Chapter 22 Part 2

Gu Ningzi examined it carefully. Chi Nuan’s forehead wasn’t swollen, but it was probably red.

“It’s my fault.” She gently blew on Chi Nuan’s forehead.

They were very close, and Gu Ningzi’s breath subtly invaded her senses.

Chi Nuan blinked very slowly, very slowly. Too close—she even felt her eyelashes brush against Gu Ningzi’s lips.

“What are you two doing, so slow?” Xu Dan yelled loudly from ahead at Gu Ningzi’s back.

Gu Ningzi let go and stepped back.

She stood in the summer night’s breeze, the light outlining her facial contours. She smiled silently, her gaze carrying an indescribable tenderness.

Chi Nuan felt as if she were in a dream.

…

Late June, the weather forecast issued a heat warning. Even the wind carried scorching heat, and under the blazing sun, even with a parasol, people were still baked unbearably.

Chi Nuan closed her umbrella and ducked into the air-conditioned Off-campus Small Supermarket.

“It’s not even July yet, and it’s already this hot. How are we supposed to survive the next few months?” Zhao Jingjing opened the freezer and pulled out four Kuaiduoduo Ice Cream bars, handing them out to everyone.

“This weather matches my mood—scorching hot.” Xu Dan took one and said full of anticipation, “Thinking that in just a few days I’ll see my Shen Bao… Damn, it gets me excited just thinking about it!! No, no, I need to clear my mind, memorize a few more test points, and go home for summer vacation with my head held high.”

Du Min held her Kuaiduoduo Ice Cream like toasting a drink. “Let’s encourage each other.”

After paying, they tore open the wrappers right there in the supermarket, enjoying the AC while eating. Lunch break hadn’t ended yet, and there were still about half an hour until the first afternoon class. They had plenty of time to finish and head to the classroom.

Chi Nuan nibbled on her Kuaiduoduo Ice Cream while looking at the various celebrity posters on the counter. Xu Dan, standing next to her, suddenly whispered in her ear, “Look who showed up.”

A short-haired girl in a white T-shirt and miniskirt, fanning herself, stopped in front of the cold drinks cabinet and grabbed a bottle of beverage.

Chen Wan.

Chi Nuan was a bit puzzled. Didn’t Chen Wan have long straight hair? Why had she suddenly cut it so short?

Xu Dan snickered. “Rumor is Cai Miao did it—she finally dared to come back to school?”

Chi Nuan licked some of the slightly melted cream and looked away. “Ignore her.”

Xu Dan shrugged. Chi Nuan went back to the posters and happened to flip to one of **Shen Bao’s, so she gestured for everyone to come look.

The four of them praised Lin Shen’s beauty animatedly, until someone behind them scoffed. “This kind of female star who sells her looks to get hyped up really has braindead fans?”

Chen Wan took a sip of her ice-cold drink and slowly twisted the cap back on.

They turned at the sound. Xu Dan glared furiously. “What did you say? Watch your mouth!”

“Who doesn’t know Lin Shen started as an extra when she entered the industry? Without a Gold Sponsor backing her, would she have this level of popularity?”

This was the rumor black fans loved to spread, flooding the internet. Of course Xu Dan knew about it, but like other “braindead fans,” she believed it was all fabricated slander. Her fave became a top traffic star because she was hardworking, talented, and lucky!

You don’t mess with one’s fave. Xu Dan’s head heated up, and she was about to go punch Chen Wan when Chi Nuan hurriedly held her back. “Xu Dan!”

Chen Wan didn’t even blink, tilting her chin as she asked Chi Nuan, “You’re close with Xue Wen?”

“…” Chi Nuan didn’t know what Chen Wan meant by that. Xu Dan bristled all over and glared at her. “Yeah, we’re good friends with Xue Wen. So what?”

Chen Wan sneered mockingly. “Chi Senior Sister, I already apologized to you for locking you in the office, and you know about the school-wide criticism announcement. You seem all nice and friendly in public, but how are you such a bitch behind the scenes? With Gu Ningzi not around, you incited Xue Eldest Miss to mess with me? Happy to see me down?”

Chi Nuan sensed something off and asked Chen Wan, “What are you trying to say?”

“Still pretending?” Chen Wan dropped her smile. “Cai Miao tormented me for over a month. A-Hui got a bit better, so I went to him wanting him to put in a word for me. Guess what?—It was Xue Eldest Miss. Once the Eldest Miss said to teach someone a lesson, Cai Miao had to perform well, right?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? You offended Xue Wen yourself—what does that have to do with Chi Nuan?” Zhao Jingjing rolled her eyes at Chen Wan.

“Whether it does or not, only she knows in her heart.” After snapping back at Zhao Jingjing, Chen Wan turned coldly to Chi Nuan. “Anyway, I’m transferring schools after this semester. If you’ve got the guts, finish me off before then.”

Chen Wan snorted coldly, pushed open the supermarket door, and left.

Chi Nuan said, “Chen Wan, make yourself clear!”

“Keep pretending.” Chen Wan shot her a vicious glare and walked off without looking back.

Chi Nuan furrowed her brows. Zhao Jingjing comforted her. “Don’t take Chen Wan’s words to heart. I think she has persecutory delusions.”

Xu Dan chimed in. “Exactly! And talking smack about Lin Shen!! …Even if it was Xue Wen dealing with her for you, she has no reason to complain or accuse you—she started it! Oh, she can bully people, but no one can fight back?”

Chi Nuan gripped her Kuaiduoduo Ice Cream, her face flushing red. “The problem is, that assumption doesn’t even exist. I never mentioned Chen Wan to Xue Wen at all. Xue Wen doesn’t know!”

Du Min and Zhao Jingjing nodded vigorously, agreeing it must be that Chen Wan had unknowingly offended Xue Wen somehow.

“Um…” Xu Dan’s expression was subtle as she slowly raised her hand. “I have to say something here—Xue Wen does know about Chen Wan locking you in Awen’s office…”

The other three: “…”

Xu Dan: “That day Chen Wan got the school-wide criticism, I happened to be chatting with Xue Wen and casually vented about it…”

Chi Nuan: “…”

Xu Dan: “But Xue Wen didn’t react at all! And since the school had already handled it, I figured that was the end of it.”

Zhao Jingjing slung an arm around Chi Nuan’s shoulder. “Hey, whether it’s because she bullied you or offended Xue Wen some other way, who cares? I’m pretty happy to see Chen Wan get hers. What do you all think?”

Xu Dan: “Do I even need to say?”

Du Min chomped on her Kuaiduoduo Ice Cream and clapped “clap clap clap.”

Chi Nuan’s brows remained knit. Xu Dan said, “If you’re really worried, just ask Xue Wen. She treats us like friends and is so good to us. No need to beat around the bush and guess.”

Indeed, Chi Nuan thought that was the most straightforward way, but she couldn’t just go ask Xue Wen about something like that outright. She needed to find a suitable opportunity.