You Should Have Told Me You Don't Like Sweet Girls - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

She was very gently pulled into a warm embrace.

Su Yu held her tightly, stroking her back gently to soothe the trembling in her body. Her soft voice whispered in her ear: “I’m here, senior. I’ll always be here.”

After a long time, Su Yu let go of her, a brilliant and bright smile on her face. “Let’s go, senior. We’ll go out together.”

Everyone’s eyes were on them. Someone opened their mouth, but upon seeing Su Yu, they obediently closed it and swallowed their teasing remarks.

Su Yu took the initiative to explain to everyone: “I’ve been learning German recently. I saw that we didn’t have anything to do, so I took the opportunity to have senior give me a quick lesson. We didn’t miss anything important, did we?”

Lu Yuanyuan: “What did you just say? You… mmmph…”

Before she could finish, her mouth was covered by Jiang Nianyi, who dragged her to the side mercilessly and whispered a warning: “If you say anything, I’ll let all your lovers know about each other and start a fire in your harem.”

Knowing she wouldn’t talk because of this, Jiang Nianyi let go of her and put on a harmless smile. “You can try me if you don’t believe me.”

Lu Yuanyuan looked at her idly. “If I remember correctly, what I do with Senior Shi is none of your business, is it?”

Jiang Nianyi: “But Senior Shi is involved with Su Yu, and Su Yu’s business is my business. Sigh, it’s useless trying to explain to someone who has no friends like you.”

She shook her head and walked away.

The president: “You didn’t miss anything. The roles have all been decided. Everyone, please introduce yourselves and your characters.”

The cast members introduced themselves and their roles one by one.

“Hi, everyone, I’m Xu Yan from the freshman performance class,” Xu Yan tilted her head adorably toward Shi Xueqian. “Senior Shi, I’m playing your sister.”

Shi Xueqian looked at her: “Hello, little sister.”

As expected, Xu Yan’s expression changed almost imperceptibly.

It was Xu Yan’s rule that she could call Shi Xueqian “older sister,” but Shi Xueqian could not call her “little sister.” If they were alone, Xu Yan would have already slapped Shi Xueqian’s face.

Unfortunately, with so many people around, she could only smile and say, “Nice working with you, older sister.”

After everyone had introduced themselves, the president clasped her hands together in front of her. “It’s going to be hard work for everyone on this project. I hope everyone takes it seriously… that’s the end of today’s meeting. Thank you all for your hard work today. I’ll treat you all to a late-night snack, but there’s no pressure. If you have plans, you can leave. Students who want to stay, follow me~”

Su Yu was about to speak to Shi Xueqian when someone came between them. Lu Yuanyuan gave her a provocative look, then leaned in front of Shi Xueqian with an adorable expression. “Senior, let’s go eat tonight? You still owe me two meals, don’t you? I’ve already picked a restaurant, and it’s the perfect time to go.”

Su Yu was about to walk over when a figure appeared in front of her, with the same sweet and cute face. “Su Yu, you didn’t watch my performance properly today. Can you treat me to dinner tonight?”

Jiang Nianyi stood on the side as an outsider, enjoying the drama.

Shi Xueqian nodded in agreement.

Su Yu: “Of course, but Nianyi will be joining us. You don’t mind, do you?”

Xu Yan’s expression paused for a second, then she smiled. “Of course not.”

Jiang Nianyi picked up the megaphone the president had left on the side, pressed the button, and cleared her throat. “Since everyone’s going to eat, why don’t we all eat together?”

And so, for no reason at all, the five of them ended up in the private room of the restaurant Lu Yuanyuan had booked.

Lu Yuanyuan’s face was dark. “I don’t think I said I wanted to eat with you guys.”

Jiang Nianyi looked at her gently. “Don’t be like that, classmate Lu. We’re all from the same school and we know each other. Let’s just have a meal together to strengthen our bond.”

Su Yu nodded in agreement.

Lu Yuanyuan gritted her teeth. “Who wants to strengthen our bond with you? Senior Shi is treating me to dinner. You all need to get out.”

She was completely unapologetic in her dismissal.

Jiang Nianyi: “It’s not your treat, so you don’t have the right to tell us what to do, do you?” She looked at Shi Xueqian pitifully. “Senior, we’re your juniors too. Can you only treat her to a meal, but not us?”

Su Yu gave Xu Yan a look, cupped her chin, and imitated her. “Senior? Can’t you treat us too?”

