Chapter 7

After getting blocked on WeChat, she simply created a new account and tried again. This time, her friend request went through—but the messages she sent disappeared into the void, with no reply at all.

It seemed Lu Xun truly hated her. Jiang Qiao finally gave up on texting him.

Instead, she wrote the home address she had pried out of Zhao Kai into the delivery forms and started sending things to Lu Xun.

Watches worth over ten grand, designer shoes and clothes costing thousands—as long as she thought it suited Lu Xun, she bought it and had it delivered straight to his house.

Yes! That’s how a domineering villainess heiress shows her love—with over-the-top spending and simple, brute sincerity!

Under such aggressive pursuit, it only took three days for Lu Xun to move into the school dorms. At the same time, he returned every single package, completely unopened.

Jiang Qiao looked at the mountain of still-sealed delivery boxes and fell silent: “………………”

“One who rises from the mud yet remains unstained… with clean sleeves and a heart of iron… unwavering like a rock…” she muttered, spouting poetic praises line by line.

166 jabbed at her:
[Why don’t you go sign up for a speech and drama class instead? What are you even saying?]

Jiang Qiao, with her pampered and willful personality, made a huge scene chasing after him. In just a few days, the story of “Jiang family heiress Jiang Qiao chasing after poor genius student Lu Xun” had spread across the entire school.

Song Qingying bit her lip, absentmindedly poking her textbook with a pen over and over. Beside her, Lu Xun looked the same as always, unaffected.

When the bell rang, she couldn’t hold back and asked,
“…I heard Jiang Qiao is pursuing you?”

Lu Xun frowned slightly and replied, flatly, “Don’t know.”

He didn’t seem to care, but Song Qingying still felt stifled. She wanted to ask if he liked girls like Jiang Qiao, but she didn’t feel like she had the right—and the thought alone made her feel disappointed.

Still, the news that Lu Xun had moved into the dorms lifted her mood. “Want to have dinner together in the cafeteria?” she asked, her cheeks slightly red as she added shyly, “I’m staying on campus too—I can show you the best spots to eat.”

“No need.” Lu Xun didn’t seem to notice the way her expression dimmed. He added politely, “I’m taking leave tonight.”

He wasn’t intentionally avoiding her—he genuinely had something to do.

Song Qingying’s face brightened slightly again, and she smiled. “Alright, then maybe next time.”

Just then, Jiang Qiao walked over. Lu Xun’s eyes flickered. The words of rejection were already in his mouth—but he swallowed them and instead said,
“Okay.”

His tone was gentle, completely unlike the cold disdain he showed to Jiang Qiao.

Song Qingying hadn’t even had time to be happy when the table was suddenly slammed. A girl’s angry voice followed:

“Okay, huh? Lu Xun, are you rejecting me just for this country bumpkin?!”

Here we go again!

After a few days of peace, the classic villainess-bullying-the-heroine scene had returned.

Look at the female lead’s pale little face—if she were a guy, even she’d feel sorry for her!

[166, I really am so bad,] Jiang Qiao sighed emotionally.

166 was used to her bragging, but when she suddenly insulted herself, it was momentarily thrown off. It awkwardly consoled her:
[Just following the plot.]

[Exactly!] Jiang Qiao said. [I can be even worse!]

166: [………………]

Song Qingying’s eyes were slightly red. Jiang Qiao sneered, full of disdain, and shamelessly said:

“Song Qingying, is it? What makes you think you’re qualified to fight me for him?”

She stood there proudly like a little peacock—beautiful and noble—yet her words were pure venom.

“Are you mute now? Lu Xun, I’m asking you—what did you promise her? What’s your relationship with her?”

“Why is it that when I ask you out, you always say no, but when she asks, you say yes?”

Her voice droned endlessly beside his ear, giving everyone a headache. The curious eyes of their classmates were already watching the drama unfold.

The irritation in Lu Xun’s heart grew even stronger. He said coldly,
“Jiang Qiao, have you had enough?”

Caught off guard by his sharp tone, Jiang Qiao froze in place.

Song Qingying bit her lower lip hard, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she forced herself to look strong and stared back at Jiang Qiao.
“Classmate Jiang, I admit I can’t compare to you in terms of family background or looks. But when it comes to character and manners, you might not be any better than me.”

With Lu Xun seemingly taking her side, Song Qingying gained confidence.
“What kind of relationship I have with Lu Xun is none of your concern. Our conversation is also none of your business.”

Jiang Qiao: “………………”

Around them, whispers and mocking laughter started to rise. Jiang Qiao’s eyes turned red with anger, but she refused to back down.
“Lu Xun, is that how you really feel too?”

Lu Xun seemed to pause. He slowly lifted his gaze and was silent for a few seconds before responding in a flat tone:
“…What if I said yes?”

“………………”

Right in front of everyone, Jiang Qiao was humiliated. Without even asking for leave, she walked out and skipped class.

At a street-side spicy hot pot stall, Jiang Qiao plopped down on a small plastic stool and shouted, loud and clear:
“Boss! Extra chili and extra spice!”

“Got it!” the stall owner replied cheerfully.

Jiang Qiao happily popped open a can of Coke and took a big gulp. Skipping class to eat street food and drink soda—it felt amazing!

There wasn’t a single trace of sadness left on her face.

166 watched her seamless emotional switch and barely held back the urge to roll its eyes.
[Keep your voice down! Don’t let anyone who knows you see—your persona will collapse.]

Who had ever seen a pampered heiress from a wealthy family squatting on a sidewalk stall eating spicy hot pot?!

166 was truly baffled. Jiang Qiao, in the real world, was a top-tier celebrity, yet she looked completely at home in a cheap street food stall.

It wasn’t that 166 looked down on street food—it just didn’t fit the image of a glamorous actress.

After pondering for a moment, it couldn’t help but ask.

Jiang Qiao picked up a bundle of glass noodles with her disposable chopsticks, drenched in sesame sauce and chili oil, and popped it into her mouth, smiling with squinted eyes.
“I wasn’t born a star.”

Before she became a celebrity, she was an orphan. With the help of the orphanage director, she got the chance to go to school. Then, by sheer luck, she was discovered by a talent scout.

When she got her first paycheck from filming, she finally didn’t have to worry about the price of things—and she treated herself to a big meal of spicy hot pot.

166 went silent. As a system made of code, it felt for the first time like its nonexistent heart was a little heavy.

With 166 no longer nagging, Jiang Qiao finally got to eat in peace. A bite of tofu pouch, a bite of kelp sprouts—she was happily enjoying her meal.

The boss was generous with the chili, and soon Jiang Qiao was teary-eyed and red-nosed from the heat. When she looked up, she was startled to see someone sitting across from her.
“Cough, cough, cough…”

Everyone knows how torturous it is to choke while eating spicy food—Jiang Qiao was coughing so hard that tears streamed down her face.

The person across from her quickly handed her a bottle of water, already opened and placed into her hand. The boy’s voice was openly nervous and concerned:
“Are you okay? I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to scare you.”

It was Zhou Yue, the guy who had fallen for Jiang Qiao at first sight on the school field. He apologized sincerely:
“You just looked so focused while eating… I sat down without thinking. I didn’t expect…”

Didn’t expect her to react so strongly.

So basically—it was her fault for being such a scaredy-cat!?

Jiang Qiao glared at him fiercely!

But with tears still hanging in her eyes, shimmering and on the verge of falling, she didn’t look threatening at all.