Chapter 283: Chapter 283

She saw that Shen You’an had no intention of stopping her, so in a fit of anger, she snatched all the chicken legs from Shen You’an’s plate and stuffed one into her mouth, puffing out her cheeks like a hamster.

"I’m going to do exactly what you don’t want. Hmph! You don’t want to see me? Then I’ll just keep hanging around you. What can you possibly do about it?"

Shen You’an shook his head helplessly, but his eyes glimmered with a soft, faint smile, like a winter’s ray of sunshine—fragile but warm.

He picked up the remaining chicken leg and handed it to her. "Here, take them all. Eat more."

Gao Yuyue grew even more annoyed. "Shen You’an, you’re so cunning! Are you trying to fatten me up, so that you’ll become the prettiest girl in Class A? There’s no way I’m letting your scheme succeed!"

As she spoke, she returned a few chicken legs to Shen You’an’s plate.

The two began playing around like kindergarten kids, completely oblivious of their surroundings. To the onlookers, it seemed like even Gao Yuyue had been infected with Shen You’an’s lunacy.

From afar, Qin Xiangge scoffed softly as she watched the scene. "Childish."

Gao Yuyue stared miserably at her untouched food. "How can you still eat at a time ?"

Shen You’an remained unbothered and continued eating. "Wasting food is shameful. Finish everything on your plate. If there’s even a single grain of rice left, you won’t get my midterm exam notes."

Gao Yuyue furiously stabbed at her rice. "Fine, you win."

As she stuffed rice into her mouth, she muttered, "But what if Mrs. Liu keeps causing trouble for you?"

"What can I do? Just let it be. I’m just a small fry here, no ties, no attachments. What do I have to fear?"

"Easy for you to say! That’s Mrs. Liu we’re talking about, the one who practically controls Qingzhou. If she decides to quietly kidnap you one day, you wouldn’t even know how you died."

Shen You’an squinted her eyes slightly. "You seem to be quite familiar with Mrs. Liu’s methods, don’t you?"

Gao Yuyue pursed her lips. "Just the other day, my parents took me to dinner with the Liu family. The way Mrs. Liu looked at me—tsk, tsk—it didn’t matter how hard she tried to hide it; she couldn’t escape my sharp eye. She’s definitely no benevolent figure. Does she really think her son is such a precious gem? That everyone would treasure him...?"

At this point, Gao Yuyue suddenly froze. "An’an, this is bad. I might have caused trouble for you!"

Shen You’an raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ n0velfire.net

"I blabbered too much. I accidentally told her that you get along well with Liu Runxi. Do you think she misinterpreted that, and now believes you have intentions toward Liu Runxi? Is that why she tried to humiliate you today?"

Shen You’an smiled and shook his head. "It has nothing to do with you."

But Gao Yuyue wasn’t comforted at all, her face filled with guilt. "It’s all my fault for saying nonsense. Forget it. From now on, I’ll stick to you like glue, and personally escort you to and from school every day."

She couldn’t resist adding, "That woman is downright crazy! Does she really think her son is some prized delicacy? Does she believe he’ll marry into royalty someday? Ha, it’s just delusional wishful thinking, like a dwarf dreaming of reaching the stars."

Shen You’an was amused by her analogy and laughed.

"Liu’s innocence shouldn’t get dragged into this, so let’s leave him out of it."

Gao Yuyue furrowed her brows and scrutinized her. "I’ve noticed you two have been getting closer recently. And now you’re defending him? Don’t tell me you actually like Liu Runxi?"

Shen You’an almost choked, took a moment to compose herself, and answered, "Not a chance."

Gao Yuyue gave her a skeptical look. "Really?"

The expression on her face seemed to say: I don’t believe you—not one bit!

Luuo Yunqi was ushered into a private room at Zirui Pavilion.

She had mentally prepared herself beforehand, but when her gaze landed upon Liu Runxi’s figure, a delicate joy flickered across her eyes.

Helian Yu smiled subtly. "Yunqi, come here."

Obediently, Luuo Yunqi walked over.

Helian Yu took hold of her hand and turned to Lan Man. "Let me introduce my dear junior to President Lan—this is Luuo Yunqi, someone I’m quite fond of, and coincidentally, a student from your school."

Lanya High School had way too many students for Lan Man to remember them all. However, she did find the girl standing before her somewhat familiar. She’d been making quite the rounds lately.

"Luuo made quite a splash recently after starring in Director Cen’s new movie. I’ve heard a bit about her, though I didn’t expect her to be your junior," Lan Man said smoothly.

Helian Yu raised an eyebrow and cast a fleeting glance at Luuo Yunqi by her side.

Feeling a bit nervous, Luuo Yunqi lowered her head slightly. "Madam... ."

Helian Yu smiled warmly. "Ah, Director Cen Shu? Then I’m reassured. If you enjoy acting, that’s fine with me. Just make sure it doesn’t interfere with your studies. President Lan, I hope you’ll look out for Yunqi on my account."

She truly seemed like a kind and gentle elder.

Lan Man quickly replied, "You can rest easy, Madam."

Luuo Yunqi quietly let out a sigh of relief, somewhat surprised that Madam Liu wasn’t angry with her—this was unexpected.

From the tone of Madam Liu, it sounded as if she was acquainted with Director Cen Shu, which puzzled Luuo Yunqi.

She discreetly glanced toward Liu Runxi, who had remained silent and detached from the beginning, like a passerby observing the scene.

Helian Yu patted her hand and gestured toward the seat beside Liu Runxi. "Go sit over there. You and Xixi are of the same age; there should be plenty to talk about."

A hint of joy sparked in Luuo Yunqi’s heart, though she maintained a calm, dignified composure as she took her seat.

Lan Man silently observed the interaction, feeling a twinge of surprise.

What sort of game was Madam Liu playing now?

Liu Runxi ate a few bites and then set down his chopsticks. "Apologies, I need some fresh air."

With those words, he didn’t bother acknowledging anyone in the room, turned around, and left without hesitation.

Lan Man wanted to laugh. This kid truly had no filter, essentially saying that the room full of people was suffocating him.

Luuo Yunqi felt a hint of disappointment, wanting to follow him but afraid of seeming too eager and drawing Madam Liu’s displeasure. Reluctantly, she stayed seated.

Thankfully, the meal ended soon afterward. Luuo Yunqi cautiously helped Helian Yu down the stairs.

"Yunqi, you’re a good child," Helian Yu’s soft words reached her ears.

A shy smile appeared on Luuo Yunqi’s face at just the right moment.

"But—" Helian Yu suddenly shifted the tone.

"There’s no destiny between you and Xixi. I can see it clearly. His heart belongs to another girl. Today, I intended to discourage her and make her retreat, but who would have thought... ."

Helian Yu gave a bitter laugh. "Forget it, I’m old now. I can’t meddle in your young romances anymore. But Yunqi, I have to say..."

Helian Yu’s gaze carried a deep sense of regret.

Luuo Yunqi instinctively grasped Helian Yu’s hand and blurted out eagerly, "Madam, I... ."

So Madam Liu actually favored her after all.

So the tension with Shen You’an was indeed an attempt to sever ties between them.

So... so her wildest hopes could come true.

At that moment, as she stared into the regretful eyes of the noblewoman towering over her, a surge of unprecedented courage and impulsiveness welled up within Luuo Yunqi’s heart.

Never before had she wanted someone to disappear from this world so badly as she did now.

To die—that would be perfect.

Immersed in her own thoughts, she utterly missed the flicker of mockery and coldness in the noblewoman’s eyes.