Chapter 311: Fresh Faces at Qingbei

The three little ones heard the news and exclaimed from the car window.

Rumor had it that Qingbei University was the most impressive school, blending the styles of Tsinghua and Peking University.

Seeing it in person, it was truly magnificent. The school gate featured a flower bed with “Qingbei University” written on it, and inside, a row of willow trees lined the path.

A gentle breeze swept through, making the countless willow branches sway.

It was like a hidden paradise in this bustling city.

After getting out of the car, the three little ones took in the scenery and breathed in the fresh air deeply at the same time.

Lily, with her twin tails, marveled, “So this is university? It looks way bigger than high school!”

Little Heqing hummed in agreement, “It is big.”

Han Wenwen nodded too, “It’s not small.”

Lin Zheng Ran was speechless, “You three are something else. Let’s go, time to register.”

The three responded in unison.

With so many students arriving today, the school gate was buzzing with activity, people weaving in and out.

As usual, when Heqing, Han Wenwen, and Lily—three girls whose looks outshone their peers—appeared together,

many boys around stopped and stared.

They murmured in admiration.

“What beautiful girls!”

“As expected from the top university, there are so many stunning beauties here.”

“That girl with the fox-like eyes is just my type, so pretty~”

Over the years, the grown-up Little Heqing knew she was attractive and had been hit on often, but in crowds like this, she still felt shy and instinctively stayed close to Lin Zheng Ran.

Lily felt the same but just acted aloof, staring straight ahead without a word.

Han Wenwen didn’t care at all, ignoring the attention.

As the four were about to enter the campus, a familiar car pulled up at the school gate, just like in high school.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the luxurious car and the suited driver stepping out.

They all looked, including the four.

Though stories often feature rich heiresses,

in real life, seeing someone with a chauffeur in a suit and white gloves was rare, and curiosity got the best of everyone.

The door opened, and Jiang Qian stepped out gracefully in a knee-length skirt and long sleeves.

Her cool eyes scanned the surroundings, her black shoulder-length hair dancing in the wind.

Every move she made exuded elegance, her fair skin glowing in the sunlight.

Fang Meng followed, dressed in jeans and a short-sleeve top.

As the two got out, people around gasped and chattered:

“Is that a real heiress? I’ve never seen one before!”

“Me neither, and she’s gorgeous! This freshman class is full of stunners.”

Jiang Qian’s icy gaze ignored the crowd, her expression unchanging.

But in a fleeting glance, she suddenly spotted Lin Zheng Ran and the three little ones, her pupils widening in surprise.

Her eyes trembled as she recalled the impulsive moment at the dinner table days ago.

A faint blush spread across her face in embarrassment.

Fang Meng naturally followed Jiang Qian’s gaze and saw Lin Zheng Ran, surprised.

She asked Jiang Qian, “Should we go say hi? Lin Zheng Ran and his three childhood friends are here.”

Jiang Qian hesitated but knew ignoring them wasn’t an option. She said with her head slightly lowered, “Let’s say hi quickly, then we’ll go.”

“Okay.”

Under many watchful eyes, Jiang Qian walked over with a neutral expression: “Lin Zheng Ran, nice to see you again. Good afternoon, and hello to our former high school classmates.”

Fang Meng added formally, “Hello, Lin Zheng Ran, and everyone.”

The three little ones exchanged glances and responded simply.

“Long time no see…”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at Jiang Qian, then at Fang Meng.

He asked curiously:

“If I remember right, you two applied to Stanford, right? Why end up here?”

The two friends paused.

Jiang Qian kept her cool: “It was Stanford at first, but I decided foreign schools aren’t for me, so I changed my application after the exams. No other reason.”

Fang Meng smiled: “That’s right. This school is the result of Qian Qian’s careful thought, and wherever she goes, I follow.”

They played off each other perfectly.

Lin Zheng Ran let out a quiet sigh; he’d guessed these two had changed their plans days ago.

“Well, looks like we’ll be classmates again.”

As Jiang Qian met Lin Zheng Ran’s clear eyes, her face flushed again, and she avoided his gaze: “Yes, anyway, we’ve said hi. Fang Meng and I need to register. See you around.”

She grabbed Fang Meng and hurried away.

Vanishing into the crowd.

The onlookers who had been watching went back to their own business.

Little Heqing said softly, “This feels just like our high school entrance. We were standing at the gate then too, watching Jiang Qian and Fang Meng go in. Nothing’s changed.”

Han Wenwen linked arms with Little Heqing: “There is a difference. Back then, Jiang Qian barely noticed Brother Zheng Ran and wouldn’t even glance his way, but just now, that second miss’s eyes lit up like they were sparkling.” She teased with a playful tone,

“Right, Brother Zheng Ran?”

Lily puffed her cheeks and balled her fists as she watched Jiang Qian leave: “I don’t know, something feels off. Zheng Ran, what’s going on between you and Jiang Qian?”

Lin Zheng Ran frowned: “What are you two talking about? It’s just a classmate thing.”

Even Little Heqing raised a slight doubt:

“But Wenwen has a point. Jiang Qian’s look at you was off, and she’s really pretty. You were classmates for three years—if you don’t like her, I still feel like she might like you.”

Wenwen and Lily both nodded.

Lin Zheng Ran sighed and gave each a light flick on the forehead.

The three yelped and rubbed their heads.

“The pure stay pure. At least, I don’t feel that way about her. Let’s head into school!”

After the flicks, they dropped the topic and followed behind him.

Though they didn’t say more, all three started keeping an eye on that certain second miss.

They registered smoothly, and Lin Zheng Ran helped carry their luggage to the girls’ dormitory.

Finally, the three little ones were in the same dorm at university.

Back in high school, Lily had roomed with other girls, but university was farther from home.

So before enrolling, Lin Zheng Ran had asked the admissions office to arrange for his friends to be in the same dorm, and they said it was no problem.

He watched as the three pulled their luggage upstairs, then headed back to the boys’ dorm.

As he stepped away, something caught his eye from the corner—he turned to look.

Toward a deserted corner in the distance.

Lin Zheng Ran was surprised. What a coincidence?

He left the girls’ dormitory, and after he walked away, a girl with silver-white long hair hid in that corner.

Her cheeks were flushed.

She bit her lip, a yandere-like smile spreading across her face.

She clutched her chest, feeling her heart race with tension.