15 – She will help him
Fu Yao was puzzled, but she could tell that these two names must belong to prominent figures at the school. It was interesting that their exercise books had ended up in Jin Zhi’s pocket, and together at that.
“Tell me about them?”
Qin Ke linked arms with Fu Yao as they walked and explained, “They’re both from the class next door. Although their overall grades aren’t as good as those in Class A, they’re absolutely unbeatable in math and English. Chen Chang scores full marks in math every time, but his other subjects aren’t great. Shen Yao, on the other hand, gets full marks in English every time, but his other subjects are also weak. It’s wild.”
“If they were just a little better in their other subjects, they’d definitely make it into Class A!”
After listening, Fu Yao’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
One was top-notch in English but weak in everything else.
The other was top-notch in math but weak in everything else.
What a coincidence. Interesting.
She casually asked another question, “How are Jin Zhi’s grades?”
Qin Ke was surprised by Fu Yao’s interest in Jin Zhi, but she had no reason to hold back, so she answered honestly, “Jin Zhi’s situation is a bit complicated. His grades are average, neither outstanding nor terrible in the whole grade. But for some reason, he’s always been placed in Class A. Some say his family pulled strings to get him in.”
Fu Yao chuckled softly, “Pulled strings?”
Qin Ke nodded, “That’s what everyone says.”
Fu Yao thought back to how Jin Zhi looked when she saw him as a child—a helpless little wolf cub. What kind of connections could he possibly have?
She couldn’t help but laugh again, her laughter clear and pleasant like a bell.
“Ke Ke, if Jin Zhi really had connections, would he be as down-and-out as he is now? The clothes he wears and the things he uses don’t look like someone with connections… If he really had them, the principal would’ve helped him out.”
After saying this, Fu Yao continued walking ahead.
Qin Ke stood still for a moment, processing the words, then suddenly understood:
“Oh… that makes sense!”
“Wait… did you just call me Ke Ke?”
Fu Yao nodded and also asked curiously, “Hmm? Is something wrong?”
Qin Ke shook her head repeatedly, her mood brightening like a little sun. She bounced over to Fu Yao, grabbed her uninjured hand, and laughed happily:
“Nothing, nothing! I just love it when a beauty calls me Ke Ke. Hehehe, could you call me that again?”
Fu Yao smiled helplessly, “Ke Ke?”
Qin Ke let out an “Ahhhhh!” scream, then immediately hugged Fu Yao and started nuzzling her.
“Wuwuwu, you’re so nice, beauty! I love you, beauty!”
“Ke Ke, Ke Ke, Ke Ke.”
Qin Ke nuzzled her even more enthusiastically. Who wouldn’t love such a polite and approachable beauty?
…
After the two finished eating in the cafeteria, they returned to their dormitory for a midday rest.
Fu Yao’s dormitory had been arranged by Fu Chengyu’s people long before she arrived at school, ensuring there were absolutely no oversights.
It was a four-person dormitory. Besides Fu Yao and Qin Ke, there were two other students from Class A.
“Zhang Le is one of the more ordinary people in our class. She doesn’t have any major flaws, and she’s quite nice, so it’s easy to get along with her.”
“Xu Jing’en is the top student in our class. She ranks first in every exam and is also pretty, but her personality is a bit… high-maintenance. You should keep your distance from her. She’s not exactly a good person… she often bullies pretty girls, but she gets along well with the boys. Just stay away from her, that’s all.”
At that very moment, the door opened.
Fu Yao and Qin Ke both looked over simultaneously. Standing at the doorway was a tall, long-haired girl wearing a school uniform. She had a distinctly Korean-style beauty and was very pretty.
She stared intently at Qin Ke, who immediately shrank back behind Fu Yao, lowering her voice to whisper, “That’s Xu Jing’en, damn it. I’m done for, sis. Remember to visit me next Qingming Festival.”
She truly regretted it to the core—why did she have to badmouth Xu Jing’en just as the girl happened to be there?
It was over, it was over. She was definitely going to get yelled at or worse—this Xu Jing’en came from a wealthy family, was spoiled rotten, and couldn’t stand hearing even the slightest criticism!
However, unexpectedly, Xu Jing’en didn’t approach.
