CH 2

Chapter 2: In the Past, Was I, Qi Yun, a Hopeless Romantic for Lian Qingxue?

In his past life, the last time Qi Yun saw Lian Qingxue was in the ICU of a hospital. After high school, he never saw Lian Qingxue until she actively sought him out in the hospital. The atmosphere in the hospital was naturally gloomy. His ward was filled with critically ill patients, some passing away from time to time, their relatives weeping. Most of the time, the room was filled with silent patients and sorrowful family members, making the environment quite bleak. However, when Lian Qingxue entered, it seemed as if the entire ward was illuminated.

With her exquisite features and formidable aura, Qi Yun would not have recognized her had she not introduced herself. She was the girl who used to sit in a corner of his classroom. She had heard about his condition and came specifically to visit him. Their reunion after such a long time was surprisingly pleasant, even though their circumstances had dramatically changed.

Lian Qingxue was only visiting an old classmate. As for Qi Yun, who was on the brink of death, what did social status matter anymore? When Lian Qingxue was leaving, Qi Yun asked her, “We weren’t even that close in high school. Why did you come to see me?”

“You might not remember, but back then, you always brought eggs for me to eat.”

“Eggs?” Qi Yun suddenly remembered, “You mean when I used to copy your homework in the morning? The eggs were just a side thing.”

Lian Qingxue laughed, “It might not have meant much to you, but back then, those eggs were the best thing I could eat.”

Qi Yun truly didn’t remember. In high school, he was playful and often didn’t finish his homework, so he would copy from others in the morning. Sometimes, he would copy from Lian Qingxue. However, he wasn’t very close to her, so he felt a bit guilty about copying her homework without giving anything in return. So, he gave her the boiled eggs he brought from home. He didn’t care much for the eggs, so giving them to Lian Qingxue didn’t bother him. Who would have thought she would remember it even after ten years?

Although Lian Qingxue came only to visit, when she left, she deposited a large amount of money into Qi Yun’s hospital account. Qi Yun wanted to return it, but he had no chance to do so before he died.

With thoughts of Lian Qingxue swirling in his head, Qi Yun and Wang Shang arrived at the school gate. The students from the school kept half a snack street alive. One after another, food carts lined up on both sides of the street. Each stall had a line of students in front of it, and the air was filled with the enticing smell of food.

Qi Yun was immediately attracted. After growing up, he always felt that these snacks had a special flavor that he hadn’t tasted since. The two of them rushed to a pancake stall and bought two pancakes. Wang Shang was munching away, but Qi Yun turned and headed for a noodle stall, “Give me a bowl of beef noodles.”

“You’re eating so much?” Wang Shang was surprised.

“It’s for someone else.”

“For someone? Oh, you’re buying food for Zhang Mengyao again? You should just confess your feelings to her!”

“…Who the hell is Zhang Mengyao?”

After a while, Qi Yun finally figured out who Zhang Mengyao was—his secret crush from high school! Even worse, she was already quite adept at playing hard-to-get, despite her young age. After high school in his previous life, Qi Yun had confessed his feelings to her. Zhang Mengyao’s response was straightforward, “I only see you as an older brother.”

An older brother? Seriously?

Damn!

So, it turns out I was a hopeless romantic, too?[1]

Qi Yun returned to the classroom. Zhang Mengyao was chatting with her best friend. She came from a wealthy family and had started dressing up even in high school. She wore a butterfly clip in her hair and had slightly curled ends. She immediately stood out from the crowd. Not only Qi Yun, but many boys in the class liked her, some even secretly calling her the class beauty.

Seeing the beef noodles in Qi Yun’s hand, Zhang Mengyao’s best friend giggled, “Mengyao, Qi Yun bought dinner for you again!”

“Hmph, as if I care,” Zhang Mengyao rolled her eyes.

“Qi Yun isn’t bad, you know. He treats you well, and he’s quite handsome. Would you accept if he confessed to you?”

“He’s not good at academics, and his family isn’t impressive. I would be stupid to accept!”

Zhang Mengyao watched as Qi Yun walked in from the doorway and towards her. As she expected, he bought the meal for her. She reached out with a smile, ready to take the bowl of noodles from Qi Yun’s hand. But Qi Yun deftly moved aside…

Both girls watched as Qi Yun walked to the back of the classroom and placed the beef noodles on Lian Qingxue’s desk. Annoyed, Qi Yun glanced at Zhang Mengyao; she almost ruined his plans! This was his first investment!

Investment target: Lian Qingxue!

“Lian Qingxue, I bought beef noodles for you!”

The girl sitting across the desk looked up at him, her bright eyes filled with puzzlement.

[1] An idiot who doesn’t see or listen to anyone advise