The Frail, Alluring O Always Wants Me to Mark Her (GL) - Chapter 22: 022

Zhu Lexing finally understood how “a single act can warm a person for a lifetime” felt.

What is called sincerity for sincerity? This is it.

Who else but her could achieve this?

On the way to school, Zhu Lexing flipped through a few pages of the notebook. Compared to Song Yingying’s, Yan Mian’s notes were fewer, but more concise and clear, easy to understand at a glance.

The brightness lasted for less than two minutes, and Zhu Lexing became distressed again.

Both Song Yingying and Yan Mian now had expectations of her. It would be too embarrassing if she still scored a low mark.

She needed to work harder.

The midterm exam was approaching, and the number of people laughing and chatting in the hallways had decreased significantly, but passing by the flight class, the room was still full of laughter. Clearly, they had formed their own group and only made noise inside the classroom.

Upon arriving at Class Seven, Song Yingying was looking at the incorrect problems on her test paper, and Yan Mian was doing problems. Looking around the class, most people had their study materials in hand.

Zhu Lexing looked at the notebook in her hand and smugly thought, how can this not count as studying?

Zhu Lexing didn’t want to disturb Song Yingying and also took out yesterday’s paper, writing and pausing. After a few steps, she looked at the notebook next to her.

After many times, it was hard for Song Yingying not to notice her.

Seeing Zhu Lexing treat the notebook as a spiritual solace, Song Yingying couldn’t help but ask softly, “What is this?”

Zhu Lexing said profoundly, “My life.”

Yan Mian lending her the notebook meant that she had slightly lowered her guard and was willing to build a bridge of communication with Zhu Lexing.

Communication = Closer relationship = Extended life.

Song Yingying’s expression was very complicated, a look of “Are you okay?” but because of her good nature, she was too embarrassed to ask directly.

Zhu Lexing had to speak first: “Let’s do problems.”

What can relieve worries? Only doing problems. Doing those undefined problems!

Although the original host didn’t leave Zhu Lexing any knowledge reserves, she left Zhu Lexing a smart brain.

The teachers and resources at No. 1 High School were excellent; as long as she focused, she could quickly learn things.

Science subjects test logical thinking, which is simply who can think faster gets better grades.

Her speed in doing problems somewhat surprised Song Yingying, but when she finished an entire test paper and helped Zhu Lexing grade it, she was even more surprised to find that although many problems were wrong, Zhu Lexing already had a 40% success rate.

Based on her scores, Zhu Lexing was still a firmly bottom-ranked underachiever. But compared to her past self, this was immense progress.

Song Yingying said sincerely, “Did you intentionally write random answers in your previous exams because you didn’t want to take them?”

Zhu Lexing: “Something like that.”

Song Yingying capped her red pen: “Don’t be like that next time. You can be more outstanding.”

Zhu Lexing was a little touched.

According to her habit of making friends, Song Yingying was already classified as a friend, though not too close. But this sentence was enough to warm her for the whole day.

Similarly, it could be applied to Yan Mian.

Her meaning for being in this world… was probably to make Yan Mian more outstanding.

Zhu Lexing was immersed in her emotion. Song Yingying, who didn’t notice, spoke again: “However, you made a mistake in the starting point for these few problems…”

Zhu Lexing suddenly snapped back, looking at the formulas and diagrams left by Song Yingying’s pen scratching on the paper: “…”

Her scalp was tingling, it really felt like her brain was growing.

Even with last-minute cramming, there were only a few days left until the midterm exam. But Zhu Lexing still diligently did problems every day, even spacing out to think about problems while eating.

When she spent her usual free time on “studying,” Zhu Lexing found her life to be much more fulfilling. At least she could understand most of the conversations Song Yingying had with others about the problems every day.

Whether her studying was effective or not, in the eyes of others, at least she was putting in the effort, and their attitude towards Zhu Lexing softened slightly.

Diligence is always rewarded with some luck.

The night before the midterm exam, Zhu Lexing stopped doing problems. She only left a light on her bedside table, lay on the bed in a spread-eagle posture, inhaling and exhaling, attempting to absorb the spiritual energy of the weather and develop her intelligence through unconventional means.

