Chapter 22: Gu Jiayan

As soon as Ruan Cha sat down, she noticed the sweet little girl beside her hunched over, her head almost buried inside the desk drawer.

A moment later, the sound of crunching came from within. Curious, Ruan Cha leaned closer and spotted an opened bag of chips inside the drawer, the sweet girl munching away happily.

Sensing the light at the edge of the drawer had been blocked, the sweet girl emerged, and immediately caught Ruan Cha’s gaze.

She smacked her lips twice, her round, innocent eyes wide as she whispered seriously, “Keep an eye out for the teacher for me, and I’ll save you half!”

Ruan Cha was taken aback.

The next second, the sweet girl pressed her palms together, her big eyes pleading, “Please, pretty please!”

Ruan Cha hesitated.

Damn.

How sweet.

“All right.”

—

On the first day of school, Ruan Wei made it clear she didn’t want anyone to know about their relationship. Though those who had attended the welcoming dinner knew, it was, after all, a family matter. Seeing that Ruan Wei had no desire to acknowledge her as a sister, the others didn’t bring it up.

Soon, it was the end of the school day.

Having spent the entire day napping at her desk, Ruan Cha sat up as the bell rang, stretching with renewed energy.

She hadn’t been given any textbooks and hadn’t even slung on her backpack.

As she headed for the classroom door, Ruan Wei blocked her path after only a few steps.

Standing before her, lips pressed tightly, Ruan Wei’s gaze was complicated. “Come with me for a moment.”

Ruan Cha didn’t budge, eyeing her coolly. “Why should I go with you?”

“I have something to say to you.”

Several classmates who hadn’t left yet gathered around, surprised that the class belle knew the new girl.

Ruan Wei’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment; she wanted no one to know Ruan Cha was her sister. She’d already lost enough face at the welcoming dinner.

“Hurry up!” Ruan Wei, patience exhausted, grabbed Ruan Cha by the wrist.

They walked to the rooftop at the end of the corridor; Ruan Wei shut the door and got straight to the point. “I don’t want anyone to know about our relationship.”

Ruan Cha raised an eyebrow. “Have I shown any sign of wanting everyone to know?”

At this, Ruan Wei’s expression shifted.

That was what annoyed her most—Ruan Cha didn’t exhibit the pride of having an outstanding sister.

Irritated and vexed, Ruan Wei snapped, “You should know your place. You’re my father’s illegitimate daughter, nothing to show off. Don’t even think about playing tricks!”

She hated saying those words; they reminded her that her father had betrayed her mother.

“I have zero interest in the Ruan family,” Ruan Cha replied, unwilling to argue. If she were the Ruan Cha from the novel, perhaps she would have been hurt, longing for love and attention.

But the current Ruan Cha had already attracted enough attention in this world.

Without another glance at Ruan Wei, she strode away.

At the school gate, the arrival of a luxury car drew everyone’s attention—the understated matte finish, the smooth, elegant lines.

And the distinctive emblem of the Gu family on the window.

Gu Jiayan appeared at the entrance, stepping into view. As the novel’s male lead, his looks were exceptional: refined, aloof, with a distant manner yet unfailingly polite.

The girls clustered around him, the crowd bustling so much that Ruan Cha, who was simply trying to walk, was nearly knocked over.

She steadied herself, speechless, just as another car pulled up beside the luxury vehicle, catching everyone’s attention—