Chapter 92

By the time Shen Lihuan arrived at You Changqing’s dorm, the commotion had already ended. She didn’t see the troublemakers and was briefly stunned. Taking a couple of steps back, she carefully checked the dorm number on the door. The large digits “507” were clearly displayed.

I didn’t go to the wrong place. So why is it all quiet now?

Shen Lihuan was so conflicted that her eyebrows practically twisted into knots. She knocked on the door, and from inside came You Changhong’s bright voice, “Who is it?”

You Changqing, guessing that Lihuan had arrived, quickly walked to open the door. As soon as Shen Lihuan stepped in, she gave You Changqing a once-over, only relaxing when she confirmed that there wasn’t a single scratch on her. “Didn’t you say some idiots came to stir up trouble? How come they’re nowhere to be seen?”

Seeing that Shen Lihuan had rushed over so quickly she was sweating, You Changqing immediately grabbed a tissue to help wipe her forehead. While doing so, she casually replied, “Just a few little mice. I didn’t even need my dad to step in—I handled it myself. So don’t worry, no one’s going to bully me.”

Shen Lihuan quietly stared at her, then suddenly broke into a relieved smile. “I was overthinking it.”

Changqing wasn’t someone with a soft temperament. She had weathered plenty of storms. Unless it was some old fox in the business world, who could possibly take advantage of her?

Not to mention her future in-laws—any one of them could scare the troublemakers half to death just by showing up. Shen Lihuan had just subconsciously assumed Changqing would be the one getting bullied.

Changqing acted cute with her, pouted, behaved childishly. Shen Lihuan had come to believe that was all there was to her and had forgotten that, before she knew her, Changqing had been the unattainable goddess of Minggao—admired from afar, not to be approached.

Looks like her thinking really needed to change. It’s not that she would stop protecting Changqing, but rather, she should start seeing her as a partner who could stand strong at her side through anything. Changqing wasn’t delicate—in fact, she was incredibly resilient.

Who was Changqing, after all? She was going to be a leader in the business world. How could Shen Lihuan see her as some weak little woman?

With that thought, Shen Lihuan smiled and wrapped her arm around You Changqing’s waist. “I almost forgot. My Changqing is actually a queen. You’re just always my little princess when you’re with me.”

You Changhong, who was nearby, jokingly acted embarrassed and covered his eyes—but considering how wide the gaps between his fingers were, it was hard to take it seriously.

The next day after orientation, the freshmen began their military training, which would last a week.

Because Shen Lihuan had a dorm to herself, the girls in her class didn’t know much about her. Everyone was studying medicine and had calm temperaments, so they weren’t overly friendly. At most, they’d greet her in passing—nothing more.

Shen Lihuan actually enjoyed this. She didn’t like overly familiar or enthusiastic people, so this low-key vibe suited her just fine.

But once military training started, nobody had the energy to focus on anything else. It was brutal—especially with a hellish drill instructor. One by one, the delicate young women were worked to the bone, drenched in sweat, covered in dust, and looking an absolute mess. Only Shen Lihuan managed to stay clean and fresh. Sure, she sweated too, but next to the girls whose faces were soaked, the contrast was glaring.

The training fields for the Finance and Medical schools were close to each other. Every time the whistle blew for a break, most students would dash under the trees, collapse onto the ground, or gulp down water. Shen Lihuan, meanwhile, strolled around leisurely—she even had the spare energy to bring water to her girlfriend!

Watching the two of them effortlessly flaunt their affection like pros, anyone who’d just started developing feelings for them immediately gave up. Damn it, why do all the gorgeous girls end up dating each other? Can’t they leave one for the guys?

When the week-long boot camp ended, it was time for the devilish instructor to leave too. Once he shed his cold and stern expression, he turned out to be a shy guy. As the class tearfully sang the military song he’d taught them to send him off, Shen Lihuan clearly saw that his eyes had turned red as well.

Imperial University was a humane institution. After the training ended, freshmen were given two days to rest and recover before formal classes started on Monday.

Even though it was just a week, many in the class were visibly tanned. Shen Lihuan was one of the few exceptions who didn’t tan. After spending a week together, the others had gotten to know her better, and now more people would greet her when they saw her. Still, when they realized she was still so fair-skinned, a few students nearly burst into tears.

“We went through the same training—why is Lihuan still so pale, while I’ve darkened by at least one shade?”

“Lihuan, do you use any skincare products? Or have any maintenance tips?”

Shen Lihuan glanced at the classmate who asked and replied, “I use skincare from Shengyan. I recommend it.”

“Wow, I’ve heard of Shengyan, but it’s kinda pricey so I didn’t go for it. If I’d known it worked this well, I’d have eaten plain porridge all next month just to afford it…”

The girl who had asked could only stare at Shen Lihuan’s jade-like complexion, full of regret.

Just then, Shen Lihuan got a message from You Changqing: “I’m waiting for you downstairs at the teaching building.” She stood up leisurely. “Actually, it’s not too late to buy it now. Shengyan really works—a bottle of their Fair Complexion Elixir will have your skin glowing again in a week.”

“My girlfriend’s waiting for me downstairs. I’m heading off. See you Monday!”

“Bye! See you Monday!”

