Chapter 55.1. Puppy Love? The Played-For-A-Fool Kind (8)
One morning, as Shen Wan approached the classroom door, she was intercepted by Luo Junxin.
With a beaming smile, Luo Junxin stood before Shen Wan holding a bouquet of freshly picked flowers, still covered in dewdrops. “Look, I picked these from the garden early this morning. See how fresh they are, with dew still on them? Aren’t the colors vibrant and beautiful?”
He refused to believe he couldn’t win over Shen Wan. He was determined now. If he didn’t pursue this girl, make her fall for him, then ruthlessly discard her and turn her into a laughingstock, he wouldn’t be Luo Junxin.
Shen Wan paused before replying, “But I don’t like these flowers today. My preferences change daily. Please take them away. Standing here early in the morning is drawing attention and reflects poorly on the school. With my excellent academic performance, your actions could affect my studies.”
Luo Junxin’s smile froze on his face. Who did this girl think she was to treat him this way? Toying with him again and again—did she really think he had no temper? Luo Junxin’s expression darkened, not even attempting to hide it.
He was accustomed to being fawned over. This was the first time he’d been so thoroughly rebuffed while pursuing a girl, and in front of so many onlookers. His patience had reached its limit. This girl had truly provoked him now.
“You don’t like them anymore, is that right?” Luo Junxin inquired, a sinister smile somehow appearing on his gloomy face. “How unfortunate that you no longer appreciate these freshly picked flowers. You’ve truly wasted my sincere intentions.”
“Very well then, I’ll take them away.”
Luo Junxin departed with the flowers, causing the spectating classmates to return to the classroom. They all thought Shen Wan was foolish. Being pursued by three campus heartthrobs simultaneously—had it gone to her head? Even if she was close with Ji Meng, she shouldn’t antagonize these three. Who knew when they might make things difficult for her?
After the first class ended, Su Rong also came looking for Shen Wan. This time he brought an elegant yet exquisite piece of jewelry, undoubtedly expensive.
Shen Wan was completely tactless, saying directly, “I’m still a student, focusing on my studies for now. Though you’re pursuing me enthusiastically, I’m not the least bit moved by you. We’re not compatible, Su. I’m a top student, you’re at the bottom of the class—we don’t match at all. If you’re hoping to find a girlfriend to tutor you for free, that’s impossible. I advise you to give up.”
“Won’t you give me a chance?” Su Rong’s eyes behind his glasses still held a hint of amusement. “I’ve been pursuing you for so long, trying different ways to make you happy. Are you really going to dismiss all my efforts with one sentence?”
“Classmate Su, that’s not how these things work. You pursue, I reject. Who said that just because you pursued me, I have to accept you? First, I never asked for anything from you. Second, I never asked you to pursue me. Please, stop flattering yourself. Do you really think that just because you’re a campus heartthrob, I’d have to accept you if you smiled at me and beckoned? That’s far too delusional.”
Shen Wan muttered under her breath, “After all, so many people are pursuing me. If I softened and accepted them all, I’m afraid I’d have to start a harem. This is a modern society governed by law—it only allows monogamy, not polyandry. That’s illegal and morally corrupt. Classmate Su, you haven’t moved me at all.”
“Why don’t you reconsider?” Su Rong’s smile remained unchanged. Compared to the somewhat agitated Luo Junxin, he was more patient. Even if he was seething inside, he maintained a smiling facade.
Shen Wan shook her head, “No need to reconsider. We’re not compatible. If you keep talking, I’ll start to suspect you’re here to interfere with my studies.”
In the end, Su Rong left as well.
As for Chai Mu, he came to find Shen Wan at noon. With a cold expression, he also asked her to reconsider, claiming he was sincere. Shen Wan thought to herself, were these three trying to fool a puppy? With those gloomy expressions, did they really think she couldn’t see through them? They were too presumptuous, assuming everyone would treat their pursuit as a blessing from heaven. Once a scumbag, always a scumbag—their essential nature couldn’t be changed.
Seeing that Shen Wan completely ignored the three of them, Ji Meng was in an especially good mood. From that day on, the three seemed to fall silent, no longer bothering Shen Wan. The final exams were approaching, and Shen Wan had been called in to talk with teachers several times.
“Teacher, don’t worry. I won’t be affected by them. They’re all poor students, spies sent from other classes to try to influence my grades. I won’t fall for it.”
The homeroom teacher was a bit speechless, wondering why their class’s Shen Wan seemed somewhat intellectually challenged. But Shen Wan had maintained scores in the top three during several tests. Seeing that she hadn’t been tempted, he felt relieved.
