Chapter 552: Scheming or Lacking Judgment (Part 2)

Shen Nian, on the other hand, didn’t seem to mind, simply watching Gu Shuxin with a composed expression.

Chu Lingxiu, however, felt a pang of bitterness when she saw Gu Shuxin completely ignore Shen Nian, who was standing right beside her.

’Of course, she couldn’t believe Gu Shuxin hadn’t seen Shen Nian. She and Shen Nian were standing right next to each other. How could anyone see her but not Shen Nian?’

’So, there was only one possibility: Gu Shuxin was doing it deliberately.’

At this thought, Chu Lingxiu couldn’t help but frown.

"Sorry, I have to get home for something today. I can’t walk with you."

In the past, Chu Lingxiu had often walked home with Gu Shuxin. However, since their homes weren’t in the same direction, Chu Lingxiu would usually walk Gu Shuxin home first before heading back to her own place.

Back then, Chu Lingxiu only wanted to be a good friend and never complained. As for Gu Shuxin, she never once mentioned how this would be an inconvenience for Chu Lingxiu, instead accepting the gesture as if it were her due.

But now, Chu Lingxiu had rejected her outright. The moment Gu Shuxin heard her words, she was slightly stunned.

Then, Gu Shuxin’s gaze fell upon Shen Nian.

Of course, Gu Shuxin had seen Shen Nian when she first spotted Chu Lingxiu. She had, in fact, deliberately pretended not to.

But now, after hearing what Chu Lingxiu said, she could no longer feign ignorance. ’In her mind, the only reason Lingxiu would refuse her is probably because of Shen Nian!’

"Oh, I see. What a shame! Is this your roommate? Hello, I’m Gu Shuxin, Lingxiu’s best friend!"

Gu Shuxin looked at Shen Nian, deliberately emphasizing the words "best friend." It was hard to tell if her words were meant for Shen Nian or for Chu Lingxiu.

Shen Nian looked back at Gu Shuxin. ’So, she’s pretending not to know me? Fine. If she can put on an act, hah, so can I.’

"Hello. Shen Nian,"

Shen Nian said to Gu Shuxin, with no intention of saying anything more.

"Shen Nian... so *you’re* Shen Nian!"

Gu Shuxin looked at Shen Nian with an expression of pure surprise, as if she had truly just learned her identity that very moment.

Shen Nian just smiled and said nothing.

"Don’t get the wrong idea. I only know of you because Lingxiu mentioned you. I didn’t..."

Gu Shuxin was trying to say that she hadn’t deliberately investigated Shen Nian, but before she could finish, Shen Nian cut her off.

"Oh, I haven’t misunderstood anything."

Shen Nian said with a smile, looking at Gu Shuxin. ’Gu Shuxin might be telling me not to get the wrong idea, but she’s probably dying for me to do just that.’

’Otherwise, why would she have thrown Chu Lingxiu under the bus like that?’

’It was a good thing she and Chu Lingxiu had already buried the hatchet. If there were still misunderstandings between them, if she still held a grudge against Lingxiu, a comment like that from Gu Shuxin would have been enough to make her loathe Lingxiu even more.’

’I have to say, this Miss Gu Shuxin is an incredibly deep schemer!’

’Then again, if she weren’t, how could she be manipulative enough to let the rumors of her being the eldest daughter of the Gu family spread all over school?’

"As long as there’s no misunderstanding, that’s good! Well, Lingxiu, even if we can’t walk home together, we can at least go downstairs together, right?"