She knew Rong Xue’s class schedule like the back of her hand and timed her arrival precisely for the next session of the open course, Introduction to Art.
As the bell rang, the sparsely populated corridor was instantly flooded with students changing classes. Twirling the ends of her hair with bored indifference, she walked into the classroom, her eyes lazily scanning every face in the room.
Rong Xue had originally been chatting with her friend, her eyes cast down. Upon hearing someone nearby mention Fu Xizhi’s name, accompanied by a giggle or two from people eager for gossip, she subconsciously looked up.
Her gaze happened to collide with Fu Xizhi’s.
The sun around ten o’clock filtered through the window. The young girl was bathed in white light, her lips curved into a smile as she walked toward Rong Xue. Half of her face looked like overexposed video footage, her amber pupils blurred into an indescribable, pale hue.
Rong Xue’s heart tightened inexplicably for a brief moment, leaving her no time to react.
Fu Xizhi was already in front of her seat. With a beaming, smiling face, featuring an inconspicuous pimple near her cheekbone, she asked, full of expectation, Can I sit next to you?
Rong Xue didn’t say a word. Lowering her gaze, she impassively flipped through her textbook.
Qiao Ye, sitting to her right, lowered her voice and snapped at Fu Xizhi, Go away. Where’s your common sense?
Fu Xizhi gave her a sidelong glance.
Qiao Ye, the Vice Minister of the Publicity Department, came with a heavy makeup look, a beauty of the bold-featured type whose perfume could be smelled from two meters away. Her family background was average, and she was always looking to climb the social ladder, understandable, just human nature.
Birds of a feather flock together; given Rong Xue’s deep-seated vanity and love for saving face, it wasn’t surprising at all that the two could get along.
Even if Fu Xizhi felt jealous, it would be in vain.
She couldn’t possibly act like an ancient feudal lord and restrict Rong Xue’s social circle, even if it was full of fair-weather friends.
Fu Xizhi blinked, pretending to be deaf, and smiled as she placed a cup of bubble tea on the desk: I’m treating you guys to bubble tea.
As if no one had ever drunk bubble tea before, as if it were some rare commodity. Qiao Ye put on a cold face: Drink your head! There are so many seats here, why do you insist on sitting next to her?
Oh, then where should I sit… Fu Xizhi acted pseudo-naive, her lifted gaze sweeping across the classroom. The whispering classmates instantly shut their mouths guiltily, not wanting to get involved with her.
Her gaze landed back on Rong Xue: I like you and I’m pursuing you. If I don’t sit next to you, how can I take advantage of proximity to win your heart? Rong Xue, what do you think?
Rong Xue kept her head down without speaking, letting these words go in one ear and out the other. Her responsibility was limited to performing her role as a bed partner; as for emotional value, that depended on her mood.
What a thick-skinned person. Qiao Ye snapped her fingers: Can’t you understand human language? Do you have no self-respect at all?
Not to be outdone, Fu Xizhi pressed her hands against the desk, leaned over, curved her lips, and said, What is self-respect? Can it feed a person and ensure the whole family stays clothed and fed without worry? If it can, then I’ll sell my self-respect.
Rong Xue silently clenched her fingertips.
Qiao Ye looked utterly bewildered, unable to make sense of this completely irrelevant answer. Dumbfounded, she said, Crazy. What selling or not selling? Just go away.
I’m legitimately here to attend an open course. The classroom isn’t owned by your family, so how is where I sit getting in your way? Oh, not only am I sitting here, but I’ve also brought back-up.
Just as she finished speaking, belated footsteps sounded, approaching from afar. Seeing the situation, Bai Xiao stepped up without hesitation to lend support: Good sister, you even saved a good seat for me.
Fu Xizhi bribed Bai Xiao with a cup of bubble tea as well: I knew you’ve been wanting to come to this classroom to listen to the lecture.
You get me. Bai Xiao jabbed in a straw, took a deep gulp of the bubble tea, and squeezed toward the inner seats while telling others to make way.
Fu Xizhi followed close behind, passing by Qiao Ye, who was forced to pull back her legs with a face full of displeasure.
She paused briefly in front of Rong Xue’s knees, turned slightly, pressed her left hand firmly against Rong Xue’s lower abdomen, swiftly pulled it back, sat down, and turned her face away to start chatting with Bai Xiao.