After repeating this a few times, with no effect, Zhu Lexing could only deadpan: [System, when will you give me an extra 200 intelligence so I don’t have to work hard?]

As of today, the system’s permissions were quite obvious. It could replicate scenes from the original work for Zhu Lexing, but it wouldn’t know the thoughts and intentions of other characters, nor would it proactively investigate them.

System: [Please work hard yourself, Host.]

Zhu Lexing hadn’t talked to the system for a few days. The usual function bar now had a “daily task” that she could accept without going through the system.

But seeing how quickly the system replied, Zhu Lexing felt that it might really need her. She pondered for a few seconds and cautiously asked: [Xiao Tong, I’m going to ask you a question. Answer me truthfully, and the previous matter will be water under the bridge.]

The system, whose seniority had been instantly degraded, did not speak, seemingly waiting.

Zhu Lexing said: [Am I the original Zhu Lexing of this world?]

Generally, the most “anti-trope” scenario in transmigration novels is that she is actually transmigrating into herself, but a series of negative outcomes are caused by amnesia or outright substitution due to various schemes.

To avoid stepping on a landmine, Zhu Lexing decided to speak first as a courtesy and unmask herself.

Even the battle-hardened system was quite speechless: […I suggest the Host read fewer online novels and maintain a healthy mindset.]

Zhu Lexing: [Plot twists are not embarrassing. It’s only embarrassing if you admit it now, and I discover it as a fact later.]

System: [The Host is the Host, and Zhu Lexing is Zhu Lexing.]

Zhu Lexing interpreted this as a denial.

She felt relieved, was silent for a few seconds, and then asked: [Can you truly not have any special abilities, like summoning a divine dragon, or summoning heavenly lightning to strike Lin Song dead?]

The system seemed too exasperated and simply stopped responding to Zhu Lexing.

After a bout of bickering with it, Zhu Lexing finally felt that the missing piece of her soul’s goofy attribute had been restored.

She got up and flipped through a few pages of problems, suddenly remembering the live stream from a few days ago. Because she had been focused on studying for the past two days, she barely touched her phone and had no time to check the public reaction.

She raised her hand to search, but StarNet had no topics related to Snow White, clearly meaning someone had paid to suppress the buzz.

Zhu Lexing looked at this familiar maneuver: “…”

This world also had a trend of censoring hot searches and using public relations.

Before searching for “Yan Mian,” she casually searched for “Zhu Lexing.”

There wasn’t much content, but every article she clicked on was a lengthy discussion. Either discussing the intention of the stage play, or criticizing Zhu Lexing for writing something nonsensical, or for being a terrible playwright, telling her to go home and farm if she couldn’t write.

Zhu Lexing was used to anti-fan comments, but that didn’t mean she enjoyed reading them. She quickly exited and searched for “Yan Mian.”

Compared to the topics about Zhu Lexing, the real-time feed for “Yan Mian” was much warmer. The live stream was cut off right when the chandelier fell. Most people were asking how Yan Mian was, if she was injured, and so on.

After all, anyone with eyes could see that the chandelier was right above Yan Mian.

In addition to worrying, most people were looking for Yan Mian’s contact information. Some netizens even found the No. 1 High School forum app, but they couldn’t register without a student ID, couldn’t even see the posts, and were asking for shared accounts.

Even more, some were already shipping Yan Mian and Zhu Lexing as a couple.

But in a world without much romantic inclination, the usual term for a couple was “partners,” and everyone’s wording was very subtle: “They look very compatible.”

After reading everything, Zhu Lexing was speechless and teary-eyed. As she exited, she thought that she should mention to Yan Mian after the exam to register an account while the residual buzz was still there.

As for those netizens, although the buzz was real, Zhu Lexing did not have the idea of relying on them to deal with the Lin family.

The Lin family had deep financial resources. Even if she caused a real fuss, it would quickly be deleted and silenced through public relations.

Zhu Lexing thought of Liu Su again.

She had also tried to call Liu Su these past few days. But each time, the other party was either on another call or simply didn’t answer, making Zhu Lexing wonder if she had dialed the wrong number.

When dialing again, Zhu Lexing secretly decided that if Liu Su didn’t respond to her again, she would resort to unconventional means—

Getting the system to find Liu Su’s phone number!

