Wang Lina's unintentional remark immediately sparked a heated discussion among everyone.

Li Hongying's eyes lit up first: "That's great! A four-person dorm room is so spacious!"

Lin Xuemei nodded in agreement: "That's right, everyone here is easy to get along with, and there won't be any more conflicts in the future."

For a time, everyone felt that if Zhou Xiaoyan really left, maintaining the status quo would be the best outcome.

Of course, this is just wishful thinking; things can't stay this way forever.

The school will definitely arrange for new students to come in.

Li Hongying clasped her hands together and said devoutly, "If the school really wants to send a new person in, they must be someone who is easy to get along with."

As soon as she said that, everyone immediately thought of that unpleasant name.

"Let's hope there's no more like Zhang Tingting."

Wang Lina shuddered first, her face full of lingering fear.

Mentioning Zhang Tingting, Wang Lina seemed to suddenly remember something important, leaned forward, and lowered her voice mysteriously.

She beckoned to her roommates with her finger, signaling them to come closer and listen.

"Speaking of her, I just heard some earth-shattering news that you would never expect."

"Her home was thoroughly investigated."

"I heard that her parents not only embezzled huge sums of money, but also had murder on their hands and were sentenced to death."

"No wonder Zhang Tingting is so vicious; like father, like son," Ye Linchen sighed.

"Then... what about Zhang Tingting?" Lin Xuemei finally found her voice after a long while and asked dryly.

“She,” Wang Lina uttered four words, “is sentenced to life imprisonment.”

"She deserves it," Li Hongying said, letting out a long sigh.

She suddenly grabbed Ye Linchen's arm and squeezed it tightly.

“Xiao Chen,” her voice was still a little shaky, “now that I think about it, I really owe it all to you.”

"If you hadn't dared to go against her back then, with her family's background, if any of us had accidentally offended her, we probably wouldn't even know how we died."

Wang Lina nodded emphatically, her face filled with relief and gratitude.

"That's right, and the whole thing about me being framed was thanks to Xiao Chen's help," she waved to everyone and said generously, "After my performance, I'll treat you all to a meal at a restaurant!"

"Then we have to thank Xiao Chen. Without Xiao Chen, we would have missed out on another meal."

"Xiao Chen, you'd better eat more then."

Surrounded by them, Ye Linchen listened to their laughter and joy, her heart overflowing with happiness.

In this life, she not only has a lover, but also friends, and feels a sense of security and happiness she has never experienced before.

While this warm friendship was blossoming in the dormitory, Meng Zihan was on the other side of the city, plotting with Meng Xueyun how to win over Gu Yifei.

“‘Red Bean Restaurant’ will be set up here,” Meng Zihan said to Meng Xueyun.

Meng Zihan is very familiar with "Red Bean Restaurant".

This hotel is located in the city center and was built in the 1980s.

Its reputation grew due to its elegant environment, delicious food, and reasonable prices, and its business became increasingly prosperous.

Thirty years later, it developed into the most prestigious store in Jiangcheng.

Meng Zihan has been there quite a few times.

Shopping here won't put too much strain on the wallets of two people.

But the real reason Meng Zihan chose it was the inconspicuous privately-run inn next to the restaurant.

That place will be the most crucial part of her plan.

The date for the banquet to entertain Gu Yifei has also been set.

I chose number ten.

Eighteen years ago, on this very day, her father, Meng Xuejun, sent her to the Ye family.

Meng Zihan did not intend to reveal any information to Gu Yifei beforehand.

In these situations, a surprise attack is the most effective.

Over the next few days, Meng Zihan practiced her expressions in front of the mirror repeatedly and chose her clothes.

She knew Gu Yifei's preferences well, and she knew what kind of appearance she should present to him so that he would be moved.

She needed to make sure she presented herself in the most captivating and alluring way on the 10th.

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was the afternoon of the 10th.

Meng Zihan called Gu Yifei.

This number was left to her by Gu Yifei; it was the public phone in their dormitory.

Meng Zihan stood in a public phone booth and dialed the number that would change her life.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

Meng Zihan tightened her grip on the receiver slightly and told the dormitory supervisor Gu Yifei's name.

Hearing Gu Yifei's slightly questioning voice from the other end, Meng Zihan immediately adjusted her emotions, making her voice sound soft and hesitant: "Brother Yifei, it's me, Meng Zihan."

"Xiaohan? Is something wrong?" Gu Yifei was clearly surprised.

Meng Zihan's voice was even gentler: "Brother Yifei, I thought about what you said to me last time for a long, long time... I think what you said makes sense, and I plan to do as you said, but I don't know exactly how to do it. Are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner at the 'Red Bean' restaurant so we can talk in detail in person, is that okay?"

"That's great, Xiaohan, it's so good that you've come to your senses. But you don't need to treat us, we can just find anywhere to sit."

Gu Yifei on the other end of the phone clearly didn't notice anything amiss and readily agreed.

"No, no, besides this, there's something else very important I need to tell you."

Gu Yifei was very puzzled: "Is there something else important? What is it?"

"You'll see when you get there today. Yifei, could you do me the honor of having a meal with me? Today is a very special day for me."

At this point, Meng Zihan's voice lowered, filled with deep sorrow.

Gu Yifei felt a pang of heartache upon hearing this, and he couldn't bear to refuse her.

The two quickly agreed on a specific time for dinner.

On the same day, Gu Jingran's work in Gangcheng also came to an end, and he immediately rushed back to Jiangcheng.

After the plane landed, he asked the driver to leave the car behind, sent a message to Ye Linchen, and then went to wait for her at the entrance of Jiangcheng University.

Upon receiving the message, Ye Linchen immediately slung his backpack over his shoulder and left the school.

Upon seeing that familiar, tall figure and the black sedan beside him, Ye Linchen's face immediately broke into a joyful smile.

She ran up to him quickly, looked up and asked, "Jingran, when did you get back?"

Gu Jingran reached out and ruffled his hair, smiling as he said, "I came straight here after getting off the plane."

Are you hungry?

"Would you like to come grab something to eat with me?"

Ye Linchen nodded immediately, her eyes sparkling: "Okay! What do you want to eat?"

"How about 'Red Bean Restaurant'? I went there once before, and the food was good and the environment was nice too."

His eyes flickered slightly, but his expression wasn't good.

"Of course, that's only one reason."

"What other reasons could there be?" Ye Linchen asked curiously.

Gu Jingran looked at her and gave a slight smile.

"The people I sent to keep an eye on Meng Zihan and Xiao Fei have sent word that Meng Zihan has booked a private room at that restaurant tonight to treat Xiao Fei to dinner."

"Would you like to go and take a look?"