Chapter 316
Before Wen Shufen could say another word, the school bell rang, indicating that the first class was about to start. The students in the hallway ran back to their respective classrooms, but their attention was still at the second encounter between Lu Xinyi and Wen Shufen.
In just one week, Lu Xinyi was able to earn a nickname within the academy. The students had called her ‘the Rookie Queen’ because of her spectacular performance during the entrance exams and how she was able to compete with Ye Xieren and Yan Chen who were known to have culinary experience before attending Silver Leaf.
Clearly, Wen Shufen had locked on at Lu Xinyi as her target. Never did anyone humiliate her before until Lu Xinyi had. Everyone was holding their breaths if Han Yixin would show herself and confront the Rookie Queen.
The Queen of Patisserie versus the Rookie Queen, who would reign and come victorious?
“You are calling this girl a trash?” Lu Xinyi pointed at Lan Xiaoli who was still crying behind her. “Then let me tell you this, Miss Wen. I’ll make sure this trash will beat your score tomorrow. Let’s see who’ll take the last spot this time.”
Wen Shufen’s face darkened. With the skin in-between her knuckles white from clenching her fist too hard and teeth gritted from the effort to remain silent, her straightened back exuded an animosity that was like acid—burning, slicing, and potent. Her face was red with suppressed rage.
Every time Lu Xinyi opened her mouth, she got angrier and humiliated in front of everyone. She swallowed her retort, smiled bitterly, and spun on her heel to leave.
One day, she would release all her pent-up anger to Lu Xinyi.
Hearing those words, Lan Xiaoli lifted her head and gripped Lu Xinyi’s arm in panic.
“Miss Lu! Please, you don’t have to do this! Unlike you, I cannot make miracles overnight. I can’t possibly beat Sister Wen like this.”
The students, who decided to stay and watch their interactions, grew jealous and envious of Lan Xiaoli.
Ye Xieren pulled Lu Xinyi to the side and whispered to her.
“You are going to help her?”
“Who says I’m helping her? I only want to see Wen Shufen’s ugly face once she was beaten by someone she called trash.” Lu Xinyi mumbled with Ye Xieren and Surya Rathore to hear her voice.
Who said she’s an angel? She was only using Lan Xiaoli to deal with Wen Shufen. She rather let the young woman destroy Wen Shufen than waste her energy for a small fry like her. With Han Yixin still missing on the scene, Lu Xinyi would rather not waste her time with Wen Shufen.
“Pfft! Lu Xinyi, you are so bad! Taking advantage of the situation? You aren’t giving her false hopes, no?” Ye Xieren said with admiration.
In another’s eyes, it might have looked that Lu Xinyi was taking pity on Lan Xiaoli and helping her to pass her test. However, in reality, Lu Xinyi was taking advantage of her situation to deal with Wen Shufen.
Why would she waste her energy when someone else could do the job for her?
“Of course not. This would be a win-win situation for the two of us. She’ll pass her test while I’m getting satisfaction to see Wen Shufen’s failure.” She grinned evilly.
Both Surya Rathore and Ye Xieren were stunned by her words. She wasn’t even trying to hide or deny it!
Lu Xinyi went back to Lan Xiaoli, aware that both men were staring at her back.
“Let’s meet after school hours later and try to make the perfect macarons. What do you think?” she said with a wink.
Lan Xiaoli herself was stunned since Lu Xinyi decided to step up against Wen Shufen. She wanted to thank Lu Xinyi and apologized for the trouble, but she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to rein her tears and broke down.
She didn’t understand why the rookie queen had decided to help her. No one had stepped up to save her from Wen Shufen’s bullying until now. She was used to getting bullied and never cried even how much it hurt her.
“I’ll do my best, Miss Lu.”
—
During their lunch break, Lu Xinyi lazily took her lunch with her other classmates. With Tang Lilou sitting beside her and Surya Rathore bugging Tang Liang and Ye Xieren about their previous lesson, she could feel her eyelids drooping. The all-nighter she did with Shen Yi last night was starting to affect her.
