“Ruan Ruan, won’t your sister be angry with you for having lunch with me?” Wu Jiali said with some guilt.
Having been in the same class for so long, she naturally knew how close Ruan Xing was with her sister—they were practically inseparable. Thinking about how Ruan Xing had refused Lu Wan for her sake earlier, she felt somewhat worried.
“It’s fine, don’t mind her. Besides, I promised you first, and I’d rather have lunch with you anyway. There’s no need for you to feel guilty,” Ruan Xing reassured her, noticing her unease.
Ruan Xing’s expression was serious and didn’t seem like a joke, which made Wu Jiali feel much better.
Wu Jiali couldn’t help feeling that her deskmate had changed somehow. Before, Ruan Xing would always prioritize Lu Wan in everything, but now she seemed completely indifferent toward her.
Though she wondered about this, Wu Jiali didn’t ask further.
Just as the two picked up their trays and turned around, Ruan Xing caught sight of a face she really didn’t want to see.
Wu Jiali saw him too, of course. The rumors about Ruan Xing and Huo Jing had been spreading like wildfire at school, so she knew a thing or two about their history.
“Ruan Ruan…”
“It’s fine, let’s go.” Ruan Xing turned and met Wu Jiali’s concerned gaze.
They walked straight ahead and found a spot to sit down without hesitation.
From start to finish, Ruan Xing didn’t once glance at the person across from them, treating him as if he were air.
Since the incident at the bar, Ruan Xing hadn’t contacted any of them. This was the first time the group had seen her astonishing features beneath that terrifying makeup.
Huo Jing’s eyes immediately landed on that pure, exquisite face across the way. It was his first time seeing Ruan Xing without makeup—her small face was fair and radiant, flawless in every way, with distinct, well-defined features so beautiful it was breathtaking. Especially those peach-blossom eyes that could captivate anyone at first glance, their crystal-clear pupils utterly untainted.
She was indeed beautiful—stunning, even—and Huo Jing had to admit it.
When He Qingze and the others saw Ruan Xing, they were utterly shocked. But what surprised them even more was how she walked right past them without a word, not even sparing them a look.
“Jing-ge, that ugly freak… she didn’t even come over to talk to you today. It’s like she didn’t even see you,” one of them remarked.
Huo Jing remained silent, though he had certainly noticed it himself.
“Jing-ge, should I go call her over to eat with us?” Chen Ye glanced at Huo Jing and spoke hesitantly.
Huo Jing didn’t respond, but his silence was taken as consent.
Not that he had any particular intention—he just wanted to see what tricks Ruan Xing was playing.
While they were eating, Ruan Xing noticed a familiar figure approaching her.
“Ugly freak, Jing-ge wants you to come over. Bet you’re thrilled, aren’t you?” Chen Ye stopped beside their table, his tone laced with mockery.
For a split second, Chen Ye was momentarily dazed by Ruan Xing’s flawless face and those clear, jewel-like eyes, but it didn’t change his opinion of her.
She was just a pathetic follower, after all.
Chen Ye looked down on her from the bottom of his heart.
Wu Jiali sat beside Ruan Xing, watching nervously.
“Get lost.” Ruan Xing merely furrowed her brows slightly, not even bothering to look up, and coldly uttered a single word.
Hearing her response, Chen Ye’s face instantly darkened.
“Ugly freak, you’re being ungrateful. Who do you think you are? Brother Jing inviting you over is an honor.”
“Ugly freak? You should look in the mirror. If your eyes aren’t blind, you should be able to see who the real ugly freak is.” A flicker of disgust passed through Ruan Xing’s eyes as she retorted without backing down.
The one who’s ugly knows it best.
“You… how dare you say that again?” Chen Ye was momentarily enraged that this ugly freak would dare speak to her like that.
Ruan Xing met Chen Ye’s furious gaze, the warmth in her own eyes completely vanishing.
“Who do you think you are, treating me like this? You know exactly what you’ve been doing. You can leave now. I won’t be so shameless as to bother your Brother Jing anymore, so you can rest assured.”
After speaking, Ruan Xing paid her no further attention.
Chen Ye was furious but could do nothing about it, eventually leaving in anger.
“Brother Jing, that ugly freak was acting crazy today. She didn’t even react when she heard you wanted to see her.”
“If you ask me, we should teach her a lesson.”
Nearby, Huo Jing sat at the table, the temperature around him suddenly dropping.
Although he hadn’t gone over, he had been paying attention to the commotion. Hearing that she refused to come, a trace of mockery flashed through Huo Jing’s eyes as he felt disdain.
Hah, women.
Changing tactics now? Playing hard to get with me? Hah, you’re really overestimating yourself. What do you think you are?
The others sensed the cold aura surrounding Huo Jing and obediently fell silent.
Throughout the meal, Huo Jing’s expression remained extremely unpleasant.
After the two left the restaurant, the worry on Wu Jiali’s face still hadn’t faded.
But Ruan Xing showed no emotion at all, as if what had just happened was completely ordinary.
Noticing her companion’s unease, Ruan Xing frowned slightly.
She glanced at her and said calmly, “It’s nothing. He won’t do anything to me.” Then she smiled carelessly.
Ruan Xing knew very well how much Huo Jing detested her. Now that she was ignoring him, he was undoubtedly relieved.
Seeing Ruan Xing’s genuine smile, Wu Jiali was taken aback. At this moment, Ruan Xing seemed to radiate a dazzling light that was irresistibly attractive to those around her.
After a moment, the worry on Wu Jiali’s face faded slightly as she asked, “Ruan Ruan, didn’t you used to really like Huo Jing?”
This matter had spread like wildfire throughout the school, and everyone firmly believed that Ruan Xing was madly in love with Huo Jing.
But if she truly liked him, she should be feeling heartbroken now. Wu Jili secretly observed Ruan Xing, but there was no trace of sadness on her face – she seemed completely indifferent.
Wu Jiali couldn’t help but question the truth behind the school rumors.
Ruan Xing was about to deny it outright, but remembering she was reborn and shouldn’t raise suspicion, she absolutely couldn’t deny having liked Huo Jing before.
The young girl frowned deeply, as if troubled, and finally spoke after a long pause, “I was blind before. Now that my eyes are clear, naturally I don’t like him anymore.”
Wu Jiali saw her serious expression, tinged with a hint of struggle.
It seemed she genuinely didn’t like Huo Jing anymore.
“Ruan Ruan, it’s just as well you don’t like that kind of boy. You’re so beautiful—you’ll definitely meet someone better in the future.” Wu Jiali grasped Ruan Xing’s shoulders with both hands, looking intently into her clear eyes as she spoke with utmost sincerity.
“Mhm.” The young girl nodded emphatically.
An indescribable feeling surged in her heart, warm and overwhelming.