Since arriving in this era, Su Ning hadn’t interacted much with Ji Yang yet.
In her past life, aside from her brother, the person she spent the most time with was Ji Yang.
After she started kindergarten, her brother had merged their father’s factory with their mother’s company.
He was often so busy he barely touched the ground.
Yet, because he didn’t trust anyone else to pick her up and drop her off, it was usually Ji Yang who stole moments away from his busy schedule to take care of her commute.
Ji Yang had always treated her well, looking after her like a real younger sister.
Every New Year, holiday, and birthday, aside from her brother, Ji Yang always gave her the largest red envelopes and the most thoughtful gifts.
As for the class monitor everyone kept talking about, Su Ning figured it had to be the girl right in front of her.
Because back then, Brother Ji Yang had even cried and said, “Sometimes I wonder if we had just paid a bit more attention to her during the second semester of senior year, if we had tried to understand why her personality changed so drastically, maybe she wouldn’t have committed suicide.”
A drastic personality change in the second semester of senior year.
Stepping down as class monitor out of nowhere when she used to be so invested in it should definitely count as a drastic personality change, right?
Besides, Chen Lanxin’s current mental state was clearly far from normal.
Hearing Su Ning’s offer, Chen Lanxin shook her head. “No, thank you.”
She was politely turned down.
Su Ning pressed her lips together and didn’t push any further.
She had only just arrived, so it was completely normal for Chen Lanxin to keep her distance.
The ten-minute break passed quickly.
The second period was English, taught by the head teacher.
Su Ning pulled out her brand-new English textbook and wrote her name neatly on the first page.
Her handwriting was elegant and pretty, and the fingers holding the pen were plump, fair, and glowing with a soft pinkish tint at the tips.
Her high ponytail swayed gently against her cheek as she lowered her head, hair strands fluttering slightly.
Shen Yanli quickly pulled his gaze back and forced himself to concentrate.
He wasn’t anyone special.
The little princess was simply kind-hearted, and she genuinely cared about Chen Lanxin.
The head teacher began the lesson.
Before long, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
The school bully, Su Nanye, wasn’t slumped over sleeping during this class.
Instead, his eyes were wide open as he stared straight ahead.
This was the first time since the start of senior year!
Was the material he taught today that interesting?
It seemed all those hours he spent preparing his lesson late into midnight weren’t for nothing.
This was definitely worth bragging about in the teachers’ office!
However, as he wrote a sentence pattern on the left side of the blackboard and gestured for everyone to look, he noticed something.
Su Nanye wasn’t actually looking at the blackboard at all.
Instead, his gaze was locked on Shen Yanli in the front row.
The head teacher: “…”
Su Nanye thought his younger sister was just too naive.
Whether Shen Yanli would retaliate against him in the future remained to be seen, but right now, there was heavy animosity between him and Shen Yanli. If Shen Yanli discovered how much he cared about her, who knew what he might do to her?
This was the primary reason he didn’t want his sister getting too close to Shen Yanli.
Twenty years from now was too far away; the present moment was what mattered most.
Halfway through class, Shen Yanli felt as though the back of his head was about to catch fire.
When he turned his head, he caught Su Nanye glaring directly at his direction.
Seeing him look back, Su Nanye held up two fingers, pointed them at his own left eye, pointed them right back at Shen Yanli, and mouthed silently: “I will keep my eyes on you, forever and ever…”
Shen Yanli: “…”
Su Ning hadn’t noticed her brother’s weird behavior; she only noticed how cold Shen Yanli was toward her.
When class ended and she wanted to head out to the restroom, she called his name twice, but he acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
It wasn’t until she tapped him on the shoulder that he finally reacted.
He stood up completely expressionless, his cold pupils sweeping past her without a single glance of recognition.
Su Ning couldn’t help feeling puzzled.
Had she offended Shen Yanli somewhere along the line?
Was it because she kept opening her desk to peek into a mirror during class, which distracted him from studying?
Then again, maybe he genuinely hadn’t heard her, considering his hearing wasn’t great.
Su Ning was never one to overthink or drain her own energy, so she let the matter drop.
Lunchtime arrived in a flash.
Su Ning was just about to ask Shen Yanli what he wanted for lunch.
