"Then could He Qing please scoot in a bit? I’ll just ask you the questions here," Xiaomeng said.

"Oh, sure! But can I see the goods first? Can I take a peek at those photos?"

"Of course." Xiaomeng took out her phone and found the ultra-rare class photos of Lin Zhengran in her album to show He Qing and Jiang Xueli.

The photos included shots of Lin Zhengran giving a lecture, writing on the blackboard, and more.

He Qing and Jiang Xueli were filled with admiration as they looked.

They couldn’t help but comment, “These really are super rare photos!”

He Qing quickly scooted in, sitting properly and attentively, ready to be questioned.

"Xiaomeng, you can sit. Go ahead and ask!"

Xiaomeng sat next to He Qing with her notebook in hand. “My questions are actually pretty simple. He Qing, what do you usually like to eat? What time do you wake up and go to bed? What's your favorite color? What do you do for fun when you’re bored? What kind of games do you like?”

He Qing thought these questions really were just like Lili said—totally like some creepy stalker survey.

Xiaomeng added, “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone except Qianqian the answers. A girl’s privacy is important. And you can skip any questions you’re uncomfortable with—just answer what you feel like sharing. But it has to be honest.”

He Qing nodded. “Okay, I’ll answer them one by one.”

About ten minutes later, Xiaomeng finished writing down He Qing’s answers and closed her notebook. “Thanks for your answers. The deal’s done. I’ll send you the photos now.”

“Thanks.” He Qing quickly took out her phone to receive the photos. As she watched Xiaomeng transfer them, the naturally ditzy He Qing stared at her pretty face and suddenly asked, “Xiaomeng, I have a question for you too.”

“Go ahead. If I can answer it, I will.”

“Why do you have so many photos of Lin Zhengran on your phone?”

“Huh?” Xiaomeng froze, looking up at He Qing.

He Qing said, “I know Jiang Qian really likes Lin Zhengran. But since you’re her bestie, you wouldn’t usually keep so many photos of him, right? Unless…”

Xiaomeng cut in to explain, “I’m Qianqian’s assistant. Sometimes I’m the one responsible for taking class photos, so that’s why they’re on my phone.”

He Qing blinked her bright eyes.

“Is that so? Hmm… I don’t think that’s right. I’ve taken photos of our classmates before too, and I also have them in my album. But your photos—so many of them are solo shots. It’s just Lin Zhengran, no one else. Even if you’re Jiang Qian’s assistant… normally, a girl wouldn’t keep a bunch of solo photos of one guy, right? I mean, I definitely wouldn’t store solo pics of any boy besides Lin Zhengran. What about you, Lili?”

Xiaomeng was speechless.

Jiang Xueli, listening from the side, was impressed. Who knew He Qing had such sharp observation skills?

She answered, “Of course I wouldn’t.”

He Qing continued, “See? And even if you did take them before, you could’ve deleted them, right? You said Jiang Qian has them too. So why not delete yours? There’s no reason to keep them... unless you want to look at them from time to time.”

“I... I just...”

“You just what?”

Xiaomeng tried to come up with an excuse, but she really…

“Xiaomeng…” He Qing looked at her, covering her mouth as a possibility dawned on her. Blushing, she asked in surprise:

“You like Lin Zhengran too, don’t you? You like him, right?! Does Jiang Qian know?!”

“Qianqian, she…”

“She doesn’t, huh?” She lowered her voice and turned to ask Jiang Xueli, “Lili, is this the leverage you mentioned about Xiaomeng?”

Jiang Xueli suddenly burst out laughing. The truth was right there. “Yup, that’s it.”

Xiaomeng’s face turned completely red.

Was it really that obvious that she liked Lin Zhengran? Since when did Jiang Xueli and He Qing become so sharp?

Why could everyone tell?

Moments later, Xiaomeng came back from the bar with two drinks and set them down in front of the two girls.

Blushing and shy, she said, “These drinks are for you two. I hope you won’t tell Qianqian about this. Please keep it a secret for me. I’ll keep yours too.”

Not long after, Xiaomeng left the café, notebook in hand and face still red.

He Qing watched her leave. “So she likes Lin Zhengran too. That means every girl around him likes him?”

Jiang Xueli leaned back with arms crossed. “Can’t help it. That guy’s like a reincarnated succubus or something. What girl can resist a guy that perfect? Flirty Zhengran.”

He Qing turned to face her. “Another rival, huh.”

“Whatever. Xiaomeng was already on Jiang Qian’s side. We were on guard against both of them before, and we still will be. Compared to all this...” Jiang Xueli arrogantly pleaded, “Can you send me the photos too?”

He Qing giggled and nodded. “Of course.”

Then Jiang Xueli quickly scooted over beside He Qing, and the two started sharing the photos again.

Admiring as they went.

“Wow, look at this one of Lin Zhengran giving a speech at the podium! So handsome! Lili, check this out!”

“He really is photogenic, that guy. Looks good in every shot! And this one, this group photo looks amazing too!”

“What are you two looking at?” Han Wenwen suddenly appeared beside them, leaning over to see what her besties were up to.

He Qing looked up. “Wenwen, you’re back!”

Han Wenwen had several shopping bags in hand and smiled sweetly. “Went shopping. I even got stuff for you two based on what you like! Here—this is for Lili, and this is for Little Qingqing.”

She handed the bags to Jiang Xueli and He Qing.

They peeked inside.

All brand-new lingerie.

Jiang Xueli was surprised. “This brand’s pretty pricey, huh? Thanks.”

Han Wenwen waved her off. “Don’t mention it. We’re sisters, after all.”

After all, she’d secretly kissed Brother Zhengran for quite a while this afternoon. Han Wenwen felt like she’d already scored big today.

He Qing said, “We’re looking at those rare photos of Lin Zhengran we just got. Want a set too, Wenwen?”

“Huh? Pics of Brother Zhengran? Lemme see!”

She joined them to check out the personal shots she’d never seen before. “So handsome! Send them to me! How’d you get these?!”

Jiang Xueli said, “That’s a long story. We’ll fill you in slowly.”

“What’s all the chatter about?” Lin Zhengran walked over from a distance.

The three girls instantly hid the photos.

All together: “Nothing at all!”

That afternoon, after class, Lin Zhengran led the three girls out of school and to the villa for the night.

He Qing, Jiang Xueli, and Jiang Jingshi had already been staying at the villa for a week. But Han Wenwen and Lin Zhengran hadn’t officially spent the night there yet.

Tonight would be the first time all of them shared a bed.