It was just a love letter; I'm really no great writer!

These past few days, Di Qingling returned to her alma mater to mentor art students.

After signing on to "Parasite," she helped select some promising talents while preparing for her new drama.

She arrived at Boya Building early today. As she walked up the stairs, she happened to hear the melodious sound of a flute drifting through the corridor and rustling the leaves.

Di Qingling was greatly surprised and listened in the direction of the sound.

This was a melody I had never heard before; it was deep and melancholic, with a sense of loneliness and despondency.

Reflecting on the passing of youth, the fleeting nature of beauty, the difficulty of finding true friends, the desolation of life, and the hardships of fate, these sentiments are heart-wrenching and deeply moving.

She couldn't help but step forward to ask, and then she saw an unexpected face: Lu Ran!

"Why is it you?"

Di Qingling scrutinized him closely.

The boy was wearing the iconic school uniform of Huaicheng No.1 Middle School, which was white with blue trim and had the words "Huaicheng No.1 Middle School" written in cursive script on the back.

He has a head of thick, black hair, and his face is gradually losing its childishness.

With thick eyebrows and sharp eyes, he exudes a heroic air; his nose is straight and his lips are thin. Holding a dark-colored bamboo flute, he is undeniably elegant and free-spirited.

Compared to that night at the Lu family home, he was less precocious and carefree, and more exuded the youthful vigor of a student.

"Sister Di?"

Lu Ran was also somewhat surprised.

He almost didn't recognize her just now. Di Qingling was wearing a black woolen trench coat, with long, slightly wavy hair, fair skin, red lips, and extremely beautiful, cold eyes. She wore no accessories and exuded a shrewd and capable aura.

A senior student with a mature and sophisticated aura walked in, wearing a pair of black silk stilettos. She looked ethereal and was several points taller than me.

As you approach, a delicate yet sophisticated fragrance wafts towards you.

"This is Huaizhong, where else would a student like me be if not here?" Lu Ran smiled.

"Come on, this is the arts building, shouldn't you be reciting your lessons in the teaching building?" Di Qingling retorted, looking at the flute in his hand, "What piece was that just now?"

"The Ballad of the Pipa," Lu Ran replied.

"The Ballad of the Pipa?" Di Qingling sighed. "Is this what genius is? It's one thing to be able to write poetry, but to be able to compose music is another. Heaven has been too kind to you."

Lu Ran waved his hand:

"Actually, this piece of music is only so-so. What's really amazing is the lyrics. The lyrics are so well written, every word is heartbreaking, and every line is divine."

Brother Bai: I have no objection.

Di Qingling rolled her eyes at him, thinking he was bragging.

Is it really necessary to praise yourself like that?

However, youthful arrogance is a privilege of teenagers.

Besides, this song is really amazing. In her opinion, if it were released, it would be a hit... even a massive hit!

Di Qingling pondered for a moment and said, "There's something I need to talk to you about."

"The stage play about parasites is already in the provincial capital for a pilot program. The script has been adapted in several places, and we need your guidance."

Lu Ran followed Di Qingling to the office on the third floor.

Xie Wenhui, the head of the music and art teaching and research group, was also there. She specially prepared a reception area for them to talk about serious matters.

I brewed two cups of fine tea and kept them company.

The more I listened, the more alarmed I became.

Xie Wenhui is in charge of the Arts Complex. Many talented people have emerged from under her guidance, including well-known stars, singers, and pianists.

But someone like Lu Ran, who's only in his first year of high school and already writes scripts for large-scale stage plays, is just too much of a prodigy...

After settling a few details, Di Qingling smiled and said, "I still need to cast for 'Parasite' later. Would you like to give your feedback?"

After all, Lu Ran receives a share of the box office revenue and is also the screenwriter, so the production team will take his opinions into consideration.

—In this world, the status of screenwriters is second only to that of directors.

"You guys decide, I'm going back to my morning self-study session," Lu Ran said.

"Oh ho~ you still remember you're a student?" Di Qingling teased.

She was in a great mood after finalizing the script.

