Chapter 332 The Background Fiancée in Campus Novel (35)

Chapter 332: The Background Fiancée in a School Romance (35)

"There's a family banquet this Saturday. I'd like to invite you to come home with me."

Tang Qing was stunned. "So soon?"

"Grandfather is demanding an explanation, so..." The doctor paused before continuing, "Please... play the role of my girlfriend temporarily."

Only then did Tang Qing understand Song Yijin's true intention—he wanted her to help him appease his family temporarily.

But just moments ago, Dr. Song's gaze had been so sincere that even her system thought his talk of "starting a family" was genuine.

"Also on Saturday?"

Catching something in Tang Qing's voice, Dr. Song frowned slightly. "Do you have other plans on Saturday?"

Tang Qing replied, "Cen Yinghuai's swimming competition. I promised to root for him."

Even though the engagement's off, they're still sticking together?

She’s still in contact with Cen Yinghuai?

At this thought, the doctor's demeanor suddenly cooled. After a long pause, he finally asked Tang Qing to confirm the time again. "When is the competition?"

Tang Qing: "Two in the afternoon."

"It doesn’t conflict. The banquet is scheduled for the evening."

"Tang Qing, would you... help me out?"

Help him? Absolutely!

A perfect opportunity...

With a bright smile, Tang Qing happily agreed to the doctor's request. Just as she was about to leave, Song Yijin suddenly called out to her, "I’ll drive you to the competition on Saturday."

Shen Shu and Cen Yinghuai were still discussing which driver to use when, unexpectedly, an unexpected driver volunteered.

After hesitating for just a few seconds, Tang Qing grinned in the doorway. "Then thank you, Dr. Song!"

When Cen Yinghuai heard the news of Song Yijin offering to drive them, he immediately bristled. "Doesn't he have anything better to do?"

"We're... not really close."

Cen Yinghuai could tell that Song Yijin couldn't stand him. The only reason he was willing to drive them was likely for Tang Qing’s sake.

"Dr. Song is coming to watch my competition?"

That's weird!

Cocking her head to one side, Tang Qing pretended not to notice the refusal in Cen Yinghuai's eyes, and she deliberately said, "Dr. Song has other matters in the afternoon. He probably won’t enter the venue."

Shen Shu picked up on the implication. "So... this 'other matter' in the afternoon... also involves you?"

Tang Qing was momentarily taken aback before smiling. "Yes, personal business."

More private business.

Cen Yinghuai suddenly remembered the lucky cat on the desk in the school clinic... That was also a gift Tang Qing personally gave to Song Yijin.

Are Tang Qing and Song Yijin that close?

When he lowered his gaze, his eyes happened to meet Shen Shu's. Top Student Shen's gaze was icy, even glaring at Cen Yinghuai.

Confused, Cen Yinghuai pointed at himself, "Did I offend you again today?"

What's with the death glare?

Shen Shu: "Just seeing you pisses me off."

...

Before they knew it, Saturday came.

These past few days, Cen Yinghuai had been weirdly pumped. His freestyle times kept improving, and he even broke the school record multiple times!

The reason was simple.

Because Tang Qing was the one timing him...

The young master couldn't even explain why. Every time he glanced at Tang Qing underwater, he could see her intense concentration.

Her eyes were fixed on the stopwatch, and whenever he improved even slightly, Tang Qing would light up with genuine excitement for him...

Whenever Tang Qing smiled at him, Cen Yinghuai felt as if... he got a second wind.

Sitting in Song Yijin's car, the young master was sneaking glances around. Before he could spot Tang Qing, he first caught sight of Song Yijin's stone-cold expression in the rearview mirror.

"Dr. Song?"

He called out tentatively, but the doctor driving in the front didn't even acknowledge him.

Typical...

Cen Yinghuai rolled his eyes.

At the city competition, Cen Yinghuai was undoubtedly the center of attention. The young master had a killer bod, towering over the other competitors just by being there.

Even more striking was his face—handsome features, chiseled and distinct. The cameras at the event were all over him, capturing him from every angle, showing his face over and over on the screen and drawing the attention of many spectators:

"No. 9 is so handsome! Which school is he from?"

"Damn, seriously, he's got that perfect youthful look! And No. 9's physique..."

"Probably from St. John's University. I think he's pretty famous there."

...

A wealthy, good-looking young master was always the center of attention wherever he went. Around Tang Qing, many girls subtly started hovering around, working up the courage to talk to him. "That girl over there... is she also from St. John's University?"

"It's just not fair. These young masters are already rich, and they have to be this good-looking too?"

As the chatter kept building, Top Student Shen finally couldn't take it anymore, burying his face completely in a book!

Xin Ke gasped! "Shen Shu... the race is about to start!"

"How can you even see the race like that?"

"I'm not interested in the competition," the academic ace said with his characteristic aloofness.

Xin Ke was completely baffled. "If you're not interested, then why did you come?"

Just then, the starting gun fired!

The crowd went wild with cheers—the race had begun!

All eyes were on Lane 9's Cen Yinghuai.

So fast!

With his height advantage, his initial dive already put him ahead of the other swimmers. Cen Yinghuai moved with such speed, like a torpedo cutting through the water! The splashes from his kicks were so powerful, you could practically feel the spray through the screen.

"This race… this is a total blowout."

Turning her head, Xin Ke instinctively glanced at Tang Qing and murmured, "Am I seeing things, or…"

"Is Cen Yinghuai swimming even faster?"

Tang Qing smiled and nodded. "Yes, he’s been smashing his personal records every time recently."

No kidding!

The young master had finally channeled that energy properly!

Touching the wall first, Cen Yinghuai clinched the race with total dominance.

Standing on the podium, he was grinning like crazy as he directed it straight at Tang Qing. From halfway across the venue, he was shaking his medal like mad.

"I’m first!"

Making out what he was mouthing, Tang Qing waved back with a thumbs-up.

"Awesome job!"

Seeing her response, Cen Yinghuai—still being broadcast live—suddenly…

Blushed again.

System announcement: "Detected increase in Cen Yinghuai’s affection level. Current affection value: 69 points."

"Mind blown… Are all these young masters this affectionate?"

"Doesn’t the No. 9 swimmer look like an eager puppy trying to please its owner…"

"Hahaha, whoa, that’s harsh! But yeah, it does feel kinda buddy-romantic…"

To others, the interaction between Cen Yinghuai and Tang Qing didn't seem suspicious. Instead, the focus shifted to the backgrounds of St. John’s University’s elite group. Every girl there wanted to know more about these ridiculously good-looking guys…

"You’re not coming back with us later?" After the award ceremony, Shen Shu materialized behind Tang Qing, his tone cool.

"You and Song Yijin… up to something?"

Though his words sounded indifferent, when Tang Qing looked up, she could clearly see the concern in Shen Shu’s eyes.

Shen Shu… was here to fish for information.

Tang Qing replied, "That's personal."

"So… not gonna tell me?"