169: What do you think of Xiao Wan?

With Xia Mengling's matter resolved ahead of schedule, Shen Qian had no more worries regarding New Year's Eve.

"You're absent-minded. What are you doing?"

Shen Qian waved his hand in front of Du Xixi. This girl was actually spacing out even while warming up. Ever since she had a fight with Song Mengyuan, she had been quite absent-minded.

"Shen Qian, do you think Xiao Wan is pretty?"

She blurted this out out of the blue, leaving Shen Qian a bit at a loss, wondering what on earth was going through her head.

He wasn't afraid of his "affair" with Xie Wan being discovered. Their relationship was already deeply rooted. If Du Xixi wanted to have a falling out, they could just break up. Renting an apartment for Xie Wan wouldn't cost much, not to mention Xie Wan was a Shanghai local.

However, through observation, it wasn't hard to see that Du Xixi hadn't noticed anything unusual between him and Xie Wan. If her current state was an act, then her acting skills were simply too good.

"Are you talking about Xie Wan?"

"Yeah, do you think she's pretty?"

"Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Just say it. Do you think she's pretty or not?"

"Objectively speaking, among all the girls I've seen in this school, I haven't come across anyone prettier than her yet."

"Then do you like her?"

"Who doesn't like a pretty girl? But her temper isn't very good..."

"No, no, Xiao Wan usually has a very good temper. It's just because you don't have much contact with her that you think she has a bad temper."

"Not much contact." Shen Qian remained silent, wanting to see what Du Xixi was really getting at.

"I'll help you pursue Xiao Wan, okay?"

Shen Qian had a hunch, but he didn't expect the girl to actually say it.

"I'm a scumbag. If you help me pursue her, aren't you pushing her into a fire?"

"How could it be a fire pit? You're a bit of a scumbag, but which man in this world isn't? Unless a man is hanging on a wall, he'll never be honest."

"Xiao Wan is so good. Instead of being ruined by other scumbags, it's better to let you cherish her."

Shen Qian was certain now; this girl was truly love-struck. To say such things without blushing or her heart racing, and with such a self-righteous look too.

"Does Xie Wan know about this?"

"No, I just thought of it. But don't worry, with my help, Xiao Wan will definitely fall for you."

"Besides, even though you two have a bit of a conflict, I can tell she has feelings for you."

"Well... forget about pursuing her. Just ask if she has feelings for me. If she does, we'll see how it goes. If not, then forget it."

"Huh? You're not going to try? Many people are pursuing Xiao Wan."

Shen Qian shrugged, acting indifferent.

"A forced deal isn't a real bargain. I'm with you because we like each other. If you didn't like me, would it matter if I pursued you?"

"If pursuing really worked, why haven't those people chasing Xie Wan succeeded?"

"But at least you should..."

"You don't need to say more. This is my attitude. If we like each other, we'll date; if not, forget it. I never force things."

Du Xixi was a bit helpless but ultimately nodded.

"Why are you suddenly asking me this kind of question!"

In the dormitory, Xie Wan was originally reading, but she stood up abruptly upon hearing Du Xixi's question.

She subconsciously touched her slightly swollen lips and then immediately lowered her hand.

Seeing Xie Wan lose her composure like this, Du Xixi immediately pulled her out of the dormitory.

"Don't get excited yet. I'm just asking if you have even a tiny bit of a crush on Shen Qian."

"I know he might be a bit chauvinistic and sometimes speaks quite ruthlessly, but believe me, he's a very good person. He's responsible and reliable. Although he's a tiny bit of a playboy, his virtues definitely outweigh his flaws."

Du Xixi babbled on, but Xie Wan's mind was filled with:

"What should I do? Could she have found out? How should I explain?"

"Or should I talk to Shen Qian first?"

"Xiao Wan, Xiao Wan, are you listening to me? If you have even a tiny bit of a crush, just nod."

"Huh?"

"Are you even listening to me! I asked if you have feelings for him. If you do, just nod."

"Um, yes."

Xie Wan regretted it immediately after speaking; she had accidentally spoken the truth.

"No, wait, I was spacing out just now. I don't."

"It's normal to have feelings. Besides being a playboy, he has many strengths... I think you two need more contact. How about going to a movie some Friday?"

"It's settled then! I'll book the tickets!"

Without giving Xie Wan a chance to refuse, Du Xixi ended the conversation. It wasn't until Du Xixi returned to the dormitory that Xie Wan realized what they had just talked about, and she hurriedly pulled Du Xixi out of the room again.

"What is going on! Don't you like Shen Qian? What are you trying to do?"

"I just feel like I shouldn't hog a good man all to myself. I want to share him with you."

"What?"

Xie Wan frowned deeply. If the girl in front of her hadn't broken off their friendship over Shen Qian before, she might have actually believed this excuse.

"Tell me the truth. There's nothing you can't say to me."

"Really, I truly think Shen Qian is wonderful. If you have feelings for him, I want to play matchmaker."

"Then what about you?"

"I... as long as I can stay by your side, I'll feel very happy."

Xie Wan found it more and more ridiculous, but whenever she had something she couldn't figure out, she would go to Shen Qian. So, after agreeing to Du Xixi's request to watch a movie with Shen Qian, she asked Shen Qian to meet her in the library collection room.

Once they met, without a word, they shared a passionate kiss until their lips hurt before stopping.

"Xixi talked to me about some things. Do you know about it?"

She asked me if I liked you while running this morning. If I did, she said she'd help me pursue you.

"This... how did it turn out like this?"

"If I'm not mistaken, it must be because of Song Mengyuan. I have to say, that girl is quite pretty, though she's far behind you—at least she's not as supple as you."

Shen Qian smiled, his hand applying a bit of pressure.

"Pervert, we're talking about serious business!"

"Even though she's not as good as you, Du Xixi can't compete with her, so she feels some insecurity. Ask yourself, how can that insecurity be eliminated?"

"By finding someone even prettier, but that prettier person can't hog me for themselves."

"You're the best candidate."

"Thinking about it like that, I feel even more sorry for her."

"Baby, you can't put it like that. Since she wants to use you, we'll use her to make our affair official. It'll save you from being terrified every day."

Xie Wan was a bit conflicted, but she ultimately nodded in agreement. After all, she really liked this somewhat despicable boy.