Chapter 17: Deep Sisterly Affection

"Brother Luo, Professor Jiang is teaching today. He won't be taking attendance."

On the campus path, Bai Zheli looked at Luo Peng walking beside him, feeling somewhat bewildered.

His second brother was no model student; in the past, he would skip class whenever possible. Why was he suddenly being so well-behaved and proactively heading to class with them today?

Did the sun rise from the west?

Bai Zheli instinctively glanced at the sky.

The sky was clear and vast, a washed blue that was refreshing to the soul.

However, since it was already afternoon, it was impossible to tell from which direction the sun had risen.

"No, I must attend this class today."

Luo Peng spoke with righteous solemnity, as if he had undergone a complete personality transplant.

"Why?"

Bai Zheli's eyes filled with doubt.

"Because I heard some good news, and I have to see it with my own eyes."

The corners of Luo Peng's mouth curled up into a mischievous, ill-intentioned grin.

"What good news?"

Even the dormitory leader, Li Shao, began to feel curious.

Luo Peng cleared his throat, modulating his tone, his eyes brimming with amusement.

"I heard that after that bastard Liang Zhenlun ran off yesterday, he went looking for Ai Qian. Right in front of all his fair-weather friends, he slapped Ai Qian in the face—it looked like her face was actually injured—and he cursed her for being shameless."

Bai Zheli was astonished. "Really?"

"Of course it's true. Don't you trust my information channels, bro?"

With a classic expression of schadenfreude, Luo Peng said cheerfully, "A lot of people saw it at the time. That kid Liang Zhenlun really has no class at all; he straight-up yelled at Ai Qian until she cried. It was truly satisfying to see!"

"Keep it down a bit."

Li Shao instinctively glanced at Jiang Chen.

Although Jiang Chen had clearly stated that he had cut all ties with Ai Qian, emotions weren't something that could be discarded just because one said so.

Having been obsessed with Ai Qian for so long, hearing such news would likely be difficult for him to process.

"Jiang Chen, I think Ai Qian got what she deserved. She went too far. She wasn't just insulting you; she was insulting Liang Zhenlun, and more importantly, she was insulting herself."

Luo Peng's tone was no longer flippant.

He truly detested Liang Zhenlun's character, but he kept things separate.

This time, he didn't think Liang Zhenlun had done anything wrong.

For a woman to talk nonsense about such matters—it was either shameless or contemptible.

Any man with a sense of dignity would likely find it intolerable to encounter such a situation.

"How is her injury?"

Jiang Chen asked. His expression was relatively calm, showing no significant emotional fluctuation.

"It shouldn't be anything serious."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen fell silent and didn't ask further.

Seeing this, the three of them—Luo Peng and the others—exchanged glances and felt relieved.

It seemed that this time, he had truly decided to let go.

***

Comprehensive Education Building.

Second-floor lecture hall.

As the four of them walked in, they quickly spotted Ai Qian sitting deliberately in a corner of the back row.

She was also wearing a mask, seemingly on purpose.

Luo Peng instinctively took an extra look. He didn't want to kick someone while they were down, but thinking about the series of filthy actions she had directed toward his buddy, he couldn't help himself.

"Hey, Class Beauty Ai, what's up? Got a cold or something? Wearing a mask in class?"

"If you're sick, go to the infirmary. It's fine, I'll help you ask the professor for leave."

"Luo Peng, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?!"

A girl sitting next to Ai Qian glared at him furiously.

Her name was Wei Chuyin. She was of mediocre looks, but she was best friends with the class beauty, Ai Qian. She was the type of woman that boys generally disliked; back when Jiang Chen was still with Ai Qian, this girl had frequently tried to drive a wedge between them, acting as if she held a personal grudge against Jiang Chen.

Ai Qian's breakup with Jiang Chen was her own choice, but Wei Chuyin could certainly be credited as a "major contributor."

"What's wrong with me showing concern for our class beauty? Is there a problem?"

Under normal circumstances, Luo Peng was quite a gentleman, but facing Wei Chuyin, he showed no kindness. He was arrogant and unruly, behaving exactly like a delinquent playboy.

Ai Qian was, without a doubt, the woman he loathed most.

And Wei Chuyin followed closely behind in second place.

He knew very well how this woman had tried every possible way to stir up trouble and drive a wedge between them before the breakup.

Many times, he had wanted to ask Jiang Chen if he had killed her entire family, because why did she dislike him so much?

But that was the thing about women—their thoughts were sometimes completely inscrutable.

Despite having no grievance or enmity, Wei Chuyin was hell-bent on breaking Ai Qian and Jiang Chen apart, refusing to stop until she achieved her goal.

With a best friend like that, it wasn't surprising that Ai Qian chose to break up with Jiang Chen.

"Luo Peng, choosing who to be with is Ai Qian's right. What right do you have to be hostile toward her because of this?"

Wei Chuyin stood up agitatedly, full of righteous indignation, standing up for her friend.

What a profound sisterly bond.

Luo Peng laughed.

"You need to understand, I'm not being hostile toward her; I just dislike her. Disliking someone is also my right, isn't it?"

"And besides, I don't dislike her because she broke up with Jiang Chen. As for the real reason, I think you all know very well."

Wei Chuyin's breathing grew rapid, her expression furious, acting as if she were the victim.

"Wei Chuyin, didn't you used to constantly look down on Jiang Chen for being poor? Saying things like how Liang Zhenlun was rich, knew how to make people happy, and understood romance. But what was the result?"

Luo Peng's smile carried a sharp edge as he looked toward the girl sitting in her seat, whose expression was hidden behind the mask.

"Ai Qian, I really want to interview you right now. You got what you wanted and followed a prince charming, but are you happy?"

Ai Qian's hands clenched tightly, the veins on the backs of her hands bulging visibly. She lowered her head slightly, remaining silent.

"It is easy to obtain priceless treasures, but difficult to find a true lover. Some women are just stupid—hopelessly stupid."

Luo Peng's smile slowly faded.

Wei Chuyin knew when to back down; she didn't dare target Luo Peng, so her anger shifted entirely toward the "soft target," Jiang Chen.

"Jiang Chen, Ai Qian being hit was all your fault! Don't you intend to say anything?!"

Hearing this, even Bai Zheli could barely restrain himself.

How much more shameless could she get?!

"Ignore her."

Li Shao signaled for Jiang Chen to keep walking.

Jiang Chen didn't move. His gaze shifted from the sharp-tongued Wei Chuyin to Ai Qian, who sat there.

"If you aren't happy, then leave him. Don't be like I was in the past, stubbornly persisting in the wrong direction."

Wei Chuyin froze.

Ai Qian's body trembled.

Having said his piece, Jiang Chen walked forward.

Luo Peng and the other two quickly followed.

Only after the four had left did Ai Qian slowly lift her head. She gazed at that figure—once incredibly familiar, yet now feeling like a stranger. Her eyes trembled, and a sudden, unprecedented, twisting pain erupted in her heart.

It was clearer and deeper than when Liang Zhenlun had hit and insulted her.

She clutched her chest.

"Chuyin, it hurts so much here..."

Wei Chuyin hurriedly sat down. "I'll take you to the infirmary!"

Ai Qian shook her head, her eyes still fixed on that retreating back. Her gaze was lost, and her voice was hoarse.

"Chuyin, was I wrong?"

Wei Chuyin was stunned. Her expression shifted repeatedly, her lips parting as if to speak several times, before she finally met the question with silence.

(End of Chapter)