A world where love reigns supreme? This is truly chaotic!

“I called Nuanxin, and she said she was going to visit relatives this weekend. But it seems to me she just doesn’t want to go hiking. The order of my questions to her was: ‘Do you want to come for the weekend activities?’ Then Nuanxin asked what the activities were, and I said hiking. Only then did Nuanxin say she was going to have dinner at her relatives’ house and couldn’t come. Right? It’s suspicious, isn’t it?” Guangchang began to launch into a long speech in Jiang Xintong’s ear. Since the young lady was in a bad mood today, his first principle as her monthly paycheck was naturally to make his boss happy.

Or there's another explanation: if a reclusive person suddenly leaves home and finds themselves in a vast, open, and unfamiliar wilderness, their introverted nature will be completely overturned, revealing unprecedented enthusiasm and talkativeness. This seems to be a kind of self-defense mechanism of the human body. Once this experience is over, that person may need to recuperate for several weeks, staying at home to fully recover, and may even become more introverted than before.

It was his own passion that hurt him.

"You're so annoying. I didn't even intend to call you Warmhearted." Jiang Xintong turned her head and glared at him. Her two spiral-shaped ponytails swayed. After these past few months, Guang Chen had completely gotten used to them. Occasionally, he would really want to gently pull them to see if they were really that elastic.

“Okay, it’s not bad to go hiking once in a while. Consider it exercise.” Guangchang Chen took a deep breath, looked up at the upward-sloping steps, clasped his hands together behind his head, and said in a deep voice.

Jiang Xintong was somewhat mesmerized by Guang Chen's presence in this scene; she didn't know why she'd been so captivated lately...

He heard that Yan Xingmeng had invited him to go hiking, but he refused, saying that hiking was too tiring, so he came to ask for help. He simply called out to him, and Guangchang Chen agreed without a word of complaint.

Jiang Xintong had initially thought it was the power of money, but now that the other person was standing right in front of her, these words and the relaxed atmosphere made her feel no sense that the other person had been forced.

Would it be easier for me to call him?

"They only agreed to come because they were offered money. Climbing mountains is so tiring," Jiang Xintong thought to herself, but that's what she said.

Guangchang Chen was breathing in the fresh air when he heard the young lady say this. He opened his eyes, looked to his left at her, and saw she still had a dissatisfied expression. He could only force a smile and say, "How could that be? When I saw it was the young lady calling me, I naturally dropped everything and came immediately. Besides, I only just found out that you can pay. Can you really pay for hiking? Do you have so much money that you don't know what to do with it?"

"Shut up." Jiang Xintong's simple two words silenced Guang Guangchen. She crossed her arms, and in Guang Guangchen's eyes, she was still angry. But in reality, hearing Guang Guangchen say such a flattering word as usual, she felt a little happy. She had heard such flattering words from countless people since she was a child, and she should have gotten used to it by now.

Jiang Xintong pursed her lips, suppressing a smile that appeared at the corner of her mouth as her mood improved, and said, "Just do your thing."

“Yes, Miss.” Guang Chen looked up after saying that and found that about three or four floors up the stairs, there was a platform. That was the real starting area for climbing the mountain. You could buy some water and snacks there and eat them slowly along the way.

"Let's go there and buy a bottle of water first."

"Ah."

Guangchang Chen and Jiang Xintong then began their ascent. Although they could see the platform at a glance, they were already slightly out of breath after walking only a short distance. This was typical for ordinary people who don't often climb mountains. Guangchang Chen vaguely remembered that when he went to pay respects in previous years, he had to rest halfway up the cement steps. Now, as he climbed, he could recall that feeling again. At the foot of the mountain, there was a handwritten sign indicating that the short route up and down the mountain would only take an hour and a half. Now, Guangchang Chen suddenly felt that an hour and a half was quite a long time.

After finally reaching the platform, the number of people here was far greater than at the foot of the mountain. There were many shops selling all sorts of things, including expensive fried snacks specifically designed to swindle children. Guang Chen saw right through them and decided to just buy two bottles of water.

After informing the young lady, Guangchang went to buy water.

Jiang Xintong sat on a bench with her back straight. She was tired, but she still had to maintain the demeanor of a young lady. She was usually quite good at running, so why was she so tired after climbing the mountain for just a few steps?