Fu Xizhi had used a bit of force. From that press against her, Rong Xue felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen. Frowning, she lowered her eyes and covered it with her hand.
A silky strap. She squeezed her palm. It stemmed from this morning when she refused to wear lingerie; Fu Xizhi’s action meant that she had taken note of this grudge.
Qiao Ye nudged Rong Xue with her elbow, her eyes wary of Fu Xizhi: Do you want the bubble tea?
No, Rong Xue glanced at the bubble tea, cold water droplets condensing and clinging to the outer cup. Unless she wanted to suffer from menstrual cramps, she said in a flat voice, Throw it away, or give it to anyone.
Seriously, if you’re going to pursue someone, at least spend some money. It’s all creamer, adding three pounds per cup… Qiao Ye muttered, randomly picking a group chat and sending a message: 【Free bubble tea, spots for two people. Bought by President Rong, first come, first served.】
Before long, the bell rang, and the teacher arrived right on time. The noisy classroom quieted down.
Qiao Ye’s words were overheard by Bai Xiao. Rolling her eyes, she pulled Fu Xizhi’s ear down and complained: Relying on someone else’s power to bully others! Isn’t she just a gold-digger clinging to Rong Xue’s thigh? Otherwise, who would give her the time of day.
Fu Xizhi: Keep it down, just ignore her.
Bai Xiao pouted: I just can’t stand her, she pointed at Fu Xizhi’s face. Hey, you got a pimple on your face. Didn’t sleep well?
Fu Xizhi poked the pimple in distress and took a light breath: Yeah, worked out all night. I used concealer, but it’s still quite obvious.
Bai Xiao: You’re really pushing yourself. But watch out for your heart, all-nighters plus exercise, if you drop dead, you’ll just be a buff corpse.
It was all Rong Xue’s fault, insisting on going until she begged for mercy, like taking an opportunity to retaliate, Fu Xizhi thought. She said with a serious demeanor, Alright, don’t say things so scary. How could I do intense all-night workouts every day? I couldn’t even rehydrate in time; my mouth was so dry I couldn’t recover for half the day.
Only the culprit understood the double entendre. Hearing this made Rong Xue’s ears burn. She instinctively rubbed her earlobe, turned slightly sideways, and propped her chin on her hand to listen to the lecture.
Halfway through the art film on the projection screen, the teacher paused it, scanned the partially filled classroom, and unexpectedly posed a question: In an era where digital imagery never degrades, the film chooses to record using degraded 16mm media…
It was a bittersweet youth romance film, with decent ratings online.
Fu Xizhi had seen this movie. She was somewhat distracted, thinking that as a new face, the teacher wouldn’t be interested in her. She pulled out her phone and skillfully sent a WeChat message: 【After class this afternoon, wait for me in the parking lot.】
However, Murphy’s Law was practically impossible to ignore. Whatever she feared came right at her; the teacher’s voice was more precise than a bullet, calling directly on Fu Xizhi.
She was a student from the School of Economics and Management. It was the first time everyone had seen her pursue someone all the way to an art class. Since the teacher’s question involved professional knowledge, everyone watched with the expectation that she would embarrass herself.
Qiao Ye was no exception. Leaning closer to Rong Xue, she watched the drama unfold: Instant karma. Just now she was bothering you with her passive-aggressive behavior; now let’s watch her make a fool of herself. Don’t force your way into circles you don’t belong in.
Rong Xue gave a casual Mm, taking it lightly. She had heard Fu Xizhi mention joining the photography club before, but had never taken it to heart.
Fu Xizhi flashed her usual smile, looking as if she had just woken up, speaking in a slow tone: It probably needs to be interpreted through two or three layers…
She spoke eloquently for a full minute, her rich and broad knowledge silencing all skeptical glances. But when she reached the topic of the two main characters’ love fading away, she frowned and choked up for a moment.
The teacher motioned for her to continue with an appreciative expression.
Fu Xizhi gave an apologetic smile: Teacher, I’m sorry, I stayed up late last night and my brain isn’t quite working right. May I request phone-a-friend help from the room?
The teacher said gently: Of course, no problem. Which classmate would you like to designate to take over?
Fu Xizhi slowly shifted her gaze downward, her tone almost coaxing: Rong Xue, would you be willing to help me?
