Chapter 10

Sure enough, Song Hanyue didn’t even get a chance to breathe before the girl turned on her again: “With your attitude, of course everyone goes along with you! Anyone who disagrees, you bite their head off, you even yelled at Shuran before. Honestly, is there anyone who’s not scared of you? Everybody hates you, Song Hanyue. No wonder Shuran never said yes, even after you chased after him for so long.”
Song Hanyue's face was thunderous with anger.
The girl only got bolder, clearly reveling in putting Song Hanyue in her place. “You know, everyone’s been sick of that high-and-mighty attitude of yours for ages. You actually think people just let you do whatever you want? Newsflash, they’re terrified of your revenge, that’s why no one stands up to you. Nobody actually likes you. You’re unbearable, you know that? Even Shuran can’t stand you. You always thought it was me keeping him away, but honestly, after we got together, I never even tried to stop him. He cut himself off from you, on his own. All these years, you tormented him just because he was nice, and now he finally has an excuse to get away. He’d rather be with me than even talk to you. Still don’t get it?”
Those words drained the color from Song Hanyue’s face, her last shred of pride refusing to let her falter in front of the girl. But her fists trembled, knuckles white, and her whole body shook, every bit of her inner turmoil on full display.
The girl seemed twice as pleased, even taking a moment to turn her attention sweetly to Yun Zhuoqing. “Hey, are you okay? Song Hanyue bullies you all the time, right? I could tell just now, she was forcing you over even though you clearly didn’t want to. She’s always been like that. It must be rough for you. If you ever need help, just find me in Grade 12, Class B. I’ve got your back.”
She made it sound so caring, so righteous… Song Hanyue was almost shaking apart with rage.
Yun Zhuoqing’s lips quirked in a subtle smile. The girl’s little performance was as clumsy as her words; on the surface, all compassion and promises, but she hadn’t actually offered any help, just managed to drag Yun Zhuoqing into the line of fire. So if Song Hanyue wanted to vent, she’d almost certainly snap at Yun Zhuoqing instead.
She’d played both sides so openly, but in her anger Song Hanyue didn’t seem to notice. If she really was as vicious as the rumors claimed, she’d be playing right into the girl’s hands.
Song Hanyue, eyes shining red, glared at Yun Zhuoqing through clenched teeth. “So that’s what you think too?”
Yun Zhuoqing avoided her gaze, took her time answering, and instead turned to the other girl. “Who are you waiting for?”
The abrupt question caught the other two completely off guard.
Song Hanyue blinked, baffled, then caught on quickly. “Wait, what? Don’t tell me you called Wen Shuran over?” Disbelief was written all over her face.
The girl, hurt pride flashing, tried to bluff her way out. “What are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean. You and Song Hanyue, you’re obviously a team. Don’t think I’ll forget this…”
And just like that, all her soft little act was dropped, replaced by threats against Yun Zhuoqing, and a tone that couldn’t have been more different.
But it was Song Hanyue who looked as furious as she’d ever been.
“Say that to my face again, I dare you! You think you can threaten someone right in front of me? Do I look like an idiot to you?” Song Hanyue’s hand shot up, ready to slap her across the face.
She’d always had a hot temper, and the other girl had counted on it, knowing Wen Shuran had a soft spot for her. If he walked in and saw Song Hanyue hitting her, she could ruin Song Hanyue’s image in his eyes and then beg not to break up with him.
When Yun Zhuoqing got involved, the girl shifted gears, if Song Hanyue slapped her instead, it wasn’t ideal, but it beat getting smacked herself. Not exactly the original plan, but at least she wouldn’t take the full brunt.
And now, as luck would have it, maybe she’d get what she wanted anyway.
She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the pain, but it never came.
Yun Zhuoqing caught Song Hanyue’s hand mid-air. As Song Hanyue stared at her in disbelief, Yun Zhuoqing quietly explained, “If you hit her, you’ll get written up.”
It was written right there in the Yuying school code, not that any of these rich kids had ever bothered to read it.