For the sake of Su Yu, Xu Yan also started to act cute toward Shi Xueqian.

Lu Yuanyuan stood up. “Senior, if they don’t leave, we will. This restaurant is owned by my family, so I can go to any private room I want!”

Shi Xueqian was truly not a person who could resolve conflicts. She unconsciously looked at Su Yu for help, but quickly moved her gaze away. But in that brief moment, Su Yu had already caught her emotion. She stood up and patted Jiang Nianyi’s back. “Since classmate Lu doesn’t welcome us, let’s go.”

Lu Yuanyuan snorted. “At least you’re sensible.”

Jiang Nianyi stood up, leaned close to Su Yu’s ear. “Are we really going to leave?”

Su Yu nodded and walked toward the door.

Xu Yan quickly followed. Jiang Nianyi was the last to leave, making a face at Lu Yuanyuan. “You’re a cheapskate. I hope you choke on cold water!”

The private room door closed, and the room became quiet.

Lu Yuanyuan propped her chin up with one hand, looking at Shi Xueqian with interest. “Senior, do you like Su Yu a lot?”

Shi Xueqian looked up, not answering her question but instead asking one herself. “Where did you get that idea?”

Lu Yuanyuan’s eyes widened slightly. “You really like Su Yu, senior?”

“No, I don’t,” Shi Xueqian said flatly. “That’s why I’m asking you where you got that idea.”

“You don’t?” Lu Yuanyuan squinted slightly. “When we were forcing you earlier, didn’t you give her a look for help, senior? Hmm, that seems to be a deeper level than just liking someone, doesn’t it? It’s unconscious dependence?”

“And Su Yu didn’t fail you either. After receiving your look, she didn’t want to make things difficult for you, so she immediately suggested that you all leave.”

Shi Xueqian was slightly stunned. Was that how it was? Was the look she gave Su Yu just now one of seeking help? She only remembered that Su Yu’s expression was quite cute just now.

“You’re mistaken. I wouldn’t have given that look.”

Why would she need help, when Lu Yuanyuan would have made a decision in the end anyway?

“Is that so? Then I’ll assume I was mistaken.” Lu Yuanyuan didn’t pursue the matter and smiled as she asked again, “Between Su Yu and me, who do you like more, senior?”

Shi Xueqian: “Are you a three-year-old? She pushed the menu toward her. “Order the food.”

Lu Yuanyuan took the menu but didn’t open it immediately, insisting on asking again. “Senior, just tell me. Who do you like more? Or else I won’t eat this meal, and if I don’t eat, you still owe me two meals.”

Shi Xueqian: “Do I have to choose?”

Lu Yuanyuan nodded without hesitation.

After a minute, Shi Xueqian still hadn’t given an answer. Lu Yuanyuan frowned. “Senior, is it that hard to choose?”

“It is,” Shi Xueqian said with difficulty, pausing. “What kind of ‘like’ are you talking about?”

Lu Yuanyuan smiled slightly. “To put it bluntly, between Su Yu and me, who would you rather sleep with, senior?”

This time, Shi Xueqian answered quickly and seriously. “I don’t like either of you, and I don’t want to sleep with either of you.”

Lu Yuanyuan laughed heartily. “Senior, you’re so cute.”

After dinner, Lu Yuanyuan put Shi Xueqian into her private car, and then she got back into her own. As soon as she closed the car door, her phone rang.

—It was her father.

Father Lu: “You ate together again today, didn’t you?”

Lu Yuanyuan hummed in response.

Father Lu: “How do you feel about it this time?”

Lu Yuanyuan: “Not so good. I feel the same as last time. She’s very pretty, well-behaved, and doesn’t have any major flaws, but…”

Father Lu pressed on: “But what?”

Lu Yuanyuan: “She seems to be getting pretty close to the second young lady of the Su family…”

Father Lu: “What do you mean by ‘pretty close’?”

“What else could I mean, Dad?” Lu Yuanyuan said lazily. “Same-s3x marriage is legal now~”

Father Lu yelled without warning: “Nonsense! What’s with women and women? Yuanyuan, I’m telling you, you can do whatever you want if you’re just playing around, but if you’re serious, you can forget about getting a single penny of my family’s fortune!”

She had heard these words countless times, so much that her ears were practically calloused. She lazily picked at her ear and replied, “Yes, yes, I know. Also, can you really not tell me why you want me to get close to Shi Xueqian?”

Father Lu: “You’ll know one day. For now, just do as I say.”

