In this back-and-forth questioning, anyone nearby, no matter how clueless, should have understood the situation.

"Um, Yan, didn't you tell your family that you started college?"

Tong Shiya, who had been silent, asked quietly, her eyes kept darting toward Yan Mingyu.

Yan Mingyu hadn't recovered from the earlier dramatic scene; looking at Tong Shiya's sympathetic gaze and then at Xu Ruyan's icy, dagger-like glares, she immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"Did I say something wrong...?"

She turned her head and met Chu Tian's smirk, which threw her completely off, distorting her facial features.

"Yan~ I really didn't mean to do it~"

"Okay, just stop talking, I beg you..."

Xu Ruyan was on the verge of tears. What kind of useless teammates were these? This brief experience was about to cast a shadow over her entire life.

"Um... Chu..."

"Call him brother-in-law!"

"Alright, brother-in-law, look..."

Chu Tian guessed in an instant what she wanted to say and promptly refused.

"Impossible. I don't want your sister to scold me. Figure it out yourself."

"Come on, I've already called you brother-in-law. Please, can you not tell her?"

Looking at Xu Ruyan's humble expression, Chu Tian couldn't help but sigh.

"Sigh, what do you expect me to do? How long do you think you can keep this a secret? Sooner or later, you'd have to come clean, right?"

"Besides, you're already in your sophomore year. Could your family even make you retake the college entrance exam?"

"My advice is to take this chance and be honest with your family. Figure out the rest amongst yourselves, right?"

Actually, his advice was the most appropriate. She had already been in college for two years; surely her family couldn't make her go back and repeat a year for the entrance exam?

Previously, it was only Xu Qingqiu who knew about the chaotic aspects of this circle. She was going through her most difficult period back then and simply lacked the energy to look after her sister, which is why she hadn't wanted her to get involved.

But things were different now. Xu Qingqiu had made a comeback, and with Chu Tian supporting her. Even if Xu Ruyan entered this circle, while Chu Tian couldn't help with aspects of her personal life or character, he could still guarantee support in terms of work and resources.

So, it really wasn't as difficult as Xu Ruyan herself thought.

This is probably a case of 'an onlooker sees most of the game,' huh?

After Chu Tian spoke, Xu Ruyan seemed to actually take it in, standing there biting her lip in contemplation.

"Alright, I can only offer you advice and won't tell your sister for now. But I still think it's best to come clean sooner rather than later."

After he finished speaking, he suddenly saw a skeptical look in Xu Ruyan's eyes, and the corner of his eye couldn't help but twitch.

"What's with that look? I really didn't tell your sister about that incident last time; you let it slip yourself. I didn't breathe a word; I'm not taking the fall for this."

"You really didn't tell?"

Xu Ruyan looked at him doubtfully, clearly not quite buying it.

"What do you think? Think back to the conversation you two had. Your sister had just gotten off the plane. We had so many of our own things to talk about; where would I have had the time to bring up your little matter?"

"Ugh~"

Xu Ruyan gave Chu Tian a disgusted look; she'd never imagined he'd flaunt their affection even at a time like this.

But on second thought, it seemed she really had been too anxious at the time. Xu Qingqiu hadn't really said much, had she? And then she herself had just exploded...

"Alright, I'll trust you for now. But please don't say anything; I haven't figured out how to talk to them yet."

"I understand, but your sister will find out sooner or later, in a month or two at most. You figure out how to handle it."

Chu Tian finished, waved his hand, nodded to the two dumbstruck roommates, and prepared to head back to his car.

Halfway there, he suddenly remembered something and quickly turned back to add a reminder, "Oh, and don't say anything for the next few days. Your sister is preparing for her concert; don't you go causing her any stress."

"Alright, got it. I'm not stupid."

"It's best you're not. Remember to save my number with a contact name, and call me before the concert. I'll come pick you up so you don't have to trouble your sister."

"OK, thanks."

"Whom are you thanking?"

"...Brother-in-law~"

Seeing the fake smile on Xu Ruyan's face, Chu Tian felt exceptionally cheerful.

My little sister-in-law, eh? It wouldn't do if she wasn't trained to be perfectly obedient.

"I'm off!"

With a wave of his hand, Chu Tian got into his car and drove straight off.

Leaving the three girls standing there, looking at each other in dismay.

"So, how are we getting back? Taking a taxi?" Tong Shiya asked somewhat artlessly.

"Aiya! I forgot! If I'd known earlier, I would have asked him to drive us back!" Xu Ruyan exclaimed, looking at Chu Tian's departing car with regret, her face a kaleidoscope of expressions.

She was still immersed in the scenario she'd concocted earlier, too deep in her role, having forgotten that her cover was already blown.

"Should we call him to come back?"

Call who? Chu Tian?

Even though she'd called him 'brother-in-law' twice, they weren't that familiar with each other yet.

Besides, he was her sister's boyfriend, not hers.

Xu Ruyan still possessed that much sense of propriety.

"Never mind, let's just walk back. It's not that far."

"That works."

Tong Shiya nodded; it was just a casual suggestion, she didn't really expect to call him back. Besides, she was naturally a rather peaceable person—to put it colloquially, she didn't have strong opinions of her own and was generally agreeable to anything.

"Come on, what are you standing there for?"

Seeing Yan Mingyu standing there motionless, Xu Ruyan got annoyed.

Yan Mingyu obediently followed behind, not daring to utter a word.

Despite the look of mild indignation on her face, she couldn't bring herself to say anything—for no other reason than the fear of being scolded.

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