However... the experience was not bad, because Guang Chen seemed to be more tired than her.

Thinking of what had just happened, Jiang Xintong finally chuckled, but immediately suppressed it, looking at Guang Yunchen, who was standing in front of a stall buying things a dozen meters away. A few seconds later, the smile on her face gradually disappeared, and she lowered her head slightly.

Ah... I almost forgot, that's the task I came here for today.

Yan Xingmeng likes Guang Chen, so I'm here today to help her.

Just like Wei Zecheng and Shan Yimo, Nuanxin probably already knew about this, so all she had to do was follow the plan step by step.

Ok?

How am I feeling right now?

Chest feels tight.

Is it really because of the disbandment of the group that I'm feeling down, and having to struggle alone again? That's such a selfish thought, isn't it? Why should I restrict Guangchan? If they really do date, why should I be the one to spoil the mood? I haven't been at this school for very long, and after spending so much time together in the group, it's normal to have some withdrawal symptoms after suddenly separating. Everyone says that no one is indispensable, and time will eventually heal these feelings.

Don't be the one to spoil the fun...

This thought repeated itself again, and Jiang Xintong was making a certain decision.

"Achoo!" Jiang Xintong suddenly felt a chill, then her whole body went cold, and she leaned forward and sneezed.

At the same time, something hot was pressed against her face.

Jiang Xintong subconsciously looked up and then saw Guang Yuchen standing in front of her, holding a bottle of hot drink.

"Wow, there's a hot drink here, Miss. Are you cold? You haven't even climbed yet, and you're wearing a little too little." Guangchang waved the hot drink in his hand.

Jiang Xintong didn't speak, but her gaze shifted upwards, and she subconsciously glanced at the scarf around his neck.

Guangchang Chen keenly noticed the gaze and immediately raised his voice, saying, "Want to wear one? Hmm... I just got it from the dry cleaners yesterday, but since I've already worn it, will it smell?"

Guangchang then began to untie the scarf around his neck, even bringing it to his nose to sniff. Jiang Xintong's eyes widened slightly, and she instinctively began to wave her hand, but Guangchang didn't notice. He sat down on the bench to Jiang Xintong's right, holding the scarf by both sides, looked at Jiang Xintong, and said, "Boss?"

Jiang Xintong remained completely silent, her mind a complete mess, but two seconds later, as if possessed, she actually leaned her head in slightly.

"I'm very skilled at it now."

It just sounds weird coming out of my mouth.

"You're quite skilled at it." Jiang Xintong finally spoke, her gaze flashing forward with a slightly fierce tone.

Guangchang Chen's body trembled, and he stopped wrapping the scarf around his neck. He then raised three fingers of his right hand and swore, "I swear to God, I have only ever wrapped the scarf around Nuanxin's neck."

In terms of being trustworthy, Guangchang is indeed very trustworthy.

Um~

He quickly wrapped it up for Jiang Xintong, and the rice dumpling looked just right.

Guangchang had worn it before, so it still retained some warmth, and...

"How does it feel, Miss?"

"...It's so-so," Jiang Xintong said softly, her head slightly lowered, her face a little flushed.

Would you like a hot drink?

"No."

"Shall we set off?"

"Um……"

Jiang Xintong and Guang Kuangchen stood up one after the other, their gazes fixed on the path leading up the stairs. She and Yan Xingmeng hadn't discussed when the other would appear or when they would pretend to disappear. They hadn't agreed on these things, but thinking about it, they figured they should at least walk a little further, right? Perhaps to the next rest area? But was it really necessary to have a rest area at the foot of the mountain for such a short distance?

In short, let's walk for a while first, and then I'll let Yan Xingmeng know via WeChat.

Jiang Xintong turned her head at this moment, and suddenly let out a soft "Eh." In her line of sight, she saw Yan Xingmeng approach the two of them, appearing behind Guang Yunchen on his left side. She then grabbed his arm and said with a smile, "Then I'll take him away~"

After saying that, he pulled the bewildered Guang Chen towards himself.

So sudden? This happened even faster than Jiang Xintong had imagined? What should she do now? Turn around and run away? Create a space for the two of them to be alone, and then what happens next will be none of her business. Yes, that's how it should be.

