Chapter 46

The school term quickly began. After breakfast, as Ruan Miao was about to get in the car, he saw that He Shanglu had also gotten in. He looked at him in confusion and asked, "Second Brother, where is your car?"

"From now on, we'll go to school together. Why waste so much on a car?" He Shanglu replied nonchalantly. "You need to learn to be frugal."

Ruan Miao was speechless. It was clear that He Shanglu just wanted to ride with him but was too proud to admit it. However, he didn't dare to call him out for fear of provoking his anger. When He Shangzhi joined them, the three siblings went to school together.

On the first day of the new semester, the students in the classroom were very enthusiastic. Ruan Miao greeted his classmates and, with his bag on his back, arrived at his seat, where Xi You was already waiting.

"You're really slow. I've been waiting for you for a while," Xi You said lazily, yawning, and handed him a glass jar. "Here are the shells you wanted."

Ruan Miao was surprised that he remembered and quickly took the jar, carefully examining it. Inside were many delicate and beautiful shells. Although he didn't recognize any of them, they were all distinct and vibrant, clearly cleaned and polished with care.

He cradled the jar like a treasure and smiled at Xi You. "Thank you!"

Xi You snorted. "I turned the entire sea over for these shells. Many girls helped me find them, and this is the result."

"You went to a lot of trouble."

Ruan Miao was touched by his effort. "You're really kind!"

"You don't just get a thank you," Xi You rolled his eyes. "You said you'd bring me a gift. Where is it?"

Ruan Miao remembered this and hurriedly placed the jar on the desk, then searched his bag and pulled out something. "It's much simpler compared to what you brought me. It's a Chinese knot I bought at the market."

Xi You examined the small Chinese knot with a look of disdain. "Ruan Miao, are you a bit dismissive of me? Just this?"

"Sorry," Ruan Miao said apologetically. "The old lady said it was handmade. I thought it was very delicate, so I bought it for you and my older and younger brothers too."

"If you don't like it, how about I treat you to a meal?"

Xi You's ears perked up slightly. After inspecting the Chinese knot more closely, he admitted, "It does look quite unique, different from the ones sold outside."

"Fine, I'll accept it," he said, though with some reluctance. He then attached it to his keychain, no better than He Shanglu's snobbish attitude.

Ruan Miao not only bought one for him but also gave an identical one to Fang Zhi. Fang Zhi loved such small items and was delighted, making him easy to please.

Xi You watched Fang Zhi's Chinese knot with disdain, looking at Ruan Miao as if he were a scoundrel juggling multiple relationships, giving each one the same generic gift.

Because it was the first day of the new semester, the teachers didn't start formal classes. The homeroom teacher even rearranged the seats to mark the new year's new beginning. However, Xi You was adamant about not separating from Ruan Miao and insisted on being his desk mate.

Ruan Miao's seat had been moved forward, which allowed him to see the blackboard more clearly. However, his new seatmate was different.

"Sang Wei?"

Ruan Miao was surprised to see the girl who had just taken her seat. It was impossible not to be surprised because Sang Wei's academic performance ranked high in the grade, and she was rarely seated in the back rows.

Sang Wei turned around, her face lightly made up. After giving Ruan Miao a nod, she turned back with a calm and composed demeanor.

"Her father turned things around," Xi You whispered to him. "So, in business, you never know who will succeed or fail. Everyone thought her family was going under, but her father persevered, and with the funds in place, they're basically safe."

Ruan Miao felt more at ease upon hearing this. That meant others wouldn't be able to bully her anymore.

"However, I still think it's risky. Xu Hao seems to have been released by his family too. Who knows what that lunatic will do?" Xi You cautioned. "In the future, don't get involved in others' affairs, especially not Shang Wei's."

While Sang Wei was up to hand out books, Xi You said again, "She's not a simple person. Her methods are far superior to yours; her level is truly like a smooth surface where nothing sticks. Do you know why Xu Hao hates her so much? After being a backup for so long, realizing he's been played without getting anything, it's only natural for him to want revenge."

Ruan Miao hadn't expected so many twists and turns in the situation, but he still disagreed with Xu Hao's approach. "She might have done something wrong, but it doesn't mean she should be treated like that. If I hadn't stumbled upon that night, how would she have been treated? Her life would have been ruined, right?"

"That's none of your business." Xi You poked his forehead. "Those are consequences she has to face herself. Next time, don't be so foolish."

Ruan Miao rubbed his sore forehead and swallowed his words. However, he thought that high school students seemed too idle, spending so much effort on relationships. Don't they have anything else to do?

