Ning Shu watched as Ling Xue's gaze flickered, her expression shifting between an intense murderous aura and an aloof demeanor. Ning Shu couldn't fathom what was going through Ling Xue's mind that caused such dramatic changes in her aura.
She shrank back a little and said, "I can't afford a present, so I don't want to go."
Ning Shu was being honest. The presents that Leng Ao, a person surrounded by countless admirers, received on his birthdays were so extravagant that most people couldn't afford one even if they pooled their entire life savings.
A trace of contempt flashed in Ling Xue's eyes as she replied, "Didn't Leng Ao say that you didn't need to buy a present?"
A quick thought crossed Ning Shu's mind: When someone is overly attentive for no apparent reason, that person is either a traitor or a thief. Was the aloof female lead really interested in spending time with her? This felt suspicious.
Under the pressure of Ling Xue's intense gaze, Ning Shu realized she had little room to choose. She was just about to agree, but then abruptly switched tactics, saying, "Why do I have to go with you? If I'm going, I'll go by myself. Tch."
Her tone was laced with disgust as she imitated the way the original host treated Ling Xue. Although she had nearly agreed, there was no way the original host, who had despised Ling Xue, would ever attend the party with her.
This meant that Ling Xue was probing her; she was suspicious! A chill crept into Ning Shu's heart. How could cultivators defy the natural order to the extent that they could sense changes in souls?
The female lead's golden finger was indeed too powerful, and Ning Shu felt an immense pressure.
Ling Xue noticed Ning Shu's disgusted expression and scrutinized her face with narrowed eyes. The intensity of her stare felt like needles piercing Ning Shu's skin, causing her face to involuntarily contort.
Ning Shu glared at Ling Xue and yelled, "What are you looking at!?"
Before Ling Xue could respond, her deskmate interjected, "Lin Jiajia, Ling Xue has graciously allowed you to participate in Prince Leng's birthday party. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't even have the opportunity to go. Can't you recognize others' good intentions?"
Ning Shu turned to the girl who had spoken up for Ling Xue and said directly, "What does it have to do with you? I'm talking to Ling Xue; why are you butting in? What has Ling Xue done for you that makes you kneel and lick her toes? The person herself hasn't even said anything—what are you barking about?"
It was seriously refreshing. In any case, these people didn't like her, so why not shed all pretense of cordiality? Acting completely without fear was far more liberating.
When the student heard the vulgar words coming from Ning Shu's mouth, her face flushed with anger. She shouted, "You wretch!"
"You're the wretch. You're the most wretched. You're a wretch, wretch…" Ning Shu retaliated.
Ling Xue's deskmate had never encountered someone who cursed like a fishwife. In their social class, even if someone harbored deep hatred for another, they would still maintain a facade of amiability before backstabbing them.
In her past life, Ning Shu had witnessed many people causing trouble in the hospital. Making a scene like this was the most effective way to overpower others. When a scholar faced off against a soldier, even the most logical argument would fail to make an impact.
As expected, the female student was infuriated and itched to rip Ning Shu's jabbering mouth off.
Ling Xue pulled her deskmate to a stop and cast a cool gaze at Ning Shu. "Enough already."
Ning Shu's heart skipped a beat upon sensing the murderous intent in Ling Xue's gaze. She pouted reluctantly and shot a glare at Ling Xue's deskmate.
"What need is there to bother with an ignoramus? It only lowers your dignity," Ling Xue said to her deskmate.
The girl shot an arrogant look back at Ning Shu, as if she were some lowly creature.
Ning Shu's lips twitched. That girl had clearly become a shield for Ling Xue, allowing her to maintain her cool and elegant demeanor. Ning Shu really didn't understand what the girl was so proud of. What an idiot!
Ning Shu wanted to ask if the female lead would ever trade insults with someone without regard for her image.
It seemed she had successfully confirmed the female lead's impression of her, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that it felt refreshing to curse at people.