With that, he hung up the phone.

Lu Yuanyuan threw her phone onto the passenger seat and snorted. “Stingy old man, if you don’t leave the family fortune to me, are you planning on leaving it to your son who has the IQ of a three-year-old after getting into that accident?”

“Just you wait. There will be a time when you’ll come begging me.”

After all, she was the only one of the two legitimate children of the Lu family.

“The Lu family, the Shi family, Shi Xueqian…” Lu Yuanyuan leaned back on the seat lazily, muttering to herself. “What’s really going on…”

Shi Xueqian returned to the Xu family villa. The main lights in the living room were off, and only a small lamp next to the coffee table was on. The light wasn’t bright, and two faces were obscured by the shadows, making it difficult to see them clearly.

They were like two grim reapers from the underworld.

For Shi Xueqian, if they really were grim reapers, it would have been much easier.

Unfortunately, they weren’t.

If she could, she would have preferred to see a grim reaper tonight.

Just as she was about to turn on the lights, a stern, cold voice interrupted her. “Don’t turn on the lights. Come with me.”

Xu Zhicheng stood up and walked toward the second floor.

Xu Yan slowly turned her head in the light, smiling sinisterly at Shi Xueqian. In the not-so-bright light, she looked like a ghost from hell coming to claim a life.

Shi Xueqian only looked at her once and followed Xu Zhicheng’s footsteps.

Xu Zhicheng stopped in front of the study door. Shi Xueqian understood and quickly walked ahead to push the door open, then stepped aside to let him in before obediently closing the door.

The study still only had a small desk lamp on, which made Xu Zhicheng’s stern and cold profile even more eerie. His gaze was icy as it shot toward Shi Xueqian. “Do you know why I’m looking for you today?”

Shi Xueqian: “I don’t.”

Bang—

Xu Zhicheng slammed his hand on the desk, making the documents on it jump twice. Shi Xueqian was also startled by the sudden loud noise, but she wasn’t scared.

She had faced this scene at least eighty, if not a hundred, times.

He jumped up from his seat, grabbed the soft whip hanging on the side, and whipped it directly onto Shi Xueqian’s back, making her bend over. She only let out a muffled groan, the sound not even as loud as the whip itself.

This soft whip was made of a special material that was excruciatingly painful but wouldn’t leave a very obvious mark. The red mark would only appear for a moment as it was pulled away, but the pain would linger for a very long time.

Xu Zhicheng whipped her again. “Have you remembered what you did today?”

Shi Xueqian: “I remember everything. I just don’t know which one you’re referring to, Father.”

It was a perfectly normal tone and answer. Snap. The whip landed on her again. Xu Zhicheng’s breathing was unsteady as he roared, “You’re talking back now, are you?”

Two more whips landed. Shi Xueqian didn’t make a sound, not even a muffled groan.

Like most middle-aged men, Xu Zhicheng also had a large belly. He would get out of breath just from walking quickly. Now, with the whipping and the anger, he was panting heavily. He threw down the whip and sat back down behind the desk, gasping for air. “Didn’t I tell you that you’re not allowed to play a lead role because it wastes a lot of time?”

“Not only did you act, but you also stole your sister’s role? Who gave you permission to do that?”

“I’m sorry, but Father,” Shi Xueqian’s eyes turned red, and her voice choked up slightly. She didn’t try to defend herself, only pleaded. “For the sake of me being so obedient all these years, I’m only asking for this one thing. Please let me play this role. I promise, there won’t be a next time.”

Xu Zhicheng was stunned for a moment. This child, since she was brought back three months ago, had never made a sound, no matter how much she was bullied. Thinking about it, Shi Xueqian had never asked him for anything.

Most importantly, his sensible Yan Yan had already said she would give the role to her sister.

His expression softened, but his eyes were still cold. “You want to act so badly?”

Shi Xueqian nodded. “I’m already in my third year. This is my last chance. I beg you to grant me this, Father.”

Her attitude was very pleasing to Xu Zhicheng. “I’ll allow it this one time. Don’t let there be a next time.”

Shi Xueqian didn’t show any particular joy. She still looked indifferent. “Thank you, Father.”

“I heard that you’re getting very close to the second young lady of the Su family?” This time, Xu Zhicheng’s inquiry was direct, not a test.

“No, she wants to learn German and asked me to teach her.”

