Shen Yue didn't go to class; she ran back to the dorm.
Fortunately, no one was in the dorm as everyone was in class, otherwise, if they saw Shen Yue's current state, the campus would likely be rife with gossip.
Dirty and disheveled, Shen Yue washed her hair and showered. The hot steam blurred the mirror. Shen Yue wiped a section clean with her finger and leaned her face towards the mirror for a look.
Her lips were broken, so swollen she could barely face herself.
Shen Yue dried her wet hair and lay on the bed to sort through the plot.
Bai Qingzhen was an assertive and domineering girl. This was a novel with a protagonist whom everyone adored, and Bai Qingzhen had been spoiled since childhood. Although her demeanor was unrestrained, due to being overly protected, she retained a hint of innocence.
When the original host was bullied, Bai Qingzhen stepped forward and chased away the tormentors. However, she could only intervene once, not every time. So, when she witnessed the original host being bullied again, she openly declared that the original host was under her protection. From then on, no one dared to openly cause trouble for the original host.
These people weren't afraid of Bai Qingzhen, but rather of her childhood friend, Jiang Wei.
The aloof academic, He Ji.
The overbearing CEO's stepbrother, Bai Yanzhe.
The gentle campus heartthrob, Song Yan.
And various other cannon fodder, all of whom fell under the protagonist's charm.
The original host, who secretly harbored a crush on the campus heartthrob Song Yan, was jealous of how adored Bai Qingzhen was by so many. The person she revered as a deity was easily within Bai Qingzhen's grasp.
Thus, she became resentful, or perhaps the original host was always filled with malice.
She began to scheme and create animosity, even drugging Bai Qingzhen. In the end, her own schemes backfired, she ended up implicating herself, and was then severely retaliated against by the male leads, ultimately meeting a tragic end.
Shen Yue: ...
So, she was a wicked, short-lived cannon fodder.
***
Bai Qingzhen was slumped over her desk, feeling drowsy. But the moment the dismissal bell rang, she perked up.
Bai Qingzhen seemed rather unhappy today, her face long throughout the entire day of classes.
"Qingzhen, strawberry ice cream."
The afternoon weather was also very hot. Shen Yue had just gone to the store to buy an ice cream, and the hair on her forehead was already damp with sweat, clinging to her fair, smooth face.
Bai Qingzhen had wanted ice cream earlier and asked Shen Yue to buy it, but now she didn't really feel like eating it.
Yesterday, she had seen gossip about her stepbrother on her phone, and they had argued that night, parting on bad terms.
Or perhaps it was her unilateral cold war; her stepbrother had always treated her like a child and tried to appease her, but she was already an adult!
She had lost her appetite even for her favorite flavor of ice cream.
"I don't want it, you eat it."
Shen Yue lowered her head. "Thank you."
She returned to her seat and quietly licked the slightly melting ice cream.
The dismissal bell rang. Shen Yue packed her stationery. Her grades had always been among the top few in the entire school, consistently stable.
As soon as she finished packing her bag, Bai Qingzhen grabbed her arm.
Shen Yue looked up at her.
Bai Qingzhen took off her school uniform jacket, revealing a short, tight black tank top that showcased her striking figure. "Want to go out?"
Without waiting for Shen Yue's reply, she pulled her arm and walked outside.
Shen Yue silently carried her schoolbag, her tied ponytail swaying slightly.
Hi Hou Bar.
Intense drumbeats, explosive music, and a riot of colorful lights. In the middle of the dance floor, people of all kinds swayed their bodies wildly. Pale skin was particularly eye-catching under the flickering lights, and long hair swung back and forth.
The mixed air was filled with the scent of smoke and alcohol.
It was a scene of chaos, obscenity, and wildness.
Bai Qingzhen was very familiar with this place. She wound her way through the crowd and stopped in front of a red leather sofa.
"Jiang Wei."
The man, who had been having a blast, turned his head. His chiseled, handsome face still held a lingering smile. When he saw Bai Qingzhen, his eyebrows shot up. Then, he noticed the slender figure following behind Bai Qingzhen.
He froze for a moment, his pupils imperceptibly contracting. A thoughtful, speculative look flickered in his narrowed eyes.
Shen Yue was still wearing her school uniform, carrying her schoolbag. The exposed skin was dazzlingly white. She kept her head down, her profile bathed in fluctuating light. Her vivid lips were slightly pursed, and her neck was long and fair.
Shen Yue looked up and met Jiang Wei's gaze.
He looked at her like a hunter appraising prey, his thin lips curling into a hint of coldness.
The corners of her eyes were tinged with a delicate red. Her dark, calm eyes seemed to be imbued with layers of shimmering light.
It was as if she were silently seducing him.
Jiang Wei's heart skipped a beat. He frowned, a hint of disgust in his expression.
Bai Qingzhen was never a good student; she was rebellious and indulged in smoking and drinking.
However, she rarely did so, fearing Bai Yanzhe's anger.
But today, she didn't want to restrain herself anymore. Her tolerance for alcohol was low, and she had drunk a lot. As she became drunk, she started talking nonsense, her speech slurred, babbling incoherently.
Jiang Wei didn't stop her; there was no need. As long as he was there, Bai Qingzhen wouldn't be in any real danger.
He held a cigarette in his mouth, wearing only a black T-shirt. His shoulders were broad, his legs long, and there was a heavy fierceness in his eyes and brows. Despite his good looks, his demeanor was not amiable.
Smoke obscured his eyes, also concealing the emotions within them.
Bai Qingzhen vomited. Shen Yue had a plastic bag ready beforehand. Her expression unchanged, she threw the bag full of vomit into the trash can.
Jiang Wei finished his last cigarette and took out his phone to call Bai Yanzhe.
Bai Yanzhe arrived after some time. He was dressed in a black suit, handsome and mature, with deep-set features and tightly pressed lips, exuding an innate nobility and coldness.
He strode over and looked at the completely inebriated Bai Qingzhen, half his face cast in shadow, his profile sharp and distinct.
Facing Jiang Wei, who was enveloped in smoke, he said in a low, stern voice, "You shouldn't have let a girl come to a place like this."
Jiang Wei shrugged innocently, his demeanor casual, showing no respect to elders.
"I can't control her."
The smell of smoke and alcohol was too strong from the other side. Bai Yanzhe did not want to get too close. He turned to the only girl sitting on the sofa, still wearing her school uniform and looking obedient.
"Help Qingzhen over here."
The girl obediently helped Bai Qingzhen over. She wore a blue and white school uniform, her facial features clean and soft. There was a small red mole on the bridge of her nose. When she lowered her gaze, her thick, long eyelashes were visible.
She looked very well-behaved.
Completely out of place in this decadent bar.
Bai Yanzhe's tense facial expression softened slightly, but it was not very noticeable.
Shen Yue helped Bai Qingzhen into the car. Jiang Wei also followed them out.
Bai Yanzhe liked obedient children. He politely asked, "Do you need me to take you back to your dorm?"
Bai Qingzhen, in her current state, couldn't return to the dorm; she had to be taken home. The two people at home were still waiting.
The girl had been keeping her head down, fiddling with the hem of her clothes, her schoolbag on her back. Before she could speak, her slender shoulder was embraced by another strong, firm arm.