I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 31
The morning sky, which had been clear and bright, was now covered with a blanket of heavy, gray clouds. Without the sun, the wind seemed especially lonely.
Sitting in her office, Zhu Yun glanced out the window. Her gentle, pure face had an innate kindness, and even without a sweet smile, you could tell she was a warm-hearted person.
The vice principal closed Zhu Yun’s file, apologizing sincerely, “Zhu Yun, the school is at fault here. We will compensate you for your losses during this time, and I hope you don’t lose your trust in the school.”
Zhu Yun’s eyes flickered. She politely waved her hand, declining the vice principal’s offer. “Only Qiu Hongliang hurt me. It has nothing to do with anyone else at the school. Even though I haven’t received a single apology from Nie Xuan, I am willing to forgive her. In any case, Nie Xuan has been punished and expelled, so I have no complaints.”
What a joke. You school officials knew what Qiu Hongliang was doing, but not a single one of you stepped up to protect a student. You just let Qiu Hongliang and Nie Xuan team up against me. Luckily, I had the plot’s golden finger. Without it, I would have just died young and sick. At that point, who would even remember the person who was maliciously harmed?
Zhu Yun’s words were a subtle jab at the vice principal. It was normal for a young person to be angry. Perhaps he had already anticipated her attitude, so he didn’t get angry. He just explained helplessly, “Nie Xuan voluntarily withdrew. She left before the Ministry of Education’s investigation. Her family elders wouldn’t continue to indulge her wrongdoing. Zhu Yun, this is something Nie Xuan’s parents asked me to give you. Please accept it.”
The vice principal knew how much Zhu Yun had suffered. He had criticized Qiu Hongliang for his despicable methods. Qiu Hongliang’s status and achievements were dependent on his wife’s connections. Although he disdained Qiu Hongliang, the vice principal didn’t persuade him to stop. He didn’t want to offend Qiu Hongliang. It was just a student. There was so much injustice in the world. Wasn’t he a vice principal because he also fell victim to unfair means?
His expression was somber. Qiu Hongliang had been under investigation by the Ministry of Education, and he hadn’t been spared. Fortunately, he hadn’t done anything he shouldn’t have. Before long, he would change his title from “vice principal” to the president of the university.
The vice principal’s eyes were filled with complex emotions. Who would have thought he would become the president thanks to Zhu Yun?
Zhu Yun didn’t dwell on the vice principal’s expression. She wasn’t so high and mighty as to reject Nie Xuan’s family’s compensation. If she could have met Nie Xuan’s parents today, she might have been able to ask for more. It was all Nie Xuan’s fault for being so easily scared. Just some nonsense from Bai Xiangming was enough to make her withdraw from school. With that kind of courage, how could she even think of doing bad things? It was laughable.
Seeing her accept the compensation from Nie Xuan’s family, the vice principal breathed a sigh of relief. This would alleviate some of his guilt.
“Do you have any thoughts on your dorm arrangements?” the vice principal asked.
When she heard the word “dorm,” Zhu Yun’s rosy lips pursed unconsciously. How should she describe her mood before? It wasn’t too bad. She even had the mind to think about what to eat for lunch, since the school cafeteria’s food was quite good. But at this moment, Zhu Yun suddenly thought of Tang Weixue. She must be furious. She wondered if she had eaten breakfast.
“No need to arrange a dorm. I don’t plan on living at school. I have some lingering bad feelings,” Zhu Yun said, using an excuse. The vice principal’s face stiffened. He obviously remembered Nie Xuan’s false accusations against Zhu Yun.
He smiled and nodded, not forcing Zhu Yun.
Zhu Yun had nothing more to discuss with the vice principal, but she made sure she got everything she was entitled to.
With the compensation in hand, the next step was to demand the school issue a public notice to clear her name.
“You can rest assured. I’ve already had someone handle that. Your academic records have also been restored. You can return to school today.”
Zhu Yun nodded. She could see that the vice principal had fought for many benefits for her, so after a moment’s thought, she gave him a slight bow.
Why are you bowing to him? You should scold him instead. Don’t look at how righteous he’s acting now. He didn’t lift a finger to help you in this matter. He’s clearly a bad person who just stood by and watched!
“Just for show. That’s how human relationships work.”
I don’t understand, I really don’t get it.
After leaving, Zhu Yun hid her face in her scarf. The cold wind blew her ponytail, and her delicate skin was already red. She laughed, “That’s because you’re not human.”
Why do I feel like you’re insulting me?
But you’re right. I’m a higher-level intelligent being~ and one of the most powerful ones too
Zhu Yun couldn’t help but laugh. She humored it, “You’re a super amazing number 857, then.”
That’s right! That’s right!
