Chapter 17: Dating the Vice President?

After school, the two of them went to the cafeteria together. Previously, their classmates would walk with them, but ever since it was revealed that they had transferred from Maple Sun, everyone kept their distance.

Qiao Xi had never cared much, so she didn’t feel anything. Dan Chou Chou, usually lively and talkative, grew sullen; after all, Qiao Xi was never one for many words.

They got their meals and chose a spot where no one else was sitting. The chatter from the nearby tables drifted over:

“Aren’t those two the ones who transferred from Maple Sun?”

“That’s them. I can’t believe they’re so notorious.”

“Are you stupid? Do you think bad people would wear ‘bad’ written on their foreheads?”

“Why do you think they transferred here? They’re just lowering our school’s standards.”

“Exactly.”

“Qiao Xi is so infamous in the high school scene…”

“That kind of reputation isn’t worth having.”

“I’m not praising her. I mean, she must have a lot of enemies—what if they show up at our school one day and stir up trouble?”

“There’s a chance. Just keep your distance.”

“Damn.” Dan Chou Chou finally couldn’t take it anymore and slammed her hand hard on the table.

Qiao Xi looked up at her.

Just that glance was enough to make Dan Chou Chou halt her outburst. To outsiders, Qiao Xi’s gaze seemed nothing out of the ordinary—maybe even gentle? But after spending so much time with her, Dan Chou Chou knew that Qiao Xi never reacted to things she didn’t care about and would never bother to look at her if it wasn’t necessary. That glance was a warning not to act out of line. So, in the end, she obediently sat down, shoveling food into her mouth to swallow her anger.

“Qiao Xi, Chou Chou, don’t pay attention to those people.” Gu Pan Xi came over with her meal, sitting across from them, accompanied by Qian Yin Yin.

Finally, someone didn’t treat them differently. Dan Chou Chou was ridiculously happy. “I thought even you wouldn’t talk to us anymore.”

“How could I? We’re classmates and friends. Besides, Maple Sun isn’t anything like they say. I heard people there are really loyal.”

“Of course!” As a Maple Sun student, Dan Chou Chou was proud.

“Can you tell me more about Maple Sun?” Qian Yin Yin asked, curious.

Gu Pan Xi’s idol was Ji Nian Sheng, and Qian Yin Yin had been classmates with Ji Nian Sheng from elementary through junior high. Everyone knew he liked to fight, so she didn’t think anything special about Maple Sun students.

“There’s plenty to tell about Maple Sun!” Dan Chou Chou was eager to share with friends.

“I’m full. I’ll head out first.” Qiao Xi got up and left.

“Chou Chou, is Qiao Xi upset?” Gu Pan Xi asked.

“Not at all. She’s just always quiet. You get used to it after a while,” Dan Chou Chou replied.

“So is it true she’s dating the vice president?” Qian Yin Yin asked.

“Yeah, since you’re so close to her, you’d know, right?” Gu Pan Xi chimed in.

“Ah, well, I really don’t know.” Even if she did, she’d never say it—sharing Qiao Xi’s private life with others would be asking for trouble.

“But whether it’s true or not, she’s in for trouble,” Qian Yin Yin sighed.

“What do you mean?” Dan Chou Chou was puzzled.

“You haven’t heard? Our school’s Xu Jia’er is crazy about the vice president. Any girl who gets near him gets an earful, let alone Qiao Xi, who’s rumored to be dating him,” Gu Pan Xi explained. Even though she was friends with Jia’er, with rumors this serious about Qiao Xi and the vice president, friendship wouldn’t earn any mercy.