Bian Suwen recounted the “story” between herself and Wang Haoran. However, in this version, the female protagonist wasn’t Bian Suwen but rather “her friend.” Wang Haoran was portrayed as a despicable heartbreaker.

After finishing the story, Bian Suwen looked at Qiu Qianwei and naturally added, “Now you know why I said he’s a heartbreaker, right?”

Qiu Qianwei nodded instinctively but then shook her head, stating, “Third Sister, when your friend told you about this, she might have had subjective biases. I don’t think Wang Haoran is that kind of heartbreaker.”

Bian Suwen disagreed, saying, “I’m very close with that friend of mine. She wouldn’t lie, and there’s no exaggeration in her account.”

Qiu Qianwei scoffed, “Maybe she didn’t lie, but I think your friend might be quite selfish!”

Bian Suwen was unconvinced and asked, “You say my friend is selfish? How so?”

Qiu Qianwei, inclined to be sympathetic to Wang Haoran, said, “Think about it, Third Sister. How old was Wang Haoran at the time? He was only sixteen, while your friend was twenty-one! How can a sixteen-year-old be expected to take responsibility for a relationship? What could he offer?”

“He was still in school. If your friend understood him, she wouldn’t blame Wang Haoran at all.”

“Moreover, your friend also had some issues. She was quite bold, being five years older and still pursuing him. A normal woman would keep her distance from someone like Wang Haoran instead of leading him astray.”

Bian Suwen’s blood pressure rose at this and she retorted, “Feelings aren’t something one can control. Since Wang Haoran and my friend were already together, he should have treated her well instead of betraying her!”

“Indeed, feelings are unpredictable,” Qiu Qianwei agreed, deeply relating to this. But she still leaned towards Wang Haoran. After a moment’s thought, she added, “Perhaps betrayal wasn’t his intention.”

“What do you mean?” Bian Suwen asked.

Qiu Qianwei analyzed, “He was only sixteen. At that age, parental influence is strong. Perhaps when his parents found out, they changed his mindset or pressured him. It’s understandable that he might have abandoned your friend under those circumstances. At that age, it’s normal to lack control over one’s actions.”

Hearing this, Bian Suwen’s anger subsided as she recalled some events from her recent meeting with Wang Haoran.

Wang Haoran had a photo of her in his wallet. During their meal, he ordered all her favorite dishes and remembered emergency methods she had once mentioned.

How could someone heartless be so thoughtful? Could it be that he abandoned me because he was pressured?

This thought crossed Bian Suwen’s mind, and her resentment quickly diminished.

[Ding, Bian Suwen’s favorability towards the host has increased by 15. The current total favorability is -20 (resentment).]

[Ding, Bian Suwen’s favorability towards the host has increased by 10. The current total favorability is -10 (dislike).]

[Ding, Bian Suwen’s favorability towards the host has increased by 10. The current total favorability is 0 (neutral).]

[Ding, Bian Suwen’s favorability towards the host has increased by 10. The current total favorability is 10 (acquaintance).]

After the discussion with Qiu Qianwei, Bian Suwen’s mindset changed. She no longer hated Wang Haoran and let go of the past. However, she would at most regard Wang Haoran as an ordinary friend.

Meanwhile, Wang Haoran had just entered the classroom when he heard a series of system notifications. This puzzled him. He had done nothing, yet Bian Suwen’s favorability towards him increased, reaching 10. It was strange.

Despite his confusion, Wang Haoran was pleased. In just a few hours, Bian Suwen’s favorability had risen from -70 to 10—a rapid progress.

Wang Haoran returned to his seat, feeling cheerful. Just then, Mu Zhaozhao and Wen Jing entered the classroom and sat beside him.

“I think I just saw Teacher Song on campus,” Wen Jing whispered.

Wang Haoran knew the Teacher Song Wen Jing referred to was Song Zhenyu. He looked at Wen Jing and said, “Teacher Song should be teaching first-year students at Shuizhe High School. Maybe you mistook someone else for her?”

“We were far apart at the time, so I’m not sure. I could have been mistaken,” Wen Jing replied.

Wang Haoran nodded, thinking to contact Song Zhenyu later. Since class was about to start, it was inconvenient now. He had to wait until after class. As a female protagonist with a favorability towards him of 40, her protagonist aura hadn’t diminished because of him. The “meat bun” principle would apply eventually; it was just a matter of time.

…

Song Zhenyu held a rental advertisement as she wandered through some old streets. She had resigned from Shuizhe High School to pursue graduate studies at Qingling University. She wanted to rent a room nearby to facilitate her studies.

However, with her family’s financial burdens and sending most of her salary home, she had little spare money. Thus, she needed a cheap place to rent. The ad she had matched perfectly with her budget: a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment for only 100 yuan a month, utilities and internet included. It seemed too good to be true, like a rare find.

However, not just anyone could rent the apartment. An unusual requirement was an interview; only upon passing this could one move in.

After wandering a while, Song Zhenyu found the address. It was an old residential building over ten years old but in a tranquil environment ideal for studying.

Song Zhenyu took out her phone to call the number on the ad.

Not far away, a man in a vest and slippers strolled leisurely down the street. Neighbors greeted him with surprise, “Xiao Ye, when did you come back?”

“I’ve been back a few days.”

“I heard you went abroad. You must’ve made a lot of money.”

“Doing business abroad isn’t easy. I couldn’t make it, so I came back. I’m barely getting by with the properties my parents left.”

As he spoke, the man, known as “Xiao Ye,” reached Song Zhenyu.

“I love taking baths, my skin feels so good…”

As Song Zhenyu dialed, “Xiao Ye’s” phone rang with a cheerful ringtone. Hearing it, Song Zhenyu instinctively glanced at him.