She’s the School Beauty Side Character in a BL Novel - Chapter 013

013:

Faced with Shen Xi’s aggressive questioning, Xi Ning noted how his usually bright eyes now appeared clouded and complex. She reminded herself not to escalate—he was still recovering.

After a pause, she replied calmly, “I genuinely didn’t hear. After delivering the painting, I read at a bookstore café with my phone silenced.”

He laughed bitterly. “You’re lying.”

His dark gaze bore into her. “You’re lying to me for someone else. Aunt Chen said you drove out this afternoon—yet returned in someone else’s car. Was it that guy?”

Xi Ning countered icily, “What right do you have to know? What exactly is our relationship? Have you ever once called me ‘sister’ in all these years?”

Shen Xi stood abruptly, his injured leg trembling slightly.

“I could never see you as a sister!” he shouted, voice cracking. “I love you! Only you!”

Pausing, his voice thickened. “In this world, you’re the one I love most, Xi Ning.”

The unexpected confession made Xi Ning tremble, nails digging into her palms. These were the words she feared most.

As Shen Xi stepped closer, hope blazing in his eyes, he vowed, “Wait for me. Once I’m an adult, no one will gossip. I’ll declare it openly so you won’t need to fear judgment or burdens. I’ll shield you from everything.”

Gently grasping her hand, he searched her face desperately. “I’ll obey your every word. Just don’t look at other men. No more fights between us, please?”

Xi Ning met his gaze with brutal finality. “Shen Xi, we can never be together. You know why, your age is the least of it. Our families ensure your mother would never accept me as her daughter-in-law. And I refuse to remain trapped in the Shen household forever.”

Shen Xi protested hoarsely, “She accepted you seven years ago! She adores you now—”

“You say that because you’re male,” Xi Ning cut in coldly. “You can’t comprehend your mother’s perspective. I won’t endure hardships for us, nor make her suffer. Focus on your studies. Find a nice girlfriend later. You’ll forget this.”

White-faced, tears glistening in his eyes, Shen Xi rasped, “You won’t even try?”

She extracted her hand slowly. “No. And what you said today stays between us.”

Her voice turned steely. “If you tell anyone, I’ll never return.”

The threat seemed to stun him into silence. As his legs gave out, collapsing onto the bed, Xi Ning didn’t offer support.

“I’ll have noodles sent up,” she said flatly before leaving.

—

After arranging Shen Xi’s dinner, Xi Ning cooked herself simple egg noodles. The returned tray showed he had eaten most, perhaps their talk had sobered him.

Back in her room, she checked her phone—finding a 100,000 yuan WeChat transfer from Gu Xiaobai thirty minutes prior, labeled “Gift” without explanation.

Typical lawyerly precision, she mused. Though tempted to accept immediately, she restrained herself, sending a sweet voice message instead:

“Senior, why so much? I have an allowance already. Should I return this?”

She refunded the sum, instantly poorer—but confident he’d resend if truly intended.

While grateful for the Shen family’s support over years—covering her education and Lan Ying’s medical bills—Xi Ning had saved Shen Lin’s monthly allowances separately, planning eventual repayment.

Her thrifty campus lifestyle kept classmates guessing about her background. Various side jobs had amassed modest savings, yet here is Gu Xiaobai casually tossing out what took her months to earn.

The inequality stung.

When no reply came, she reassured herself he must be busy. Xu Jing had mentioned Gu Xiaobai’s wealthy maternal family—100,000 yuan likely meant nothing to him.

After showering, she cuddled Jiabao, lamenting, “Why didn’t I just take it? Now I’m the one suffering.”

The cat’s answering meow seemed sympathetic.

Paging through her Schiele artbook, she paused at an explicit lovers’ illustration—wondering if Gu Xiaobai had seen this page. If so, his purchase suggested definite heterosexuality.

Her phone chimed, the refunded 100,000 yuan reappeared with a voice memo:

“Xi Ning, I know you’re not needy. I just want you to stop exhausting yourself with commissions. If you must paint, I’ll pay 100,000 monthly for one artwork. Agreed?”

Delighted by this sustainable income stream, she was devising an elegant acceptance when his call came.

She declined, initiating video instead.

When he appeared onscreen—that flawlessly handsome face strikingly close—Xi Ning felt a thrill. Her pink sleep dress, slightly loose at the neckline, showcased collarbones and creamy shoulders to perfection.

Damp chestnut hair tumbled over bare skin as she pouted playfully. “You took forever to reply.”

Noticing his gaze flicker away momentarily, she smiled inwardly—the dress’s impact confirmed.

“My brother needed me,” he explained, voice deeper than usual. “Accept the transfer first.”

She pursed her lips. “But it feels strange taking so much…”

Gu Xiaobai’s eyes darkened. “As my fiancée, it’s your right. This is my choice, my desire to give.”

With a coy smile, she relented. “Alright then. Thank you, Senior.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth. “You’re welcome.”