Chapter 012 – Dreaming the Cinderella Dream, Are You?

Shen Qingli suddenly remembered—there had been a similar rumor in her previous life.

But back then, she had truly liked Jiang Junwen, so she didn’t deny it.

And because she often made the first move and showed affection, Jiang Junwen in her past life wasn’t as hostile toward her as he was now.

Facing Qian Xiqiao’s sparkling, gossipy gaze, Shen Qingli said helplessly,
“It’s all a misunderstanding. Because this young master keeps skipping class, Mrs. Jiang asked me to keep an eye on him and send her a photo of him attending class every day.”

But since this reason involved private matters of the Jiang family, it wasn’t something she could broadcast to others openly.

After all, wealthy families’ affairs were best kept quiet.

At the Jiang residence, even household staff had to sign NDAs as their first task.

Although Shen Qingli wasn’t a servant there, her father and stepmother were—so she understood how many restrictions came with working for a rich family.

Qian Xiqiao: “…”

Disappointment visibly flashed across her face.

But soon, she frowned and said,
“Isn’t that kind of mother too scary? Her need for control is insane. No wonder Jiang Junwen’s so rebellious—it makes sense now.”

Shen Qingli smiled and shook her head, neither confirming nor denying.

…

At lunchtime, while Shen Qingli was eating in the cafeteria with Qian Xiqiao, she had just sat down when she heard voices behind her whispering:

“Hey hey, look—that’s the girl who stalks Young Master Jiang, right? Unbelievable, she looks all sweet and innocent, but turns out she’s a creep.”

“Pfft, haven’t you heard? She’s the daughter of Jiang Junwen’s family driver. She shamelessly lives at the Jiang home thanks to her dad’s job and even insisted on riding to and from school with Jiang Junwen. Clearly living in a Cinderella fantasy.”

“Tch, people like her are so annoying. If I were Jiang Junwen and had someone like that stuck to me, I’d go crazy.”

“Shameless people are unbeatable. The bolder you are, the more you get. Look—Young Master Jiang actually remembers her now.”

…

Shen Qingli continued eating calmly, expression unchanged.

But Qian Xiqiao was furious. She suddenly turned her head and glared at the gossipers behind them:

“Excuse me? What does this have to do with you? Since when is it okay to use unverified rumors to attack someone’s character? If you’re so righteous, do the police know about it? Want me to dial 110 and ask them what award they give for defamation?”

The girls stared back and shot back loudly,
“It’s not a rumor! Go look in the group chat—there are pictures. She’s chasing Young Master Jiang and sneakily taking pictures of him every day. She just can’t admit it!”

“Exactly. She snaps him during class, after class, even when he’s playing basketball. Who wouldn’t be annoyed?”

…

Qian Xiqiao exploded:
“She has a reason for that! Ali isn’t—”

“Xiqiao.”

Shen Qingli put down her chopsticks and gently grabbed Qian Xiqiao’s arm. Then she stood up, pulled out her phone, and turned to the gossiping girls behind them:

“First of all, I don’t like Jiang Junwen, and I have no interest in being with him. Second, I wasn’t sneaking pictures—I was taking them openly. Jiang Junwen agreed to it. So stop calling it stalking.”

She then played a short video clip from her phone.

In the video, Jiang Junwen stood under the night sky, his tone cold as he said,
“I said you can take pictures. Take them if you want…”

The clip ended right there.

In fact, what Jiang Junwen had really said was:
“I said you can take pictures. Take them if you want. Is that enough?”

But Shen Qingli had trimmed the last part—
It didn’t matter. The first half was what counted.

She played the video twice and then turned off her phone. Staring at the group expressionlessly, she asked,
“Any more questions?”

Everyone: “…”

They were clearly stunned.

One girl quickly spoke up:
“Shen Qingli, I’m so sorry! I only said that because I saw the gossip in the group and thought it was true.”

Another added,
“Yeah, yeah, and you’ve been following Jiang Junwen around taking pictures these past two days—we really thought you liked him. But it’s understandable. Lots of girls do.”

Shen Qingli: “…”

She picked up her bag and said,
“I accept your apology. Let’s hope there won’t be a next time.”

Then she turned to Qian Xiqiao and said,
“Today’s cafeteria food is awful. Come on, I’ll treat you to all-you-can-eat barbecue.”

Honestly, being around those people had completely ruined her appetite.

Qian Xiqiao looked at her with admiration:
“Ali, you were amazing! But… how did you think of recording that clip? Wasn’t Jiang Junwen mad?”

She couldn’t imagine someone like Jiang Junwen cooperating so obediently.