Zhu Yun reached out to tie her scarf into a knot, but as soon as she touched it, she couldn’t help but sigh. Her lively eyes filled with a hint of sadness, because she thought of Tang Weixue again. She had knitted this scarf when she was bored—one for herself and one for Tang Weixue.
Why the sigh?
Zhu Yun didn’t explain. Leaving Tang Weixue’s house today was her last big move. Even though she hated to part, she had to make this choice. If she didn’t give Tang Weixue a little taste of her own medicine, she would probably still be hesitant, only ever acting as a “pillar of support” for Zhu Yun, and nothing more. Tang Weixue wouldn’t dare to think of any other kind of relationship.
“Hmph, a few years older than me and still not as bold and decisive!”
“Dummy!”
【Don’t be angry. When I’m surfing the internet, I often see comments from netizens who say that the older you get, the more cautious and stable you become. Although this kind of consideration makes things more thorough and without loopholes, they especially miss the recklessness of their youth—not being afraid of anything, just getting back up after every setback. So, even if she’s the female lead of this world, she’s just someone whose edges have been worn down by society.】
Occasionally, the non-flaky and non-eccentric 857 could speak with a certain wisdom. Zhu Yun was so amused by its old-fashioned tone that she burst into laughter.
【You woman, can’t you tell I’m trying to comfort you!】
Zhu Yun gently stroked its metaphorical head and said, “I see it, I see it.”
Feelings really do need time to be proven. When she forgot her memories of the last world, 857 felt like a stranger too. But with long-term companionship, they had grown familiar. Perhaps it was because of the contract she had with it, but the thought of 857 betraying her never once crossed her mind. It was a trustworthy partner.
Zhu Yun rubbed her face against the scarf. The cold wind howled, but her heart was warm.
She was no longer alone. She had someone she loved and a partner. She was so happy.
“Ahhh, who did I just see! It’s Zhu Yun!”
The familiar classroom, the familiar classmates.
Lin Miaomiao joyfully ran over and hugged Zhu Yun. She quickly let go and asked, “Are you back?”
Zhu Yun shyly nodded with a smile, “Mm, I’m back.”
Lin Miaomiao squeezed Zhu Yun’s hand with concern. She knew the whole story behind the false accusations better than anyone else. Thinking of Zhu Yun’s undeserved misfortune, almost having her life ruined because of a bad romance, Lin Miaomiao was furious. She cursed Bai Xiangming and Dou Huayue in her heart, hoping his family would go bankrupt soon so that old witch wouldn’t dare to harm anyone again.
After learning Bai Xiangming’s name, Lin Miaomiao had searched for his family’s situation online. The more she looked, the more she frowned. He seemed like a normal person at work, so why was his private life so messed up? And Dou Huayue, who often prided herself on being an elegant, wealthy socialite, seemed kind on the surface but was malicious at heart. No one would have guessed that underneath Dou Huayue’s approachable exterior was a venomous heart.
The school had been a hotbed of drama recently. The president was under investigation, the director was being questioned, and even the teachers weren’t peaceful. Students had been feasting on gossip every day. Some clever ones had managed to piece together the sequence of events, starting with Zhu Yun’s expulsion. If it weren’t for her expulsion, none of this gossip would have come out.
The students were all curious about the gossip. The other parties involved weren’t here, but Zhu Yun, the central figure, was.
Someone couldn’t help but ask, “Zhu Yun, is it true that Nie Xuan was forced to withdraw from school because your family pressured them?”
Zhu Yun twitched her lips, asking speechlessly, “What family?”
“Still acting for us? Didn’t your rich parents find you? Isn’t Tang Weixue from the Tang Group your older sister?”
Zhu Yun quickly met Lin Miaomiao’s eyes. Lin Miaomiao looked innocent and clarified, “Girl, this isn’t my fault. I explained, but they wouldn’t believe me. They insisted they understood and that it was how rich people are low-key.”
“…” What the heck was this? Damn Bai Xiangming, why did he have to make up a persona for me!
Zhu Yun said seriously, “I do know Tang Weixue, but she’s really not my sister. No, what I mean is, we aren’t related by blood. I’m an orphan, and my parents didn’t find me!”
When she said this, a soft-hearted girl’s eyes immediately reddened. She was an emotional person with a sensitive tear duct. She choked out, “Is it because you were in an orphanage for the first ten-plus years and they look down on you? That’s how it is in TV shows and novels, right? So the reason you’re saying this is because they’re forcing you to cut ties with the Tang family, right?!”
Zhu Yun was grateful for the girl’s empathy, but that wasn’t the case at all!
Tang Weixue, oh Tang Weixue, why are you named Tang?!
The girl wiped away her tears and sobbed, “Zhu Yun, don’t worry. I’m going to go on social media and cuss out the Tang Group. Not only that, I’m going to report the company!”
