92: If there's a bargain, you have to take advantage of it.

The school's small woods never lacked visitors. Perhaps because the girl felt guilty, she actually chose this place for their meeting.

"Senior Student."

Xie Wan had an excellent figure. Even though she was wearing a mask, Shen Qian recognized her at a glance.

"If you wanted to meet, you didn't have to hide here. If someone sees us, wouldn't it be like protesting too much?"

"Cut the nonsense. How do you plan to resolve Xixi's matter?"

"How to resolve it? Just string her along. Give her a little hope to make her improve herself. Once she becomes better, others will naturally pursue her.

I don't believe that as time goes by, she'll still be dead set on a 'crooked-necked tree' like me."

When she first heard 'string her along,' Xie Wan's brows knitted together. But Shen Qian's subsequent words were undoubtedly the optimal solution to the problem.

"Fine, let's do it that way."

"Senior Student, there's one thing I'm curious about."

"What?"

"I've met with Xixi once, and she told me a lot about what's been happening lately. As far as I know, you two had a huge fight.

From what I know about girls, roommates usually break off relations after that. Why do you still care so much about her? You don't... like her, do you?"

"What nonsense are you talking? My orientation is perfectly normal. Xixi and I didn't just meet in university; we were in the same elementary school. We've been best friends since then."

"So you've been together from elementary school all the way to university."

Xie Wan nodded.

Now Shen Qian understood why Du Xixi had taken the bait so easily. It turned out Senior Xie had been 'killing' her with kindness all along. Imagine a girl who was originally quite pretty, but since elementary school, she always had an angel-like person by her side suppressing her radiance. Just thinking about it felt stifling.

"If possible, I hope you can help me. I don't want to lose this friend."

"Wait a minute, Senior Student. Do I look like an easy person to talk to? You just make a request like that out of the blue?

What I just said was only my plan; I didn't say I would definitely string her along. Making her better is the responsibility of herself and her family. I have absolutely no such obligation."

"But she likes you."

"Just because she likes me, I should consider her wholeheartedly? Liking me is her business, not mine."

"Then if you don't string her along, what do you want to do?"

"At first, I thought you two had a good relationship, so I wanted you to be my shield. But now, I think you're even more suitable as a shield. Since you've already broken off relations anyway, one more blow won't make a difference."

"Shen Qian, you can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because we... we both... kissed."

The girl's face flushed red, seemingly unwilling to mention that night. In fact, she had a small secret: after going back that night, she had changed her pants.

"Senior Student, business is business, and personal is personal. Does what we're talking about now have anything to do with kissing?

Besides, this isn't ancient times. You can't expect me to take full responsibility for you just because I kissed you. I didn't realize you were such a traditional person.

And taking another step back, do you know how hard it is to string someone along? I need to constantly act interested in her, provide emotional value, and give a series of positive feedback.

During holidays, she might even send me messages, and I can't even act like she's annoying.

But by using you, I can settle it once and for all. Senior Student, tell me, if you were in my position, which way would you choose?"

If he hadn't known Du Xixi's importance to Xie Wan, Shen Qian might have just strung Du Xixi along directly. But now that he knew, he'd be a fool not to take advantage. It was the perfect time to set another condition and get a handle on Xie Wan.

Xie Wan was different from Xia Mengling. Xia Mengling had personality flaws, but Xie Wan might not. This meant that more effort would be needed for this senior student. Since he found a weakness, he had to seize it.

"Then what do you want in order to keep Xixi hanging and help us repair our relationship?"

Shen Qian pointed to his own lips.

"I can't. You're the person Xixi likes."

"You can't? Then forget it."

Shen Qian had already mastered the art of playing hard to get. He knew exactly when a girl's refusal was genuine.

Right now, although Xie Wan said she couldn't, her body was wavering. She had almost taken a step closer to him just now.

"Wait."

Just as he expected, the girl called out to him. Then, she slowly approached until their lips met.

When it comes to kissing, there's no turning back once the bow is drawn. After the first time, there will be a second, and the level of acceptance for the second time is much higher. Xie Wan was a prime example.

She was so hesitant just a moment ago, but now, she was starting to get into the swing of it.

Panting, after their lips briefly parted, with just one look, they were kissing again.

Who knows how much time passed. Even Shen Qian felt a bit parched before the two finally stopped.

"Incredible, this girl got addicted to kissing!"

Shen Qian lamented in his heart.

"Is this enough now?" Xie Wan's face was flushed red, the unwillingness in her eyes serving as her final bit of stubbornness.

"It's enough for now, but the validity is only for three days."

"What do you mean by that? You're breaking your word!"

"Senior Student, that's not how a deal works. Stringing her along is a long-term job, not to mention the added important task of repairing your friendship. If you think you can settle it with just one kiss, you're valuing me far too cheaply.

Three days. One kiss every three days.

Until these two tasks are finished. Of course, you can disagree. Since we just kissed once, I'll keep Senior Female Student Du hanging for the next three days."

"Fine, I promise you. But you can't let Xixi know about this."

"Isn't that obvious? If she knows, how can I keep her hanging?"

"Then, do you have a way to repair our relationship?"

"Naturally, there's a way, but like I said, it has to be step by step. You value your years of friendship, and Senior Female Student Du isn't a heartless person either."

"Shen Qian, thank you."

Shen Qian waved his hand directly.

"I'm the type who least likes verbal thanks. I'd rather have something practical."

"I understand."

The girl said as she kissed Shen Qian's mouth again, this time far more skillfully than any time before.

"Senior Student." Just after the kiss, Shen Qian spoke helplessly.

"I meant something practical, not for you to kiss me. We were almost out of oxygen from kissing just now. If we keep going, are you trying to commit double suicide with me?"

"Not kissing? Then what?"

"Next time we meet, wear black stockings. Otherwise, these long legs of yours would be put to waste."

"Can I show them only to you? I don't like wearing those things."

Hearing this, Shen Qian almost couldn't stop his blood from rushing. Despite all his defenses, he nearly cracked. These high-tier women were truly terrifying.