Ning Chuxue was already hesitant. From the very beginning, she had never fully decided whether to listen to Ying and join the club. Her firm refusal was simply because she couldn’t find a reasonable reason to convince herself of the meaning of joining this club.
Besides, the name “Miscellaneous Studies Club” sounded very unreliable at first hearing. Now, the interaction between the two people at the desk in front of her completely shattered Ning Chuxue’s hesitation.
Although Ning Chuxue now had the idea of joining a club, an idea was still an idea—it didn’t mean she had truly made up her mind to agree. What if the people in the Miscellaneous Studies Club were just like the others, only approaching her because of her cute appearance?
It wasn’t that Ning Chuxue was narcissistic, but this had happened so many times that she couldn’t even remember how many. The time she had a meal with Shen Ruqing, and another time when she was out and someone chased after her to ask for her contact information—Ning Chuxue still remembered those vividly.
Ning Chuxue felt disgusted by such “friends” who only coveted her looks. Thus, she looked at Ying with a hint of helplessness.
Ying’s eyes were full of expectation, blinking as she looked at Ning Chuxue, apparently looking forward to what answer she would give. Seeing Ying like this made Ning Chuxue a little embarrassed.
Ning Chuxue also knew that Ying was also someone who approached her because of her appearance. But compared to the others, Ying’s intentions were purer, without any malicious thoughts.
Moreover, during the crisis with Qian Sheng, Ying had dared to step up to protect her, which was already far stronger than the others. Over time, Ning Chuxue no longer cared about Ying’s initial intentions, and as time passed, her conversations with Ying were no longer as restrained as before; she even took the initiative to make a joke.
Thinking of this, the lingering pain in her wrist pulled her back to reality. Although Ying had already let go, she had gripped Ning Chuxue’s wrist very hard just now, so much so that even the residual pain was still hard for Ning Chuxue to bear.
However, Ning Chuxue also knew she hadn’t meant it. From a few interactions with Ying, Ning Chuxue understood that whenever something caught Ying’s interest, she would throw herself into it completely, ignoring everything else.
These factors also included her incredibly large strength. So Ning Chuxue didn’t entirely blame her; she still looked very friendly, and the only trace of anger had already been dispelled by the scene of the two people at the front desk interacting.
“What is the Miscellaneous Studies Club?”
Hearing Ning Chuxue’s question, Ying was stunned for a few seconds, but quickly reacted and excitedly replied.
“A place that uses the name of a club but is actually for eating, drinking, and having fun!”
What did this mean? Ning Chuxue’s resolve was shaken!
Although Ying looked silly, she wasn’t actually stupid; she quickly caught the gist of Ning Chuxue’s words. Of course, that was as far as it went.
“Eating, drinking, and having fun?”
Ning Chuxue became even more confused by this.
“Doesn’t the Student Union care?”
When she was bored, she had looked through the materials in Mu Wannuo’s office and unexpectedly learned that each club was allocated corresponding club funds based on their importance.
Clubs that were not very useful, or those that used the name of a club but were actually for fun, would be forcibly removed by the Student Union.
So after hearing Ying’s introduction, Ning Chuxue was surprised.
Ying wasn’t as complicated as she thought and explained matter-of-factly.
“Under normal circumstances, they would indeed be removed.”
Ning Chuxue showed an expression of “I knew it,” thinking that they just hadn’t been discovered yet.
At the same time, she lowered her initial impression of the Miscellaneous Studies Club by a few points.
“But, the Miscellaneous Studies Club is a bit special. This club was founded by Vice President Lin Wan who entrusted Su Tang from the next class. It’s precisely because Lin Wan is involved that every time there’s an inspection, they overlook the Miscellaneous Studies Club…”
Night had fallen. Indeed, it hadn’t been discovered. But there was an umbrella of protection above, so that’s why it wasn’t found.
“How do you know all this?”
This time, Ning Chuxue was curious. Normally, such unsavory things wouldn’t be spread around.
“Because creating a club requires three people, and at that time, including Su Tang, there were only two.”
Ying didn’t avoid it and explained in detail.
“Because they were short one person, Su Tang found me to make up the numbers.”
Goodness, is this what connections mean? Ning Chuxue couldn’t help but marvel.
Without doing anything, such a good thing as eating and drinking at public expense could fall into her lap.
“So? Xiao Nuo, do you want to join the club?”
Seeing Ning Chuxue still hesitating, Ying couldn’t help but urge.
“Don’t worry, even though this club doesn’t look so glamorous, the atmosphere inside is great!”
The second half was something Ying added on the spot. She was worried that Ning Chuxue’s socially anxious personality would kick in again, causing her to once again dodge the invitation.
Seeing Ning Chuxue still hesitating, Ying felt especially tormented. Time ticked by, second after second.
Ning Chuxue stood still, occasionally twisting the hem of her clothes or biting her nails.
Ever since she bit her nail while riding in Mu Wannuo’s car, Ning Chuxue had completely developed the habit of biting her nails.
Every time she thought about something or fell into a daze, she would unconsciously bite.
Ying didn’t disturb Ning Chuxue’s thoughts, but nervously awaited the result. The waiting time made Ying feel doubly agonized.
She genuinely wanted to help Ning Chuxue escape the cage woven by Mu Wannuo. At the very least, she wanted to give Ning Chuxue a safe haven amidst the endless pressure.
Although the other party had resisted her several times, Ying did not give up. She believed that this was just because Ning Chuxue had been in a stressful environment for a long time, affecting her ability to think independently, and gradually leading her astray.
It was like a child with unformed values; though they might have many flaws in childhood, it didn’t prevent them from becoming a hero who bravely sacrifices themselves as an adult.
Ying didn’t expect Ning Chuxue to become a hero. But at the very least, she wanted to turn Ning Chuxue from a child with unformed values into an adult who could stand on her own.
After three minutes of thinking, Ying felt her heart pounding. In the classroom without a teacher, it was very lively.
Everywhere was the sound of students talking and discussing. Some glances fell on Ning Chuxue, but they just swept over and then they went back to other things.
Those who would keep their eyes on Ning Chuxue for a long time had already been cleared out by Mu Wannuo.
As for why Mu Wannuo hadn’t cleared out Ying as well, it was probably out of respect for Director Zhang.
Another two minutes passed, and Ying felt her patience wearing thin. Usually she preferred straightforwardness and never liked these roundabout things.
Just when she couldn’t wait any longer, Ning Chuxue finally came back to her senses.
“I can go with you.”
The reason Ning Chuxue had thought for so long was because she had made a huge psychological preparation.
She was already very socially anxious, and the constant defense against those who used “making friends” as an excuse to approach her had caught her off guard.
As a result, Ning Chuxue was a little scared now. But after a long thought, she still chose to trust Ying.
“Really!?”
Compared to Ning Chuxue’s seriousness, Ying was instead a bit incredulous.
She had thought she would need to persuade for a while longer to make this little girl change her mind. She didn’t expect it to go so smoothly!
Just as Ying was still immersed in the joy of success, Ning Chuxue asked something that had been puzzling her.
“Ying, why do you always call me Xiao Nuo?”
She had wanted to know the answer to this question for a long time, but previously she had always been the one being persuaded, so she never found a chance to ask.
Ning Chuxue also thought that her own name didn’t contain the character “Nuo.”
“Because this nickname suits you very well.”
Ying answered truthfully. Ning Chuxue was even more confused, but she didn’t bother about it.
After all, it was just a nickname; as long as it wasn’t too over the top, anything was fine.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.