The Cold Goddess Always Wants to Turn Me Gay (GL) - Chapter 40: Something Begins to Sprout in the Heart

In the following days, Yu Xinxin would occasionally recall their conversation from that night. Each time she did, she felt somewhat awkward, yet couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for this discomfort. Unconsciously, she began speaking less to Wei Zhi, occasionally even snapping at her.

Wei Zhi, suffering this undeserved treatment, reflected for a long time but couldn’t figure out the cause. Every day, she could only look at Yu Xinxin with a pitiful expression, which in turn softened Yu Xinxin’s heart each time she saw it.

Just as their morning class ended, the three of them packed up their painting supplies and left the studio.

“I’m so hungry. Xinxin, what are we having for lunch?” Zhou Tong whined with a miserable face. She and Zhou Tong had overslept that morning and didn’t have time to buy breakfast.

Yu Xinxin: “I don’t know. What do you feel like eating?”

Glaring at Wei Zhi, who was walking leisurely ahead, Zhou Tong complained, “Little Zhi Zhi is so biased. Why didn’t you buy me breakfast?”

Wei Zhi had a regular routine and woke up early in the morning. She bought breakfast for Yu Xinxin, but Zhou Tong… Although Yu Xinxin kindly shared half of her meal with Zhou Tong, under Wei Zhi’s death stare, Zhou Tong took a few bites before awkwardly slipping away.

Hearing this, Wei Zhi stopped and cast a cold glance at Zhou Tong, who shrank back. Zhou Tong felt that Wei Zhi had been even colder than usual these past few days, especially toward her.

Seeing the cafeteria just ahead and feeling unbearably hungry, Zhou Tong said, “Xinxin, let’s go to the cafeteria first to fill our stomachs. We don’t have classes this afternoon anyway—we can always order takeout if we get hungry later.”

Yu Xinxin didn’t mind. She wasn’t picky about food, though the cafeteria meals weren’t great. Wei Zhi, however, seemed to dislike them. It was just as well—she could go eat outside by herself.

“Sure.”

Listening to their conversation, Wei Zhi’s lips twitched slightly, but she said nothing. She had originally planned to take Yu Xinxin out to eat and ask her what had been going on these past few days.

The cafeteria was crowded, given its affordable prices. The three of them got their food and sat down.

Yu Xinxin glanced at Wei Zhi, who had followed them, and pursed her lips. Just then, Wei Zhi looked up, and their eyes met for a brief second before darting away. A faint, indescribable emotion lingered in Wei Zhi’s cool gaze. Yu Xinxin sighed inwardly—had she been acting too unreasonable these past few days?

Zhou Tong took a couple of bites of her chicken leg and grimaced. “The only decent thing in this cafeteria is the chicken legs. The rest is barely edible.” She picked up her phone, looking for something entertaining to go with her meal.

Swallowing a mouthful of food, Yu Xinxin frowned—today’s dishes were rather spicy. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Wei Zhi had only taken a few bites before setting down her chopsticks, lost in thought. Concerned about Wei Zhi’s stomach, she finally said, “Maybe we should go out later to see what else is available. The food here is a bit too spicy for your stomach.”

Wei Zhi, who had been lost in self-reflection, suddenly heard these words of obvious concern. A radiant smile broke across her face. “Sure.”

The perpetually frozen mountain of ice instantly bloomed with spring warmth. Yu Xinxin was momentarily dazzled by the brilliance of that smile, her gaze lingering on Wei Zhi’s features, where the tenderness spilling forth made her chest feel inexplicably warm.

“Little Zhi Zhi.” A scream shattered the subtle atmosphere between the two. Yu Xinxin snapped back to reality, sensing something strange in her chest—something had changed, but what was it?

“Quick, check the school forum! Little Zhi Zhi, you’re being slandered!” Zhou Tong’s loud voice pulled Yu Xinxin’s wandering thoughts back. She took out her phone and opened the forum’s homepage. A pinned post immediately caught her eye, accompanied by several photos.

The post’s title read: Shocking! Department Beauty Spotted Getting into Luxury Car Late at Night.

The post included several photos. In one, a supercar was parked at the school gate, with a chauffeur holding the door open for a tall, slender figure. Though dressed plainly, the figure exuded an ethereal, aloof elegance. Even from just a back view, it was impossible not to wonder about the face behind it. The photo was taken from behind at night, making the face unclear, but Yu Xinxin recognized Wei Zhi instantly. Moreover, the post included two more photos from different angles, clearly revealing Wei Zhi’s face.

