Chapter 59-Part 1

When Ji Ran sat down at the snack bar, Wen Qianxia was still marveling at the allure of the sports car. She curiously looked at Ji Ran and asked, “Doesn’t Jiang Yi’s mom care about her?”

Ji Ran took a napkin from the table, carefully wiped it clean, and then slowly lifted her head.

Of course, Jiang Liqi cares about Jiang Yi, but her approach to education might be a bit unconventional. Given Jiang Yi’s poor academic performance, it was certain that she would have to pursue a career in the arts in the future.

In the previous life, after graduating from the Film Academy, Jiang Yi did act in one or two movies, but none made a significant impact. Later, she gained some fame by participating in events and becoming an online celebrity.

Pei Yuan never took this mother-daughter duo seriously for this reason. In her eyes, Jiang Yi was nothing but a pretty face, and not even as good-looking as Ji Ran.

Ji Ran, on the other hand, graduated from prestigious schools and worked in investment banking, leading a life of excellence. Even if she were to inherit the company in the future, she would be capable of managing it.

Jiang Liqi’s highest hope for Jiang Yi was probably for her to marry into a wealthy family, just like herself.

“No matter how she turns out, you still need to study hard,” Ji Ran said, seeing Wen Qianxia’s curious look. She picked up a pair of disposable chopsticks that hadn’t been opened yet and gently tapped them on Wen Qianxia’s head.

Wen Qianxia reached up to cover her forehead.

After finishing their meal, they walked back to school.

Life at school often felt interminable, yet the end of the semester was suddenly upon them. With only two weeks left before final exams, the curriculum had long been completed. These two weeks were mainly for teachers to help students fill in any gaps in their knowledge.

Since Ji Ran scored over 700 points on the midterm exams, everyone liked to ask her questions. Moreover, she had a good personality and was always willing to help.

Today, there was a light drizzle outside, so the school canceled the recess exercises. Everyone used the precious twenty minutes to go to the bathroom or run to the supermarket with friends as soon as the bell rang.

Ji Ran hadn’t planned to go to the supermarket, but Wen Qianxia insisted she wanted some grilled sausages from there.

So, Ji Ran had to accompany her.

When Wen Qianxia got to the supermarket, she stomped her feet and kept muttering, “So cold, so cold.”

Ji Ran, with her down jacket hood pulled over her head, had her face covered from her forehead to her eyes, with only her nose and below exposed. She laughed and said, “Isn’t it you who insisted on getting grilled sausages?”

Wen Qianxia sighed.

“I don’t know if it’s because winter’s here, but my appetite seems to have improved. I get hungry right at recess.”

She really was hungry.

She held her face in her hands and lamented, “Have I gained weight?”

Ji Ran seriously lifted her hat a bit to look at her.

“You kind of have… your face looks…”

Wen Qianxia, scared, covered her face with her hands and said loudly, “No way!”

Ji Ran laughed, shaking her head.

“No, you haven’t. You’re still very thin.”

Wen Qianxia’s disappointment didn’t last long because it was soon her turn in line. She quickly ordered two grilled sausages and two cups of milk tea.

Holding the warm red bean milk tea in her hands, the warmth spread from her palms to her whole body. Since it was still raining outside and they had brought umbrellas, they stood at the supermarket entrance, eating and chatting.

Ji Ran felt a bit embarrassed and moved further into the corner. Suddenly, a familiar voice laughed.

“What are you sneaking around eating here, Ran?”

She turned her head and saw Xia Jiangming standing behind her, followed by Shen Zhi, who had just walked in. With his hands in his coat pockets, he walked in leisurely and looked over at them.

“Is it good?” Shen Zhi walked over to her, looking at the sausage in her hand and the milk tea in the other.

Ji Ran glanced at him and saw him staring at her sausage. Although his expression was indifferent, he looked like he really wanted to eat it. She asked softly, “Do you want some?”

Before she could say, “I’ll go buy you one,” Shen Zhi leaned down and took a bite from her sausage.

His actions were natural and casual.

The people around them stared at them, stunned.

After finishing the bite, Shen Zhi said calmly, “Not bad.”

Ji Ran was a bit dumbfounded. It took her a few seconds to realize why she was so shocked. How could he act so nonchalantly in public and eat something she had already bitten?

Weren’t they supposed to keep a low profile?

Ji Ran couldn’t help but look at the others around them. The eyes that had been filled with curiosity, excitement, and understanding quickly averted when she looked over.

What does it mean to be a boss? This is it—to do what everyone wants to do but doesn’t dare to.

Xia Jiangming felt a pang of envy. He also wanted to share a sausage with a girl. Such a humble request.

When they returned to the classroom, they noticed a crowd around the bulletin board. Wen Qianxia stood on her tiptoes to look and whispered, “What’s going on?”

“Two girls from Class 12 went to a bar over the weekend and got into a fight. They got publicly reprimanded by the school.”

An onlooker answered casually.

The girl who spoke next to him, with a straightforward attitude, said disdainfully, “Students like that disgrace our school. They should be expelled.”

The girl’s friend, scared, tugged at her sleeve.

“Did I say something wrong?” The girl raised her chin.

Then she glanced over and saw Shen Zhi standing quietly. His height made him stand out among the students. And there was that unmistakable handsome face and his ever-present aura.

Shen Zhi.

Once, the school bully of 4th middle school was someone who frequented the school bulletin board.

The girl screamed softly. The onlookers, upon noticing Shen Zhi, quickly dispersed.

Even Wen Qianxia and Ji Ran, who knew Shen Zhi well, were a bit taken aback.

This school’s students feared him almost as much as the strictest teacher.

After all, not only was he fierce, but his family was wealthy. Even if he hit you, he could easily deal with the consequences.

This intimidating persona was something the students attributed to Shen Zhi. He didn’t realize he had this effect on them.

He always considered himself quite low-key, even if he did cause some trouble to get back at Shen Jiming. At most, he would just aim for the last place in exams.

As for the fighting rumors, most were false, and the few true ones were because the other party went too far.

Ji Ran looked at him, amused, and said lightly, “Everyone is so scared of you.”

Shen Zhi stood still, his dark eyes scanning her face and lingering on her soft pink lips. His voice turned a bit hoarse.

“As long as you’re not afraid.”

Ji Ran looked at him, suddenly feeling indescribable emotions.

Perhaps they, including herself, found it amusing that other students were as scared of Shen Zhi as mice were of cats. They never considered whether he wanted this fear and intimidation.

Did he want to be someone everyone feared?