"They’re not the same at all, alright?"

Jiang Zhiyu stood up and pulled Li Yuan’s hand. Beneath the early autumn sun, their shadows stretched long on the ground.

"Let’s go!"

"Yeah!" Li Yuan responded. His heartbeat suddenly accelerated, pounding in his chest as he grew very tense.

...

With his guitar on his back and holding Jiang Zhiyu’s small hand, Li Yuan had just turned to leave when he saw them. Not far behind him, Jiang Zhiyu’s three roommates—Xie Ping, Zhang Ruoxue, and Li Qingqing—along with some other Ji University students, were all looking over curiously.

It was obvious they had seen the entire scene of him and Jiang Zhiyu singing and composing music together.

Li Yuan’s heart sank. He immediately glanced at Jiang Zhiyu, who also looked somewhat lost. The two exchanged a look, and Li Yuan, still holding her hand, walked over to her three roommates.

Xie Ping was the first to greet them. "Zhiyu, Li Yuan, where are you two off to?"

Zhang Ruoxue and Li Qingqing also had puzzled expressions on their faces.

Li Yuan looked somewhat embarrassed, and his palm, clasped around Jiang Zhiyu’s, grew slick with a fine layer of sweat. He was speechless. It seemed he was always being secretly watched by her roommates.

Xie Ping continued to ask curiously, "Li Yuan, that song you were just singing, what’s it called?"

Li Yuan asked, confused, "Which one are you talking about?"

Zhang Ruoxue huffed softly and pursed her lips. "The first one you sang. It had a long intro, sounded like a folk song, and had a somewhat sorrowful mood. What’s the name of that one?"

Before Li Yuan could speak, Jiang Zhiyu, standing beside him, had already answered, her cheeks flushing slightly as she spoke.

"That song is called ’Anhe Bridge’!"

"’Anhe Bridge’? The name is a little odd, but it sounds really beautiful. It has such a unique feeling... it almost brought me to tears." Xie Ping smiled at Li Yuan, her praise full of sincere admiration. "Talented Li, your musical talent is truly astonishing. I’m so envious. Was this song for Zhiyu, too?"

"Hehe, does it have a special meaning? It feels like the song has a deep story behind it."

Li Yuan smiled but didn’t say anything. Looking at the three young women, an idea struck him, and he suddenly extended an invitation.

"Ladies, we’ve known each other for so long but have never had a proper meal together. How about we all have dinner tonight?"

Zhang Ruoxue’s eyes lit up. She stared at Li Yuan and giggled, her somewhat sallow eyes darting playfully.

"Li Yuan, why the sudden urge to treat us to a big meal? Are you asking for a favor?" she teased. "Or is this to celebrate you and Zhiyu getting back together?"

Just as Li Yuan was about to speak, Jiang Zhiyu suddenly tugged on his sleeve, looking at him questioningly. It was as if she were asking, Didn’t we agree we had other plans?

Li Yuan looked a bit awkward. Jiang Zhiyu is definitely acting a little strange today. I really don’t want to hurt this girl, who’s like an Elf Goddess, anymore. Maybe I can use this dinner invitation to give her a chance to cool down...

Jiang Zhiyu seemed to have guessed Li Yuan’s intentions. She shot him a discreet, displeased glare before turning back to her roommates with a smile.

"Pingping, Ruoxue, Qingqing, Xia Hua and I have something else to do. We’ll treat you to a big meal another day."

Without waiting for Li Yuan to explain, she secretly pinched his back and let out a coquettish huff.

"Xia Hua, you just promised me!"

Xie Ping blinked, her gaze shifting back and forth between Li Yuan and Jiang Zhiyu. She sensed something was off but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

"Zhiyu, Li Yuan, alright then. If you two are busy, we can do it another time," Xie Ping replied. Seeing them still holding hands, she was convinced the two had made up and were back together.

Zhang Ruoxue also grumbled playfully, "You promised a big meal, Li Yuan! You’d better be ready, because we’re definitely going to take you for all you’re worth!"

"Of course. Anywhere in Modu, your choice," Li Yuan responded generously, awkwardly rubbing his nose. He felt a complex mix of regret and relief.

"Tsk tsk, as expected of the great Talented Li! So generous!" Li Qingqing licked her lips, her mind already fantasizing about what they would eat.

Jiang Zhiyu pulled on Li Yuan’s hand and said with feigned calmness, "Xia Hua, let’s go!"

"Pingping, Qingqing, Ruoxue, we’re off now!"

...

Once Li Yuan and Jiang Zhiyu’s figures had gradually disappeared from sight, Xie Ping turned to her two friends and voiced her doubts.

"Ruoxue, Qingqing, does something feel off to you guys?"

Zhang Ruoxue’s brows furrowed slightly. "What do you mean, ’off’?"

"I can’t explain it, but something just feels not quite right. It’s especially Zhiyu; she was acting particularly strange." Xie Ping frowned, recalling the blush on Jiang Zhiyu’s cheeks.

"Pingping, you’re probably overthinking it. I think everything seemed pretty normal. My only question is, what on earth did Li Yuan say to make Zhiyu come around so quickly? Are they really back together for good?"

"I’m curious too. Li Yuan really has a way with words. Who knows what he told Zhiyu this time to make that silly girl do whatever he says. Ugh, Zhiyu is such a lovesick fool."

"Perhaps. I just hope Li Yuan will act like a decent human being for once and stop hurting an innocent girl like her."