She’s the School Beauty Side Character in a BL Novel - Chapter 002

002:

Xi Ning sat quietly to the side, listening as they discussed the Gu family’s interpersonal relationships, silently committing the important details to memory.

At A University, she and Gu Xiaobai were neither in the same year nor in the same department. Apart from occasionally hearing his name mentioned by roommates and classmates, she had no direct interactions with him.

Though her roommates talked about him constantly, their discussions only ever covered his looks, grades, personality, and hobbies—never his family background.

Gu Xiaobai kept an extremely low profile at school, so much so that even his most ardent admirers knew nothing about his illustrious origins.

The two noblewomen were deep in conversation when Xu Jing’s daughter, Rong Xin, was brought in by the nanny.

The little girl spotted Xi Ning immediately, let go of the nanny’s hand, and rushed over to throw herself into Xi Ning’s arms. Lifting her adorable face, she beamed up at her and said in a sweet, childish voice:

“Sister Ning Ning, Xinxin hasn’t seen you in sooo long! Did you miss me?”

Xi Ning glanced at Xu Jing, who was smiling warmly nearby, then gently ruffled Rong Xin’s soft hair. “Yes, it’s been a while. I did miss you. Did you finish all the picture books I gave you last time?”

At this, Rong Xin’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. Her little face crumpled, lips trembling as if she were on the verge of heartbreak.

Xi Ning was puzzled until Xu Jing chuckled and explained, “She took the picture book you drew for her to kindergarten to show off, but another child ended up tearing it. She cried for hours when she got home.”

Rong Xin’s eyes were red-rimmed, her little face the picture of remorse as she sniffled, “I’m sorry, Sister Ning Ning… I didn’t take good care of your gift…”

Xi Ning stroked her braids and comforted her softly, “It’s okay. I can draw you a new one.”

Rong Xin blinked her sparkling eyes eagerly.

“Right now?”

“Ah, no… Drawing takes time, Xinxin. How about I give it to you next time we meet?”

The sight of the two girls—one big, one small—nestled together in conversation was heartwarming.

Xu Jing spoke up then. “Ning Ning, why don’t you take this little rascal out to buy a new picture book today? She’s been pestering me nonstop at home, demanding I replace it with an exact copy. Honestly, anything you give her, she treasures. This child absolutely adores you.”

Given Xi Ning’s mature and responsible nature, Xu Jing had no qualms about entrusting her daughter to her care.

Rong Xin, caught out by her mother’s teasing, blushed furiously and fiddled with her fingers, suddenly shy—but still desperately hoping her beautiful Sister Ning Ning would take her out.

Seeing this, Xi Ning had no choice but to oblige. She took Rong Xin’s chubby little hand, bid farewell to Shen Lin and Xu Jing, and left with the nanny to take the little girl to the downtown bookstore.

After they left, Xu Jing found herself at loose ends.

Shen Lin understood immediately and had the housekeeper call their usual mahjong group to fill the time.

While they waited, a servant’s greeting sounded at the door. “Young Master, you’re back.”

Shen Lin was surprised.

Her son, Shen Xi, had been selected by his school for a two-week military training camp at Dai Mountain—a completely closed-off program.

It had only been a week. Why was he back already?

Still, her surprise was outweighed by joy at seeing her precious son return.

As soon as Shen Xi entered the living room, he saw Shen Lin coming toward him, Xu Jing seated on the sofa nearby.

He knew they were likely preparing for their usual mahjong session.

Dressed in camouflage training gear, the boy looked exceptionally handsome, his youthful features slightly tanned from days outdoors, his frame leaner but even more striking.

Shen Lin fretted over him even as she took his backpack, asking warmly, “Son, the camp isn’t over yet. Why are you back so early?”

Shen Xi greeted Xu Jing with a terse “Aunt” before answering, “I completed the training objectives ahead of schedule. No point wasting more time there. I reported to the instructor and left.”

His gaze flicked toward the open door of the upstairs art studio. When Shen Lin seemed ready to press further, his dark brows furrowed slightly—a sign of impatience. “I’m going up to shower.”

Shen Lin relented. “Go ahead. Rest afterward. I’ll cook your favorite dishes tonight, you’ve lost weight.”

With a noncommittal sound, Shen Xi headed upstairs.

Less than ten minutes later, he reappeared—dressed in a white T-shirt and black pants, hair still damp.

He asked Shen Lin bluntly, “Where’s Xi Ning?”

In front of Xu Jing, Shen Lin chided, “Manners, child. She’s your elder sister—must you always be so informal?”

Shen Xi ignored this. “The paint on her canvas isn’t dry yet. Did she just leave?”

Xu Jing laughed. “Xiao Xi, you two really are close! The moment you’re back, you’re asking after her. She took Xinxin to the bookstore.”

At the words “close siblings,” Shen Xi’s expression darkened. His tone turned icy. “Which bookstore?”

“The big one downtown.”

Before Shen Lin could finish speaking, Shen Xi was already striding out the door.

Xu Jing watched in amusement. Her cousin’s son had always been aloof—even with his own parents, he was distant. Yet he showed such singular focus when it came to this unrelated girl living under their roof.

Teasingly, she remarked to Shen Lin, “Cousin, with how outstanding Ning Ning is under your guidance—and how well you know her—why let such a treasure go to outsiders? Wouldn’t it be better to have her marry Xiao Xi in a few years? She’d make the perfect daughter-in-law.”

Shen Lin shot her a sidelong glance, rejecting the seemingly offhand suggestion outright.