“Morals are declining, and people’s hearts are no longer pure!”

“Being kept…??”

“Are people this brazen now?”

“Pretty girls really do end up with old men, huh.”

“My goddess… my heart is broken.”

“Isn’t this the girl who rejected that peacock before? No wonder she turned him down.”

“I don’t believe it! This has to be photoshopped!”

“Computer science major here—I swear on my life, these photos aren’t edited.”

“Pics don’t lie.”

“…”

Zhou Tong grew angrier the more she read. “Who’s spreading these rumors?”

Wei Zhi remained silent, staring thoughtfully at her phone. After a while, she set it down and asked Yu Xinxin, “What do you want to eat later?”

Yu Xinxin froze, finally recalling the conversation Zhou Tong had interrupted earlier. She couldn’t help rolling her eyes at Wei Zhi. Noticing the increasing number of stares directed their way, she realized why the cafeteria had felt so strange since they entered. The post had been made the night before, and by now, the replies were countless—most of them misguided accusations, condemning Wei Zhi for being shameless, kept by an older man, and so on.

Seeing the person in question acting completely unfazed, Yu Xinxin felt a surge of frustration, as if Wei Zhi were a hopeless case. “Still thinking about food? Let’s go back. Now.”

With that, she grabbed Wei Zhi’s hand and dragged her toward the dorm. Zhou Tong, seeing this, hastily shoveled a few more bites of food before hurrying after them.

Wei Zhi’s hand was gripped tightly—Yu Xinxin was using a lot of force, clearly in a terrible mood.

After a moment of contemplation, Wei Zhi reached a conclusion: She’s angry? Or… does she believe the rumors?

The thought unsettled her. What if Yu Xinxin actually believes what’s in that post? What if she thinks my money comes from being someone’s mistress?

“That…” Wei Zhi quickly gathered her words. “That night, I was in a hurry to go to the North District to find you. It wasn’t what the post said.”

Yu Xin Xin’s heart trembled. “I know.”

The weight in her chest lifted, only to be replaced by another as Yu Xin Xin turned around and glared at her fiercely, looking as if she wanted to bite her.

“Really, I’m not lying to you,” Wei Zhi said urgently.

“Don’t worry, Xiao Zhizhi, we all believe you,” Zhou Tong’s voice cut in at an inopportune moment.

They quickly returned to the dormitory, naturally receiving many glances along the way—some disdainful, some disgusted, some indifferent. Once the dorm door closed, Yu Xin Xin let go of Wei Zhi’s hand.

Zhou Tong finally began to sense that something was off between the two of them. But what exactly was it?

“Are you angry?” Wei Zhi asked.

“No.”

“Is there nothing you want to ask?”

“No.”

…

“Then… should I order takeout? What do you want to eat?” Wei Zhi truly didn’t know what else to say. Remembering that neither of them had eaten earlier and knowing Yu Xin Xin was a foodie who couldn’t stand hunger, she brought it up.

Yu Xin Xin couldn’t take it anymore. “What kind of time is this? You’re being slandered like this, and you’re still worried about whether I’ve eaten?”

After seeing those comments, Yu Xin Xin had nearly exploded with anger. The thought of Wei Zhi being heartbroken, even crying, made her chest ache unbearably. But to her surprise, after reading the post, Wei Zhi had asked her what she wanted to eat later. She didn’t know why that had made her so angry. And now, Wei Zhi was asking again. The fury in her chest suddenly deflated, replaced by an inexplicable, suffocating ache.

Seeing the worry fade and the undisguised concern in the other’s eyes, Wei Zhi felt warmth in her heart. “Don’t worry, it’ll blow over in a few days.”

Yu Xin Xin understood what Wei Zhi meant. Online drama came in waves—people’s attention would soon shift to something else. Besides, the post was only on the campus forum. After a few days of gossip, no one would remember. But she was still angry, still heartbroken, and she couldn’t just let it go.

Her vision blurred as something wet threatened to spill from her eyes. She sniffled, only for her chin to be caught by a cool hand, forcing her to meet the other’s gaze.

Wei Zhi’s beautiful eyes, glistening with unshed tears, shone like the most exquisite gemstones, refracting mesmerizing light. Holding Yu Xin Xin’s chin with her left hand, she gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes with her right. Softly, she murmured, “There, there, don’t cry. I’ll figure out a way to get the post taken down, okay?”

The tender, doting tone seeped into Yu Xin Xin’s ears and heart. Suddenly, something flickered within her. She grasped at it, her thoughts chasing that fleeting emotion, as if something was quietly sprouting inside her.