Chapter 37 - Boost Your Spirits (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Tang Qiu was feeling troubled after that fiasco in the cafeteria, so she went searching for Xie Qingging. The two of them sat down together on the school lawn to chat.

“Even Ning Mufan himself said that you were his girlfriend. How assertive of you!”

Tang Qiu rolled her eyes. “Don’t be an idiot. It was Qian Hongwei’s idea. Plus, it’s not like we’re dating for real. They did it to put an end to the rumors, which could affect my chances of getting a scholarship if the teachers heard them and got a bad impression of me.”

Xie Qingging found it hard to believe the situation was as simple as that. Surely someone as sharp as Qian Hongwei would have picked up on Ning Mufan’s feelings for Tang Qiu? He must be looking for an excuse to set them up. She had never felt that Tang Qiu had any kind of future with Jiang Shaocheng.

Were it not because the present situation necessitated it, Xie Qingqing would still have doubts about whether Ning Mufan was worthy of her closest friend, but he was a better match than Jiang Shaocheng in every aspect: disposition, learnedness, and background. Most importantly, he liked Tang Qiu.

“Since the two seniors are doing you a favor, there’s no need to come out so quickly,” she advised. “Wait till you’ve gotten the scholarship before announcing your breakup with Ning Mufan.” They could afford to let the matter play out longer, she thought.

Tang Qiu’s brow creased. “I’m afraid of causing trouble for Ning Mufan. And I’m married, too. I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Xie Qingging rolled her eyes again, unable to help herself. “Your husband is cooped up at home all day trying to recover. How will he know about this, if you keep it to yourself? You think too plainly sometimes, Qiu. On occasion, it pays to be flexible. The seniors are helping you out, and you want to break

things off? What will the two of them think?”

Tang Qiu pondered her words for a while, trying and failing to come up with a better solution. She felt a stab of resentment at whoever had started the rumor to begin with. “I wonder which troublemaker started spreading those rumors about me…”

Xie Qingging, too, thought that those rumors were sickening. Worse, they tarnished Tang Qiu’s good name. “I’l help you look into it. If I can’t find out, I’l ask Ning Mufan for help. He’s sure to have greater connections and resources than us both.”

Tang Qiu nodded, but inwardly she still wished she could uncover the truth herself. If Ning Mufan helped her, she would owe him yet another favor, and she disliked bothering him unless she had to. The situation was still fresh in her mind when she returned to the mansion, leaving her ina bad mood.

Jiang Shaocheng saw her staring idly at her food and asked, “Qiu?”

Tang Qiu lifted her head, looking blur. “Yes?”