That had always been her most routine conversation with her deskmate back then.
Sometimes they would even start discussing it during the first period in the morning.
Yet, Shen Yanli stood up almost immediately and walked right out of the classroom.
Left hanging with her words half-spoken, Su Ning turned around intending to ask Chen Lanxin instead.
Chen Lanxin had already slipped away with her head down.
Su Ning let out a soft sigh.
“Su Ning, what do you want to eat?”
A rainbow-dyed head accompanied by a shock of green hair jogged over.
Those two were back to being as thick as thieves again.
Su Ning genuinely had no idea what was good. “Let’s go check out the cafeteria!”
Ji Yang was a seasoned connoisseur of the cafeteria. “We’d better hurry, then. If we’re late, all the good food will be gone.”
Hearing that, Su Ning kicked off running at full speed. “Old Su is on the move!”
Ji Yang couldn’t help laughing. “Boss, your little sister is ridiculously adorable!”
Thinking his little sister was the cutest creature in the entire universe, Su Nanye sprinted to keep up. “Wait up for me!”
Even so, the three of them arrived at the cafeteria a step too late.
Several long lines had already formed.
Su Ning pouted.
Noticing her expression, Su Nanye stuffed both hands into his pockets and drawled with a swagger, “The guys at the front of the first line are my underlings. I’ll go make them give us their spots.”
Seeing this arrogant display, Su Ning instantly recognized him as the school bully he was.
Since she had traveled back in time, naturally, she didn’t want him going around bullying people.
Before she could stop him, however, Su Nanye had already flashed over to a group of guys with spiky hair. “Get to the back of the line. I want these three spots, and I’ll give each of you ten yuan.”
Su Ning: “…”
She had expected her brother to conquer his underlings through sheer physical force, not financial capital.
She now had valid suspicions that the lackeys who had tried to block Shen Yanli the other day had also been paid off.
Other school bullies went around extorting money through intimidation; School Bully Su went around handing out cash.
Quite a novel brand of school bully.
The three underlings beamed from ear to ear. “You got it, Boss!”
That was ten whole yuan, enough to buy three full meals!
The guy standing fourth in line lost out on ten yuan and wore an expression of fawning eagerness. “Boss, buy my spot too! I’ll only take eight!”
Su Nanye had money, but he wasn’t a total sucker, and he was just about to refuse when a girl with sleek, straight hair walked up to them and asked Su Nanye, “Can I cut in line with you guys?”
Su Nanye glanced at her, then looked back at the fourth underling. “I’m buying your spot too. Now scram.”
That underling pocketed his ten yuan and scampered off happily.
Su Nanye turned around and waved at Su Ning and Ji Yang. “Hurry up and get over here!”
Since Su Nanye had purchased those four spots fair and square, it wasn’t technically cutting in line.
The people waiting behind them didn’t raise any objections either.
Besides, everyone’s eyes were practically sparkling with gossip.
When had Su Nanye ever brought a girl along to wait in line with him? This was a first in history.
Word had been spreading around school lately that he was dating someone, and that pretty girl was probably his girlfriend.
As for the girl who had just walked up, she was none other than the Xinghui school belle, Jiang Yingying.
Who in the entire school didn’t know that Su Nanye had been chasing the school belle since freshman year without success?
And now, the school belle was actually initiating a conversation with him.
Furthermore, Su Nanye hadn’t rejected her joining them.
It looked like everyone’s guesses were right after all: Su Nanye had only taken a girlfriend to make the school belle jealous.
See? Look how well that strategy worked!
Still, credit where credit was due, Su Nanye’s current girlfriend was leagues prettier than the school belle!
The school belle was aloof and arrogant, whereas this new girl looked much more vibrant and charming.
Gossip-filled glances darted back and forth between Su Ning and Jiang Yingying.
Su Ning, naturally, noticed Jiang Yingying, though she didn’t recognize her.
Still, it wasn’t strange for her brother to have female friends at high school.
She walked forward as usual.
Ji Yang’s eyes widened when he spotted Jiang Yingying.
Why on earth would the school belle suddenly condescend to hang out with their group today?
Given Jiang Yingying’s looks, anyone would gladly hand over their spot to her for free!
