Xiao Yan immediately dialed her daughter's phone number.
Xiao Xiao, already back at school with Gu Yining, felt her hands tremble as she answered. "See? My potential blind date is probably being arranged right now. My life is so unfortunate."
Beside her, Gu Yining couldn't help but feel a bit gleeful. "Honestly, I'd welcome you joining the married ranks. Go ahead and answer; don't be a coward."
With a sigh of resignation, Xiao Xiao picked up the call. "Mom…"
"Xiao Xiao, have you offended Fu Hannen recently?" Xiao Yan's concerned voice came through the line.
Although the Xiao family wielded considerable influence, it paled in comparison to the Fu family. If Xiao Xiao had genuinely upset Fu Hannen, the repercussions for the Xiao family in Lingcheng could be dire.
"No, Mom! Why do you ask?" Xiao Xiao replied, bewildered.
"He approached me today and told me to hurry up and get you married. He's never shown interest in your affairs before, nor in our family matters," Xiao Yan said, her voice laced with anxiety.
"Ah... I see. Don't worry about it; it's nothing," Xiao Xiao said hastily, feeling a mix of confusion and apprehension as she hung up.
She turned to Gu Yining, a smile creeping onto her face. "You won't believe what Fu Hannen said to my mom today!"
"What did he say?" The mere mention of Fu Hannen made Gu Yining's heart sink; she felt an uncomfortable knot forming in her stomach.
"Fu Hannen told my mom to urge me to get married quickly. Can you believe that?" Xiao Xiao exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"Surely he's not blaming you for staying over at my place last night?" Gu Yining suggested, raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly! I never would've thought Fu Hannen could be so possessive. He's jealous of a girl! How ridiculous!" Xiao Xiao shook her head in disbelief, a shiver running down her spine at the thought.
Hearing this, Gu Yining couldn't help but smile, her spirits lifted. Last night, he had been upset because she hadn't agreed to spend the night with him, and today he was directing his frustration toward Xiao Xiao.
That stubborn man really had a hard time admitting he cared.
"Hey, have you guys heard? Zhao Yanyan was called into the principal's office and came out crying. Apparently, she's been stripped of her role as the host for the sports meet," one of their classmates chimed in.
"What did she do?" another asked.
"No idea! Zhao Yanyan was always a favorite with the principal and teachers," the first classmate replied.
As a group of students passed by Gu Yining and Xiao Xiao, their chatter filled the air around them.
Zhao Yanyan—the perfect student and ideal goddess—what could she possibly have done to warrant such punishment from the principal?
After parting ways with Xiao Xiao, Gu Yining headed to class. Just outside the classroom, she spotted Zhao Yanyan tearfully confronting Mu Zuocheng.
With swollen eyes and a pitiful expression, Zhao Yanyan looked truly heart-wrenching.
Mu Zuocheng, ever the soft-hearted one, offered her a tissue for comfort. "Don't cry. There are so many people watching."
Gu Yining glanced over as she walked past, but she continued into the classroom, ignoring the scene.
"Gu Yining, wait!" Zhao Yanyan suddenly called out.
Gu Yining halted and stepped back outside the classroom door. "Do you need something, Zhao Yanyan?"
"Whoever you've been cozying up to, that's your business. But why did your benefactor tell the principal to strip me of my role as the sports meet host? Now I've lost face in front of the teachers and students. Are you satisfied?" Zhao Yanyan exclaimed, her voice sharp and filled with indignation.
Normally soft-spoken and graceful, her current tone revealed just how deeply she felt wronged.