The system did have that capability.

Unexpectedly, this time the phone connected after a few rings.

The woman’s voice was a bit tired and indifferent: “Not buying a house, not taking a loan, I’m abroad and heavily in debt. What’s the matter?”

Zhu Lexing: ?

She looked at the call interface, and the contact name did indeed say Liu Su. But the things she was saying and her tone… how did any of it relate to the “gentle and sophisticated” Liu Su widely rumored online?

“I…”

Zhu Lexing was pondering how to start the conversation when Liu Su paused on the other end of the phone. She seemed to recognize the voice, and her tone changed: “…Lexing? Is that you? Why did you change your number—”

Zhu Lexing: “…Yes.”

Liu Su’s attitude immediately changed drastically: “Lexing, it was my fault that I couldn’t come back to celebrate your birthday last time. Mom has been reflecting recently and wants to find time to come back to see you, but work is too busy…”

“Lexing…” Liu Su whispered, “Can Mom come back to see you after this filming is over?”

There was none of the coldness and impatience from before in Liu Su’s tone. The tentative manner made Zhu Lexing feel very uncomfortable.

“You can,” Zhu Lexing said stiffly.

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Su immediately said, “Okay, then it’s settled. By the way, Xingxing, today you…”

Zhu Lexing’s tone softened a bit, and she recounted everything about the Lin family. On Liu Su’s side, she went from disbelief to occasionally asking a question or two, and finally, there was complete silence.

Zhu Lexing thought that Liu Su was also stuck in the middle, finding it hard to choose, and was momentarily speechless: “This matter…”

“For this matter, Mom will definitely get justice for Yan Mian,” Liu Su’s voice turned cold. “Lexing, you don’t have to worry, and tell Yan Mian… not to be afraid.”

“Wait for Mom to come back,” Liu Su said.

Before making the call, Zhu Lexing was sitting at her desk.

When she hung up, her face was pressed against the table, and she let out a long sigh, scrolling through StarNet.

“Zhu Lexing’s” birthday this year was the day of Liu Su’s Best Actress nomination award ceremony. Liu Su won the award without controversy, and her acceptance speech specifically mentioned her “daughter” and wished her a happy birthday.

Neither Zhu Lin nor Liu Su wanted Zhu Lexing to be exposed to the entertainment industry too early, so they never mentioned Zhu Lexing’s full name in public. But in the original host’s eyes, this became a sign of not valuing her, leading to her falling out with both of them.

Zhu Lexing stared at the screen for a long time. Just as the phone was about to go dark, she sat up straight again and began to do problems.

The next day.

As Zhu Lexing walked into the exam room with a yawn, she recalled that on the first day of her transmigration, she still regretted not spending much time in school in her past life.

Now it seemed that an incomplete life was sometimes a form of beauty.

Not wanting to study is a very human emotion!

The exam rooms at No. 1 High School were randomly assigned. Zhu Lexing already knew the room she was assigned yesterday. She wasn’t with Song Yingying and planned to spend three days quietly, but as soon as she stepped into the classroom, she saw Qiao Qiao applying makeup right by the door.

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Qiao Qiao: “…”

Their eyes met, and even Qiao Qiao was a little surprised: “What a coincidence.”

Zhu Lexing: “…Yeah.”

Even more coincidentally, she was sitting right behind Qiao Qiao.

As soon as she put down her bag, Qiao Qiao turned around and said, “The invigilation at No. 1 High School is quite strict. Whose paper are you going to copy?”

As she spoke, she pointed out the names of a few people in the exam room. Zhu Lexing followed her gaze, and most of them were top-ranked students.

Zhu Lexing never expected Qiao Qiao to open her mouth with a question that hovered on the edge of the system’s forbidden topics.

She firmly refused: “No need, I can do it myself.”

Qiao Qiao said, “You—”

She wanted to tease Zhu Lexing, but the girl’s expression was very serious, and her eyes were much steadier than before, looking quite confident.

Qiao Qiao could only drop the subject: “That’s good, too.”

Since there was nothing else to do, Zhu Lexing advised her again: “I suggest you don’t copy either, do it yourself.”

