Chapter 53

Although the online comments were all cursing Wen Feixi, Lu Chenyu clicked through and didn’t see a single photo of her.

It was merely netizens imagining and speculating.

Lu Chenyu’s brows furrowed tightly.

Suddenly, a trending topic caught her eye.

After the incident broke, quite a few Wen Group employees had come forward to support the dismissed supervisor, one after another exposing negative stories about the company exploiting workers and forcing overtime.

Reporters swarmed the area around the company for interviews. Some even snuck near Chairman Wen Yanxiu’s residence to snap photos.

The footage captured Wen Yanxiu escorting his daughter out of the gated community. The media mobbed them, sparking chaos. The sharply dressed man held up a large black umbrella to shield Wen Feixi’s face. His expression was icy as he got into the car.

News outlets reported that the scene had spiraled out of control, with someone getting hurt in the shoving match.

Lu Chenyu felt as if she’d plunged into an ice cellar.

“Hey? Little Deer, you watching this news too?” Bai Xian asked.

Lu Chenyu stared blankly at her screen and murmured, “Is her family… okay?”

“Don’t worry, someone’s already handling it,” Bai Xian said. “The Wen Group is a massive corporation. SparkSilicon is just one of their subsidiaries. This is nothing but rivals trying to smear them while the iron’s hot.”

“Besides, Wenwen isn’t the reckless type. Before things blew up, she’d already handed over every scrap of material on that supervisor to legal and PR for review. Rumor has it he was suspected of bribery too—that’s why they came down on him so hard. Once the company’s investigation wraps up, they’ll make a public statement.”

—

Another week passed before Wen Feixi finally showed up in class again.

She looked no different from usual, her school uniform impeccably ironed without a single wrinkle, her jet-black hair tied back in a ponytail. She walked in with her usual poise.

A bunch of classmates greeted her, and she responded to each one with a warm, radiant smile.

Wen Feixi took her seat at her desk.

After a week of absence, her drawer was stuffed with a thick stack of test papers.

She pulled them all out to sort through them.

Seated at the back of the classroom, Lu Chenyu watched her with a frown.

Gym class was that day, so everyone cleared out early.

Lu Chenyu saw Wen Feixi say something to Tang Yimo before standing and leaving.

She watched Wen Feixi’s retreating back, a pang in her chest.

Unbidden, the hot search she’d seen on her computer that day replayed in Lu Chenyu’s mind.

Those netizens’ words had been vicious.

If it had been her, she wouldn’t have been able to take it.

How much worse must Wen Feixi have felt?

…

Gym class.

After a quick warm-up, the teacher let them do free activities.

“Stop smiling like that—you’re freaking me out,” Tang Yimo said.

Wen Feixi glanced at her, and her smile faded.

Tang Yimo shivered.

“Actually, keep smiling… yeah.”

“…”

“Want to play volleyball?” Tang Yimo asked, changing the subject fast.

Wen Feixi checked her phone and nodded carelessly. “Sure.”

“Not enough people,” Tang Yimo said. “Should we grab Lu Chenyu?”

No sooner had she spoken than the air around Wen Feixi turned frigid.

Tang Yimo shuddered, staring at her in horror.

Wen Feixi paused for a moment. “Fine.”

When Tang Yimo extended the invite, Lu Chenyu hesitated. But then she mustered every ounce of courage she’d ever possessed in her life, nodded, and walked over.

Tang Yimo cheered inwardly.

Wen Feixi, however, avoided Lu Chenyu’s gaze. Expressionless, she positioned herself beside Tang Yimo.

Lu Chenyu’s heart sank slowly.

As the game got underway, Lu Chenyu deliberately passed the ball to Wen Feixi several times. But Wen Feixi ignored her every shot—even let the ball drop rather than take her tosses.

Bai Xian didn’t know the full story between them, but as the match wore on, even she noticed something off.

During the break, she sidled up to Tang Yimo and whispered, “What’s up with those two? The vibe is so weird.”

Tang Yimo let out a gloomy sigh. “Alas…”

Gym class ended, and they returned to the classroom for study hall. They’d barely settled in when their homeroom teacher, Old Xu, rushed over. He stood at the door and announced that the school was organizing physical fitness tests for all sophomores in the gymnasium.

The tests were straightforward: standing long jump, sit-ups, grip strength, and lung capacity.

Lu Chenyu fiddled absently with the grip tester, her eyes sneaking glances toward Wen Feixi.

Those online comments started swirling in her head again.

As class president, Wen Feixi teamed up with the PE rep to record everyone’s scores. Only after tallying them all did she get her turn.

