Chapter 009: Campus Mary Sue 7

When Guo Yiyi had just been locked in the restroom, several buckets of cold water were dumped over her. Now that autumn had arrived and the air was growing chilly, she hugged herself tightly. She wasn’t sure whether it was An Xiansi’s words that had angered her or simply the cold, but she shivered, glaring at the tall boy before her, “You… you dare say that? If it weren’t for you, would I have been bullied by them?”

“How can you blame me? It’s because you’re too clueless!” An Xiansi looked at her shivering form, his anger rising.

Adolescent boys, caught in the grip of youthful arrogance, think simply: this person is mine; only I can tease her, no one else.

Le Yixian, who had come rushing after her exams upon hearing the commotion, found the two locked in a stare-off, like two spirited roosters ready for battle… The metaphor might be unflattering, but it was apt.

“What’s going on?” Le Yixian stepped forward, eyeing Guo Yiyi, whose clothes were soaked through. Guo Yiyi hugged her chest tightly, and through the gaps, Le Yixian caught a glimpse of the gentle curves unique to a young girl. Understanding dawned.

She turned, facing her foolish son, “Guo’s clothes are drenched. Take her to change into something dry.”

“Why me?” The foolish son widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Wasn’t Guo locked in the restroom and missed the midterm because of you?” Le Yixian asked.

The foolish son hesitated, mumbling, “That’s true… but it’s because she’s too clueless.”

“That’s settled then. Hurry and take her to change. The weather’s cold; she’ll catch a cold if she doesn’t.” Le Yixian urged.

“Thank you, Li, but I’m fine—ahchoo!” Before Guo Yiyi could finish, she sneezed loudly.

An Xiansi’s brows furrowed. Perhaps worried she’d fall ill, he grabbed her and headed for his lounge.

“What are you doing? Let go!” Guo Yiyi struggled.

“Let go? What if you get sick?”

“I don’t want to change clothes!”

“You’re fussier than those girls. What’s wrong with changing clothes? You’re not a girl anyway.”

Hearing this, Guo Yiyi froze, and dared not protest further, letting An Xiansi drag her away.

Le Yixian remained behind, waving at their retreating figures in farewell.

Watching the quarreling pair leave, a hint of melancholy crept into her expression. Lately, Ke Yuandao had been nowhere to be seen.

“Senior?” A timid voice sounded behind her.

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Le Yixian turned around and saw Ke Yuandao, dressed in school uniform, backpack slung over his shoulder, looking obedient and well-behaved. Her eyes brightened, “Hi!”

“Senior, why are you here?” The youthful Ke Yuandao glanced quickly toward the distant end of the path, where the pair had already disappeared.

“Me? I just wanted to wander around the school,” Le Yixian smiled, revealing her wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing grin. “Want to wander with me?”

“…Okay.” Surprisingly, Ke Yuandao didn’t agree immediately. After a moment of silence, he looked up nervously and nodded.

Le Yixian: …Wait, what’s with the concern and worry on your face?

The school path was particularly beautiful in autumn. Exams had ended, and most students had already left campus.

Few students remained along the walkways.

Gingko leaves were painted brilliant gold, swaying and falling gently in the breeze.

Ke Yuandao walked beside Le Yixian, sneaking glances at her. Seeing the faint smile at her lips, his heart ached: Senior clearly misses Li Xiansi, so why is she pretending to be happy?

Li Xiansi was too much—leaving Senior behind and walking away.

“Junior,” lost in thought, Ke Yuandao heard her call and stopped, looking up to see the girl stretch out her fair hand.

So close—Ke Yuandao’s breath caught. He felt as if he could already sense the warmth from her palm.

“What are you thinking?” Le Yixian plucked a golden gingko leaf from his hair and smiled.

“I…” Ke Yuandao blushed, lowering his gaze to his shoes.

Internally, he screamed—though it was just a leaf, the meaning was clear: Senior touched my head!

Ke Yuandao was beside himself with excitement.

“Hmm?” Le Yixian thought he was shy and twirled her multicolored hair, feeling a bit regretful. She knew the younger Ke Yuandao was easily embarrassed; now he must wish to bury his head in the sand.

“By the way, what’s your name?” Le Yixian suddenly asked.

She still didn’t know what role Ke Yuandao played in the story.

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“My name is Ke Yuandao,” he replied, his handsome face still slightly flushed.

Did she really write a character like this?

Le Yixian tried to remember, but couldn’t, and soon stopped caring.

“Let’s go eat cake. I heard the chef in the school cafeteria just launched a new cake—it’s supposed to be delicious.” She suggested to her little lamb.

Ke Yuandao’s heart jolted at her words, his shyness and excitement forgotten. He stopped Le Yixian from heading toward the cafeteria, “Senior, don’t degrade yourself just because Brother An is ignoring you!”

Le Yixian: …What does eating cake have to do with An Xiansi? And how is eating a piece of cake degrading myself?

“You—you’re only allowed to eat flowers and spring water, nothing else. You’re a little fairy!” Ke Yuandao was agitated, stammering.

Remembering her own story’s setting, Le Yixian’s face fell flat. She wished she could strangle her past self for writing such a thing.

What kind of setting is this? No meat, no spice—what joy is there in life?

“Senior Li, don’t worry. I think Brother An really likes you. Don’t be sad. He’s only curious about Guo Yiyan, that commoner. He would never neglect you because of her.” Noticing her aggrieved expression, Ke Yuandao hurried to comfort her.

“No, he can like whomever he wants; it has nothing to do with me,” Le Yixian said, looking at the concerned Ke Yuandao.

“No, Brother An really likes you. Don’t be sad, you’re his fiancée!” Ke Yuandao shouted.

Le Yixian: …Oh right, she’d forgotten that in the story she was engaged to the male lead. She needed to explain quickly—misunderstandings would be troublesome.

Thinking this, she forced a smile, “That engagement was arranged by the elders; it doesn’t count! We never cared about it.”

The beautiful girl before him forced a smile, telling him that An Xiansi never cared about the elders’ engagement.

Of course, Senior really liked that guy—liked him so much that even in sadness, she smiled.

Ke Yuandao clenched his fists in silent frustration.