“Too much.”
Bai Rourou stared at her body covered in bruises and welts reflected in the mirror, feeling like she just wanted to die.
There was no way to hide this!
“I guess I’ll have to wear a down jacket.”
Even though a whole night had passed, waves of pain still radiated from her body now and then—especially around her neck.
The collar disguised as a necklace had been tightened again by Cai Jinger, making it hard for her to breathe whenever she moved even a little too vigorously.
And the collar was so tight that anyone could tell something was wrong.
“It’s November now, and the temperature’s around twenty degrees. Wearing a light down jacket won’t be that strange, right?”
Even if it was a bit odd, it was better than the collar on her neck.
So, while most people were still wearing single layers, Bai Rourou put on her down jacket.
She still had classes today, but only in the afternoon.
Enduring the pain in her body, Bai Rourou arrived at school in the afternoon.
The down jacket and the high collar that covered half her face attracted many curious glances—some even started to wonder if they were feeling the cold wrong.
Could it really be this cold now?
“Why are you dressed like that?”
Gong Nanxue frowned when she saw Bai Rourou’s outfit, and the words Cai Jinger had told her last night immediately popped into her mind.
Bai Rourou was the only girl besides Cai Jinger who had gained her favor for so long, so naturally, she had taken it seriously and investigated at Yuehua Garden early this morning.
The result was obvious—everything Cai Jinger said was true.
Bai Rourou had been putting on a show all this time; beneath the innocent and fragile facade was a girl who had no limits in humiliating herself.
Gong Nanxue thought that if Bai Rourou was really short on money, there were plenty of other jobs she could do.
Choosing this kind of work made it hard to say what kind of person Bai Rourou really was.
Did she just want quick money no matter what she had to pay?
No matter what, Gong Nanxue’s favor for Bai Rourou had dropped sharply, even turning into a vague disgust.
“I’m not feeling well, I’m just sensitive to the cold.”
Bai Rourou explained softly, then noticed Gong Nanxue had already turned her attention away, busy calculating something in her textbook.
Rourou was always sensitive and instinctively felt that Gong Nanxue was treating her differently.
“Is it that time of the month?” she thought.
She had been quite warm toward her yesterday, but now the attitude had suddenly turned cold.
Her body felt especially uncomfortable, already weak and fragile from Cai Jinger’s torment.
Bai Rourou didn’t want to think about all the complicated things and just planned to find a chance to ask Gong Nanxue if she had any connections.
Then she could use Gong Nanxue’s help to fight back against Cai Jinger.
***
“Nan Jie, I have something I want to ask you.”
After the afternoon classes ended, Bai Rourou immediately grabbed Gong Nanxue, who was packing up to leave.
“What is it?”
Gong Nanxue’s tone was a bit impatient.
“Well…”
The girl hesitated, then quietly said, “Nan Jie, is your family rich?”
Hearing this, Gong Nanxue’s disgust grew.
Had her real intention been exposed?
All those talks about liking her secretly were just because she heard Gong Nanxue had some wealthy sugar daddy.
Was it because last night she and Cai Jinger discussed shares, so she couldn’t resist testing her today?
“My family isn’t rich.”
Bai Rourou’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, then she cautiously probed, “But yesterday I heard you and Cai Jinger talking about shares…”
“None of your business.”
Gong Nanxue cut her off sharply, looking coldly at the girl before her, voice icy.
“Who do you think you are, asking me about my private matters?”
The girl seemed strangled, opening her mouth to say something but unable to.
She wanted to say she’d been cooking for her for so long, but she had volunteered—and even got paid for food expenses.
Seeing the girl remain silent, Gong Nanxue grew more impatient.
“Bai Rourou, do you have anything else to say?”
“No, nothing.”
Bai Rourou’s eyes drooped in disappointment.
She turned to leave but was called back.
“Wait, give me back the key to my room.”
Gong Nanxue held out her hand.
Bai Rourou’s clear eyes instantly widened in shock.
Why take back the key?
Was this a sign of breaking ties?
What had she done wrong?
Why did Gong Nanxue suddenly harbor such strong hostility?
“Hurry up.”
Coldness filled Gong Nanxue’s eyes.
“Don’t make me angry.”
Bai Rourou bit her lip lightly and took the key from her bag, handing it over.
“Bai Rourou, stay away from me from now on. You disgust me.”
After taking the key, Gong Nanxue left with long strides, leaving the girl in her bulky down jacket standing alone, her figure looking fragile and thin from behind.
***
“Disgusting? Why would she feel disgusted?”
Bai Rourou felt there was a misunderstanding between her and Gong Nanxue.
This misunderstanding had to be cleared up, or else she couldn’t complete her mission—and if the mission failed, the system would shock her, something she absolutely couldn’t bear.
So without hesitation, Bai Rourou decided to play a little stealthy game.
She had just been severely bullied and warned by Cai Jinger yesterday, so today she figured Cai Jinger wouldn’t expect her to go to Gong Nanxue’s house again.
After calming herself, Bai Rourou hopped on her little electric scooter and followed Gong Nanxue’s steps to her doorstep.
Only this time, she didn’t have the key and had to ring the doorbell.
“My body feels so bad.”
Bai Rourou rang for a while with no response and vaguely suspected Gong Nanxue might not be home.
“Maybe she’s off racing motorcycles again?”
She pursed her lips. The discomfort in her body no longer allowed her to wait here.
“I’ll try to clear this up with Gong Nanxue properly tomorrow.”
With that, Bai Rourou left Gong Nanxue’s house and returned to Cai Jinger’s place.
Unexpectedly, Cai Jinger was home.
“Where did you go?”
Cai Jinger asked with a smile.
“Why are you late?”
“I went to buy a milk tea,” the girl explained timidly.
“I didn’t take long—”
Her phone lit up on the table, the map route showing suddenly silenced her.
“Then why does the location show you went to Gong Nanxue’s house?”
Cai Jinger’s smile remained, but to Bai Rourou, it looked terrifying.
“I-I didn’t go inside!”
Bai Rourou tried to explain while stepping backward.
“I just—”
“Answer me first! Why did you go to Gong Nanxue’s house?”
Cai Jinger stood in front of her, her delicate face icy, her beautiful eyes filled with anger.
The question rendered Bai Rourou speechless.
“Just got scolded last night, and you’re making the same mistake today? So you think last night was too easy on you?”
“No, I—ah ah ah!”
Suddenly, an electric shock surged through the collar and spread throughout Bai Rourou’s body.
In an instant, accompanied by cries of pain, the girl collapsed onto the floor.
“Don’t be anxious, this is only the appetizer.”
Cai Jinger turned off the shock, picked up the convulsing girl, and carried her straight into the bedroom.
With the girl’s occasional cries of pain and gasps, another sleepless night began.