Chapter 138: Chapter 138

Song Xiaojing’s group of over ten people strolled leisurely up the mountain, treating it as a casual outing.

The night view atop Little Qing Mountain had its own unique charm. It was early autumn, with a cool evening breeze blowing, and the group of young people joked and laughed, playfully chasing one another. Such unrestrained youthfulness was truly a sight to behold.

At the very back of the group, Shen You’an strolled slowly. Gao Yuyue called from the front, "Shen You’an, are you a turtle or what? Can’t you walk any faster?"

The group simultaneously turned back to look at Shen You’an.

Although several hours had passed, everyone was still gradually acclimating to Shen You’an’s current appearance. Yet every glance couldn’t help but stir another wave of astonishment.

Forget about her looks—her stature and aura alone could easily rival, if not surpass, those of the campus belle Qin Xiangge.

Ren Chong chuckled to himself and nudged Zhu Ci. "Got stunned, didn’t you? You guys really judge people by their looks."

Zhu Ci snorted coldly, turning his head away with slightly awkwardness. "Even a pig can look halfway decent if dressed up enough."

Ren Chong rolled his eyes at him. "You must be crazy. Comparing my goddess to a pig?"

Gu Bichen, who had fallen a step behind, matched pace with Shen You’an, basked in the breeze, and remarked with a smile, "I didn’t expect you to come."

"That’s exactly what I wanted to say. You’ve only been here for a few days, Gu, but you’ve already made yourself at home with the class. Not bad at all."

The girl’s calm voice seemed to drift away with the wind, her lilting tone lingering in the ears, teasing lightly at one’s heart.

Gu Bichen shook his head with a laugh. "I think you’ve misunderstood me."

Shen You’an let out a faint scoff.

From beginning to end, Liu Runxi walked silently beside Gu Bichen, as though he were invisible.

At that moment, the headlights from behind flared brightly.

"Watch out..." Instinctively, Gu Bichen reached out to grab Shen You’an’s arm, but the girl sidestepped nimbly before he could.

His hand clasped nothing but air, gripping only the emptiness.

Several cars sped past, their exhaust whipping up fallen leaves into a whirlwind.

Now, Shen You’an ended up walking beside Liu Runxi. Liu Runxi stepped to the side, keeping an appropriately measured distance between them.

Yet as they strolled, the night breeze would occasionally lift the fabric of their clothes, causing them to brush against each other.

A faint and elusive fragrance lingered gently at the tip of the nose. In the dim light of evening, whose heartstrings seemed to waver momentarily?

Like a drop of water falling into the vast ocean, not even a ripple was stirred.

Hao Yun glanced back and, seeing Shen You’an walking so close to Liu Runxi, her anger surged immediately.

She furtively tugged Song Xiaojing’s sleeve and whispered, "Xiaojing, look! How is she walking so close to God Liu? I told you she wouldn’t just come for no reason. Turns out she’s here for God Liu—it’s shameless! She doesn’t even have the decency to wake up and take a hard look at herself. What status does God Liu come from, and what about her? She’s not even worthy to carry his shoes."

Song Xiaojing glanced over, her gaze darkened slightly, and her lips curled into a faint smile.

"You’re overthinking it. The Liu family’s threshold isn’t so easy to cross. Besides, God Liu has seen all kinds of gorgeous women—do you really think he’d be interested in her?"

"But I just can’t stand seeing her cling to God Liu..."

"What are you two whispering about?" Gao Yuyue asked curiously.

Hao Yun’s eyes flickered, and she leaned close to Gao Yuyue, starting to badmouth Shen You’an.

Gao Yuyue used to dislike Shen You’an the most, but no one knew what Shen You’an had done to make Gao Yuyue change her attitude towards her.

If Gao Yuyue realized Shen You’an was merely using her as a stepping stone, would the proud Miss Gao be able to stomach it?

Yet Gao Yuyue, after hearing Hao Yun’s complaint, merely chuckled and gave her a meaningful glance.

"You wish that was you walking beside Liu Runxi, don’t you?"

Hao Yun froze. "Gao Yuyue, are you out of your mind? Shen You’an is just using you as a stepping stone—how could you..."

"I don’t know if she’s using me as a stepping stone or not, but I do know you’re just sour grapes, Hao Yun. Stop being so fake. If you’ve got the guts, go shove Shen You’an aside and stand next to Liu Runxi yourself. I might even respect you for it. But if you don’t have the nerve and can only bitch about it behind people’s backs, then keep your head down and act like a person with some dignity."

Gao Yuyue’s stinging ridicule made Hao Yun’s face alternate between green and white.

What on earth did Shen You’an do to charm her? To make Gao Yuyue speak up for her?

Song Xiaojing hurriedly tried to mediate, "Yu’e, you’re misunderstanding Hao Yun. She’s only worried you’ll be cheated..."

"Can you stop beating around the bush when you talk? Honestly, what’s the point? Just say it straight out—is it illegal to speak plainly?"

Everyone’s got such convoluted minds.

Suddenly, she thought Shen You’an was really not a bad person. At least Shen You’an never played games behind people’s backs. Whatever she wanted to say, she said it directly.