She’s the School Beauty Side Character in a BL Novel - Chapter 015

015:

After listening to their discussion, Xi Ning silently pondered for a while. Combined with the now-fading memories of the original plot in her mind, she concluded that the investor surnamed Rong was none other than Rong Kai.

His decision to invest in Professor Mei’s gallery exhibition was undoubtedly the opening move of his hunting game upon returning to the country.

The current Rong Kai, tempered by the cutthroat battles of the capitalist world and business arena, had become a completely different person compared to seven years ago.

Arrogant, self-important, and with the capital to back it up.

This version of Rong Kai would naturally admire someone like Gu Xiaobai, who shared his elite background and exceptional qualities. Upon learning that Gu Xiaobai had a fiancée, driven by competitiveness, a desire to conquer, and a certain malicious amusement, he had sent Cheng Zheng to test the waters. When that failed, he decided to take matters into his own hands, beginning his deliberate approach.

Xi Ning realized that, unlike when she first awakened, she no longer felt fear or panic toward Rong Kai and the game he had started.

Apart from disgust and indifference, all she felt now was regret—and absurdity. Regret for her seven years of silent, hopeless longing, and regret for the bright, dazzling young Rong Kai of the past.

The more he schemed to destroy her engagement, the more determined she was to make things work with Gu Xiaobai. On one hand, her fiancé was undeniably outstanding, and on the other, there was nothing more satisfying than denying someone like Rong Kai what he wanted.

Xi Ning thought: Why should I miserably step aside and become a casualty of their relationship? As for Rong Kai’s little game, she’d play along—and turn the tables.

Did he want to test whether she was materialistic or sincere? Hah. If he threw money at her, she’d take it without hesitation. Since he had no real interest in her and she stood to lose nothing, she’d accept every benefit and fully embrace the role of a gold-digger. She would never be foolish enough to ruin herself over a man’s affections again.

Once the exhibition planning wrapped up, Professor Mei pulled Xi Ning aside for a private conversation. He offered her the position of assistant curator for the exhibition, responsible for booth allocation and on-site coordination. The pay would be 1% of the exhibition budget, amounting to a six-figure sum.

Xi Ning agreed without hesitation. However, this meant she’d have to come to the gallery every day until the exhibition ended.

After finalizing the details with the professor, Xi Ning bid him farewell. She needed to return to school the next day and had to pack early.

Once in the driver’s seat, she didn’t start the car immediately. Instead, she pulled out her phone to check for unread messages—she’d been too busy all day to look.

The first thing she saw was a barrage of ten frantic messages from her classmate Zhou Weiwei, urgently reminding Xi Ning to be punctual for her airport pickup—or else she’d owe her big time for the specialty snacks she’d hauled from afar.

Xi Ning chuckled and replied, assuring Zhou Weiwei that not only would she pick her up, but she’d also treat her to a fancy meal with her extra earnings. This prompted a flood of cute begging sticker reactions from Zhou Weiwei.

After their exchange, Xi Ning opened her chat with Gu Xiaobai. Unsurprisingly, there were no new messages.

So she casually sent: “What are you up to, Senior?”

Before she could even set her phone down, Gu Xiaobai replied—instantly.

Xi Ning was genuinely surprised. Given how aloof he’d been during their chance encounter at the bookstore, where he hadn’t even left his contact info, this was unexpected.

Gu Xiaobai: “Reviewing case files at the procuratorate. Haven’t left yet. Where were you today?”

Xi Ning inwardly scoffed. Busy as ever. Even during summer break, he didn’t have a single free moment to message her. She was always the one initiating their conversations.

But considering he’d transferred money to her last night, she decided not to dwell on it.

She fibbed: “I was painting at home today. Everyone else has their boyfriends around, but Senior is always so busy. No one to hang out with me.”

[Extremely sad.jpg]

Two minutes later, Gu Xiaobai replied: “I’ve been swamped lately. I’ll have time to spend with you once the semester starts.”

Xi Ning thought: Once the semester starts, I’ll want you around even less. I won’t even glance your way at school, no need to invite trouble.

So she quickly changed the subject, sending a sickeningly sweet voice message in a tone she herself found nauseatingly coquettish: “But I want you to spend time with me now! Will you be busy for much longer? It’s already 5 PM. Can I drive over to see you? I really miss you.”

His response came in a low voice: “It’s too far. I don’t want you driving here alone. Wait for me at home, I’ll come to you once I’m done.”

Xi Ning thought, I’m not even home—how can you pick me up? So she insisted: “I want to drive over and get you myself. You’ve always been the one picking me up. Let me do it this time, okay?”

After sending it, she marveled at how quickly she’d adapted. The words spilling from her lips were so saccharine she couldn’t bear to listen to them again—so cloying, so fake.