Jiang Xintong watched as Guang Changchen was about to be dragged away, and Yan Xingmeng smiled with narrowed eyes. All she needed to do now was escape, but her feet froze in that instant.

There must be something wrong with him.

Just as Guang Guangchen was about to leave her, Jiang Xintong raised her right hand and grabbed his right arm...

128. The three of them together?

I grabbed it.

I grabbed it...

Hey, you managed to grab it?

Jiang Xintong was completely oblivious. By the time her consciousness regained its grip, her right hand had already grabbed Guang Changchen and even stopped him from falling.

Instead of running away, she made a completely different choice; she pulled Guang Chen to a stop!

Important things kept ringing alarm bells for Jiang Xintong like a radar signal. The more clearly she realized how outrageous her actions were, the wider her eyes widened. Thinking about all the unpredictable things that might happen next, she felt a strong sense of fear.

Run!

At this point, letting go and running away would be more understandable.

Then Jiang Xintong stared at her right hand, which seemed to be somewhat out of her control. She then slowly loosened her grip, pulling away from Guang Yunchen's arm. The force of the pull was so great that the down jacket bounced back slightly.

Jiang Xintong's desire to escape grew stronger and stronger. The moment she let go of the hand, this feeling reached its peak, and then she headed towards the steps she had come from, trying to escape.

At this crucial moment, Guang Guangchen, caught in the middle, made a move. Yes, if it were any male lead in a youth romantic comedy, he would probably be watching Jiang Xintong escape with a blank look on his face, his legs as if glued to the floor and unable to move. But Guang Guangchen prided himself on not being that kind of man. On the contrary, his decisiveness was faster than many people would imagine.

For example, if he goes shopping, although he doesn't plan which shoes to buy in advance, he can come out wearing a new pair of shoes within ten minutes of walking into a brand's physical store. He is really quick in this aspect.

At this moment, Guangchang Chen turned his head left and right, and then used his secret technique on Jiang Xintong, who had turned around and was about to leave him.

A powerful hand can split your skull, kid!

Just as Jiang Xintong was about to run away, she was pulled back by a huge force. Yan Xingmeng, who was trying to pull Guang Guangchen away, was also pulled back by Guang Guangchen as soon as she took a step. The two girls who were running in completely opposite directions were now pulled to Guang Guangchen's side.

Neither of you are allowed to leave!

Guangchang slowly exhaled through his nose, then glanced down at the two people on either side. He desperately needed an explanation.

Jiang Xintong turned around in a bit of fright. Because of her guilty conscience, her aura was unusually completely suppressed by the boy in front of her...

Since there's no way to escape now, I have no choice but to confess.

Three minutes later, Guangchang arranged for the two girls to sit on a bench to the side and honestly explain the whole story. Because they couldn't escape, they ended up in this awkward situation. Jiang Xintong's face turned very red, but she felt much more comfortable because she had spoken her mind. At least, honestly explaining was easier than explaining why she had grabbed Guangchang just now, right?

Guangchang listened to the whole thing and realized that it really was something the two of them came up with on a whim. Sure enough, he hadn't been unaware of it beforehand. Yan Xingmeng said she wanted to go hiking on the weekend, which he refused, and then the young lady also asked him to go hiking. This was an activity that had never been mentioned before. Guangchang easily connected the two of them and had even considered the possibility of a chance encounter, but he never expected it to happen in this way.

"I knew something was off, President. Didn't I tell you not to do anything underhanded? And your actions are completely different from what you said, aren't they?" Guangchang narrowed his eyes and started a slightly encrypted chat.

The statement Guang Guangchen mentioned was naturally the one they had discussed in private about Yan Xingmeng liking him. Guang Guangchen advocated not being in a relationship, so that someone who liked him couldn't just hang out with him like a friend. Yan Xingmeng, on the other hand, was really giving him face. "You rejected me once, how could I still like you? Since you don't like me, we can naturally go out together." Guang Guangchen then rejected this argument.

Now the facts are clear: Yan Xingmeng asked the young lady to arrange the meeting, which disproves her previous claims. Let's see what else she has to say.

Today, Yan Xingmeng was wearing a brown lamb wool coat. Her long, straight black hair, which she usually wore loose, was now tied into a ponytail. She was carrying a fluffy, off-white bag. When Guang Yuanchen asked her questions, she showed no fear at all. Instead, after exchanging a glance, she playfully looked away.

