Chapter 68: Tortoise Shell Binding

During lunch break, Lin Ci’s sisters all rushed to help, wanting to support her to the cafeteria.

But Lin Ci declined everyone’s offers and shuffled over to Shen Xiyan’s side, whispering, “Can I go with you?”

“You want to go too?”

Lin Ci nodded vigorously, pecking like a little chick, her face clearly saying, “I want to go.”

“Forget it, your leg isn’t convenient, and Song Wan didn’t call you either. Going directly would be a bit rude. I’ll go check on her and come right back.”

Shen Xiyan asked, “Should I help you to the cafeteria first?”

…….. “Better let Wenwen help me.”

Lin Ci looked a little troubled, even she couldn’t figure out her own feelings.

Did she want people to know, or not?

She wasn’t Qin Sheng. If any rumors really started at school, it would inevitably lead to parents being called in. That would be the end of it.

“There’s no need to make it so complicated, let’s go!”

Shen Xiyan reached out his left hand and held her right hand.

Lin Ci hesitated a little, glared at him, but didn’t pull away. Around them, a small commotion broke out again.

Especially from the girls’ point of view: so many of us want to help you, yet you don’t want it, and you even run all the way to have Shen Xiyan help you.

What kind of behavior is this, sisters?

Where is Qin Sheng?

Lin Ci’s arm felt warm and soft in his palm. Compared to last night, being out in the open like this and letting Shen Xiyan toy with her little hand …… uh! Arm, felt especially thrilling.

After all, they weren’t a couple.

Supporting her as they walked to the cafeteria, the attention they drew was 100%.

Whenever a teacher tried to ask something, Lin Ci exaggerated her limp so much they couldn’t get any answers.

“Tomorrow I might as well get you a bento box …….. I’ll help you get lunch at noon.”

“Don’t! Eating in class feels so weird!” Lin Ci refused without thinking.

More importantly: if she used a bento box, then Shen Xiyan wouldn’t have to help her anymore, right?

I’m really scheming!

Thinking of this, Lin Ci’s heartbeat gradually sped up, and her pretty face naturally flushed a light red.

She secretly glanced around and saw that Shen Xiyan’s deskmate, Li Shuaishuai, was even whistling at them.

Damn it!

I’ve got my eye on you, don’t let me catch you without your homework.

“Xiyan … so many people are watching.”

“Let them watch.”

“Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Lin Ci had watched quite a few idol dramas, but only now, walking with him on campus, did she feel an incredibly genuine sense of romance.

A strong mix of shame, joy, happiness, and all kinds of emotions exploded like firecrackers, painting romantic pink fireworks in her heart.

“It’s nothing. They’re just jealous.”

“Jealous of what?”

“Jealous that I get to take advantage of you.”

“What’s there to be jealous about?” Lin Ci inexplicably felt better, the corners of her mouth curling up just a little.

Shen Xiyan rolled his eyes, “Who told you you’re good-looking?”

“Really? Really?”

The girl looked a little flushed, her head buzzing as if about to explode.

“How about compared to Qin Sheng?”

Shen Xiyan: “??? ”

“Say it ….”

Shen Xiyan gave her a deep look, then turned his head away, “You’re pretty.”

“You’re so perfunctory … I’m obviously ranked below her on the School Flower Ranking.”

“That’s just love being blind. If you want to compare, that School Flower Ranking is nonsense. The YY Ranking is more legit.”

Everyone is unique, and every woman is a unique angel.

Women are good at digging pits; men have to watch out for traps—this was what Shen Xiyan learned from his Aunt and Qin Sheng.

Sure enough, Lin Ci showed a very satisfied expression.

Women—

No matter their age or personality, they’re all the same: they love to be told they’re the most beautiful in the world.

Finally arriving at the cafeteria, Wenwen had already saved a seat.

“All right, you can let go now.” Lin Ci’s face was so red it looked like steam was about to blow out, and her voice carried a pleading girlish tone.

Shen Xiyan released his grip.

“Go early and come back early!” Lin Ci’s throat suddenly felt a little dry.

As a pure and virtuous girl, she felt her face burn just thinking about shamelessly linking arms with him on campus.

If it had been a week earlier, many people would have said they were a couple, but not now.

Qin Sheng’s presence had already been firmly established, so many people who saw Lin Ci and Shen Xiyan together would just point fingers and gossip.

“Mm, you and Wenwen stay here and wait for me.”

Shen Xiyan said this without realizing how strange it sounded.

What right did he have to tell Lin Ci to behave?

In high school, the Student Council was usually just for show, mostly made up of class monitors from various grades who handled small daily tasks like Flag-raising Ceremonies and Sports Meets.

Their power wasn’t nearly as big as in college.

They even had to do volunteer work, the kind that doesn’t even appear on graduation certificates.

Hence the saying:

If you want good grades in your first or second year of high school, stay far away from all student organizations, especially the Student Council.

Spending time there is less useful than relaxing on your own.

If you want to develop practical skills and social skills in high school, just run for Class Cadre—that’s enough.

This school was no different.

The only special thing about the Student Council was that it had a dedicated Practice Room.

But Song Wan’s location wasn’t where Shen Xiyan expected it to be.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“The door’s unlocked, come in yourself!”

Shen Xiyan twisted the door handle.

Immediately, a blast of cold air hit him, making him shiver.

The room wasn’t big, but the decoration was impressive—marble tiles paired with modern appliances: air conditioning, TV, computers, even several game consoles and a pile of controllers.

In the corner, he spotted a beanbag chair and a hammock.

A room like this would be perfectly at home in a house, but in school, it was completely out of place!

And it was lively inside.

Qin Sheng was tied to a chair with ropes, bound in a very suggestive way—the kind often seen in action movies. The moment she saw him, she sobbed out for help.

Two possible “instigators” were playing GoMoKu.

Song Wan, of course, and the other was a girl with long black hair piled on top of her head, revealing a slender, fair neck. Every frown and smile was extremely charming, every movement full of allure.

In the face of such sensuality, innocence and cuteness were insignificant.

“Song Wan, you made a wrong move!” the girl exclaimed.

Song Wan raised an eyebrow, “Where’s the mistake? Both ends are open. If I move again, I’ll have five-in-a-row …”

“So you made a mistake. I’ve already lost twelve games in a row. If you win again, we can’t keep playing.”

“I didn’t even want to play. You dragged me into it!”

“Tsk—no wonder you have such bad luck with people.”

She sulkily threw down a chess piece, turned aside, and then “just so happened” to see Shen Xiyan enter.

A bright smile quickly blossomed on her face: “So this is Qin Sheng’s boyfriend?”

“Xiyan! Help me! These two are crazy!” Qin Sheng shouted.

Seeing Shen Xiyan’s stunned expression, the girl laughed heartlessly.

Her laughter was full of life and seduction, blooming like a flower in full bloom.