The days slid by, neither too fast nor too slow.
Yan Yu discovered that living with Ruo Xiaozhen was much more comfortable than she had anticipated.
Perhaps it was due to Ruo Xiaozhen’s meticulous care, or perhaps because of the System.
She clearly felt her physical condition improving bit by bit.
Although her legs were still weak, the dull ache that seemed to seep from her very bones had lessened considerably.
More importantly, her complexion was no longer that sickly pale; it had gained a slight rosy tint, and even her coughing fits seemed less frequent.
Compared to living alone in that vast, cold, and empty apartment, this small, lived-in rental room was clearly more relaxing for her.
Waking up in the morning to the clatter and bang of Ruo Xiaozhen preparing breakfast, listening to her chatter and share all sorts of school gossip during the day, occasionally squeezing together on the sofa at night to watch a boring movie…
These simple, mundane routines were like warm water, slowly smoothing out her tense nerves and quietly diluting the chill left in her memories by the cold, oppressive time brought by Su Qinghan.
Another ordinary morning.
Ruo Xiaozhen deftly fried eggs and bacon, heated some milk, and brought breakfast to the table while yawning.
After eating, she, as usual, pushed Yan Yu out the door and headed towards the school.
“AhhhโI’m so sleepy…” Ruo Xiaozhen pushed the wheelchair, yawning one after another, tears almost welling up. “I studied until almost two last night. I feel like all my brain cells are dead.”
“It’s just a minor stage test today, no need to push yourself so hard.”
Yan Yu leaned back in the wheelchair. The morning breeze brushed her face, bringing a slight chill.
“Minor test?! That’s going into our usual grades, sis!” Ruo Xiaozhen immediately wailed. “Our major has two theory courses! One in Art History, one in Design Principles! So many terms and theoretical schools to memorize… Just kill me!”
She exaggeratedly shook the handles of Yan Yu’s wheelchair. “I’m not like you, Yan, the top student, always ranking high. I’m a standard ‘passing-line warrior,’ teetering on the edge of failing! One point more is a waste, one point less is a crime. It’s all about precise score control, thrilling and dangerous!”
Her words made Yan Yu’s lips curl up slightly.
“I’m hardly a top student, just barely above average in the class. If we’re talking about good grades, in our class… Jiang Muyun’s results are truly outstanding. I heard her GPA was very high even when she was abroad.”
“Hey, why compare yourself to her!” Ruo Xiaozhen immediately cut her off, her tone full of undisguised favoritism. “In my heart, you’re the best! That Jiang Muyun, so what if her grades are good, her character…”
She pursed her lips, not finishing the second half of the sentence, but her disdain was obvious.
However, as if to prove the saying “enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road,” just as her words fell, several people emerged from around the corner of the teaching building not far ahead.
It was Jiang Muyun, Su Qinghan, and another girl.
This girl had her hair in a high ponytail, wore a neat tracksuit, and had a somewhat haughty expression.
Yan Yu searched her memory and remembered this girl was named Dai Feng.
It was said her family was involved in scientific research, with an unusual background. Because of family business dealings with the Su family, she was considered a childhood friend who grew up with Su Qinghan.
Ruo Xiaozhen obviously hadn’t expected to speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao to arrive, and for them to have just heard the latter part of her comment.
But far from feeling guilty, she lifted her chin and unceremoniously shot Jiang Muyun a look that clearly said, “Yeah, I said it, so what?”
The smile on Jiang Muyun’s face instantly froze, then turned alternately pale and flushed. A flicker of anger passed through her eyes as she looked at Ruo Xiaozhen and Yan Yu.
Su Qinghan’s gaze paused on Yan Yu’s face for a moment. Then, surprisingly, she actively walked over towards her.
Yan Yu was a bit surprised.
“Yan Yu,” Su Qinghan stopped in front of her wheelchair. “Morning.”
“…Morning.”
Yan Yu nodded slightly, switching into “Tragic Former Substitute” mode.
She lifted her eyes, her gaze first sweeping over Su Qinghan’s face with a touch of lingering attachment, then lowered them, speaking softly and gently:
“The weather has been changing a lot lately, Qinghan. Remember to add layers, keep warm.”
“Mm,” Su Qinghan responded. “You too.”
“Thank you for your concern, Qinghan.”
Yan Yu revealed a slightly flustered and grateful smile, her eyelashes fluttering lightly, her gaze shimmering.
Looking at this smile, Su Qinghan… actually… somewhat hastily turned her head away slightly, not meeting her gaze directly.
Yan Yu keenly caught this subtle movement.
…Shy?
This absurd thought intruded into her mind, making even herself find it laughable.
Su Qinghan, shy because of her?
Impossible.
She must have seen wrong, or, the other party simply didn’t want to face her, the substitute’s face.
Jiang Muyun, standing to the side, obviously also noticed Su Qinghan’s unusual avoidance and the interaction between the two.
Her face turned colder. She took a step forward and linked her arm with Su Qinghan’s.
“Qinghan, let’s go quickly, don’t be late for class.”
As she spoke, she half-pulled, half-dragged Su Qinghan towards the direction of the teaching building.
Su Qinghan staggered slightly from the pull. She glanced back at Yan Yu once more but ultimately said nothing, going along with Jiang Muyun’s force.
Dai Feng followed behind them. As she passed by Yan Yu, her sharp eyes looked her up and down.
She opened her mouth as if wanting to say something to Yan Yu.
But Jiang Muyun called out aๅฌไฟ from ahead, and Dai Feng had no choice but to withdraw her gaze somewhat unwillingly and quickly catch up.
“Hmph! What’s with them!” Ruo Xiaozhen made a big face at their retreating backs, then placed her hands back on Yan Yu’s wheelchair handles and gave a strong push forward. “Let’s go, Xiao Yu! Let’s ignore them! Bad vibes!”
“…Mm.”
Yan Yu responded softly, lowering her eyelids, temporarily putting aside Su Qinghan’s unusual reaction from just now.
Whether it was a misunderstanding or not, it had nothing to do with her.
She just needed to play her part well.
[Interaction with key character ‘Su Qinghan’ detected. Conforms to ‘Tragic Former Substitute’ persona. Emotional display natural, triggered brief emotional fluctuation in target.]
[Current Role-playing Progress: 12%]
[Reward Issued: 20,000 in cash.]
[Reward has been transferred to the Host’s bound account via legal channels. Please check.]
Cash? Twenty thousand?
Yan Yu was slightly taken aback.
This System… it really was the first time giving such a simple, unadorned reward.
But, just in time.
She had been worrying about money lately.
After paying rent, the deposit, and buying some necessary daily supplies and medicine, her previous savings were almost gone. She didn’t even have the rent for the month after next covered.
Although Ruo Xiaozhen never mentioned it, she didn’t want to keep relying on the other girl.
Moreover, she really needed to go to the hospital for a comprehensive follow-up examination soon to assess her physical condition, which would also be a significant expense.
This twenty-thousand-yuan “performance fee” was like timely aid in a snowstorm.
Yan Yu’s heart settled a little.
She looked up, gazing at the sunlight fragmented by the plane tree leaves ahead and at Ruo Xiaozhen’s energetic back of the head.
“Zhenzhen,” she suddenly spoke up, her voice light. “At noon… let me treat you to a meal. That new Yunnan cuisine restaurant outside the school. I heard their rice noodles are good.”
“Eh? Really?” Ruo Xiaozhen turned back in surprise, her eyes sparkling. “Okay, okay! I want to try their signature Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles! With double quail eggs!”
“Okay, double of everything.”
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