Bai Xiaorou clutched the hem of her clothes and slowly returned to her seat.
Although the classroom was equipped with central heating and warm air filled the room, being drenched from head to toe made her tremble uncontrollably.
Cen Zhi Ning frowned. It was obvious that Bai Xiaorou had offended Mu Chenchuan earlier by playing the hero and was now being targeted by his lackeys.
Sure enough, Qin Haotian covered his nose and shouted again, interrupting the counselor.
“Ugh, she stinks! The whole classroom smells!”
“Yeah, smells like sour slop.”
“And poverty~”
“Hahaha…”
The entire class burst into laughter.
【Host, boohoo… the female lead is so pitiful. She was locked in the bathroom for an hour and had leftover slop poured over her. She must feel awful right now.】
Cen Zhi Ning twirled the pen in her hand and propped her chin up, glancing at Bai Xiaorou.
Her back trembled. Water dripped from her soaked clothes. Facing the mockery, she buried her head in her arms.
Cen Zhi Ning sighed and lazily raised a hand.
“Counselor, the air isn’t circulating with her sitting there. It’s suffocating. Can we not let her harm the rest of us?”
Only then did the counselor look at Bai Xiaorou and wave his hand.
“Go back to your dorm and change before coming back. Don’t affect everyone else.”
Bai Xiaorou shakily stood up. She glanced back at Cen Zhi Ning, her eyes flickering, then hurried out of the classroom.
Rao Yuting let out a cold snort and whispered to the person beside her,
“What’s with the fake kindness? She just wants to attract Second Young Master Mu’s attention.”
Though her voice wasn’t loud, it was clear enough in the quiet classroom.
With a sharp snap, Cen Zhi Ning slammed her pen on the desk.
“Do you think Second Young Master Mu is that shallow? He’s not even a good person—would he look at me differently just because I’m one?”
Mu Chenchuan’s eyelid twitched. Why did that feel like an indirect jab?
Before he could respond, Qin Haotian bristled.
“Watch your mouth! You dare challenge our Second Young Master Mu?”
“I’m speaking human language. If a lapdog can’t understand it, that’s understandable.”
The classroom erupted in laughter.
Qin Haotian’s face flushed red and white as he growled,
“So what if you’re President Qi’s sister? Don’t think we wouldn’t dare touch you!”
Cen Zhi Ning shot him a cold glance. She hated people implying she relied on Qi Yanheng. She didn’t survive by clinging to men.
“It’s nothing special. He’s just like you—another dog raised by my family.”
Qin Haotian’s face turned ashen, teeth grinding in anger.
The entire classroom fell silent.
They couldn’t help widening their eyes—Cen Zhi Ning really dared to say that.
Qi Yanheng’s reputation preceded him. He was the only one who climbed to the position of Discipline Committee President without relying on money, status, or background.
His intelligence was a scarce resource. With brains, strength, and a fearless spirit, he rose to the top. Even high-born heirs like Jin Yihan and Mu Chenchuan gave him some leeway.
He was ruthless, almost insane—madness running in his veins. In just three years, he had forced his way into the rich list through sheer ability, accurately reading people’s needs, desires, and weaknesses.
No one dared offend him lightly.
And now, someone unafraid of death had appeared.
Mu Chenchuan finally looked at her with interest.
“Hey, you and your ‘brother’… Qi Yanheng—love-hate relationship? I’ve never seen him get the short end of the stick.”
Cen Zhi Ning lifted the corner of her eyes slightly.
“Want me to let you witness it someday?”
She tilted her head at him. The earlier verbal sparring seemed to have done nothing to her mood.
Her smile was faintly sweet, paired with striking makeup—oddly harmonious.
Mu Chenchuan’s brow twitched. Leaning lazily against the edge of his seat, he tapped the chair back absently.
“Tch, not that interested.”
“That’s fine. We’ll be family sooner or later. You’ll see it eventually.”
Realizing what she meant, Mu Chenchuan snorted. Unexpectedly, he didn’t explode.
“Hah, keep dreaming. Who the hell is family with you?”
Cen Zhi Ning looked disgusted.
“No swearing. My mom rests peacefully underground. Disturb her again and I’ll fight you.”
Mu Chenchuan pressed his lips together and, surprisingly, didn’t retort.
After finishing the announcements, the counselor dismissed class.
Mu Chenchuan left surrounded by his followers.
Qin Haotian trailed beside him, curious.
“Is that Cen Zhi Ning really your fiancée?”
“I’ll f—”
The curse stopped midway. His mind flashed to Cen Zhi Ning’s words about her mother resting underground.
For some reason, he felt stupid for having listened to her.
“Fiancée my ass. Do you think I’d marry that tigress?”
Qin Haotian immediately grinned.
“How about we help you deal with her? Just say the word. Within a week, she’ll definitely back out of the engagement.”
“Whatever. She’s Qi Yanheng’s sister. Don’t make it too ugly. Otherwise, I won’t be able to protect you.”
Qin Haotian laughed awkwardly, deciding to test the president’s attitude before making any moves.
After all, with his status, he didn’t dare offend the president lightly.
At lunchtime, the first-floor cafeteria was bustling.
Cen Zhi Ning had forgotten to ask Qi Yanheng about a meal card. After wandering around, she realized none was needed.
With just a student ID, she could freely pick whatever she wanted. It was entirely self-service.
She selected stir-fried beef with green peppers and pear soup. The cold weather made soup especially appealing, and the food looked decent.
The cafeteria wasn’t too crowded.
She found a seat by the window, lifted her spoon—
And noticed Bai Xiaorou being ostracized again.
Now dressed in a clean uniform, Bai Xiaorou tried to sit at another table, only to be chased away.
“Hey, don’t sit here. It’s taken.”
Bai Xiaorou bit her lip and stood up.
She looked hopefully at another table of girls.
Cen Zhi Ning recognized one of them—Zhou Zhou, Bai Xiaorou’s deskmate.
But Zhou Zhou acted as if she didn’t see her, chatting and laughing with others, completely ignoring Bai Xiaorou.
Cen Zhi Ning took a sip of soup and questioned the system.
“Hey, is this novel specifically about tormenting the female lead?”
【Yes, yes! The female lead is just too miserable. Being bullied by four male leads wasn’t enough—she suffers from beginning to end.】
【Luckily she’s resilient and brave. Another heroine would’ve collapsed long ago.】
“No wonder she chooses suicide in the end.”
【Haha, the author is the founding father of tragedy novels. But now you’re here to change her miserable fate.】
Cen Zhi Ning fell silent.
She only wanted to eat in peace.
But fate had other plans.
Bai Xiaorou walked up to her, looking uneasy, voice soft.
“Um… Classmate Cen, may I sit here?”
Without even lifting her head, Cen Zhi Ning responded perfunctorily.
Honestly, she didn’t have a good impression of this so-called white-flower heroine.
The male leads she pursued would always fall for the white flower.
Her own existence was merely to pave the way for her—holding the script of a vicious supporting female, yet tasked with changing the white flower’s tragic life.
She felt rather pitiful herself.
Still—
It was because of this white flower that she had a chance to survive.
And now she was a wealthy young lady, spared from life’s hardships.
That was enough for her.