Chapter 232

Words : 1230 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

It might have been Ji Nian’s lucky day—despite walking at a leisurely pace, she somehow managed to snag the crispy fried chicken leg she’d been craving. The last time she had one was a week ago. Delighted, Ji Nian grabbed a disposable glove and split the chicken leg in half, offering a portion to Lu Jinghuai. Lu Jinghuai stared at the piece of meat in his bowl for a moment before carefully eating it, leaving the bone clean. Seeing this, Ji Nian happily dug into her own meal. Too engrossed in eating, she didn’t notice the scene unfolding nearby. Shen Qingtang sat across from Gu Xiuyuan, watching his rare appearance in the cafeteria. His expression was as if he’d just seen his precious daughter being snatched away by a pig—he might as well have stretched his neck right between Ji Nian and Lu Jinghuai. After a moment’s thought, Shen Qingtang picked up a piece of ginger from her plate and dropped it onto Gu Xiuyuan’s. "Here, eat up." Gu Xiuyuan kept his stern gaze fixed on Ji Nian, who was chatting and laughing with Lu Jinghuai, and absentmindedly popped the ginger into his mouth. "Ugh—" Caught off guard, Gu Xiuyuan covered his mouth. Shen Qingtang’s muffled laughter came from across the table, while only He Xiang kindly handed him a tissue. So the young master could spit it out. "Shen Qingtang, you—" After disposing of the ginger, Gu Xiuyuan gulped down a mouthful of water and glared at her. Shen Qingtang twirled her chopsticks. "You weren’t paying attention to your food." "Staring won’t help. It’s the Young Imperial Grandson’s first day here—of course Ji Nian would look after him. She’ll be back to eating with us soon." Gu Xiuyuan frowned. "Young Imperial Grandson?" "Odd nickname. Ji Nian came up with it, didn’t she?" Shen Qingtang nodded, then glanced at He Xiang beside him. He was quietly finishing his meal—never picky, always opting for two vegetable dishes, one meat, and two steamed buns. "He Xiang, what do you think?" Hearing his name, He Xiang paused mid-chew and looked up. Instead of answering Shen Qingtang, his gaze followed Gu Xiuyuan’s line of sight toward Ji Nian, who was eating alone with Lu Jinghuai. "It’s natural to help someone who just transferred. It’s basic courtesy." Just like he had been once—He Xiang had also been one of those "looked after" by Ji Nian in the past. Shen Qingtang studied him, slowly forming an idea. Still too young to understand, huh... Clearly, he hadn’t even considered the possibility of romantic feelings toward Ji Nian. But that was normal. Maybe in a few years, by high school, he’d catch on. Shen Qingtang gave He Xiang—who towered over most middle schoolers—a sympathetic look. Hang in there, little He. Gu Xiuyuan finally couldn’t take it anymore. He stood abruptly, grabbed his tray, and marched straight toward Ji Nian’s table. Mid-bite, Ji Nian heard a loud thud as a tray landed beside her. Someone slid into the seat next to her. She turned and saw a familiar face. "What are you doing here? I thought you said the cafeteria was unsanitary." Gu Xiuyuan maintained an air of dignity. "Constipated. Came for some fiber." Then he turned to Lu Jinghuai, who seemed to glow even indoors, and asked coolly, "And you are?" "Hello, I’m Lu Jinghuai." The Young Imperial Grandson acted as though he didn’t notice the hostility in Gu Xiuyuan’s eyes, his tone as gentle as ever. Gu Xiuyuan scanned Lu Jinghuai’s tray—nothing but vegetables. "Only greens? Not eating meat stunts your growth." He gestured to his own plate. "Want some?" But he made no move to actually share. Lu Jinghuai declined politely. "No need. I’m not constipated." Gu Xiuyuan: "......" Ji Nian burst into laughter, completely unfazed. Gu Xiuyuan: Laugh all you want. You’d probably help count the money if someone sold you off. "I’m Gu Xiuyuan, student council president. If you ever need help at school, come find me." Lu Jinghuai nodded as if hearing the name for the first time. Gu Xiuyuan added, "Also Ji Nian’s childhood friend. We’re not related by blood, but we’re as close as real siblings." He emphasized real heavily. Ji Nian wondered what his deal was—he sounded so forced. She glanced at Lu Jinghuai, worried he might feel uncomfortable, only to see the Young Imperial Grandson nod smoothly and say softly, "Mm. Nice to meet you, brother." Gu Xiuyuan: "......" It felt like punching into mud and getting stuck. Gu Xiuyuan gave up on Lu Jinghuai and turned to Ji Nian instead, bringing up Yang Xinyu. "I found the leader of Hai Nuo. The student council and I are going there after school." Ji ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Nian nodded. She trusted Gu Xiuyuan. Despite his arrogance and tendency to act like a know-it-all, he took his responsibilities seriously. Sometimes, she completely understood why he was the protagonist. As lunch break neared its end, Ji Nian finally asked, puzzled, "You don’t like the Young Imperial Grandson? What did he do to you?" Shen Qingtang and He Xiang approached just then, also turning to Gu Xiuyuan. Gu Xiuyuan’s face was cold. "No, I don’t." He shot Ji Nian a look. "I don’t know why, but the way he looks at you is off." "Really?" Ji Nian scratched her head, suddenly recalling how Lu Jinghuai had held a mini fan for her earlier, cooling her as she rushed for food. He’d even given her the fan afterward, saying she could use it if she felt hot. Gu Xiuyuan nodded firmly. "Yes." Thinking of how Ji Nian turned into a lovesick fool around attractive people, he grew even more irritated. Even if he told her to stay away from Lu Jinghuai, she probably wouldn’t listen. "Right, He Xiang?" Gu Xiuyuan turned to He Xiang, seeking backup. Surprisingly, He Xiang agreed. "Mm. He’s strange." As desk mates, He Xiang had noticed more. Sometimes during class, when his gaze drifted from the blackboard, he’d catch Lu Jinghuai staring—not at the lesson, but at something (or someone) else. "He’s the son of my dad’s friend. Don’t worry, he wouldn’t do anything to me." Ji Nian was still baffled. Lu Jinghuai was so kind—why did Gu Xiuyuan dislike him? Even He Xiang seemed wary. Shen Qingtang watched them, arms crossed, shaking her head. Ah, these kids... After school, the "adult" Shen Qingtang stepped out the gate and received a message from her grandparents—they’d returned from their trip a day early. Her aunt was back too, along with her cousin. They were already on their way to the Ji family home. Shen Qingtang’s expression cooled. Grandma Shen, oblivious, sent a shower of kiss emojis, saying she’d brought gifts. Thanks, Grandma. Can’t wait! (❦ω❦) After replying, Shen Qingtang pocketed her phone and turned to Ji Nian, who was fanning herself with a pink mini fan. "Ji Nian, my grandparents came back early. My aunt’s here too—they’re already on their way." Ji Nian adjusted the fan, directing its breeze toward Shen Qingtang. Her words drifted over the soft hum of the small fan. "Is that so? That’s good." If her aunt was coming, then Ma Xiaofei would likely show up too. With a glance at Shen Qingtang’s expression, Ji Nian thought to herself—she really had improved. Now she even got to witness a real-life scene of the female lead putting someone in their place.

Chapter 232

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