White Roses and Red Roses - Chapter 2

Qin Rui, Xu Aile, and I all attended University A. Upon discovering this, we decided to meet up at the canteen.

As soon as we sat down with our trays, Xu Aile chuckled, “I haven’t eaten at the canteen all semester. It’s not exactly appetizing.”

Feeling a bit awkward, I suggested, “How about we go somewhere else, maybe outside the school? What do you think, Qin Rui?”

Before she could respond, Qin Rui’s icy gaze had already swept over, “No need. It’s not like we’re pampered princesses who can’t handle the food here.”

Xu Aile just laughed.

After Qin Rui left, she leaned in and whispered, “Xiao Yu, your boyfriend seems to have quite a temper, doesn’t he?”

“He… takes time to warm up to people, and he’s dealing with some unresolved issues at work today, plus he has to attend classes. It’s not aimed at you.”

“I was just casually asking, but look at you, rushing to explain all that.”

She draped her arm over my shoulder, thoughtfully watching Qin Rui walk away.

I sensed that they didn’t quite like each other.

Qin Rui would warn me, “Stay away from that spoiled princess. She’s not from our world.”

Xu Aile would casually mention while shopping with me, “Xiao Yu, I honestly think your boyfriend isn’t quite right for you. He’s really hard to deal with.”

Caught in the middle, I found myself trying to appease both sides.

When Qin Rui got upset, he’d ignore me for days, not even replying to messages.

I was so distressed that I couldn’t focus in class, and when the teacher called on me to answer a question, I froze.

Just as the teacher was about to dock my participation points, my phone lit up with a message from Qin Rui: “Choose C.”

“Choose C,” I repeated, and the teacher’s expression finally softened, allowing me to sit down and pay attention.

As soon as I sat down, I started scanning the room, and my phone lit up again: “Stop looking for me. Pay attention in class.”

“Are you in class? Where are you sitting?”

“You finally replied, Qin Rui!”

“Are you not mad anymore?”

I sent a flurry of messages, only to hear a deep, familiar voice behind me: “You’re so noisy.”

I whipped around and saw Qin Rui wearing a baseball cap, the brim pulled low, sitting right behind me.

My mood instantly lifted, and I grinned widely, hearing him say with disdain, “You look silly when you smile.”

“Qin Rui, let’s have lunch together.”

“…Alright.” He paused, “Just the two of us, no princess.”

Yes, initially, Qin Rui and Xu Aile didn’t see eye to eye.

When did things start to change?

It seemed to be during Junior Year when the school arranged internships, and I suddenly became very busy, unable to find time even for dates.

Xu Aile interned at her mother’s company, while Qin Rui’s studio was already on track, and they ended up meeting almost every day.

At first, I didn’t think much of it because Xu Aile would still whisper to me, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on him to see if he flirts with the girls at the studio.”

I laughed, “You’ve known him for over two years, why do you still have such a big opinion of him?”

“Relax, I’ve known him for many years. Besides me, he can’t possibly fall for anyone else.”