â`
Parting ways with Lin Xu.
Ji Yuqiao carried the paper bag with the dress in her hands, happily humming a tune all the way back to school.
âYou seem so happy, did something good happen?â her roommate asked, seeing the uncontrollable smile at the corners of her lips.
âWhat else could it be but about Xiao Yu,â another roommate said dismissively.
Ji Yuqiao had previously pursued Xiao Yu, causing a stir throughout the entire school.
Even though Xiao Yu had someone he liked, she did not give up, buying him various gifts to show her affectionâher persistence was admirable.
Everyone was guessing that if Xiao Yu didnât mind, with Ji Yuqiaoâs infatuation with love, would she be very willing to even be someoneâs secret girlfriend?
For someone so love-brained, besides Xiao Yu, what else could make her happy?
However.
Ji Yuqiao shook her head in denial and said with a silly laugh, âItâs not Xiao Yu, it was a good friend who gave me a skirt.â
âJust a skirt and youâre this happy?â her roommate wondered.
âYou donât understand, I just am happy,â Ji Yuqiao snorted and put away the dress.
In the evening.
It was time for their competition team to study in the classroom.
Before leaving, Ji Yuqiao habitually picked up a set of plain, clean black and white clothes, but when her gaze touched the bright orange dress in the suitcase, her hand holding the clothes paused.
In her mind, she remembered Lin Xuâs winking smile and her instructionââRemember to wear it.â
Ji Yuqiao hesitated for a few seconds and then changed into that dress.
Following Lin Xuâs advice, she also applied a stunningly beautiful makeup.
When she stood in front of the full-length mirror in the dorm, her roommates were all stunned.
âAm I seeing things? Are you really Ji Yuqiao? How did you suddenly turn into a great beauty!â
âItâs true, youâre not mistaken,â Ji Yuqiao said happily, holding up her skirt, âDo I look good?â
Ji Yuqiao was naturally beautiful and attractive, but usually dressed in simple attire like Wen Li, giving her a somewhat comical air of failing to emulate someone successfully, which made people overlook her beauty.
But now, her makeup was bright and radiant, seeming to shine a dazzling light all around her, as if she had become a different person.
âYou look amazing!â her roommates gaped, âIf you had dressed up like this earlier, the title of school beauty would have been yours, not Wen Liâs.â
âThanks, Iâm off to class now,â Ji Yuqiao said goodbye to them.
The roommates knew she was going to the classroom for studying the competition, but Xiao Yu was also there.
They quickly called out to Ji Yuqiao, who was about to leave, âWait, youâre going out like this?â
âIs there something wrong?â
âXiao Yu doesnât like girls dressed up like this, didnât you say you wanted to dress simply like Wen Li?â
âMy friend told me to be myself, and I think sheâs right,â Ji Yuqiao affirmed.
Lin Xu had previously told her to go to the library to study and work hard at the competition to win awards, and she had done as told.
Sure enough, her relationship with Xiao Yu had progressed.
So, whatever Lin Xu said about being herself must also be right.
Besides, the dress was a gift from Lin Xu; she had promised to wear it. Otherwise, Lin Xu would surely be saddened.
Thinking this, Ji Yuqiao paid no attention to her roommatesâ persuasion and left the dorm.
There was still some time before the teacher arrived, and the few students in the classroom were making noise.
Suddenly, someone whispered, âThereâs a beauty,â and the room fell silent.
Everyone hurried to look at the door.
They saw a stunningly beautiful girl with a smile walking into the classroom.
The classroom went quiet for a moment until a boy with flushed cheeks plucked up the courage to approach her, âClassmate, are you here looking for someone?â
âIâm here for class,â the girl said.
âAh? Then why havenât I seen you before?â the boy asked, confused.
Could she be a new student the teacher had just brought in?
âHow could you not have seen me before, I am Ji Yuqiao.â
â`
âFuck.â
The boy was startled.
She was actually Ji Yuqiao?!
Upon closer inspection, the boy indeed saw the features of Ji Yuqiao etched in her face.
He was inwardly shocked.
Since when had Ji Yuqiao become so beautiful?
During the class, the boy kept sneaking glances at Ji Yuqiao, looking as if he had seen a ghost.
He nudged Xiao Yu beside him and whispered, âWith her dressed up like that, could it be for you?â
Xiao Yu glanced at her and remained silent.
âTell me the truth, are you moved at all? Why not consider her?â teased the boy.
Xiao Yuâs brows furrowed slightly, âDonât talk nonsense.â
No matter what Ji Yuqiao did, he would never like her.
âAlright then, since you donât like her, Iâll have to pursue her myself,â said the boy.
Boys are visual creatures; initially indifferent to Ji Yuqiao, now they were moved by her beauty.
So, as soon as the class was over, he ran to Ji Yuqiaoâs side, offering to tidy up the stationery on her desk, âStudent Ji, itâs late, and itâs not safe for you to be alone. Let me walk you back to your dorm?â
âNo need to trouble yourself, thank you.â Ji Yuqiao declined without hesitation.
âItâs no trouble at all. Let me walk you,â the boy insisted, even attempting to take the bag off her.
Ji Yuqiao was forced to retreat step by step until the stairs behind her were empty, and she suddenly fell backward.
Her pupils contracted, and her heart stopped for a moment.
In the nick of time.
A strong, firm hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.
âAre you alright?â Xiao Yu asked in a deep voice.
âNo, no issues.â Ji Yuqiao seemed a bit shaken, still on edge.
The boy frantically apologized, âSorry, that wasnât on purpose, I just wanted to help you with your stuff, Iâ¦â
âStudent Ji, the teacher just called us to the office. Letâs go.â Xiao Yu interrupted the boyâs continuous chatter.
âOh, okay.â Ji Yuqiao didnât bother with the boy anymore and followed Xiao Yu out of the classroom.
They walked in silence for a few minutes before realizing this wasnât the way to the office.
Ji Yuqiao asked, puzzled, âArenât we going to the office?â
Xiao Yu: âNo.â
âHuh?â
âIf I hadnât said that just now, you wouldnât have been able to leave.â
Ji Yuqiao paused for a moment, feeling a surge of joy in her heart.
Xiao Yu had never bothered with her before; now, he was starting to protect her.
Could this be what Lin Xu talked about, the charm of being oneself?
Lin Xuâs revered status in her heart suddenly climbed several notches.
Feeling excited and happy, Ji Yuqiao still maintained an expressionless face.
Reaching a fork in the road, Xiao Yu stopped.
âWhatâs wrong?â Ji Yuqiao looked at him.
Xiao Yuâs face held a hint of imperceptible resignation, âThis way leads to the boysâ dormitory.â
The path to the girlsâ dormitory was at the other side of the fork; Ji Yuqiao had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she had mindlessly followed him.
âAh! I forgot!â Ji Yuqiao exclaimed in panic and turned to run off.
A quiet chuckle escaped from Xiao Yuâs throat.@@novelbin@@
Not far away, Wen Li watched their retreating figures, her face pale as she clenched her teeth.