Zhu Yun’s eyes widened in horror. She rushed into the crowd and grabbed the girl, placing her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “No, no, no, you don’t need to report them! I’m not Tang Weixue’s cousin! You have to believe me!”
She was ruined. Spreading a rumor was easy, but debunking it was a marathon!
She was telling the truth, so why wouldn’t anyone believe her? This whole misunderstanding was so frustrating.
Lin Miaomiao nodded vigorously in agreement, “That’s right, that’s what I said. Zhu Yun isn’t Tang Weixue’s cousin.”
The girl held back her tears and asked hopefully, “Really?”
“Really!”
The girl pursed her lips and sighed sympathetically. It was unclear if she believed Zhu Yun or was just trying to comfort her. She said, “Okay, I’ll believe you then.”
Zhu Yun forced a difficult smile. Fine, she was doomed.
The reason everyone believed Bai Xiangming was because things had progressed so smoothly after the president’s downfall. It was as if someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes. The person with that kind of power certainly couldn’t be Zhu Yun. So the only possibility was that Zhu Yun was a long-lost child of the Tang family who was now under their protection. That’s why everyone was so convinced she was a member of the Tang family.
She didn’t want to talk about this anymore, in case it got twisted even more. She quickly changed the subject.
Zhu Yun slyly curved her lips, her eyes twinkling mischievously. She brazenly brought up gossip about Qiu Hongliang. Right now, all everyone knew was about his affair with the young female teacher, so of course Zhu Yun had to spill more details. Like how he was a gold-digger and how his wife’s family had abandoned him. As she gossiped about Qiu Hongliang, no one pestered Zhu Yun about the Tang family anymore.
She and Lin Miaomiao exchanged a pained glance but quickly started laughing again.
Zhu Yun looked at her vibrant classmates and her smile widened. She was finally back.
On the way to the office, the assistant received a call. She instinctively answered respectfully, “Director Tang, is there something you need?”
She hadn’t even arrived at the office yet, and her boss was already calling. Was she being sent on a business trip again? Although the pay would increase, business trips were so exhausting.
No matter how much she complained internally, her face remained serious.
Tang Weixue’s voice was a little congested. She said flatly, “I’m not coming to the office today. If anything comes up, call me.”
“You’re not coming to the office?” The assistant was dumbfounded. My goodness, what important matter could Director Tang have that she would skip work? Was she sick? Tang Weixue’s voice sounded a little off.
She had been with Tang Weixue for several years, serving as her assistant since Tang Weixue first got involved with the company. The assistant had witnessed Tang Weixue’s process of ousting her own father from the company, so she feared her. If she could be so ruthless to her own father, a mere assistant like her couldn’t expect any mercy. Working diligently was the only way.
The assistant understood Tang Weixue quite well. She was a workaholic with no social life. It was all work, all the time. A woman of her status had no rumors whatsoever. Sometimes the assistant wondered if she would spend her whole life married to her job.
For such a person to suddenly decide not to come to work was a huge shock to the assistant.
Tang Weixue gave her the necessary instructions in a few words and then hung up, leaving the assistant flustered in the car.
After tearing off the sticky note, Tang Weixue opened Zhu Yun’s room. It was tidied up, as if Zhu Yun had never been there. Everything was back to how it was before. But the sticky note in her hand told Tang Weixue it wasn’t a dream; that girl had really existed.
She sat on the small sofa that Zhu Yun loved, hugging her knees and burying her head in them. Tears welled up in her eyes and slowly began to fall.
“Cruel little Zhu! Leaving without a word. Does she not want me anymore?”
Tang Weixue wasn’t afraid of her leaving; she was afraid of Zhu Yun’s intentional disregard, as if Tang Weixue was insignificant, not important enough for Zhu Yun to say anything to on the day they parted.
Tang Weixue wasn’t a self-doubting or sensitive person. She had been hit with too much emotion that morning, and her heart hurt so much she couldn’t speak. Zhu Yun’s departure made Tang Weixue feel a sense of panic. When she saw that there was no trace of Zhu Yun in her room, the tears came naturally.
She wiped them away in a moment of self-pity, dialing a number while thinking about how she would lecture that disobedient Zhu Yun, who hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye.
She hadn’t forgotten about work. After making proper arrangements, Tang Weixue pulled herself together.
As she passed a full-length mirror, she saw the woman with red-rimmed eyes reflected in it. Tang Weixue cursed herself with a laugh, “Pathetic. Why are you crying?”
Tang Weixue took a deep breath, her eyes becoming sharp and resolute. She was back to her usual self, seemingly invincible and all-powerful.
The door was closed, and she carefully put away the sticky note. She didn’t want to casually throw away anything related to Zhu Yun, not even a cold, parting sticky note.