When Wen Feixi started her sit-ups, Lu Chenyu screwed up her courage. “Want me to hold your legs?”

Wen Feixi gave her a flat look.

“Siyun,” she said instead. “Could you hold for me?”

Xie Siyun, caught off guard by Wen Feixi calling her name, went wide-eyed with delight.

“Sure, sure!” She hurried forward.

Lu Chenyu stood frozen in place, chilled to the bone.

Xie Siyun’s face flushed bright red as she stared at Wen Feixi, who did her sit-ups stone-faced.

Not sparing Lu Chenyu a single glance.

—

The fitness tests wrapped up.

The once-crowded gymnasium emptied out. Wen Feixi stood, handing the scoresheet to the PE teacher.

“Thanks for the hard work,” the teacher said.

“No trouble—this is just my job,” Wen Feixi replied.

She slung her backpack over her shoulder and headed out.

At the corner, someone tugged her clothes.

Wen Feixi arched a brow and stopped.

She didn’t need to guess who it was.

It was that little leopard who’d hidden in the cave, her tiny paw gently clutching Wen Feixi’s hem. Wen Feixi turned to meet those cautious, shimmering amber eyes.

“You… are you mad at me?” Lu Chenyu asked.

Wen Feixi smiled faintly. “Classmate Lu, what are you talking about? Why would I be mad?”

Lu Chenyu’s throat felt leaden; she couldn’t get a word out.

Her repeated attempts to approach Wen Feixi today had drained every bit of her courage.

By her nature, Lu Chenyu should have let go, let Wen Feixi walk away, and never cross paths again.

But somehow, she found the strength to cling desperately to Wen Feixi’s clothes.

Wen Feixi glanced indifferently at her, tugged her hem free, and kept walking without a change in expression.

Lu Chenyu darted ahead, blocking her path.

Wen Feixi chuckled. “What exactly do you want?”

Lu Chenyu’s thoughts were a jumble; she had no idea what to say.

But she knew she couldn’t just let Wen Feixi leave like this.

She parted her lips to speak—and managed only a “You” before tears spilled down her cheeks.

“I misunderstood you… please don’t be mad…”

She stood barring Wen Feixi’s way, refusing to budge.

She was supposed to be the strong one here, but her tears fell like beads from a broken string. Soon her fair, lovely face was streaked with them. Her crow-feather lashes were beaded with droplets, her nose tip pink, her body trembling faintly.

Wen Feixi watched her, startled to see the girl dissolve into a tearful mess so quickly.

Every time she saw Lu Chenyu cry, Wen Feixi couldn’t help wondering one thing.

How did a person hold so much water? Where did it all come from?

Yet those unreasonable tears streaming from the girl always seeped through her own hard, icy shell, melting the softest part deep inside.

Lu Chenyu was gasping for breath, her mind buzzing.

The weight of recent events crashed down on her like a mountain, suffocating her.

Her personality was always such a mess.

Sensitive. Paranoid. Insecure.

If her flaws meant Wen Feixi would ignore her from now on, Lu Chenyu would blame herself to death.

What if… what if Wen Feixi never…

Then a low, husky voice came from above: “Hug me.”

Lu Chenyu froze. She lifted her tear-filled eyes and looked up.

The gymnasium stood empty, lights off. Afternoon sun slanted through the high windows, spilling across the white marble floor.

Dust motes danced in the air.

Wen Feixi gazed back at her.

She wore her school uniform today, the silver badge pinned neatly at her chest, gleaming in the light. Stray hairs framed her brows, her posture ramrod straight. Her refined features looked a touch pale, but they couldn’t dim her stunning beauty.

“Hug me,” Wen Feixi whispered again.

Lu Chenyu reached out and wrapped her arms around her.

“Tighter,” Wen Feixi said.

Stunned, Lu Chenyu squeezed harder.

“Tighter still.”

Lu Chenyu hesitated. “You’ll get hurt.”

“It’s fine.”

So Lu Chenyu hugged her even more fiercely, their ribs nearly clashing. Lu Chenyu felt the ache herself, but Wen Feixi seemed unfazed. Still, she could hear the heavy breathing by her ear.

Lu Chenyu didn’t notice the fingers at her back, clutching her uniform and crumpling the fabric.

After a long moment, Lu Chenyu tried to pull away. Suddenly, her shoulders sank under Wen Feixi’s arms—she was hugging back.

“You cried my heart to pieces,” Wen Feixi said.

Her words hit like thunder. Lu Chenyu looked up, dazed.

“That birthday… I did try to find you… but I couldn’t get in. I was really sad that day. I wanted to spend it with you…” Lu Chenyu fell silent for a long beat before murmuring.

