Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Waiting for Her to Beg Him Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Waiting for Her to Beg Him Lin Zhiyi had just returned to her dorm room when she saw her off-duty roommates had already prepared a cake and flowers.
“Congratulations! Welcome!”
She was touched as she accepted the flowers from her roommates.
“Zhiyi, I listened to your jewelry presentation online, and I don’t know why, but it nearly made me cry.”
“And the way you took down Song Wanqiu, that was just so satisfying.”
“Oh, and about that online stuff, don’t worry. We’ve posted all of your past achievements. Most netizens aren’t fools; they know what being top in the field means, and it isn’t just talk! Song Wanqiu accidentally ‘liked’ it, and now she probably regrets it.”
Hearing this, Lin Zhiyi was somewhat surprised but swiftly unlocked her phone.
Though the online comments weren’t earth-shattering, many people were starting to see the truth.
“This is a school-verified achievement; surely Lin Zhiyi didn’t sleep her way through all her professors, right? And there are several female teachers in there.”
“Accidental ‘like’? I think some people’s brains must be real slick not to make such a mistake unless they’re just brainless fans still trying to defend her.”
“You’re all just jealous because our Wanqiu is beautiful and kind-hearted and has Third Young Master to protect her as her fiancé.”
“They already said it was an accident. Why would Wanqiu apologize if it was on purpose?”
After reading, Lin Zhiyi looked up at her roommates. With a thousand words on the tip of her tongue, other than ‘thank you,’ she really didn’t know what else to say.
In her previous life, they had helped her, and in this life, they were helping her again.
“Alright, no more thanks, let’s cut the cake. Some of us are dying for a slice.”
One of the roommates holding a fork and a small plate pouted, “You’re not craving it. You’re not craving…”
Another roommate laughed, “Let me tell you guys something funny. Just now on my way back, I heard Shen Yan’s roommates saying she had fainted and fallen into a squat toilet; half her face was covered in crap. The emergency responders couldn’t contact her family, so they contacted a teacher, and there happened to be a lot of students standing nearby who overheard everything.”
“Ew… are you trying to make me lose my appetite for cake? That’s so disgusting.”
Lin Zhiyi thought of the scene and her appetite waned.
But as Shen Yan was getting her comeuppance, she couldn’t help but feel happy.
Preparing to cut the cake, all her roommates sat down beside Lin Zhiyi.
“Zhiyi, we’re moving out tomorrow for our internships. You have to take good care of yourself. I’m still looking forward to having a well-known designer friend.”
“When you become a big shot in the industry, don’t forget to help us out.”
“Got it, I won’t forget any of you, no matter what.”
Lin Zhiyi looked at the four little figures on the cake, each with its corresponding name.
The naive Shuangshuang, Lai’er who had narrowly escaped being tricked into marriage, the gossipmonger Dazhu.
And there she was, Lin Zhiyi, who once was oblivious to the fortune she had.
While chatting and enjoying cake, Lin Zhiyi received a call from Mr. Wu.
“Zhiyi, the school has organized a celebration dinner for you and Song Wanqiu tomorrow night. We’ve invited some big shots who graduated from our school. It’s a rare opportunity, take advantage of it and start building your network in advance.”
“OK, thank you, Teacher.”
Mr. Wu always thought of her when there was good news.
In her previous life, her greatest regret was letting down Mr. Wu when she gave up on the contest.
When he heard she was abandoning her studies to get married, Mr. Wu had called her five times in a single day trying to persuade her.
But by that time, she was already stuck in a quagmire, beyond anyone’s control.
The following evening.
Lin Zhiyi wore a gray-blue evening gown; her long hair draped over her shoulders, creating a modest, yet fitting appearance.
But she wondered if it was the fabric that made the dress feel a bit tight after washing, as it seemed to cling to her body more than before.
Without giving it much thought and noticing it was time, she made her way to the restaurant.
As she approached the private room, Song Wanqiu’s voice was already spilling out from inside.
