Chapter 7

Even without Xie Jinxing reminding her, Gu An’an had to sign up for swimming classes. The Damocles sword of sharks still hovered over her head, ready to strike at any moment, leaving her utterly obliterated. The expulsion incident had finally made Gu An’an realize one thing:
This crappy book! Even if she didn’t get close to the protagonist, the cannon fodder’s fate wasn’t spared a single drop of hardship.
If her destiny was cursed, there was no getting around it.
Then what else could she do? Even if it killed her, she had to master ocean swimming!
...
The school’s attitude in retracting the expulsion notice was better than Gu An’an had expected.
On Tuesday, right at the start of class, a teacher from the admissions office came to the classroom, instructing her to go to the principal’s office.
In the world of overbearing CEOs, a major benefactor carried more weight than a hundred complaints. Even a principal who only appeared during school festivals and sports meets had taken the time to invite Gu An’an for tea.
Pushing the door open, she found not only the principal but several school leaders waiting inside.
The teacher who had announced her expulsion that day was also there, face sour and forced into a smile that looked more like crying.
“Come, sit, sit,” they said.
The school officials were unusually kind, pouring tea personally, bringing snacks, making Gu An’an momentarily stunned.
“So Gu An’an is actually related to the Xie family? Truly unexpected,” one school leader remarked.
The principal’s chubby face twitched, eyes squinting into slits. “Our gym and sports equipment owe a lot to the Xie family’s help.”
Gu An’an was intimidated by the whole scene, cautiously inching toward a corner and finally sitting down. As for the principal’s mention of donations and equipment, Gu An’an had no idea. The Xie family had funded so many projects, with several charitable institutions under their name.
Grandpa Xie had a somewhat superstitious streak, a strong belief in karma and doing good deeds. That was why he treated Gu An’an, an outsider, even better than his own grandchildren.
She placed her hands on her knees, sitting like a proper elementary school student, eyes alert yet nervous.
Though the office looked grand from the outside, inside it was humble. The sofas were worn, potted plants lined the windowsill, and a half-dead money tree stood in the corner.
The chubby old principal stood repeatedly urging her to eat snacks, holding out sesame crisps, his personal favorite. Delicious but overwhelmingly sweet, just one bite could make you feel sugar-overloaded for days.
Gu An’an hesitated but eventually took one, unable to refuse such hospitality.
“...Our basketball team is also doing fairly well, thanks to conscientious corporate support,” the principal began, somehow veering into a history lecture about Jingchuan’s hundred-year legacy. “This year’s Eight-School Basketball League will be held here. We hope Mr. Xie can spare the time to attend.”
“?” Gu An’an raised her head, feeling utterly lost, like picking up a pen in math class and suddenly realizing she didn’t understand anything. “Eight-School League?”
The principal smiled, “Our sports department has a few prospects for the provincial team, but they lack a bit of luck.”
Sitting in the principal’s office, Gu An’an felt like her brain had been zombified.
“Gu An’an, please pass a message to Mr. Xie. If he’s busy, it’s fine. No pressure. Nothing else, just go back to class after this.”
After sipping her tea, the principal added casually, “I heard the Xie Corporation might expand into sports. Not sure if there’s interest in signing athletes.”
“Principal, my surname is Gu...”
“I know,” the principal nodded, then asked, “I also heard you’re Lu Xingyu’s fiancée?”
Gu An’an spat out the candy, sitting up straight. “I made that up.”
“Oh? I saw it on the forums...”
“That too was made up.”
“You’re quite idle.”
Gu An’an nodded, admitting it, “But not anymore.”
The principal paused but didn’t push. “First, I called you to apologize on behalf of Director Yang from the admissions office. The expulsion was a misunderstanding; some teachers have been punished. Rest assured, our school isn’t a place for arbitrary actions, and such violations won’t happen again. Second, to pass a message to Mr. Xie. If he’s busy, no pressure.”
“Okay,” Gu An’an replied and immediately left.
Back in class, reality sank in.
Ugh, the dirty adult world. The principal asked her to pass a message but didn’t guarantee she would see Xie Jinxing. She was just a small, pitiful guest at the Xie household, surviving only because Grandpa Xie had a kind heart. How could she expect anything more? After all, even the old man struggled to see his own son; she wasn’t the protagonist. Who knew if she’d ever meet Xie Jinxing again?
Glancing at the office door, she knew she could daydream but couldn’t fool herself.
Back to her freshman courses she went.
After a week of grinding, she still only half-understood the material. The original protagonist had no solid foundation, making everything harder. By Friday, thinking of the three days off ahead, she decisively put down her books, packed, and headed to the resort.
The Xie family’s resort was on an undeveloped beach on the outskirts of Beijing. Rarely crowded, the sand was clean, and the water crystal-clear. Designed for the wealthy, the resort had complete amenities and highly trained, professional staff.
At check-in, staff immediately came to assist her with her luggage, smiling upon hearing her name. “Miss Gu, don’t worry, Assistant Li has arranged everything.”
Gu An’an was thrilled. The overbearing CEO really was professional and domineering!
She happily followed the staff to her seaside room, which had excellent lighting and an expansive view through floor-to-ceiling windows. She immediately collapsed onto the bed, rolling around, the room scented with an expensive aroma that screamed money.
