Chapter 136: Chapter 136

The girls were itching to replicate her look, while the boys’ eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets.

Usually, they all put on the facade of upstanding gentlemen, but in truth, aren’t they just visual creatures?

Gu Bichen’s reaction was the most composed of them all, but the smile on his lips grew increasingly suspicious the more you looked.

What? She’s actually Shen You’an?

Song Xiaojing furrowed her brows, her gaze slicing inch by inch across the face before her.

Soon, her face transformed into a smile as she stepped forward. "So, it’s Shen. Pardon my lack of sharp eyes—didn’t even recognize you for a moment. Shen, your transformation is incredible! You should really doll yourself up more often!"

Shen You’an shot back with four blunt words: "Waste of my time."

Everyone felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. A true scholar indeed—Shen’s approach to time management was something they could only hope to reach.

Song Xiaojing bit her lip and sneered inwardly. Fine, take your moment of glory.

When she looked up again, she suddenly caught sight of a tall figure standing by the courtyard gate—no telling how long he had been there.

Song Xiaojing asked uncertainly, "Liu... God Liu?"

The boy walked in slowly, the sunlight draping him in a golden halo, so dazzling it discouraged any bold stares.

He walked up to Shen You’an’s side. Together, they stood side by side, their matching golden-rimmed glasses and similarly refined, elegant demeanor making them seem destined for one another.

One was restrained and composed; the other, carefree and unbound—a paradoxical yet stunningly harmonious pair.

For a moment, an eerie silence blanketed the scene.

Song Xiaojing dashed forward with excitement. "Liu, I truly didn’t expect you to come. I’m so thrilled!"

She hadn’t dared to dream.

Yet Liu Runxi had actually shown up.

Suddenly, Song Xiaojing felt a halo of pride surrounding her. Even her aunt and uncle might praise her for this.

Liu Runxi handed over a delicately wrapped gift box, his tone indifferent: "Happy birthday."

Song Xiaojing immediately accepted it with both hands, her face alight with excitement.

A birthday gift from Liu Runxi—she wouldn’t even guess how many girls would be jealous of her now.

Gao Yuyue narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Liu Runxi.

"Don’t you always avoid these extracurricular activities? If something unusual happens, there’s bound to be a reason. What sly tricks are you hiding now?"

Gu Bichen walked over with a smile. "Mr. Gao misunderstands. Runxi is an astronomy enthusiast—he’s here for tonight’s meteor shower."

Gao Yuyue waved her hand dismissively, "Whatever, we’ll go play over there."

Gao Yuyue grabbed Shen You’an and dragged her off to another corner.

Gu Bichen chuckled and shook his head. "Runxi, knowing this, we could’ve come together."

Liu Runxi’s expression remained indifferent. "I thought you’d gone back to Jingzhou."

"Qingzhou is far from Jingzhou. If there’s no pressing matter, I’d prefer to spend some extra time exploring Qingzhou. After all, it will be my home for the next three years."

After a pause, he added, "If you have time next week, I’d like to pay a visit to your uncle and aunt."

Behind his glasses, the boy’s gaze was cool and detached. "I’ll let them know."

"Shen, did you put on makeup?"

Hao Yun stared at her face, posing an existential question.

Could Shen You’an have become this stunning? Was this one of the Four Great Asian Arts of Sorcery—makeup?

How could her skin be so flawless and fair? How much pre-makeup primer and foundation would she have to layer to achieve this?

And that outfit—wasn’t it the newest fall release from some luxury brand? Could she afford it? Surely it wasn’t counterfeit?

Hao Yun’s mind was flooded with question marks, refusing to acknowledge Shen You’an’s natural beauty.

Ridiculous. If she were really this gorgeous, she’d already be flaunting it. Why spend every day looking so drab and lifeless?

Gao Yuyue stuffed a skewer of lamb into her mouth. "Even food can’t shut your mouth."

Hao Yun suddenly had another question. "Didn’t you used to dislike Shen You’an? How come you’re hanging out with her now?"

Gao Yuyue shot her a glance. "Could you shut up already? Constant chattering—it’s annoying."

Unable to handle Gao Yuyue, Hao Yun begrudgingly shut her mouth.

But then, she noticed Ren Chong grinning foolishly at his phone. From her angle, she could see exactly what was on his screen.

"Oh, wow, Ren Chong—you’re actually sneaking photos?"

It was a candid shot of Liu Runxi and Shen You’an together. The lighting and angles were on point, capturing them as a perfectly matched golden boy and jade girl.

Ren Chong immediately jumped to his feet. "What eye of yours saw that I was sneaking photos?"

Their arguing drew most eyes toward them.

Hao Yun noticed Liu Runxi also looking over. She loudly proclaimed, "You were secretly photographing Liu Runxi and Shen You’an. Let’s see if Liu Runxi will get mad at you."

Liu Runxi’s sensitive background made him particularly averse to candid photos. Ren Chong was practically dancing on a landmine here.

Hao Yun hadn’t had a chance to stir up trouble in a while, so she eagerly tattled to Liu Runxi.

Unexpectedly, Liu Runxi merely smiled faintly. "It’s just a photo, that’s all. I’m not that petty."

Hao Yun was dumbfounded—this didn’t align with the rumors at all!

Everyone knew the unspoken rule: Liu Runxi’s photos weren’t to be spread around. If it came to light, serious consequences could follow—even entire families facing repercussions.

Ren Chong gleefully smirked at Hao Yun. "It’s not a photo of you—why are you jumping around like crazy?"

Then he turned to Shen You’an, shamelessly grinning. "Shen, you wouldn’t accuse me of violating image rights, would you?"

Shen You’an shot a glance at Liu Runxi, smiling faintly. "If even God Liu doesn’t mind, and I do, wouldn’t that make me seem petty?"

The sunset bathed the courtyard in golden light, enveloping everything in stillness.

Liu Runxi subtly lowered his gaze, a smile hovering on his lips, faint and ambiguous.

At this moment, Song Xiaojing accompanied a wealthy-looking woman as they stepped out of the villa. The woman was decked out in jewels, her laughter preceding her arrival.

Everyone saw her walk straight toward Liu Runxi. "Mr. Liu, your presence truly brings honor to our humble Song family."

Liu Runxi’s expression remained aloof and distant, his young demeanor already carrying an intimidating authority, suppressing others effortlessly.

"You’re too kind, ma’am."

"It’s all thanks to our Xiaojing. Mr. Liu, please extend my regards to Mr. and Mrs. Liu. If there’s a chance, we must visit your home sometime."

The boy curved his lips mockingly, the trace of scorn behind his glasses fleeting.

"Xiaojing, make sure to take good care of Mr. Liu," Huang Zhen urged earnestly.

With a shy smile, Song Xiaojing softly replied, "I will."

The crowd had grown accustomed to scenes .

Even their own parents, upon meeting Liu Runxi, would undoubtedly try to cozy up to him.

And it was in moments like these that they clearly understood: Though they shared the same classroom as Liu Runxi, the gulf between them in social class was something they might never bridge even in a lifetime, no matter how hard they fought.

After exchanging pleasantries, Huang Zhen turned to the students and said some conventional polite remarks about enjoying the food and drinks.

As she left, her gaze lingered briefly on Shen You’an in the corner. Beneath her refined smile, a glint of malice flashed across her eyes, chilling and sharp as she exited the courtyard.