QTIMP -Chapter 141 Character Persona – Love Brained (Part 12)

Si Qiu was momentarily choked by her words. Rolling her eyes, she leaned back against the sofa. “My crying is just a way to vent my emotions—you could say I’m putting on a performance for myself, acting out this heart-wrenching love. But deep down, I don’t actually care whether those people stay or leave. If I really did care, do you think someone I just met could replace them?”

Si Qiu leaned closer toward her. “Honestly, our parents have all treated you pretty well, right? But do you think they could ever replace your biological parents?”

Tian Shuang fell silent. After a long while, her lips moved as she said, “Then what’s the point of putting on a show for yourself?”

Hearing this, Si Qiu burst into laughter again.

“Maybe I just have a performer’s personality. After a breakup, of course I feel sad—it’s real. After all, I invested time and emotions. Even if you raise a cat or a dog, you’d feel heartache if it were gone. It’s just that once I’ve vented those emotions, I completely discard these things that were never meant to matter. My time and energy can go toward loving the next person. But no matter how you look at it, I love myself the most. I cry because I care about my own feelings. I think the person I love most is myself—everyone else comes after my own emotions in my heart.”

At this point, she leaned in even closer. “When I say love, I mean all kinds—romantic love, familial love, friendship, everything. As long as I’m still me, the one I love most will always be myself.”

Tian Shuang’s eyes went unfocused, and she murmured almost unconsciously, “Even though what you said is kind of complicated, I think I understand a little… But I feel like I couldn’t do it. No, not just me—most people probably couldn’t. A personality like yours could easily turn someone into a person with no moral boundaries… And yet you’re still so… sunny, upright, simple, and lovable.”

At this, she sat up straight, her eyes shining as she looked at Si Qiu. “Qiuqiu, you’re really something special.”

In that instant, Tian Shuang felt that what she needed to learn most was precisely this state of being that Si Qiu had.

As the two kept talking, Tian Shuang completely regained her spirits. However, under Si Qiu’s subtle influence, she also began drifting toward another extreme.

Whether that was good or bad… no one could say.

The next day, the two of them did a bit more simple decorating at home. Then Si Qiu took Tian Shuang to her father’s company, arranging for her to work there as a summer intern.

This way, she could learn while earning money—better pay than outside jobs, and far more reassuring.

The only downside was that it was a bit far from her residence, with a commute of nearly an hour. But Tian Shuang didn’t mind at all—in fact, she was delighted.

The two of them shook off the others and went out on dates alone. Since both of them could drive, besides visiting scenic spots, they also went to antique streets, flower and bird markets, and all sorts of boutique shops from time to time.

When the time came, they would arrange a delicious meal. Like a couple in their honeymoon phase, they were inseparable.

That evening, the two of them arrived at a copper hot pot restaurant. Just as they were holding hands and about to walk in, someone suddenly called out,

“Zhou Xiao Wu.”

The two looked up and quickly let go of each other’s hands, standing straight at attention.

Zhou Chengyu stood on the steps at the entrance with two others. The one who had called out to them was a man with slightly long hair, his shirt half-open, peach-blossom eyes glinting.

Zhou Chenyu quickly greeted them, “Second Brother, Brother Shuo, Brother Bai Ye.”

The three were about the same age. The one called Bai Ye looked upright and proper, while the one named He Shuo seemed a bit carefree and roguish. Standing on a step behind Zhou Chengyu, he raised a hand in greeting.

“Well, well, Zhou Xiao Wu, you’re here for a meal too? And the person next to you—is that your little girlfriend?”

Zhou Chenyu wore a smile on his face. “I brought Si Qiu here to try some of the capital’s local delicacies.”

As soon as he spoke, most people’s gazes shifted toward Si Qiu. She gave an awkward smile and nodded slightly in greeting to everyone.

Noticing the faint blush on the young girl’s face, Zhou Chengyu said calmly, “Alright then, you guys go—”

“Hey, hey, no need for that. There are no outsiders here.”

He Shuo cut him off mid-sentence, throwing an arm around Zhou Chengyu’s shoulders. “Come on, Xiao Wu, bring this girl Si Qiu along and join us. Your brother here already booked a private room.”

With that, he quickly called Zhou Chenyu over, and the group headed into the private room together.

Zhou Chenyu knew there was no avoiding it. He shot Si Qiu an apologetic look, but she smiled sweetly back at him, indicating she didn’t mind. The two of them followed the others inside.

At the same time, he leaned closer and softly introduced them, “Qiuqiu, don’t feel too restrained. These two are my second brother’s childhood friends—they’re both pretty easygoing.”

Blinking her eyes at him, Si Qiu whispered back, “I don’t know if those two are easy to get along with, but your second brother is really scary!”

The two groups were only a couple of steps apart, so even though she spoke quietly, the people ahead could still catch bits of it.

Hearing her words, He Shuo elbowed Zhou Chengyu and started making exaggerated, mischievous expressions.

Zhou Chengyu only gave him a faint glance. He Shuo immediately mimed zipping his mouth shut.

The waiter opened the private room door. Si Qiu tugged on Zhou Chenyu’s sleeve, whispered something softly, and then headed off in another direction.

Zhou Chenyu had originally intended to accompany her, but when he heard someone calling him from inside, he stopped in his tracks.

Inside the room, Zhou Chengyu took the main seat, while the other two men sat on either side.

The one calling him was, of course, He Shuo.

“Come on, Zhou Xiao Wu, get in here. Hey, where’s that girl you brought?”

Zhou Chenyu sat down beside him. “She went to the restroom with the waiter.”

He Shuo leaned closer, draping an arm over his shoulder. “Not bad, Xiao Wu. Where did you find such a pretty girl? Tell your brother here—are you two dating?”

Since Si Qiu had already discussed this with him before, he couldn’t admit it. Looking a bit awkward, he replied, “Brother Shuo, I’m still pursuing her. It’s not that easy to succeed.”

He Shuo’s expression immediately changed to one of disdain. “Kid, you’ve got a good face, a top-tier family, and you’re not short on money. And now you’re telling me you’re still just chasing her? That’s pretty lame.”

At this moment, Bai Ye, who had been silent the whole time, cleared his throat. “Don’t put it like that. The girl’s pretty good too, alright?”

He Shuo thought for a moment and nodded. “That’s true. She’s beautiful, and judging from what she wears and uses, her family background shouldn’t be bad either.”

Perhaps not wanting the conversation to keep revolving around them, Zhou Chengyu finally spoke up.

“You’ve played around for quite a few days already. Starting tomorrow, focus on your studies.”

“Since you don’t want to follow the family’s arrangements during university and insist on studying physics, then the things you need to learn will take up your free time.”

The moment his second brother spoke, Zhou Chenyu immediately straightened his posture.

“I understand, second brother.”