Strategy to Conquer the Vicious Female Supporting Character [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 37

Before Qi Lin could notice her, Situ Lan quietly walked away.

She didn’t want to see such a scene anymore.

She didn’t even want Qi Lin’s image to appear in her mind again.

Because it hurt, it felt like something was pressing against her chest, making it hard even to breathe…

But when Situ Lan returned to the classroom and sat back in her seat, she immediately saw that the textbooks on her desk were still neatly arranged by Qi Lin yesterday after accidentally knocking them over. In the drawer, there were still the desserts Qi Lin had given her…

Situ Lan suddenly realized, Qi Lin had already left too many traces in her life. Too many, and too deep.

Even if she wanted to ignore them, she couldn’t.

Situ Lan finally understood that ever since she and Qi Lin met, it had always been Qi Lin who took the initiative.

It was Qi Lin who had approached her first, giving them their first meeting.

It was Qi Lin who made her desserts, allowing them to gradually get to know each other better.

The only time Situ Lan had ever invited Qi Lin over to her house, it was actually Qi Lin who had noticed the hidden meaning in her words and brought it up herself. Later, when things went wrong, it was again Qi Lin who comforted her and then invited her to her own apartment.

Even in all their time together, it had always been Qi Lin who came to Class One to find her. Situ Lan didn’t even know which route led to Qi Lin’s Class Thirteen in the second year.

Situ Lan felt like she couldn’t breathe again.

So… it served her right. It served her right that she didn’t even recognize the girl who seemed to be Qi Lin’s girlfriend.

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the dessert wrapper.

…She couldn’t let things stay this way.

At the very least, at the very least, she should find out the name of that girl who might be Qi Lin’s girlfriend, right?

After all, Qi Lin was her best friend. If she really was in a relationship, as a friend, she should, she had to, give her blessings.

That’s just basic manners!

Or so Situ Lan told herself.

As for that faint sour ache in her heart, Situ Lan instinctively avoided thinking about it too deeply.

No relationship can last if only one side keeps giving, not even family bound by bl00d.

She couldn’t keep being this passive anymore.

The sports meet only lasted two days, and the girls’ 1500 meter run was scheduled for the second day. Once it was over, classes at No. 1 High School resumed as usual.

The insulting words shouted on the track yesterday, Zhao Ting had actually heard them. Her decision to finish the race afterward was partly because she didn’t want to lose face, because she needed to vent that bottled-up frustration.

After Qi Lin helped her walk a few laps until she fully recovered, Zhao Ting quietly said, “Thank you.”

And from that moment on, Zhao Ting’s attitude toward Qi Lin noticeably changed, no longer just the mild friendliness between seatmates who could chat casually, but into the easy warmth shared between genuine friends.

Qi Lin didn’t feel much about it at first. Zhao Ting was a bit like Liang Dongxu, someone Qi Lin knew in her previous life, the type of likable supporting character you’d easily become friends with, hang out, joke around, lend each other a hand when needed. It all just felt very natural.

It wasn’t until Zhao Ting voluntarily shared her braised chicken leg with her during break time that Qi Lin finally noticed the change.

In the original story, Zhao Ting was only remembered for two things, being “chubby” and “fond of eating.”
Qi Lin had seen it firsthand, Zhao Ting treasured her snacks like precious gems; touching them was like touching her reverse scale.

And now, Zhao Ting was actually offering her snacks to someone else?!

Qi Lin: “……”

It felt like the little boat of friendship had just been fitted with an electric motor.

Still, since it was a kind gesture from her deskmate, Qi Lin didn’t refuse. She took the chicken leg directly. “Thanks.”

As expected of something beloved by a true foodie, the braised chicken leg really did taste great.

“Actually, I’ve been wanting to ask,” Zhao Ting said, speaking with her mouth half-full of chicken, “I often smell the scent of desserts coming from your bag, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat them?”

“Oh, that,” Qi Lin replied. “Those are for my lover.”

Zhao Ting: “……”

She had almost forgotten about that running joke!

Zhao Ting leaned closer. “Wait, you’re actually chasing someone?”

Qi Lin looked puzzled. “Am I really that untrustworthy when I say things?”

Zhao Ting’s expression was hard to describe. “No, it’s just… with your face, I honestly feel like you don’t even need to chase anyone, people would just come to you on their own…”

Especially now that Qi Lin’s face had fully healed, she was every bit the number one beauty of No.1 High School, living up to her title.

Qi Lin almost choked on her chicken leg from laughing. “Cough— thanks. But the person I’m chasing… well, if we’re talking looks, she’s at least on par with me.”

She still vividly remembered that first meeting with Miss Situ, the kind of breathtaking beauty that felt like a warm-toned oil painting come to life.

Zhao Ting’s eyes widened. “On par with you?!”

How ridiculously good-looking must that guy be?!

