Let's Do Some Questions - Chapter 96

The meals of the world, are but a bowl of everyday life.

Before experiencing it firsthand, words seemed to be just words. But after experiencing it, Song Man suddenly realized that some things she had read, lingering between the pages of books, had always clearly exuded a sense of the mortal world.

Chu Fengqiu was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron. Their home was kept neat and tidy by the diligent Chu Fengqiu. On the cabinet in the living room was their photo together, and an intimate atmosphere permeated everywhere.

Song Man thought that if her parents came here, they would definitely notice something between her and Chu Fengqiu. After all, that intimacy was unconcealed, brazenly spread throughout the entire space.

Because their souls were compatible, their life together had always been very sweet. There were no major quarrels; if there were any, it was only because Song Man’s daily routine was irregular and her self-control was poor, for which Chu Fengqiu would point out and correct her.

Occasionally, they would have cold wars, mostly initiated by Song Man. This was because Chu Fengqiu was always very tolerant of her. This tolerance made Song Man feel spoiled, and sometimes she even hated it when Chu Fengqiu showed that helpless expression, as if she were still a child who couldn’t grow up.

However, the cold wars wouldn’t last too long. Song Man was someone who could think things through. After feeling wronged, she would also find fault with herself and then make up with Chu Fengqiu, usually ending the ‘incident’ with a passionate kiss.

But there were times when Song Man got very angry. Regarding Chu Fengqiu’s unreasonable jealousy, she would get so angry that she would even leave home, ignore Chu Fengqiu, not go to school to avoid seeing her, and almost disappear from Chu Fengqiu’s life.

The result was being found by Chu Fengqiu, pressed onto the bed, and kissed fiercely, almost crossing the line and going all the way.

Song Man still remembered Chu Fengqiu’s panicked expression at that time; recalling it even now brought a hint of bittersweetness.

It was from that moment on that Song Man truly realized her importance to Chu Fengqiu, and also realized the subtle sense of loss in her life during those few days without Chu Fengqiu.

Neither of them was as perfect as they might have seemed. Because of their youthful spirit, their edges were sharper, but they were also striving to fit together, polishing each other into shapes more suitable for one another.

“Manman, wash your hands and get ready for dinner.”

Chu Fengqiu poked her head out of the kitchen, sending a girlfriend reminder. Song Man responded and, with a ‘da-da-da’ sound from her slippers, went to the kitchen.

Chu Fengqiu picked up a meatball with chopsticks, blew on it to cool it down, and placed it in front of Song Man. Song Man took a bite; the springy, juicy texture filled her mouth, and she gave Chu Fengqiu a thumbs-up.

Chu Fengqiu naturally ate the remaining half of the meatball, turned off the stove, and served the food.

After dinner, they took a short walk, and then Song Man and Chu Fengqiu went to the study to do their homework.

After the placement test, Song Man performed exceptionally well in the subsequent monthly exams and midterms. Her scores in daily quizzes were also very high, repeatedly stimulating the nerves of her Class One classmates and teachers until they eventually became numb to it. Therefore, Song Man and Chu Fengqiu’s application to skip evening self-study was easily approved by the teachers.

The name Song Man, along with Chu Fengqiu, had become renowned throughout Qingcheng No. 1 High. Due to her legendary aura and the ‘rich second generation’ label, her fame even surpassed Chu Fengqiu’s, spreading to the first and third years of high school.

There was a saying at Qingcheng No. 1 High: You might not know the principal, but you must know Song Man.

“What, you still don’t know Song Man? Do you know that the academic building you’re sitting in was donated by her family? There’s even a thank-you plaque downstairs.”

“Song Man is my Big Sister! The ‘Overlord Flower’ of Qingcheng No. 1 High, a renowned legendary figure. Going from last in the grade to first, that’s no joke.”

“What? Does she have a boyfriend? She’s taken, so give up.”

“What? Does Chu Fengqiu have someone? Yes, she does. Give up!”

The above statements all came from the campus’s active gossip expert, classmate Deng Wei.

