Chapter 30: Coaxing (Part 2) Part 1

Qin Jiashu’s presence had indeed diverted Xu Yinian’s attention. She had nearly forgotten about Shen Ruoshuang, who had just been punished on her behalf.

Right, I still need to give her the water as an apology…

Just as she picked up the bottle sitting beside her seat, Shen Ruoshuang was already drawing near.

The sunlight gradually fell upon that cold, distant face, finally allowing Xu Yinian to see her expression clearly. She found that Shen Ruoshuang wasn’t hiding the gloom in her eyes at all. She looked like pristine snow that had been stained with filth—a sight that was terrifyingly jarring on someone who usually looked like a transcendent, fallen immortal.

Xu Yinian had always been sensitive to approaching danger, and now, alarm bells were screaming in her head.

The moment she was permeated by that bone-chilling cold, the ice water in her hand felt damp and freezing, making her fingertips go numb. She didn’t dare set it down, and she certainly didn’t dare hand it over. She simply stood there, clutching it.

Before she could reach a decision, Shen Ruoshuang had already walked straight up to her.

The other students in the stands noticed Shen Ruoshuang’s arrival, and a wave of excited whispering broke out. But Shen Ruoshuang seemed deaf to it all. She ignored everyone around them, her gaze fixed intently on the two of them.

Although Xu Yinian still didn’t understand where this emotion was coming from, she instinctively felt it had everything to do with Qin Jiashu sitting beside her.

In the early parts of the original novel, there seemed to have been a “Shura Field” involving Shen Ruoshuang and Ji Yan’s ex-girlfriends or admirers, though Ji Yan had eventually settled them all. Yet, for some reason, Yinian felt that something was slightly off.

Xu Yinian remained oblivious, but those who liked her could easily sense the deep feelings others held for her.

The moment Qin Jiashu locked eyes with those orbs swirling with obsessive jealousy, she knew for certain: this Shen Ruoshuang definitely liked Xu Yinian too.

But Shen Ruoshuang, Ji Yan, and Xu Yinian were clearly roommates.

Wait, are they playing for stakes this high? Qin Jiashu wondered. An underground dormitory affair is one thing, but they’re doing a whole love triangle?

Back when Qin Jiashu liked Ji Yan, she had once assumed Shen Ruoshuang was her rival. Looking at it now, it seemed she had ended up as a love rival after all…

Did Xu Yinian know about any of this?

Qin Jiashu couldn’t help but glance at Xu Yinian’s expression. She saw the girl biting her lip, looking timid as if she sensed danger, but her eyes were still filled with confusion.

She clearly had no idea. As always, she was charming everyone without even realizing it.

Qin Jiashu was well aware of Ji Yan’s reckless, “mad dog” nature, but the supposedly cold and distant Shen Ruoshuang—based on her eyes alone—didn’t seem any less “insane” than Ji Yan. Even with her eyes full of terrifying obsession, she still refused to let Xu Yinian know about her feelings…

Either there was some past history between them, or Xu Yinian was strictly straight.

As a certified wealthy socialite and an expert flirt within the Capital’s circles, Qin Jiashu had dated several girlfriends. Her emotional experience and “level” were far higher than anyone else here. Aside from Ji Yan, she had easily captured every target she ever set her sights on; usually, they’d come running the moment she wiggled a finger.

Although this was the first time she had encountered someone as pure as Xu Yinian—which had involuntarily pushed her onto a “pure love” path that left her blushing and awkward—she was still a veteran of the dating scene.

In just a few glances, she had seen through the relationship between Shen Ruoshuang and Xu Yinian.

If it were Ji Yan, Qin Jiashu might have felt a bit more uncomfortable. But regarding Shen Ruoshuang, she had been on high alert, treating her like a formidable enemy for a while now. Her attitude toward love rivals was always “may the best woman win.” If the other person couldn’t hook the prize, they couldn’t blame her.

Qin Jiashu was the type of flirt who excelled at taking the initiative but treated relationships quite casually, viewing them as mere spices for life. To others, she was the quintessential “bad woman.” Clearly, she wasn’t someone these obsessive lunatics could beat by playing the “pure love” card.

Shen Ruoshuang’s appearance finally made Qin Jiashu cast aside the burden of feeling embarrassed about “fishing” for a younger girl like Xu Yinian. She was going full throttle now.

Qin Jiashu narrowed her bright, fox-like eyes.

It seemed it was time to go and mention a breakup to Lu Zhou, her “girlfriend” in name only.

Seeing Xu Yinian’s attempt to play dead and stay silent until the end, the color in Shen Ruoshuang’s eyes deepened. She finally sat down in the seat on Xu Yinian’s other side.

“It’s our first time meeting. Aren’t you going to introduce your friend?”

She emphasized the word “friend.” It was a reminder, and even more so, a bottom line.

Huh? Yinian thought. The literal meaning is that she doesn’t know Ji Yan’s girlfriend yet. But if they don’t know each other, where is this inexplicable hostility coming from?

Xu Yinian could only lick her dry lips and speak through the ordeal. “She… she is from the Broadcasting…”

Qin Jiashu knew that while the question was directed at Xu Yinian, the word “friend” was aimed squarely at her. Who couldn’t hear that? She took it upon herself to strike back.

“Junior, Qin Jiashu. I know who you are, Shen Ruoshuang. Last time, I even asked Junior Yinian about you.”

Xu Yinian almost couldn’t remember. Had she asked me about that?

While she was trying to recall, she could already feel the invisible, white-hot confrontation escalating on both sides of her.

Truly worthy of a meeting between love rivals…

Being squeezed in the middle already made her feel like she was sitting on a bed of nails. Why did they have to use her as the trigger? She was just an innocent cannon fodder; she didn’t want to be part of a Shura Field.