Her face was filled with rage, but she mustered all her years of learning to keep to the social etiquette. “What do you think you’re doing, Qin Jing? Xu Xuan and I are talking about private matters. Why are you out here throwing stones and causing trouble for other people? Is this how you were taught to behave in the Qin household?”
“Well, who told you to be in our way, yelling and yapping like a shrew?” Qin Jingretorted.
“You!” Yao Ranbit out through gritted teeth. She barely stifled the urge to shake her fists at the other girl. “Why are you doing this? Who gave you the right to bully me?”
“Who said I need a reason to piss you off?” Qin Jingsmirked.
Yao Ran was so furious, steam was practically coming out of her ears and nostrils. She shot one last glare atYao Tangbefore stomping off in a huff.
Qin Jing glanced atXu Xuanbut said nothing.
They were about to walk past her when Yao Tangsaid, “What are you doing, still sticking around? Come with us, we’re going to check onGrandma Xu.”
Her words seemed to snap some sense into Xu Xuan. Her eyes gleamed as she whispered, “Thank you.”
“We’re not doing this for you, you know,” Qin Jingharrumphed crossly.
Xu Xuan’s stoic personality annoyed her to no end. She doubted the girl would understand their good intentions even if they said it to her face.
What Xu Xuansaid next caught her by surprise. “In the future, please don’t interfere in our matters anymore, okay? I will take responsibility for her debts. I’ll be sure to pay them off.”
Qin Jing gaped at her in a mix of indignation and disbelief.
Why was Xu Xuanspouting all this nonsense after everything thatYao Ranhad put her through?
Something must be wrong with this girl’s brain.
“Not only is Yao Ranusing you to pay off her debts, but she has also taken advantage of you and made you do other dubious things. Why do you persist in standing up for her? Just why?”
Qin Jing couldn’t understand it at all.
She felt like bursting from outrage. She couldn’t help but look at Xu Xuanlike the latter was an utter fool. This girl was so young and promising, yet she constantly volunteered herself to be taken advantage of by others.
Xu Xuan lowered her head in shame. She was silent for a moment, and when she spoke, her voice was small and timid. “You don’t have to bother yourselves about my connection withYao Ran.”
“All right, fine!” Qin Jinggrumbled.
“Suit yourself, then. If I still continue to defend you after this, that would make me the fool!”
Xu Xuan nodded impassively, her face blank.
If it weren’t for the fact that they were going over to check Grandma Xu’s condition, Qin Jing would have walked away and left a long time ago. She couldn’t bear to stay in Xu Xuan’s presence for one more minute.
The three girls walked toward the school gates, unaware that someone was shooting daggers at them from behind.
Yao Ran had dropped some of her stuff when she was fleeing earlier. She had just come back to retrieve them when she spottedXu Xuanwalking besideYao Tang. The two looked very close, indeed.
The scene fanned the flames of Yao Ran’s spite.
Xu Xuan was useless, after all. Not only was she fraternizing with the enemy, but they appeared to be intimate friends, too.
Yao Ran had a foreboding hunch thatXu Xuanmight have already divulged her secret to those two.
It would explain why Qin Jinghad come toXu Xuan’s rescue several times already. They must have formed some sort of alliance a while back. And all this time,Yao Ranthought thatXu Xuanwas on her side.
For all she knew, the girl was probably mocking her deep inside, and laughing at her ignorance.
Yao Ran gnashed her teeth together as she watched the figures disappear in the distance.
She may not be able to deal with Yao Tangfor now, but she would definitely make her pay in the future.
…
Later, when they arrived at the Xu residence, they found Grandma Xuwatering the plants on the balcony.
She looked better now, and her cheeks even looked ruddier than before.
Her face broke into a big smile when she saw Yao Tangapproach. She put down her watering can and met them halfway.
“I see that you kids have come to pay me a visit. You shouldn’t have bothered. I’m feeling much better now.”
After saying that, she turned to Xu Xuanand gave the girl a reproachful look.
Grandma Xu was still clueless about the truth of her illness, andXu Xuandidn’t have the heart to tell her. “Please, Grandma. LetYao Tangtake a look at you as necessary. I won’t be reassured until she says that you’re all better.”