He quickly put the incident behind him. After all, Sang Wei's family was doing better now, and she probably didn't need his help.

During the lunch break, Ruan Miao went with Fang Zhi to the cafeteria, where they found Jian Fanyu already waiting. He pulled Fang Zhi over and said with surprise, "Why are you here so early today?"

"Physical education class." Jian Fanyu answered briefly, then pointed to the beef rice and braised chicken legs on the table. "I've already gotten the food for you."

Ruan Miao was flattered and waved his hand, saying it wasn't necessary, but Jian Fanyu ignored him and simply handed him the chopsticks, leaving no room for negotiation.

Fang Zhi looked around, feeling somewhat out of place. Under Jian Fanyu's kind gaze, he went to get his own food, not daring to ask anything.

"Let's wait for Fang Zhi to come over before we eat," Ruan Miao said loyally. "And don't help me get food next time. It's not right."

"What's wrong with that?" Jian Fanyu rested his chin on his hand, looking out the window calmly. "Next time, if you arrive before me after class, you can help me get food too."

Ruan Miao realized, "That makes sense. Helping each other is what friends are for!"

Jian Fanyu: "..."

"Hmm."

At that moment, Ruan Miao felt a chilling sensation on his back. He looked around but couldn't find the source. When he turned around, he happened to make eye contact with someone.

He still remembered those eyes clearly; the memory of being terrified that night was still fresh. Seeing them again made him a little scared.

Xu Hao silently smiled at him, then lowered his head to slowly chew the pork chop on his plate. His movements were graceful and elegant, but Ruan Miao's hairs stood on end.

"What are you looking at?" Jian Fanyu followed his gaze but only saw everyone eating. "Let's eat."

Ruan Miao hesitated for a moment and said uneasily, "I saw Xu Hao. He smiled at me."

"Xu Hao?" Jian Fanyu looked over again and indeed saw Xu Hao eating. "I heard he's been released by his family. But you don't need to worry too much; he won't cause much trouble."

"I know." Ruan Miao nodded. "I'm just a bit timid."

He felt Xu Hao's gaze was somewhat frightening but believed he probably wouldn't seek revenge, especially since he had just been released from the police station by his family and wouldn't have the nerve to commit another crime.

After lunch, Ruan Miao wanted to go to the library. Jian Fanyu was going to the office to help, so they parted ways in front of the teaching building. As he approached the second floor of the library, he noticed Sang Wei standing nearby, seemingly waiting for someone.

Ruan Miao approached and greeted her politely, but Sang Wei stopped him.

"Do you mind talking with me for a moment?"

"Me?" Ruan Miao was surprised. "What do we need to talk about?"

Sang Wei smiled lightly, brushing her fallen hair behind her ear, and spoke with a hint of feminine charm, "Isn't it alright to chat if there's nothing else going on?"

Since they were classmates, Ruan Miao didn't want to refuse too abruptly and followed Sang Wei to a bench in the hallway, waiting for her to speak first.

Sang Wei slowly took a sip of water and then said softly, "About what happened that night, although I've already thanked you, I know it wasn't enough."

"It's alright," Ruan Miao quickly said. "I only did it as a small favor. You don't need to worry about it."

Sang Wei was silent for a moment. "You must have heard that my family made it through."

"I heard a bit," Ruan Miao said, then added, "Congratulations."

Sang Wei gave a sarcastic smile. "Congratulations indeed. After the trouble my family went through in just two or three months, I've experienced the fickleness of human relationships."

"When we were in trouble, no one spoke up for me. Now that things are looking better, everyone is coming back."

Ruan Miao was at a loss for words.

"I used to look down on you," Sang Wei continued. "Not because of your thoughts, but because your level didn't match your ambitions, so it was only natural for you to be despised."

Ruan Miao: "..."

What's up with this girl today? Has her persona collapsed?

"But I didn't expect that you would turn out to be the most genuine person," Sang Wei sighed. "Only in times of difficulty did I realize who is truly trustworthy."

"So… I apologize for my previous actions toward you."

Ruan Miao wasn't sure what she was apologizing for and thought she shouldn't be apologizing to him. "It's not necessary."

"It's all in the past."

Sang Wei's beautiful almond eyes stared at him for a while, then she smiled and said, "Well, if we agree it's in the past, then it's settled?"

"Then, can I often talk to you in the future? I only trust you now."

Being spoken to in such a dependent tone by a beautiful girl, Ruan Miao's face turned embarrassingly red. Sang Wei was indeed an attractive girl.

However, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.