Reborn: I'll Never Fail My Childhood Sweetheart Again

Chapter 700: Chapter 252: One Room for Me and Haoran, One Room for You and Qin Shiqing!_2

Only when she heard the footsteps behind her did her heart begin to race.

Even though Lu Haoran was her boyfriend, she still hadn’t prepared herself emotionally.

"Sorry, Xiaoyanzi, Zelin won’t let me go to his place tonight. He said he has to do some ’big sword magic’ tonight."

The honest guy was nervous as well and earnestly explained himself, lest his girlfriend misunderstand him and think too impurely.

"Pah, you dog!"

Xiaoyanzi wasn’t naive; she knew what ’big sword magic’ meant.

"How about this, Xiaoyanzi? You stay here tonight, and I’ll go find a nearby motel to stay at later."

Realizing his girlfriend wasn’t quite ready, Lu Haoran proactively made a suggestion.

"This is Lujiazui, you know! There aren’t any cheap motels nearby!"

Staying in a five-star hotel herself, asking her boyfriend to shell out money for a separate room was something Xiaoyanzi couldn’t bring herself to do.

She decided to go all in: "This is such a nice hotel. In a lifetime, we might only get to stay in places like this a few times. The room is already booked, why not just stay?!"

Su Zelin, since you’re so eager to ’make things work’ between me and Haoran, I’ll return the favor and ’make things work’ between you and Shiqing.

The honest guy breathed a sigh of relief.

Honestly, he didn’t want to stay at a motel either.

Staying together with his girlfriend was much better, right?

But he didn’t want to force Xiaoyanzi into doing anything she wasn’t comfortable with, which is why he suggested it.

Since Xiaoyanzi had no objections, it wasn’t an issue.

His gaze floated over to the big bed in the guest room; Su Zelin had booked a single room.

The honest guy instinctively reached into his pocket and clutched that small box tightly.

Setting off from Lin’an in the evening and arriving at Shenghai after booking a room, it was already past eight, and night had long since fallen.

There weren’t any plans for tonight; initially, the manager of the Shenghai flagship store planned to welcome him, but Su Zelin politely declined. After all, the Shenghai flagship store was opening tomorrow morning, and everyone had a lot to do. Besides, his main purpose for tonight was to see Qin Shiqing.

No need to pick anyone up. Qin Shiqing claimed that driving could be tiring and the roads in Shenghai were unfamiliar, so she would just take the bus over. This way, she could save time since the group had already arrived quite late.

While lying in the hotel for a while, the doorbell of the guest room chimed.

Rising to open the door, outside stood not only Lu Haoran and Xiaoyanzi but also a girl wearing a fleece-lined, windproof fisherman’s hat—Qin Shiqing.

Two months of internship had brought some obvious changes to the childhood friends.

A color-blocked crewneck woolen coat paired with a casual winter dress and ankle boots added a touch of elegance and fashion, shedding some of her student-like innocence and gaining an aura of the chic, stylish young lady of the modern urban workplace. Her whole demeanor emanated a trendy yet ladylike vibe that complemented her appearance and charisma.

Qin Shiqing was a quintessential Hong Kong-style lady: poised and graceful. This trendy Hong Kong starlet ensemble suited her perfectly, giving off a gentlewomanly vibe reminiscent of Hong Kong beauty queens from the past.

"What’s up, don’t recognize me?"

Qin Shiqing brightly smiled.

Before Su Zelin could speak, Xiaoyanzi, linked arm-in-arm with her best friend, interjected, "Shiqing, he’s just dazzled by you. Honestly, you look super trendy now. I almost didn’t recognize you when I opened the door!"

She was also contemplating whether to copy her bestie’s Hong Kong-style outfit, though she worried that without Qin Shiqing’s looks, charisma, and figure, she might end up looking like a failed imitation.

"Tch, it’s nothing special."

Su Zelin grumbly pouted.

In truth, he was mildly impressed, though his stubborn pride wouldn’t allow him to admit it.

"Oh, come on, Su Zelin, is it so hard to acknowledge someone else’s greatness? Anyone with eyes can see Shiqing’s looking prettier and more stylish, right? Having a girlfriend like her would be such a brag; every guy would be green with envy!"

"It’s only temporary. Sooner or later, she’ll turn into an old hag, and whoever ends up with her will regret it, ow..."

"You jerk! Who you calling an old hag!"

"Stinking woman, let go! Ladies are supposed to speak kindly, not resort to violence!"

"..."

After a playful exchange, the pair, reunited after a long separation, left the hotel.

They found something simple to eat to sort out dinner, then Qin Shiqing enthusiastically took Xiaoyanzi to explore the Bund.

Having come to Shenghai, this was a must-visit spot.

She had come to Shenghai for her internship not long ago and already hung out with classmates, but it was Xiaoyanzi’s first visit.

Su Zelin and Lu Haoran tagged along behind the two girls, as it was typical for them to just follow along when the best friends went shopping.

"Zelin, in half a year, we’ll graduate!"

The honest guy mused thoughtfully.

Though inwardly reflective, he wasn’t bothered by time flying by, nor did he wish to turn back.

After all, once he got to college, he managed to pursue the girl he liked best, Xiaoyanzi.

Back in high school, he had some inclinations, but always felt he didn’t stand a chance. Who would have predicted that someday dreams would come true?

"Mm!"

Su Zelin merely nodded gently.

"Shiqing will soon have to start working too."

Lu Haoran added.

"So?"

"Don’t you really have any feelings for her?"

The honest guy had occasionally pressed this question with his close friend before, yet he couldn’t help but bring it up again.

If only this trip to Shenghai meant meeting each other as couples, it would be perfect!

Us with Xiaoyanzi, my best friend with Qin Shiqing—it would be ideal.

"Too familiar, can’t make a move, plus I’m not worthy."

Su Zelin provided the same answer.

"But, Zelin, have you ever considered something if, and I mean if..."

Lu Haoran cautiously ventured, "If Shiqing finds another boyfriend someday, will you be able to handle it?"