Chapter 18: The Story Behind the Social Media Feed

Do not get involved in the drama if you are just a bystander, and do not be a bystander if you are involved.

He Tianran naturally understood this principle, but Xue Yong had built up the atmosphere to such a point that even though He Tianran had initially planned to just play along and brush it off, he now found himself forced to take it seriously.

Question: Xue Yong likes Wen Liang, Wen Liang likes Zhang Zhifan, and Zhang Zhifan seems to have reciprocated—now, add in He Tianran, a mere tool character who likes Cao Aiqing. How many sides does this love polygon have?

He Tianran chewed on the crispy pineapple bun in his mouth. With his mathematical talent, he couldn't solve such a complex emotional problem. Across from him, Wen Liang studied his expression and asked, "Not good?"

"Ah, no, it's delicious."

He Tianran snapped back to reality and hurriedly took a sip of the milk tea on the table to cover his tracks.

The short-haired girl smoothed the stray locks at her temples and ate her food in tiny bites. Only after swallowing did she say in a resentful tone, "I came out to have a good time, but seeing you without an appetite has made me lose my interest as well."

"I'm sorry!"

He Tianran mustered his spirits and shouted, then bit off half the pineapple bun, chewing vigorously. He even found a gap to call out vaguely, "Boss, two more pineapple buns! I can still eat!"

To be fair, the pineapple bun was truly delicious.

Seeing He Tianran's performance, Wen Liang finally smiled. She pulled out two napkins and handed them to him.

He Tianran wiped his mouth, pondered for a moment, and asked, "I noticed you weren't very happy when you left class earlier..."

Wen Liang rested her chin on her hands, her gaze darkening. Her temperament shifted instantly, as if she were interrogating a prisoner. He Tianran felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him.

"Yes, I am very unhappy right now. But since you're treating me to this meal, I will allow you three sentences. If I'm still unhappy after those three sentences, I’m leaving immediately."

"..."

Is this what women’s unreasonable behavior is like? And when did I say I was paying for this meal? If I had known, I wouldn't have ordered two more pineapple buns! Never mind, that’s not the point... If this were a game, this would be the point where I hit a branching choice, right? The kind that determines the major storyline...

He Tianran’s brain was practically smoking. He sucked frantically on his straw, causing his cheeks to cave in.

"...If... if you're not full... you can order more..."

Wen Liang held up one hand, chillingly raising a single finger to indicate the first sentence was gone.

"...Ye Jiaqi actually told me that Zhang Zhifan confessed to you this morning. That is truly worth celebrating. You two are a talented pair, a match made in heaven. The white moonlight is shining, which is when one finally remembers its worth. Congratulations!"

"Two!"

Wen Liang didn't raise a finger this time; instead, she clenched her hand into a fist, bowed her head, and her body trembled slightly.

Is she shy? No, that can't be right. She looks like she's holding back a fit of rage—this is the prelude to an explosion! What did I say wrong? I even switched to honorifics for "you," gave her plenty of respect, and cleverly added a few lyrics to the congratulatory message. Logically speaking, it shouldn't be like this...

Is there only one sentence left to turn the tide? Speaking of turning the tide, next year is the Year of the Ox. Should I try saying "Happy Ox Year"?

That pun and double entendre... that would probably deduct double my salary...

After much thought, He Tianran decided to ask the most direct question. He said slowly, "You... you like Zhang Zhifan, don't you?"

"Is that the question you most wanted to ask?" The girl lifted her head, her tone cold. She didn't leave, but she didn't look happy either.

He Tianran was terrible at handling such rhetorical questions and could only nod.

"Is it because of those photos in my Moments?" The girl countered, piercing through the boy's secret thoughts.

He Tianran didn't dare to look at her expression and could only let out a muffled "Mm" through his nose.

"So that night when you said you were going to sleep, you were actually stalking my Moments, and that’s why you intentionally ignored me, right!"

Wow. For He Tianran, this was a public execution. He couldn't handle it; he choked on his milk tea, coughed violently, and waved his hands to deny it: "Cough, cough—no, no, no, I was really sleepy."

Wen Liang narrowed her eyes. "You're lying."

"Actually... actually, I wanted to play games and didn't want to chat..." He Tianran spun a lie that was, in comparison, more consistent with his personality.

Wen Liang propped her hands on the table, leaned her upper body forward, and said playfully, "You know... if you had told the truth just now, my favorability rating would have gone up by ten points!"

It’s a trap! It’s a trick used by a reincarnator to toy with a native! He Tianran leaned back instinctively. How could there be a girl who gives away the answers to her own test? Even if there were, the favorability cap must be ten thousand!

"Are... are you happy or... unhappy now?" He Tianran swallowed hard, speaking stutteringly.

Wen Liang was stunned for a moment, then gave a helpless smile and leaned back. "Barely acceptable. Your performance was... just passable!" She drank her milk tea, giving her verdict on the exchange.

"Then... what should I do if I encounter this situation in the future?" He Tianran took the opportunity to climb down the ladder, perhaps because the girl's previous guidance had actually worked. He asked curiously.

"Who else do you want to encounter this with? Cao Aiqing?" Wen Liang rolled her eyes, and He Tianran’s face flushed red. "You seem to have a misunderstanding. My reforming of you is not based on the premise of you chasing girls. I just want to help you become a better person and avoid the tragedies of your future."

He Tianran thought about it. *Eh*, it seems that is indeed the case.

However, becoming a better person and chasing girls aren't mutually exclusive, are they?

Facing the fiery, inquisitive gaze of He Tianran, Wen Liang finally gave in. She said, "Remember, there are only two ways to solve this situation. First, try to end with a question, but one that makes the other person desire to dig deeper. Second, it is..."

He Tianran was tapping away on his nine-grid keyboard like a blur while listening to the girl say, "Look at me."

"Mm!"

"Don't speak."

"..."

"..."

"And the second way?"

"..."

Wen Liang finally lost it. She pushed the table, and her chair slid back a few steps. She crossed her arms, sighing incessantly.

"Um... looking at someone without speaking, wouldn't that be a bit rude...?" He Tianran finally caught on.

Wen Liang didn't want to continue this topic. She took out her phone and tapped a few times. "Are all the problems from today stemming from my Moments?"

"Uh... most of them."

"I deleted them all."

After saying that, she turned the screen around. He Tianran saw that they had indeed all been deleted. Is she really this ruthless?

He Tianran felt uneasy. He shrank his neck and asked, "Do you really not like Zhang Zhifan?"

"I do," Wen Liang gave a direct answer, then added, "But that’s a thing of my past life."

*So this second-run player is reshuffling the deck!* He Tianran imagined a grand drama: a superstar’s campus romance didn't reach a happy ending, she broke up with the piano prince, and they ended up with a "bad end." Now, she’s reloaded her save to avoid them being together at the wrong time, leaving only a lingering sentiment. Once they both become masters of their own domains, they will surely meet again at the peak!

It’s evidenced and logical! Is this the operation of a high-level player? I’ve learned something today.

"Come here."

"Why?"

He Tianran stood up and walked to Wen Liang's side. Suddenly, his cheek felt stiff—the girl was pulling on his face, and then... *click*.

In the photo, the boy’s goofy, grinning expression was frozen alongside the girl’s triumphant smile.