Song Weiran’s smile froze. “H-how could that be? I just meant… what if I happen to run into him on the way home? Don’t we all live in the same compound?”
Song Chutong tilted her head thoughtfully. “Well, if you insist on explaining it like that, I guess it could make sense. But the chances of you running into him are pretty low, aren’t they? Did you forget? The regiment commander’s days off don’t line up with ours.”
“So either you meet Jiang Zhixing privately… or you’re just saying this to appease me, when in reality you don’t even have the chance to speak to him. Am I wrong?”
At first glance, it sounded like Song Chutong was just nitpicking—but thinking about it more carefully, some people started to realize what she meant.
After all, many of them had heard Song Weiran make vague promises before. Even her earlier explanation that morning had felt somewhat similar.
Still, most people remained on Song Weiran’s side, thinking Song Chutong was being ungrateful.
But no one dared to speak up now—Bai Jieyi’s earlier outburst had already served as a warning.
Song Weiran forced herself to stay calm.
“Of course I wouldn’t meet Commander Jiang in private. It’s just that this break happens to coincide with a family gathering at his home—did you forget? I was planning to take that opportunity to speak up for you…”
“After all, you two used to be so close. Both our families thought you’d eventually get married. He’s such a rare, good man, Tongtong… don’t lose someone like him just because of a moment of impulse.”
As soon as she said this, the dorm fell silent.
The girls looked at Song Chutong with a mix of mockery, amusement, and even a hint of pity.
But not a single one of them genuinely wished her well.
Maybe Song Chutong hadn’t actually targeted them before. In fact, she had even tried to please them—sharing her personal belongings and even using performance opportunities as a way to win favor.
On the surface, they had treated her more kindly.
But deep down, they still looked down on her.
Now, Song Chutong finally understood why.
It was because of her background.
The word “privilege” seemed to follow her everywhere. Even when she was simply exercising rights anyone could have, people assumed she was taking shortcuts.
And then there was Jiang Zhixing.
He was practically her childhood sweetheart—handsome, well-born, with a promising future. A man like him was one in a hundred.
Yet someone like her—someone they saw as useless—was the one clinging to him.
While they admired Jiang Zhixing, they also grew to resent her… for chasing after the man of their dreams.
From another perspective, it was because she dared to do what they wouldn’t.
She had things they could never have.
In the end, both reasons came down to the same thing:
Jealousy.
Realizing this, Song Chutong felt a strange sense of relief. She accepted the hostility that had troubled her for so long—and in doing so, she discovered something else.
Maybe she really was different from them.
She, Song Chutong, truly possessed things most people would never even come close to in their entire lives.
And among them, the one who envied her the most… was undoubtedly Song Weiran.
After all, Song Weiran was the closest to her—watching her effortlessly enjoy everything that should have been out of reach. Even if she benefited a little by association, how could that ever be enough?
Song Weiran was not someone who knew contentment.
Her ambitions lay where they didn’t belong.
The man Song Chutong liked, her family background, her future, her loved ones—
Song Weiran wanted all of it.
“It’s understandable that you think Jiang Zhixing is such a great man,” Song Chutong said thoughtfully. “After all, he’s probably the best man you’ve ever had access to.”
“But to me, he’s just… average among the men around me.”
She paused slightly before continuing:
“Why are you so certain that the one I like has to be Jiang Zhixing… and not someone a hundred times better—like Jiang Sheng?”
As she mentioned her younger uncle again, Song Chutong silently apologized in her heart.
She knew her reputation wasn’t great—being liked by her wasn’t exactly a good thing.
But still…
Using his name to win this verbal battle felt very satisfying.
Truth be told, when it came to men better than Jiang Zhixing, Song Chutong couldn’t actually name many. Sure, there were quite a few in the Wei family—but no matter how good they were, they were still family. It wasn’t like she could get into some kind of taboo romance.
But after bringing up Jiang Sheng again and again, even Song Weiran—who had tried to brush it off—started to feel suspicious. She even set aside the insult from earlier for the moment.
“Tongtong, what nonsense are you talking about? As far as I know, you’ve only met Commander Jiang a few times, right?”
Song Chutong shot back without hesitation, “You said it yourself—that’s as far as you know. How much do you really think you know about me or my mother’s family?”
Song Weiran was left speechless, both embarrassed and annoyed.
What she hated most was this condescending attitude of Song Chutong’s. Ever since they were young, Song Chutong had always been like this—every time she visited her grandfather’s house, she would show off endlessly, then casually toss her the leftovers she couldn’t finish.
“Alright, alright, enough! It’s time—let’s go! We’ve got rehearsal with the singing team this afternoon!”
Seeing the argument escalate, Bai Jieyi jumped in to cut it off. She knew Song Chutong could be forgetful, and she wanted to drag Song Weiran away before Song Chutong remembered she had offended her.
Deep down, she even felt a bit guilty—if not for her, Ranran wouldn’t have been humiliated like this.
But Song Chutong hadn’t forgotten.
“Bai Jieyi, there’s no need to rush. You’re not needed anymore anyway.”
The truth was, she had never really forgotten when people wronged her—she just hadn’t bothered to pursue it.
But now, there was no point pretending not to notice or quietly letting things slide. That never earned her the friendship she wanted—it only made people think she was stupid and easy to take advantage of.
Bai Jieyi turned back in disbelief, furious. Song Chutong met her gaze head-on.
Having already suffered once, Bai Jieyi didn’t dare push further. She stomped her foot angrily, eyes red, and dragged Song Weiran away.
Song Chutong felt incredibly satisfied.
People always said she had a bad temper—and she admitted it. But aside from being quick to anger, she had never really shown others that she was someone not to be messed with.
Now?
She doubted anyone would dare step forward so easily again.
“Didn’t expect you to be so sharp-tongued.”
Walking toward the back of the dance team, Song Chutong didn’t expect anyone to talk to her. She turned around and saw a girl she didn’t recognize—what stood out most was her neat, short haircut.
The girl had a striking, almost androgynous look—tall and lean. If not for her voice, Song Chutong might have mistaken her for a boy.
Song Chutong didn’t think much of it. “Thanks for the compliment.”
The short-haired girl looked even more intrigued, eyeing her like some rare creature.
“Huh. I thought you’d snap at me the way you did at them. But I meant it—you didn’t sound like an idiot at all just now.”
Song Chutong felt a wave of speechlessness. In the past, she would’ve gotten angry instantly—but now, she at least paused to think first.
Honestly… this girl’s personality was kind of similar to hers.
Blunt, straightforward, and quick with her words—traits that weren’t exactly appreciated in a time where people preferred subtlety and restraint.
She finally understood why she had been so disliked before.
Song Chutong slowed her steps and noticed the girl was walking alone too. Assuming she was also unpopular, she softened slightly and let out a small huff.
“I’m not some mad dog that bites everyone I see. If people don’t mess with me, I don’t even bother looking at them.”
“So if I call you an idiot, you won’t get mad? That doesn’t count as messing with you?”
Song Chutong was at a loss. She hadn’t expected to meet someone with even lower social awareness than herself. Letting out a sigh, she felt a strange sense of kinship.
“Well, you’re not wrong for calling me an idiot, so what’s there to get mad about? Alright, you go your way—I don’t feel like talking anymore.”
After watching her walk away, the short-haired girl, Jiang Shuyi, raised an eyebrow.
“Why does Song Chutong… not seem as annoying as everyone says?”