Chapter 428 - 313: Chaotic Scene

Gu Muxue bit her lip. Even though Xue Rui had only lowered his head for a moment, she was certain she knew who that shadow was.

Xue Rui was right there, listening to her conversation with Lin Ruoxi. ’So why didn’t he come out and refute her?’

’Aren’t we just a fake couple?’

She knew that his silence was an admission.

’If you know you’ve done wrong, if you can admit your mistakes, then why don’t you change?’

’Why won’t you come out and say something? What is going on here?’

’Do you like Lin Ruoxi?’

’Then what does that make me?’

...

Behind the bushes, Xue Rui’s hand trembled uncontrollably as he lit a cigarette.

HISS... Xue Rui took a deep drag, his head spinning. But at the same time, the nicotine seemed to clear his mind.

’It’s over. It’s all over.’

’The two girls are nothing alike. Muxue is sensitive and proud. The important thing is, in our relationship, she’s the one who’s absolutely in charge—just like I am with Ruoxi.’

’Now I’ve completely spent all my credit with her. Muxue will never believe a word I say again. There’s no coming back from this. All I can do is wait for her to deliver the "verdict."’

Lin Ruoxi noticed Gu Muxue was still crouching on the ground. She squatted down beside her and asked with concern, "Are you okay?"

"I’m so tired."

Gu Muxue murmured, her voice laced with an exhaustion she couldn’t hide. She forced a wan smile at Lin Ruoxi.

’There was so much she wanted to ask Lin Ruoxi, but right now, she just felt so tired. It was as if breathing alone took all her strength. She couldn’t even make a fist; the half-full bottle of mineral water felt like it weighed a ton.’

"Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot you’re still doing your military training." Lin Ruoxi rushed over to the car and pulled open the passenger-side door for Gu Muxue.

’How could I just let her keep standing there?’

’She and Xue Rui had already skipped out on the training. She felt like she was hoarding a treat all for herself, and it made her feel inexplicably guilty...’

"Why... why don’t you rest in the car for a bit, okay?" Lin Ruoxi asked softly.

Gu Muxue’s eyes were blank. She looked up at Lin Ruoxi and, for some reason, felt a sudden pang of envy.

’Such a naive girl. So naive she could be deceived and still go on living happily.’

She didn’t refuse Lin Ruoxi’s invitation. Since Lin Ruoxi was letting her sit in the car, she figured she might as well ask her a few things.

After getting in, she started to sit down out of habit, but then she remembered she and Lin Ruoxi were just classmates. She should have closed the door herself.

Gu Muxue pushed herself back up, her trembling hand reaching out to close the door.

However, Lin Ruoxi shook her head slightly and gently closed the door.

Gu Muxue gave a polite smile. "Thank you."

The passenger seat was reclined far back. She didn’t bother to adjust it, practically lying down as she settled in.

Staring blankly at the roof of the car, she wondered, ’Is this passenger seat where Lin Ruoxi usually sits?’

’Am I in her spot?’

She couldn’t help but picture it: Xue Rui in the driver’s seat, turning his head to smile at the girl sitting right here. The girl would flash a sweet smile back at him, then glance up at the vanity mirror to apply her lipstick.

This was the life she had always imagined for herself. She’d thought that once they were away from their parents’ watchful eyes, she would be getting closer to this dream...

But now, she suddenly felt it all slipping away, becoming distant, impossibly out of reach...

She glanced at the shadow behind the bushes. ’So, Xue Rui wants to eavesdrop?’

She had a feeling there was a communication gap between her and Lin Ruoxi, one that Xue Rui had single-handedly created. Fine. She’d make sure he couldn’t listen in.

"Lin Ruoxi, could you turn on the AC, please?" Gu Muxue said flatly.

"Oh, right. I forgot." Lin Ruoxi quickly rolled up all the windows and switched on the car’s AC.

Xue Rui heard the windows humming shut, and the sound of their voices vanished completely.

’I want to turn and look, but I don’t dare...’

’Is Muxue hot?’

’Is it that hot out?’

A light breeze swept by, and the damp fabric of his shirt clung to his back, sending a chill straight to his bones. He couldn’t help but shiver.

He felt utterly cold. A cold more biting than a northwesterly wind in the dead of winter.

Inside the car.

Gu Muxue lay back in the seat, her eyes closed, taking long, deep breaths. She had to get her emotions under control. Her mother had always told her that when dealing with a problem, you can’t let your feelings rule you.

’But my mind is a mess. I feel so powerless today, I can’t control my emotions. I should be sitting up straight to talk to Lin Ruoxi, but I’m just so tired... I just want to lie here and rest for a little while...’

Lin Ruoxi kept watching Gu Muxue, sensing her profound sadness...

’Does she... not like me?’

Lin Ruoxi had no idea what Gu Muxue thought of her. A moment ago, it looked like Gu Muxue had been crying—her eyes were red—but every time she spoke, she was smiling. Lin Ruoxi couldn’t make sense of her at all...

Now Gu Muxue had said she was tired and was lying back with her eyes closed, her breathing growing steadier.

’Is she asleep? Then why are there still tears at the corners of her eyes?’

’Is she sad? How can you smile when you’re sad?’

Lin Ruoxi turned around as quietly as possible, grabbed a small blanket from the back seat, and gently draped it over Gu Muxue without making a sound.

The moment Gu Muxue felt the weight of the blanket, she cracked her eyes open, peering at Lin Ruoxi through her lashes.

’Isn’t Lin Ruoxi the least bit upset?’

’This seat I’m in... it’s supposed to be hers.’

’Does she think I’m asleep?’

Lin Ruoxi was just too gentle. Not a trace of anger or unhappiness, and she was even thoughtful enough to cover her with a blanket.

’I have a strong personality, while Lin Ruoxi is completely accommodating. Is that it? Did Xue Rui just fail to resist the allure of her gentleness?’