But she had a sneaking suspicion that Gu Xiaobai actually liked this act. Maybe he really fell for it.

Sure enough, after a few minutes, he sent her the address—also via voice message, his voice hushed and magnetic, likely because others were around.

“I’m at the Western District Procuratorate. I’ve already told security, you can park in the spot by the entrance. Let me know when you arrive. Drive carefully.”

Xi Ning replied with a cutesy [Got it.jpg] and started the car, plugging the address into her GPS.

Luckily, traffic was light. Half an hour later, she arrived at the procuratorate. Following the guard’s directions, she parked in what was clearly a reserved spot.

Then she sent Gu Xiaobai another sweet, syrupy voice message: “Senior, I’m here! Are you done yet?”

To her surprise, several minutes passed with no reply.

Waiting in the car was boring, so Xi Ning stepped out, admiring the grand, solemn architecture of the procuratorate while she waited.

Before long, she spotted a group of people exiting the building.

Her eyes immediately landed on Gu Xiaobai.

Today, he wore a light blue shirt and gray trousers, both in relaxed fits that made him look effortlessly handsome.

The others beside him were dressed in prosecutor uniforms, making his striking presence stand out even more.

One of them, a prosecutor walking alongside Gu Xiaobai, matched him in height and carried an equally imposing aura.

As they approached, Xi Ning realized this man bore a fifty percent resemblance to Gu Xiaobai. Though not as breathtakingly handsome, he exuded a steady, dignified handsomeness.

It dawned on her—this formidable prosecutor was Gu Xiaobai’s older brother, Gu Jixuan.

But since she and Gu Xiaobai were still in the early stages of dating, she’d only met his aunt, Gu Ai, and hadn’t yet been introduced to his father or brother.

Unsure how to address Gu Jixuan, she settled for calling out to Gu Xiaobai first: “Senior!”

Gu Xiaobai smiled at her, then introduced them: “Big Brother, this is Xi Ning. We’re dating.”

Gu Jixuan nodded warmly. “Hello, Miss Xi. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Xiaobai has mentioned you before, you’re as impressive as described. If you don’t mind, you can call me ‘Big Brother’ like he does.”

Xi Ning flashed her signature well-bred smile and replied politely, “Of course. Thank you, Big Brother Gu.”

The prosecutors behind Gu Jixuan chimed in good-naturedly: “Director Gu’s brother is so handsome, and his girlfriend is stunning too. You two make quite the dazzling pair, puts the rest of us to shame!”

Gu Jixuan chuckled and said to the couple, “Miss Xi, you’re welcome to visit our home with Xiaobai sometime. My father would like to meet you. But I have matters to attend to, so I won’t intrude on your date. Goodbye.”

With that, the group boarded an official vehicle parked at the entrance and drove off.

Xi Ning watched them leave, blinking, then turned to Gu Xiaobai and teased deliberately: “Senior Gu, your brother isn’t just handsome—he’s got an incredible presence. No surprise he’s an elite at the Supreme Procuratorate.”

Gu Xiaobai glanced at her, his long, clear eyes drooping slightly, and replied indifferently, “Hm.”

Xi Ning pressed on, feigning ignorance: “A man as steady and outstanding as Big Brother Gu must have plenty of admirers. Does he have a girlfriend?”

Gu Xiaobai paused for a few seconds, his handsome brow furrowing. “He’s already engaged. They’ll marry soon.”

His tone was noticeably cooler.

Xi Ning tugged at his loosely rolled sleeve, staring into his downcast eyes as she teased in a sugary voice: “I was just curious, that’s all. Senior, are you… jealous?”

After a long silence, he finally muttered, “No.”

Xi Ning smirked inwardly but pretended not to notice. “Good.”

Gu Xiaobai took the car keys from her and said flatly, “I’ll drive. What do you want for dinner? Sichuan?”

Xi Ning smiled. “Sure. Let’s go to that place you mentioned, Shu Li.”

Gu Xiaobai gave a low “Mm” and took the driver’s seat.

Once Xi Ning buckled into the passenger side, she turned to watch as Gu Xiaobai adjusted the seat. The setting sun cast a soft glow on his breathtakingly handsome face.

His profile was cold and noble, like a god of light.

Suddenly, Xi Ning leaned in, wrapping her arms around his neck, and asked in a honeyed voice, “Senior, are you jealous?”

Gu Xiaobai lifted his gaze, staring silently at her face, now inches from his, but didn’t answer.

Xi Ning laughed softly, tracing the elegant lines of his jaw with her fingers as if studying a masterpiece.

Her sweet voice, laced with a lover’s intimacy, whispered by his ear—and for now, they were lovers.

“Senior, I was lying earlier. I just wanted to see how you’d react.”

“You’re handsome, younger, and more captivating than your brother. You’re the only one I—”

Before she could finish, his lips crashed down on hers in a searing kiss.