Mai Qi brushed my rejection away, âWhy are you so stubborn? You should be as open and generous as Nanyang and Jing Yan!â
I was startled and turned to share a look with Jing Ni.
âMiss Mai Qi, do you mind explaining to us how Nanyang and Jing Yan are open and generous?â
Mai Qi looked at me with impatience. âNanyang admitted openly and generously that she likes Jing Ning and she pursued him; Jing Yan also admitted openly and generously that she likes Lee Yang and she pursued him. I will also admit openly and generously that I like Tong Le. I only need you to be the middle person. Just name your conditions. Weâre all adults here, stop being so childish.â
I was rendered speechless.
âIâm sorry but Miss Mai Qi but where did you come from?â Jing Ni asked softly.
Mai Qi looked at her. âYou can just call me Mai Qi. I heard that youâre also a member of the Jing Family but they donât like you that much. But since youâre Nanxingâs friend so weâre friends too.â
Jing Ni probably felt the same way as I did. âI took my motherâs surname because my father is Ding Sheng.â Mai Qi said.
Jing Ni and I were shocked. Ding Sheng, a high-ranking official at the capital. Now I understood why those people buzzed around her like flies and why this Mai Qi was so direct and acted so high and mighty.
âNow, you believe I am good enough for your uncle, yes?â Mai Qi looked at me.
I sighed. âMai Qi, first of all, I need you to figure out if people are liking you for you or for your identity.â
She wanted to say something but I stopped her. âAnd you wanted to my uncleâs girlfriend after seeing him just one time. Do you like his face or his personality? Do you even know him? What is his background? Of course, there are people around you like Shi Feng who would have opened up their hearts to you the first moment they met you. My little uncle was probably the first one who didnât. So are you only pursuing him because he poses a challenge or do you really like him? Donât tell me itâs because you really like him, you havenât even said 2 words with him, how can you possibly like him? What do you like about him?â Mai Qi wanted to cut in several times but I didnât let her.
When I was done, Mai Qiâs body slumped. She asked uncertainly. âNanxing, I just want to be in love. Why do I have to consider so many things?â
Iâ¦
The 3 of us stared at each other.?Are we even speaking the same language?
It was Jing Ni who first burst out laughing. Mai Qi and I soon joined in. We couldnât stop laughing.
Jing Ni cleared her throat. âNanxing, when we have time, we should bring Mai Qi to come play with us.â
I nodded.
Mai Qiâs eyes glowed. âDoes that mean youâve agreed to help me?â
âNo.â Jing Ni and I shook our heads. The stars in Mai Qiâs eyes blinked out.
I smiled. âMai Qi, weâre going to help you get to know him first. Consider this a trial run, you donât wish to have any regret, right?â
Mai Qi nodded vehemently, âYes, thatâs what I meant.â
Jing Ni and I were shocked. We didnât expect to run into someone who lived her life so willfully. However, there was a rare innocence in Mai Qiâs willfulness. Jing Ni and my impression of her improved. However, that didnât mean we could accept the people around her.
âMai Qi, but we are not friends with your friends soâ¦â I looked at her.
Mai Qi was confused. âBut they want to be your friends.â
âAre you sure about that?â I smiled. Mai Qi was confounded.
The door opened and Ye Qian walked in with a smile. She was trailed by the whole army. Jing Ni and I sighed.
âLooks like you guys are having so much fun.â Ye Qian sat down beside Mai Qi with a smile.
Nanyang held Jing Ningâs arm tightly while Jing Yan held Lee Yangâs. Jing Yan gave Jing Ni a fierce glare. Jing Ni lowered her eyebrows and poured me a drink. She didnât look at them.
I gently patted her leg under the table.
Shi Feng sat down next to me like he knew me so well. âNanxing, long time no see. I havenât gotten the chance to congratulate you for getting into M University.â
I looked at him and smiled. âYoung Master Feng, Iâve suffered quite a bit under Tong Lin and Yan Xin. Do you have anything to say for yourself?â
Shi Fengâs smile didnât even change. âGuilty as charged. Punish me however way you wish. I wonât even fight back.â