Chapter 167 - SOMEONE ELSE

"Don't," Zhaolin said. "Please."

What? What is wrong with him? How does he expect me to calmly hold hands with him? Right out in the open?

She had also heard the rumors of him and Shiya getting betrothed, what will people think of her?

"No, no. This is so wrong. Please let me go." She saw those eyes dim. She could swear on it, but it also seemed like she was seeing things. 

He let go of her hand. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't push you into doing things."

"It's fine," Xueyan looked back but Jiuwen wasn't coming. "I'll go help Jiuwen find her key." She didn't wait for him to reply before hurrying away, but she wasn't so fast.

"Are you scared of us?" She heard one of them ask. It wasn't him though.

Xueyan turned around. "Hunh?"

"I want to know if you are scared of us," it was Jingyao pointing at himself and Xiangyang.

"Yes, if we scare you. We could leave you two." Xiangyang supported.

"No, no. It's not that." Xueyan didn't even know what to say.

She looked at him and then back at his friends.

"Or wait, you think we are some bad guys?" Jingyao asked. "Look," and he loosened the bandana on his head. "Do I look normal, now?"

Xueyan seemed to relax a bit, she knew they were trying to lighten the mood. So she decided to just relax. Why was she been so hostile?

The two boys started telling jokes which made her relax more and even laugh. They went to sit at the benches to watch the boys play.

"Aish, this boys can't even score a goal. How pathetic?" Xiangyang tsked. 

***

At the other part of the field was Shiya and her friends, they were busy chitchatting meanwhile Shiya's eyes remained at that one spot. Her ċhėst rose and fell, due to the emotions rising within her.

She could swear, that when she had seen them standing and talking her heart had stopped.

What is going on?

What is wrong with her?

Who was this girl?

Why was she trying to mess with her head?

She never concerned herself with anything her friends did, so she wasn't aware of who the girl was. But one thing was for sure, this girl had come to steal from her and everyone else.

She had only two B's in her exam, while the rest was A. She had been surprised to see an unknown name at the top five.

Shiya focused on her education, because that was the only way for her grandmother to support her father and reduce her hate for her mother.

She attended etiquette class to be the number one young Miss in the city.

Who was this girl?

"Who is she?" It came as a whisper. Her friends stopped talking and turned to her.

"Did you say something?" Cui Yao asked.

"Yes, I think I heard her say something." Qingnuan supported.

"Who is that girl?" This time a little bit louder.

"That girl? Who are you referring to?" Qingnuan pouted.

Cui Yao was quick witted so she immediately followed Shiya's line of sight, and what she saw made her shout. "Ah! That swine!" She cursed out loud.

"Cui Yao," Qingnuan called to warn her, they were in the school environment. It wouldn't be good if other people heard her.

"That girl must be a swindler," Cui Yao pointed at Xueyan direction.

This made Cui Yao's heart break. "No, don't do that." She grabbed Shiya's face and turned it to face her. "Please don't, you're one prestigious young miss. What do you want them to say when they see you?"

Shiya blinked back the tears she didn't even know she was carrying. She hated seeing him with other girls, she never imagined it was this painful though. Her heart was in so much ache. 

"Did he say that to me, to be with her?"

Qingnuan finally knew what was going on. "That jerk..." 

Cui Yao slapped her on the shoulder. "You shouldn't curse at him, she's the one fooling him."

"Yes, that's right." Qingnuan nodded.

The bell rang loudly all over the school compound.

"Let us go in, you shouldn't be out here." Cui Yao held Shiya by the shoulder as they went back into their classroom.

The homeroom teacher, was the same as Mrs Yin their mathematics teacher.

Everyone else was paying close attention except Shiya who was troubled by Xueyan sudden appearance.

Cui Yao was troubled by the mere fact that Shiya was heartbroken by that sight.

She wrote something on a piece of paper and passed to Qingnuan after reading, Qingnuan started rubbing her stomach in a funny manner.

"Why is my stomach hurting so much?"

"What is wrong?" Mrs Yin quickly rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"

She shook her head. "It's hurting. It's hurting a lot. I need to go to the restroom,"

"Cui Yao, quickly escort her."

"Yes," Cui Yao smirked. She held Qingnuan and helped her out of the classroom to the restroom.

As soon as they got their, they both stopped acting.

"Why did you tell me to do that all of a sudden?" Qingnuan frowned.

"It's been long we had fun," Cui Yao grinned mischievously. "Don't you think so?"

Qingnuan gave her the attitude that read. "Whatever,"

"If you are not interested, then you can get out."

"Hehe, no. I didn't mean it like that. Tell me what you are planning."

"Why don't we teach her a lesson?"

"You mean, Xueyan?" Qingnuan asked with widened eyes. "The last time we tried going after that junior, Jiuwen had warned us. Now Xueyan? They are friends! Are you mad‽"

"You're the mad one here, since you can't see how hurt and troubled Shiya is."

Qingnuan shook her head, "I don't want to be a part of your plan. I'm out of here." 

"Fine, go." Cui Yao said after Qingnuan. "I will tell Shiya you never really liked her. You only pretended to care because of who she was and who she was likely to end up with."

Qingnuan turned around, "How can you say something like that?"

"Just go, I'll look for someone else."

The sound of someone else, made Qingnuan want to lose her mind.

"I'm your friend, why... Why are..."

"Shiya is our friend too, hunh? Did you forget?" Cui Yao sighed. "We need to support her. We are the only ones she has here." At least that will get you to come back to your senses.

She watched on as Qingnuan contemplated. 

"What do I have to do?"

A bright smile blossomed on Cui Yao's face as she heard that.