in high school, no matter how outstanding Lin Zhengran was, she never felt that way about him.

But later on…

She gently bit her lip. “Got it. So, Qianqian does still have a chance. She just hasn’t hit the point that really moves you yet. Once she finds that one thing that gets to you… you’ll fall.”

Surprisingly accurate.

Lin Zhengran blinked and let out a long breath. “Let’s change the subject. Anyway, tell her not to worry about that night anymore. It’s not a big deal. As for the club—count me out. I already promised those three I had other stuff going on.”

“Oh? Got it. So Lin Zhengran isn’t into clubs.” Fang Meng scribbled something into her notebook.

Sweat beaded on Lin Zhengran’s forehead. He couldn’t understand what was even worth writing down.

Fang Meng continued, “One last question—what exactly is your relationship with those three girls? I mean, you already have a stunning girlfriend like the rich girl who’s into you… so why are you still hanging around the other three all the time?

You don’t have to worry—I won’t tell anyone.”

Before Lin Zhengran could answer, the trio came back into the room. The moment they saw Fang Meng near Lin Zhengran, they froze and immediately ran over.

Jiang Xueli stepped between them. “Hey! That’s enough! Pulling a distraction move on us, huh?!”

Seeing them back, Fang Meng quickly apologized. “Sorry for the interruption, I’ll leave now.”

As she was leaving, Lin Zhengran called out after her and answered directly:

“I can’t tell you that. Because if I do, it’ll cause problems for those three. So it’s pointless to ask.”

Fang Meng nodded. “Understood.”

She gave him one last look, then turned and left.

Once she was gone, He Qing was confused. “What does that mean? What did Fang Meng ask you just now, Lin Zhengran?”

Jiang Xueli was equally puzzled. “Yeah, what’s this about causing us trouble? What did she say?”

Lin Zhengran motioned for them to come closer.

The three of them leaned in.

He lowered his voice. “Fang Meng knows I’m dating Jingshi, so she asked what my relationship is with you three.”

All three girls turned red.

Jiang Xueli’s jaw dropped. “Yeah… that’s definitely not something we can explain. Just thinking about the kind of drama that’d cause makes my head hurt.”

She then glanced around and quietly made a pact with He Qing and Han Wenwen.

“This stays between the four of us. Especially you two—He Qing and Han Wenwen—our personas in college stay the same: all three of us like Zhengran. That way no one questions anything. Otherwise, being in a four-way relationship? That’d be huge news no matter where you are.”

Han Wenwen agreed. He Qing nodded too, though she added:

“It’s just… to outsiders, doesn’t that make Lin Zhengran seem like such a sc*mbag? He clearly knows we all like him, but he still hasn’t made a choice and keeps this ambiguous thing going with all three of us.”

Jiang Xueli stood up straight, acting all righteous. “He Qing, have you ever considered that maybe… Lin Zhengran is a sc*mbag?”

He Qing gasped and covered her mouth. “No way! I never thought of him like that! I just think… maybe he’s a little flirty, that’s all! That doesn’t make him a scmbag. A scmbag is someone who cheats and dumps their partner.”

Jiang Xueli added, “That kind’s not just a scmbag—that’s human trash.” She blushed. “But yeah, thinking about it… Zhengran doesn’t really count as a scmbag. That word covers a lot. At most, he’s just a flirt. And besides, he’s always been super good to us.”

Han Wenwen looked at Lin Zhengran. “Zhengran-gege is perfect… aside from being a little flirty.”

The three girls each wore different expressions.

Lin Zhengran didn’t comment on whether he was a sc*mbag or not. In his mind, he’d always considered himself a believer in true love.

He closed his book and stood up. “Let’s go. Time to eat.”

The three girls responded and followed behind him.