Chapter 36 - Dating Someone in School (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

‘As they took their seats, Qian Hongwei eyed them both, then looked at Tang Qiu and asked out of the blue, “Do you have anyone you’re interested in?”

‘Tang Qiu nearly spat out her food in surprise, but she managed to stay composed enough to shake her head.

Qian Hongwei raised his eyebrows, a wicked curve playing with the corners of his mouth.

“What?” Tang Qiu retorted bluntly. “Is there a problem?”

“Not at all. I just feel sad for some people, that’s all.” Qian Hongwei cast a meaningful glance at Ning Mufan, who noticed his friend staring and instantly felt his appetite leave him. “I told them you were dating Ning Mufan partly out of consideration for your prospects too.”

“What prospects?” Tang Qiu asked, confused.

“If the rumors got out of hand, people would start taking them for the truth,” he explained. “It would affect your reputation. If word got out to the teachers and they got the wrong idea about you, they might choose not to grant you a scholarship. What would you do then?”

Tang Qiu’s fists clenched at his mention of the scholarship. “Thank you for looking out for me, Senior. But there’s nothing between Ning Mufan and I, and I don’t want to drag him into this

“Drag him?” Qian Hongwei echoed, grinning. “I’d say he’s perfectly happy to be ‘dragged into’ all thi

Tang Qiu’s eyes widened, as if in shock. Ning Mufan’s gaze simmered. He hadn’t thought Qian Hongwei was capable of screwing someone over like this. “Your senior just likes to joke around,” he said hastily, trying to salvage the situation. “Aren’t you well aware of that by now?”

Qian Hongwei threw an arm around him in a brotherly gesture. “Why so bashful?” he asked with a smirk. “If you like someone, you ought to tell them.”

Ning Mufan shoved him away, red-faced. Tang Qiu laughed awkwardly.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop.” Qian Hongwei’s smile never left his face. “True, I said you two were a couple. But couples can break up. You could do so now, if you want. Just remember to make it clear to everyone.”

Tang Qiu nodded in understanding, “But this will mean sacrificing Senior Ning Mufan’s reputation. I-”

“Ning Mufan is magnanimous by nature. It may be a sacrifice, but not a huge one. Besides, those girls were bothering him too. You’re helping him out by pretending to be his girlfriend. Isn’t that right, junior?” Qian Hongwei nudged him with his elbow and gave him a look.

Ning Mufan nodded in implicit agreement. “So you don’t need to feel guilty, Tang Qiu.”

Despite her relief, Tang Qiu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was not quite right.

They finished eating, and Tang Qiu left before them both. Still carrying his basketball, Qian Hongwei flashed a grin at Ning Mufan, as though expecting some kind of credit. “Looks like you’ve got to work hard now, to upgrade her from being your fake girlfriend to your real one.”

Ning Mufan returned his gaze, perplexed. “Why are you helping me?”