Playing miss perfect

Li Lanni realized just how impatient she had sounded. "Sorry. I was too rushed."

Cheng Yu was stunned. She was just making fun. She would never be offended by Li Lanni.

The girls ordered their food and started eating. However, the atmosphere was still slightly awkward, the only sound produced between them being that of metal clicking against porcelain as they ate.

To ease the atmosphere, she opened the zipper of her black leather bag and took out the file she had managed to get. "I could only get basic information because I was afraid someone would find me suspicious."

Li Lanni reached a hand over the table and took the file. "It should suffice."

She opened it and flipped the paper quickly, taking glances at the names. When she was done, she reopened the file and started reading the information seriously.

Cheng Yu glanced at her curiously the whole time. Why was it that no matter how much time passes, she would never understand a single action of Li Lanni's?

"Only two of these students seem to have a questionable personality. The others don't seem capable of being involved with married men."

Cheng Yu chocked on the water she was drinking. Could she be a little less blunt?

"How do you even analyze that?"

Li Lanni lifted her head from the file, playing with the golden pen she had been using to write down her analysis. "Purely instinct. Would you believe me if I said that?"

Cheng Yu probably thought she was crazy. "You already said it. Do I have a choice?"

"You sure don't." Li Lanni's tone was full of satisfaction compared to when she walked in.

She had just accomplished one step of her plan. It would be weird if she didn't feel happy about it.

"Are you done? Let's go to the library." She suggested when Cheng Yu was no longer eating.

"Can I call a rain check? I already made plans with my friend." Cheng Yu looked at a loss.

After studying her face for a while, Li Lanni beamed. "No problem."

...

In the library, Li Lanni simply couldn't read.

That was obviously because she was not here to read.

She was trying out her luck in 'bumping into' a girl called Nina. According to the check, this Nina was a bookworm of sorts. It wouldn't be long before she appeared in the library.

Cheng Yu had done such a great job in her research. She had even included the girls' photos. It would make it easier to recognize them.

Sure enough, the girl came in after a few minutes.

Li Lanni took a large book and buried her face in it. She was more or less a stalker. It wouldn't end well if she got discovered when her plan was in such a premature phase.

The girl named Nina settled down quickly and took a book to read.

It took Li Lanni just a few minutes to determine her personality.

It was not strange. After her accident, she had to be wary of everyone. Since she couldn't simply lock herself up at home and rid herself of all human interactions, she could only be more observant that other people and rely on her senses.

And in the few minutes that she had studied Nina, she concluded that the latter was an introvert.

It might be harder to convince her, but she would be easier to work with.

Li Lanni left the library after coming up with a feasible plan.

...

After school, she waited for Nina at the exit of her class building.

As soon as the girl appeared, she grabbed her and pulled her to a path with less traffic - all in five seconds.

"Who are you?" Nina was prepared to launch a ferocious blow but discovered on time that the opponent was a girl. Not only that, she had reverted to a cute and harmless form.

"I'm Lanni. I'l sorry I had to drag you here but I need your help. My future depends on it."

"What do you want?" As expected, the girl was heavily guarded against her.

"I'm being framed." Li Lanni blurted.

"What's that got to do with me? You should go to the students affairs office or call 911." She turned to leave.

"You've been in my shoes before. Won't you help me?"

Nina stopped in her tracks. Those words seemed to jab her being. "What do you mean?"

Knowing that she had successfully gained her attention, Li Lanni convinced her to go to the empty park on their left together.

They sat on the cold bench, Nina obviously emitting an aura of impatience.

"To be exact, my name has been cleared. But the beast still lurks. I'm afraid I will forever live in regrets if I let this happen." Li Lanni explained apologetically.

Nina guffawed. "You have been given an inch, and now you audaciously want to take a mile? You should be glad that you did not earn a suspension or worse."

"Nina, do you think that man has only hurt two girls? I think It's more than that. I think... most of these girls simply fell victims to his schemes. It might be because they rejected him or because someone else was using him to ruin their futures. And he has been so careful that he left no evidence behind.

Why do you think no one is questioning him despite all the rumors? Why do you think no parent has complained about him?"

"Li Lanni, I think you freshmen have too much time in your hands. But I'm not like you; I have a lot going on right now and can't spare time to play with you. Don't involve me in your fantasy of playing the Miss Perfect that wants to bring imaginary justice to the world." She stood up and sauntered away.

"That stung." Li Lanni mumbled as she watched her vanishing silhouette.

Well, she should have expected such a reaction. Hadn't she deduced that Nina was an introvert? How then, did she expect her to involve herself in such matters?

...

Edited by Essy