Chapter 108: The Lone Soul

In the training room, Yu Qian was lost in thought, her hands unconsciously caressing the guqin. Yet, with her solid foundation, even her unintentional playing produced melodies that were far from unpleasant.

She wondered what kind of people Zhou Jingchen’s friends might be, and why they had come to the provincial capital.

When Han Su pushed open the door, he saw Yu Qian with her back turned to him. The only difference between this scene and the photo Zhou Jingchen had posted on Yunbo was their clothing.

His eyes deep and unreadable, he said nothing and stepped aside to let Zhou Jingchen enter.

Glancing at him, Zhou Jingchen immediately took off his shoes, bent down, and wrapped Yu Qian in an embrace from behind. “My little cutie.”

“Hm?” Yu Qian snapped back to reality.

“What were you thinking? You didn’t even react when I opened the door.”

Rubbing her nose, she smiled awkwardly. “Nothing much, I was just daydreaming.”

She certainly couldn’t tell him she was nervous.

Rising, she turned around and saw three people gathered by the door. Startled, she awkwardly greeted, “Hi, hello there~”

At the sight of her face, their eyes lit up instantly.

Judging from her posture, they knew she couldn’t be unattractive, but they hadn’t expected her to be so beautiful—and more importantly, to carry such grace.

Yu Qian’s beauty was not the sort that overshadowed others at once. Rather, it was a quiet charm that deepened over time. Coupled with years of study in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she embodied a classical elegance.

“Hello, little cutie. I’m Han Su, this is Yi Ting, and that’s Yu Yang,” Han Su introduced with a smile. “We’ve all been friends with Chenchen since we were kids. If you want to know about his childhood, just ask us~”

He winked playfully after speaking.

---

Yu Yang was about to greet her when Zhou Jingchen shot him a sharp look. “Just call her Yu Qian. No ‘little cutie’ allowed!”

“Tsk, jealous,” Yi Ting teased, feeling a bit sour.

Yu Qian blushed slightly. “You can just call me Qian Qian, like my friend does.”

Pausing briefly and braving Zhou Jingchen’s cold glare, the three of them chuckled and greeted her warmly.

Tugging on Zhou Jingchen’s sleeve, Yu Qian said, “Let’s eat. Auntie has already prepared the meal.”

“Alright.” Holding Yu Qian’s hand, Zhou Jingchen glared at the three once more. “Let’s go eat first.”

Trailing behind them, Yi Ting couldn’t help but rub his face, muttering, “This is jealousy from a single dog.”

Looking around at the two men beside him, he sighed. “The bitter resentment of the single life, indeed.”

By the time they reached the dining room, Wen Xiu was already seated at the table. Seeing her, Yu Yang grew nervous.

It wasn’t that he feared disturbing her; Wen Xiu was not one to be easily intimidated.

His apprehension, however, was understandable. Wen Xiu’s expression was dark enough to reflect light.

Trying to find a seat beside her, Yu Yang was abruptly pulled back as she yanked away his chair. “What seat? Stand and eat.”

Yu Yang was stunned. “Sister, I was wrong!”

“Heh!” She paid him no mind.

Yu Yang looked to Zhou Jingchen and Yu Qian for help, but Zhou Jingchen merely shrugged, signaling he was powerless.

Yu Qian, meanwhile, pretended not to see it—she wouldn’t dare make Wen Xiu angry.

---

With three extra guests, the dining table grew livelier than usual.

Grudgingly, Wen Xiu kept tormenting Yu Yang, while the other four chatted amicably, learning more about each other.

During the meal, Yu Qian heard quite a few embarrassing stories from Zhou Jingchen’s childhood, which delighted her immensely.

Back at Zhou Jingchen’s home, the three friends finally relaxed.

“Chenchen, your little cutie is quite something,” Han Su said after a long pause, not one to give compliments easily.

“Pretty, smart, talented, and from what I see, well-mannered too. Chenchen, you’ve scored big!” Yu Yang added.

“Do you really need to say that? Little cutie is naturally wonderful,” Zhou Jingchen said proudly, rolling his eyes.

In his heart, no one could compare to his little cutie.

“Tsk tsk, enough already. There are three single dogs here, you know!”

“He’s a single dog now, too,” Yi Ting suddenly jabbed at Zhou Jingchen.

“Pfft—hahahahaha!” Han Su and Yu Yang burst out laughing.

“At least I have a clue; you guys don’t even have that.”

Straightening his clothes, Zhou Jingchen shot them a disdainful look and went off to take a shower.