Lu Shinian had truly never imagined that such a dramatic scenario, one that only appeared in novels could happen to her.
Talking about someone else, only to have that very person overhear the conversation. Overhearing was one thing, but the key issue was that the person had only caught the first half of the conversation, completely missing the crucial latter part.
Looking at Yu He’s serious expression as she recounted the incident, Lu Shinian really didn’t know how to explain. The whole situation was just bizarre from start to finish.
And also, how was a top student’s thought process the same as a weasel’s?
Did she really seem like the type to like girls?
The security guard outside the hallway shouted for the lights to be turned off, finally snapping Lu Shinian out of her shock. She gaped for a long moment before finding her voice again. “I do like you… but the kind of like I mean isn’t that kind of like. Wait, no my goal is indeed you.”
Lu Shinian paused. Why did this sound weirder the more she explained?
Yu He’s gaze turned subtle. “What kind of like?”
“What kind?”
The question left Lu Shinian momentarily stunned. “Just… the kind between friends.”
“You’re a girl, and I’m a girl. How could it possibly be that kind of like? I’m not a homosex, ” Lu Shinian choked back the last word, taking a deep breath.
Talking was just talking there was nothing to be nervous about. So why was her voice trembling like this? Pathetic.
In contrast to her flustered state, Yu He remained composed. Aside from a slight reaction at the beginning, her expression was now completely unreadable.
After listening to Lu Shinian’s explanation, Yu He relaxed her shoulders and calmly uttered a single word. “Hm.”
Lu Shinian awkwardly added, “I see you as a role model. Yeah, that’s what I meant. Don’t misunderstand.”
Yu He picked up her backpack from the desk, pressing her lips together. “I didn’t misunderstand.”
“Good, as long as there’s no misunderstanding.” Lu Shinian exhaled in relief. The entire evening had been absurd, nearly derailing completely.
Thankfully, she’d managed to steer it back on track.
Lu Shinian had always been quick to adjust her emotions. In the next moment, she proactively suggested, “Then let’s head home together. It’s pretty late, my scooter can give you a ride part of the way.”
“You should stay away from me.”
Yu He straightened up, her voice muffled as she spoke, then quickly strode toward the classroom door, clearly trying to avoid Lu Shinian catching up.
“……”
Hadn’t they just agreed there was no misunderstanding?
Lu Shinian stood there, staring at the empty air, feeling deeply wronged. This made it seem like she was some kind of villain with ulterior motives. Couldn’t people just trust each other a little more?
Thanks to all these unexpected events, Lu Shinian arrived home past the curfew set by Chai Ping. After a stern lecture, she was finally allowed to retreat to her room.
Lying in bed, Lu Shinian replayed the day’s events and couldn’t help but wish she could strangle Li Jingming. What was the point of bringing up a new goal? Just when her friendship with Yu He had shown a bit of progress, now she’d gone and scared her off.
For the next two days, Lu Shinian didn’t approach Yu He again.
Mostly because she was afraid of the awkwardness.
Lu Shinian understood perfectly well, if she didn’t take the initiative, Yu He wouldn’t seek her out either.
During a long break, she went to the teachers’ office to ask about an assignment and coincidentally ran into Fang Xing, who was there to submit homework.
Considering that Yu He usually only interacted with homework or occasionally spoke with Fang Xing, Lu Shinian asked, “Has Yu He released any new notes recently?”
Fang Xing: “Not lately. I’ll let you know when she does.”
Lu Shinian casually remarked, “You and Yu He seem pretty close?”
Fang Xing chuckled, “Of course. I wouldn’t boast about much else, but at least we’re closer than you two. We’re friends, after all. Though our top student Yu always looks like someone owes her eight million yuan, who’d dare hit on her?”
Lu Shinian pictured Yu He’s aloof face and had to admit the description fit perfectly.
“Does Yu He know you talk about her like this behind her back?” Lu Shinian laughed along.
