“Hello, may I ask, are you Lin Xue’er and Xia Mengxi?”
Standing in the hallway, blocking the path of Xia Mengxi and Li Siqi, was a girl in a black uniform—none other than a third-year student from the Student Council.
Seeing this, Xia Mengxi nodded slightly in response, “I’m Xia Mengxi, but she’s not Lin Xue’er.”
The upperclassman in the uniform glanced at the two of them, then pointed to the armband on her arm to indicate her identity.
“I’m a member of the Student Council. I’m here to summon Lin Xue’er. The two of you are suspected of violating school regulations. So, which one of you is Lin Xue’er?”
“I’m here.”
Hearing the familiar voice from behind, Xia Mengxi stiffened all over, subconsciously moving half a step around Li Siqi, using Li Siqi’s body as a shield to block Lin Xue’er’s sharp and questioning gaze.
Seeing this, the bespectacled girl narrowed her eyes, as if she’d discovered something big.
“Xia Mengxi, why are you with this person at noon? And why are you hiding behind her, not even looking at me?”
Lin Xue’er’s gradually darkening eyes, without a doubt, were signs of impending ‘blackening’. But since Xia Mengxi had already decided to face this head-on, she wouldn’t back down now.
“Xia Mengxi! Say something!”
Seeing Lin Xue’er approaching step by step, Li Siqi stretched out her hand to block her path.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Can’t you see Mengxi doesn’t want to talk to you?”
“Shut up! Who are you? Since when is it your place to interfere in my matters with Xia Mengxi?!”
From Lin Xue’er’s tone, it was clear she was already extremely agitated.
Just this morning, the person who had just confessed their feelings to her was already in someone else’s arms. And this happened so suddenly and inexplicably—how could she not be angry?
But at this moment, Lin Xue’er still held some hope. Since things happened without warning, there had to be something else going on.
She hoped that Xia Mengxi, one of the people involved, could step forward and explain the situation.
However, what Lin Xue’er never expected was that Xia Mengxi not only refused to answer her questions but also showed a posture of keeping her at a distance. For a moment, Lin Xue’er was at a loss.
“I… What I do… has nothing to do with you… Ugh!”
Even without looking at Lin Xue’er, Xia Mengxi could feel Lin Xue’er’s killing glare directed at her.
Even scarier was the aura Lin Xue’er was giving off, as if it resonated with something deeply imprinted in her soul, making her knees go weak. She could only lean against Li Siqi for support to keep from collapsing.
Her every move seemed to touch Lin Xue’er’s bottom line. If not for the presence of a fourth person here, a major fight might have already broken out.
“Ahem, well, your issues can be dealt with later. For now, besides you, the other two need to come with me. Because of what happened this morning, you’ve seriously damaged the school’s Good Conduct. So you need to come with me to the Student Council to accept the President’s criticism.”
Seeing the Student Council member point at herself, Li Siqi glanced at Xia Mengxi, who was still holding her arm, then said to the bespectacled upperclassman, “I’m involved in what happened this morning too, so I’ll go as well.”
“Ah…”
The upperclassman let out a helpless sigh. Just thinking of what had happened earlier made her worry about what might happen if these three stayed together.
But seeing the resolute look in Li Siqi’s eyes, the bespectacled girl nodded subconsciously.
“Alright… but! Don’t start fighting or arguing. Otherwise, you won’t just face criticism—there might be punishment, too.”
“Don’t worry, senpai. As long as that troublemaker doesn’t stir things up, we’ll stay quiet until this is over. Please, lead the way, senpai.”
Not wanting to drag things out, the group began walking. But before long, the atmosphere was already growing tense again, making the bespectacled girl twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Surprisingly, the usually volatile Lin Xue’er was now extremely quiet, making the Student Council member breathe a sigh of relief.
“Alright then, follow me.”
Fearing Lin Xue’er might try something sneaky, Xia Mengxi subtly tugged the hand of the person beside her, signaling for them to stay close.
Lin Xue’er, who had been behind them, glared at Xia Mengxi as she passed and said, “Xia Mengxi, I’m really angry right now. You’d better give me a good explanation later.”
“Are you crazy? Why should Mengxi care if you’re angry?”
Li Siqi protected Xia Mengxi with her body, snapping back without a care for the growing darkness in Lin Xue’er’s expression.
“Let me give you some advice—don’t meddle in things that don’t concern you, or else…”
Before Lin Xue’er turned to leave, Li Siqi could feel the intense killing intent coming from her. Even if she’d once boasted of being invincible, she wouldn’t dare let her guard down against Lin Xue’er now.
But after witnessing Lin Xue’er’s expression just now, Li Siqi’s heart settled into a determined resolve.
Fine, I will protect Xia Mengxi, and I definitely won’t let her end up like my own sister Lin He.
“Mengxi, are you okay?”
“Yeah… barely, I can still walk…”
Feeling the warmth of the hand holding hers, Xia Mengxi’s restless heart finally calmed down a bit.
As her emotions settled, she couldn’t help but glance at the person beside her.
“Li Siqi… I…”
Noticing Xia Mengxi was about to say something unnecessary, Li Siqi almost flicked her forehead, but remembering what happened earlier on the rooftop, she instead gently tapped Xia Mengxi’s forehead with her finger.
“Now that we’re on the same boat, don’t say anything that’ll divide us. Didn’t I already say it? Since you’ve decided, don’t hesitate. If you’re worried about me, then use that little brain of yours to come up with a way to deal with Lin Xue’er, instead of overthinking.”
Sigh.
Li Siqi is usually so carefree, so how can she be this gentle and thoughtful now?
With a little complaint in her heart, Xia Mengxi looked up at Li Siqi, feeling her heart race faster. Her delicate, lovely face flushed a bit.
Crap! Am I starting to develop feelings for Li Siqi now?!
But… that’s not necessarily a bad thing… After all, Li Siqi is really cool, and always stands by my side at the most critical moments…
Xia Mengxi smiled slightly, her mind unconsciously lingering on thoughts about Li Siqi. She… wanted to know more about her.
If possible, she hoped she could pursue Li Siqi with genuine feelings, not just because of her mission.
“We’re here. Behind this door is the Student Council President’s Mountain Office. You three can go in.”
As time passed, and after a long walk, the bespectacled Student Council member gestured toward a large, slightly ajar door, then took her leave. The remaining three, without exchanging a word, silently entered together.