Qiao Qiao didn’t have much ambition for grades, but her family required her to either spend every day in the dance studio or maintain steady grades. Compared to the former, studying in the classroom was certainly easier.

In the past, Qiao Qiao would have refused Zhu Lexing without hesitation and perhaps mocked her… or they wouldn’t have even interacted, just exchanged a roll of the eyes and switched places.

But Zhu Lexing’s change made Qiao Qiao like her, and the stage play a while ago made her consider acting.

After some hesitation, Qiao Qiao said, “Alright, I’ll try.”

Just after the first subject, Qiao Qiao regretted agreeing to Zhu Lexing’s suggestion.

There were problems she knew how to do, but not many. Looking at the entire paper, Qiao Qiao felt like she was illiterate. Her usual pride was suddenly confronted with reality, and she was a little lost.

When the invigilator went to the back row, she propped her chin and quietly turned her head.

Zhu Lexing in the back seat was holding her pen, writing seriously, looking completely different from before, full of confidence.

After this exam, Qiao Qiao was about to say something to Zhu Lexing, but Zhu Lexing walked straight out, and even when called, she only gave a perfunctory reply of “Talk later.”

Yan Mian closed her zipper.

The difficulty of this paper was moderate, and she was very confident in her normal performance, her expression was particularly calm.

She took her phone from the podium and unlocked it, only to see a message from Li Nian asking what she wanted to eat and that she would bring it along for her.

Yan Mian replied casually and walked out of the classroom.

A gaze followed her from a distance. She looked up in confusion, but only caught a familiar back, extremely similar to Zhu Lexing’s.

Zhu Lexing’s exam room was on the first floor, making it convenient to go anywhere. How could she climb several floors to get here?

Yan Mian thought she had seen wrong, but she was inevitably startled by the high degree of similarity.

Li Nian arrived slightly later than her but walked into the classroom naturally. Zhu Lexing would go near Yan Mian’s exam room after every exam, and after seeing her come out, she would return to her own exam room with a normal expression, as if casually.

One person who was caught cheating was immediately sent to the academic affairs office. In the evening, most of an entire exam room was called to the academic affairs office. Clearly, after “confessing,” they implicated others.

There were only a few people left in the classroom. Qiao Qiao leaned against the wall, looked at Zhu Lexing who was packing up, and sighed: “If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be in there, too.”

Zhu Lexing didn’t even look up: “You’re welcome.”

Qiao Qiao: “I haven’t even said thank you yet—”

“You two are really something,” Qiao Qiao casually picked up the notebook next to Zhu Lexing. “One always says thank you, and the other always says you’re welcome.”

By the time Zhu Lexing noticed her movement, Qiao Qiao had already seen the name on the title page.

Zhu Lexing held out her hand: “Give it to me.”

Qiao Qiao sighed and handed it back to her. Zhu Lexing put it back in her backpack and stood up.

Qiao Qiao said, “I think if you really like Yan Mian, you should just say so.”

Zhu Lexing let out a profound sigh: “Qiao Qiao, you don’t understand.”

In Zhu Lexing’s eyes, her relationship with Yan Mian had always been a deeply moving sisterhood. So, before, a single teasing remark from Qiao Qiao would make her mortified, wishing she could find a hole to jump into.

But after being exposed to studying, she was no longer the old Zhu Lexing.

If Qiao Qiao wanted to misunderstand, let her misunderstand.

After all, being misunderstood is the destiny of a genius!

Qiao Qiao was stunned by this exceptional human performance art.

She was unusually speechless. When she spoke again, she awkwardly changed the subject: “Want to hang out together after the break?”

Since arriving in this world, Zhu Lexing hadn’t gone out to play with anyone.

She didn’t refuse, only saying, “Yan Mian has to come too.”

Qiao Qiao nodded, restraining herself from making any jokes about their relationship.

She really didn’t want to hear those awkward, cringe-inducing quotes from Zhu Lexing again.

That afternoon, Zhu Lin announced the holiday.

The holiday wasn’t long, four days, but better than nothing.

On the way home, Zhu Lexing stretched and began to consider what to do during these four days.

In the past, Zhu Lexing was constantly busy, and the few holidays she had were spent catching up on sleep.