Emphasizing being forced to stay up late, added to the underwear incident, Fu Xizhi held grudges far too well.
Rong Xue raised her head and met her eyes emotionlessly. In contrast to her, Fu Xizhi’s eyes were filled with sincerity. Rong Xue answered faintly: Okay.
The outcome went without saying; the teacher was extremely satisfied with their answers. Bai Xiao clapped discreetly in praise: As expected of our photography club member, you’ve got real skills, didn’t lose face at all… Did you notice Qiao Ye? Her face looks so sour.
That feels pretty satisfying then… Fu Xizhi chuckled softly, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Rong Xue, who remained as cold as frost.
Rong Xue still hadn’t replied to her. Using one hand, she edited a WeChat message: 【Try putting on that half-dead look again tonight, see if I don’t…】
It wasn’t until just before class ended, when Fu Xizhi was half-asleep, that her phone vibrated a few times in time. She slid to unlock it; this fallen young heiress was finally willing to reply with a few words.
Rong Xue: 【What are you going to do?】
The bell rang, and as soon as the teacher left, the classroom immediately burst into noise as people rushed to grab lunch.
Because of the Douyin video last night, combined with Qiao Ye using the bubble tea to win favors today, several students interested in Rong Xue came over one after another to strike up a conversation.
Fu Xizhi’s gaze pierced toward her from across the crowd, but Rong Xue deliberately feigned ignorance.
Bai Xiao rambled beside her: Stop staring, come back to reality! I’m so hungry; bubble tea doesn’t fill you up, let’s go eat.
Fu Xizhi gave an Mm, Let’s go. I’m in a good mood, I’ll treat you to a feast.
Bai Xiao gasped: Ooh, rich lady!
Fu Xizhi raised her hand, feigning a strike: Say that again?!
The two quickly left the academic building. Behind them, surrounded by flatterers and admirers, Rong Xue walked at a slow pace.
Qiao Ye was also basking in the reflected glory, her earlier displeasure in class swept away completely. She suggested with a smile: President Rong, there’s a social gathering this weekend, would you grace us with your presence?
Rong Xue: What kind of gathering? Why do I have to go?
This morning, Qiao Ye had seen Rong Xue drive a two-to-three-million-yuan Porsche to school; it looked incredibly impressive. Qiao Ye made her calculations: A mixer, with another university. My car was sent for repairs, so I wanted to ask a favor from you.
The favors Qiao Ye owed her were too many to count on two hands. Rong Xue agreed without hesitation.
As the sun sank in the west, Fu Xizhi received a WeChat message from Rong Xue telling her to come downstairs. She stepped into the elevator, fixing her hair in front of the elevator mirror. As soon as she walked out of the elevator, a classic white sports car caught her eye.
Yesterday, a few lights in the parking lot were broken and awaiting repair, so the car had its headlights on.
Rong Xue rolled down the car window, glancing at her in the dim parking lot.
Fu Xizhi had changed into a white floral princess dress, with a pink hairpin clipped to the top of her curly hair. Delicate and well-behaved, she looked like a real-life BJD doll.
Judging purely by appearance, this dress suited her well. Rong Xue turned her face away: Get in.
Fu Xizhi hadn’t gotten her driver’s license yet. She slid into the passenger seat, placing her small backpack against the car window: How did I perform this morning?
Rong Xue didn’t give her much face: Just so-so. I didn’t expect you to actually be in the photography club.
Fu Xizhi had just sent a WeChat message to her mommy. She raised her head: There are plenty of things you didn’t expect.
You said you couldn’t answer on purpose.
Whether I did it on purpose or not is none of your business. Anyway, I answered at least half of it right. I want a reward.
Rong Xue opened the navigation app: Haven’t had dinner yet. My treat, or is there something you want to buy?
Fu Xizhi smiled at her: Your money was all given by me. I want a date.
Rong Xue paused for a moment, asking uncertainly: Between who and who?
Fu Xizhi looked around, fastened her seatbelt, and countered: Is there a third person in this car besides you and me?
Unsurprisingly, she saw disbelief in the depths of Rong Xue’s eyes, as if she had violated her original intentions and uttered an absurd joke contrary to common sense.
Rong Xue parted her lips slightly: I don’t go on dates with my sugar mommy.