Today I Will Also Be the Male Protagonist’s Rival - Chapter 58

Huo Shu grew more and more furious as she listened. Clutching the strap of her backpack, she yelled at the girls, “What nonsense are you talking about? Su Yu would never do something like that!”

“You all have such filthy minds—just because you think like that doesn’t mean everyone else is the same!”

The few girls had been chatting animatedly but were suddenly interrupted. One of them couldn’t help but snap back.

“Who do you think you are? We’re free to chat however we want—what business is it of yours?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, listen to yourself. You sound like you’re so close to her. What? How do you know she didn’t sell herself? Are you her dad or her mom?”

“I know Su Yu. Her parents abandoned her long ago. She lives on her own. If she didn’t sell herself, where would she get the money to survive?”

She was slender and frail, and the girls’ initial wariness instantly faded. They pushed back without backing down.

“No matter what she did, I still believe she’s better than you gossipy cowards who only talk behind people’s backs.”

Huo Shu frowned and stepped forward. “If you’re so bold, why don’t you say all this to her face?”

The girls froze.

“Y-You…”

Everyone knew how hot-tempered Su Yu was. They only dared to whisper behind her back—no one would dare talk like this to her face. If she beat them up, it wouldn’t be worth it.

“So you’re still too scared, huh? And here I thought you were so tough.”

Huo Shu sneered and stepped in closer, forcing them back with every step. “If I hear you spreading these rumors again, I’ll tell Su Yu every last word.”

“My name’s Huo Shu, Class 5, Senior Year. If you’ve got a problem, come find me.”

The girls exchanged glances, their faces flushing with embarrassment, and slinked away with their tails between their legs.

Once they were gone, it felt like all the strength drained from Huo Shu’s body. A strange ache filled her chest.

They said Su Yu’s parents weren’t in her life anymore.

Then what about her?

How had she been living all this time?

She had always thought she wasn’t particularly lucky—her father passed away a long time ago, and it had just been her and her mom ever since.

But now, compared to Su Yu, she realized she was actually pretty lucky.

She still had a mother who loved and cherished her. But Su Yu… she had nothing. She was all alone.

She thought of the girl’s cold and beautiful face, the way she always carried herself with a lazy, indifferent air. She had a temper, and no one dared mess with her.

Maybe that was her armor?

That layer of coldness and hostility—maybe it was her disguise to stop others from bullying her.

Suddenly, Huo Shu felt a little sad. That aloof girl, beneath her hard shell, probably had a heart that was sensitive and fragile.

Longing to be loved. Longing to be touched.

Huo Shu lowered her head and stood there lost in thought for a long time.

“Huo Huo, darling, why aren’t you going home?”

A girl’s teasing voice rang out overhead.

Huo Shu looked up. The girl bent forward slightly, her beautiful eyes curving into crescent moons, as she looked at her with interest.

Su Yu…

She pressed her lips together, her heart trembling slightly. “Why are you here?”

“I came to find you,” Su Yu slung an arm around her and nodded toward the street. “Let me treat you to dinner.”

“N-No…”

Imagining her as a poor, pitiful girl with no money, Huo Shu hurriedly shook her head and pulled out her wallet. “I’ll treat you. I have money.”

But halfway through, she realized her words might hurt Su Yu’s pride, so she quickly added, “I’ll treat this time, and next time you can treat me back, okay?”

Su ‘Penniless’ Yu thought the little girl was acting a bit strange, but didn’t read too much into it. She just softly replied, “Mm.”

“I thought you were going to talk to your dad?” Huo Shu asked casually.

Su Yu replied offhandedly, “We had a fight, so I just left.”

Huo Shu let out a quiet “Oh,” and didn’t ask further, but felt even more pity for her.

After walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped. “Su Yu.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to earn lots and lots of money and take care of you.”

The little girl clenched her fists and looked at her seriously. “You’re not unloved. You still have me.”

Her voice was soft, gentle and sweet—so sweet it warmed Su Yu’s heart.

Su Yu froze. It took her a long moment to respond in a hoarse voice, “Why are you suddenly saying this?”

This little girl—she seemed to effortlessly hit her weak spot.

Just one sentence, and she was completely defenseless.

Huo Shu stuck out her tongue, her cheeks flushing pink. “No reason…”

Su Yu chuckled and teased, “You like me that much?”

“Mm.”

The little girl nodded, a bit shy, then took her hand and turned her face away, blushing furiously.

Su Yu was dazed for a moment, feeling as if the softest pair of hands had just gently smoothed over her heart.

She’d just said it casually—never expected the girl to actually reply, and so earnestly at that.

“Why are you being so obedient today?”

Huo Shu tilted her head up. “Isn’t it good to be obedient?”

Su Yu’s gaze darkened slightly. “Yeah… but you being this obedient makes me want to… kiss you.”

“No way…”

Huo Shu rejected her outright. But then, worried that sounded too cold, she hurriedly added, “You have to wait until after we graduate.”

Her voice was soft, tinged with hope—for the future.

Su Yu smiled and said, “Mm. I’ll listen to you.”

Huo Shu chose a restaurant.