Is she ultimately planning to get away with being cute?

"I admit I expressed my feelings for you before, but that was before. Things are different now."

"Oh? So you don't like me now? Then why did you go through all this trouble and have Miss ask me out?" Guangchang narrowed his eyes and asked again, his voice sharp and probing.

To everyone's surprise, Yan Xingmeng still didn't react. She gave a soft hum, producing a wavy tone, and then said, "Although I don't like you anymore, I did develop feelings for you before. This is the first time I've felt this way about someone of the opposite sex. Even if you're just a research subject, it's still necessary to understand you, isn't it?"

"You're going to use that kind of wording?" Guangchang asked in surprise.

They say being thick-skinned makes it easier to get by in society. Just get a response, who cares if it's genuine or not! I came here specifically to learn more because I was curious about it being my first time, not to ask for a date...

"This is also for my future encounter with my true love, a pre-emptive preparation. Is there a problem?" Yan Xingmeng seemed to really want to continue this statement. As the saying goes, when soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it. Guang Chen cast a spell, so Yan Xingmeng had no choice but to clash with his spell.

I only said it was a research project, I didn't say I liked you. This is a question from a psychological experiment on adolescent students.

"Alright, alright, but you've miscalculated." Guangchang nodded repeatedly, all lies would be exposed! Whether it was right or wrong, fake or not, Guangchang didn't need to guess at all. The system would pave the way for him, and in terms of convenience, it was a complete sweep.

My gaze lingered on Yan Xingmeng, and then a number indicating her favorability appeared above her head.

69 points.

Alright! Case solved.

"Assessment complete, you really do like..." Before the word "like" could even be uttered, Guangchang swallowed it back down. He had just said he didn't like her, and now that he was about to say "like," he felt a little awkward in front of the young lady. Who could be like Yan Xingmeng, lying and sweet-talking without blushing? Without this system, it would be as easy to manipulate anyone as walking a dog.

"Well, I can see it clearly with these eyes, there's no mistake."

"Huh? Is this another stream-of-consciousness statement?" Yan Xingmeng also turned her gaze over. Their eyes met. She had no idea about the system and only thought that this was just an excuse Guangchang Chen was using. Since the other party was using "magic," she would continue to retaliate.

Listening to the two bickering, Jiang Xintong silently disappeared. She just hoped that if they continued arguing, she wouldn't get involved. Even after sitting for a while, Jiang Xintong still felt uneasy.

"Anyway, that's my opinion. Exploring the unknowns of love is a great pleasure, isn't it?" Yan Xingmeng was completely convinced and stuck to this statement.

Guangchang Chen didn't know how to fight back; his defenses were impregnable, friends.

"And you've asked me so many questions, why don't you ask Xintong why she was holding onto you and wouldn't let you leave?" Yan Xingmeng suddenly brought up the key point.

Jiang Xintong, who was originally filled with anxiety, was now truly in despair. Her mood plummeted to rock bottom. She turned sharply to look at Yan Xingmeng, clenching her teeth, "Yan Xingmeng! I will never forgive you!"

This is indeed a problem.

When Yan Xingmeng met that gaze, she simply turned her head and smiled, until Guangchang Chen also turned his gaze towards her. He himself was quite curious about this.

According to the original plan, once Yan Xingmeng appeared, the young lady would quietly leave, leaving the two of them alone together. Although Yan Xingmeng's appearance was somewhat sudden, the young lady's actions were clearly the opposite of what was planned.

The strangest thing is that after grabbing me, instead of saying anything, it immediately let go and tried to run away. That's not right! There's a problem with its behavior logic.

Let me confirm first.

Guangchang Chen focused his gaze on the young lady until a favorability rating appeared above her head.

39 points.

There is no problem.

So, in that case...

Ah, then Guangchang has figured it out.

"Is this still a matter of competitiveness? Miss, you don't want to lose to the president, so you grabbed me? Wow, you even subconsciously want to compete for this, Miss, you really..." Guangchang covered his lips with his right hand and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Upon hearing this explanation, Jiang Xintong's previously dim gaze suddenly brightened, like a new candle being placed inside a lampshade that was about to go out. She even straightened her back. Yes…