The Romance Extras Turned Out to Be a Yuri Story - Chapter 40.2

This was the most basic form of a psychology questionnaire survey.

Zhang Qiu asked, “Do you have a plan?”

Lin Luoluo nodded: “I’m still designing the questionnaire, but I don’t know where to find these 100 people.”

If she had a group, this assignment would be very simple. Based on the rule of ten friends, theoretically, distributing 100 people among 4 people would be much easier.

Zhang Qiu thought for a moment and said, “I happen to have time recently. We can set up a booth and ask people at the school cafeteria during mealtimes, or we can do research at nearby parks and plazas on weekends, or even post it on some forums, although the data might not be completely genuine, so you’ll need to filter it yourself.”

These suggestions were enough to point Lin Luoluo in the right direction.

She decided not to join any other group and to complete the assignment by forming her own group.

Lin Luoluo looked at Zhang Qiu. They slowly walked up the stairs. At the time they arrived, there weren’t many people in the girls’ dorm. They quickly climbed to the fifth floor. Lin Luoluo was a little breathless. She watched as Zhang Qiu opened the door with a key, and the inside of the room was revealed to her.

It was indeed a scene of cold loneliness.

Although all three roommates were not in the dorm, Zhang Qiu still followed the rules and hadn’t taken over their space. Her things were neatly placed on her side. It was a bunk bed with a desk underneath. Both the bed and the desk were consistently clean.

Zhang Qiu packed her laptop and notebook into her bag, ready to use them at the library. After hesitating for a moment, she took some clothes and went to the bathroom to change.

Lin Luoluo sat on the chair in front of her desk, glancing at the books on her shelf, which were all related to law.

Randomly pulling out a book, she could see dense notes written on it, indicating that Zhang Qiu had read it seriously.

The desk was very simple, with a clock and a water cup. The bookshelf was full of books, and nothing else. The desk was clean and tidy, and the bed was simple and elegant, much like Zhang Qiu’s own simple life.

Lin Luoluo propped her head on her hand, lost in thought while waiting for Zhang Qiu. Suddenly, the phone on the desk rang in the quiet space.

Lin Luoluo subconsciously looked down and saw “Grandma” labeled on Zhang Qiu’s phone.

She swallowed hard and called out, “Elder Sister, your phone is ringing.”

“Who is it?” Zhang Qiu put on her close-fitting underwear and placed her old clothes into the laundry basin.

“It’s Grandma.”

Zhang Qiu paused, worried that Grandma would be anxious if she waited too long. She told Lin Luoluo, “Help me answer it and talk to her for a bit. I’ll be right there.”

Lin Luoluo carefully picked up the phone and pressed “connect.” An aged voice came from the phone: “Qiūqiū? When are you coming back? Grandma made you jarred meat and misses her good grandchild.”

Lin Luoluo almost choked on her saliva.

Was that Zhang Qiu’s nickname? Qiūqiū?

Thinking quickly, she responded, “Hello, Grandma. I’m Zhang Qiu’s junior. She’s busy right now and will take the call in a moment.”

“Qiūqiū’s junior? You must be Fang Duo.” Grandma said kindly, “I know you. You’ve helped her a lot normally.”

How was Fang Duo everywhere? Even Zhang Qiu’s grandma knew Fang Duo!

Lin Luoluo angrily bit her lower lip. Only after Grandma finished speaking did she say softly, “Grandma, I’m Luoluo, Lin Luoluo, not Fang Duo.”

“Lin Luoluo?” Grandma was a little puzzled. Zhang Qiu hadn’t mentioned her?

“I’ll take it.” Zhang Qiu, having changed her clothes, came out of the bathroom and took the phone.

“Hello, Grandma? Is there something wrong at home? Are the electricity, water, gas, or TV bills overdue?” Zhang Qiu asked.

Grandma replied with a chuckle: “No, nothing is due. Your auntie gave me a few catties of meat, and I made jarred meat. I know you love it, and I wanted to ask when you’re coming home?”

Zhang Qiu was a little conflicted. She was graduating this summer and wanted to fully dedicate herself to her internship at the law firm, so it was unlikely she’d go home. But she didn’t want to disappoint the elderly woman. She thought for a moment and said, “I’ll come back this week.”

Coincidentally, the professor had given her a break, and she could go back to settle things for Grandma.

The old woman immediately became happy. “Good, Qiūqiū. I’ll freeze the meat for you to eat when you come back.”

“By the way, how are things with that young man?” Grandma asked again.

Zhang Qiu was slightly stunned and frowned, unsure how to answer.

