When the Tsundere Rival Turns Into a Cat - Chapter 15

Li Xingcan pulled out a new card from the side, swiftly entered the information into the machine, and handed the card to Jiang Qingyue.

Jiang Qingyue took the card and glanced at the person who had processed it. “Thank you.”

The person smiled at Li Xingcan. “Huh? Why thank me?”

“She has bad eyesight and can’t see who helped her,” Li Xingcan waved dismissively at the person. “Let’s go.”

“Bye!”

Li Xingcan walked out first. Jiang Qingyue glanced at her retreating figure before following. Once outside, she turned toward the cafeteria, unsure if there was still any food available.

After just two steps, Jiang Qingyue felt Li Xingcan grab her collar from behind.

Jiang Qingyue shot her a glare, but Li Xingcan was so frustrated she felt a pang in her chest. “Why are you still heading to the cafeteria? To drink dishwater? At this hour, who’d still have food for you?”

Jiang Qingyue straightened her collar and turned toward the convenience store instead.

“You won’t be able to squeeze in,” Li Xingcan said, staying put this time. “I already asked Fu Duosui to bring us food. Just wait here.”

Jiang Qingyue paused, hesitated for a moment, then walked over to stand beside Li Xingcan. “How much is the food? I’ll pay you first.”

Li Xingcan stared at her until Jiang Qingyue grew visibly confused, then finally looked away. “No need.”

“Then I won’t take it.” Jiang Qingyue refused to take advantage of Li Xingcan without clarity and turned to leave.

“You—!” Li Xingcan widened her eyes, watching Jiang Qingyue walk away without hesitation. Helpless, she quickly caught up and blocked her path. “Fine, ten yuan, okay?”

Jiang Qingyue pulled out some change from her pocket, handing Li Xingcan a ten-yuan bill. “I don’t want to owe you anything.”

Li Xingcan took the money and led her to the shade of a tree near the cafeteria entrance. Her gaze lingered on Jiang Qingyue, who finally stood still beside her. She couldn’t understand why someone could be so stubborn.

Before long, Fu Duosui and Lin Xie emerged from the cafeteria and spotted the two waiting under the tree. They hurried over.

Now Fu Duosui finally understood why Li Xingcan had asked for two portions of food. With a teasing grin, she handed both meals to Li Xingcan. “Where are you two planning to eat?”

“The classroom. You and Mumu can head back to the dorm. Since I’m commuting from now on, it’ll just be the two of you sharing.”

Li Xingcan took the food, ignoring Fu Duosui’s nosy expression, and left with Jiang Qingyue toward the teaching building.

After they walked away, Fu Duosui and Lin Xie exchanged glances. “Don’t you think Xingcan’s acting weird?”

Lin Xie nodded. “They’re still living together, and now they’re commuting together?”

“Whoa! Watson, you’ve spotted the key detail!”

Fu Duosui’s remark earned her an eye-roll from Lin Xie. “And I’ve spotted an illiterate. Let’s go.”

Meanwhile, Li Xingcan and Jiang Qingyue walked side by side up the stairs of the teaching building. After much hesitation, Jiang Qingyue finally brought up Li Xingcan’s earlier mention of commuting.

“You can keep staying in the dorm. There’s no need to commute. I’ll be moving out today anyway.”

“Can’t I commute on my own? Does it have to be with you? Don’t flatter yourself.”

Li Xingcan shoved one of the meals into Jiang Qingyue’s hands and briskly walked ahead, refusing to stay beside her.

Back in the classroom, they sat at their respective desks in silence, the only sound being that of them eating.

Li Xingcan was eating noodles, with Jiang Qingyue remaining within her line of sight at the front row. Feeling stifled, she moved to an empty table and faced the wall to eat.

The table legs scraped against the floor with a grating sound. Jiang Qingyue glanced back and saw Li Xingcan facing the wall—only her profile was visible, but her displeasure was unmistakable.

Jiang Qingyue couldn’t understand why Li Xingcan didn’t want her to move out. She could only assume it was because she hadn’t gone along with Li Xingcan’s wishes, triggering her rebellious streak. If that was the case, there was nothing she could do. Maybe Li Xingcan would forget about it in a few days.

The two didn’t exchange a single word all afternoon. Li Xingcan, sitting at the back, was unusually quiet. Whenever Jiang Qingyue glanced back, she saw her lying motionless on the desk.

During dinner, Jiang Qingyue followed the crowd out. As she passed the back door, she looked at Li Xingcan’s seat—she had already disappeared at some point.

After dinner came evening self-study. Jiang Qingyue turned around several times but never caught sight of Li Xingcan. It seemed she had skipped class again.

Lin Xie, sitting just an aisle away, was her friend and probably knew her whereabouts, but…

After hesitating, Jiang Qingyue didn’t ask. Then, by the next self-study session, even Lin Xie was gone, leaving her no chance to inquire.

Two self-study sessions passed with no sign of Li Xingcan. As Jiang Qingyue packed her bag, wondering how she’d get back, Li Xingcan appeared at the doorway, chatting with a classmate.

Jiang Qingyue silently finished packing. When she stood up with her bag, Li Xingcan also ended her conversation and walked out. Jiang Qingyue realized she had indeed been waiting for her.

The two left the school building one after the other. Hearing footsteps behind her, Li Xingcan knew Jiang Qingyue was following and didn’t slow down.