Tear tracks traced crystalline lines down her face, making those glass-like amber eyes shine even brighter.

Wen Feixi fought the urge to kiss the tears away.

Lu Chenyu went on, “And the scholarship thing… I misunderstood you there too…”

She choked up after that, fresh tears welling.

Wen Feixi cupped her face, wiping the tears away with her thumbs.

Her own eyes darkened, then reddened.

Fool.

Why was she the one apologizing?

She was the one who owed it.

She wasn’t strong enough—couldn’t even protect Lu Chenyu.

Letting her get bullied, letting her suffer.

These recent events had clarified things for Wen Feixi.

She wanted Lu Chenyu. Wanted her future. Wanted to be with her forever.

Wen Feixi had planned to stay apart until she could guarantee their happiness—that’s why she’d been so cold earlier.

But seeing the girl come to her in tears… her resolve crumbled.

Lu Chenyu continued, “Looking back now, there were so many ways to handle that day. At the hotel entrance, I could’ve borrowed a phone to call you, or done it once I got home. The scholarship…”

She trailed off, figuring it was pointless now.

Frowning, Lu Chenyu added, “That day with the news… seeing what those people said online about you. Are you okay?”

Wen Feixi replied, “I’m fine. Most of them are paid trolls hired by Wen Group rivals. My privacy’s well protected—just stay off the internet for a bit.”

Lu Chenyu nodded.

“Why were you looking at my news?” Wen Feixi eyed her, a slight smile curving her lips. “Worried about me?”

Lu Chenyu pressed her lips together, her ears burning.

Wen Feixi leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Whatever happened to the Lu Chenyu who said she ‘hates me the most’ the other day?”

Lu Chenyu’s ears went scarlet, as if they might bleed.

She clenched her fists on instinct, then looked up seriously. “Why don’t you hit me?”

Wen Feixi blinked. “?”

Lu Chenyu pressed on. “Vent however you want. Hit me however.”

A sharp pinch at her waist made her wince. Wen Feixi had her fingers dug in. Lu Chenyu froze, not daring to move.

It stung a little, though Wen Feixi wasn’t pinching hard.

Wen Feixi released her. “No more crying. You’ll ruin your looks.”

Lu Chenyu forced the tears back, her amber peach-blossom eyes fixed on her.

Wen Feixi smiled with a sigh. “I was kidding.” Even crying, you’re gorgeous.

She started walking again, a wistful look on her face. Lu Chenyu hurried after. “Or… yell at me instead?”

Wen Feixi turned, regarding her with amused exasperation.

Mimicking Lu Chenyu’s tone from days ago, she began, “You’re the one person in this world who…”

She hadn’t finished before Lu Chenyu’s heart leaped to her throat.

Those words had cut deep before. Hearing Wen Feixi repeat them now was like reliving the wound, stirring fresh guilt.

Lu Chenyu stared anxiously at the girl’s glistening lips.

Wen Feixi paused. “Forget it. I can’t say it.”

She batted her eyes. “After all, I’m not as heartless as you, right, Classmate Lu?”

Wen Feixi tried to leave again, but her waist was suddenly embraced from behind—Lu Chenyu, soft and clingy.

Wen Feixi went rigid on the spot.

—

After evening study hall, Wen Feixi shouldered her backpack and exited the school gates.

A sleek black sedan waited curbside, its luxurious lines gleaming under the streetlights.

The driver, in crisp uniform, opened the rear door with a salute. It slid open to reveal cream leather seats embroidered with subtle gold crests. A whiff of fine fragrance wafted out.

Wen Feixi climbed in and tossed her bag onto the adjacent seat. “Is Dad home?”

“Yes, miss,” the driver replied respectfully. “President Wen had chicken soup prepared for you. He also worried you’d be hungry after class, so he packed road snacks.”

He handed her a paper bag.

Inside was a small box of glistening blueberries beside a cup of yogurt topped with neatly sliced fruits.

Wen Yanxiu had once said blueberries’ anthocyanins protected eyesight and eased eye strain. Yogurt, rich in live probiotics, kept her stomach settled, while the fruits added vital nutrients.

Wen Feixi left the food untouched and unlocked her phone.

Just moments ago, someone saved as Liang Mu had messaged her.

[We did receive that letter from the young lady, but Mister intercepted them all. He had someone reply on your behalf.]

[Mister says your main focus right now is studies. Occasional contact with a rural girl is fine for experiencing hardship, but no need to let her intrude too much on your life.]

Wen Feixi glanced down coolly.

She deleted the messages, then cracked open the yogurt.