Lin Xiyue didn’t believe Jin Yao: “You’re saying He Mingchu showed no reaction after seeing the cat, then later found it noisy and chased it out?”
Jin Yao’s eyes still held suspicion toward her: “That’s right. From what I saw, he clearly hates cats! He didn’t even want to touch it – he nudged it out with his foot!”
Recalling the scene she had just witnessed, even Jin Yao, who didn’t like cats or dogs, could sense the kitten’s distress. Yet He Mingchu had coldly and impatiently pushed the cat out of the classroom.
She couldn’t help speaking up for the cat: “She’ll be hurt if you treat her like that!”
He Mingchu looked at her mockingly: “Since Classmate Jin likes kittens so much, why don’t you take it away?”
Jin Yao: “Fine, I will!”
And so the kitten ultimately ended up being taken away by Jin Yao, with zero progress made in advancing their relationship this time!
Wait, no – Jin Yao and He Mingchu had actually argued about the kitten again, putting their progress in the negative.
Jin Yao felt somewhat shaken. The He Mingchu she had just seen in the classroom seemed completely different from the gentle boy she had first met.
Lin Xiyue was still racking her brains over the logic of it all.
Both the male and female leads had appeared at the correct plot points, and even Lin Xiyue – an insignificant cannon fodder character from the original novel – was present. The book couldn’t be wrong!
The personalities of the male and female leads she had encountered also matched the original descriptions… though the male lead was somewhat inconsistent.
But according to the original novel, the male lead was supposed to be gentle and kind. He Mingchu had saved her and her mother, given her the opportunity to study, and taken good care of her – overall, he still fit that description.
Though he could be infuriating at times, He Mingchu wasn’t just a two-dimensional character from a book anymore. Having a more three-dimensional personality with occasional emotions of his own was normal… right?
So…
“Could it be because the college entrance exams are approaching, and He Mingchu is under a lot of psychological pressure? Maybe he’s showing some negative emotions because of that?”
Lin Xiyue stroked her chin thoughtfully.
Jin Yao looked at her.
The more Lin Xiyue thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. She snapped her fingers: “How about this! After the college entrance exams, I’ll make sure you both get into the same university. Then you’ll have the advantage of being both hometown acquaintances and classmates. Plus, by then the exams will be over, and he’ll definitely be in a good mood after getting into his desired school. If you approach him then, success is guaranteed!”
Jin Yao looked at her suspiciously: “Aren’t you going to the same university as He Mingchu?”
Lin Xiyue had already made her decision.
Now that she and Bai Xiaomei had established their footing in the He household, she could slowly plan her next moves after starting university. The male and female leads should continue following their destined path.
In the original novel, the two had agreed to take the exams for Beijing University together. Though they faced obstacles from Jin Yao’s second brother, they overcame them together and successfully enrolled at Beijing University.
But currently, He Mingchu clearly had no interest in Jin Yao. Without Jin Yao’s second brother causing trouble, he probably wouldn’t even consider attending the same university as her. So now, as someone who knew the plot, Lin Xiyue had to become the driving force pushing the storyline forward.
Lin Xiyue silently clenched her fist and patted Jin Yao’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Jin Yao, I’ll definitely make sure you two get into the same university!”
Then she would quietly change her own application and test into a top-tier university far, far away from the capital. After that, the development of the male and female leads’ relationship would have nothing to do with her!
If things didn’t work out between them, no one could blame Lin Xiyue for it.
Most importantly, Jin Yao couldn’t find fault with her either!
Indeed, once she stepped away from the main storyline of the male and female leads, the future was entirely hers to write.
The college entrance examination arrived as scheduled.
He Mingchu and Bai Xiaomei appeared even more nervous than the two examinees.
The quality of meals at home noticeably improved.
On the day before the exam, Bai Xiaomei insisted on dragging both of them to Qianqiu Temple outside the city to pray for success.
Bai Xiaomei devoutly performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations: “Buddha bless, may both children in our family achieve top scores! Preferably both admitted to Qingbei… or at least top-tier universities!”
Lin Xiyue knelt before the Buddha: Dear heavens, please ensure her strategy succeeds! Let her stay far away from the male and female leads, and freely enjoy life by leveraging her knowledge of this era!
He Mingchu squinted at the sly smile on Lin Xiyue’s lips, wondering what unrealistic dreams she was wishing for.
He turned to glance at the Buddha statue before him—since they were already here: May his little pet remain in his palm forever.
Lin Xiyue enjoyed delicious vegetarian noodles at Qianqiu Temple, her pre-exam gloom completely vanishing. She devoured two large bowls and still felt unsatisfied when leaving.
Early the next morning, amidst the couple’s incessant chatter, He Mingchu and Lin Xiyue headed to the examination site together.
Just as they reached the school gate, someone grabbed Lin Xiyue’s arm.
“Lin Xiyue!”
Her mind fully occupied with the morning’s subjects, she turned abruptly with a momentarily dazed expression.
“…Pei Huaizhou?”
Noticing Lin Xiyue had stopped, He Mingchu also turned to look.
Pei Huaizhou cheerfully pulled a protective talisman from his chest: “I went to get this success talisman yesterday! Wear it—it’ll guarantee your admission!”
Just as Lin Xiyue was about to refuse, He Mingchu snatched it displeasedly and threw it back at Pei Huaizhou.
“What kind of worthless item is this? Does getting into university rely on praying to gods and Buddhas? How many examinees kneel before Buddha every day?”
Pei Huaizhou stared blankly for a moment before picking up the fallen talisman.
Lin Xiyue secretly elbowed He Mingchu and said to Pei Huaizhou: “Sorry about that, my brother has a bit of a temper.
“These kinds of talismans aren’t allowed in the exam hall anyway. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
“The bell’s about to ring! We need to hurry in for the exam! We’ll talk after!”
She immediately grabbed He Mingchu’s arm and dashed off, afraid Pei Huaizhou might process what happened.
While entering, she glimpsed Jin Yao and Jin Yu stepping out of a car from the corner of her eye.
Jin Yu spotted her too and called out loudly.
“Lin Xiyue, good luck on your exams. I’ll come find you in three days.”
Her heart jumped in fright, making her run even faster.
He Mingchu: “Who was that?”
Lin Xiyue: “That’s Jin Yao’s not-quite-right-in-the-head second brother.”
When He Mingchu met Jin Yu’s gaze, he felt a thrilling prickle—the excitement of one predator recognizing another.
Jin Yu seemed quite interesting too.
The exam format was similar to what she’d experienced before, though the question types differed slightly.
Having studied for months, Lin Xiyue handled the questions relatively smoothly. On the third afternoon, she left the exam site feeling light and relaxed. Since He Mingchu tested in a different location, they’d agreed whoever finished first would go home.
Lin Xiyue’s face instantly paled when she spotted Jin Yu’s black sedan.
This Pervert had actually come for her.
Glancing around, she prepared to escape through side streets, but Jin Yu had already emerged from the car, watching her with an amused smile.
“Since you’ve already spotted me, why are you leaving, Classmate Lin? Am I, Jin, not worthy of exchanging a few words with you?”