Chapter 16 Just Joking

Xiao Yang and his friends had been eating on the other side of the cafeteria when he overheard someone mentioning Gu Ci. He immediately grabbed that person to find out what had happened, and without hesitation, brought his friends over.

Xiao Yang was known for his explosive temper. From afar, he heard Duan Jingyi and that girl making loud, arrogant remarks. As soon as he arrived, he confronted them directly, “Not let her eat? If you keep running your mouths, do you believe I won’t just hire away the school’s chef, so you’ll never taste these salt-and-pepper ribs or squirrel-shaped mandarin fish ever again?”

He snorted, adding, “Dare to bully her? Did you ask me first?”

At the sight of Xiao Yang, everyone present—even Gu Zhiren—changed their expressions instantly.

None of them had expected that Gu Ci, who had just entered the school, already knew their notorious school bully, Xiao Yang.

Even more surprising was that Xiao Yang was willing to stand up for her!

No wonder… no wonder Gu Ci dared to act so brazenly toward them.

No wonder… no wonder the wealthy kids from Class 12 were willing to befriend her.

Duan Jingyi cursed Gu Ci inwardly, calling her a seductress, but dared not show any of it on her face. She tried to defend herself, “Young Master Xiao, don’t be fooled by this woman’s appearance. You don’t know how she bullied Zhiren…”

With red-rimmed eyes, Gu Zhiren added, “I’m sorry, Young Master Xiao. My friends only did this for my sake. She didn’t know my cousin knew you. Please, for my sake, let them go this time.”

“Cousin, Jingyi and the others were just joking with you. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

With one sentence, Gu Zhiren distanced herself from the situation, played the pitiful innocent in front of Xiao Yang, blackened Gu Ci’s name, and spoke kindly of Duan Jingyi and the others, gaining even more of their favor.

Duan Jingyi and the others were moved by Gu Zhiren’s willingness to speak up for them, but Xiao Yang didn’t catch the hidden meaning in her words at all.

He frowned, his tone wild and arrogant, “Who are you? Is your favor really worth that much?”

Gu Zhiren’s face froze.

Xiao Yang’s gaze then fell on the tray in Gu Ci’s hands, and he became even more confused. He knew that just now Gu Ci and Wen Zixin hadn’t managed to buy any food, so he could guess where her current meal had come from.

Like a nagging mother, he grabbed the tray from Gu Ci’s hands. “Why are you taking her food?”

Gu Zhiren’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Xiao Yang with teary, pitiful eyes, biting her lip gently, “Young Master Xiao, I’m fine. If my cousin likes it, just let her have it…”

But Xiao Yang gave her a puzzled look and dumped the food straight into the trash, muttering at Gu Ci, “Why take food others have touched? Aren’t you worried about hygiene?”

Gu Ci replied, “She didn’t touch it. It’s a waste of food otherwise.”

Xiao Yang immediately raised his eyebrows. “Did you forget how you ate something dirty and threw up all over me? Enough. I’ll have the chef make you another serving, alright?”

Gu Ci sheepishly touched her nose, fell silent for a moment, then acquiesced.

Then, Xiao Yang turned to Gu Zhiren and the others, grinning, “Since you all want to treat everyone to lunch, why not be generous about it?”

Gu Zhiren and her group didn’t quite understand his meaning, but in the next instant, Xiao Yang’s friends raised their voices.

“Everyone, over here! These girls are treating us to lunch! If you want some, line up!”

At this, a crowd of students who hadn’t managed to get the salt-and-pepper ribs or the squirrel fish earlier rushed over, each cheerfully thanking the class beauty as they took away their trays.

The reason was simple—almost everyone present only recognized Gu Zhiren.

Duan Jingyi and the others’ faces grew increasingly stiff and pale.

Wen Zixin snickered, pulling a face at Duan Jingyi and her group. “Looks like you’re the ones who’ll have to wait until next week to eat!”

Gu Zhiren bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears. “Cousin, Jingyi and the others were just joking with you. Was it really necessary to get Young Master Xiao involved like this?”

Duan Jingyi chimed in, “Yeah, Gu Ci, we were just kidding around. Did you have to go this far?”

Xiao Yang had no interest in listening to Gu Zhiren and the others. He simply pulled Gu Ci and Wen Zixin away. As they left, Gu Ci turned her head lazily and said, “I don’t mind at all.”

Just as Gu Zhiren thought Gu Ci would ask Xiao Yang’s friends to stop, Gu Ci’s voice drifted back from ahead, “I was just joking with you all as well. Don’t take it to heart.”

Gu Zhiren’s expression froze completely.

By now, most of the good dishes in the cafeteria had been taken.

Gu Zhiren’s friends couldn’t help complaining.

“Zhiren, didn’t you say you and your cousin got along? Why is she like this?”

“Yeah, she’s living in your house and eating your food, but she’s so arrogant?”

Gu Zhiren’s face turned pale and her tears fell freely.

She shook her head, apologizing profusely, “I’m really sorry. This is between me and her. I never meant to drag you into it…”

“My cousin is very capable. Please, don’t provoke her anymore.” The group immediately understood, all talking at once.

It all became clear in their minds.

So, it turned out Zhiren was just afraid they’d get bullied by Gu Ci too, which is why she kept stopping them from picking a fight with her and had always handed over her meal tray to Gu Ci reluctantly.

Seeing the guilt on their faces, Gu Zhiren’s eyes flickered. She hurriedly wiped her tears away and forced a smile. “It’s almost past lunch time. How about I order some takeout from Jean Auxis, and we all eat together?”

Jean Auxis was a famous and expensive French restaurant in Songdu, members only. They’d only ever eaten there thanks to Gu Zhiren.

Their guilt soared, and the earlier unpleasantness was quickly forgotten.

“Zhiren, that’s really too generous…”

In the afternoon, Huo Shuyue returned, accompanied by Shi Xuetong.

Her seat was right next to Gu Ci’s, diagonally across from Xiao Yang.

She pulled out her chair, slammed her bag down, and shot Gu Ci a fierce glare.

After school, she leaned her chair toward Xiao Yang and asked casually, “Want to play basketball tonight?”

Xiao Yang didn’t answer immediately; instead, he poked Gu Ci’s back. “Sister Ci, we’re playing basketball tonight. Want to come?”

He was hoping Gu Ci would teach him a few more moves.

Huo Shuyue couldn’t hold back and scoffed, “She’s such a delicate girl. Can she even play basketball?”

Xiao Yang just waited for Gu Ci’s response.

As Gu Ci packed away her pens and papers, she replied, “No, I have something to do tonight.”

With that, she and Wen Zixin stood up, bid Xiao Yang farewell, and left.

Huo Shuyue almost rolled her eyes to the ceiling.

She’s just pretending, isn’t she? Acting like she really has plans.

At the door, Gu Ci’s gaze lingered on one of the cars parked outside.