QTIMP -Chapter 140 Character Persona – Love Brained (Part 11)

Tian Shuang coughed awkwardly and shook her head without saying anything. Lin Zixiang suddenly seemed to realize something and sprang up from the sofa.

He got up and was about to head to the kitchen, but Shao Yang reacted quickly, grabbing him and yanking him back down onto the couch.

Lin Zixiang struggled. “Let go of me! That guy is definitely taking advantage of my sister—I need to keep an eye on him!”

Tian Shuang hurriedly explained, “No, no! Si Qiu is just feeding him ice cream!”

“Exactly, exactly,” Shao Yang chimed in. “I’m telling you, those two are officially dating now. If you go in there, you’ll just be breaking up a couple.”

With one hand pinning him down, Shao Yang shoved the unwrapped ice cream into Lin Zixiang’s mouth with the other.

Lin Zixiang struggled his way upright, no longer insisting on going to the kitchen. Instead, he took a vicious bite, chomping off half the ice cream in one go.

“How did Qiuqiu agree to that guy so easily? I already told her—people who go into politics are full of schemes and dark intentions. I told her to be more cautious, but she didn’t listen at all.”

“Come on, Xiangzi, Old Zhou is a solid science student,” Shao Yang said.

“Tch, as if anyone doesn’t know that. That’s just his way of securing benefits from his family for going into politics in the future.”

Lin Zixiang turned to glare at Shao Yang.

“In his whole family, he might be the most straightforward—but that’s only compared to them. Compared to us? Even the two of us combined couldn’t match him alone.”

Lin Zixiang truly meant well. He felt that Si Qiu was too naïve, too inexperienced, and easily fooled by that guy’s elegant, upright appearance. He feared she would end up hurt—both emotionally and physically.

And he wasn’t exaggerating. In their social circle, this kind of thing was all too common. On the surface, families looked harmonious and respectable, but behind the scenes, things were often filthy.

Still, now that the two had officially entered a relationship, it wasn’t his place to interfere. Besides, once school started, they would all be going to different places anyway.

It seemed he could only give his “little sister” some reminders from behind the scenes.

“Qiuqiu, I can still hang out with you for a couple more days. After that, I’ll have to stay home and study. If you have time, you must come visit me,” Zhou Chenyu said. Before cutting the watermelon, he scooped out the sweetest part and fed it to Si Qiu.

Si Qiu liked this kind of favoritism—otherwise, what would even be the point of being in a relationship? Smiling happily, she ate the piece of watermelon.

“Then you have to spend these next couple of days properly with me. But I’m pretty busy too—I need to help Tian Shuang tidy up her place, and I also need to find someone to renovate the new apartment I bought. It’s close to the university, so renting it out later will bring in some income.”

When Zhou Chenyu saw the small piece of watermelon held up to his lips, he didn’t refuse and ate it directly. Then he watched her count off her upcoming tasks on her fingers.

“You’re really that eager to make money? Are you short on cash? I’ve saved up some New Year money—I’ll bring it to you tomorrow. You can use it.”

Zhou Chenyu thought about his savings. There was the New Year money and allowance his family gave him, but the bulk came from company dividend payouts.

Since his family members all worked within the system, they only received dividends rather than holding actual shares. The company was run by his eldest cousin, and in recent years, business had been booming—the annual dividends had been increasing exponentially.

That money should be enough for Si Qiu to use for a while. Maybe he should, like his second cousin, start making more investments with friends?

“Alright. Tomorrow I’ll go with you to find someone to renovate your place.”

Si Qiu stood under the tap, rinsing her hands. “Do you know anyone in this field? If you do, you could introduce them to me. But don’t let it affect your studies. If your family finds out, they might get a bad impression of me.”

Hearing this, Zhou Chenyu realized she was already thinking about the future. His heart brimmed with affection. He lowered his head and kissed her on the cheek, then immediately turned around and pretended to wash his hands.

From the tips of his ears down to his neck, he was flushed red. Seeing him like this, a trace of sweetness also welled up in Si Qiu’s heart.

“I’ll take the watermelon out,” she said, carrying the sliced watermelon outside.

Only then did Zhou Chenyu let out a long breath, the corners of his mouth lifting uncontrollably. He quickly dried his hands, took out his phone, and started scrolling through his contacts to see if anyone could help in this area.

He felt the same as Lin Zixiang—Si Qiu was just too innocent. He had only just confessed, and she had already agreed. He truly liked her.

But others were different. What if she got deceived?

So after roughly tidying up the house, they split into two groups. Tian Shuang took Lin Zixiang and Shao Yang to buy things, while Zhou Chenyu took Si Qiu to visit a friend to discuss the renovation.

Si Qiu wasn’t in a hurry, but Zhou Chenyu felt pressed for time, so he wanted to get everything settled before he got busy.

As long as money wasn’t an issue, many things could be done quickly and efficiently—especially in a society driven by personal connections.

With Zhou Chenyu’s introduction, things were quickly arranged. Si Qiu brought the designer to take a look and do some basic measurements.

She had already made up her mind—if this design company met her expectations, she still had several apartments and storefronts that she could entrust to them in the future.

After returning, they finalized the design plan at a rapid pace. Once the payment was made, everything was settled. Then they hurried back to Tian Shuang’s place.

The three of them had not only purchased most of the necessary items, but had also hung the curtains, set up the trash bins, and made the bed.

The place was now completely ready for moving in.

They all agreed to find a small nearby restaurant to have a good meal before heading home—after all, the day had been exhausting.

The dishes at the small restaurant had a unique charm. The thoroughly tired group of boys and girls ate like they hadn’t in days—eight dishes, one soup, and bowls of rice stacked in front of each person.

There was no need for politeness or small talk. Everyone ate to their heart’s content.

After sending Tian Shuang and Si Qiu upstairs, the other three boys each went back to their own homes.

The two girls sat on the carpet beneath the coffee table, with fruit and drinks laid out on top. Tian Shuang began telling Si Qiu everything that had happened since she left.

In the end, she wiped the tears from her face. “I knew they didn’t love me that much, but I didn’t expect them to not care at all about this blood relationship. Is a biological child really worse than a relative from another branch? Every time I think about it, it feels like my heart is about to split apart. But even knowing they might have a miserable old age because of their choices, I still can’t let go of them.”

Si Qiu pulled her into an embrace, feeling her clothes damp against her skin as she gently patted her back.

Softly, she comforted her, “Shuangshuang, don’t be sad. The people who love you wouldn’t want to see you sad. And for those who don’t love you, your sadness only shows weakness. I’ve always believed that love from others is just charity—only the love you give yourself is true pampering. So I never expect others to love me.”

Sniffling, Tian Shuang grabbed a tissue and blew her nose. “Then why do you cry your heart out every time you break up?”