Qi Tongwei at the start: Not relying on Liang Lu, but winning by a single move against Heaven.

After the gathering ended, Gao Yuliang's students rushed to take him home.

Qi Tongwei was too lazy to join in the fun.

He greeted Gao Yuliang and then quietly left with Zhong Xiaoai.

Six months later, the two strolled under the starry sky of Han University again, experiencing a unique feeling.

The night wind was biting, carrying the eerie atmosphere unique to the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, making Zhong Xiaoai shiver.

Zhong Xiaoai wrapped her coat tighter and snuggled closer to Qi Tongwei.

The two hadn't gone far when a commotion arose behind them.

Gao Yuliang emerged, surrounded by a group of students, his laughter echoing through the night.

Chen Hai and Hou Liangping supported Gao Yuliang on either side.

Lu Yike followed behind them, carrying Gao Yuliang's briefcase.

Looking at everyone, Zhong Xiaoai frowned slightly and asked in a low voice.

"How come you and Hou Liangping are back together again?"

"I saw you two with your arms around each other by the end of the drinking session..."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, then smiled and gave a vague answer.

"You wouldn't understand men's affairs..."

Zhong Xiaoai pouted and reached her hand to Qi Tongwei's waist, pretending to pinch him.

"I'll give you three seconds to think it over, or... I'll do it!"

Qi Tongwei quickly waved his hand, laughing as he dodged.

"Grandma, I was wrong... Let's talk as we walk."

The two continued walking, and Qi Tongwei slowly spoke.

"I mentioned someone to him..."

"Who?"

Zhong Xiaoai looked at him, her eyes bright and full of curiosity.

Qi Tongwei smiled, a sly smile, and slowly uttered two words.

"Liang Lu..."

Zhong Xiaoai was stunned, looking puzzled.

"What do you mean? You men always speak so cryptically... It's really boring."

Seeing that Zhong Xiaoai was angry, Qi Tongwei smiled and explained to her.

"Hou Liangping broke up with Gao Fangfang, right? I suggested he pursue Liang Lu."

Zhong Xiaoai stopped in her tracks and stared wide-eyed.

"They're about ten years apart... Is that even possible?"

Qi Tongwei snorted coldly, drawing out the sound.

Age is not a problem...

He paused slightly, looked at Zhong Xiaoai, and spoke again.

Why do you think Hou Liangping and Gao Fangfang broke up?

Zhong Xiaoai blinked but didn't say anything.

The affair between Hou Liangping and Gao Fangfang caused quite a stir, and there was much discussion about it at the school.

Some say the two broke up because of differing ideals, while others say Hou Liangping married into a wealthier family...

But Zhong Xiaoai always felt that something was amiss, and the rumors were not quite true.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Qi Tongwei sighed and continued.

"Hou Liangping joined the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, so Gao Yuliang is no longer of any use to him..."

"Gao Yuliang is useless now, so Gao Fangfang is naturally useless too."

Zhong Xiaoai is very smart; Qi Tongwei doesn't need to explain much.

Qi Tongwei only said two sentences, and she understood the clues behind them.

She stared wide-eyed and exclaimed in surprise.

"You mean Gao Fangfang was Hou Liangping's political springboard?"

Qi Tongwei didn't answer, but snorted coldly.

"Why do you think Professor Gao supported Hou Liangping in competing with me for student council president?"

Zhong Xiaoai did not answer, her brows furrowed, and she remained silent.

Although she came from a political family, she always felt like a student.

The backstabbing and intrigue in politics are far removed from my own life.

But everything changed after she got together with Qi Tongwei.

She discovered that Handong University of Political Science and Law was itself a deep political quagmire.

She was already deeply involved, but she just hadn't realized it.

She pondered for a long time before slowly speaking.

"He needs a new springboard now, so you mentioned Liang Lu?"

Qi Tongwei took a deep drag of his cigarette and nodded slowly.