Shen Qingli thought back to that night and Jiang Junwen’s storming-off figure. She smiled and said,
“Oh, he was mad. But probably not for long.”

Probably fumed all night and couldn’t sleep.

Serves him right.

She and Qian Xiqiao left the cafeteria and headed straight for the south gate of campus.

Shen Qingli said,
“Didn’t you say last week that you wanted to try that new barbecue place? You said it was cheap and delicious—especially the cheesy ribs. Perfect. Let’s go today!”

Qian Xiqiao asked,
“Ali, how long do you have to keep taking those class photos of him?”

Shen Qingli smiled:
“Just these couple of days. After that, I won’t need to.”

Very soon, Luo Shuyao’s father would be taken down, and her mother would quickly whisk her abroad.

When that happened, Mrs. Jiang would stop being so obsessed, and Shen Qingli wouldn’t have to take pictures anymore.

Plus, after Luo Shuyao went abroad, Jiang Junwen would stop showing up at school altogether—he’d use every means possible to chase after her overseas.

Even though Mrs. Jiang confiscated his passport and ID, he still went rogue—drag racing, staying out all night.

He just went off the rails.

He went everywhere… except school.

…

They arrived at the BBQ place—only to run into Jiang Junwen, Yu Zhenghao, and Li Wenyao.

The three rich young masters often ate out together.
After all, Yu Zhenghao’s family owned bars, Li Wenyao’s family ran a restaurant chain, and Jiang Junwen’s family owned hotels.

Though their companies had expanded into many sectors, their roots were in hospitality—so they still ate out regularly in Haicheng.

And yet, this was the first time Shen Qingli saw them at such a basic, affordable place.

She thought to herself:
Can Jiang Junwen, the precious young master, even stomach this cheap food?

The waiter approached:
“Hello, table for how many?”

Shen Qingli held up two fingers:
“Two.”

This BBQ restaurant near campus was extremely popular.

It was right at peak dining time.
The waiter said,
“Perfect timing—we have one two-seater left. This way, please.”

He led them to a cozy corner by the window.

The layout of the restaurant had small booths divided by screens, each with a four-seater and a two-seater table, which could be pushed together if needed.

Normally, they stayed separate.

As they followed the waiter into the booth, they saw that a group was already seated at the four-person table.

Even more awkward—they were people they knew.

Yu Zhenghao was the first to spot them.

He nudged Jiang Junwen, then immediately stood up, walking around the table with a big smile:

“Hey hey, you two came for BBQ too?”

Qian Xiqiao knew Yu Zhenghao—he’d helped move her luggage at the start of the semester.

She greeted him cheerfully:
“Senior Yu! What a coincidence!”

Yu Zhenghao grinned:
“No tables left, huh? Don’t wait—just sit with us. We’ve got room!”

He added,
“I was just saying, it’d be better to push the two tables together than have strangers sit next to us. And look—it’s you two. Perfect. Join us!”

He reached out and gently pulled Qian Xiqiao’s arm. She didn’t think much of it and tugged Shen Qingli along.

But Shen Qingli suddenly stopped in her tracks.

She’d just spotted Jiang Junwen—and her mood soured instantly.

In her previous life, she’d schemed just to accidentally run into him.

Now that she was reborn, she kept bumping into him without even trying.

Thankfully, in this life, they’d only known each other a few days.

They weren’t close—just acquaintances.

The two tables were separated by about a meter.
Even sitting nearby wouldn’t really disturb each other.

The young masters were just used to keeping their distance from others.

Yu Zhenghao went back and clapped Jiang Junwen’s arm with a knowing smile.

After all, they’d just been gossiping about the rumors in the chat group—especially about Shen Qingli “secretly” taking photos of Jiang Junwen.

And now, the main character herself had appeared.

Yu Zhenghao, always one for drama, eagerly stood up and pulled out chairs for the girls:
“Come come, sit! Help yourselves to whatever you want—today’s on me.”

Shen Qingli quickly replied,
“No need, Senior Yu.”

Qian Xiqiao also said,
“Thanks, but maybe next time.”

Jiang Junwen remained silent the entire time.

Yu Zhenghao smiled:
“Alright, you’re being too polite.”

Then he turned to chat enthusiastically with Qian Xiqiao.
Li Wenyao glanced at Shen Qingli now and then without saying anything, phone in hand.

Jiang Junwen lit a cigarette, staring at Shen Qingli through the smoke.

Shen Qingli turned and pulled Qian Xiqiao away.
“Well, since there’s no room here, let’s find another place. We won’t disturb your meal.”