Does This Count as Me Being Involved Too

Shen Mengjie saw the message and instinctively turned to look at Long Aotian, only to find him still whispering with Li Longlong. She couldn't help but chuckle softly. "So stupid. Everyone else is scheming against you, yet here you are, clueless as ever."

"Honestly, I don’t know how you managed to provoke someone like this."

"Both foolish and overly confident—what a headache."

Since Shen Mengjie already drew plenty of attention, the sight of her covering her mouth with a light laugh made many pause for a moment.

Though most people gossiped about her, no one could deny that Shen Mengjie’s sexy, mature image was undeniably striking.

Some even wondered if they should try asking her out. Maybe they’d get a taste of her charm...

Suppressing her smile, Shen Mengjie turned back to her phone. "But I don’t think Long Aotian is the way you describe him. He seems pretty decent to me."

What she didn’t realize was that these words struck a nerve with Ye Liangchen.

His already battered heart couldn’t stand hearing anyone praise Long Aotian in front of him.

Not even a little bit!

So when he read the message, he clutched his chest and let out a pained cry.

The sudden outburst made everyone around him look up in surprise.

Under their gazes, Ye Liangchen acted like a wounded hero from an ancient martial arts film—eyes tightly shut, one hand pressed to his chest, his head tilted at a melancholic 45-degree angle as he let out a bitter laugh.

He tried to stand, deliberately staggering for effect. When others moved to help him, he gritted his teeth, kept his eyes closed, and slowly raised a hand. "It’s nothing. Just a sudden pang of heartache when I turned around!"

Taking a deep breath, he straightened his posture and walked out step by step under everyone’s watchful eyes.

When he passed Zhou Li, he paused, flashing a sorrowful smile before tossing his hair. "Don’t worry about me. I’m fine."

Zhou Li gave him a strange look, lips parting briefly before she decided against saying anything.

Noticing her subtle glance and the unspoken concern, Ye Liangchen smirked confidently, flicked his hair again, and strode out.

Once he was gone, Zhou Li turned to her friend. "That Ye Liangchen really loves putting on a show, doesn’t he?"

"Right? Who goes around hugging themselves all the time? And that weird, unshakable confidence of his... it’s just bizarre."

Of course, Ye Liangchen didn’t hear any of this.

His mind was entirely fixated on Shen Mengjie. To him, she was now the perfect weapon to bring down Long Aotian.

If she ended up being tricked into bed by that bastard, he might get evidence of Long Aotian’s infidelity—but then she’d be ruined.

He refused to always settle for Long Aotian’s leftovers!

His happiness was his to protect!

With that thought, Ye Liangchen quickly typed on his phone.

"Mengjie, appearances can be deceiving. I know Long Aotian better than you do."

“Remember what I told you before? He forced someone who should’ve loved me, stole my childhood sweetheart of nine years, and now he’s targeting my little childhood friend. How could someone like that be good?”

Soon, Shen Mengjie replied: "Then what should I do?"

Reading her response, Ye Liangchen exhaled in relief. As long as he could turn her against Long Aotian, the rest would be easy.

After all, he was already gathering Hu Yuying’s business plans. Once he understood the details, he could steal her ideas before Long Aotian had a chance.

How could Long Aotian possibly compete then?

"Don’t be afraid. I promised to protect you, and I will."

"Do you know about chivalry?"

"Rest assured, I’ll stand by your side like an unwavering knight, shielding you from harm. That’s the greatest confidence of a knight like me!"

After sending the message, Ye Liangchen took a deep breath. He’d upheld the knight’s code long enough—it was time to act.

After all, a knight never retreats!

Tossing his hair, he mused, "I’ll change my look this afternoon. Shen Mengjie, I hope you last a little longer under my charm. Heh, this’ll be fun."

......

The morning passed in a flash.

Hu Yuying packed her things, sent a message in the trio’s group chat, and headed back to her dorm to change.

Xue Shaohua, who’d been posing dramatically at the entrance, clenched his fists when Hu Yuying walked past without even glancing his way.

He’d done all this just to catch her eye—just once.

He refused to believe his edgy style and ear piercings wouldn’t grab her attention. After all, plenty of others had noticed...

Staring after her, he sighed and slipped a hand into his pocket, following her. "I’m like a lone wolf in the night, silently guarding, silently licking my wounds... all just so you might see me."

He chuckled softly. "Who’d have thought a playboy like me would finally settle down?"

He was deeply moved by his own devotion and sacrifices...

Meanwhile, back in her dorm, Hu Yuying took out a little black dress, remembering how dazed Long Aotian had looked the first time he saw her in it.

Biting her lip shyly, she hugged the dress and giggled girlishly.

After changing, she left the dorm again.

Time to meet Qingxue and Wan Ning for their shoot. More money meant more gifts for Grandpa, Grandma, and Long Aotian—so many, many things!

The thought made her steps light and cheerful as she headed toward the campus gate.

Along the way, she noticed countless eyes on her and instinctively lowered her gaze, quickening her pace.

Xue Shaohua, who’d been about to leave, also caught sight of her and froze.

The snug black dress hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating every curve.

It was undeniably sexy...

Yet her clear, innocent eyes held a purity that tugged at the heart.

"Is she dressing up like this to meet Long Aotian? Are they going to a hotel?"

The idea made Xue Shaohua’s heart race. Without thinking, he trailed after her. Even if he could only listen through a wall...

It was like writing Hu Yuying’s name on a cigarette and breathing her in.

"Does this mean I’m part of it too?" Xue Shaohua murmured dazedly...

......