Instead, Fu Yao took the initiative, smiling as she greeted Xu Jing’en, “Hello, I’m Fu Yao.”
When Xu Jing’en saw this, even the deepest fears in her heart were stirred up. For a moment, she panicked and stepped back, trying to force composure but unable to muster even a smile.
The emotions radiating from her were a mix of red and purple.
She snapped at Fu Yao, “Why did you come to First High? You were doing fine at Second High—why did you come here?!”
Her voice was even hoarse, completely out of character.
Even Qin Ke found it puzzling.
Fu Yao maintained her signature light smile, “Just here to make some new friends, of course. And it’s nice to reminisce with old friends too.”
Upon hearing the latter part, Xu Jing’en trembled all over, her mind flooded with the scenes that constantly haunted her nightmares.
The photos of her being dragged from her peak and crushed into the dirt by Fu Yao.
She had finally managed to leave Second High—her parents had used money to settle that incident—and now Fu Yao had followed her here?!
Others might not know, but she understood perfectly.
Fu Yao was no innocent little flower. If she turned dark—you wouldn’t even know how you died!
She took a deep breath, “There’s nothing worth reminiscing about between us.”
With that, Xu Jing’en turned and walked away, almost as if fleeing.
Qin Ke was left dumbfounded. She had been certain Xu Jing’en would yell at her or worse, but nothing happened.
Curious, she glanced at Fu Yao, “What kind of cryptic exchange was that? She seemed really scared of you.”
Fu Yao shrugged, still wearing her signature smile, “Not sure. Maybe I just rub her the wrong way?”
Qin Ke took it at face value and patted Fu Yao’s shoulder, offering earnest comfort, “Well, it’s definitely not your fault. After all, a beauty like you—only a jealous sourpuss would dislike you.”
“A normal girl like me would only like you and want to stick close. Oh, my dear, you protected me—I should pledge myself to you!”
With that, Qin Ke playfully pushed Fu Yao onto the bed, and the two of them tussled happily.
Fu Yao actually quite liked Qin Ke. A girl like her had clearly grown up healthily in a loving environment.
Fu Yao used to envy kids like that.
After playing around for a while, Fu Yao asked Qin Ke, “Do you know what exactly happened with Jin Zhi stealing the money?”
The question came so abruptly that Qin Ke was momentarily stunned, but she still answered, “Well, the class funds went missing, and they were eventually found in Jin Zhi’s bag, with about three or four hundred yuan short… So everyone said Jin Zhi stole it. Jin Zhi himself didn’t say anything except ‘I didn’t steal it,’ so no one believed him.”
Fu Yao frowned and asked, “Back then, who insisted on searching the bags?”
Qin Ke said, “Ah… at the time, it was Su Hangyi who suggested everyone check their own backpacks. You don’t think Su Hangyi framed Jin Zhi, do you?”
Fu Yao let out a soft hum. “Who says he wouldn’t?”
Qin Ke stroked his chin. “Su Hangyi does love to show off, but his family is well-off too. There’s no need for him to steal three or four hundred yuan… even though he does seem to have it out for Jin Zhi.”
Fu Yao raised an eyebrow, took out her phone, and quietly asked a question in a group chat named 【Second High, Second High, Boundless Love】.
【Anonymous: Does anyone know Su Hangyi?】
Group members quickly popped up.
【Group Member A: Oh ho, who doesn’t know him? The big shot of Second High. Why are you asking about him?】
【Anonymous: The newly transferred Fu Yao seems to have a thing for Su Hangyi. I like Fu Yao too, so I’m just checking out the competition.】
The group instantly exploded.
【Holy crap?! That bastard is at it again? My new goddess is about to be tricked too?】
【DM me, DM me, I’ll fill you in on the tea. Seriously… we can’t let the goddess get tricked by that bastard!】
…
And so, Fu Yao actually managed to gather some rather shocking information.
Not much, but enough.
It was truly a pity—she had never been a good person.
She was a swan exiled to dance alone in the darkness, tainted into blackness by the filth.
And in this darkness, she discovered someone else who had been similarly corrupted.
Seeing him was like seeing herself.
She couldn’t break free, but she wanted to see what she would look like if she did. So, she was willing to help him.