Chapter -13
Are You Really That Poor?
The footsteps echoing down the hallway grew faster and faster, until Pei Nian’an was practically running.
When Yu Zhi caught up with her, she saw Pei Nian’an’s eyes were red, though she stubbornly tilted her head up, refusing to let the tears fall.
Yu Zhi pulled a tissue from her bag and handed it over.
Pei Nian’an glanced at her, her voice trembling slightly. “I wasn’t wrong. She was the one who provoked me first.”
Yu Zhi nodded quickly.
“I think so too! But, Pei-jie, not to scold you or anything…”
Hearing that, Pei Nian’an wiped at the corner of her eyes and impatiently looked up, waiting for Yu Zhi to finish.
Yu Zhi took a deep breath, glaring at her in frustration.
“So much money—and you just threw it away like that!”
“If you’re so rich, why don’t you give me some?! Do you know how hard it is being your little lackey? I work my butt off for you! How could you let her off so easily? You got too much money burning a hole in your pocket, huh?!”
Pei Nian’an: “…”
Yu Zhi was still fuming.
“Seriously, Pei-jie, are you calm yet? If not, go ahead and smack me with a brick! Or better—hit me with a stack of cash! I’ll take it! Gladly!”
Pei Nian’an: “…”
No wonder everyone called Yu Zhi her “bootlicker.” The term didn’t even do her justice—this girl was on another level entirely.
Pei Nian’an reached out and pinched Yu Zhi’s cheek.
She had to admit, this bootlicker really was entertaining in her own ridiculous way.
【Congratulations, Host! The villain’s affection value has increased by 5!】
【Congratulations, Host! The villain’s affection value has increased by another 5!】
Yu Zhi: “???”
Huh? What’s going on?
Why did it suddenly jump like that?
Wait—don’t tell her Pei Nian’an was falling in love with her?!
Hearing Yu Zhi’s inner thoughts, the system sighed.
【How could the villainous heiress possibly fall for you? You know perfectly well she’s in love with the male lead!】
Yu Zhi: …Would it kill you not to expose me like that?
Made her sound like she was delusional!
【I’m just reminding you to respect the plot!】
【We’re in a proper Mary Sue novel, okay? Not one of those girl’s-love spinoffs. Respect the source material—start with yourself!!!】
…
Inside the classroom.
Wen Ying felt something wet on her forehead. She reached up and her fingertips came away sticky with blood.
She stared at the red stain for a couple of seconds before her vision went dark—and she collapsed onto the floor.
The classroom immediately erupted into chaos.
“Wen Ying!”
“Oh my god, Pei Nian’an killed someone!”
“Don’t talk nonsense! Somebody help carry her to the nurse’s office!”
An hour later.
The sharp scent of disinfectant filled the infirmary. Wen Ying frowned slightly as it hit her nose.
Just as she tried to sit up, a warm voice beside her said:
“Don’t move yet. Rest for a bit.”
She turned her head—and met a pair of gentle peach-blossom eyes.
“Senior Cheng Nian?” Her voice was hoarse. She coughed lightly, then asked, “Why are you here?”
Gu Chengnian stood up, poured her a cup of water, and handed it to her.
“I happened to be just outside the classroom when I heard you fainted. It was urgent—and your class is all girls—so I carried you here myself.”
Hearing that, Wen Ying’s eyes dimmed. “Sorry, Senior Cheng Nian. I must’ve troubled you.”
“What are you apologizing for?” Gu Chengnian felt a pang of guilt. Looking at the bandage on her forehead, his chest tightened.
She was so slender, yet so understanding. It made his heart ache.
Wen Ying looked up at him and smiled. “I mean, about what happened at the bar. I overreacted, ruined your clothes, and yelled at you. I’m sorry for that.”
Seeing the light return to his eyes, she felt a bit shy.
“Honestly, I could tell—you’re different from those other rich boys.”
When Wen Ying smiled, Gu Chengnian smiled too, turning his gaze aside.
“Oh, that. I didn’t take it to heart.”
Then he paused, his tone growing serious.
“About your injury—I already know what happened. I’m sorry. Nian’an can be really willful. Don’t worry, I’ll make her apologize.”
Wen Ying forced a small smile, lowering her gaze to the corner of the bedsheet.
“There’s no need, Senior Cheng Nian. Miss Pei is a rich heiress—why would she apologize to someone like me?”
She lifted her eyes again, speaking softly.
“And… I know you and Pei Nian’an are childhood sweethearts. I can understand why she targeted me today.”
Taking a sip of water, she set down the cup and lowered her lashes.
“So, Senior Cheng Nian… let’s just keep our distance from now on.”
When she finished, Gu Chengnian frowned.
“Childhood sweethearts?”
“Who told you that?”
His voice suddenly rose. “I only grew up with her! I’ve never seen her that way!”
Startled, Wen Ying shrank back slightly.
Realizing he’d scared her, Gu Chengnian immediately softened his tone.
“Sorry for shouting. I just wanted you to know—there’s nothing between me and her. Don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of this.”
Later, at a large shopping mall.
Pei Nian’an strode forward in her heels, the sharp click-clack echoing across the marble floor.
Yu Zhi followed behind, both hands full of shopping bags, with two more hanging from her neck—she looked utterly ridiculous.
They walked into a luxury boutique.
The moment the saleswoman saw Pei Nian’an, her eyes lit up.
“Welcome, Miss Pei! Long time no see…” The clerk smiled brightly. “We just got in some new dresses today—would you like to take a look?”
“No need.” Pei Nian’an sat down gracefully on the sofa, crossing her legs and waving dismissively. Then she looked back at Yu Zhi, frowning in disdain.
“Yu Zhi, you go pick out some clothes.”
Yu Zhi, busy adjusting the slipping bags around her neck, froze.
“Huh? Pei-jie, the clothes here are way too expensive—I can’t afford them…”
Pei Nian’an accepted the cup of tea handed to her by the clerk and crooked her finger. “Go get her size.”
Then she turned to Yu Zhi.
“You’re out shopping with me. How could I possibly let you pay? Go on—pick whatever you want. It’s on me.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes went wide. She quickly dropped the bags and scooted over to Pei Nian’an’s side.
“Pei-jie, first of all, I really appreciate your generosity. But if you really want to help the poor…”
She rubbed her fingers together hopefully. “Honestly, I’d rather have the cash…”
“You’re brutally honest.” Pei Nian’an rolled her eyes, then gave her a sidelong look.
“Are you really that poor?”
Yu Zhi: “…”
After a moment’s silence, Yu Zhi nodded solemnly.
“Just a little bit.”
“A little—times a hundred million.”
Pei Nian’an nearly spat out her tea.
