Chapter 254

Chapter 254: I’m with Fang.

In the midst of Mei Fang and Lin You Xi preparing for NOI exams, Xia Yuan also received an invitation to participate in the autumn arts festival of Jiangcheng Shi Yi High School’s Class of 2012.

Due to Xia Yuan’s fame as a popular online singer, the school approached her hoping she would perform on stage. The teachers in charge of arranging the program gave Xia Yuan ample face, planning to have her open the event with a performance.

After the summer vacation, Xia Yuan began creating her second album. The song she was currently working on was titled “A Little Sweet,” with the lyrics and melody again crafted by Mei Fang, alongside Liu Xiao Yu.

With their previous experience in writing songs and composing music, Xia Yuan and Liu Xiao Yu became more proficient. Now, every afternoon during the break, Liu Xiao Yu would go to Ximilu Studio to work on songs with Xia Yuan, while also creating background melodies for the promotional video of “Cloud Journey.”

As one of the girls who interacted most frequently with Xia Yuan aside from Lin You Xi, Liu Xiao Yu could sense Xia Yuan’s recent changes.

She noticed Xia Yuan often laughing at her phone alone, sometimes resting her chin on her hand, gazing at the sky with closed eyes, reminiscing about something, or sometimes pursing her lips or licking her lips—displaying a dazed look.

Recently so happy, it must be because her relationship with Mei Fang has progressed…

But they’ve already kissed, what more could there be?

Liu Xiao Yu didn’t dare to think too deeply, but such baffling and incomprehensible actions were often orchestrated by former class president Lin You Xi.

Although Xia Yuan was now a popular idol, to Liu Xiao Yu, she seemed like any other girl—lively, cheerful, kind, and polite to everyone around her. She was shy and nervous in front of boys she liked.

In a way, apart from lacking confidence and being outgoing, she shared many similarities with Xia Yuan.

She had actually thought about how things would be if her family hadn’t taken over Xia Yuan’s hotel.

Hmm…

An image of a radiant Liu Xiao Yu, just like Xia Yuan, flashed through her mind.

But Liu Xiao Yu quickly regained her composure.

It’s not too late to start working hard now…

They were great friends.

Mei Fang was a scoundrel, but he was otherwise a good person.

Working diligently under him, she could earn a decent amount of money in high school, which would help alleviate her family’s financial burden.

However, she was still a dispensable member of the team. If only she could develop her own core competencies like Guo Yun…

Though she had considered learning to play the keyboard, combining her studies with composing music was already demanding. Adding another instrument to her workload—

When Liu Xiao Yu came back to her senses, she realized Xia Yuan had suddenly appeared beside her, curiously staring at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“You look like you’re lost in thought. Can you tell me about it?”

Previously, Xia Yuan called her Yu’er, but after some time, Liu Xiao Yu felt embarrassed, reverting to “Xiao Yu,” which was less awkward.

“Uh… Nothing much, just feeling tired and daydreaming.”

Liu Xiao Yu smiled at Xia Yuan, who shook her head gently, “That doesn’t look like it! We’re friends. Tell me honestly—are you still thinking about that love letter?”

“No, no.”

Liu Xiao Yu shook her head, “Didn’t I specifically go to reject him that day… You even went with me.”

“Hmm…” Xia Yuan pondered, “I remember. You said you wanted to focus on your studies, but dating doesn’t necessarily affect your studies. Two excellent people can work together to become better.”

“That was a tactful way to say it,” Liu Xiao Yu whispered, “Actually… I just don’t feel anything for him.”

“Hahaha… I see.”

Xia Yuan smiled, “So if a boy you like confesses, you’d accept?”

“I guess… But I’m passive when it comes to relationships. I’m not the type to pursue someone actively. Even if I like someone a lot, I probably wouldn’t—”

“That won’t do! If you really like a boy someday, don’t let him slip away. No matter what, you should confirm his feelings, or you’ll regret it later.”

Xia Yuan spoke earnestly, making Liu Xiao Yu take her words seriously.

“Okay… I’ll remember what you said.”

She didn’t want to continue on this topic and turned to Xia Yuan, “Speaking of which, you seem incredibly happy lately. Did something good happen?”

