She bit her lower lip, feeling horrible. It was as if a dagger was stabbing her heart.
Just as she turned around and prepared to leave, Meng Kefei showed up, having just come home. They exchanged a look, and Meng Kefei looked like she was holding in something. Perhaps she also overheard the conversation between Zhang Xiaolu and Yuan Yuehan.
Tang Yuanyuan tried to put on a smile and walked up to Meng Kefei. Before Tang Yuanyuan could say anything, Meng Kefei immediately grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her down the stairs.
They stopped at a dark corner with Meng Kefei’s back facing her.
“Fei?”
While Tang Yuanyuan stared at Meng Kefei from behind, she could not help but go up to her and lean on her shoulder. She commented, “When will you be done with your schoolwork? It has been such a long time since we last had a meal together. I miss you a lot, Fei.”
These heartfelt words saddened Meng Kefei as Meng Kefei was the one who had been avoiding Tang Yuanyuan: she did it not because she disliked her but for the sake of getting rid of Zhang Xiaolu and Yuan Yuehan’s hatred toward herself. The longer she spent with Tang Yuanyuan, the more aggressive the two girls would get. Besides, her face was injured previously. It was only recently that it was healed.
After a while, Meng Kefei began to enjoy the freedom she got being by herself. As she got used to it, she no longer wanted to spend time with Tang Yuanyuan. Now, she was surprised by how early Tang Yuanyuan got home that night. Didn’t she run today?
This was a rather awkward encounter between the two. To avoid being heard by the two girls, Meng Kefei quickly grabbed Tang Yuanyuan and left before Tang Yuanyuan could speak.
At this moment, Meng Kefei moved away from Tang Yuanyuan and turned around.
“I’m afraid school’s just going to get busier. Recently I found myself being able to answer many questions that I couldn’t answer before. This must be due to all the hard work that I’ve put in all this while. My mother works really hard for me and hopes that I can get good results. So, there’s no way I can relax at this point.”
In the end, Meng Kefei began to slow down. “I’m sorry.”
“Ah. That’s alright.” Tang Yuanyuan shook her head in relief. She then comforted Meng Kefei, “Your mom wants the best for you. I wish you all the best. After getting good results, we can have a meal together then. I’ll leave you alone now.”
“Mhmm. How are you recently?”
“I’m fine, and things are okay.”
“That’s good to hear. I just remembered that I left something at the library. I’ll meet you upstairs.”
“What did you forget? Would you like me to go with you?”
“It’s fine,” Meng Kefei rejected very quickly as if it was a reflex. “I can go by myself.”
The smile on Tang Yuanyuan’s face immediately disappeared. “S-Sure. Be safe.”
“Uh-huh.”
As Meng Kefei walked away, Tang Yuanyuan stared at her from behind for a long time; her arms sank and she pulled the hem of her skirt while biting her lower lip.
She was not sure if it was just her or Meng Kefei had been trying to avoid her recently. Did I do something wrong?
No. That doesn’t seem right. Fei and I have known each other for so long. It’s definitely because of her mom’s high expectations and the pressure she puts on herself that she’s reacting this way. I’ll just leave her alone until exams are over.
The thought of this made Tang Yuanyuan feel relieved. She put on her smile again and began walking back to her dorm.
To avoid overhearing any criticisms from the two again, Tang Yuanyuan intentionally made a lot of noise as she walked in. As expected, the two were quiet when Tang Yuanyuan opened the door. They both turned to her.
“Yuanyuan?”
“Yuanyuan, you’re back! Why are you back so early today? Did you skip running?”
They sounded extremely warm as if they were not talking behind her back earlier. This was the first time Tang Yuanyuan realized how fake and insincere humans could be.
At this point, Tang Yuanyuan decided to ignore them as she walked into the room.
Looking confused, Yuan Yuehan and Zhang Xiaolu gave each other a quick look.
Tang Yuanyuan was a genuine person, and she would not pretend to look like she liked someone when she did not. She could never bring herself to behave this way.
Right away, she took her clothes and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.
After she came out of the shower, she saw Yuan Yuehan at the door.
“Oh, you’re done, Yuanyuan. Would you like to get some barbecue with us? It’s on me and Xiaolu.
A cold ‘No’ was Tang Yuanyuan’s response in the face of their fake friendliness.
Her response shocked Yuan Yuehan. “Why not?”
“Did you already forget that I’ve been trying to lose weight? I’m not eating that. Enjoy yourselves.”
“I see. I almost forgot that you’re trying to lose weight. It doesn’t matter whether you’re trying to lose weight or not. Since you’ve been doing that for so long, a meal like this from time to time wouldn’t make you fat.”
Looking indifferent, Tang Yuanyuan walked past her.
“Yuanyuan, I mean it. Why don’t you believe me? What about if you only order vegetables? You’re allowed to have vegetables while you’re losing weight, aren’t you?”
Tang Yuanyuan turned around and looked her in the eye, responding with a serious tone, “I said I’m not going.”
These words silenced Yuan Yuehan.
At this point, Zhang Xiaolu walked over and leaned on Tang Yuanyuan’s bed. “Is this you lashing out at us? What’s your reason for doing this? Is it because we asked you to help us deliver the gift?”
“No,” Tang Yuanyuan replied.
Regarding that, even though Tang Yuanyuan had no intention of helping them, she still felt that there was nothing wrong with falling for someone. So, there was no reason for her to get mad at them.
What she was upset about was them talking behind her back. It was obvious that they despised her, but they still chose to please her because of her relationship with Yuchi Yishu. They were indeed hypocrites.
Not only was she upset; she was disgusted.
She no longer wanted to spend time with people like them and be their friends.
Not giving up, Zhang Xiaolu yelled, “So what are you upset about? Yuehan was just being nice to you to invite you to have some barbecue. Who do you think you are?”
Yuan Yuehan was slightly frightened and went up to grab Zhang Xiaolu. “Stop it. It’s fine if she doesn’t want to go.”
As she finished, Yuan Yuehan quickly followed up before Zhang Xiaolu could continue on her tirade, “Yuanyuan, it’s fine if you don’t want to eat barbecue. Losing weight is all about consistency. However, my birthday is around the corner. You have to be at my birthday party.”
Birthday.
Is she inviting me to her birthday party?
Tang Yuanyuan looked up and gave her a look.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaolu was reminded by Yuan Yuehan’s words that they still needed Tang Yuanyuan to carry out their plans. The thought of this prompted Zhang Xiaolu to hold down her anger and force a smile on her face.
“Forget it then. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. We won’t force you. We’ll just get barbecue ourselves. But, you have to come to the birthday party. Since we’re roommates, I assume you’ll show us some respect, won’t you? Plus, it’s Yuehan’s birthday. She’d be really sad if you declined her invitation.”
Tang Yuanyuan asked, “Sad?”
“Of course. After all, Yuehan really likes you and hopes that you won’t miss her birthday party.”
Tang Yuanyuan would have bought this lie had she not heard them talking behind her back. Now, the more they flattered her, the more disgusted she felt.
Tang Yuanyuan remained silent.
“How about that? Will you come?” Noticing that Tang Yuanyuan seemed agitated, the two became cautious with their words as they feared that Tang Yuanyuan would not show up at the birthday party.
