Chapter 87: Buried Here Is a Book’s Soul Fragment

“Go, be back within three minutes.”

After the English Teacher’s order was given, accompanied by the shuffling of chairs, Meng Wange lightly picked up the fountain pen beside her, tapped twice on the desk, and then fixed her gaze on the back door of the classroom, where the pink-haired student was waving at Su Wanli.

… So, what exactly did Miss Su want to say to her that required her to be at the location marked on the sticky note during the fourth period?

If her intention was merely to avoid the gaze of other students, Meng Wange could have waited to talk with her after returning to Su Residence together.

The Spare Physical Equipment Room.

Judging by the name, it should be just a remote storage room in the school, a place to pile up some sports supplies.

Would Su Xiaoli be there alone, waiting for her to come?

Meng Wange folded the sticky note back into her school uniform pocket and glanced sideways at Su Wanli sitting beside her.

Heh heh, it’s really an easily misunderstood phrase.

If the other person weren’t Su Xiaoli, she almost would have thought it was some kind of secret confession.

But the answer should be obvious.

Meng Wange smiled faintly and leaned back, watching Su Wanli’s expression.

Her brows were tightly furrowed, and toward the other two who had just slipped her small notes, she showed a clenched-teeth, gnashing expression, while cruelly pressing another sticky note in her palm like a small tiger baring its claws.

It seemed that this matter was not only unexpected to her but also to Su Wanli. It was probably just these three acting on their own initiative or, rather, making a mistake.

Alright, Meng Wange, think this through — how did things come to this situation?

According to her judgment, without Su Wanli’s instructions, Du Xinxin and the others likely wouldn’t have taken the initiative to approach her.

Therefore, in the free time between the first and second periods, an irritated Su Wanli, angry over her unauthorized actions, must have said something to those three about her.

… Bold speculation: maybe what she said was to teach these arrogant three a lesson, which is why they arranged this meeting to confront her and Su Wanli face to face?

Perhaps the truth is more complicated than Meng Wange guessed, but no matter what, the outcome won’t change.

Recalling how Du Xinxin and the others had behaved, and that strange way they addressed her, a faint smile tugged at Meng Wange’s lips.

… Eldest Sister-in-law?

It seemed her performance in the first period had been effective; Du Xinxin and the others actually misunderstood the relationship between her and Su Wanli to this extent.

Makes sense — after all, she had just gotten off Su Wanli’s car, carried her schoolbag, prepared tea, and even received protection from Su Wanli during self-introductions. Their relationship was indeed some kind of unspeakable secret.

Only, Su Wanli’s words probably didn’t come from a desire to protect her, but from a possessiveness over what belonged to her, and the pride that forbids others from desecrating it.

After all, from the very first afternoon Meng Wange met Su Wanli, she had declared her intention to become the most useful tool in Su Wanli’s hand. It was only natural for Su Wanli to harbor such feelings.

Meng Wange silently twirled the fountain pen in her hand, watching Su Wanli straighten up, her face turned away from the light.

Compared to herself, it was such a delicate, pure face — even when faced with adversity, it fought desperately to maintain its proud appearance.

To actually compare Su Wanli’s face with her own, it seemed Meng Wange was indeed influenced by her, becoming much gentler.

She lightly brushed her hair behind her ear, propping her chin on her palm, shifting into a more comfortable posture as she continued to observe Su Wanli’s face.

… Miss Su, if I try to magnify the misunderstanding in their hearts, would your feelings be affected as well? Would you develop some special thoughts about me?

For example, deliberately saying ambiguous words by your side, doing things only couples would do, making my shadow present every moment of your campus life.

If I go further, I could even spread some information myself, telling other students about what you and I have experienced, just like I told Du Xinxin and the others.

When everyone around mistakenly believes in this relationship between Su Wanli and me, and being in such an environment, perhaps Su Xiaoli’s heart would grow suspicious — questioning whether the two of you truly share such an ambiguous connection, and then further develop protective and possessive feelings, stirring what appears to be real emotions.

Remembering how Su Wanli’s face would flush red just from a few words of hers, Meng Wange sighed silently.

If she really did that, Su Wanli might not even know how to refute it — or even if she did, others would just think she was saying one thing but meaning another, deepening the misunderstanding.

By then, perhaps she herself…

“Clack.”

With a clear, crisp sound, the fountain pen suddenly slipped from Meng Wange’s fingertips, falling onto the floor.

… No, better not. Meng Wange, if it’s only about trust, sympathy, friendship — that much feeling is enough.

But now, you’re still trying to seize the very first stirring in Su Wanli’s heart…

Do you really intend to take away so many things from Su Wanli?

Forcing her to be bound to you during campus life — what help would that be to your future?

— Most importantly, if Su Wanli really did develop feelings for you because of this, then what would you do?

Are you really prepared to maintain this ambiguous relationship until that day comes, and then accept her judgment?

… Better not forge such a heavy chain, for both yourself and Su Wanli.

Meng Wange silently slid her hand into her pocket, fingers smoothing over the crumpled sticky note.

It’d be best if Su Wanli simply didn’t come to the appointment in the next period.

But if she really comes, what reaction should Meng Wange have?

“Next, this new student, could you please read this passage?”

Suddenly, the English Teacher on the podium turned around and called out Meng Wange’s name.

… Heh heh, being a transfer student is really troublesome. Almost every teacher wants to get to know you this way.

Meng Wange smiled faintly, withdrawing her hand from her pocket, then stood up, picked up the English textbook in front of her, glanced casually at the position the two students in front of her were pointing to with their pens, then nodded to the teacher.

“Sure. Here lies a fragment of a book’s soul…”