“If you have any problems, come to the teacher anytime. If they bother you again, remember to tell the teacher.”
Shen Wan was a student that Mr. Ji had personally instructed them to look after. Though those three scumbags Chai Mu and the others had decent backgrounds, how could they compare to the Ji Corporation? Someone in his family had heard news that the Ji Corporation was currently clashing with those three families. Based on various indications, Ji Corporation would likely emerge victorious in the end. Some had analyzed that Ji Corporation’s actions this time were swift and ruthless, causing significant losses for the three families. As for the future outcome, a result would certainly emerge within half a year.
He naturally knew about Mr. Ji arranging bodyguards, which further proved the reality of his conflict with the three families. There were likely some unknown reasons behind it as well. He couldn’t interfere in the affairs of such people. Under the current circumstances, choosing to stand with Ji Corporation was undoubtedly the right choice.
Before the final exams, Ji Meng gave Shen Wan a bracelet. It was a very beautiful multi-gemstone bracelet. As she personally put it on Shen Wan’s wrist, she instructed, “The salesgirl said a multi-gemstone bracelet represents good luck. Wearing it, you’ll definitely be able to rank in the top three.”
Ji Meng patted Shen Wan’s cheek, “You can do it, I believe in you.”
“Of course, if you don’t make it into the top three, don’t worry. I’ve saved up enough pocket money to cover your tuition. I have more than enough money on my meal card for us to eat in the cafeteria. If you want to buy anything, just ask me.”
Shen Wan happily looked at the multi-gemstone bracelet on her wrist, feeling elated. Her sharp eyes noticed that Ji Meng also had an identical bracelet on her wrist. “They’re the same?”
Ji Meng maintained a cute, serious expression as she said, “There was a buy-one-get-one-free promotion. Yours is the one I bought, mine is the free one. I used to fail every subject, but wearing this lucky multi-gemstone bracelet, maybe I can pass now.”
Shen Wan: Alright then.
“Little Meng, I’ve always been curious. If I don’t make it into the top three, why would you use your pocket money to pay my tuition?”
Ji Meng was stumped by the question. She stood pondering for a moment before saying, “Because I don’t want you to drop out if you can’t afford tuition.” Although this possibility was quite small, given Shen Wan’s excellent grades. A good school like this wouldn’t actually expel her just for not ranking in the top three. Unless she became completely uninterested in studying and her grades plummeted dramatically, would they revoke her benefits. Failing once or twice wouldn’t result in losing eligibility; she could regain it by improving next time.
Anyway, she just didn’t want Shen Wan to leave school, to leave her side. The thought of not seeing this person anymore made her unhappy.
“Little Meng, then why do you want to cover my meals too? And even give me money to spend? Little Meng, won’t your father scold you for spending money like this?”
Shen Wan: She was just probing to see if she could get any information out of her.
But based on Ji Meng’s previous confused reaction, she probably wouldn’t be able to get much out of her.
Disappointing!
Ji Meng was very conflicted, because she also didn’t know why she wanted to spend money on Shen Wan and even pay her tuition. No matter what, she just wanted to support Shen Wan.
In the end, Ji Meng said very directly, “I haven’t figured it out, but there’s one thing I’m certain of.”
“What’s that?”
“I want to support you.” Ji Meng said calmly, then smiled, “You seem pretty happy about it too. You’re not refusing to let me support you, are you?”
Shen Wan: Of course not. How could she refuse? She’d never have to struggle in this life again. Where else could she find such a good deal?
[188: “Happy now? You’ve successfully tricked Little Meng into wanting to support you. Wan Wan, you’re a bit naughty, taking advantage of this young lady. In the future, don’t let down her feelings. Be good to her and spend your life together properly. She’s willing to support you without any reason, just wanting to take care of you.”]
“188, don’t be so long-winded. We’re still young, we’ll talk about it when we’re adults. But I’m still super excited, what should I do? I want to jump for joy.”
“Little Wan, study hard. The final exams are coming up soon. Even though I’m willing to support you, don’t slack off because of it. You should strive to be an excellent person. Looks are innate—you’ll never match up to me in that regard. But don’t be discouraged, you have good grades. You’re a top student, I’m at the bottom of the class. You do have some merits, so don’t lose that strength.”
Ji Meng lectured as she took out review books and practice papers for Shen Wan. Finally, she pulled a thick stack of test papers from her backpack. With a happy smile on her clean little face, she said, “I specially selected these test papers for you. They cover all types of questions. Oh, and I used my pocket money to order a set of test papers and reference books for all three years of high school for you. You can work on them slowly over these three years. Your grades will definitely stay at the top.”
Shen Wan stared at the books and thick stack of test papers before her, feeling a bit at a loss.
