{Chapter: 320 Chi Qian and Qingtong's Encounter II}
Lin Yuan quickly stepped in to make formal introductions before the mood grew awkward.
"Qingtong, this is your senior, Chi Qian. She's a very close friend of mine and also extremely talented in music. Her skills with the violin are top-notch. If you ever have any questions or need help at school, you can turn to her."
Then he turned to Chi Qian. "This is Gui Qingtong, a bright and sweet young lady. She's just been admitted as a freshman here. Her mother is a good friend of mine, so I came to help her with enrollment and the parent orientation."
Lin Yuan's introduction helped clarify the strange 'dad' title, and Chi Qian nodded knowingly with a light smile, indicating her understanding.
Gui Qingtong also nodded politely, but her eyes remained slightly wary.
This girl… she's on a whole different level.
From her facial features to her posture, from the way she carried herself to the calm confidence in her gaze — Chi Qian looked like someone out of a dream. Even compared to Yan Ruyue, whom Gui Qingtong had once seen as her main romantic rival, Chi Qian seemed almost untouchable.
And she heard Lin Yuan call her "Qian Qian"? That sounded far too intimate…
Gui Qingtong's thoughts spiraled. Her small mind buzzed with assumptions and quiet panic as she tried to make sense of it all.
Just then, Chi Qian suddenly extended her hand with a graceful and friendly motion.
"Hello, schoolmate Gui Qingtong," she said with a warm tone and a gentle smile.
Gui Qingtong was caught slightly off guard. She blinked, then quickly reached out with her petite hand to return the handshake.
"Hello… Senior Sister Chi Qian," she responded a bit awkwardly, her voice a mix of politeness and nervousness.
Because of the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in her head, Gui Qingtong's reaction was a beat too slow. Her small hand was also a bit stiff, but it only made her appear more innocent and endearing.
Chi Qian smiled a little more, not seeming to mind in the slightest.
As Gui Qingtong stared at the calm and refined expression on Chi Qian's angelic face, she let out a tiny sigh in her heart.
Too beautiful… she's too beautiful.
Not just that — she was tall, elegant, graceful, and confident. Everything about her was poised and perfect, like someone who had stepped out of a divine painting.
Gui Qingtong felt a subtle pang of despair.
How was she supposed to compete with someone like that?
Gui Qingtong felt conflicted. Deep in her heart, she realized that she couldn't bring herself to be openly hostile toward such a perfect girl like Chi Qian. She wasn't someone you could easily dislike—elegant, graceful, intelligent, and breathtakingly beautiful. It was hard to harbor resentment against someone who exuded such a serene aura.
And yet, what if Chi Qian did decide to compete for Lin Yuan?
Gui Qingtong bit her lip.
Even if she couldn't bear to be mean to her, she also couldn't just back down so easily. She didn't want to give up on Lin Yuan without trying.
After the introductions were complete, Lin Yuan casually suggested, "You two should exchange contact information. That way, if Qingtong ever needs anything or has questions about school, she can ask you, Chi Qian."
Chi Qian nodded in agreement and pulled out her phone, and soon enough, she and Gui Qingtong had added each other.
Then, the trio strolled around the campus of Jiangbei Conservatory of Music. With Lin Yuan in the center, Chi Qian on one side, and Gui Qingtong on the other, the three formed a striking sight.
Chi Qian, already renowned as the most beautiful girl at the Conservatory, drew plenty of admiring gazes wherever she went. And now, walking side by side with Gui Qingtong, who looked like a pure and innocent freshman beauty, they were the picture of elegance and youth.
The combination was irresistible. Students all around couldn't help but stop and stare.
And there was Lin Yuan, calmly walking between them as if it was the most natural thing in the world. His relaxed posture and quiet confidence stirred jealousy in the hearts of many male students. Countless eyes followed him, filled with envy and disbelief.
Who was this guy who could walk so casually between two goddesses?
