Chapter 353

Qin Zhao and Qin Rong went to the office to inquire briefly and, after receiving an answer, were left utterly puzzled.

Are they really leaving?

They had previously heard from Ji Fei about the incident between the two, and although it was rumored that Zhou Rushi had no intention of acknowledging it, given that Zhou Rushi liked Qin Yi, they felt there might still be some chemistry between them. Today, with Qin Yi possibly regaining his memory, they were sure this drama was far from over.

[Wow?! This girl... she’s quite decisive. Studying abroad was her initial choice, but now that she has the chance to become Qin Yi’s apprentice, which seems like a better opportunity, she’s sticking to her original decision. If it weren’t for the fact that she genuinely likes Qin Yi, I’d think she didn’t care for him at all!]

Hearing Ji Fei’s inner thoughts, Qin Zhao and Qin Rong were filled with confusion about the current situation.

Not long after, Qin Yi came out, looking somewhat dazed.

Eager for more gossip, Qin Zhao immediately asked, “Cousin, did something happen?”

“Nothing much. The dean gave me a break.”

“Huh? Did it still affect you?” Qin Rong asked worriedly.

Qin Yi shook his head. “No, it’s just a simple break. Next semester, I’ll be taking on an apprentice.”

Qin Zhao and Qin Rong exchanged glances. So, this was what Ji Fei’s inner thoughts were referring to?

Cousin Qin Yi might take on an apprentice, but Zhou Rushi had already turned down the opportunity? What’s going on here?

[Seriously, cousin... why doesn’t he just ask Zhou Rushi why she refused? Is that it? Is it over just like that?]

Indeed, it seemed to be over. In Qin Yi’s current mindset, he was just confused and wouldn’t bring up Zhou Rushi, especially since she was the one who had declined. He couldn’t exactly chase after her to be her teacher, not to mention the embarrassing dream he’d had. Facing this student would just be awkward.

Avoiding her was probably for the best.

Ignoring the expressions of the three around him, Qin Yi went to gather his things.

Some of his belongings were still in the building where the incident had occurred, as he had been mentoring Wan Sitong there.

As they walked down the corridor, Qin Zhao couldn’t resist gossiping with Qin Rong, especially since Qin Rong hadn’t been there that night. Qin Zhao pointed out the scene of the incident.

“If Wan Sitong had chased after him that night and found out cousin hadn’t gone far, he might have been in big trouble,” Qin Zhao said carelessly, pointing to the room where Qin Yi had hidden that night.

Qin Rong quickly hushed Qin Zhao, reminding him that gossiping about their cousin so loudly was a bit much.

Ji Fei, smirking, listened to the two behind her. Up ahead was the rehearsal room, and Ji Fei couldn’t help but glance at Qin Yi out of the corner of her eye.

She expected Qin Yi to react with embarrassment or annoyance, but instead, he looked stunned, his gaze fixed on the rehearsal room.

Just as Ji Fei was wondering what was going on, the door to the rehearsal room suddenly opened from the inside.

For a moment, all four of them froze.

[Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! What a fateful encounter!]

Qin Zhao and Qin Rong nearly screamed when they saw Zhou Rushi step out. It was all so dramatic, but they managed to hold it in, their eyes darting back and forth between the two.

Zhou Rushi was equally shocked by the unexpected encounter. She hesitated, unsure whether to step out or retreat back inside, her expression visibly uneasy.

Qin Yi, meanwhile, was completely frozen. His mind went blank at first, but then vivid images flashed through his memory, gradually piecing themselves together. His body trembled, overwhelmed by shame and regret, until a deep blush spread across his pale face.

He couldn’t bring himself to look at Zhou Rushi.

The redness of his cheeks was so obvious that the other three immediately noticed.

[Wow, his memory’s back already?! Just like that?! Well, it makes sense. After all, this is the first time he’s been back at the scene since he was rescued. It’s natural for it to come back to him. Hahaha, this is getting good. Good thing I tagged along today. This kind of drama isn’t something just anyone gets to witness.]

Qin Zhao and Qin Rong had also figured it out by now, their eyes wide with excitement, their hearts pounding.

Zhou Rushi had initially composed herself, planning to face Qin Yi with the polite demeanor one would use with a teacher.

But then she was met with Qin Yi’s utterly distraught expression, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

In ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍that moment, someone as perceptive as her couldn’t miss what was happening. Her face turned pale.

The silence was heavy and awkward for a while before Zhou Rushi, as if jolted awake, quickly grabbed her books and tried to leave.

But before she could escape, Qin Yi spoke up. “Zhou Rushi, I need to talk to you.”

Although the sudden return of his memories left him devastated, Qin Yi wasn’t a young man anymore. He knew he had to face this. He had wronged her.

He remembered everything now.

That night, the rehearsal room he had stumbled into in his desperate state hadn’t been empty. Zhou Rushi had been practicing inside. Seeing him burst in, disheveled and in distress, she had assumed something was wrong and approached him, concerned, trying to help him up.

But with that one touch, Qin Yi, completely out of control, had pushed her down.

Zhou Rushi had struggled, cried out, resisted, but the room’s soundproofing was too good. No one could have heard her in time, and Qin Yi had been completely unaware of his actions.

As things unfolded, Zhou Rushi realized Qin Yi had been drugged and had no choice but to endure.

Qin Yi felt it was all his fault, and the fact that he had forgotten made it even worse. He owed Zhou Rushi an apology.

So, after asking Zhou Rushi to stay behind and returning to the rehearsal room, Qin Yi bowed deeply to her, offering a sincere apology.

Zhou Rushi waved her hands frantically. “No... no, it’s fine... Teacher Qin, you don’t have to do this. I know it wasn’t your fault. It was all Wan Sitong’s scheme. You were a victim too.”

Hearing her say this only made Qin Yi feel worse.

“Don’t forgive me so easily. No matter the cause, I hurt you. You can vent your anger on me, or demand compensation. Anything you ask, I’ll do my best to fulfill. If you want... I’m willing to take responsibility for the rest of my life,” Qin Yi said earnestly.

But as soon as he finished, Zhou Rushi’s eyes welled up with tears.

Qin Yi panicked. “Don’t... don’t cry. I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I’m not saying you have to marry me. I’m just saying the choice is yours. If you want, I’ll... I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life.”

Zhou Rushi wiped her eyes and smiled. “Teacher, I don’t need you to take responsibility, really. If I ever marry, it’ll be to someone I truly love. I know you’re a lifelong bachelor, devoted to your music and art. You don’t have to let this one incident derail your life. Forcing ourselves together would only ruin both of us.”

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!