After leaving the director's office, Di Qingling escorted Lu Ran downstairs.

Lu Ran thought for a moment and said, "Sister Di, please keep the matter of 'Pipa Xing' a secret for me."

"This song is so sad, are you heartbroken?" Di Qingling asked.

"……almost."

Lu Ran had been feeling down these past few days, and had no one to confide in.

Zheng Yue could not understand his Versailles.

Tian Luojiao is, after all, a teacher.

On the contrary, it was Di Qingling, a relatively unfamiliar but caring older sister, who made him feel less pressured to be frank.

"If you don't mind, tell me about it, and I'll give you some advice?" Di Qingling held up her index finger. A love advisor, huh? How interesting.

"Mm." Lu Ran was quite grateful.

The two walked to the bench in the courtyard and sat down.

Surrounded by buildings on all sides and lush with vegetation, this place is a very tranquil spot.

"Well, let's start from the beginning..." Lu Ran simply began by recounting his admiration and pursuit of Zhao Yishuang after the start of the semester, which ended in a dismal failure, and then his attraction to Zuo Hanzhi, his confession, and the dramatic ending.

Di Qingling listened attentively to the process, occasionally asking a few detailed questions, without much change in expression.

"Sister Di, tell me, what did I do wrong?"

After confiding, Lu Ran felt a little nervous.

Because of Di Qingling's figure and appearance, she was almost bewitchingly beautiful, and she was also the type of strong, aloof woman. During her student days, she must have been an unattainable beauty.

Perhaps she can find the crux of the problem.

"Hmm~" Di Qingling smiled faintly, "It's a very common problem for young virgins."

"..." Lu Ran covered his face and muttered, "Go ahead and kill me."

"Don't worry, it's normal at your age, don't feel pressured," Di Qingling said. "A beautiful lady is sought after by gentlemen, it's not a matter of right or wrong, at least you had the courage to express yourself, and you didn't pester me after being rejected. I quite admire that."

"...Then why?"

Di Qingling patiently explained:

"I can admire you, but matters of the heart vary from person to person. If I were in high school, I wouldn't agree to it either."

"Schools, teachers, classmates, parents... every voice and every gaze exerts invisible pressure."

"Girls need security and privacy. If you openly announce your intimate relationship, you will face a lot of pressure."

"Oh, right!" Lu Ran realized, "I made a huge fuss these two times... It's my fault."

Although he didn't intend to show off.

But Zhao Yishuang is already the focus of everyone's attention, and even the slightest thing about her will be interpreted.

The love letter incident this semester stemmed from an unexpected event—

If it weren't for the homeroom teacher discovering it, and even the whole school knowing about it, Lu Ran would never have confessed to Zuo Hanzhi, and would have just secretly loved her for three years without making a sound.

It can only be said that every sip and every bite is preordained.

"Thank you, Sister Di," Lu Ran scratched his head and sighed with relief, "I understand, then that's settled."

"Are you disappointed?" Di Qingling asked curiously.

"A little," Lu Ran said. "I was a bit upset after being rejected, but I'm much better now... It's a pity, but I don't regret it."

"With your looks, you shouldn't be so picky," Di Qingling chuckled. "What kind of girl do you like? There are plenty of pretty girls among art students."

"Uh, I don't have any other requirements..." Lu Ran said, "I prefer girls who are a bit aloof and reserved, the more indifferent the better."

?

Di Qingling was stunned for a moment, almost unable to hold back: "What kind of weird XP do you have... No wonder you can't find a partner."

Lu Ran shrugged.

This is his aesthetic sense; if he doesn't stick to it, then he wouldn't be Lu Ran.

"There will be a casting call later; I'm going to select stage actors for Parasite."

Di Qingling chuckled softly, "Come and take a look. Maybe you'll meet a girl who seems indifferent to you but secretly has a crush on you?"

Are you making a wish here?

Looking at the time, even if I rush back to morning self-study, I'll already be late...

"I'm not that keen on being in a relationship."

Lu Ran pretended to hesitate.

"Anyway, I have nothing else to do... I might as well go take a look."