Picking Up Fragments

Zhang Weiqing blushed, feeling the intimidating pressure from the other party but still retorted, "Just because you say so? I've never heard that Jiang Lan has a boyfriend like you."

Upon hearing Zhang Wei's words, Jiang Siming released Jiang Lan and walked step by step to Zhang Wei.

At just around 1.7 meters, Zhang Wei was a whole head shorter than Jiang Siming.

Jiang Siming fixed his sharp gaze on him, exuding a powerful aura.

"When did I become her boyfriend? Do I need you to manage that? Even if it's my first time meeting her, if I say she's my girlfriend, then she is. What can you do about it?"

Such an unreasonable and overbearing response left Zhang Wei momentarily speechless.

Following that, Jiang Siming turned to the others with a smile and said, "You're all Jiang Lan's friends, right? Thank you for taking her out to play."

After saying this, without waiting for any pleasantries from these people, Jiang Siming turned back to Jiang Lan behind him and said, "From now on, stay at the school at night, except for me, no one can call you out, do you understand?"

With Jiang Lan's face turning red, what did he mean by no one could call her out except for him? What did he want when he called her out at night?

Although Jiang Siming's words were somewhat overbearing, she obediently nodded, resembling a compliant and obedient little girl.

Jiang Lan's friends were shocked. When did their usually independent school flower become so obedient to a man?

"Alright, let's have fun today. There won't be another chance like this. Lead the way."

After Jiang Siming finished speaking, he reached out to Jiang Lan, and she obediently came over, linking her arm with Jiang Siming's and leading him to the beach.

Leaving behind a group of astonished classmates.

"Zhang, what's going on?" one of Zhang Wei's close friends asked, feeling displeased.

At that moment, Zhang Wei felt like he was wearing a huge green hat.

"Let him boast for a while. We'll find a chance to deal with him later!"

Naturally unwilling to accept the loss of the woman he loved, Zhang Wei took the lead, and the other classmates followed suit.

The beach bonfire seemed to burn even brighter with Jiang Siming, the 'enemy,' arriving.

Everyone returned to their original places.

Only the spot next to Jiang Lan had already been taken by Jiang Siming.

Zhang Wei, feeling aggrieved, didn't want to give up. He planned to sit on the other side of Jiang Lan.

"I don't like other men getting too close to my girlfriend, or else I'll take it as a challenge."

Jiang Siming, without any courtesy, interrupted Zhang Wei, who was approaching, bluntly.

While some classmates were displeased with Jiang Siming, Jiang Lan felt an overwhelming sense of security and happiness.

Zhang Wei ultimately didn't go over but instead sat in a spot slightly further away from Jiang Lan.

"Do you often come out to play at night?"

Jiang Siming didn't pay attention to Zhang Wei and talked to Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan repeatedly shook her head, saying, "Today is a class gathering. Look over there; they are all our fourth-year music department students and teachers. I rarely come out usually, and if I do, I'm always with my roommates. If... you don't like it, I won't come out at night anymore."

Jiang Siming didn't easily believe what others said and continued to ask, "So, are you trying to hook a fish or asking me to support you?"

Jiang Lan, feeling annoyed, glared at Jiang Siming and said, "Am I that kind of woman in your eyes?"

"Hmm?" Jiang Siming shrugged, neither admitting nor denying.

Jiang Lan looked somewhat dejected but earnestly told Jiang Siming, "I have feelings for you, it's love at first sight, with no ulterior motive."

"I know you don't believe it now, but I'll prove it with time."

After saying that, Jiang Lan ignored Jiang Siming and busied herself with the food on the barbecue grill, giving the impression that the two were having a disagreement.

Zhang Wei, who had been watching, was delighted, thinking Jiang Lan and Jiang Siming were quarreling.

However, after a while, Jiang Lan lifted her head again, regained her radiant smile, and handed Jiang Siming the chicken wings she had grilled with her own hands.

That tenderness might have melted any other man's heart.

But Jiang Siming, without any courtesy, accepted the chicken wings and started nibbling without even saying thank you, as if everything was just a matter of course to him.

Zhang Wei admitted he was insanely jealous!

No, he had to reclaim his position and make this arrogant man lose face!

"Your school has quite a few beauties."

While eating the barbecue Jiang Lan had made, he also had time to look around for other beautiful girls.

Jiang Lan, feeling aggrieved, pursed her lips, her cheeks flushed with a charm that made one's mouth water, as if one wanted to take a bite.

"Am I not pretty enough?"

"Pretty? I took a glance, congratulations, it seems like you are the most beautiful among these girls," Jiang Siming stated matter-of-factly.

Jiang Lan was pleased to hear that. As the school's flower, she had received countless compliments on her looks from boys, but none made her as happy as Jiang Siming's words.

"Roast me another chicken wing. They're quite tasty."

"Sure! Coming right up."

The beach gathering was in full swing, but Jiang Siming wasn't in the mood to stay much longer.

Instead of staying with a group of strangers, it was better to take Jiang Lan away to a hotel and have a more 'intimate' conversation.

As he was about to leave, Zhang Wei suddenly stood up and walked to a place where everyone could see, loudly declaring, "Fellow students, I've noticed everyone is here for their own enjoyment, which isn't ideal. I suggest each of us performs either by singing or playing an instrument."

"Coincidentally, our academy's three most authoritative music teachers are here today. Let them judge and select the top three students who perform the best."

"I'll personally sponsor this event, giving each of them a gift worth up to 30,000 credit as long as they request it. How about that?"

As soon as Zhang Wei finished speaking, almost all the students shouted in agreement.

Students from the music academy were highly enthusiastic about performing and being on stage, much like students from the film academy; this was their forte, their passion.

Moreover, with such expensive gifts to offer, everyone naturally agreed.

The three teachers were also willing to be judges. Thus, the impromptu beach music competition began.

The teachers gathered all the students into a circle.

In the center of the circle were many instruments, all brought by the students themselves.

In the very center stood a microphone stand borrowed from the shop owner.

Jiang Siming couldn't easily leave now; all eyes were on him.

He didn't mind much, but the main concern was that it wouldn't be convenient for Jiang Lan to leave. It wouldn't be considerate to leave her alone. He decided to stay until the end of this inexplicable music competition and then leave immediately.