Yu Wenli's presence was always cool and distant when he wasn't speaking.
He seemed unapproachable, yet not intimidating.
But when he became even slightly serious, his presence would unconsciously quicken one's heartbeat.
It felt as tense as being interrogated by the police.
Especially his eyes, cool and indifferent, incapable of telling lies.
Wen Tingxue swallowed, avoiding his gaze, and said,
“My… my aunt came, and I stained my clothes, so… so I went to change into a pair of pants.”
Xie Jinni quickly added, “Ah yes, but I thought a whole outfit would look better, so I had her change everything.”
The explanation sounded flawless, yet Yu Wenli still sensed something was amiss.
However, he showed no hint of it, softening his expression instead.
“Oh.”
He responded in a gentle tone, “Then I’ll take you home and buy some heat patches on the way.”
Wen Tingxue almost nodded in agreement.
But reason ultimately prevailed.
The longer she spent with him, the greater the possibility of him discovering the truth.
That video must not be seen by anyone.
Wen Tingxue bit her lower lip and shook her head, “No need, I don’t want to go back today. I want to have dinner with Jinni.”
“I’ll tell my parents,” she added.
But she didn’t look up at him throughout the conversation.
Xie Jinni had expected him to question them further, but he was surprisingly agreeable.
“Mhm.”
Yu Wenli nodded slightly, as gentlemanly as a prince from a fresco.
“Then I’ll head back first. Call me if anything comes up.”
He adjusted his unbuttoned school uniform, and after the young girl nodded, he turned and left.
In almost the blink of an eye, his expression turned grim.
Que You, who had been playing on his phone behind him, witnessed the entire shift in his demeanor and nearly collapsed.
“My lord, who upset you? Why is your face so dark?”
Que You hurried to Yu Wenli’s side, lowering his voice, afraid that Wen Tingxue, who came out later, might overhear.
Yu Wenli’s footsteps were rapid, and his expression was so dark it looked like it could drip water.
Que You hadn't seen such a terrifying side of him in at least three years.
His heartbeat faltered for a moment.
“I didn’t think there was anything wrong with what that girl said. What kind of fit are you throwing?”
Que You pondered the situation, still believing the problem lay with Wen Tingxue.
But he genuinely couldn’t fathom what was wrong.
Yu Wenli strode directly to the basketball court, took off his school uniform jacket, and threw it on a bench.
Then, with a flick of his toe, the basketball lying on the ground landed perfectly in his palm.
“Again.”
He spoke no wasted words, his slightly damp hair seemingly frosted with ice.
Que You was exasperated, “I’m practically worn out from your relentless training! Can’t you have some consideration for an old man?”
Just because he mentioned a word to the young girl, Yu Wenli was training him to death!
And now, it was still because of that young girl that he was becoming the scapegoat!
Did he owe the two of them something from birth?!
It was truly a matter of life and death.
The people playing with them exchanged glances before quickly resuming their roles as sparring partners.
They didn’t even dare to speak.
Que You resigned himself to running with Yu Wenli but couldn’t help but shout,
“Aren’t you going back for lunch?”
“No.”
He raised his hand and shot a three-pointer, watching the basketball hit the ground expressionlessly.
“I’ll shower in your dorm later.”
Que You rolled his eyes, nearly passing out.
This was clearly a rhythm of training him to death!
What about his reputation as the top fighter in his senior year?
-
Second floor of the cafeteria.
After Wen Tingxue finished her call with Yu Xiuxiu, she suddenly noticed fewer people on this floor.
Xie Jinni shrugged, “I don’t know what’s going on. The top student is going head-to-head with a senior year hotshot.
“I heard he even skipped music class and played non-stop for a whole period, and they’re still playing.
“See, everyone’s gone to watch the excitement, after all, it’s been a long time since the top student played basketball. Seeing it is earning it.
“We should go watch later, too, if they’re still playing.”
Xie Jinni's eyes were expectant, but she soon gave up.