Doing it over again, the holiday seemed dispensable to her.

With Zhu Lin and Jiang Yue both at the Zhu residence, Zhu Lexing felt that she was freer at school.

During dinner, Zhu Lin said, “In a few days… I have a film crew starting up. Lexing, you—”

Zhu Lexing hadn’t spoken much to Zhu Lin over the past few days. Zhu Lin clearly knew his problem and was willing to apologize to Zhu Lexing, but had no intention of changing.

Hearing this news suddenly, Zhu Lexing looked up.

Yan Mian made the same motion as Zhu Lexing, but her expression did not show the joy of freedom that Zhu Lexing had.

Instead, it was blankness.

This was directly reflected in Zhu Lexing’s eyes, making her feel a little helpless. Even the smile in her eyes faded.

“…Oh,” she finally replied. “That’s hard work.”

But this sentence was precious to Zhu Lin, who quickly said, “Contact me immediately if anything happens, and Xiaomian too—”

Zhu Lexing thought that Liu Su probably hadn’t had time to talk to Zhu Lin yet. But this was an issue between the two of them. As long as Liu Su was willing to help her, Zhu Lin’s thoughts didn’t matter at all.

What was more worthy of her attention was Yan Mian’s expression.

After returning to her room, Zhu Lexing flipped through a few pages of problems, but still couldn’t resist asking: [My affection with Yan Mian…]

System: [Yan Mian’s current affection is -960.]

The stage play incident increased Yan Mian’s affection by 20 points. The base number was too small, so this attitude was completely normal.

Zhu Lexing sighed, feeling a little regretful. But when her eyes fell on the notebook next to her, she suddenly realized that this was already a good start.

It would only get better from here.

A moment of dejection was nothing.

Zhu Lexing cheered herself up and decided to do a few pages of problems, then return the notebook to Yan Mian later.

She hadn’t even finished a few problems when the maid suddenly knocked on the door, reminding Zhu Lexing that a guest was visiting.

Zhu Lexing thought it was Song Yun coming to collect the survey forms and was considering how to reply, but the system prompted: [It’s not Song Yun.]

In the living room. Qiao Qiao, dressed casually, was sitting on the sofa, talking to Zhu Lin.

Next to her, Xu He was holding a teacup, sipping slowly.

Seeing her come down, Qiao Qiao stood up, smiling openly: “Uncle Zhu, then we’ll go out with Lexing and Yan Mian.”

Hearing the “going out together” news unexpectedly, Zhu Lexing subconsciously said, “Where are we going?”

Zhu Lin laughed: “Qiao Qiao said that the classmates from your stage play group organized a gathering and invited you and Xiaomian to go too. That’s good, that’s good. You should relax after the exams.”

They were all students and acquaintances, so Zhu Lin didn’t think any big trouble would arise and was very reassured.

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Quite efficient! She mentioned it in the afternoon, and they came to invite her in the evening.

She asked Qiao Qiao again: “Yan Mian—”

She had only said the name, not the rest, when Yan Mian pushed the door open and walked out. She was wearing a beige long dress and a coat. Seeing the three of them, she paused slightly, then smiled at Qiao Qiao and Xu He.

Afterward, she said to Zhu Lin: “A classmate invited me out.”

Just as she started to speak, Xu He quickly waved at her: “Mianmian! Over here!”

Zhu Lexing paused.

Mianmian?

Xu He did not notice her gaze at all and cheerfully took Yan Mian’s arm.

After learning that Zhu Lexing was also on this outing, Yan Mian was clearly hesitant, but she didn’t say much and walked out of the villa with the others.

Two cars were waiting outside, both belonging to the Xu family. Xu He naturally got into the car where Li Nian was with Yan Mian. Qiao Qiao glanced at Zhu Lexing next to her, who was constantly looking at the car in front, and casually said, “Is it necessary? To watch her so closely.”

Zhu Lexing decided to defeat the question with a question: “Where are we going later?”

Qiao Qiao said, “Centrifugal Force.”

Seeing Zhu Lexing’s puzzled expression, Qiao Qiao continued: “A bar.”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

A group of high school students going to a bar?

Although her face was full of questions, Zhu Lexing herself had never been to one. She was a little curious and didn’t refuse.