“Don’t be absurd. Xiao Xi is still so young. Besides, I’ve presented her as a daughter all these years—the Shen family would lose face otherwise.”

Xu Jing’s smile deepened. “Cousin, children nowadays mature fast. Xiao Xi has always been unusually attentive to Ning Ning, even more so than to you and his father.”

Noting Shen Lin’s slight frown, she pressed on, “They grew up together as childhood friends, and Ning Ning is such a beauty—of course he’d be drawn to her. If he finds out you’re planning to marry her off to the Gu family, he’ll probably throw a fit. Honestly, if my Rong Heng weren’t so young, I’d be vying for her too.”

Rong Heng and Rong Xin were twins. Xu Jing’s own family background wasn’t particularly distinguished in the power-laden capital, iwas only after bearing these two children that she secured her position as Mrs. Rong.

Faced with her cousin’s pointed remarks, Shen Lin chuckled, her tone half-joking, half-serious:

“If you really want Ning Ning in the Rong family, it’s simple enough. Isn’t Rong Kai returning soon? How about we strengthen our ties? Your family might suit her even better than the Gu’s. As Mrs. Rong, you could arrange it.”

At the mention of Rong Kai, Xu Jing’s bright smile vanished instantly.

“Cousin, you know my situation. I wouldn’t dare bring it up. My husband curses him outwardly, but in his heart, that son means everything. As the stepmother, I’ve endured enough humiliation—I won’t invite more trouble.”

Shen Lin understood perfectly but feigned ignorance. “Why so hesitant? Stepmothers are common enough. However unruly Rong Kai is, you were properly married after his parents’ divorce—it’s not as if you were some mistress. Why lack confidence?”

Xu Jing snorted coldly. “How could I compare to his mother, Zhao Yuan? I don’t have the standing to play stepmother. I only hope for peaceful coexistence.”

After a pause, Shen Lin asked, “Will he return to the Rong residence this time? I heard the tech company he founded in the U.S. just went public, completely separate from Zhao Yuan’s MG Group. That stepson of yours is truly remarkable.”

Xu Jing smiled thinly, her voice laced with sarcasm. “With his arrogant temperament? Of course he won’t come home. He’s visited the country several times these past years but never stepped through our doors. Even my mother-in-law treats me coldly because of it. The gossips all whisper behind my back that I drove out the eldest young master.”

Her tone grew increasingly caustic whenever Rong Kai was mentioned—a clear sign of long-held resentment.

Shen Lin tactfully changed the subject.

She couldn’t be blamed for her interest in Rong Kai. The Shen family were nouveau riche, and as its matriarch, she naturally hoped to forge real connections with established dynasties like the Rongs—especially since Rong Kai’s mother, Zhao Yuan, chaired the global conglomerate MG.

Without question, Rong Kai was a true scion of privilege: his father wielded political power, his mother commanded vast wealth, and he himself was a rising star in tech.

Shen Lin sighed inwardly. With Xu Jing and Rong Kai on such terrible terms, any hopes of an alliance through marriage were futile.

—

Downtown Bookstore

Xi Ning was helping Rong Xin pick out a new coloring book when the little girl tugged her skirt and pointed through the glass door at another child.

“Sister Ning Ning, I want that too!”

Following her gaze, Xi Ning saw a little girl happily sipping from a bubble tea cup.

Rong Xin’s hopeful expression made it clear—this pampered little princess had likely never had store-bought bubble tea before. Whenever she asked, Xu Jing probably had the family chef make her a “healthier” version at home.

Though Xi Ning didn’t care for sweet drinks herself, she knew how irresistible they were to children.

She had always been fond of the sweet, lively Rong Xin and wanted to indulge her just this once.

“I’ll buy it for you, but you can’t tell your mom, okay? If she gets angry, I won’t be able to take you out again.”

Rong Xin nodded vigorously, even offering what she considered a solemn vow: “Sister Ning Ning, you’re the best! Xinxin won’t tell anyone! If I do, I’ll turn into an old witch with no hair or teeth!”

Xi Ning couldn’t help laughing at the childish oath.

Since she wanted to make it quick—and the nanny had stayed behind in the parking lot—Xi Ning asked a bookstore employee to watch Rong Xin for a few minutes while she ran next door for the drink.

But when she returned just ten minutes later, Rong Xin was gone.

Her bl00d ran cold.

After searching the entire store to no avail, she questioned the employee in a panic—only for the girl to stammer nervously, avoiding her eyes.

Xi Ning’s hands trembled as she pulled out her phone to call the police, her mind flooded with nightmarish scenarios.

Then, suddenly, Rong Xin popped out from behind a pillar and dashed over.

“Sister Ning Ning, I’m here! Xinxin didn’t run away! Brother Xi said to play a trick on you!”

Relief flooded through Xi Ning as she canceled the emergency call.

But the relief quickly gave way to irritation.

Silently, she took Rong Xin’s hand and looked up to see Shen Xi standing behind her.

At just seventeen, he was already over 185cm tall—his lean, athletic frame clad in simple black and white, his damp hair slightly tousled. With his striking features, he looked like a character straight out of a shoujo manga.

When their eyes met, he grinned—the smug expression of someone who’d successfully pulled a prank.

The smile revealed a row of perfect teeth and a faint dimple in his right cheek.

Shen Xi was notoriously cold and eccentric, rarely smiling. The few times Xi Ning had seen it was when he’d succeeded in teasing her.

Like now.

She shot him a frosty glare, wordlessly tightened her grip on Rong Xin’s hand, and walked straight past him toward the exit.