Afraid Su Yu would be too frugal to order much, she patted her small wallet and lifted her chin. “I… have money. Order whatever you want.”

Su Yu propped up her chin and gave her a meaningful glance. “Didn’t expect you to be such a little rich lady, Huo Huo darling.”

Huo Shu’s cheeks turned red, flustered by her gaze.

This money was what she had saved over the years—from poverty assistance, merit scholarships, and so on. Other than the portion she gave to her mother, the rest was hers.

It might not compare to what those rich kids had, but she still had a little “fortune” of her own.

Even so, Su Yu didn’t have the heart to spend the little girl’s money. She only ordered one bowl of Yunnan rice noodles and handed the menu back to the waiter.

This girl had probably saved up for a long time—she should buy herself some snacks or nice clothes.

Huo Shu panicked at the sight.

“Why are you only ordering that? Sis, I want this, and this…”

Su Yu held down the menu. “Even if you order it, I won’t eat it.”

The little girl was immediately annoyed. “Fine! Then I’ll have the Yunnan rice noodles too. Same as you.”

After the waiter left, she turned away with puffed-up cheeks, clearly sulking.

Su Yu reached out to tease her.

Huo Shu swatted away her mischievous hand. “Don’t mess with me, I’m mad!”

“What are you mad about?”

“Did you not see me as a friend?”

“Of course not.”

Su Yu answered without hesitation. Seeing the little girl on the verge of tears, she added slowly, “I see you as my wife—you know that.”

“You…”

Huo Shu turned her face away and gave a soft hum. “Then why are you reluctant to order food?”

“This is enough.”

Su Yu chuckled lightly. “I like eating rice noodles.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Huo Shu gave a little “oh” and secretly made a mental note.

The ten-yuan bowl of rice noodles wasn’t very big, but the two of them were full after eating.

As they walked on the way back, Huo Shu couldn’t help but say, “Su Yu, believe me, everything will get better.”

The rice noodles were delicious, but she didn’t want Su Yu to only ever eat rice noodles with her.

Her mom was right—only studying could change one’s destiny.

She was determined to work hard, to change her family’s life… and Su Yu’s, too.

Note: “Only studying could change one’s destiny” – This is a common belief in many East Asian cultures, reflecting the idea that education is the most reliable way to escape poverty and improve one’s social status.

Su Yu was slightly stunned, then gently rubbed her long hair. “It will get better. Everything will slowly get better.”

“Mm.”

Su Yu placed both hands behind her head and turned to the side to ask, “National Day is coming up. How do you want to spend it?”

Huo Shu sighed, “Reviewing at home.”

Before Su Yu appeared, her life had always been like this.

Study, study, and more study.

Though it was a bit dull, it was worth it if it could make her mom happy.

Now, suddenly someone new had entered her life. It was refreshing—this completely different world from her own made her a little curious and a little happy.

“Not going out to have some fun?”

Su Yu looked at her and curved her lips. “I know a place with great scenery. Want to go together?”

“This…”

Huo Shu pursed her lips, a bit hesitant.

She kind of wanted to go, but kind of didn’t. This was the first time Su Yu had invited her out—it didn’t feel right to refuse.

But… she didn’t have a brain like Su Yu’s. Su Yu could get good grades without even studying that hard.

Su Yu urged her again, her eyes clean and beautiful. “So? Are you going or not?”

After a moment of hesitation, Huo Shu nodded. “I’ll go.”

She would go have fun with her this time, and then come back and stay up late reviewing!

Yes, that’s the plan.

She clenched her little fists.

At 9:30 p.m., Huo Shu arrived downstairs.

“You can drop me off here.”

She pursed her lips and looked at Su Yu, speaking softly, “Don’t walk me home next time, okay? I know you don’t live around here. If you walk me back, you’ll have to go all the way back by yourself, won’t you?”

Su Yu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. “If you’d just ride in my car, I wouldn’t have to walk.”

“Driving uses gas too.”

The girl bit her lip, clearly feeling the pinch. “It’s such a short distance—driving is just a waste of money.”

Her careful, frugal appearance made Su Yu laugh. She curved her lips and suddenly leaned in close. “What’s this? You’re already thinking about these things, and we’re not even together yet?”

“You…”

Huo Shu’s face turned bright red in an instant.

This person—why is she always like this!

She was just thinking for her sake. She didn’t even have money—how was she supposed to get by?

Oh right, money.

Suddenly remembering something, Huo Shu took out her wallet from her backpack and handed it over. “Here, this money is for you. It’s not much, but it should last you for a while. If it’s not enough, tell me…”

While handing it over, she nagged on and on, “Su Yu, you can’t keep spending like this anymore.”

“You need to learn to save money. I’ll bring you meals from home, so stop eating out. Also—”

Before she could finish, a pair of cool, fair hands touched her forehead.

Huo Shu was startled and frowned slightly in annoyance. “What are you doing?”

“Have you gone dumb or something?”

Su Yu examined her, reached out, and pinched her cheek—not too hard. “Does it hurt?”

Huo Shu pouted. “Yes, it hurts!”

“Good. So you’re not dumb.”

Su Yu burst into laughter and flicked her forehead with her finger. “Since you’re not dumb, what nonsense were you just spouting?”