“Well… this…”

Xia Yuan touched her cheek, looking around nervously, “Is it that obvious? I thought I hid it well.”

“You didn’t tell me, so I didn’t know you were hiding it…”

Liu Xiao Yu looked disgusted.

“Haha… Like this.”

Xia Yuan hummed for a moment, then remembered the conclusion she and Lin You Xi had reached that night.

“If we don’t make our relationship public, the love letters will keep coming, and people will still misunderstand us.”

“We should tell some close friends, prepare them psychologically, and gradually get them to understand the three-way dynamic.”

So Xia Yuan cleared her throat and leaned toward Liu Xiao Yu’s ear:

“In fact… I’m with Fang now.”

After saying this, Xia Yuan slowly returned to her seat, sitting obediently and waiting for Liu Xiao Yu’s reaction.

Upon hearing Xia Yuan’s words, Liu Xiao Yu was initially stunned, then slightly lifted her head to look at Xia Yuan.

Her face was filled with confusion and surprise;

“Being together… does that mean what I think it means?”

Xia Yuan pursed her lips, smiling and nodding at Liu Xiao Yu.

“Then… what did You Xi say? Wouldn’t she be hurt? She clearly—”

Wasn’t Mei Fang their shared boyfriend? Was Xia Yuan now claiming him for herself?

Xia Yuan didn’t know that Liu Xiao Yu had long since figured out their complicated relationship using her unique skills. As an outsider, Liu Xiao Yu was prepared with the right words to speak to Lin You Xi.

“She… She blessed our relationship.”

Xia Yuan patted Liu Xiao Yu’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, my relationship with You Xi is still very good.”

“Whether past, present, or future, my relationship with her won’t change because of Fang!”

At the same time, Mei Fang was getting intimate with Lin You Xi in their usual hangout spot.

They had been studying problems in the library before planning to meet Xia Yuan in the club room.

However, Lin You Xi suggested taking a detour and pulled Mei Fang to the bamboo pavilion in the school.

Since being with Yuan Yuan, Mei Fang’s intimacy with You Xi increased despite the correction mechanism. Since their relationship wasn’t a secret anymore, You Xi’s behavior became bolder.

“Now… in school… isn’t it a bit too much?”

Mei Fang asked breathlessly, “Isn’t it too often?”

“Do you feel guilty towards Yuan Yuan?”

“Not quite…”

Mei Fang rubbed his face uncomfortably, “I’m just worried about being seen by acquaintances. It might not be an issue now, but if everyone knew and saw us like this, it might be problematic.”

“I understand…”

Lin You Xi nodded with a smile and then sighed deeply, “Sorry, the stress from problem-solving is intense. NOIP questions are harder than expected. This might be a way for me to vent.”

Despite being hailed as a genius in Bai Mei County, this was a competition among national elites. Lin You Xi had to watch C Station, making it difficult to achieve the best results in NOI series competitions.

“You’re already stressed; I’m even worse…”

Unlike Lin You Xi, Mei Fang lacked exceptional talent. Despite his ten years of coding experience, he was considering giving up on NOI.

Lin You Xi cupped Mei Fang’s face and whispered, “Focusing on C Station and game development might help more. It’s okay to give up…”

“What about you?”

“To be honest, I enjoy such challenges. I want to complete NOIP first, assess my position and C Station’s situation, then decide. By the way, C Station is almost ready for the promotion and financing of ‘Cloud Journey,’ right?”

“Yeah, financing isn’t easy.”

Thinking about it made Mei Fang’s head ache, “Now, it’s not just about money. Networking seems more important than I thought. That’s what we lack the most.”

“Even though I don’t understand these things… I know that if we’re outstanding enough, talented people will emerge. Don’t worry too much.”

Lin You Xi gently touched Mei Fang’s lips, her gaze full of tenderness.

“Fang… Can we do it again… I need to vent, and you can relax too?”

“Today in school is the last time. We still have to meet Yuan Yuan. The rest… later tonight?”

“Okay… Sure.”

…

Mei Fang was enjoying his youth.

Gone to play with cats, will update in the evening.

End of Chapter 254.