The car stopped in front of the Centrifugal Force bar.

Upon entering, everything was as described in movies and TV shows. People were swaying their heads, multicolored lights flashed everywhere, the sound system was deafening, and someone was passionately singing rock on the stage.

Zhu Lexing’s first reaction was to look at Yan Mian.

The girl frowned, seemingly uncomfortable, as if this was her first time in such a place. But Xu He’s eyes were twinkling, so she could only smile.

Following the waiter, they arrived at the private room Qiao Qiao had reserved.

The lighting in the private room was as colorful as the outside of the bar, and the rest of the decor was similar to an ordinary KTV.

When the door was pushed open, the rest of the “Invincible Zhou Yang Team” were gathered around a table playing Chinese chess.

Zhu Lexing had expected alcohol, but the table was full of soft drinks and fruits, and there was even ordered milk tea, making it look like a very proper gathering.

Zhu Lexing: “…”

A group of high school students playing Chinese chess in a bar.

Who would believe it if she told them!

But Yan Mian, next to Xu He, was much more relaxed because of this atmosphere.

She looked at her phone. It was a message from Li Nian, saying the car was stuck in traffic halfway and she would be late.

By the time a game of Chinese chess ended, Xu He had already picked up the microphone and passionately sung two songs. Qiao Qiao was drowsy, hugging her arms and pretending to nap.

When Xu He was at the peak of her excitement, she handed the microphone to Zhu Lexing: “Come on, Lexing, sing a couple of lines!”

The songs she picked were all unfamiliar to Zhu Lexing. Zhu Lexing also knew that her singing wasn’t very good. As she hesitated, someone started to cheer: “Come on, sing one—”

Zhu Lexing could only take the microphone: “Let me warn you first, my singing is mediocre. I don’t know any of these songs, so I’ll just do a simple one I know.”

When she first started, Xu He thought the melody was unique and looked forward to the rest.

The others had more or less the same reaction.

It wasn’t until Zhu Lexing finished an entire verse with a blank face and was about to start repeating the chorus that Xu He realized what was happening: “Isn’t that… rap?”

Zhu Lexing: ???

“Listen to Me Say Thank You”! Such a classic melody, how could it sound like rap?!

Zhu Lexing felt insulted.

At the same time, Qiao Qiao was also woken up by the thirty-second song. She yawned, confused: “Is this bar haunted? Why do I hear someone chanting scriptures?”

Zhu Lexing: “…………”

Zhu Lexing could already imagine the top-rated comments for this chapter—

【Zhu Lexing, embarrassing.jpg】

She slowly put down the microphone and decided to give up on singing and go back to being herself.

In the corner, Yan Mian was looking at Zhu Lexing, the only one who wasn’t laughing.

In the past, in Yan Mian’s eyes, Zhu Lexing was “perfect.”

She seemed to know everything, had done everything, a stark contrast to Yan Mian, who was on a completely different level.

Even though Yan Mian had never intended to have a good relationship with Zhu Lexing before coming to the Zhu house, she would still genuinely “envy” and “worship” Zhu Lexing. Even if these two emotions disappeared after actually interacting with Zhu Lexing, in her heart, Zhu Lexing’s image was still vague, like an insurmountable mountain.

It wasn’t until now, hearing Zhu Lexing’s song… that she realized the other party also had things she couldn’t do.

Against the noisy background music, Yan Mian suddenly remembered Zhu Lexing’s cold gaze towards Lin Song at the police station last time.

“…”

Zhu Lexing didn’t notice Yan Mian’s gaze, but Xu He, who was sitting next to her, noticed it immediately. She, never one to shy away from excitement, chose a rare love duet from the song library.

No one else noticed anything amiss and continued to play Chinese chess happily. But when the mic turned to Xu He, she casually used the excuse of getting some air and handed the microphone to Yan Mian.

The next second, Qiao Qiao, having received a look, also shoved a microphone into Zhu Lexing’s hand.

Qiao Qiao said naturally: “Love song, love song. As the name suggests, the people who sing it are a couple. Who agrees and who objects?”

Immediately, the room was filled with shouts of “Agree.”

Zhu Lexing thought, go on and talk nonsense all you want.