Chapter 165: Really?

“But—but you’re not him,” Mu Qingxi blurted out, interrupting Brother Pang.

She did not want anyone to compare themselves with him, much less try to replace him. He was himself, one of a kind. No one could ever take his place.

Seeing how agitated she was, Brother Pang hurriedly apologized. “Qingxi, I’m sorry. I said the wrong thing. I only meant that I really like you, and I’d do anything for you. He isn’t the only one who can do those things. I can do them too.”

“That’s enough, Brother Pang,” Mu Qingxi said sharply. “If you’re finished, you can leave.”

Without even looking back, Mu Qingxi went upstairs.

Back in the dormitory, Lu was viciously abusing Mu Qingxi’s doll. The doll was nearly as tall as a person, modeled after a real human being. Pummeling it was like venting all her frustrations, and it felt immensely satisfying.

Mu Qingxi walked in and immediately saw the scene. A black line appeared across her brow. “Can you act normal for once? If you break it, you owe me a new one.”

At that, Lu attacked the doll even more ferociously, paying no attention to how utterly at odds her behavior was with her appearance. After a long while, she finally tossed the doll aside and looked at Mu Qingxi, noticing that her expression was troubled.

“What’s wrong, Qingxi?”

Mu Qingxi shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just not in a very good mood. Maybe it’s because graduation is so close.”

Lu smiled faintly. How could she not know what was on her mind? She sat down in front of Mu Qingxi and said, “Qingxi, you have to trust him—and trust yourself even more. Do you understand?”

Mu Qingxi stared at her in confusion. What was that supposed to mean?

“Qingxi, you haven’t seen him for four years. I know it must be difficult for you, and your attachment to him has only grown deeper over time. Isn’t that right?” Lu fixed her eyes firmly on Mu Qingxi.

Mu Qingxi said nothing, merely sitting there in silence.

“Your feelings have grown deeper, but you’ve also become more and more insecure. You keep worrying that after all this time, he may have forgotten you. That he may have met another girl. That he may no longer love you. Isn’t that it?”

Lu rose and walked behind Mu Qingxi, patting her shoulder with one hand.

“Actually, you really don’t need to torment yourself like this. Time has felt long to you, but it has felt just as long to him—perhaps even longer. He would do anything for you. You should trust him.”

“By constantly worrying about losing him, you’re not only showing that you don’t trust him. You’re showing that you don’t trust yourself either. Do you understand?”

“Over all these years, you could easily have accepted someone else. Among all those people, surely there was no one more outstanding than him?”

“No, there were plenty of people more outstanding than he was. But you couldn’t accept any of them. Do you know why?”

“Because you don’t love them. The only person you’ve ever thought about, day after day, is him.”

Mu Qingxi lifted her head and looked at Lu. “So what?”

Lu looked at her and continued to counsel her with great seriousness. “Nothing. But think about it. If you feel this way, why not put yourself in his place? Perhaps he feels the same way you do.”

“Does he? Could he?” Mu Qingxi fell into thought, asking in disbelief. She did not know whether she was asking Lu beside her, questioning herself, or calling out to him far away.

But no matter what, this was something only she could resolve. Only after seeing Bai Fanhao would she know the answer. For now, Lu was merely trying to comfort her.

Lu took Mu Qingxi by the hand. “All right, stop overthinking it. Hurry up and pack. We’re leaving. I skipped work today just to come and take you home.”

[Bai Fanhao is about to appear! Everyone, please show your support!]