During the two missed classes, Li Xingcan had gone to inform their homeroom teacher about switching to off-campus living. She also moved some of her belongings out of the dorm and helped Lin Xie move in.

She couldn’t let Jiang Qingyue look down on her. Whether she boarded or commuted had nothing to do with Jiang Qingyue—even if she moved out, it wouldn’t affect Li Xingcan in the slightest.

The school still had one last self-study session, so the paths were nearly empty except for the two of them.

Footsteps alternating, Jiang Qingyue stared at Li Xingcan’s shadow ahead, biting her lower lip in the heavy silence. It was already late, and the familiar sensation in her chest told her she was about to transform into a cat again.

She glanced at the road ahead, trying to hold on a little longer, but the only method she knew was a mantra that accelerated the transformation.

She couldn’t change in the car—she had no choice but to ask Li Xingcan for help.

As Li Xingcan walked ahead, her sleeve was tugged from behind. She turned to see Jiang Qingyue looking at her with an awkward expression.

“Can you help me with something?” Jiang Qingyue asked.

“Now you’re not worried about owing me favors?”

Li Xingcan finally had her chance. Even in the dim light, she could see the embarrassment on Jiang Qingyue’s face.

Whatever. Letting her vent was enough. “Fine, what do you need?”

Jiang Qingyue, who had been about to retract her request, was cut off and forced to continue. “I’m going to turn into a kitten soon. Can you cover for me?”

Li Xingcan raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t she supposed to be keeping her distance? Why was she volunteering to turn back into a kitten now?

Seeing Jiang Qingyue’s flushed face, Li Xingcan knew if she asked one more question, the girl would refuse her help. So she swallowed her curiosity and simply agreed, “Alright.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang Qingyue first took off her backpack and glanced around. “I need somewhere private—no people, no surveillance cameras. No one can see.”

“Follow me.” Li Xingcan turned onto a side path, avoiding the brightly lit school buildings as the light grew dimmer. There was a small door leading to the school library—a place deserted even during the day, let alone at night. After entering and rounding a corner, they were enveloped in near darkness, with only faint light filtering through a corridor window.

“This should work.”

They were still outside the library, in a blind spot for surveillance where no one would see or approach.

Jiang Qingyue sighed in relief and handed her backpack to Li Xingcan.

Taking it, Li Xingcan watched under the dim light as Jiang Qingyue transformed. Within minutes, a pair of pointed ears, identical to a kitten’s, emerged from Jiang Qingyue’s head.

The sight was so magical that Li Xingcan straightened up instinctively, wanting a closer look.

Just then, voices sounded outside the door—two people laughing and heading their way.

Startled, Jiang Qingyue immediately tried to cover her transformation. Li Xingcan glanced outside, realizing the downside of such a secluded spot—it was also a favorite for skipping couples.

She pulled Jiang Qingyue behind her and, as the two were about to enter, called out, “This spot’s taken. Find somewhere else.”

“This is my turf. Who do you think you are, telling me to leave?” The boy, feeling slighted, took a step forward defiantly.

Li Xingcan moved to stand in front of the window, letting them see her face clearly. “Need an introduction? Should I give one too?”

“Li… Li Xingcan?” The boy froze.

“Recognize me? Then get lost. If I find out who you are, you’re done.” Li Xingcan frowned impatiently, and the pair turned and fled.

Finally alone again, Li Xingcan turned back to Jiang Qingyue. “All clear.”

Jiang Qingyue hesitated, then couldn’t hold back. “You shouldn’t go around bullying people like that. That’s called harassment.”

“Me? Bully?” Li Xingcan almost laughed. “You bully me to death every day. Does that count as harassment too?”

“When have I ever bullied you?!” Jiang Qingyue felt Li Xingcan was a master at twisting the truth.

Li Xingcan paused, watching Jiang Qingyue’s faintly glowing eyes in the dark. “Always.”

“Nonsense.” Jiang Qingyue nearly got sidetracked. “Don’t change the subject. If I bullied you, why aren’t you scared of me? If you don’t bully others, why are they afraid just seeing you?”

“They’re not afraid of me. They’re afraid of the Li family, of rumors, of stereotypes mixed with hearsay. Kids our age thinking they’re in some gangster drama.”

Li Xingcan scoffed disdainfully. Those who recognized her face and feared her name were likely the type who enjoyed throwing their weight around and bullying the weak. They projected their own behavior onto others, hence their fear. Normal people probably wouldn’t even know who Li Xingcan was.

Jiang Qingyue actually found some logic in Li Xingcan’s words. “So, you’ve never bullied the weak or gotten into fights or anything like that?”

Li Xingcan shot Jiang Qingyue an exasperated look. “Where did you even hear these rumors? I barely have enough time for gaming—when would I find the time to fight or bully anyone? And where are these so-called ‘weak’ people anyway?”

Jiang Qingyue fell silent. After all, she had heard these stories from the small animals. The “evidence” of Li Xingcan bullying the weak was that the Li family had donated three buildings to the school, and during construction, they had cut down the homes of squirrels and birds.

But after hearing these tales, Jiang Qingyue had indeed seen Li Xingcan’s name on the school’s public notice board for disciplinary action the moment she stepped onto campus. Combined with Li Xingcan’s arrogant demeanor, Jiang Qingyue had been convinced of her guilt.

Now, standing face-to-face with Li Xingcan, Jiang Qingyue found her words somewhat more believable.