“Third Young Master said it was on the way to stop by and check on me; I’m a little embarrassed.”
Gong Chen was a busy man; how could it be on his way to come here?
It was obvious that she had come with Song Wanqiu.
Song Wanqiu had made such a point to tell everyone present about the depth of her relationship with Gong Chen, implying that they all had to give her face.
“Third Young Master and Miss Song are truly affectionate.”
“Yes, a talented man and a beautiful woman, the envy of others.”
At that moment, Lin Zhiyi pushed the door open and entered.
As she made her entrance, the few industry stars who had graduated from the school and had been specially invited couldn’t take their eyes off her.
Their gazes swept over her face and figure repeatedly.
Some looked carefully, but others were unabashed and crude.
Lin Zhiyi couldn’t afford to offend these insiders; she nodded cautiously and walked straight to the principal.
The principal smiled and called out, “Now that everyone’s here, please take your seats. Third Young Master, this way, please.”
Gong Chen hummed an acknowledgment, passing by Lin Zhiyi with a chill that made her involuntarily clench her fists.
Song Wanqiu was Gong Chen’s fiancée, naturally sitting beside him, second only to the principal in status.
She, acting like the hostess, directed Lin Zhiyi to sit among the guests.
“Zhiyi, these gentlemen are alumni of our school and have made quite a name for themselves; you sitting in the middle is perfect for learning from them.”
Lin Zhiyi wanted to refuse, but one of the men immediately reached out and pulled her to sit down.
“No need to be polite, junior sister, we’ll take good care of you.”
A middle-aged greasy man who had graduated over a decade ago, how dare he call her junior sister?
She had just sat down when those greedy-eyed men quickly took up the seats beside her.
Wanting to change seats was now impossible with no place left.
Lin Zhiyi could only endure the sticky gazes around her and feign composure.
At the head table, Song Wanqiu sipped her tea, smiling at Lin Zhiyi.
A harmless smile but with eyes like a venomous spider, spitting silk of poison, entangling Lin Zhiyi tightly in her web.
Lin Zhiyi sat upright, alert and ready to handle the situation.
As it was a banquet, alcohol was inevitable.
The principal raised his glass to toast Gong Chen, and suddenly, table etiquette turned to the culture of drinking.
When it was Song Wanqiu’s turn, she glanced at Gong Chen beside her and apologetically said, “Third Young Master doesn’t allow me to drink alcohol. The seniors can drink with Zhiyi; she’s not like me, controlled by someone.”
She gave a helpless smile, which in reality was a hint to some that Lin Zhiyi was single.
Everyone looked at Gong Chen, who emanated a dangerous aura, not daring to provoke him.
Therefore, they turned their attention to Lin Zhiyi.
Lin Zhiyi could handle a bit of beer, but she had never touched spirits, barely able to stand the taste.
She wanted to find an excuse to refuse when the man in front of her pushed a full glass of liquor toward her.
“Junior sister won’t be so discourteous, right?”
“Zhiyi, it’s okay, in the future we’ll all be in the same circle, it’s good to get to know each other,” coaxed Song Wanqiu gently, sipping her tea.
She couldn’t feel the pain of the bullet that didn’t hit her.
Lin Zhiyi pursed her lips, looking around.
The principal, after a few rounds of drinks, was already somewhat drunk and couldn’t manage the situation here.
The others, upon meeting Lin Zhiyi’s gaze, immediately turned to chat with someone else, clearly not daring to handle the situation.
After all, the ones with the biggest names were those so-called seniors, urging Lin Zhiyi to drink with them.
These three were not only famous but also had a big temper, and they loved to gang up and ostracize anyone who stood out.
Finally, Lin Zhiyi’s gaze fell on Gong Chen.
He was lazily sipping tea, and with a leisurely lift of his eyes, he met Lin Zhiyi’s gaze with a depth filled with light mockery.
Lin Zhiyi knew that he was waiting for her to ask for his help…