After Dumping the Student Council President, I Got Held Back - Chapter 7

“Some people just have all the luck when it comes to romance,” Lin Sheng sighed, watching Ling Xiang from the side. “One minute it’s a junior, the next it’s a senior. How come I never run into anyone like that?”

She then glanced at Ling Xiang’s face. “Well, I guess with a face like yours, it’s no wonder everyone falls for you.”

Who wouldn’t love a girl who’s both gentle and beautiful?

Her best friend was exactly that kind of girl.

“Stop talking nonsense,” Ling Xiang said, giving her a light glare. “Senior Jiang and I are just ordinary senior and junior sisters.”

Being teased by her stunningly beautiful best friend, Lin Sheng felt her whole body go weak. She rested her chin in her hand, studying Ling Xiang. “You know, if I didn’t already have someone I liked, I think I’d be falling in love with you.”

Actually, just looking at her, Lin Sheng didn’t think it was that strange that the aloof Miss Ruan would take a liking to her friend.

“I’m so annoyed,” Ling Xiang said, her voice sharp. “And you’re still teasing me?”

Lin Sheng shrugged and picked up something from the table. “Here, a hangover remedy. I heard you had a drink, and your kindhearted Senior Jiang specially sent this over.”

“What ‘your place’ or ‘my place’? Don’t talk nonsense,” Ling Xiang said, shaking her head helplessly as she took the hangover medicine. “I’m fine. Senior Jiang was just being too enthusiastic.”

“Enthusiastic?” Lin Sheng grinned. “Or just enthusiastic towards you?”

Ling Xiang’s expression remained blank. “Stop talking nonsense.”

She picked up her phone and opened WeChat. Jiang Zhili had sent a message about half an hour ago:

Ling Xiang, has the news about us being photographed caused you any trouble? Should I clarify things?

The message had probably been sent while Ling Xiang was asleep. She guessed Jiang Zhili had come to discuss this with her.

Her doubts eased slightly, and Ling Xiang replied: [ It’s fine. Don’t pay attention to the rumors. They’ll die down on their own. ]

After a moment’s thought, she added: [ I’m sorry, Senior Sister. I’ve caused you trouble. ]

Ling Xiang knew perfectly well that Jiang Zhili had been dragged into this entirely because of her. Her own controversial reputation and lack of positive public image were the reasons the forum threads were piling up so high.

She could ignore the rumors herself, but she didn’t want to drag others down with her.

Jiang Zhili replied quickly: [ It’s fine, I’m actually quite happy. ]

Ling Xiang didn’t understand: [ What? ]

What was there to be happy about? If she were dragged into this kind of third-party scandal, it would give her a splitting headache.

Jiang Zhili: [ Nothing much, I just mean, since it was my actions that were photographed and caused you trouble, I’m glad you don’t mind. ]

Ling Xiang: [ It’s nothing. ]

Trouble? These incessant rumors had been dogging her since the day she and Ruan Qingcheng got together. Ling Xiang had long grown accustomed to them; they didn’t really bother her anymore.

Except… Ruan Qingcheng, who had acted so strangely last night.

Thinking of this, Ling Xiang checked her chat with Ruan Qingcheng again. It was silent, with no new messages. The last exchange was still the 10,000 yuan transfer she had sent to get Ruan Qingcheng to agree to drink with her.

So even after Ling Xiang had left so abruptly last night, Ruan Qingcheng hadn’t cared at all.

Not even after they had been so intimate.

Just a tool, plain and simple.

Just as she was about to put her phone down, her thesis advisor sent a message: Ling Xiang, your thesis is approved. Just come sign it for the archives.

Okay, Professor.

The mood that Ruan Qingcheng had disrupted finally improved. With her thesis approved, she was one step closer to graduation.

Ling Xiang stared at Ruan Qingcheng’s WeChat profile picture, and the indescribable scene from last night resurfaced in her mind. The shame still lingered in her heart.

She directly canceled the chat that had been pinned to the top of her list for six months. Just like that, she made her decision.

“Lin Sheng,” Ling Xiang said abruptly, “I want to break up.”

“Oh, okay, you want to break up…” Lin Sheng, who had been playing a game with her head down, casually replied. Then she suddenly realized, “Break up? With whom? Ruan Qingcheng?”

Ling Xiang raised an eyebrow. “Who else would it be?”

Lin Sheng opened her mouth, then closed it. “You’re initiating this? Aren’t you afraid Miss Ruan will get angry?”

Although Lin Sheng, as Ling Xiang’s good friend, didn’t like Ruan Qingcheng, she had to admit that since Miss Ruan started dating Ling Xiang, at least no one dared to openly bully Ling Xiang anymore.

Ling Xiang had joined the student council in the first place to earn extra credit and a scholarship. But a few of the rich kids in the council seemed to have it out for her, constantly picking on her.

At one point, they even forced her to publicly confess her feelings to Ruan Qingcheng, just to humiliate her.

That Ruan Qingcheng actually agreed to Ling Xiang’s confession was completely unexpected.

“She doesn’t even like me,” Ling Xiang said with a smile. “Why would she be angry?”