But Lin Yuan and the girls were completely unfazed by the attention. They moved through the campus as if in their own world, talking and laughing softly among themselves.
Chi Qian kept quiet most of the time, only speaking when needed. Her calm and dignified demeanor made her feel even more distant and untouchable. She truly lived up to her title as the school's unbeatable beauty.
Gui Qingtong, on the other hand, radiated youth and innocence. Her big, expressive eyes glanced curiously at the surroundings, taking in the buildings and scenery of her new school.
As time passed, the earlier tension she felt slowly melted away. She started to relax, even smiling a bit more as they walked.
However, her eyes kept drifting toward Lin Yuan's back.
More specifically, toward the violin case he was carrying—the one that clearly belonged to Chi Qian.
That small detail made her heart sink just a little. She bit her lip again, the feeling of jealousy creeping back in.
She couldn't help but speak up, her voice deliberately soft and a little pitiful. "Brother Lin Yuan, I've been carrying my violin all day… I'm so tired…"
She was acting like a spoiled child now, her tone delicate and filled with unspoken intent.
Lin Yuan immediately picked up on her meaning. Chi Qian did too—and she actually chuckled under her breath, glancing at Gui Qingtong with a knowing smile.
Gui Qingtong was clearly trying to get Lin Yuan to stop carrying Chi Qian's violin and take hers instead.
Before Lin Yuan could respond, Chi Qian calmly spoke, "Brother Lin Yuan, you can give me mine back. I'll carry it myself."
She was elegant even in her selflessness, gently offering to free Lin Yuan's burden.
But Lin Yuan shook his head and smiled. Reaching out, he gently patted Gui Qingtong's head. "Sorry, Qingtong. I didn't realize you were tired too. Give me your violin bag—I'll carry it for you."
He said it with warmth and concern, completely missing the underlying rivalry.
Gui Qingtong blinked in surprise. That wasn't what she expected. Her plan had completely backfired, and now Lin Yuan was carrying both bags instead of just hers.
Still, she obediently handed it over, though guilt bubbled inside her.
"I'm not really that tired… I can carry it myself," she muttered, her voice soft as she watched Lin Yuan hoist the second violin bag onto his back.
Chi Qian also stepped in. "Brother Lin Yuan, you really don't need to carry both. It's not polite to make you do everything."
Lin Yuan chuckled and waved them off. "It's no big deal. They're really not that heavy."
Of course, with his physique—far beyond ordinary humans—carrying a few extra pounds was effortless. Even if he carried ten violin cases and a grand piano, it wouldn't make a difference.
The two girls looked at each other and sighed inwardly. There was no arguing with him once he decided to act like this.
Gui Qingtong, still feeling a bit conflicted about her earlier jealous act, quietly slipped her hand through Lin Yuan's arm.
He turned to look at her, a bit surprised, but then smiled. Chi Qian saw it too and smiled faintly, saying nothing.
Together, they continued walking through the campus—Chi Qian leading the way, acting as a guide.
Eventually, their little tour came to an end.
Lin Yuan escorted Chi Qian back to her dormitory. She nodded in thanks and gave him a soft look before disappearing through the gates.
With that, Lin Yuan also prepared to leave Jiangbei Conservatory of Music. All the procedures had been taken care of, and there was no further need to stay.
After seeing Gui Qingtong home safely, Lin Yuan pulled out his phone and sent a few messages.
One was to Jiang Rou, and the other was to Qiu Wanxi.
He had just received word that Qiu Wanxi had been discharged from the hospital. Although she still needed some time to recover, she would now be staying at Lin Yuan's luxurious Riverview Villa to rest and heal in peace.
Soon, Qiu Wanxi replied with her usual enthusiasm:
> "Young Master, I'll clean the villa and wait for you!"
Lin Yuan smirked as he read the message, his tone playful as he replied:
> "Not only do you need to clean the villa, Wanxi... but you should also wash yourself clean. I'll come eat you up when I get there."
He put his phone away, the smile still lingering on his lips.