“Xin Jiejie, I heard that you are going to help Lan Xiaoli with her macarons, can we watch?” Tang Liang asked as he pushed Surya Rathore’s face away from his cake. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“No, I think it would be better if I teach her alone. She might get a lot of pressure if she sees you joining us.”
Tang Lilou pouted but didn’t say anything. She was hoping to have a taste of Lu Xinyi’s macarons. Her excitement ebbed when Lu Xinyi declined her brother’s request.
Why was her Xin Jiejie letting that woman bully her anyway? Even if she wasn’t a Tang, Lu Xinyi was still her cousin!
If her Xin Jiejie wouldn’t come after Wen Shufen, then maybe she could do the job for her. She smirked at her idea. She’d play with Wen Shufen later, then once her Xin Jiejie had enough of her.
Remembering her plans for the day, Lu Xinyi picked up her phone to call someone and excused herself from the group. After three rings, a man answered her call.
“Young Madam? Are you looking for Boss Yi?” Qiao He answered on the other line.
“No, I call to talk to you. Can you help me?”
Qiao He, who was waiting for his Boss Yi to come out from his meeting, was surprised. It was rare for his young madam to request something as most of the time, her needs were already arranged beforehand by his Boss Yi.
“How can I help you?”
“I need information about two students here at Silver Leaf.”
That piqued Qiao He’s interest. Why did Young Madam sound like his Boss Yi recently?
“Names please, Madam Shen,” he replied. He couldn’t wait to share this information with Kang Wei and Zhao Xi. Their young madam was really something else!
“Lan Xiaoli and Wen Shufen. I want everything. Don’t leave anything especially their dirty secrets.”
—
Lan Xiaoli stood outside the school grounds, waiting for Lu Xinyi to come out from her last class. People were staring at her, and she couldn’t help but lower her head to hide her face. She wasn’t ugly—she knew that, but she was easily targeted by bullies since middle school. With her mild chubby body, it didn’t help but take the attention of those bullies.
She was bullied at school, and she didn’t understand why. Some weren’t physical, but words hurt more. Their laughing mockery—their whispered words were enough to crush her soul and heart.
Lu Xinyi was the first one who tried to help her, and she was glad that she was able to meet her. Other painted Lu Xinyi as a vicious woman, but in Lan Xiaoli’s opinion, Lu Xinyi was being her true self and nothing else.
So when Lu Xinyi offered to teach her, a seed of hope sprang from her heart. Her eyes filled with unshed tears after parting with Lu Xinyi earlier.
When she saw Lu Xinyi coming out with her usual group, Lan Xiaoli’s eyes lit up. She didn’t fail to notice that Lu Xinyi was yawning big and sleepy, and suddenly guilt filled her chest at the thought that she was taking Lu Xinyi’s free time just to help her instead of sleeping.
Lu Xinyi bid goodbye to her classmates and walked towards Lan Xiaoli.
“Ready to go?”
Lan Xiaoli nodded and followed Lu Xinyi towards Lunar Residence. Since she wasn’t part of the special classes of Silver Leaf, Lan Xiaoli wasn’t staying at Lunar Residence. A student of a short course like her didn’t need to stay within the campus’ residences.
Her eyes took in the luxurious penthouse where Lu Xinyi was staying. She supposed this was one of the perks being a sponsored student like Lu Xinyi.
“The kitchen is on the left side. Feel free to check the pantry and fridge for the items you need for your macarons. Let me change my clothes first before we start,” Lu Xinyi said before leaving her guest seating in the living area.
Lan Xiaoli didn’t dare to move to where she was seated. She was afraid to break anything. Ten minutes had passed, but Lu Xinyi hadn’t come out of her room.
The front door of Lu Xinyi’s house buzzed. Someone opened it from the outside, making Lan Xiaoli stood up, gripping the strap of her bag tightly.
“Xinxin, are you home?” A deep baritone voice of a man called out.
Her jaws dropped when the man revealed himself and joined in the living area. It was… President Shen!
Her mind started to go wild with questions popping up in confusion. President Shen was a god amongst men, and to be here with him in Lu Xinyi’s place, what did it mean? Did this mean that Lu Xinyi was really President Shen’s lover?
“Who the hell are you? Where’s my Xinxin?”