Chapter 397 : Who... Is That
“I’ve decided—I’m going to create a big scandal!”
Lin Xi’s previously despondent expression was replaced with excitement. Inspired by Ling Ning’s earlier suggestion, she resolved to stir up a big enough commotion to divert attention away from herself.
“That’s too reckless!”
“What do you mean?”
Lin Xi blinked in confusion. She had no idea what Ling Ning meant by “reckless.” Was this some kind of new trend or meme? If so, she would’ve heard about it.
“Never mind. Forget I said that. But seriously, how do you plan to create this ‘big scandal’ of yours?” Ling Ning asked flatly, giving Lin Xi a skeptical look. Big scandals weren’t exactly easy to orchestrate. She was clearly being naive—youthful, Ling Ning corrected herself. Yes, naive and immature.
“Well…!” Lin Xi faltered. Despite her bold declaration, she hadn’t thought it through. “Ling Ning, you must have some ideas, right?”
Ling Ning shrugged. “Don’t look at me—I’ve got nothing. Honestly, the best thing you can do is wait it out. Time will naturally make people forget. Besides, none of this would’ve happened if you hadn’t acted on impulse. You could’ve calmly talked things out without dragging an innocent bystander like me into it.”
“Oh, right! You said earlier that you’d take responsibility. How exactly do you plan to do that?” Ling Ning leaned in close, giving Lin Xi a sly smile.
“R-Responsibility? What kind of responsibility are you talking about?” Lin Xi stammered, her heart racing.
“Well…”
Ling Ning’s eyes narrowed, and her gaze became oddly predatory. Lin Xi suddenly felt a wave of unease. She remembered Ling Ning’s old nickname: “The Perverted Stalker.” If Ling Ning demanded something outrageous and she couldn’t refuse, it would be a disaster!
In her mind, Lin Xi could already picture herself being locked in a basement, subjected to unspeakable acts until she was transformed into some kind of emotional wreck.
Nearby, Luo Xiaoyu noticed how close the two were getting. She instinctively covered her mouth with her hands. Were they going to repeat what they’d done earlier? Couldn’t they save such behavior for when they were alone?
Why was everyone so intent on “turning” her?
Unable to take it anymore, Luo Xiaoyu slid her hands upward to cover her eyes. But the curious glint peeking through her fingers betrayed her true interest in what was unfolding.
“Fine! Whatever ridiculous demand you have, just say it! I, Lin Xi, always keep my word!” Lin Xi declared, nervously shutting her eyes.
“Ridiculous demand?” Ling Ning tilted her head, genuinely puzzled. “I just want you to treat me to a few nice meals. How is that a ridiculous demand? And why are you puckering your lips like that?”
“Huh?!” Lin Xi’s eyes snapped open, only to find Ling Ning grinning mischievously at her. A nice meal? Was this a joke? She’d mentally prepared herself for the worst, and now this? This was emotional manipulation at its finest!
Suddenly, Lin Xi felt an overwhelming urge to strangle Ling Ning. Even Luo Xiaoyu, who had lowered her hands, shot Ling Ning a look of exasperation. If Lin Xi decided to throttle her, Luo Xiaoyu would gladly help.
“Just a few meals! Come on, you’re not that stingy, are you? Do you have any idea how much psychological damage you caused me by kissing me in broad daylight? I’m still traumatized. Good thing I don’t have a girlfriend—imagine if she’d seen that…”
Realizing her slip, Ling Ning quickly clamped her mouth shut and flashed a charming smile.
But her final words had already been heard. Both Lin Xi and Luo Xiaoyu stared at her with new expressions, and Luo Xiaoyu subtly edged farther away. She couldn’t shake the suspicion that prolonged exposure to Ling Ning might bend her straight inclinations.
“Wait! I just got an idea!” Lin Xi suddenly exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with inspiration.
“What now? Don’t do anything rash. Whatever you’re planning, just leave me out of it!”
Ignoring Ling Ning’s warning, Lin Xi’s mind raced. She thought about her co-host—who happened to be a closeted gay man—and her ex, Makoto Itou. The pieces were coming together for a potentially brilliant scheme.
From Ling Ning’s perspective, Lin Xi’s gleeful expression radiated a distinctly sinister vibe—one that leaned toward the metaphorical decay of corruption.
Without wasting time, Lin Xi pulled out her phone. After pressing a few buttons, she realized her phone wasn’t responding. That’s when she remembered she’d turned it off earlier.
Once her phone rebooted, Lin Xi ignored the barrage of unread messages from her chat apps and opened her conversation with her co-host. Among the unread messages was one that caught her eye:
“Are you and Makoto really done?”
Lin Xi smirked and typed her reply: “Of course. Why would I lie about that? If you want to chase him, go ahead, Rin.”
Yes, Lin Xi’s co-host, Rin Tsuchimi, was an international student from Japan.
After a long pause, Rin finally replied, “That’s not what I meant…”
“Oh, but I’m serious. Didn’t you ask me before what kind of food Makoto likes? Well, he loves…”
As Lin Xi furiously typed on her phone, Ling Ning couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned. Would Lin Xi’s phone survive this level of enthusiastic typing? At the same time, curiosity got the better of her, and she leaned closer. “What are you doing?”
Startled, Lin Xi immediately locked her phone and gave Ling Ning a cryptic smile. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Huh?”
“Oh, right! Don’t forget—after school starts, people are going to vote for the class beauties, department beauties, and even school beauties. That’ll definitely steal the spotlight from you,” Luo Xiaoyu chimed in.
Lin Xi froze. That was true. How had she forgotten about such an obvious solution? If she’d remembered earlier, she wouldn’t have needed to concoct a complex plan. But oh well—the messages were already sent.
“Let’s get going!”
After crouching in the flower garden for so long, Lin Xi’s legs were starting to go numb. Plus, the mosquitoes in the area were unbearable.
The three girls left the garden and were debating where to go next when Ling Ning suddenly caught a faint yet familiar scent. Turning instinctively, her gaze landed on a figure passing by—a face and smile she knew all too well.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Author’s Note:
I’m doomed without Black Jeanne!