Hearing Lin Xue’er’s words, Xia Mengxi’s body trembled all over. If she was really taken by Lin Xue’er to that place, she would truly be doomed.
But with no way out, how could she escape? It wasn’t like she could just make a desperate run for it right in front of Lin Xue’er, like a cornered dog jumping over the wall, could she?
The person behind her seemed to sense her unease, and leaned in to whisper knowingly by her ear, “Xiaoxi, are you scared? Heh, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, you’ll definitely be safe.”
It’s exactly because you’re here that I’m scared, that I have no sense of security!
In her heart, Xia Mengxi silently cursed at Lin Xue’er, while also wondering if there was still any way to save herself.
It looked like a dead end, but there was one crucial uncertain element that hadn’t appeared yet—that was the proclamation from the Divine Script. So after thinking it over, Xia Mengxi felt there was still a chance, if only she could think of a way.
Sigh… she really hoped things would take a turn for the better!
Another early morning, just as Xia Mengxi and Lin Xue’er were eating breakfast, the sound of the doorbell rang out from a corner.
Xia Mengxi instinctively thought it would be Lin Xue’er’s family ringing the bell. After all, she’d been to Lin Xue’er’s house so many times but had never seen her parents.
But unfortunately, it wasn’t as she imagined.
“Xiaoxi, I’ll go get the door. What you should and shouldn’t do, you know in your heart, so…don’t make me angry.”
“I understand.”
Xia Mengxi wasn’t stupid—of course she understood this wasn’t a good opportunity to ask for help. If she tried anything now, with Lin Xue’er just a step away from turning completely dark, she could guarantee Lin Xue’er would just chop down anyone she asked for help—and then include her as well…
After all, before turning back time, she had almost lost the right to walk.
But if it was Lin Xue’er’s parents, maybe it would be worth considering—no matter how ruthless Lin Xue’er was, surely she wouldn’t go so far as to do that to her own parents?
As she pondered, Xia Mengxi secretly followed Lin Xue’er’s footsteps, leaving the house and hiding under a large tree in the courtyard, her gaze fixed on the door Lin Xue’er was about to open.
And in the instant the gate to the courtyard opened, Xia Mengxi was full of question marks—because the person standing outside was none other than the Student Council President she had only met once before—her third conquest target, Jiang Wannin.
Huh… what was she doing here? Could she and Lin Xue’er be on good terms?
No, during last week’s school life, Lin Xue’er hadn’t interacted with anyone except her, and now Lin Xue’er’s expression at seeing Jiang Wannin was somewhat puzzled. At the same time, Jiang Wannin was also surprised to see Lin Xue’er here. That meant the two had never had any dealings with each other.
Just as Xia Mengxi thought, Lin Xue’er was indeed confused by Jiang Wannin’s arrival, but still managed a standard smile and asked politely, “Good morning… Jiang President.”
Jiang Wannin nodded, then smiled slightly and said, “Good morning, Lin Classmate. Sorry to bother you, but I didn’t expect to run into someone I know when I just came to ask about something.”
“Heh, so that’s how it is. May I ask, Jiang President, what you’d like to know?”
Lin Xue’er’s smiling face suddenly stiffened, because as she spoke, Jiang Wannin pointed toward the house next door—the home of her most important person.
That’s right, it was Xia Mengxi’s house.
“My purpose here is because the school requested I visit a student who’s taken long-term sick leave. Since I couldn’t reach them by phone and there’s no one at the residence, I thought I’d ask the neighbors to see if they knew anything.”
As she spoke, Jiang Wannin seemed to realize something, and continued.
“Oh right, since you’re the neighbor of that family, Lin Classmate, you probably know I’m here looking for Xia Mengxi, right? May I ask if you know where she and her family have gone?”
Faced with Jiang Wannin’s fake smile, Lin Xue’er’s smile gradually faded, and she locked eyes with her visitor in an appraising way.
“Sorry, Jiang President, since it happened so suddenly, I’m not too clear myself, but I can tell you what I know.”
With that, Lin Xue’er began to relate everything she knew to Jiang Wannin.
“Xiaoxi has been frail and sickly since childhood; Jiang President, you might have heard a bit about that. Last Sunday night, her condition suddenly worsened, so Bofu and Auntie took her to see a doctor. On Monday morning, they told me Xiaoxi might not be able to get out of bed for a while, and asked me to request a long leave for her.”
“I see. Then which hospital did they go to? And why couldn’t I reach them?”
Jiang Wannin’s gaze was sharp and her questions hit the key points precisely.
But Lin Xue’er shook her head, indicating she didn’t know.
“Jiang President, I’m as curious as you are. Over the last two days I’ve called them many times too, but couldn’t get through. As for which hospital… I asked for leave on Monday to visit the hospital Xiaoxi went to last time, but the staff told me she wasn’t there. So I guessed Bofu and Auntie must have taken her somewhere else because her condition worsened.”
“Oh?”
Lin Xue’er’s account was clear and, to an outsider, would raise no suspicion at all.
However, Jiang Wannin’s identity was not as simple as just Student Council President. Sure enough, her next words plunged Lin Xue’er into silence.
“Lin Classmate, according to my investigation, Xia Mengxi’s parents took a long-haul flight abroad for an Overseas Survey on Saturday because of work. So tell me… is your story more believable, or is my investigation the truth?”
Lin Xue’er’s face turned grim as she stared at Jiang Wannin, while in the courtyard, Xia Mengxi couldn’t help grinning from ear to ear as she watched the show.
Looks like… Lin Xue’er can’t beat Jiang Wannin! If she asked Jiang Wannin for help now, wouldn’t that mean she’d found herself a powerful backer?
Just as Xia Mengxi was about to shout, Lin Xue’er said something to Jiang Wannin, and suddenly the situation took a sharp turn.
“You… Lin… heh, no wonder your info looks so ordinary, but you live in a place like this. I see.”
“Well then, Jiang President, since you’re so clever, you must know what to do, right?”
“I wouldn’t risk offending someone I can’t afford to, just for the sake of a prey I’ve only met once.”
As her words fell, Jiang Wannin turned without the slightest hesitation and, under Xia Mengxi’s stunned gaze, walked away into the distance.
That easy?