Hearing her female classmate ask this question, Yan Qi put on an annoyed expression.
Seeing the change in Yan Qi’s expression, the girl realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly explained.
“Classmate Xiao Qi, that’s not what I meant! Of course, you can come to our graduation party. I asked that question because, as the youngest genius our school has ever seen, you just seem so far removed from us ordinary students. I couldn’t help my curiosity.”
“Is that really the only reason?”
After listening to the reply, Yan Qi didn’t immediately drop her slightly annoyed expression and instead asked her another question.
“Yes, that’s really the only reason,” the girl nodded in response.
Getting her answer and noting the girl’s sincere expression, confirming she wasn’t being lied to, Yan Qi finally stopped looking annoyed.
“Alright, since you put it that way, I’ll believe you for now.”
Hearing Yan Qi’s words, the girl, who had been tense and unsure if she would be forgiven, instantly relaxed.
“Thank you, Xiao Qi, for being willing to believe me.”
Seeing the girl beside her sigh with relief, and thinking back to the question she had been asked earlier, Yan Qi thought for a moment and then spoke.
“Alright, let’s drop this pointless talk. Didn’t you want to know why I came to today’s graduation party? I’ll tell you now.”
Hearing that Yan Qi was willing to answer her earlier question, the girl perked up immediately. She lifted her head and looked at Yan Qi with an expectant gaze, waiting for her reply.
Seeing this, Yan Qi couldn’t help but chuckle lightly to herself. Then, she slowly began her explanation.
“The main reason I came to today’s graduation party, besides wanting to see everyone one more time before we graduate, is mostly because I accepted the Class President’s invitation. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
After hearing Yan Qi’s answer, the girl, who was sitting not far from her, remembered the good relationship between the Class President and Yan Qi and suddenly looked understanding.
“Oh, I see! So that’s why you came to our class’s graduation party today, Xiao Qi.”
“What are you all talking about?”
Hu Mengqing, who had just pushed the door open and entered the private room after managing to borrow a few books from the hot pot food court manager, noticed Yan Qi and the girl beside her seemed to be deep in conversation and asked them.
Hearing Hu Mengqing’s voice, Yan Qi quickly shifted her gaze from the girl in front of her to Hu Mengqing, replying with a smile.
“Class President, you’re back. Thank you for going through the trouble of finding books for me.”
“It was no trouble at all. By the way, you haven’t answered my question yet,” Hu Mengqing said, accepting the thanks but pressing for an answer.
Hearing this, and not intending to answer herself, Yan Qi quickly turned her gaze towards the girl sitting nearby.
Noticing Yan Qi’s look and understanding her meaning, the girl hurriedly stood up and answered Hu Mengqing.
“Class President, we weren’t really chatting just now.”
“You weren’t chatting? Then what were you two doing?” Hearing her reply, Hu Mengqing looked at her, puzzled.
“Well, it was like this…” After Hu Mengqing’s question, the girl quickly started to explain.
After the girl finished explaining, Hu Mengqing finally understood what was going on between them, which had looked like a conversation.
“So that’s what happened. Xiao Yuan, I know you sometimes speak without thinking, but how could you say that to Xiao Qi?”
“I know it was my fault. I already explained myself to Xiao Qi, and she’s forgiven me. Right, Xiao Qi?” After being criticized by Hu Mengqing, Xiao Yuan—Yuan Jiajia—immediately admitted her mistake while looking over at Yan Qi.
Hearing Yuan Jiajia’s words, and already believing her earlier slip-up was unintentional, Yan Qi quickly looked at Hu Mengqing and said.
“Class President, she’s right. I’ve already forgiven her.”
Hearing Yan Qi’s words, Hu Mengqing didn’t criticize her classmate further. Instead, she said, “Since Xiao Qi says so, I’ll leave it at that. But, Xiao Yuan, you must remember to think before you speak from now on.”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll definitely think before I speak in the future,” Yuan Jiajia assured Hu Mengqing, patting her chest, which was neither particularly flat nor particularly ample.
“You said it yourself, make sure you remember it.” Having gotten Yuan Jiajia’s assurance, Hu Mengqing let the matter rest.
After speaking, feeling the weight of the stack of books in her arms, Hu Mengqing remembered the original reason she had left the room to borrow these books from the food court manager.
She then looked down at Yan Qi, who was sitting on the chair beside her, and said.
“Xiao Qi, stand up quickly so I can spread these borrowed books on your chair. It’ll make it more comfortable for you to eat later.”
Hearing Hu Mengqing’s words and seeing the books in her arms, Yan Qi didn’t refuse the kindness. She quickly hopped down from her chair, then turned and asked.
“Do you need any help?”
Hearing Yan Qi offer help, Hu Mengqing felt this small task was something she could easily handle alone.
“Thank you, Xiao Qi, but it’s alright. This is simple, I can manage by myself.”
After speaking, Hu Mengqing promptly placed the borrowed books she was carrying onto Yan Qi’s chair.
After adjusting them slightly and making sure the arrangement was stable and wouldn’t cause any issues, Hu Mengqing spoke to Yan Qi, who had been standing nearby watching her every move.
“Alright, Xiao Qi, the books are all set. Come and try it out.”
“Okay, I’m coming, Class President.”
Replying to Hu Mengqing, Yan Qi quickly walked over to her designated seat for the lunch. Without needing any help, she gave a light hop and settled steadily onto the chair, now heightened by the stack of books.