“Wait…” Zhao Ting mentally went through all the famous handsome boys in No.1 High School. “Could it be… Murong Shuyan?”

After all, only that school heartthrob could rival Hua Xiyu in looks.

Qi Lin: “……”

Suddenly, the braised chicken leg didn’t taste so good anymore.

Qi Lin swallowed the last bite, took out a wet tissue to wipe her mouth and hands, then turned to Zhao Ting, whose face was practically glowing with gossip, and smiled in a way that made Zhao Ting shrink back slightly.

“Zhao Tingting,” Qi Lin said lightly, “you just mentioned the one person at No.1 High I least want to hear about.”

Zhao Ting quietly scooted back a little, but her gossiping spirit didn’t die down. “W-why?”

Qi Lin gave a small laugh. “Because he’s my love rival.”

Zhao Ting: “……”

Zhao Ting: “???”

Love rival, what the heck did that mean?!

Wasn’t that Young Master Murong Shuyan already engaged to—

Just then, the very person who had resolved to come talk to Qi Lin, Situ Lan, appeared at the doorway of Class 13.

Her long hair, tied up, shimmered beautifully under the evening glow. Though her delicate and elegant features showed no expression, they alone were enough to embody the very meaning of the word “beauty.”

Zhao Ting stared blankly for a moment, stunned by the sight.

It felt a bit like when Qi Lin had just transmigrated, before the {“Charm Enhancement Spray”} effects had been suppressed, that kind of “seeing a goddess descend from the heavens” feeling.

Qi Lin was also surprised.

Why had the young lady suddenly shown up in their class? Did something happen?

Qi Lin quickly patted Zhao Ting’s shoulder, signaling her to move aside. As Zhao Ting stepped out into the aisle, Qi Lin hurriedly ran over to Situ Lan.
“Miss!”

Zhao Ting: “…”

That voice… was at least eight degrees sweeter than when she talked to her!

Yep, that’s her, the young lady Situ Lan, fiancée of the great Murong Shuyan.

So if Qi Lin said she and Murong Shuyan were love rivals, then this Situ Lan must be…

Zhao Ting almost missed the bench when she tried to sit back down.

Looking again at Miss Situ, the moment she saw Qi Lin, that noble and reserved expression of hers softened by at least eight degrees. And the way she looked at Qi Lin—

Wait a second, why did that look faintly carry the air of a wronged little wife?!

Zhao Ting instinctively gripped the desk with both hands to stop herself from actually falling off the bench.

…Just what kind of shocking truth had she stumbled upon?!

At that moment, Situ Lan also noticed Zhao Ting.

The young lady hadn’t forgotten why she came here. Pressing her lips together, she spoke with some difficulty,
“Xiyu, is that your… deskmate?”

“Huh?” The sudden shift in topic caught Qi Lin off guard. She reflexively turned her head toward her deskmate, whose face had gone pale, and nodded. “Yeah, that’s my deskmate, Zhao Ting.”

That glance back, and the fact that Qi Lin not only confirmed it but even said her name, became, in Situ Lan’s eyes, powerful evidence supporting her theory that Zhao Ting was Qi Lin’s girlfriend.

Qi Lin, really…

Si Tu Lan took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said,
“Alright then… I wish you two—”

Having closely watched the situation between the two, Zhao Ting instantly realized that if she didn’t do something, she was going to be in serious trouble.

“Thank you, Miss Situ, for wishing us good luck on our next monthly exam!” Zhao Ting, showing a surprising agility for her size, squeezed herself between Qi Lin and Situ Lan in record time, her face full of sincerity. “You must know Hua Xiyu’s situation better than I do, but I’ll do my best too!”

Quick, divert the topic! And make it clear that Hua Xiyu the scoundrel obviously has a much better relationship with Miss Situ than with her!

Situ Lan: “…”

…Huh?

Qi Lin: “…”

…What on earth is going on here?!

“This isn’t really the right place to talk…” Zhao Ting gestured subtly at the many students from Class 13 who were obviously watching them both openly and secretly. “How about you find somewhere else to talk things through properly?”

Her tone was meaningful,
“If there’s been some kind of misunderstanding, it’s better to clear it up sooner rather than later. Whether you’re overthinking things alone or left in the dark, neither is good.”

In other words, please, both of you, just leave already, spare me the agony of being the human lightbulb in this painfully bright scene, and stop dragging me into your weird drama!

Qi Lin: “…”

Ah, thanks for the friendly fire, dear deskmate. Thinking back on the young lady’s whole series of expressions and actions, Qi Lin finally pieced together what was going on.

…But seriously, why would the young lady think she and Zhao Ting were a thing?!

Qi Lin felt both powerless and exasperated, but still forced a smile.
She placed a hand on Miss Situ’s shoulder, leaned close to her ear, and whispered softly,
“Miss, it’s true that I like girls… but it’s not like I like every girl, you know?”