Chapter Twenty-Six: Xue Xi's Revenge Plan

On the first day of the new semester, the school cafeteria spared no expense. Judging by the crowds that surged like waves, it was clear that today’s food wouldn’t be terrible; after all, no one was foolish enough to serve bad meals on such an important day—otherwise, not even ghosts would gather to buy from you.

Especially on the first day of school, the cafeteria was opening for the semester, so there was no chance of leftover food. Students knew this well, which was why so few went to the small eateries outside the school gates.

Xue Xi dragged Chen Hongxu along, anxious and determined, weaving through the throngs. The students they bumped into glanced at Xue Xi and, recognizing her, smiled kindly and said nothing.

Arriving at the cafeteria entrance, Chen Hongxu stared at the sea of people, swallowed nervously, and said, “With this crowd, even if we manage to get food, there won’t be any place to sit. Why don’t I treat you to a meal outside?”

“No way!” Xue Xi shook her head and pulled him further inside, scanning the room as if searching for someone.

Sure enough, after walking a short distance, Xue Xi suddenly cried out excitedly, “There!” She tugged Chen Hongxu toward a table meant for eight, where only two people were seated.

Chen Hongxu glanced at Xue Xi, unsure of her intentions. Among the two sitting there, one was Xiao Fei, and the other was a young man dressed maturely whom Chen Hongxu hadn’t met before. The man chatted absently with Xiao Fei, his eyes darting as if he were waiting for someone.

When Xue Xi and Chen Hongxu reached the table, the young man stood up with a friendly smile. Yet when he saw their hands tightly clasped together, a fleeting coldness flashed in his eyes—caught by Chen Hongxu, who had been watching him closely.

Xiao Fei greeted them shyly, then affectionately wrapped her arm around Xue Xi’s, boasting, “Look, these are all your favorites. We even asked the kitchen to prepare extra just for you.”

Chen Hongxu stared in astonishment at the two, who acted like sisters, unsure what Xue Xi was playing at.

The young man was not idle; he pulled out a towel from his pocket, wiped down Xue Xi’s chair, then turned to Chen Hongxu, extending his hand with a smile. “You must be Xue Xi’s boyfriend, Chen Hongxu. I’ve heard a lot about you—it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Hello, I’m Hu Tianmiao.”

If not for the man’s earlier covert glance and subsequent behavior, Chen Hongxu might have thought well of him. But knowing he was Xue Xi’s boyfriend, Hu Tianmiao continued to ingratiate himself right in front of him, as if Chen Hongxu were invisible.

“Chen Hongxu.” He nodded, ignoring the outstretched hand.

Hu Tianmiao felt slighted, withdrew his hand without a change of expression, his gaze darkening as it lingered on Chen Hongxu.

Unfazed, Chen Hongxu remained firm. Flirting with his girlfriend in front of him and expecting a friendly face? Not a chance.

Xue Xi sensed something was amiss. She paused her whispered conversation with Xiao Fei, circled around Hu Tianmiao, and leaned intimately against Chen Hongxu. “Why are you just standing there? Didn’t you say you were starving?”

Hu Tianmiao, intent on maintaining a good image before Xue Xi, quickly adopted the demeanor of a perfect gentleman. Yet he couldn’t help but covetously eye the curves pressed to Chen Hongxu’s side.

Such silent contests between men needed no intervention from women. Chen Hongxu smiled softly, “I get nervous around strangers. You know I’m pretty shy.”

Xue Xi blinked, glanced at the oddly behaving Chen Hongxu and the smiling Hu Tianmiao, then pulled Chen Hongxu to sit down. Naturally, he took the seat Hu Tianmiao had just cleaned, while Xue Xi and Xiao Fei shifted positions.

Once Hu Tianmiao had sat, Xiao Fei noticed the three on one side and Hu Tianmiao alone on the other. With a meaningful look, she moved to sit beside him, while Xue Xi and Chen Hongxu buried their heads in their plates, eating as if it were all free.

After lunch, Chen Hongxu couldn’t help but feel a grudging respect for Hu Tianmiao. Not only was his skin thick as iron, his vision and eloquence were quite extraordinary.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fei’s subtle glances drew a connection in Chen Hongxu’s mind—Hu Tianmiao must be the “Master Hu” the gossipy girls had mentioned that morning.

That afternoon, when confronted by Xia Ruohé’s predatory gaze, Chen Hongxu explained frankly that he’d fainted from exhaustion after moving too many things, and that Xue Xi happened to see him and took him to the hospital.

Xia Ruohé had already researched Chen Hongxu’s background during lunch and didn’t believe Xue Xi’s testimony as his quasi-girlfriend. Still, she had no intention of making things difficult over this incident.

After all, assigning a student to haul so many items alone, time after time, was clearly targeted.

She merely smiled kindly and advised Chen Hongxu to take care of his health and exercise more.

After school, Xue Xi waited early at the gate, dragging an obviously heavy backpack. Chen Hongxu arrived a little late, took the bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked home side by side with her.

“Why are you carrying all your books back? Isn’t it a hassle to lug them around every day?” Chen Hongxu asked as he felt the weight.

Xue Xi just smiled, her lively steps and knowing gaze saying everything.

“So you really treat me as a pack mule?” Chen Hongxu laughed, pretending to tap her forehead.

“Of course!” Xue Xi dodged his hand with a laugh. Suddenly remembering something amusing, she darted ahead, turned seriously to him, and asked, “Were you jealous at lunch?”

“How could I be?” Chen Hongxu replied, half amused and half exasperated.

“Just pretend!” Xue Xi, smug and triumphant, pointed at him then skipped ahead, saying, “You were definitely jealous, absolutely.”

Chen Hongxu shrugged helplessly and caught up, asking, “How did you get close to Xiao Fei?”

“Round head.” Xue Xi turned away, pretending to study the scenery so he couldn’t see her eyes.

“If you step on someone, you need good shoes! I remember everything—she’d forget. You must’ve played some trick.” Chen Hongxu recognized her evasive manner; she must have been up to something behind his back.

“When you were in Japan, I had someone look into her background, then took the initiative to mend fences. She was so happy.” Xue Xi never lied to him.

“And your goal?”

“She used to humiliate you so badly; naturally, I want to pay her back double. First, I’ll get close to her, then indulge her material desires. When her vanity is about to burst, I’ll introduce her to my cousin, Xue Bao.” Xue Xi revealed her whole plan.

Chen Hongxu shivered involuntarily. If things went according to Xue Xi’s script, Xiao Fei’s life might be ruined—Xue Bao was a notorious playboy, never faithful to any woman, and Xue Xi would never let Xiao Fei enjoy wealth and privilege.

“Stop with your evil schemes.” Chen Hongxu pulled Xue Xi aside, serious. “Self-serving women always get punished in due time, but I don’t want that punishment to come from you. And besides, it’s all in the past; if not for her, I might never have met you.”

Xue Xi pouted, her eyes spinning.

Chen Hongxu felt a headache coming. He pinched her pouting lips and said sternly, “I want you to be well, in body and mind. If you dwell on schemes and revenge, you’ll lose your innocence and joy.”

“Do you really mean that?” Xue Xi pursed her lips, half sticking out her tongue to lick them.

“Of course.”

“Fine, I’ll do as you wish.” She laughed, eyes narrowed into slits, her brows raised, looking genuinely happy as she linked her arm through his and strode forward.

Near the shopping center where they used to buy groceries, someone who seemed to have waited a long time—a figure with a slightly different vibe than before—stepped in front of them.

“Brother Chen, I’ve been looking for you for ages…”