Gu Tingting’s childlike complaints made An Yiqing laugh out loud, and she gently said, "Tingting, there’s nobody I don’t understand, but it’s impossible for me to not understand you guys. Both you and Xiao Xue are no pushovers. You may complain, but I think neither of you would ever let that girl and the dormitory matron have it easy, right?"
Seeing An Yiqing’s almost laughing expression, Gu Tingting gave a guilty giggle, widened her eyes, and said assertively, "Of course! Qingqing, I’m your best friend; how can I disgrace you? After that girl arrived, initially, Xiao Xue and I thought to live and let live. But who knew she would be like a sworn enemy from our past lives, deliberately finding fault with us. I’ve grown up among boys; who would indulge her bad temper? So, Xiao Xue and I quickly threw her out, luggage and all."
An Yiqing helplessly covered her forehead; she knew that with Gu Tingting and Ruan Xue’s temperaments, they were absolutely not ones to compromise easily.
"What happened afterward? How did it go? Did the dormitory matron give you any trouble?"
"Trouble? She wouldn’t dare!" Gu Tingting’s eyes widened furiously as she puffed up her cheeks and said in a coquettish voice, "Xiao Xue and I threatened to report to the principal that she was illegally occupying your bed. That dormitory matron quickly quieted down and swapped in another roommate for us."
"Oh? How’s this roommate?" An Yiqing asked with a smile.
"Um, although she’s not as cute as you, Qingqing, she’s much better than the previous ’Perfume Monarch.’" Gu Tingting nodded, her eyes clear. "But, she’s from the countryside and seems somewhat inferior. She always speaks in a soft voice. It makes Xiao Xue and me tread on eggshells around her, scared we might frighten her. Ah, Qingqing, life has been simply unbearable since you left school!" Gu Tingting whined and leaned on An Yiqing’s shoulder, complaining while trying to hug her.
However, Gu Tingting’s little scheme didn’t succeed. Gu Yelin, who had been quietly following them, silently extended his long hand, firmly grasping Gu Tingting’s slender arm with a steel-like grip, clearly indicating that if she tried to hug An Yiqing, her arm might just break.
Gu Tingting stiffly looked at Gu Yelin blocking her, reluctantly withdrew her hand, and muttered under her breath, "So stingy, hugging Qingqing isn’t going to kill her. Do you think she’s inflatable? Back in the dorm, I even shared a bed and blanket with Qingqing. Seriously stingy!"
Gu Yelin, with his sharp ears, heard Gu Tingting’s mutterings loud and clear and his face grew darker by the second, almost dripping with darkness.
Feeling the human air conditioner beside her starting up, An Yiqing tugged the seemingly too-thick-skinned Gu Tingting. "Tingting, I think Big Brother just called you. Go check it out."
"Ah? Oh! I’m on my way!" Still grumbling, the oblivious Gu Tingting who nearly met her end in the Underworld, was startled and then hurried towards the Bai Family Mansion, unaware that her Third Brother had been close to strangling her.
Watching Gu Tingting hop and run into the distance, An Yiqing sighed helplessly out of relief.
She turned her head, her gaze landing directly on Gu Yelin’s deep expression.
"Ah Lin, are you mad?" An Yiqing smiled sweetly, affectionately grabbing Gu Yelin’s large hand.
"I’m not that petty," Gu Yelin lowered his head, his gaze focused on the sweetly smiling An Yiqing, and said softly.