“Of course not,” Fang Xing said. “I wouldn’t dare say this to her face.”
Lu Shinian asked, “If you really made Yu He angry, how would you usually make it up to her?”
“Never had to,” Fang Xing shook his head. “We’ve never fought. You know how Yu He speaks in short phrases less talking means fewer arguments.”
Lu Shinian sighed quietly, having gained no useful information. “I see.”
Fang Xing sensed something amiss and asked suspiciously, “Did you make Yu He mad?”
“No,” Lu Shinian shook her head, thinking Yu He wasn’t exactly angry just suspicious of her intentions. But who’d believe that if she said it out loud?
Fang Xing said, “If you could actually make Yu He angry, you’d be some kind of legend.”
Lu Shinian recalled the two times Yu He had told her to stay away.
The first time, she’d truly become a “legend” Yu He had been visibly irritated. But the second time was different. Though clearly flustered, Yu He had tried to maintain composure, her face a mix of emotions that suddenly made her seem more human.
Still, Lu Shinian felt that if she hadn’t frozen up and had instead persisted in inviting Yu He home, she might have truly earned that legendary status.
A young academic prodigy suddenly learning she was liked by a girl, only to be told it was a misunderstanding that fragile psyche must have been profoundly shaken. The emotional rollercoaster made her defensive state understandable.
Having figured this out, Lu Shinian decided to properly talk things through with Yu He.
During the noon break, after eating in the cafeteria, Lu Shinian went alone to a bubble tea shop outside school. As she walked back toward campus, she spotted a familiar figure by the back gate.
Yu He stood under a large banyan tree, facing three eccentric-looking girls in flashy outfits. In contrast, Yu He’s neat school uniform made her look even more like the model student.
What did they want with Yu He?
Lu Shinian’s mind raced, landing on one conclusion: Yu He was being extorted.
There had been a period when students were frequently ambushed and extorted at the school gate. After several incidents, the dean had patrolled the area with security guards, eventually improving the situation.
Now, in broad daylight, such illegal activity was happening right at the school entrance.
Lu Shinian couldn’t tolerate this. She strode toward them with purposeful steps.
The three girls noticed her first, nudging each other in confusion at her righteous demeanor as if she were coming to deliver justice.
Yu He turned her head, brows slightly furrowed.
As Lu Shinian approached and saw Yu He’s expression, she felt a pang of doubt.
That grim look did Yu He really dislike seeing her that much?
The girl with yellow highlights in the middle crossed her arms, eyeing Lu Shinian. “Who the hell are you?”
Lu Shinian lifted her chin. “None of your business who I am.”
The blonde girl’s face instantly darkened. Another girl nudged her and whispered something, making the blonde quickly change her expression, licking her lips with a smirk.
Lu Shinian said calmly, “Extortion is illegal, three to ten years in prison. I suggest you think carefully and leave her alone.”
“Who said anything about extortion? We’re here for you,” the blonde girl said, enunciating each syllable of her name. “Lu. Shi. Nian.”
“……”
A few seconds later, Lu Shinian turned to glance at Yu He beside her.
What?
What kind of situation was this?
Yu He gave her a faint sidelong glance, saying nothing, leaving her to figure it out on her own.
The blonde girl continued, “We were asked to teach you a lesson. We couldn’t find you, but you walked right into us. Don’t struggle, and we’ll go easy on you.”
This wasn’t extortion, it was a setup for a fight.
Lu Shinian carefully sized up the three girls opposite her. They were taller, stockier, and outnumbered her. By all accounts, she stood no chance.
After two seconds of contemplation, she pulled out a wad of cash from her school uniform pocket and held it out.
“……”
Staring at the multicolored bills in front of them, the three girls froze. Then they heard the girl’s light, almost indifferent voice, completely devoid of her earlier legal authority.
“If it’s not enough, I can go get more.”
The blonde girl sneered. “You think we’re beggars?”