Little Meng, what are you doing?
Isn’t it nice for girls to just give each other bracelets? Why choose to give test papers? This will ruin the purity of our relationship, don’t you understand?
“Little Wan, you must study hard,” Ji Meng instructed with a serious face. “Fully develop your strengths and become a dazzling person.”
Shen Wan: Wait, can she refuse? She had finally latched onto a golden thigh, but now that thigh wanted her to work hard.
But she really couldn’t refuse. Little Meng actually wanted her to become a dazzling person, urged her to study hard, and even painstakingly ordered three years’ worth of test papers and materials for her, spending her own pocket money. She was truly overjoyed, just looking at the test papers made her want to vomit.
Before entering this world for the mission, in order to maintain the female lead’s top student persona, she had lain in a nutrient pod for a long time, doing many high school test papers from this world. Her head had nearly exploded.
“Little Wan, are you listening to me?”
Shen Wan gritted her teeth, holding back tears: “I’ll study hard, Little Meng.”
She absolutely wouldn’t let down Little Meng’s painstaking efforts in ordering test papers with her pocket money.
188 nearly died laughing. He hadn’t expected his host to be restrained like this. For some reason, he felt a bit happy about it.
In the middle of the day, Shen Wan sat at her desk, diligently working on test papers. Ji Meng rested her chin on her hand, watching Shen Wan do the papers without blinking. The scene was quite harmonious. Classmates entering the room gradually found this image beautiful. By now, they weren’t surprised at all by Ji Meng and Shen Wan’s close relationship. The only slightly discordant note was that occasionally Ji Meng would take some candy from her bag to eat, and also feed a piece to Shen Wan.
What they found discordant was that Shen Wan was working so hard on test papers, yet Ji Meng could play around with a clear conscience, showing no signs of effort at all. Shouldn’t everyone be nervous as final exams approached?
Shen Wan suddenly realized something and turned to look at Ji Meng, who was chewing on snacks. Her pink little mouth moved up and down, her cheeks puffing in and out, looking especially cute. Seeing Shen Wan stop to look at her, Ji Meng quickly swallowed and asked, “Are you finished?”
She glanced at Shen Wan’s test paper, nodding in approval, “You’re working quite fast. Already on the fourth page, and your handwriting is very neat. Why don’t you take a break? I’ll check your answers for the first part.”
With that, she took out an answer key and a red ballpoint pen, looking more serious than ever as she began grading Shen Wan’s test paper. Shen Wan could see from Ji Meng’s face that she was very satisfied with her answers.
“All correct, Little Wan. You’re so amazing.” Whether from spending time with Shen Wan or not, Ji Meng had learned to praise people unreservedly, as if it cost her nothing. Though she only praised Shen Wan, quite a few people noticed that Ji Meng’s personality had changed quite a bit.
In the past, even when she smiled, they always felt Ji Meng wasn’t quite real, someone untouchable that they could only look up to. After Shen Wan appeared, they realized Ji Meng had this side to her, with a personality no different from ordinary young girls.
Shen Wan felt a bit happy hearing the praise, but it couldn’t make her forget what she wanted to ask Ji Meng: “Little Meng, why am I the only one reviewing and doing test papers? While you eat snacks, play on your phone, and even grade my papers in the end. You didn’t just order test papers for me alone, did you?” She almost said that as fellow students, why aren’t you studying hard too? She felt a bit unbalanced.
Ji Meng lifted her chin slightly, saying matter-of-factly, “Because I’m a poor student. Poor students don’t need to study hard.”
“But didn’t you say before that you wanted to study hard and help your dad work to earn money? Have you forgotten your dream?” Shen Wan accused, sounding a bit anxious.
Little Meng, oh Little Meng, don’t forget you said yourself you’d earn money to support her.
Ji Meng thought for a moment, then said, “I discussed this with my dad when I went home that day. He told me to just be happy and not push myself. Doing test papers and studying this book knowledge, I really have no interest in it.”
Shen Wan: Sure enough, Little Meng had forgotten her dream.
“188, I may have encountered a scumbag girl. She deceived my feelings, saying she’d support me, but now to seek an easy life, she’s unwilling.”
[188: “She’s the heiress of a corporation. Even if she remains ignorant her whole life, she can still support you. Wan Wan, what are you anxious about? I bet if you had a father like that, you’d be even more decadent than Little Meng. You’d probably wake up in a hundred-meter-long bed every day, with servants flying in on helicopters to deliver your breakfast. If you went to school, you’d likely ride in a spaceship.”]
“Where did you see all this nonsense? 188, be careful not to catch a virus. I don’t have money to debug you.”