Her classmates waved goodbye, watching her chic figure as she left, and sighed, “Lihuan and her girlfriend are so sweet. Every time I see Lihuan bringing her water, wiping her sweat, giving her shoulder massages… I get so jealous. Why don’t I have a girlfriend like that? Ugh…”

“Other people’s love stories are always touching. But me? I haven’t even had a single romance yet. I’m nineteen and still solo from birth. Pathetic.”

“I heard that after starting med school, your looks will deteriorate and your hairline will retreat fast. So for all the single folks here—get moving! Convince someone to date you while you’ve still got your looks and your hairline!”

“…No worries—if a person’s got a big head, they won’t be afraid of rain. If I’ve got Shengyan, I’m not afraid of going bald. Shengyan’s Hair Growth Pills—you deserve to have them.”

While their classmates were eagerly discussing Shengyan’s Hair Growth Pills, Shen Lihuan had already gone downstairs. You Changqing was leaning against the wall, head slightly lowered as she looked at her phone. Her hair wasn’t tied up—sleek and smooth strands flowed over her shoulders, with a few playful locks falling beside her cheeks. The contrast between her fair skin and glossy black hair was striking. Shen Lihuan looked at her and suddenly felt a tickle in her throat.

Come to think of it, she and Changqing were already eighteen now. There were some things they were old enough to do.

Sensing someone’s intense gaze on her, You Changqing looked up. She saw Shen Lihuan standing not far away, one hand in her pocket and the other holding her phone. She instinctively turned her own phone off and walked over with a smile. “Why didn’t you call me when you came down?”

Shen Lihuan reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Because my Changqing is too pretty—I was too mesmerized to speak.”

You Changqing pressed her red lips together and gave her a sidelong glare, feigning annoyance. “Smooth talker.”

“Let’s go home. We haven’t seen Youyou in a week—he’s definitely not happy.”

That little guy, Youyou, looked the most like Gu Tingyu. He only bore a slight resemblance to Shen Jiashu, which drove Shen Jiashu absolutely crazy. But Youyou was completely attached to his big sister Shen Lihuan. As long as she was around, she was the only one he wanted. If anyone else tried to hold him, he’d get mad. Only when Shen Lihuan wasn’t around would he share the love and let others hold him.

Thinking of her adorable little brother, Shen Lihuan smiled dotingly. “Alright, let’s head back.”

When they returned to the Shen household, Youyou was nestled in Guan Kening’s arms. The moment he saw his sister walk through the door, he immediately abandoned his little aunt-in-law and reached out to Shen Lihuan. His round eyes welled up with tears, as if he’d suffered the greatest injustice in the world. Shen Lihuan knew this was one of his usual tricks, but it still tugged at her heartstrings every time. She quickly walked over and took him from her aunt-in-law, soothing him gently. “Oh, oh, my sweet baby, don’t cry, don’t cry.”

Snuggled into his sister’s warm arms, Youyou clung tightly to her shirt, as if afraid she’d run away. His little mouth pouted, and anyone who saw him would think he’d been terribly wronged.

Gu Qinglan teased her son. “When your sister’s not home, you let everyone hold you. But the moment she comes back, you burn the bridge and forget us all.”

Shen Lihuan sat on the couch holding Youyou. He, of course, had no idea his mom was teasing him. You Changqing sat beside Lihuan and reached out to play with Youyou, but he turned his head away from her and only chirped “jiji, jiji” at Shen Lihuan.

At eight months old, he could already say “Mama” and “Papa.” He was lively and mischievous, and even if no one paid attention to him, he could babble “Mama, Papa, jiji” all afternoon by himself.

Every time he chirped, Shen Lihuan responded, and finally Youyou perked up. His little bottom bounced excitedly, his plump red lips stretched into a wide grin, and his tiny baby teeth peeked out shyly.

Shen Lihuan quickly held onto him tighter—he’d better not bounce himself right off.

That evening, the whole family gathered for dinner, then chatted idly in the living room until after nine, when Gu Tingyu and Guan Kening returned to their own home.

Youyou was still full of energy. Shen Lihuan and You Changqing played with him in the playroom specially built for him until he finally started yawning. After coaxing him to sleep, Shen Lihuan brought him back to their parents’ room—he was still too young to sleep alone.

On their way back to her room, You Changqing’s heart was thumping wildly. She stole a glance at Shen Lihuan beside her, and her cheeks flushed. They were both adults now—shouldn’t those blissful things finally be happening?

The next day, You Changqing didn’t wake up until noon. When she finally did, the room was empty. She shifted a little, feeling that familiar soreness, especially in a place she couldn’t exactly name.

Lihuan must’ve cleaned her up—her body felt fresh and not sticky at all. She vaguely remembered being carried into the bathroom by Lihuan last night, saying she’d help her bathe, but then… things started all over again…

Thinking of the pleasure from the night before, You Changqing buried her burning face into the blanket. So the first time really did hurt—but once the pain passed, the intense pleasure that followed was enough to make her soul explode. But with that bliss came the aftermath.

She didn’t even need a mirror to know how pitiful she looked now—all thanks to Lihuan. But that troublemaker wasn’t even in the room. Not seeing her first thing made You Changqing feel just a little disappointed.