"We're all fellow disciples... we should lend a hand if we can..."

Qi Tongwei's words sounded nice, but they didn't reflect his true thoughts.

His real purpose was to keep Hou Liangping away from Zhong Xiaoai.

Let Zhong Xiaoai see Hou Liangping's true colors.

He works in Bianxi, and he and Zhong Xiaoai rarely see each other.

He had to guard against Hou Liangping raiding his home and prevent his own backyard from burning down.

Zhong Xiaoai fell silent again.

She suddenly felt a pang of emotion, wondering what kind of magic power power truly possessed.

It drives people to such madness, even at the cost of love...

After pondering for a long time, Zhong Xiaoai felt that something was wrong.

He turned to look at Qi Tongwei, his eyes full of caution.

"That's not right. Why didn't you agree to date Liang Lu when she pursued you?"

Qi Tongwei didn't expect Zhong Xiaoai to ask this.

Qi Tongwei paused for a moment, pinched her cheek, and said softly.

"Silly girl, it's all because of you..."

One sentence made Zhong Xiaoai blush.

When the two arrived at the dormitory building, Zhong Xiaoai stopped and did not move forward.

Qi Tongwei gently patted her head and whispered a reminder.

"We're at the dorm, let's go upstairs."

Zhong Xiaoai hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

"I don't want to go back to the dorm... There are guesthouses on campus..."

Qi Tongwei was taken aback, then shrugged, his voice tinged with helplessness.

"I didn't bring my ID card or student ID..."

Zhong Xiaoai quickly looked up, "I brought it..."

Qi Tongwei looked at her sly smile and shook his head helplessly.

This night will once again be a sleepless one for Qi Tongwei, filled with hard work.

......

After a night of fussing and turning in the guesthouse, the two of them didn't get up until almost noon.

After quickly tidying up, the two walked hand in hand toward the cafeteria.

As Qi Tongwei walked into the cafeteria, he felt a pang of nostalgia looking at the familiar surroundings.

Zhong Xiaoai suddenly tugged at his sleeve.

"Senior brother, look over there..."

Qi Tongwei looked up and followed her gaze.

He glanced at it once, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up.

In the corner sat two familiar faces—Hou Liangping and Liang Lu.

Hou Liangping said something that made Liang Lu laugh so hard she was shaking with joy.

Qi Tongwei looked at the two of them and sincerely admired them in his heart.

Hou Liangping is truly a remarkable person; once he locks onto a target, he strikes immediately.

With this level of execution ability, it would be difficult for Hou Liangping not to make progress...

Qi Tongwei saw Liang Lu, and Liang Lu saw him too.

She suppressed her smile slightly and placed a chicken leg from her plate on Hou Liangping's plate.

After doing all that, she deliberately puffed out her chest and glanced at Qi Tongwei.

Hou Liangping came to see her, and after a few words, she sensed something from his words.

At first, she hesitated.

But as soon as she saw Qi Tongwei and Zhong Xiaoai, she quickly made a decision.

She decided to give Hou Liangping a chance, even if it didn't work out, she wouldn't lose out.

In her eyes, Hou Liangping, as one of the three outstanding figures of Han University, was not much worse than Qi Tongwei.

Of course, there was also an element of spite in her actions.

Since Qi Tongwei is so ungrateful, she'll show him that she has suitors too.

Moreover, the person pursuing her was his junior, one of the three outstanding students of Han University who were on par with him.

Hou Liangping's thoughts were much simpler.

Liang Lu's father is Liang Qunfeng, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of Handong District. He was Liang Lu's political stepping stone!

Two people who would otherwise have no connection sat together because of Qi Tongwei.

What's even more interesting is that these two people, each with their own agendas, found themselves to be complementary in terms of supply and demand, and hit it off immediately.

Qi Tongwei noticed Liang Lu's provocation.

He slightly raised the corners of his mouth and gestured towards that direction.

"Come on, let's go over and share a table, and say hello to our old friends..."