Chapter 17: They’re in Cahoots!

Author: Miscellaneous Goods Cannot Be Stored

Updated: June 7, 2025, 21:49:48

Word Count: 2370

Luo Qiu Zhu had tailed Lin Shen Xue to a nearby park.

She couldn’t stop Shen Xue from meeting Xu Lin, but she couldn’t let her childhood friend meet a guy alone either.

Luo Qiu Zhu kept her distance, following.

Soon, she spotted Xu Lin in the distance and quickly ducked into a nearby bush to spy.

She saw her best friend smiling brighter than usual at Xu Lin, her heart tightening with a sour pang.

That jerk was just laughing with that witch senior, and now he’s meeting Shen Xue—total scumbag!

But knowing everything, she couldn’t just stop it.

When Xu Lin handed Shen Xue tissues and water, she scoffed.

But seeing her friend treasure them, tucking them away like gems, her mood soured further.

Their cozy chat only made her grit her teeth at Xu Lin.

Damn, what dirty tricks is he pulling!

She nearly rushed out but held back.

Damn, damn!

Luo Qiu Zhu clenched her fists.

…

“Young hero, why’d you zone out again!”

As Luo Qiu Zhu watched her friend chat with Xu Lin, cursing him in her mind, a familiar voice rang out.

Looking toward the sound, she saw a glaringly conspicuous figure.

Isn’t that the witch senior? What’s she doing here?

There was Li Zhi Ran, the one from KFC, squatting behind another bush farther away, talking to thin air.

She kept glancing in another direction.

Following her gaze, Luo Qiu Zhu saw it led straight to Shen Xue and Xu Lin.

And whenever the witch spoke, Xu Lin seemed to react.

This…

In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Luo Qiu Zhu’s mind, settling on one.

They’re in cahoots!

But why?

Confirming the situation, she fell into confusion.

Is the witch teaching him how to win Shen Xue?

But aren’t they a couple? Or are they not?

No!

She’d heard about this witch senior, Li Zhi Ran. Despite her bizarre outfits and odd speech, she was an ice-cold beauty.

Li Zhi Ran always wore a frosty expression, yet plenty of guys liked the type and confessed.

But after one try, every guy avoided her like the plague.

Thus, her “witch” title grew, earning her the “iceberg” moniker too—no one dared confess again.

As for the witch herself, she’d never been heard approaching any guy.

Yet earlier, Luo Qiu Zhu had seen Xu Lin chatting and laughing with her, and the witch acting somewhat close to him.

This was the second strangest thing about the witch in her school legend.

The first, of course, was the witch herself.

If there wasn’t something special between them, Luo Qiu Zhu wouldn’t believe it—and neither would the whole school.

Whatever—it’s a conspiracy!

Luo Qiu Zhu no longer thought Xu Lin was just pursuing Lin Shen Xue.

What are they planning to do to Shen Xue?

Worry flooded her heart, her mind flashing inappropriate scenes.

No, I can’t let Shen Xue fall into their trap!

Emotions running high, Luo Qiu Zhu threw caution to the wind, deciding to barge in and drag her friend away.

She stepped forward—but then Xu Lin suddenly stood and hurried off.

Luo Qiu Zhu glanced at Li Zhi Ran’s bush; she wasn’t looking at the stone table anymore.

Perfect chance!

Without hesitation, Luo Qiu Zhu rushed to the table.

Lin Shen Xue was lost in bliss, caressing the water bottle.

Luo Qiu Zhu appeared before her, and she looked up, startled.

“Qiu Zhu?”

Lin Shen Xue’s happy expression turned to surprise.

“Shen Xue, let’s go.”

She grabbed her friend’s hand.

“But Xu Lin…”

“I know, but it’s urgent. I wouldn’t interrupt otherwise. Explain to him later!”

Luo Qiu Zhu pulled harder, and Lin Shen Xue stood.

“Okay.”

Lin Shen Xue knew her friend was forceful but rarely this tense.

Something urgent must be up.

“I’ll message Xu Lin first.”

“We’ll go now—you can text on the way.”

Luo Qiu Zhu feared Xu Lin would return if she messaged, ruining the chance.

She dragged Lin Shen Xue away without giving her a chance to text.

Soon, they left the park and reached the parking area.

They climbed into a Maybach, sitting in the back.

Up front, a woman in a black suit sat at the wheel.

“Situ Jie, drive home.”

This was Lin Shen Xue’s bodyguard.

Though no longer at her side constantly, she still protected her young miss from the shadows.

She also doubled as the driver.

“Got it.”

Seeing no objection from her miss, the bodyguard called Situ Jie drove off.

“Qiu Zhu, what’s so urgent?”

In the car, after messaging Xu Lin, Lin Shen Xue finally asked.

Luo Qiu Zhu faltered.

She’d acted on impulse, focused on getting Shen Xue away, without a good excuse.

If Shen Xue knew she lied, how would she see her?

Would the mask she’d worn all this time fall?

Would Shen Xue look at her with disgust, drifting away…

The thought panicked her.

She didn’t want Shen Xue to hate her.

Wait.

She recalled something.

“Uncle Lin…”

Luo Qiu Zhu spun the story.

Hearing it was family-related, Lin Shen Xue nodded, understanding but slightly regretful.

“Shen Xue, do you really know that Xu Lin?”

Seeing her friend’s look, Luo Qiu Zhu couldn’t help asking.

Lin Shen Xue lowered her head, cheeks flushing, and nodded.

“I do. He’s a… really good person…”

She sank into happiness.

Luo Qiu Zhu’s words about Xu Lin’s true nature stuck in her throat.

“What if he’s not what you think… what if he’s a bad guy?”

She asked indirectly.

Lin Shen Xue shook her head.

“He’s not like that…”

Her voice was soft as ever but firm.

“…Even if he’s not what I imagine, I…”

She paused.

“…No matter what, he’s the person I want to be close to.”

Lin Shen Xue took out the water bottle, caressing it, smiling blissfully alone.

Luo Qiu Zhu felt a choke in her chest, unable to speak.

Watching her somewhat unfamiliar friend, she felt drained, slumping against the soft seat.

But…

Can’t I bring myself to tell Shen Xue the truth?

She felt it was more than that.

Hearing Shen Xue’s words, she feared speaking would doom her friend irreparably.

Luo Qiu Zhu didn’t fear for herself but for Shen Xue becoming like that.

…

“Miss, Miss Luo, we’re home.”

Time passed unknowingly until Situ Jie’s voice woke Luo Qiu Zhu.

“Luo Qiu Zhu, get out.”

Lin Shen Xue had already exited, urging her in her usual tone.

Luo Qiu Zhu felt some strength return.

After a moment, she got out the other side.

Sunlight hit her, reviving her limp body.

She turned to Lin Shen Xue on the other side.

Bathing in the sun, eyes slightly squinted, her friend wore a happy smile.

If I can’t tell Shen Xue the truth, I’ll go straight for that guy!

Luo Qiu Zhu’s mind flashed Xu Lin’s hateful face.

She abandoned stopping her friend directly, choosing to confront Xu Lin.

She’d intimidate the creep and protect her best friend!