Chapter 575：The Lonely Top Student 38

Seeing Jiao Tong finish drinking the talisman water, Jiao’s mother finally relaxed and took the empty cup back to the kitchen.

Tang Wan couldn’t help asking in a low voice, “Tongtong, you really drank it?”

“Mm.” Jiao Tong nodded calmly.

A cold glint flashed across Tang Wan’s eyes.

Fortunately, that thing—Jiao Chun—had already been dealt with last night.

Otherwise…

This whole family was truly bold. Bringing the dead back to the living world was already defying fate—and they actually dared to do it repeatedly.

Weren’t they afraid of retribution?

…

After breakfast, the two left the Jiao residence.

With Jiao Chun gone, the heavy shadow that had lingered in Jiao Tong’s heart for years completely vanished.

Now, with Tang Wan by his side, his mood was as bright as the morning sun.

…

Not long after they stepped onto the street, they ran into the main couple.

At that moment, Wen Chuan was holding a sun umbrella over Lin Ran, smiling brightly, while Lin Ran stood beside him with a shy blush.

“What a coincidence!” Wen Chuan greeted. “Jiao Tong, fancy meeting you here. Have you eaten yet? Why don’t we go together?”

As he spoke, he shot Jiao Tong a pleading look.

He had finally managed to invite Lin Ran out—but she insisted on going back early and refused to eat with him.

Seeing this, Jiao Tong glanced down at Tang Wan. “Wan Wan?”

Tang Wan wasn’t particularly interested in getting involved with the leads, but they weren’t unpleasant people either, so she gave a small nod.

Jiao Tong nodded in return. “Alright.”

Wen Chuan immediately laughed. “You’re such a wife slave! You even need your girlfriend’s permission to eat?”

“I’m willing,” Jiao Tong replied calmly, clearly quite satisfied with the label.

…

On the other side, Lin Ran found herself staring at Jiao Tong’s gentle smile, momentarily dazed.

So… he smiles like that too?

Just then, a hand landed lightly on her shoulder.

“Ran Ran, let’s go to that restaurant,” Wen Chuan said, guiding her forward.

Her thoughts snapped back.

She glanced up at him—and only then noticed that while shielding her with the umbrella, he himself had been standing in the sun long enough for his skin to turn slightly red.

A mix of guilt and warmth rose in her chest.

…

Soon, the four of them arrived at a restaurant and booked a private room.

After sitting down, Wen Chuan immediately focused all his attention on Lin Ran, asking what she wanted to eat, completely abandoning his “brother.”

Fortunately, Jiao Tong didn’t care at all.

He wasn’t particularly hungry—he had only come because Tang Wan agreed.

…

While Wen Chuan spoke softly with Lin Ran, Jiao Tong was gently wiping the sweat from Tang Wan’s forehead with a wet tissue.

Lin Ran caught a glimpse of this from the corner of her eye—and froze.

He’s… this gentle with Tang Wan?

Just as she was lost in thought, a cool breeze hit her.

Wen Chuan had turned the air conditioner toward her and smiled apologetically at the others.

“Sorry, we’ve been walking for over an hour. Let her cool down first—I’ll adjust it later.”

“It’s fine,” Tang Wan replied lightly.

Then she glanced at Lin Ran.

In the original storyline, Wen Chuan was already pursuing her at this point—but Lin Ran hadn’t agreed yet.

But just now…

That look in her eyes…

It almost seemed like she was thinking about Jiao Tong.

Tang Wan’s gaze darkened slightly.

That won’t do.