No one had ever stopped her for that reason before, and Song Hanyue stood stunned. “A… a write-up?”
Such a foreign concept; “write-up” had never existed in Song Hanyue’s vocabulary.
Yun Zhuoqing nodded, completely serious.
The other girl suddenly realized things were slipping away, if this kept up, her little plan was doomed.
Seizing the chance while Song Hanyue was distracted by Yun Zhuoqing, she abruptly shoved Yun Zhuoqing forward.
She used all her strength, figuring that even if Yun Zhuoqing didn’t go down, she’d stumble back at least a few steps.
But Yun Zhuoqing just shifted her footing, held steady, and quickly caught the girl with her other hand so she wouldn’t fall into her.
Looking down at the girl who’d “thrown herself into her arms,” Yun Zhuoqing frowned.
Song Hanyue fumed, “You’re despicable!”
Just then, Wen Shuran arrived on the scene, and the other girl rushed to him, pleading, “Shuran, please, help! Song Hanyue is going to hit me!”
Wen Shuran hurried over, a bit out of breath.
He took in the chaos, instantly recognizing Yun Zhuoqing as the girl he’d run into by the elevator earlier.
“This is between us, leave everyone else out of it.” Wen Shuran’s face was grim.
The girl tried to defend herself. “Shuran, I swear, I’m doing all of this for you! Song Hanyue can’t help you at all, only I can. You should stay away from her and be with me. And your family already knows about everything, so how are you going to explain it when you get home? If you promise not to break up with me, I’ll cover for you. I promise I won’t cling, just… just please, just stay my boyfriend, okay?”
Through all this, Yun Zhuoqing stood quietly in the background, but whether she forgot or just didn’t care, she didn’t let go of the girl’s wrist. So when the girl tried to dash into Wen Shuran’s arms, she found she couldn’t. Her hand felt anchored, like it was locked to a boulder.
Song Hanyue, quietly, thought: Nice job.
The girl glared daggers at Yun Zhuoqing, clearly demanding to be let go.
Yun Zhuoqing caught her look, gave a casual “Oh,” and released her. The girl, completely unprepared, stumbled backward, right toward Wen Shuran. She didn’t even try to catch herself, so eager was she to be saved by him.
Wen Shuran simply stepped aside, watching coolly as she hit the ground and cried out in pain.
Yun Zhuoqing silently brushed her hands off. She hadn’t pushed anyone, so nobody better try to frame her for it.
After a few seconds under Wen Shuran’s frosty gaze, the girl couldn’t take it. She got up, sobbing, and ran away.
Once she left, Wen Shuran turned, not to his notorious “girlfriend,” but straight to Yun Zhuoqing, someone with zero connection to him.
“Sorry you had to see that.” His voice was gentle, worlds away from how he’d spoken to his ex a moment earlier.
Yun Zhuoqing, oblivious to the difference, just replied quietly, “Not at all.”
“Sorry for the trouble today, do you need a ride home?” He was just being polite, but Yun Zhuoqing declined and left by herself. No one tried to stop her this time.
Song Hanyue stayed silent until Yun Zhuoqing had really left, then suddenly looked odd, blurting out, “You... what was that just now? Don’t tell me you…”
Wen Shuran smiled gently at her. “Hanyue, don’t overthink it.”
A shiver ran down Song Hanyue’s spine. She felt goosebumps everywhere.
Everyone assumed she and Wen Shuran were childhood friends destined for each other; some even whispered she had a crush on him. Only Song Hanyue knew there was nothing like that between them.
Honestly, who in their right mind would even want Wen Shuran?
Still, before she left, Song Hanyue couldn’t help warning him, “Just… don’t bother with her. She’s nothing special.”
Wen Shuran just gave her that same soft, unfazed smile: “I’m telling you, you’re overthinking.”
Song Hanyue left, still shaking the goosebumps off.
Wen Shuran’s smile faded as he looked away.
“So I ran into her here, of all places…” he murmured to himself, his words vanishing on the wind, no one heard a thing.