Jiang Yingying’s gaze landed squarely on Su Ning as well.
So this was Su Nanye’s rumored girlfriend?
She certainly looked the part, but unfortunately, Su Nanye didn’t actually love her!
“And she is?” Jiang Yingying asked Su Nanye, making the first move.
Su Nanye answered casually, “My sister.”
A flash of amusement flickered deep in Jiang Yingying’s eyes.
Look at that, he didn’t even have the guts to admit she was his girlfriend right in front of her.
Everyone nearby had heard Su Nanye’s reply as well.
The looks they cast toward Su Ning were tinged with a hint of pity.
Such a gorgeous beauty, yet she didn’t even have an official title.
Seeing Su Ning approach, Su Ning’s face curved into a sweet smile as she prepared to greet Jiang Yingying.
With a look of utter disdain, Jiang Yingying swept her eyes over Su Ning, spun on her heel, and wedged herself right in front of Su Nanye in line.
Su Ning: “…”
Ji Yang muttered under his breath beside her ear, “That’s our school belle. She’s always had this arrogant, ill-mannered streak. Don’t take it to heart.”
Up until now, Ji Yang had merely thought Jiang Yingying was arrogant.
Since she was pretty, a bit of arrogance was normal.
Right now, though, he thought Jiang Yingying was downright rude.
Su Ning was such a darling, yet she had just been given the cold shoulder!
Too much!
Seeing Jiang Yingying’s antics, Su Nanye frowned slightly.
Whether someone was being friendly or hostile, Su Ning could tell right away.
Feeling a bit amused, she spoke up in a voice loud enough for Ji Yang to hear: “Did I trigger her somehow? Is it because I’m so pretty that she feels her throne as school belle is in mortal danger?”
Ji Yang nearly burst out laughing.
His little sister looked all soft and sweet, but when it was time to throw punches, she didn’t hold back at all.
“Well, can’t help it. I’m just this naturally gorgeous!”
Su Ning’s voice rose slightly with inborn confidence and pride, her high ponytail swinging gently in the air.
Jiang Yingying: “…”
Any ordinary girl would feel deeply insecure standing next to her.
How dare this girl speak with such audacity!
Su Nanye couldn’t suppress the corner of his mouth from twitching upward either, turning to tell Su Ning, “Get in line.”
Refusing to budge an inch, Jiang Yingying stood planted right in front of Su Nanye, determined to occupy the first position among the four of them.
Su Nanye started to step back to make room.
Before he could, his sister marched right up, stuck her hip out, and gave Jiang Yingying a swift bump that sent her careening straight out of the queue.
Jiang Yingying: “…”
Su Nanye: “…”
Ji Yang: “…”
A look of doting fondness washed over both Su Nanye and Ji Yang’s faces simultaneously.
Damn! Who even invented a little creature like Su Ning? She was too cute!
Having danced for years, Su Ning was exceptionally skilled at generating power from her hips.
She swiftly claimed the vacant spot, straightening her back as she stood firmly at the very front of the line.
Caught completely off guard by the shove, Jiang Yingying nearly face-planted right into the adjacent queue.
Startling the person next to her, who yelped, “Oi!”
Jiang Yingying had never suffered such humiliation in her life; her hair was disheveled as she bit her lip and glared at Su Nanye. “Look at what she did!”
Su Nanye shrugged. “Makes no difference where you stand, it’s almost our turn anyway.”
Jiang Yingying was so angry her fingers curled into tight fists.
Noticing Ji Yang standing in the third spot, she snapped with displeasure, “Move aside.”
The plump Ji Yang scratched his green-dyed hair with a goofy look and refused to budge. “A spot is a spot wherever you stand.”
Jiang Yingying: “…”
Now even a fat loser like Ji Yang refused to yield to her?
Fuming with rage but conscious that they were in the middle of the cafeteria, she couldn’t make a scene and had no choice but to stand directly behind Ji Yang.
Before long, all four of them had their food.
Spotting a table by the window, Su Ning walked right over to it.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yingying marched straight toward a completely different table.
Hmph! Su Nanye would definitely come sit at her table!
Yet, after sitting there for a good while, nobody showed up.
When she turned around to look, Su Nanye was busy using a tissue to wipe down the seat for Su Ning.