My Unconventional Online Dating - Chapter 38

Ji Rongxue had originally planned to play games with Tan Xialan and the others, but got delayed and hadn’t logged into the game yet. Before she could, she first heard from Tan Xialan that someone was using Xiao Nianyuan’s photos to scam people on the game forum.

At first, she was surprised and thought Tan Xialan was joking, but Tan Xialan was dead serious—it clearly wasn’t a prank.

Ji Rongxue was so furious she felt dazed. She asked Tan Xialan for the link to the post, and with just one glance, she didn’t even need to ask further to know the photos had to have been taken without permission.

Xiao Nianyuan never took photos—she would even quietly slip away from group dormitory pictures. There was no way she would willingly pose for one.

In the photos, Xiao Nianyuan was completely unaware, clearly oblivious to being photographed.

Ji Rongxue’s already pale face turned even paler. It took Tan Xialan and Du Xiaotong’s reassurances to calm her down.

She immediately instructed the two of them: “Don’t let Xiao Nianyuan find out about this.”

Then she created a small group chat for the three of them—the first time they had ever made a group behind Xiao Nianyuan’s back, and it was to track down the person spreading these rumors.

To avoid raising suspicion, Tan Xialan and Du Xiaotong logged into the game as usual, though Ji Rongxue’s absences became noticeably longer.

They thought Xiao Nianyuan wouldn’t notice, unaware that Xiao Nianyuan had long considered them friends and was simply playing along, pretending not to know.

Naturally, Ji Rongxue put in the most effort. Tan Xialan once teased her, “Are you Xiao Nianyuan’s mom or something?”

Ever since they noticed Ji Rongxue treated Xiao Nianyuan better than she treated them, they had paid extra attention and realized she always handled Xiao Nianyuan’s matters personally.

At the time, Ji Rongxue had only responded mildly, “If we could become family, that wouldn’t be bad.”

Tan Xialan took it as a joke, especially since Ji Rongxue always avoided explaining whenever pressed for details.

After the milk tea incident, Ji Rongxue became even more desperate to expose the person behind it. Du Xiaotong warned her, “Don’t be too hasty—you’ll give yourself away.”

But Ji Rongxue was certain. “She won’t notice. She has her own things to focus on.”

In her eyes, Xiao Nianyuan, when absorbed in something, wouldn’t pay attention to trivial matters like this.

In the end, it was Tan Xialan and Du Xiaotong who narrowed down the list of suspects. Du Xiaotong called to discuss the most likely candidates, though they still needed to confirm who exactly it was.

After listening, Ji Rongxue held her phone in silence for a long time. She should have guessed it was that person. Hanging up, she pulled a number out of her blocklist and dialed.

“You insane? I’m sleeping!” A furious male voice barked from the other end.

Ji Rongxue asked coldly, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

The man took a long moment to process before replying, “Oh? Finally unblocked me, huh?”

“Meet me.”

“You say meet and I just obey? Who knows what you’re planning?” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “What if you’re trying to screw me over?”

Ji Rongxue suppressed her disgust. “Don’t want to meet? Then don’t blame me for exposing what you did.”

“What did I do?” He played dumb. “You blocked me out of nowhere, now you’re calling and spouting nonsense. If you’ve got nothing better to—”

“Those posts online,” Ji Rongxue cut him off. “Did you really think no one would find out?”

The line went silent. After a long pause, he asked, “You got proof?”

“I didn’t even say what it was about.” Ji Rongxue scoffed.

Realizing he’d been tricked into admitting something, the man cursed and then laughed. “Trying to bluff me? So, you don’t have evidence!”

Only then did Ji Rongxue realize she had tipped her hand. But since things had already come this far, she hardened her tone. “You’ll regret it if we don’t meet.”

“Fine, let’s meet then. Where?”

Unexpectedly, the other party agreed. Ji Rongxue sent the address of a nearby café, demanding to meet immediately.

Ten minutes passed, but no one showed up at the café. Ji Rongxue sent a message urging him, only to receive a reply: “Be there soon.”

Another ten minutes went by, and the remote café remained empty except for her. Her expression darkened—she had been played. The other party had never intended to meet.

Furious, she called again. When the call connected, the man was still smirking. “What? Getting impatient?”

“I’ll give you ten more minutes,” Ji Rongxue suppressed her anger. “Otherwise, don’t blame me for making this public.”

“And what good would that do you?” The man suddenly grew agitated before scoffing. “If you really dared, you would’ve done it already. You’re here to beg me, aren’t you?”

Ji Rongxue hung up immediately. Of course, she wanted to expose him outright. But without solid evidence and considering the damage to Xiao Nianyuan’s reputation, she had no choice but to settle this privately.

If he would just clarify the situation and return the money, the fallout could be minimized. She didn’t want Xiao Nianyuan to be unjustly tarnished.

The threat worked. Five minutes later, a sleazy-looking man sauntered into the café and sat across from Ji Rongxue. “Alright, what do you want?”

Meng Xingwen casually ordered coffee. The café was secluded, quiet, and nearly empty—perfect for a private conversation, with neither the owner nor the staff paying much attention.

“Why did you impersonate her and use her photos to scam people?” Ji Rongxue cut straight to the point. Every extra second spent talking to Meng Xingwen was a waste of her—

Meng Xingwen sneered. “I didn’t.”

“You know exactly what you did,” Ji Rongxue glared. “What was the point?”

“I told you, it wasn’t me!” Meng Xingwen suddenly raised his voice.

Unfazed, Ji Rongxue pressed on. “If it wasn’t you, why did you agree to meet?”

“I just didn’t want you causing a scene,” Meng Xingwen shrugged. “Isn’t this your usual tactic to get my attention?”

Ji Rongxue clenched her fists, looking at him as if he were an idiot. How could someone be so delusional?

To him, even breathing could be interpreted as an attempt to catch his eye.

Meng Xingwen feigned surprise. “I never thought you’d go this far for me.”

“From the moment you defended her, I knew you were just trying to get my attention.” He leaned in suddenly. “Still playing these little games after all this time?”

Meng Xingwen was the same guy who once boasted he could win over Xiao Nianyuan anytime. When Ji Rongxue merely spoke up for her, he twisted it into her having a crush on him.

Ji Rongxue had exposed his disgusting motives on the spot, leaving him humiliated. Later, he somehow got hold of her contact info and tried harassing her—likely driven by wounded pride, desperate to prove she liked him.

She didn’t indulge him, blocking him outright. After that, they had no further contact.

Ji Rongxue never imagined they’d cross paths again like this. If possible, she’d rather never see him again.

When analyzing suspects earlier in the dorm, she had considered Meng Xingwen. Though their past conflict was personal, his initial target had always been Xiao Nianyuan.

Redirecting his anger toward the reclusive Xiao Nianyuan was far easier than retaliating against someone well-liked.

“Not admitting it?” Ji Rongxue tightened her grip on the fragmented evidence in her hand—though insufficient, it was enough to apply pressure. She just needed the right moment to reveal it.

Meng Xingwen sneered shamelessly, “If you’re willing to be my girlfriend, I’d be happy to ‘help.'”

Instead of clearing things up, he was now blackmailing her. Disgusted, Ji Rongxue immediately stood up to leave. If he refused to cooperate, she had plenty of ways to make him.

Seeing she was serious, Meng Xingwen panicked. Though he had been careful when framing Xiao Nianyuan, if this escalated to their advisor and professionals got involved, he was finished.

“Why do you always side with her?” Meng Xingwen suddenly shouted. “You’re jealous of her too!”

Ji Rongxue turned around, her voice calm and unshaken. “Why would I be jealous? The jealous one is you.”