Xu Zhicheng’s eyes, narrowed into a slit, fixed on Shi Xueqian’s face as if they were tangible. He wasn’t as furious as before, but his oppressive presence was just as strong, if not stronger. “Refuse. Don’t get too close to her.”

“I’ll only remind you of one thing: she is the person your sister has her eyes on. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

Shi Xueqian nodded obediently. “I understand. I’ll listen to you, Father.”

Xu Zhicheng nodded in satisfaction. “Nothing else.”

Shi Xueqian bowed slightly. “Father, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Sister, you’re out~”

A voice that was sweet enough to kill.

As soon as Shi Xueqian walked out of the study, she saw Xu Yan leaning leisurely against the hallway railing, her head tilted and a sweet smile on her face as she stared at her.

She hummed in response.

Xu Yan’s eyes curved. “Then come with me now, sister. We still have some scores to settle.”

They went to the dark room again.

Xu Yan sat on a soft, comfortable single sofa that the bodyguards had specially brought down. It was covered in a soft velvet blanket. She was like an arrogant queen, looking down at Shi Xueqian disdainfully. “Tell me, what did you and Su Yu do today? Did you seduce her into kissing you?”

Her icy gaze was like an ice pick, scrutinizing Shi Xueqian meticulously.

Shi Xueqian sat on the cold iron stool. It was late autumn, and the temperature difference between day and night in Cloud City was significant. The highest temperature in the daytime could reach 30 degrees Celsius, while the lowest at night could drop to a single digit. But she didn’t feel uncomfortable. Her back was still stinging from being whipped by Xu Zhicheng, so sitting on the cold iron stool even felt a little comfortable.

“I was just tutoring her in German.”

Although Xu Yan was constantly following Su Yu, she didn’t know much about her. She wasn’t like Lu Yuanyuan, who had a similar family background and had so many opportunities to get close to Su Yu and understand her. So, Lu Yuanyuan knew that Su Yu was already fluent in German in elementary school, but Xu Yan didn’t.

Xu Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that all?”

“Not just that,” Shi Xueqian paused slightly. “She also confessed to me.”

Her tone was calm and emotionless, as if she were narrating something that had nothing to do with her.

It was time to start the psychological manipulation.

As if a drop of water had fallen into a pot of boiling oil, Xu Yan exploded as expected. She grabbed Shi Xueqian by the collar, her eyes wide with fury. “What did you say?”

Shi Xueqian calmly repeated what she had just said.

“How is that possible!” Xu Yan grabbed her by the neck. “Tell me, what kind of vixen tricks did you use to seduce her?”

“I… don’t… know…” Shi Xueqian squeezed out a few words with great difficulty.

It was an ambiguous answer, as if she hadn’t seduced her, but also as if she had. In Xu Yan’s eyes, it was clearly the latter.

“Didn’t I warn you not to get close to Su Yu? How dare you seduce her! Are you looking for death?”

Her hands tightened. They were like iron clamps on Shi Xueqian’s throat. The veins on the victim’s forehead bulged, and her face was flushed red.

Shi Xueqian was indeed looking for death. The fact that she hadn’t suffocated yet meant that Xu Yan’s anger wasn’t nearly enough. She had to say something…

“She also kissed me today.” Shi Xueqian struggled to get a complete sentence out. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her face was red like a flower in its most vibrant bloom.

“What… are… you… saying.”

Her consciousness began to blur. Yes, just like this. Choke her until she suffocates, and she’ll be completely free.

It was a little sad that she hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye to her grandmother.

It was also a little sad that she wouldn’t be able to act opposite Su Yu.

At the most critical moment, Xu Yan suddenly let go of her. Air rushed into her nasal cavity. Shi Xueqian bent over, coughing violently. She struggled to look up at Xu Yan, only to see her looking at her with disdain, holding her phone, and walking out to answer a call.

She didn’t know what the person on the other end said, but Xu Yan instantly became happy, as if she wanted to jump up and down. When she hung up the phone, her face no longer held any malicious intent.

“You almost got me completely emotional, but it’s a good thing my brother called in time. He’s already booked his flight home for the day after tomorrow,” Xu Yan stood in front of her, her face full of excitement and anticipation. She turned back to Shi Xueqian, her expression instantly turning cold. “I’ll go verify what you said today, and if it’s true, I’ll come back to deal with you then.”

With that, she took a gag ball from a prop box nearby and shoved it into Shi Xueqian’s mouth without any explanation.

“Now let’s see how your mouth can still babble.”

She turned and left, telling the bodyguards at the door, “Make her keep that in her mouth for two hours before you take it out.”

