Xia Lian entered the classroom just as it was time for morning reading.

Most of the freshmen hadn't yet grasped the fact that school had started and were still talking amongst themselves. Yin Tao and Ye Qingzhou were standing very close together, seemingly plotting something.

"This matter depends on you. Aren't you very talkative? Take the initiative to strike up a conversation with her."

"It's true that I talk a lot, but... Xiao Lian is here, good morning!" Xia Lian had already sat down next to them without them noticing, looking at them strangely. Yin Tao quickly turned around awkwardly and greeted her.

It was too noisy in the classroom just now; I didn't even hear any footsteps.

"morning."

Xia Lian replied softly, nodded slightly, and took out a book to begin seriously preparing for the next lesson.

Yin Tao looked her over and then felt a little strange.

Although her appearance hadn't changed much, Xia Lian seemed much more energetic today, unlike her gloomy self yesterday.

"Xiao Lian seems a little happier today."

"Um……?"

Although her expression remained indifferent, her aura was much better than yesterday. Yin Tao seized the opportunity and moved closer to her with a playful smile.

"Hey, did something good happen yesterday? Tell me about it!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Lian was somewhat stunned. Her mind drifted back to her time with Wen Mo yesterday and what happened this morning, and a warmth welled up in her heart.

His gaze softened considerably, and his lifeless demeanor vanished completely.

Seeing her like this, Yin Tao knew something was up. Her eyes lit up as she wrapped her arms around Xia Lian's waist. "I knew it was something good! Tell me, tell me~"

Xia Lian stared blankly at Yin Tao wrapped around her waist. After hesitating for a few moments, she didn't say what she had said. Wen Mo had said that she couldn't talk about "sleeping".

"I held hands with Wenmo... I'm so happy." She stammered a little, and even though her eyes didn't show any emotion, the happiness on her face was genuine.

"well?"

Hearing Yin Tao's surprised voice, Xia Lian shook her head, straightened Yin Tao's head, and said slowly and deliberately, "Holding hands is normal...it's okay."

Yin Tao blinked, and her original doubts were immediately dispelled by her words.

Yes, if the person involved isn't shy, it doesn't matter if they're holding hands from the age of one to one hundred.

"Oh yeah, I was so shallow." She scratched her head a little embarrassedly, then looked at me with the curiosity of a child, "Xiao Lian, can you tell me about the president?"

At this point, Yin Tao felt a surge of joy. Through her tireless efforts, she had finally steered the conversation toward the president!

All I need to do now is wait for the right opportunity, and then find a chance to invite them both, hehehe...

Meanwhile, Ye Qingzhou, seeing her increasingly wicked expression, gave her a look as if she were an idiot, and if he could, he really wanted to pretend he didn't know her.

Xia Lian tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Why do you want to know about him?"

“Uh…” Yin Tao looked away, trying hard to think of a reason, and after a few seconds her eyes lit up. “Because… because I’m a little interested in the president, um… and I care about him a lot.”

After saying that, Xia Lian slightly raised her pretty face, her brain going into standby mode.

I'm very interested in Wenmer... and quite concerned about him...

Um……

Seeing that Xia Lian's brain was working at full speed, Yin Tao cautiously leaned closer and asked softly, "How is it? Can you tell me now?"

Xia Lian then realized what was happening, slowly raised her head to meet Yin Tao's gaze. For some reason, she suddenly felt a little sad, as if something important was about to be taken away.

"No, you can't...!"

Unlike her usual tone, although she still spoke lightly, Xia Lian sounded like a cat guarding its food, raising her voice several notches.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Yin Tao was a little stunned.

Seemingly realizing her tone had been a bit harsh, Xia Lian immediately softened, only weakly adding, "Wen Mo is, mine..."

Yin Tao looked completely innocent. She had just made up her reason casually, but she hadn't expected Xia Lian to react so strongly, which gave her a sense of novelty.

I never expected this girl to have such a contrasting side.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Lian, I didn't mean it that way, I... Ouch!" Yin Tao apologized sincerely, but before she could finish speaking, she was pushed aside by a hand.

Realizing that Yin Tao had failed her mission, Ye Qingzhou sighed, casually tossed her aside, and then picked up where she left off, "Yin Tao didn't mean any harm, she's just plain stupid, I assure you."

As he spoke, he gave Yin Tao a look.

After understanding, Yin Tao nodded obediently, scratching her head awkwardly, "Actually, we just wanted to have dinner with you, and maybe bring the president along too..."

Ye Qingzhou chimed in, "That's pretty much it, because that idiot Yin Tao has always wanted to spend more time with you."

The three people sitting in the back row all fell silent for a moment.

Seeing that the girl beside her remained quiet and didn't say anything, Yin Tao hesitated before asking, "Xiao Lian, is it okay?"

Xia Lian raised her head, her lifeless, drooping eyes staring straight at Yin Tao, and cupped the other's face in her hands, "Really?"

"Yes, don't worry."

Hearing this, Xia Lian finally felt relieved and returned to her usual dazed state.

"Then I'll go... ask..."

Ye Qingzhou and the other person finally breathed a sigh of relief.

There's hope.

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