“It’s not about liking or not liking,” Lin Sheng rephrased. “Ruan Qingcheng’s reputation is still powerful. What if you embarrass her or offend her?”

“And what then?” Ling Xiang remained calm. “Don’t forget how close we are to graduation. My thesis is already approved, and I barely have to be on campus for the next month. Why should I worry about offending anyone?”

Once she got her diploma, she’d leave this place far behind, with no ties to Ruan Qingcheng. After that, whoever Ruan Qingcheng wanted to be with wouldn’t matter to her at all.

“You’re right,” Lin Sheng said, relieved. “That’s great! You won’t have to serve that Young Miss anymore. I told you, we’re just not on the same level as those rich kids…”

Ling Xiang smiled faintly, a barely perceptible curve of her lips. As she made her decision, a sense of lightness and relief washed over her, yet simultaneously.

A faint bitterness welled up in her heart.

How strange.

Why did she feel bitter?

Ling Xiang managed to find time to meet with her thesis advisor and finally resolve all the issues with her graduation paper. As she was preparing to return to her dorm, she ran into Jiang Zhili downstairs.

This time, Ling Xiang was genuinely surprised. “Senior Jiang?”

“Ling Xiang,” Jiang Zhili said, walking over to her and looking her over with concern. “Are you alright? Your roommate mentioned you were hungover. Did you take any hangover medicine?”

Remembering the hangover medicine she’d forgotten on her desk, Ling Xiang felt uncharacteristically guilty. She cleared her throat. “I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Senior Jiang.”

“Are you hungry?” Jiang Zhili linked her arm through Ling Xiang’s and smiled. “It’s mealtime. Want to grab something at the cafeteria together?”

Ling Xiang felt a sense of daze at Jiang Zhili’s sudden warmth and enthusiasm.

She remembered high school. Senior Jiang had been just as sunny and generous back then, but their interactions had always maintained the distance of ordinary classmates. Apart from the road they shared on their commute, they hadn’t really been close.

Something like linking arms to go to the cafeteria had never happened before.

Ling Xiang was quiet and reserved, while Jiang Zhili was sunny and warm. Despite coming from similar modest backgrounds, they had grown into such different people.

Jiang Zhili was popular and effortlessly handled everything with grace. She was independent and self-assured, and back then, Ling Xiang had admired her and longed to be close to her.

Even the slightest interaction with Jiang Zhili would make Ling Xiang’s heart flutter with secret delight.

Looking back now, Ling Xiang wondered if her feelings for Jiang Zhili had been less about romantic love and more about admiration.

“Ling Xiang? Ling Xiang?” Jiang Zhili’s voice broke Ling Xiang’s reverie. “Want to grab some lunch?”

Ling Xiang snapped back to attention, hesitating for a few seconds before responding to Jiang Zhili’s invitation.

She remembered Ruan Qingcheng’s furious reaction the night before to her interactions with Jiang Zhili.

Ling Xiang didn’t understand why Ruan Qingcheng cared so much, but she knew that after Miss Ruan had forbidden her from associating with Jiang Zhili, accepting this lunch invitation would be like dancing on the young lady’s last nerve.

But…

She was about to break up with Ruan Qingcheng anyway. Why should she be afraid?

A sudden, inexplicable rebellious impulse surged within her. Ling Xiang felt a surge of “daring to go where the tiger dwells,” and she flashed Jiang Zhili a radiant smile. “Sure, I’m starving. Let’s head to the nearest Second Cafeteria?”

Jiang Zhili readily agreed. “Sounds good.”

The two walked to the cafeteria, a journey of barely ten minutes. Along the way, they passed many students who recognized them.

Likely having read the ridiculous posts on the school forum, these students now cast curious and amused glances their way. Yet the two women remained utterly composed.

Jiang Zhili joked, “Aren’t you afraid there’ll be new posts about us?”

Ling Xiang smiled faintly. “If Senior Sister isn’t afraid, why should I be?”

Jiang Zhili gave her a thumbs-up. “So carefree.”

They went to the Third Cafeteria and got simple meals from a first-floor window—two plates of food that probably cost around thirty yuan in total. It wasn’t expensive, and Jiang Zhili smiled. “It’s not much, but let me treat you this time?”

Ling Xiang tried to decline, “I still have plenty of money on my meal card, Senior Sister. Let me treat you. I’m graduating soon anyway, and I’ll never spend it all.”

Before Jiang Zhili could respond, Ling Xiang swiped her card.

Jiang Zhili smiled and didn’t refuse.

They found a corner table and sat down. After a few bites, Jiang Zhili asked, “You’re graduating soon, right? Have you thought about grad school?”

“I’m not going to,” Ling Xiang said, picking up a piece of bok choy with her chopsticks. “I’m not that into studying. I’ll probably just get a job after graduation.”

Besides, her family situation didn’t allow her to continue her studies.

She just wanted to start working as soon as possible.

“Then I won’t see you around campus much,” Jiang Zhili said with a sigh, looking a little down. “If I miss you, can I still ask you out?”

The way she said “miss you” was a little heavy, carrying a hint of ambiguity. It could easily be dismissed as overthinking.

Ling Xiang froze for a moment, then regained her composure. “Of course you can.”

Maybe I am overthinking things.

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