In the process of his ‘Big Sister’ and ‘sister-in-law’ relentlessly competing for first place, Deng Wei’s spirit also underwent a baptism. His feelings for Song Man were not just admiration for a big sister, but also respect and aspiration. So, when Song Man wasn’t out fighting and having fun, he gradually settled down and planned to study hard.

But studying was really painful, at least for Deng Wei. He didn’t know how Song Man and Chu Fengqiu could so easily digest knowledge that seemed obscure and difficult to him. Besides envy, he even felt quite disheartened. When he fell into an inescapable cycle of despair, Song Man punched him awake.

Everything seemed to be going well; all things were progressing steadily, developing in a positive direction.

After finishing the homework assigned by the teacher, Song Man and Chu Fengqiu logged onto the Question Bank app.

Song Man finished her homework faster than Chu Fengqiu. It wasn’t that she was more adept at the problems than Chu Fengqiu, but rather that Song Man was lazy, wrote fewer words, and simplified steps whenever possible. Chu Fengqiu, on the other hand, was much more serious and rigorous, paying attention to all the details.

After logging onto Question Bank, Song Man started a live stream.

Some people came and went on Question Bank, but those who still followed Song Man and Chu Fengqiu knew that Ah Q and A Man were a same-s3x couple, good-looking, with pleasant voices, and both top students.

Song Man selected a set of questions and sent a PK invitation to Chu Fengqiu. The two of them sat next to each other, neither saying a word, and began this silent contest.

【Today’s domestic violence scene achieved. Don’t know who’s dominating whom. Place your bets, place your bets!】

【I never thought that one day I’d be subjected to a public display of affection on a study app.】

【I also never thought I’d be shipping them here. The fan works from the ‘taitais’ (creators) are too delicious, but I’m clearly straight [doge head emoji].】

After their relationship became public, this CP community grew daily. There were even people who specifically registered for Question Bank just to ship the CP, and then joined the army of learners.

As for studying, the more you learn, the more interesting it becomes. When you fully absorb that knowledge, you feel that your life is incredibly fulfilling.

Song Man originally thought that life would continue like this, and she had already prepared to come out to her family after the college entrance exams. However, accidents often arrive faster than one’s plans, sometimes catching people completely off guard.

Although Song Man was not the protagonist of this accident, her heart was also affected.

Song Man never knew that Song Qinglan also liked people of the same s3x, and that it had caused such a big commotion at home.

Her dad told Song Man about it. He had called her in a hurry, telling her that her mother was throwing a huge tantrum at home, that her elder sister had been kneeling in the study as punishment for two hours, and asked her to come back and try to calm her mother down.

Song Man’s first reaction upon receiving the call was: Could Song Qinglan have taken drugs?

After returning home, Song Man found out that Song Qinglan had been kissing a girl and was caught by Song Zici.

“Your elder sister argued a bit with your mother at first, but then she stopped talking. I also didn’t expect your elder sister to actually like girls.”

Although she wasn’t the one being scolded, Song Man felt a chilling sensation, as if drenched in ice water, a coldness that also contained sorrow.

“I only just realized Mom is so against homosexuality.”

Song Man tried hard to maintain her facial expression, not wanting her dad to notice anything amiss.

“Not really. Your mother has always been quite calm about this. Last time I saw a couple at the company, your mother didn’t seem averse. Perhaps it’s different when it’s her own child.”

“Who is that girl?”

“The newly appointed CEO of Chengyun Group, the one she often associates with. Her surname is Tong.”

“Tong Yiran?”

“Yes, it’s her.”

Suddenly, Song Man felt it wasn’t so surprising after all. After all, the ‘great demon king’ Tong Yiran had been on the same side as Song Qinglan since they were young.

“I’ll go see Mom first.”

Song Man knocked on the door, worried. She was thinking that if her mom was really so unsupportive, she and Chu Fengqiu would have a tough road ahead, and her plan to come out after the college entrance exams might have to be adjusted.

After all, if her mom truly objected, she definitely wouldn’t let them attend the same university.

“Manman?”

Song Zici was a little surprised to see her younger daughter arrive, then understood that her husband must have called her back. Thinking about the reason, the expression on Song Zici’s face became a bit more indifferent.

“Mom, I came to keep you company.”

