Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love

"Ah, no way! Si Wen, you..."

Lin Xi had no idea how to respond. Bullying someone’s son right in front of them was completely out of line, no matter how you looked at it.

"I didn’t see it coming. I was just teasing Xue Xing when his mom suddenly showed up. I’m doomed... Do you think she really hates me now?" Si Wen asked, a little anxious. Without realizing it, she had started to care about what others thought of her.

"Probably not. Aunt Yang doesn’t seem like a petty person. I think you’re overthinking it." At this point, Lin Xi could only offer comfort. But that has to be true, right? As far as I can recall, Aunt Yang is a genuinely nice person.

"Is that so?" Si Wen consoled herself. I hope I’m just overthinking this.

Considering the hotel was far away, Xue Yang’s parents invited Si Wen to stay the night.

"Si Wen, the third floor is also available, but if you’re worried you won’t be comfortable, you can stay on the second floor with Xiao Xi. There are several rooms there. Alright, here’s the plan: I’ll send that little rascal Xue Yang over to Xue Xing’s place for the night."

"There’s no need for that, Auntie Zhong."

"Exactly. Let Xue Yang stay at Xue Xing’s tonight. It’s better for you girls, to prevent any gossip."

Zhong Hailan firmly shooed Xue Yang over to Xue Xing’s house for the night.

Si Wen understood why she was doing this and immediately thanked her. "Thank you, Auntie Zhong."

"Don’t be so polite. It’s our honor to have you as a guest. Feel free to come over more often whenever you have time."

After grabbing a change of clothes, Xue Yang headed to Xue Xing’s place, leaving Lin Xi and Si Wen alone on the second floor.

"What’s with the long face? Are you mad at me because my arrival means you can’t sleep with your precious Xue Yang tonight?"

"Si Wen, where does your mind go? It’s just... Xue Yang’s parents are so good to me that I’m a little overwhelmed."

Especially Xue Yang’s mother. The nicer she was, the more touched Lin Xi felt. Sometimes, I really think about just staying here and not leaving.

"You’re overwhelmed by kindness? What, would you prefer a wicked mother-in-law? One who’s constantly finding fault with you, forbidding you from getting close to her son, and throwing a fit every time he’s nice to you..."

"No thanks, I’ll pass on the wicked mother-in-law. This is perfect. By the way, how do you know so much about that?"

"I read about them in novels. There are tons of wicked mothers-in-law out there, some even more horrible. You should read about them sometime. But... you’re not actually thinking about not going back, are you?" Si Wen had quickly picked up on Lin Xi’s inner thoughts.

"To be honest, a little. Being an ordinary girl doesn’t seem so bad."

"Then you might as well stay and be his trophy wife. But if Xue Yang goes out and conquers the world, he might end up looking down on you one day."

"Absolutely not. I’m going to be right by Xue Yang’s side, standing with him at the pinnacle of the world."

"See? That’s more like it. You should be counting your blessings to have such wonderful in-laws. Not everyone is that lucky. I’m honestly quite envious." Her own future partner’s parents might not be so open-minded and considerate.

An image of Yang Zhaodi suddenly flashed through Si Wen’s mind. She quickly shook her head. Si Wen, what are you thinking?

"Enough about me. What about you?"

"What about me?" Si Wen broke eye contact, picked up her phone, and started tapping on the screen.

"You came to Hui City to find Xue Xing, didn’t you? Now that you’ve found him and gotten your revenge, how do you feel?"

"Didn’t I tell you already? I only looked for Xue Xing because I wanted to win one round against him. Now that I have, it’s not a big deal anymore."

"Is it really not a big deal? I’ve noticed you two have been getting along pretty well these past few days. If Xue Xing could also get into Yanbei University... do you think you two would have a chance?"

"Don’t overthink it. My situation isn’t like yours. Uncle Lin might let you choose your own partner, but my father would never agree."

That was the biggest difference between her and Lin Xi. Her family was far less prominent than Lin Xi’s, yet Lin Xi could choose her own partner, while she could not.

"If you insist, maybe Uncle Si will give in."

"Impossible. I know him. He’d agree to anything else I do. Even if I slacked off on my studies, he’d find a way to get me a stellar diploma and a nominal position at his company. But on the matter of my marriage? He will never consent." Si Wen had understood this ever since she was old enough to know better.

"Si Wen, you should be the one to decide who you marry."

"I told you, I’m not as lucky as you. I’ll never find a boyfriend as outstanding as Xue Yang."

"But..." Xue Xing isn’t so bad either.

But Si Wen clearly didn’t want to discuss the topic any further. It’s no use dwelling on the impossible; it only leads to heartache. Better to be happy and live each day to the fullest. As for the future, I’ll worry about it when it comes.

「...」

While the girls had their private conversations, the boys, too, had things to discuss.

"Bro, why do you keep staring at me?" Xue Xing was doing his homework, but he could feel Xue Yang’s constant gaze on him, and he finally had to ask.

Xue Yang looked away. "I was just going to ask if you had any difficult homework problems for me."

"I did, but Sister Si Wen helped me with them this morning. I don’t have any for now."

"It seems you and Si Wen are getting along well."

"Bro, what are you trying to say?"

"Looks like you understand."

Xue Xing lowered his head, his face flushing slightly. "Bro... I’m still young. I haven’t really thought about that kind of thing yet."

"I wasn’t talking about now."

"Bro..."

"Get back to your homework." Xue Yang opened his laptop and started to work.

After a while, Yang Zhaodi knocked and entered the room.

"Xing Zai, pack your things. You’re going back to school tomorrow. Xiao Yang, you can sleep in the room next door tonight; I’ve already made it up for you."

"Thank you, Aunt Yang."

"Mom, didn’t we agree that I’d take a few days off before going back?"

"Your senior year curriculum is too important. The teacher wouldn’t approve your leave."

Xue Xing muttered under his breath, "Was it the teacher who didn’t approve it, or was it you?"

Yang Zhaodi shot him a glare. "What are you mumbling about?"

"Nothing."

"Since you’re going back to school tomorrow, I’m confiscating your phone tonight. You’ll get it back when you get into a university."

With that, Yang Zhaodi took Xue Xing’s phone.

"Mom, I’m not going back until tomorrow. Shouldn’t you take it tomorrow?"

"I’m your mother. Would I do anything to harm you? Now, get back to your studies. And go to bed soon so you’re well-rested. It’ll help you study more efficiently."

"I know, Mom."

Xue Xing reluctantly handed his phone to Yang Zhaodi. Having achieved her goal, she turned and left the room.

「...」