In her third year of university, she had only been dating Gu Beichen for a year when Grandma suddenly had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. Gu Beichen somehow found out and transferred Grandma to a specialized hospital. Although it turned out to be nothing serious, just a minor issue, Gu Beichen’s diligent assistance left a lasting impression on Grandma.

Grandma liked him very much and told Zhang Qiu to get along well with Gu Beichen. This was also one of the reasons it was so difficult for Zhang Qiu to break up with him for so long; she didn’t want to upset the elderly woman.

Zhang Qiu hesitated, deciding to keep it a secret for now. It wasn’t convenient to discuss it over the phone, and it would only worry the elderly woman. She would talk about it when she returned.

She spoke vaguely: “We’re fine. Grandma, you need to take care of yourself too. I’ll be back in a few days. Tell me if you need anything, and I’ll buy it for you.”

“I don’t need anything. We have everything at home. You save your money for yourself. Buy some clothes and cosmetics. I see on TV now that young girls like to put on makeup. You’re about to start working, so you must tidy yourself up well to give people a good impression.”

Grandma gave her earnest advice. Zhang Qiu wasn’t annoyed and responded softly.

Sometimes, when the old woman repeated something twice, Zhang Qiu didn’t interrupt and just listened.

The elderly woman babbled on for half an hour before suddenly realizing the time and stopping her chattering apologetically.

“Look at me, talking to you and forgetting the time again. You still have things to do, right? Next time, if Grandma talks too much, you must interrupt me. If you’re busy, go do it. Don’t let me hold you up.”

“I’m fine, Grandma.”

“Where is that young girl who answered the phone, the one named Luoluo?” Grandma suddenly asked.

Zhang Qiu replied with a questioning “Mhm.”

“You don’t have many friends usually. If she’s free, bring her back to try Grandma’s cooking. Grandma can help you make friends. You have such a cold personality; it’s not good.”

Zhang Qiu glanced at Lin Luoluo, who was standing by the window looking down, and smiled sweetly.

“Okay, I’ll bring her back when I have time.”

“Give her the phone. I want to say a few more words to her.”

Zhang Qiu covered the receiver and asked Lin Luoluo, “Grandma wants to say a few words to you.”

Lin Luoluo beamed and walked over, “Okay!”

Lin Luoluo picked up the phone, her voice full of joy: “Hello, Grandma!”

“Ay! Luoluo!” Hearing this, Grandma laughed. “Come back with Qiūqiū when you have a break. Grandma will make you delicious food.”

“Okay, Grandma!” Lin Luoluo readily agreed.

Grandma couldn’t help but advise her a few things about Zhang Qiu: “She’s cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Don’t let her tough talk fool you; she’s the easiest to soften up. If you two ever argue in the future, just pester her a bit, and everything will be fine. Don’t ever dislike her.”

“Grandma, I understand.” Lin Luoluo covered her mouth and laughed, secretly glancing at Zhang Qiu, who was watching her with a gentle smile.

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore. Young people get annoyed when I talk too much. I’m hanging up now. Come visit Grandma when you have time.”

“Okay.” Lin Luoluo nodded.

After hanging up, Lin Luoluo looked at Zhang Qiu’s face and truly couldn’t see where she was “tough” at all. She seemed gentle all over.

Zhang Qiu took the phone back and asked, “Did you find it annoying? She’s an old lady. You don’t have to take everything she says to heart.”

Lin Luoluo smiled brightly, her hands behind her back.

“I can’t do that. Grandma said she wants to treat me to a meal.”

“Qiūqiū Elder Sister, when are you going home? I want to meet the family too!”

Zhang Qiu’s face flushed instantly. She coughed, avoiding eye contact with Lin Luoluo: “That’s what my family calls me.”

“If you have time these next couple of days, I can take you to visit my neighborhood, but there’s nothing much fun there.”

“Qiūqiū Elder Sister is so nice.” Lin Luoluo snuggled closer. “I want to go play!” She was in high spirits.

Zhang Qiu looked at her expression with some helplessness. Lin Luoluo pressed her face close and teased, “Grandma can call you that? I can’t?”

“No…” Zhang Qiu was resigned. “Call me whatever you want.”

Lin Luoluo loved this doting and helpless expression of hers. She edged closer and closer, so close that she could feel Zhang Qiu’s breath and see her slender eyelashes. Those bright eyes were looking at her, with only her in them.

As if drawn by an invisible force, Lin Luoluo moved closer and closer, close enough to see the tiny hairs on Zhang Qiu’s face. Both their breaths grew light, frail as the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings, or like the clear, splashing sunlight.

“Elder Sister…” Lin Luoluo whispered, looking at Zhang Qiu’s eyes as they slowly closed.

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