Chapter 31: Zhao Xiaomi
They pretended like nothing had happened, and their hushed discussions abruptly stopped. Zhao Mingyue felt a wave of disgust wash over her; she had clearly overheard them talking about her the moment she walked in.
Not bothering to greet them, Zhao Mingyue didn’t even crack a forced awkward smile pretending she hadn’t heard. She decided to just let it go.
With one hand casually swinging her backpack, she walked directly towards the group of classmates, her expression serious as a statue at a museum.
The students clearly hadn’t expected Zhao Mingyue to head straight for them. Moments ago, they had been whispering about her, and now the real deal was striding toward them! Awkwardness fell over them like a thick fog; they didn’t know whether to flee or stick around pretending nothing was amiss.
Zhao Mingyue didn’t give them a chance to react. She stopped right in front of them, standing tall as a tree, and flashed a smile that looked as warm as a sunny day. “I couldn’t help but notice it sounded like you were discussing me. Mind sharing what it was all about? I’m sure there’s been some misunderstanding.”
Her politeness caught everyone’s attention. The classroom wasn’t just filled with those seven students; several others were trying to sneak a peek at the drama unfolding.
Most girls looked on with curiosity, while many boys quickly diverted their gazes from Zhao Mingyue, pretending to be uninterested, even though they’d halted whatever they were doing.
With around twenty pairs of eyes locked onto them, the gossiping students started sweating bullets.
Some fell silent, others waved their hands dismissively claiming they weren’t discussing anything, and a few awkwardly laughed, insisting not to take the rumors to heart.
But the girl right in front of Zhao Mingyue stood up, fixing her gaze unwaveringly on her.
“What we talk about is our business! Why do we have to tell you? So what if you heard us discussing you? Did we say anything wrong?”
The girl had on barely-there makeup, single eyelids, and narrow eyes that glinted with mischief. Her high cheekbones and wide jaw resembling a geometric shape enhanced her wild curly hair’s fragrance wafting through the air like a perfume ad gone rogue.
“Seriously, Zhao Mingyue, don’t you feel embarrassed at all?”
“Right? Like, is there even a misunderstanding? It’s hilarious that it sounds like we’re spreading jokes about you. Who do you think you’re showing your face to?”
“If you can’t speak properly, then just stay out of it! I don’t get it; do you feel good wrecking our vibe? It’s not just you feeling the burn here; we’re all cringing for you!”
The girl, clearly on a roll, was interrupted by someone gently pulling on her sleeve from behind, “Niannian, stop it.”
Zhao Mingyue didn’t sweat it. Once Zhu Niannian finished her rant, she smiled again, “If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. I’m not forcing you. I heard my name, so asking about it seems pretty standard, right? Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’m just concerned you might believe those outside rumors. You know, like the one going around that you confessed to Li Nan and he turned you down, leaving you in tears threatening to drop out?”
“Smart folks can connect the dots and realize it’s pure rumor, especially since I believe Zhu here knows we, as students, should prioritize our studies.”
“However, you are right. I did intrude. Let me apologize.”
With that, Zhao Mingyue turned on her heel and strolled away, giving Zhu Niannian no chance for a comeback and ignoring the furious look spreading across her face like a bad sunburn.
It’s noteworthy that Zhu Niannian had once publicly expressed feelings for Lu Liangting, only to be shot down with the grand declaration of putting “studies first.” That little incident had turned into a legendary joke echoing through the halls.
Back at her desk, Zhao Mingyue plopped down, resting her hands on a box of heart-shaped chocolates sitting there like a treasure chest.
She obviously knew who had sent them but merely loosened the pink ribbon adorning the box, lifting the book from underneath and placing it on her desk.
At this moment, a majority of the boys in class shifted their focus toward her, eagerly anticipating her next move: would she accept the chocolates or toss them aside in dramatic fashion?
Zhao Mingyue picked up the note attached to the box and read its contents carefully.
Then, putting the show on for everyone, she opened the box, calm as can be, took out a piece of chocolate, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.
At that moment, not just the other classmates but even Bai Yu looked utterly baffled by her actions.
She had just hit back at Zhu Niannian, proving she wasn’t easily fooled in matters of the heart, yet here she was, not only keeping the chocolates but indulging in them as if they were popcorn at a movie!
This box of chocolates was a heartfelt gesture, not an invitation to a feast!
The choices were clear: accept or return. Simple as that.
“Hey, Mingyue, this school is different from your last one. You really shouldn’t eat those. Best not to accept them either,” Bai Yu’s voice fluttered in Zhao Mingyue’s mind.
Munching on chocolate, Zhao Mingyue replied, “Why can’t I eat them? They’re for me, right? The note just says it’s a thank you for lending me the book and that I should accept it.”
“Besides, this box of chocolates is pricey—ninety-eight bucks! That’s like two or three days’ worth of my allowance!”
Bai Yu took a moment to respond, feeling a little flustered.
This girl wasn’t as dense as she thought. In fact, she was sharp as a tack. On the surface, she seemed like the shy and easily-bullied type, but upon closer inspection, it was clear she didn’t take nonsense lightly and was not lacking in wit.
If someone asked if Zhao Mingyue was putting on that innocent act deliberately, she’d simply say no. As Bai Yu observed her more, Zhao Mingyue was just the kind of person who thought, “Why should I let you push me around without a fight? That would be unfair!”
As for why she ate the chocolates in front of the whole class, the reason was pretty much the same idea.
“I told you not to give them to me, but you insisted. So if you must, they’re mine now! With how expensive they are, not eating them would be a loss!”
What others thought and said? That didn’t matter.
Who said heartfelt chocolates were only for expressing feelings? Li Nan wasn’t even here, and the note didn’t exactly say it either.
If Li Nan came looking for her, thinking there was hope, then so be it—she’d simply decline!
The only real risk was him wanting the chocolates back.
As for any other risks? Bai Yu thought hard, but there really didn’t seem to be any.
Li Nan sulking and plotting revenge? Or becoming the talk of the school?
Truth be told, none of that was significant.
Just when Zhao Mingyue was enjoying her chocolates, Lu Liangting walked in, and his gaze landed on her like a hawk on its prey.
At that moment, he had a thousand questions for Zhao Mingyue.
Like what had gone down last night.
And if she knew anything about that pesky female ghost’s whereabouts.
