Chapter 291: Chapter 172: School Is Finally Starting

PM.

It was long past Gu Wanqing’s bedtime, but she was still wide awake and buzzing with excitement.

After all, she was leaving for college in Modu tomorrow. It was impossible not to feel excited, but also a little worried.

’Will my roommates be easy to get along with?’

’Will I feel lonely living by myself in a strange city?’

’And... will Shen come to pick me up tomorrow?’

Gu Wanqing’s mind was a mess, so she went over her luggage again to soothe her anxiety. After confirming everything was in order, she flopped onto her bed, phone in hand.

She opened WeChat, the screen already on her chat history with Lin Shen.

[Gu Wanqing: Shen, I’ll arrive at Hongqiao tomorrow at 1:41 PM~(≧∇≦)ﾉ]

[Lin Shen: Okay, I’ll come pick you up.]

"..."

Gu Wanqing kicked her feet back and forth, her lips pouting slightly. A strange sense of disappointment welled up inside her.

Even though she and Lin Shen chatted every day, sharing fun things and details from their daily lives.

It all seemed very intimate, but in reality, Gu Wanqing always felt there was still some distance between her and Lin Shen.

’Is there any way to break through this barrier?’

Gu Wanqing analyzed the last month of her chat history with Lin Shen and discovered a very tricky problem.

And that was—

Lin Shen only saw her as a little sister!

Every one of his replies was restrained and polite, yet also filled with an affection that practically overflowed from the screen.

That was exactly how an older brother felt about his younger sister!

This made Gu Wanqing feel both a sense of Sweetness and happiness, but also a little melancholy.

She wanted their relationship to develop further; she didn’t want to be some little sister!

But Lin Shen didn’t seem to have any intention of moving their relationship in a romantic direction...

’Is it because I don’t have any Charm?’

Gu Wanqing got out of bed and rushed to the full-length mirror, looking herself up and down.

Fair skin, a somewhat slender body, but her face was definitely pretty.

Gu Wanqing was very confident about that.

After all, since the college entrance exams ended, if she hadn’t had twenty guys confess to her, there had to have been at least a dozen.

As the recognized school belle of Heng Eight Middle School, there was definitely no problem with her looks.

So where did the problem lie?

Gu Wanqing turned around, then looked down and touched her chest. Her beautiful eyes suddenly widened.

She thought of Jiang Wan.

Her ample, almost-bursting chest was truly eye-catching.

’I’m doomed!’

’This is the crucial point!’

Gu Wanqing squatted on the floor, holding her head in frustration.

’Looks like it’s not that I’m not pretty, but that I lack a womanly air!’

’Plus, the age gap between us is a bit too big...’

’No wonder there aren’t any romantic feelings!’

"Waaaah... I feel so sad."

Just as Gu Wanqing was feeling sorry for herself, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—!

"Qingqing, you’re still awake so late?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Mom?"

When Gu Wanqing opened the door, she found her mother, Chen Hui, standing there.

"I can’t sleep~"

Gu Wanqing mumbled as she threw herself into Chen Hui’s arms. Her mother couldn’t help but smile, stroking her daughter’s hair.

"I knew it. When your sister was about to leave for school, she barely slept the night before, either."

"Don’t worry. College life isn’t as difficult or scary as you think. Your father and I will come visit you guys often."

"Yay!"

Gu Wanqing looked up with a grin.

"Can you come once a week?"

"In your dreams!"

Chen Hui said with a playful pout, gently flicking her daughter’s forehead.

"Your father and I don’t have that kind of time! We can visit once every few months at most. You’ll be free once you’re in college."

"But I’ll miss you and Dad a lot."

"We’ll miss you a lot, too."

In response to Gu Wanqing’s whining, Chen Hui hugged her and led her to sit on the edge of the bed, her eyes filled with deep tenderness.

"Even though Mom and Dad won’t be around, your sister will be!"

"I heard she just finished up with work and has already started at a company. She’ll be coming with Lin Shen to pick you up tomorrow, too."

"Do you still remember Lin Shen? Your sister’s boyfriend."

"Ah, Lin Shen..."

Gu Wanqing blinked awkwardly, stammering, unable to get a word out.

Seeing this, Chen Hui smiled and elaborated.

"Looks like you’re really forgetful, kiddo. Lin Shen came over to our house with your sister before!"

"I remember now!"

Gu Wanqing said, as if suddenly realizing.

"That handsome guy, right!"

’Handsome?’

Chen Hui thought back. She vaguely remembered Lin Shen’s looks and build being quite average, not really someone you’d call handsome.

But his personality was excellent—gentle, kind, and ambitious. He would definitely make a good husband for a stable life!

’But for dating, isn’t he a little...’

The thought of her elder daughter’s stubborn and headstrong personality gave Chen Hui a bit of a headache.

’Being with her, Lin Shen must have a tough time.’

"Mom, what do you think of Shen?"

Gu Wanqing’s lively, beautiful eyes blinked rapidly, as if she were desperate to know what her mother thought of Lin Shen.

And she gave him a very high evaluation.

"Excellent!"

Chen Hui nodded, quite satisfied.

"When he came to our house with your sister, he helped out with everything and even bought you lots of tasty snacks. You haven’t forgotten all that, have you?"

"Of course I haven’t forgotten!"

Gu Wanqing pouted slightly, then carefully and tentatively asked.

"So, if Shen and my sister broke up, would you be very sad, Mom?"

Hm?

Chen Hui’s eyebrow shot up. Seeing Gu Wanqing’s sidelong glance, she seemed to realize something.

"Qingqing, you didn’t happen to hear some inside scoop from your sister, did you?"

"Huh? What inside scoop?"