After a moment, it was time for business. She unpacked her newly purchased swimsuit, applied sunscreen, and rushed out.
Ocean swimming with a professional coach, here she came!
As the saying goes, “Enemies meet on narrow paths.”
Gu An’an didn’t understand. She had hidden at the resort, yet here was Lu Xingyu and his entourage.
Recently, Lu Xingyu had been partying every night, his social media full of glitz and extravagance. His circle of wealthy second-generation friends flocked to him as always.
A net divided the beach; two groups wore various swim trunks, preparing for beach volleyball.
Lu Xingyu, slightly more subdued than the other heirs, wore an oversized sleeveless T-shirt, a headband, legs apart, squatting slightly, sweat dripping, fanning himself lazily.
Not far away, four or five umbrellas shaded cheering crowds, making it feel like a competitive sports event.
The three-day fantasy of mastering ocean swimming was impossible with these people around. Glancing at the sun-baked Lu Xingyu, Gu An’an decided to find the swimming coach instead.
As she stepped barefoot onto the platform stairs, someone bumped into her shoulder.
Turning around, she found a big-eyed beauty standing behind her. Chestnut-colored long curls, blue contacts, trendy makeup. “Gu An’an, so you followed! Honestly, can you have some self-awareness? Someone like Lu Xingyu... you’re just like a fan following him everywhere, absolutely clueless!”
Gu An’an couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
She muttered, “Who are you?”
The girl’s face darkened. “Just trying to teach you some sense, don’t appreciate it, fine!”
Gu An’an had no intention to be rude; the girl’s name escaped her memory. All of Shen Shan’s entourage looked the same, makeup and all, like clones.
“...Shen Shan’s been asking where you’ve gone for the past half-month. Hope you haven’t scared her? You see, this isn’t a big deal.”
“I almost got expelled.”
“Then just go abroad. Spend some money at a foreign school, same difference.”
Gu An’an sighed, realizing the irreconcilable gap between the proletariat and the elite.
“Anyway, hurry up and change. Shen Shan’s under the green umbrella, I’m heading over first.” The beauty flipped her hair, not even bothering to wear a sun jacket just so she could show off her figure. Ruthless. “Oh, and G-brand’s new collection is being delivered today. If you’re late, don’t blame me when there’s nothing left for you~”
Oh, right, Shen Shan, the classic rich and beautiful villainess.
Although she was filthy rich, none of her “besties” were sincere. They only clung to her for her money and connections. Shen Shan probably knew that too, which was why every time a luxury brand launched a new line, she’d preorder a whole batch, then, after showing off, she’d graciously let each of them pick one item.
That was one of the main reasons the cowardly Gu An’an had dared to provoke Shen Shan in the original plot, to impress the female lead.
Now, just thinking about Shen Shan made her head hurt.

The male supporting characters and female supporting characters were all showing up one by one... Could the heroine be far behind?
After wandering through the staff area without finding the desk, she wiped her sweat, almost fried under the sun. Finally, she found the service desk, locking eyes with the receptionist, Su Ruan.
Su Ruan, with wide doe eyes and a thin frame, looked barely twenty, though she was. Her slime remained stubbornly black at -100.
Gu An’an sighed. “I need to contact the swimming coach.”
Su Ruan, sitting like a schoolgirl, fumbled, took several calls, and finally summoned a tall, muscular woman holding a kickboard. Fully covered swimsuit, tanned, teeth bright, “Follow me,” she said.
Gu An’an thought she could finally leave quietly. But as she reached the revolving glass door, someone grabbed her arm.
Turning, she faced a cocky expression.
“Following me all the way here?” The guy was Zhou Jiayu, wearing red swim trunks, upper body bare. “Didn’t drink enough water?”
Gu An’an calculated how to silence him fast.
“Ruan Ruan, don’t be scared,” Zhou Jiayu muttered, “I’m here; she won’t bully you.”
Su Ruan hesitated beside him.
Gu An’an closed her eyes, then lashed out with a leg strike to his weak point. As he yelped in pain and let go, she grabbed the coach and ran from the center.
“Idiot!” From afar, she flipped him the bird.
She ran, flipping the finger, and suddenly collided with a sweaty figure. Slowly raising her head, she met Lu Xingyu’s expressionless, frowning face. Behind him, a line of his friends peeked from behind, eyes twitching.
Gu An’an jumped back three meters.
Lu Xingyu’s face darkened further. Under the blazing sun, his slime remained crisp at 55.
“What are you wearing?” Lu Xingyu’s voice carried a cold edge.
Gu An’an’s swimsuit was perfectly normal, but her figure made her curves more noticeable.
She was about to scold him for always criticizing her clothes, but behind her, Zhou Jiayu, clutching his crotch, chased after her.
He tried to grab her arm: “You”
Seeing Lu Xingyu, he withdrew. “Oh, protecting her already? Not even your girlfriend.”
Lu Xingyu’s anger flared; the audacious outsider thought a few dollars made him a prince? Pathetic.
Pushing Gu An’an behind him, he stepped forward.
From the back, a soft voice spoke. Su Ruan timidly tugged at Zhou Jiayu’s trunks, holding up two bottles of ice-cold water. “It’s so hot... do you want some water?”
The tense atmosphere instantly deflated.