Luuo Yunqi ran all the way to the edge of Swan Lake, trembling uncontrollably as she broke down.
The high school life she had imagined shouldn’t have been .
Where had it all gone wrong?
"Yunqi, are you okay?" Xiao Ling cautiously followed after her.
To be honest, Xiao Ling regretted helping Luuo Yunqi. Now the two of them were stuck on the same boat, and if she abandoned ship first, the people on shore wouldn’t show her any kindness.
It was better to cling tightly to Luuo Yunqi’s coattails. It was the only option she had left.
Luuo Yunqi stood by the lakeside, her back facing Xiao Ling, her silhouette trembling faintly.
It was unclear whether she was cold or furious.
Probably both, Xiao Ling thought.
In the middle of winter, with the northern wind cutting sharply, her teeth were starting to chatter.
"Yunqi, it’s really cold here. Let’s... let’s head back for now."
Her teeth were frozen stiff, making her words slurred and unclear.
"Don’t worry. Everyone knows it wasn’t you who did it. It won’t affect you," Xiao Ling reassured.
The cold wind blew, and Luuo Yunqi’s mind gradually cleared up.
"Won’t affect me?" Luuo Yunqi let out a bitter laugh.
"I’ve already lost the upper hand."
She hadn’t anticipated that after Mrs. Liu’s incident, those people would still dare to support Shen You’an.
But what she hated most was Leng Yunyang. He was the trendsetter at Lanya High School, and if he openly supported Shen You’an, then everyone else would naturally follow suit.
The school was like a microcosm of society; these pampered rich second-generation kids were all cunning and quick to adapt to the prevailing winds.
She still had to continue her journey at Lanya High School, and she absolutely couldn’t let this incident tarnish her reputation. As things stood, the best solution was to find herself a powerful backer, just like Shen You’an had.
Within this school, who could rival Leng Yunyang?
When she voiced this question, Xiao Ling answered unhesitatingly, "Of course, it’s Mr. Jiang." Thɪs chapter is updated by NoveIꜰire.net
An indistinct image flickered in Luuo Yunqi’s mind.
She had once seen Jiang Shengyao from afar on the basketball court—a sunny, outgoing, and confident young man.
Of course, paired with the halo of his family background, he became even more magnetic.
The Crown Prince of the Lanya Group, it could be said that Lanya High School was his domain. Even Leng Yunyang had to give him some deference.
Before this incident, Luuo Yunqi really didn’t know much about Jiang Shengyao—only that he was President Lan’s only son, a student in Class 1B of the first year. Often surrounded by companions, he liked skipping class but still maintained good grades, just shy of being promoted to Class 1A.
If Liu Runxi was like the moon, distant and unattainable,
then Jiang Shengyao was like the sun, dazzlingly bright and brimming with unabashed confidence.
Once Xiao Ling brought up Jiang Shengyao, she couldn’t stop herself: "Mr. Jiang is President Lan’s sole heir. Skipping class and getting into fights have been a daily occurrence for him since he was young. But in his own family’s school, how big of a deal could it ever be? I heard President Lan dotes on his son immensely—if Jiang Shengyao wanted stars, he’d fetch stars, if he wanted the moon, he’d build a ladder to get it. In Lanya High School, Mr. Jiang is undoubtedly more formidable than Young Master Leng."
The school essentially belonged to his family; he could do as he pleased.
"Why didn’t I see him in the cafeteria today?" Luuo Yunqi asked.
Xiao Ling let out an "Oh," "He’s the Crown Prince, after all. Maybe he doesn’t like the cafeteria food? I heard President Lan’s secretary often brings over meals from Wangyue Building. He even has a three-bedroom, two-living room private lounge near the principal’s office."
Xiao Ling’s tone couldn’t have been more envious. A glittering Crown Prince—if anyone could establish a connection with him, their school life would be incredibly smooth.
Girls had tried, but this young master seemed stubbornly oblivious, frustrating everyone.
Luuo Yunqi narrowed her eyes and muttered, "Jiang Shengyao~"
She pronounced his name deliberately and slowly, with an air that was both teasing and tinged with seduction. Amid the chilly winter, it somehow made one’s heart race and cheeks flush.
Xiao Ling’s eyelids twitched, stammering as she asked, "W-what are you thinking of doing?"
"Let’s go back to class," Luuo Yunqi said.
She turned around, leaving the lakeside behind.
Xiao Ling glanced at the surroundings. A gust of cold wind swept by, rippling the lake’s surface with endless rings and sending icy air rushing toward her.
Ahead, not far from where she stood, was a patch of bare woods. Nearby, clusters of vibrant holly bushes stood out as the only warm color in the wintry landscape.
The leaves of the holly bush rustled under the cutting wind. Xiao Ling rubbed her frozen hands together, gave the area a cursory glance, then hurriedly followed after Luuo Yunqi.
After the two of them had walked off, behind the holly bushes, a figure suddenly straightened up and turned their stiff neck.
It was a youthful boy, his features strikingly handsome and radiating a sunny disposition.