Song Man didn’t get straight to the point. She acted cute beside Song Zici, massaged her back and shoulders, and told her some amusing things to coax her.

“Alright, all this fawning and attentiveness, is it for your sister’s matter?”

“I’m just worried you’ll ruin your health from anger.”

Song Man gave an embarrassed smile. To say it was for Song Qinglan wasn’t entirely true.

After that showdown, she rarely interacted with Song Qinglan. Song Qinglan was busy with work and no longer needed to put on superficial airs.

When they did meet, their conversations were very bland, as if all the past love-hate entanglements had dispersed like smoke.

“I don’t know why. She clearly had so many choices. Why that girl from the Tong family? Why did it have to be a girl?”

Song Zici looked weary, her fingertips tapping on the desk.

“Mom, liking someone isn’t something you can easily explain. Don’t be so angry. Maybe Elder Sister is just in a relationship; relationships can end in breakups, you know. Are you discriminating against this?”

Song Man asked somewhat cautiously, afraid her own secret would be exposed.

“Of course not. It’s just that as my successor, the next manager and decision-maker of the Song Group, she cannot be a homosexual.”

It wasn’t just the gossip and stares from those around them; Song Zici didn’t care about that at all. What she cared about was the Song family’s public image. If this was known by their rivals, they would inevitably make an issue out of it.

“Moreover, it’s best if that person isn’t Tong Yiran. I don’t know if you can understand, but the Tong family is too chaotic.”

What angered Song Zici even more was Song Qinglan’s attitude in this matter and the ambition she revealed, as if she would be the one in charge of the Song family from now on. She wasn’t old and dead yet.

The sorrow in Song Man’s heart suddenly became describable. Because the position Song Qinglan had always longed for was obstructing her feelings—this was undoubtedly a great irony. Song Man wondered how Song Qinglan felt upon hearing these words.

Song Man came out of the room and watched her mom return to the study.

Her mom said that only if Song Qinglan and Tong Yiran broke up would she stop being angry. She would rather Song Qinglan fool around with men outside than be entangled with a woman, especially a woman of high status and deep schemes who couldn’t be easily shaken off.

Xu Qinglang looked at Song Man questioningly. Song Man shook her head, looking towards the study.

The room’s soundproofing was too good; Song Man couldn’t hear the conversation inside. She only saw Song Qinglan walk out with a cold face, brushing past her without her gaze falling on her, her retreating figure showing determination.

Song Qinglan planned to strike out on her own. This was what Song Man concluded from her mom’s angry words. At that moment, her brain froze.

This was what Song Qinglan had always wanted, always schemed for, even to the point of plotting against her to obtain it, and now she was just… giving it up?

How can this be!!!

This is absolutely not okay!!!

If Song Qinglan threw down the burden and quit, wouldn’t she have to inherit this throne???

Terrible news, absolutely terrible news.

Song Man didn’t go back to her own place but stayed home to accompany her parents. At the same time, she didn’t forget to message her girlfriend, feeling extremely apprehensive.

Besides the panic that my mom might not let us be together, there was also the terror of possibly having to inherit the family fortune.

She really, just wanted to be a mathematician.

Song Qinglan really did as she said and left the Song Group.

The next day, she didn’t go to work. Instead, she emailed all her work handover materials to her assistant, giving off a strong impression of washing her hands of it all. Song Zici was almost angered to the point of illness.

Song Man didn’t know what to say. She had no standing to say that Song Qinglan or her own mother was wrong; they both had their reasons.

If it were her, faced with choosing between separating from Chu Fengqiu and inheriting the family fortune, she would definitely choose Chu Fengqiu. Of course, she had no obsession with the family fortune. But to use another analogy, if it were between mathematics and Chu Fengqiu, Song Man would still choose Chu Fengqiu.

Song Man called Song Qinglan. In her heart, she didn’t really have any thoughts of support or opposition; she merely wanted to make this call.

The call connected. Song Man had wanted to say something, but the words inexplicably got stuck in her throat, and she didn’t know how to say them.

“I know what you want to say,” Song Qinglan’s voice was languid, carrying a sense of doing as she pleased. “I want to start over.”

What’s past is prologue.