She was bare-faced and didn’t even have the energy to put on lipstick, but Tang Weixue was naturally beautiful and still looked stunning. Without her meticulous makeup, it was as if she had cast aside her worldly mask. Tang Weixue grew more and more determined. In this moment, she no longer cared about the age gap. All she wanted was Zhu Yun. She wanted to see Zhu Yun and squeeze her cheeks hard, asking her how she could be so heartless to abandon her.
Just as Tang Weixue was about to leave, her eyes caught sight of a dark gray scarf. It was the scarf Zhu Yun had given her. Tang Weixue put it on.
If Zhu Yun didn’t come home with her today, she would just tie her up with the scarf.
At the same time, Zhu Yun, sitting in the classroom, suddenly shivered. A strange chill came over her. Lin Miaomiao next to her asked, “Are you okay, Zhu Yun?”
“I’m fine.” Zhu Yun didn’t think much of it, assuming it was because of the cold weather. She continued chatting with her classmates.
【Good news! Good news!】
857’s volume increased, startling Zhu Yun and making her eyes widen. “You better be telling me some genuinely good news, or I’m blocking you for a week!”
Please, don’t you know that being so jumpy can scare people to death!
【Hehehehehe.】
“A laugh that sleazy means it’s definitely not good news!”
【According to this system’s exclusive tracking, your Sister Tang has parked her car outside the school gate.】
Zhu Yun immediately couldn’t sit still. She was here, she was here! She was finally here! But even though she had been looking forward to this all morning, why did she feel a little nervous?
She didn’t want 857 to gloat, so she complained, “Before, when I asked you to scan for Qiu Hongliang’s mistress, you were vague and only agreed after I played the victim card. And now, you’re automatically tracking and locating Tang Weixue just to see me in trouble! 857, you’ve changed!”
【Hoh hoh hoh~】
【She’s already here. When do you think Tang Weixue will come find you? I’m so excited!】
Zhu Yun didn’t want to talk to the heartless 857, but her heart was already racing because of it. She felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, wanting to see Tang Weixue but also afraid to.
This was such a huge mistake… This move that hurt the enemy but also hurt herself was truly terrifying!
At that moment, the killer phone call came. Zhu Yun’s hand trembled with anxiety. Seeing this, Lin Miaomiao touched her hand and said, “Are you frozen? You’re still wearing too little. Don’t do that again.”
Zhu Yun let out a dry laugh. It wasn’t because of the cold; it was a side effect of being scared by Tang Weixue. It was also a sign of her guilt.
“Hello?” she said meekly.
“Come out.”
Hearing her sound so arrogant, Zhu Yun retorted, “I won’t.”
Tang Weixue chuckled softly, “Do you want me to come into the school to find you? Zhu Yun, even I don’t know what I’m capable of.”
The moment she heard her name, Zhu Yun’s hair stood on end. She stood up and told Lin Miaomiao, “I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be right back.”
Lin Miaomiao didn’t even have time to ask where she was going before Zhu Yun was gone.
“Zhu Yun, don’t waste time on the way. My patience is limited.”
Zhu Yun wanted to cry. Oh no, my gentle big sister has become heartless.
Tang Weixue really was out of patience. The fact that she was able to control her temper and say this much to Zhu Yun was already her limit. From the morning’s anxiety, she needed an outlet.
To hell with the age gap; she just wanted Zhu Yun!
Zhu Yun couldn’t leave her. She couldn’t endure this kind of pain a second time.
So what was the age gap? She wasn’t an old woman with missing teeth; she was just a few years older than Zhu Yun. Even if Zhu Yun met someone better in the future, so what? She could be just as good as that person.
If her youth didn’t have Zhu Yun, then she would fill Zhu Yun’s youth with her presence.
Someone knocked on the car window. Tang Weixue rolled down the window and looked at the sweet, well-behaved face, gritting her teeth.
She looked so obedient, but her temper was wild.
Tang Weixue let out a cold laugh, opened the car door, and pulled Zhu Yun inside. “There’s something I’ve wanted to say for a long time, but I was too stupid before and gave you the chance to leave. Don’t you dare think about leaving again.”
“Zhu Yun, I like you.”
The person she had been longing for was right in front of her. How could Tang Weixue hold back any longer?
She turned and kissed Zhu Yun’s lips, dominating her and not allowing any resistance. Her hands pressed Zhu Yun down onto the seat.
She was kissing her with force.
Zhu Yun secretly made a finger heart. Yes!
Lin Miaomiao and the other classmates who had followed saw what was happening through the open car window and gasped. Lin Miaomiao was the first to calm down, saying slowly, “I told you Tang Weixue wasn’t Zhu Yun’s cousin. Do you believe me now?”
“I get it. She’s her ‘love sister’.”