Shi Xueqian leaned back weakly against the chair, staring into the dark void. She felt as if her entire being had been absorbed into the darkness.

He’s coming back the day after tomorrow?

It seems I have to speed things up.

The next day, Shi Xueqian woke up early. After washing up, she didn’t go to school right away like she usually did. Instead, she waited outside Xu Zhicheng’s bedroom.

Xu Zhicheng also woke up early. He would walk around the garden a few times, then wash up, eat breakfast, and go to the company.

When he opened the door and saw the figure standing outside, he was startled. He clutched his heart and took two steps back. When he recognized the person in front of him, he said in a low voice, “What are you doing pretending to be a female ghost and scaring people so early in the morning?”

It wasn’t that he was exaggerating. It was just that Shi Xueqian’s face was very pale, and her hair was down. As winter approached, the sun rose later. At 6:30 in the morning, the sky was still a bit gray. With the lights off, the visibility wasn’t great.

Shi Xueqian lowered her head slightly. “I’m sorry, Father. I apologize for disturbing you so early. I have a very important matter to ask of you.”

Xu Zhicheng crossed his arms. His potbelly seemed to be a tray supporting his arms. His physique was large, his expression was severe, and his face was frighteningly cold. “Do you think I was too easygoing last night, so you came to ask me for something again in less than six hours?”

He didn’t care what she wanted to ask for and just started scolding her.

“That’s not what I meant,” Shi Xueqian was still calm. She knelt down on the ground with a thud. “Last night, I called my grandmother, and she said she misses me very much. Father, I haven’t seen my grandmother in three years. I want to ask you, please let me go back to see her this weekend. I won’t delay any of my tasks.”

“Keep your voice down. Your aunt is still sleeping.” Xu Zhicheng lowered his voice.

Just then, there were footsteps in the bedroom. Xu Jiangli walked out, stretching and yawning. “Old Xu, what are you doing, making so much noise at the door early in the morning?”

When she came out and saw Shi Xueqian kneeling on the floor, she said disdainfully without holding back, “You really are a lowly person, always kneeling at the slightest provocation.” While she said this, she was very pleased. Who wouldn’t want to see the mistress’s daughter kneeling to them? She looked her up and down with her eyes slightly lowered. “What are you doing here so early? Asking for money?”

Shi Xueqian ignored her disdain and just repeated her request.

Xu Jiangli listened, then thought for a moment. “You can go.”

Xu Zhicheng clearly didn’t want to agree. “Isn’t that too risky?”

“What’s so risky about it? Just get two more people to watch her,” Xu Jiangli said in a low voice. “Hengheng is coming back the day after tomorrow. It’s been a long time since our family has had a good get-together. What is a person with the last name Shi doing here?”

Xu Zhicheng’s face brightened with a smile. “My dear wife is right.” He turned to Shi Xueqian and said seriously, “Since your aunt has spoken, you can go to the countryside for two days this weekend. When you see your grandmother, I shouldn’t have to remind you what you should and shouldn’t say, right?”

Shi Xueqian: “I understand, Father. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Xu Zhicheng waved his hand at her and put his arm around Xu Jiangli’s waist, pushing her back into the room.

Shi Xueqian got up from the floor and took the private car to school.

It was still early, and there were only a few people on the street, but Shi Xueqian saw them all walking with light steps and bright smiles on their faces.

As soon as she walked through the school gate, Shi Xueqian saw Su Yu in a sweet outfit. Remembering Xu Zhicheng’s warning from last night, her smile faltered for a moment, then she returned to her usual expression.

When Su Yu saw her, she immediately skated over on her skateboard and stopped steadily in front of Shi Xueqian. She picked up the skateboard and held it in her hand, holding up the bag in her other hand. “Senior, I brought you breakfast~ We don’t have to go to the cafeteria later~”

Su Yu was like a magpie bringing good news early in the morning. She looked at her watch on her wrist and chattered, “Senior, you’re a little late today.” She put down her skateboard. “Do you want to skateboard with me to the library?”

She put one foot on the skateboard and reached out her hand to her. “Come on, senior, stand here. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

“No, thank you,” Shi Xueqian refused her invitation and walked forward.

Su Yu was already used to her attitude. She followed her on her skateboard, like a little tail, all the way to the study room.

What she didn’t expect was that as soon as she entered the room, she was pinned against the door by Shi Xueqian, who pressed her cool, soft lips against hers.