She’s the School Beauty Side Character in a BL Novel - Chapter 009

009:

Xi Ning sat rigidly, allowing him to lean against her as she spoke softly, “Shen Xi, we grew up together. I’ve always seen you as a younger brother. Even when you teased me or threw your privileged tantrums, I never truly got angry. Because I know we’re alike—our family situations… too similar. Over the years, you’ve developed an unhealthy attachment to me, which is why you’ve refused to connect with peers your own age.”

Her words shattered the tender atmosphere instantly.

Once again, she was dodging the real issue, refusing to acknowledge his feelings! No matter how many times he confessed, she kept dismissing his sincerity!

Shen Xi lifted his face from her fruit-scented hair, stubbornly studying her profile.

Her freshly washed skin glowed with an almost sacred purity—the delicate curve of her nose, cherry-red lips, and obsidian eyes combining into something ethereally beautiful. Unforgettable from the very first glance.

Xi Ning turned to meet his dark gaze. “I dream of repaying the Shen family’s kindness, then truly standing on my own—supporting my mother through my own efforts. Until then, I can’t afford to anger your mother. Do you understand?”

“If it’s because of my mother—” A spark of hope lit his eyes.

“No!” Xi Ning cut him off sharply. “Shen Xi, can’t you see things from my perspective? I already have too much to worry about. I’m exhausted, too tired to carry any extra burdens. I just want to live more freely!”

Her expression turned icy, voice dropping to a frostbite. “Like right now—deep in the night, you barge into my room, hug my waist, spout nonsense… Do you know how terrified I am? That someone might see and think I’m some seductress preying on a minor?”

Shen Xi stared at her, speechless.

His usually proud, bright eyes now clouded with sorrow and unyielding determination.

“I’ll never be your damn brother!” he finally rasped, voice thick with stubbornness. “I’m barely months away from eighteen. Xi Ning, I don’t care about anything else—but until I start university, you’re not allowed to date anyone!”

He stood abruptly, his tall frame casting a long shadow over her seated form.

Glaring down at her still-drying hair, her refusal to engage further, bitterness surged.

Why was she only like this with him? Earlier, she’d been all smiles and intimacy with that guy in the car—a side he’d never seen before.

Rage and unprecedented panic collided within him. Before tonight, he could tolerate her aloofness because she treated everyone the same.

But witnessing her warmth towards another man, while receiving no comfort or explanation himself—drove him mad with jealousy and betrayal.

Just one more year. Once in university, he’d stay by her side constantly. No one else would get close.

The boy suddenly bent down, gripping her slender shoulders with near-violent intensity. “Did you hear me? No dating until I graduate! For every man you take up with, I’ll ruin it!”

Xi Ning wrenched free, recoiling from his proximity. “Who gave you the right to dictate my relationships?”

“Watch me enforce it!” he sneered.

Then, digging into his pocket, he thrust a jewelry box at her. “Take it. Bought with my competition prize money.”

Xi Ning didn’t budge. “Keep it. Give it to your mother.”

Shen Xi’s lips pressed into a bloodless line. “She doesn’t need trinkets. This was for you. Throw it away if you hate it.”

He shoved the box into her hands and stormed out.

Only after he left did Xi Ning open it—revealing an exquisite green crystal pendant, its translucent clarity indicating substantial value.

Crystals were among her few indulgences. The crystal globe Xi Xingzhao gifted her remained a treasured possession, even during their hardest times.

But how could a high schooler afford this? Suspicion nagged as she placed the box in her nightstand drawer, already filled with Shen Xi’s unwanted gifts.

Staring at the collection, emotions too complex to name swirled within her. She knew—when leaving the Shen household, everything would be returned.

Thoughts of her fraught relationship with Shen Xi, upcoming developments with Gu Xiaobai, and Rong Kai’s impending return tangled into an unbearable knot.

Remembering Gu Xiaobai, she reached for her phone.

[Senior Gu, are you home yet?]

Ten minutes later:

[Just arrived.]

Xi Ning deliberated before typing:

[Thank you for tonight’s dance. It was truly magical.]

[We can go again if you’d like.] came his reply.

Xi Ning internally scoffed. She wasn’t some naive girl unaware of what hotel visits with men implied, even if he was supposedly the “bottom” in the novel’s BL plot. Never again.

[Next time, let’s explore new places together—everywhere I’ve never been.], she countered.

Reading her own saccharine words made her nauseous. Only desperation to repay the Shens and alter her fate could drive such shameless behavior.

She nearly tossed her phone aside when another notification chimed.

Then it struck her—they still weren’t connected on WeChat. SMS lacked intimacy—no shared moments, no voice messages.

As she pondered how to naturally request his WeChat, a new friend request appeared—a black oil painting avatar, username simply “X”, with unmistakable notes: “Gu Xiaobai.”

Accepting, she fumbled for a cute sticker—only for him to message first:

[Sleep. You must be exhausted.]

After deliberation, she sent a sweet voice note: “Okay, Senior. Could you send me a voice goodnight? I’d love to hear your voice right now.”

Half a minute later, his reply came—just two words:

“Goodnight, Xi Ning.”

Yet even her usually composed self felt her ears heat at that voice—deep, resonant, carrying an almost metallic richness through the speaker. Unbearably sensual.

Pursing her lips, she returned an equally sugary recording:

[Goodnight, Senior Gu.]

When no further reply came, Xi Ning didn’t mind. Mission accomplished for tonight.

As sleep claimed her, the phone slipped from her fingers onto the pillow.