Chapter 15: The Cafeteria, Targeted

Witnessing the scene where Gu Ci was being ostracized, Duan Jingyi shot her a triumphant glance, then turned to Wen Zixin and said, “Hey, you’re from Class Twelve, right? Don’t be fooled by her façade and think she’s some kind of wealthy heiress like you! Let me warn you, everything she has, she stole from Ziran just to put on a show. Don’t come crying when you start losing things and realize it was a certain someone who took them.”

Wen Zixin was so angry she wanted to confront them, but Gu Ci pulled her back a few steps.

Gu Ci spoke languidly, “Rabies is contagious; better keep your distance.”

Wen Zixin couldn’t help but burst out laughing and nodded solemnly. “I understand, Sister Ci!”

The group immediately bristled at her words. “Gu Ci, what do you mean by that? Are you calling us dogs?”

Wen Zixin promptly turned to Gu Ci. “Sister Ci, did you hear that? I could’ve sworn I just heard a dog barking.”

Gu Ci replied calmly, “Yes, I did.”

The others seemed mortally insulted, all speaking at once.

“Gu Ci! Who do you think you are to talk to us like that?”

“Aren’t you just a country bumpkin from the sticks? What’s there to be so smug about?”

“Hey, classmate, are you blind or what, hanging out with someone like Gu Ci?”

Wen Zixin looked puzzled. “Sister Ci, why won’t this dog stop barking?”

Gu Ci remained composed. “Probably having a fit.”

The others were beside themselves with shame and fury, yet utterly helpless. If they continued to curse Gu Ci, they’d only be likened to barking dogs; but if they fell silent, it would seem they’d admitted to her accusation of rabies. They found themselves caught in a dilemma—damned if they did, damned if they didn’t.

If only they’d known how cunning Gu Ci was, they’d never have bothered arguing with her!

Just then, Gu Ziran stepped in gently, “Jingyi, it’s almost our turn. Can you all let it go with my cousin? I’ll apologize to you on her behalf.”

Given this exit, the others huffed, feigning magnanimity as they turned away. “For Ziran’s sake, we’ll let it go this time!”

With just a few words, Gu Ziran had transformed their impossible predicament into an act of graciousness toward Gu Ci.

Wen Zixin felt a vague sense of annoyance, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. Leaning close to Gu Ci, she whispered, “Sister Ci, why does Gu Ziran seem like a white lotus flower?”

Gu Ci mulled it over. “Perhaps it’s the result of genes and environment interacting.”

Wen Zixin blinked in confusion. “???”

She didn’t get it, but she had a hunch Sister Ci was insulting someone.

When it was Duan Jingyi and her friends’ turn, they glanced at the cafeteria window’s pepper-salted pork ribs and sweet-and-sour mandarin fish, exchanged looks, and each bought three portions, clearing out all the dishes!

Wen Zixin nearly exploded with rage. “Have you no decency? Each of you buying three servings—aren’t you afraid you’ll burst?”

Duan Jingyi replied smugly, “We’ll do as we please, so what?”

Gu Ziran bit her lip, tugging at Duan Jingyi’s sleeve and whispering, “Jingyi, don’t do this, okay? I’m really fine.”

But Duan Jingyi, suddenly full of righteous indignation, declared, “Don’t worry, Ziran. We want to do this ourselves. It has nothing to do with you.”

Then she turned to the students lined up behind Wen Zixin and Gu Ci. “Everyone, lunch is on us today! Those of you in line can come up and get your free meal!”

She shot a pointed look at Gu Ci and Wen Zixin. “Of course, except for those two bitches.”

The students in line broke into cheers, showering Duan Jingyi and Gu Ziran with thanks and praise, then happily left with their free lunch. As they went, they whispered among themselves.

“Class One students really are beautiful inside and out.”

“Yeah, but why are they picking on the new transfer student?”

“I heard she’s from the countryside and now lives at the school beauty’s house, but bullies her every day.”

“That’s right, I heard that too. The school beauty is so kind, she doesn’t even fight back, so her friends are standing up for her.”

“What? The transfer student has such a bad character? No wonder she’s treated like that!”

Wen Zixin clenched her fists and turned to Gu Ci. “Let’s go, Sister Ci. We’ll eat something else today and come back for ribs and fish next week.”

“These people are just blind. Don’t listen to their nonsense.”

Gu Ci reached up and pinched Wen Zixin’s cheek. “You trust me that much?”

“Don’t pinch me, Sister Ci—my face will get even bigger!” Wen Zixin pouted, swatting Gu Ci’s hand away. “I’m not blind or stupid. I can judge people for myself.”

She grabbed Gu Ci’s hand, intending to drag her away before Duan Jingyi could come over with more snide remarks.

But Gu Ci didn’t leave. Sure enough, Duan Jingyi and her friends, each carrying a plate of ribs and fish, walked up to them.

Duan Jingyi gloated, “Sorry, Gu Ci, but you’ll have to wait until next week to find out what these taste like.”

A girl beside her covered her mouth, barely suppressing a laugh. “Jingyi, who knows if they’ll even get to try them next week.”

Gu Ci pulled Wen Zixin over to Gu Ziran and held out her hand.

Gu Ziran gripped her tray, her eyes flickering with feigned fear as she looked at Gu Ci. “C-cousin?”

Gu Ci didn’t waste words. “Sun Ziran, give it to me.”

“Sun Ziran?” Duan Jingyi and the others were baffled.

But Gu Ziran felt as if she’d fallen into an icy abyss.

Sun Ziran—Sun Haobin’s Sun...

This was no slip of the tongue—it was deliberate!

She froze, dazed, not even realizing when she handed her tray to Gu Ci.

Seeing Gu Ziran pass her tray to Gu Ci, Duan Jingyi and the others’ faces darkened instantly.

“Ziran, what are you doing?”

They’d just gone out of their way to defend Gu Ziran, even treating the cafeteria to lunch on her behalf. But now, Gu Ziran had simply handed her meal to Gu Ci! Did that make everything they’d just done a joke?

Was Gu Ziran playing them for fools?

Gu Ziran snapped back to herself, sensing Duan Jingyi and the others’ displeasure. But she didn’t dare mention that Gu Ci had threatened her with the truth about her identity. All she could do was lower her head and remain silent.

This only deepened the resentment in Duan Jingyi and her friends’ hearts.

She felt as if their suspicious gazes were searing her skin, making her unbearably uncomfortable.

Clenching her fists, she raised her head, her eyes reddening as she said, pale-faced, “Jingyi, I told you my cousin never bullied me. I... I really didn’t know you’d misunderstand. I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. Please stop targeting her, okay?”

Seeing Gu Ziran, who had done nothing wrong, still take all the blame upon herself, the others were instantly wracked with guilt.

Yes, Ziran had always said Gu Ci treated her well. It was Duan Jingyi who brought this up in the first place, and when they acted just now, Ziran had tried to stop them—but they hadn’t listened.

How could they blame her?

“We’re sorry, Ziran. We misunderstood. Please don’t be upset.”

Gu Ziran shook her head, indicating it was nothing.

She let out a quiet sigh of relief, believing the matter was finally settled, when Xiao Yang and his friends came over.