“Forget it, we probably won’t get to see. The top student is going back for lunch, so he definitely won’t play for long. I really wonder what they’re fighting over.”
Xie Jinni pouted regretfully and asked Wen Tingxue, “What dishes do you want?”
“Ah… just those two will do.”
Wen Tingxue came back to her senses and casually pointed to a few sweet dishes.
Others didn't know the reason, but she did.
Because of her.
When Yu Wenli guessed it was Que You, she thought she had gotten away with it.
Unexpectedly…
No wonder his uniform was open, and his slightly damp hair was hanging over his forehead at that moment.
Wen Tingxue closed her eyes, her heart in a flutter.
Trying to hide things from Yu Wenli was truly… too difficult.
As the two of them sat down with their meals, the girls around them were discussing Yu Wenli and Que You.
“I heard that the hotshot went straight to the basketball court after coming out of the office? It wasn’t even after class then, was it?”
“Yes, Class One had PE, and it just so happened that Class Three’s PE was the last period, so the hotshot waited on the court for Que You to come over.”
“I don’t know what they were fighting about, but they started playing without a word, and everyone around was stunned.”
“Aren’t Que You and Yu Wenli pretty good friends? I’ve seen them eating together quite a bit.”
“That’s precisely why it’s strange. Yu Wenli usually can’t be bothered to participate in basketball games, so him playing so fiercely this time must mean something.”
“It’s a real loss not having PE today. I heard Chi Zerui was also playing today, for the Class Ten beauty. Yu Wenli was the referee. Someone took close-up photos, he looked so handsome!”
“Who would dare question Yu Wenli’s looks? He’s always first on the Jiangcheng handsome list, it’s just that his personality is too cold.”
“Cold? I heard he’s very gentle with that new transfer student.”
“That’s an exaggeration. When has Yu Wenli ever been gentle with anyone? He treated his long-time friends like that and didn’t even save face.”
“Speaking of which, Chi Zerui might chase girls, but he’s genuinely handsome. The abs he showed while playing basketball today were incredible!”
“Chi Zerui’s ex-girlfriends are too numerous to count, aren’t they? I wonder how long this one will last.”
“I bet, three months at most.”
“I bet, one month.”
Amidst the gossip, Wen Tingxue ate her food bite by bite, but she couldn't taste anything.
A basketball game between Que You and Yu Wenli could alarm three grades.
Yu Yahe was right about one thing; he was born to stand in the spotlight and be admired.
He wasn’t someone she could aspire to.
After all, the price was already too steep, wasn't it?
“What do you want?!”
Just as Xie Jinni’s scream erupted, the meal tray in front of Wen Tingxue was swept to the floor.
Yu Yahe sneered, “What do I want? Isn’t it obvious enough? Anyone who spreads what happened today will not have an easy time!”
She warned the few witnesses.
The girls who had been discussing excitedly moments ago quickly picked up their trays and left.
Yu Yahe smiled in satisfaction and raised her hand to overturn Xie Jinni’s tray.
“Enough.”
Wen Tingxue suddenly stood up, looking at her expressionlessly.
“You’re targeting me, not my friends.”
“Oh.”
Yu Yahe raised an eyebrow in surprise, “You actually have this much courage? I truly didn’t expect it.”
“Congratulations on making a good friend.” Yu Yahe glared fiercely at Xie Jinni before taking her people and leaving.
Wen Tingxue didn't have much courage, Xie Jinni knew that.
It was precisely because she knew that she was surprised.
“Tingxue you…”
Xie Jinni opened her mouth but forgot what to say.
Wen Tingxue’s face paled slightly, but she still smiled, “It’s okay, she wasn’t really targeting you anyway…”
Before she could finish, her pupils suddenly contracted as she looked behind Xie Jinni.
Xie Jinni turned around a beat late, her eyes meeting Yu Wenli’s cold, ink-black gaze.
There was not a trace of warmth in it.