Chapter Seventeen: Buying Textbooks at the Library

Quietly, she sat down beside Yan Shu. She took off her school uniform jacket and draped it over her head, her vision fading into darkness as she prepared to sleep. Her mind drifted drowsily back to the encounter with Jiang Yiran and the others in the cafeteria earlier that day. The more she thought about it, the more nauseated she felt, unconsciously furrowing her brows. Her last thought before slipping into sleep was resolute: she must move out as soon as possible in the next couple of days—far away from them, the farther the better.

She did not notice the burning gaze beneath Yan Shu’s thick lenses, fixed intently upon her…

The first class of the afternoon was with Xi Wencheng. Jiang Wuyang only just woke up as the bell rang. No sooner had she opened her eyes than Xi Wencheng entered, carrying some papers.

As soon as he stepped in, Xi Wencheng spotted Jiang Wuyang sitting next to Yan Shu. A sense of relief washed over him—finally, he would have another talented student! But perhaps the seating arrangement needed adjusting.

He glanced around the room, already formulating a plan. Clearing his throat, he raised his voice slightly.

“Before we start class, I want to introduce a new student to everyone…”

Before he could finish, someone interrupted.

“No need to say more, we all know her already!”

“The new student’s a beauty!”

“Class flower! Class flower!”

Someone had sparked a commotion, and the classroom buzzed with excitement. Everyone chanted “class flower” in unison, making Xi Wencheng both amused and annoyed.

“You all better not scare away this promising talent I’ve worked hard to recruit!”

“You only see Jiang’s outer beauty, but you don’t know that she’s miles ahead of you in academics! If you don’t study hard, you won’t even get to farm in the future!”

“Alright, now I’ll rearrange the seating.”

The moment Xi Wencheng finished speaking, the classroom fell silent. All eyes burned with anticipation, hoping Jiang Wuyang would be seated beside them.

Xi Wencheng smiled to himself, surprised by how well-liked she was. He had worried she might not adapt, but now it seemed he had been overly cautious.

Clearing his throat again, he said, “Then let Sang Wan and Jiang Wuyang sit together. Li Zixu, switch seats and sit with… Meng Yanche.”

Meng Yanche was still out competing, so his seat was empty. The other students reluctantly returned to their seats, but Sang Wan was ecstatic, her adorable dimples never fading from her smile as she eagerly helped Jiang Wuyang move her things.

Throughout, Yan Shu beside them never once raised her head.

Once the seating was settled, the class formally began.

The afternoon passed quickly. When the dismissal bell rang, Jiang Wuyang packed her bag, slinging it over one shoulder as she prepared to leave. She still had to go home and pack.

Sang Wan hurriedly called out to her.

“Hey! Jiang Wuyang! I’ll go with you to buy the physics and chemistry textbooks!”

Jiang Wuyang paused, turning to look at Sang Wan. If not for her, she might have completely forgotten about the textbooks. Seeing Sang Wan’s bright eyes, Jiang Wuyang pressed her lips into a slight smile.

“Okay, thank you.”

Sang Wan nodded enthusiastically, her smile blossoming with those charming dimples—utterly adorable.

“Wait for me! I’ll be ready in a moment!”

Jiang Wuyang said nothing, watching Sang Wan’s flustered movements and finding it somewhat amusing. “No rush.”

Though she agreed, Sang Wan’s pace only quickened. Once ready, she stood by Jiang Wuyang.

“Let’s go, Yangyang!”

The two left the teaching building together. At the street corner, Sang Wan tugged Jiang Wuyang toward the bus stop.

Jiang Wuyang didn’t move.

Sang Wan looked puzzled. “Come on, Yangyang, the bus will leave soon.”

Jiang Wuyang’s gaze rested on a nearby Mercedes with its hazard lights flashing.

“My family car is over there. Let’s go to the library together.”

Seeing the familiar license plate, Sang Wan’s eyes widened. “So that Mercedes at school the other morning was your family’s?!”

“So, you know Jiang Yiran?”

Thanks to Jiang Yiran, the quarrel on campus had become widely known. Many had deduced that Jiang Yiran and Jiang Wuyang had some grudge, or at least knew each other.

Jiang Wuyang heard the name without much reaction, only noting that Sang Wan’s response was strange—she seemed to know Jiang Yiran too. Perhaps because they shared the same physics teacher, Jiang Wuyang thought softly.

“Yeah, sort of. Let’s go; the car can’t stay long here.”

Sang Wan’s jaw dropped in shock.

The Science A class shared the same physics teacher as them. Jiang Yiran’s name was renowned—a comprehensive academic warrior. Though no single subject was outstanding, his grades consistently ranked in the top ten across the year.

But his character left much to be desired. As far as Sang Wan knew, Jiang Yiran was temperamental, arrogant, and sharp-tongued…

Her expression grew more complicated.

Though Jiang Yiran was not a good person, Yangyang was different—Yangyang was truly kind-hearted.

Settling her thoughts, she climbed into the car with Jiang Wuyang.

“Uncle Wang, after we go home, please take us to Xinhua Bookstore first.”

Uncle Wang glimpsed the friend with Jiang Wuyang through the rearview mirror and smiled happily.

“All right, miss. It’s rare to see you bring a friend along.”

Sang Wan shyly smiled, stealing a glance at Jiang Wuyang. Heh, she’s really Yangyang’s good friend now.

With that, he pressed the accelerator to take them there, then parked the car to wait.

The Xinhua Bookstore was large, spanning roughly three floors.

The first floor housed newspapers and periodicals, the second floor had textbooks and study aids, and the third floor contained novels.

The two headed straight to the second floor.

After selecting the needed textbooks, they moved toward the supplementary materials with clear purpose and swift steps.

“Wanwan?”

A clear, elegant voice called out, tinged with surprise. Sang Wan stopped and turned, her eyes lighting up with both shock and joy.

“Cousin? When did you get back? Is the competition over?”

Gu Peizhi nodded, a smile in his eyes.

“It ended yesterday, and I just arrived in Yun City this morning.”

“Are you here for study aids? And this is…”

His gaze landed on Jiang Wuyang’s face, as if recognizing something, his brow slightly raised.

Sang Wan took Jiang Wuyang’s hand.

“This is my classmate and friend, Jiang Wuyang.”

“This is my cousin, Gu Peizhi from Science A class, senior year.”

Jiang Wuyang couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise. Gu Peizhi was Sang Wan’s cousin?

If she remembered correctly, in her previous life, Gu Peizhi was a business prodigy, managing a vast company single-handedly with vivid success.

Strangely, Gu Peizhi had always been at odds with Jiang Yiran and his group; their companies were bitter rivals.

Until the end, she never understood the root of their conflict.

Lost in thought, Jiang Wuyang gazed at Gu Peizhi’s refined and handsome face, deep in contemplation.

Sang Wan felt awkward; why had Jiang Wuyang suddenly gone all starstruck?

Gu Peizhi, however, gently pressed his fists to his lips and chuckled.

“Jiang, are you pondering something? Why are you staring at me like that?”

His teasing tone was light and perfectly balanced—not overbearing at all.