Lin Xi and Bai Wei sat in the classroom, the chair beside them empty for several days now, as Chen Shi Yi hadn't attended class in a while.
"It's really strange, Chen Shi Yi hasn't been here for days," Bai Wei remarked, suddenly remembering Chen Shi Yi's absence.
Even if Chen Shi Yi didn't show up, no one would think about her. Nowadays, she had earned everyone's disdain, so who would bother caring if she came to class or not?
Lin Xi felt indifferent towards Chen Shi Yi. She always felt Chen Shi Yi's gaze on her was peculiar, giving her an uncomfortable feeling.
Just as they were thinking about it, Chen Shi Yi, who hadn't shown her face for days, suddenly sat beside Bai Wei.
Bai Wei and Lin Xi exchanged a glance, confirming their unspoken agreement not to speak ill of others.
"Shi Yi, where have you been these past few days? Why haven't you been coming to class?" Bai Wei asked, noticing Chen Shi Yi's pale complexion.
Chen Shi Yi was indeed feeling unwell, having not slept well for days, her face was extremely pale, her skin in poor condition, with dark circles under her eyes. Chen Shi Yi forced a smile, "I've been sick these past few days, so I went home to rest. It's nothing."
Lin Xi felt a bit sorry for Chen Shi Yi.
Before, whenever she saw Chen Shi Yi, she always looked radiant, with exquisite makeup and beautiful dresses, always surrounded by a crowd wherever she went.
Now, however, Chen Shi Yi looked quite pitiful, but it was all of her own making, and there was nothing worthy of sympathy.
During class, Chen Shi Yi took out a small mirror and started applying makeup on her face. Because she looked so haggard, she could only rely on heavy makeup to cover it up.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Chen Shi Yi felt somewhat satisfied. Her former confidence had returned.
After class, Chen Shi Yi took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Lin Xi and Bai Wei.
"Xi Xi, Wei Wei, let's go eat together after class. We've known each other for so long, but we've never eaten together," Chen Shi Yi said sincerely.
Bai Wei had plans with a friend after class and had to decline, "Sorry, Shi Yi, I have plans with a friend after class. Maybe next time." Bai Wei apologized with a sheepish smile.
Disappointment was evident on Chen Shi Yi's face as she turned her gaze towards Lin Xi.
Lin Xi did have some free time after class, but she wasn't very familiar with Chen Shi Yi and wasn't keen on going.
"Xi Xi, will you come with me?" Chen Shi Yi asked expectantly.
After some thought, Lin Xi agreed with a nod. After all, it was just having a meal with Chen Shi Yi.
A hint of triumph crossed Chen Shi Yi's face. It was convenient that Bai Wei wasn't going, sparing her the trouble of finding an excuse. She had already arranged with Dragon Brother that as long as she brought Lin Xi, Dragon Brother would take care of the rest.
"All right, it's settled then. I'll come find you in the dorm after class, Xi Xi," Chen Shi Yi said affectionately, taking Lin Xi's hand.
...
Bai Wei had already left the dormitory, dressed and ready.
The wind was a bit chilly as Lin Xi put on a thick white coat to keep warm. Her phone rang, it was a call from Tang Mingchuan.
Lin Xi smiled as she answered the phone.
"Little girl, I have a friend coming over today, so I won't be able to come find you," Tang Mingchuan's gentle voice came through the phone.
They were in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, and he should have spent more time with Lin Xi, but an old friend had come, so he couldn't refuse.
"It's okay, I also have plans to eat with friends today. Have fun with your friend," Lin Xi replied understandingly.
"My little girl is so well-behaved," Tang Mingchuan chuckled softly on the other end of the phone. Since being with Lin Xi, he had become more and more fond of laughing.
As soon as Lin Xi hung up with Tang Mingchuan, she saw Chen Shi Yi at the door of the dormitory.
Chen Shi Yi overheard the contents of Lin Xi's call and her woman's intuition made her guess that Lin Xi was talking to Tang Mingchuan.
The jealousy in her heart burned even more fiercely. It wasn't the time to get angry now. She would see how Lin Xi could still laugh later. With this in mind, Chen Shi Yi put on a fake smile and said, "Xi Xi, let's go."
After saying that, Chen Shi Yi took Lin Xi's arm and walked out.
Lin Xi didn't like her familiar behavior, but out of politeness and not wanting to struggle, she could only let Chen Shi Yi lead her.
Chen Shi Yi led Lin Xi to the bar she often went to.
Seeing the sign above that read "bar," Lin Xi felt repulsed. She didn't like this kind of place, and Tang Mingchuan had also told her not to go to such places. Sensing Lin Xi's hesitation, Chen Shi Yi's eyes flashed, "Xi Xi, although this is a bar, it's also a lot of fun here."
Lin Xi shook her head, "Sorry, Shi Yi, my boyfriend doesn't allow me to go to such places. I promised to have dinner with you, but I didn't promise to go to such a place."
Lin Xi looked gentle, but she had her own ideas. Chen Shi Yi deceived herself, and Lin Xi didn't need to consider her face.
Chen Shi Yi didn't expect Lin Xi to refuse so decisively, and her face gradually turned cold. In this area, it was Dragon Brother's territory. Chen Shi Yi had planned to trick Lin Xi into the bar and then let Dragon Brother deal with her, but she didn't expect this little girl to refuse so decisively.
"Lin Xi, if you come with me today, you'll suffer less. If you don't..." Chen Shi Yi's words carried a hint of threat.
Chen Shi Yi had completely changed her appearance, all that hypocritical behavior from before was just an act.
Two burly men appeared behind Chen Shi Yi at some point.
Chen Shi Yi's pretty face exuded cunning, "Take care of this girl for me. Give her a good beating."
Lin Xi took two steps back. She didn't know why Chen Shi Yi had gone to such lengths to get close to her, only to harm her.
"Chen Shi Yi, can you tell me why?" Lin Xi stared at Chen Shi Yi, not showing any panic.
Lin Xi had her hand behind her, secretly opening her contacts list. The last time she went out with Tang Mingchuan, Tang Mingchuan had taken her phone and set him as an emergency contact.
This time it came in handy. Lin Xi first spoke to Chen Shi Yi to delay time, then pressed the dial button.
Chen Shi Yi smiled coldly, "Don't you know? It's because I posted pictures of you and Tang Mingchuan on the campus forum. I just can't stand to see you happy." Each word dripped with malice.
Tang Mingchuan was
drinking with his friend Shen Yan when suddenly his phone rang. It was his little girl calling.
Could it be that she was worried about him and called to check on him? Tang Mingchuan smiled gently. Shen Yan looked at Tang Mingchuan as if he had seen a ghost. Wasn't this the same Tang Mingchuan who used to reject the pursuit of the school's beauty and had no interest in romance?
Tang Mingchuan answered the phone, but instead of hearing his little girl's voice, he heard a girl's voice. It sounded like Chen Shi Yi.
Suddenly realizing, was this person on the phone Chen Shi Yi?
A bad feeling arose in Tang Mingchuan's heart.
Shen Yan watched as Tang Mingchuan's expression changed from gentle to serious.