I'm Not Playing This Vicious Female Supporting Character Anymore! - Chapter 11

Rong Xi reluctantly released her grip and sat down alone in a nearby chair, watching Qin Yuzhen and Gu Si play badminton.

Qin Yuzhen was clearly letting Gu Si win, hitting the shuttlecock with just the right speed to land where Gu Si could easily reach it. Even when Gu Si returned the shuttlecock with tricky shots, Qin Yuzhen managed to catch most of them.

Rong Xi had been waiting for Gu Si to stop playing and pick up her racket again, but the game continued until the end of class.

Qin Yuzhen stood with her back to Rong Xi and didn’t turn around once.

“Zhenzhen, you’re amazing! Playing badminton with you is so much fun! I was worried you’d think I’m too bad at it,” Gu Si said, bouncing over to Qin Yuzhen with her racket in hand. “Let’s play together again during our next PE class!”

“Didn’t your PE teacher tell you to go study instead?” Rong Xi asked before Qin Yuzhen could respond.

Gu Si glanced at Rong Xi, smiling sweetly. “Our teacher said we could come out and play if we ranked in the top five of the grade on the exam. I’ve always been in the top five, but I never came out before because no one was worth giving up my studies for. But now… I think Zhenzhen is worth it.”

Qin Yuzhen shot a quick glance at Gu Si.

Rong Xi suppressed her inner irritation. “Give me the racket. I’ll return it with her.”

“No need. You should go back and study.” Gu Si looked at Rong Xi. “I’ve already kept this racket for most of the class period. How could I ask you to help me return it?”

“Since you don’t take the same route back to class as us, you should just go ahead and head back,” Qin Yuzhen said, noticing the redness on Rong Xi’s neck. “Rong Xi and I will return it.”

Gu Si pouted. “Even if we don’t take the same route, it’s not that far.”

“We’re having dinner together tonight, right?” Qin Yuzhen rubbed Gu Si’s head and took the racket from her hand. “Just go back first.”

“Okay! You promised to have dinner with me tonight, remember?”

“Mm-hmm. I’ll wait for you outside your classroom tomorrow,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“Good! Don’t forget!” Gu Si smiled and glanced at Rong Xi. “Oh, Rong Xi, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all. Why would I mind?”

“Then I’ll be off.” Gu Si came and went swiftly.

Qin Yuzhen stuffed both rackets into Rong Xi’s hands and began tossing and catching the shuttlecock. “Remember, it’s Saturday tomorrow. Don’t forget to make Xiang Yin Ya for me.”

Rong Xi: “……”

“Can you find the recipe? Do you need me to help you?” Qin Yuzhen added.

“No, I’ll find it myself!” Rong Xi said, enunciating each word deliberately.

Qin Yuzhen studied her face and couldn’t help but chuckle. “You can be so cold and aloof with me, so why not act that way with Gu Si?”

“Because you don’t know how to play the pity card,” Rong Xi retorted irritably. “Besides, even if Gu Si and I openly severed ties, it wouldn’t be good for the relationship between the Gu and Rong families.”

“You really live a stressful life,” Qin Yuzhen observed.

Rong Xi remained silent. If Gu Si ever found out that she wasn’t a true Rong family member, just a child who was switched at birth… She shuddered. Given Gu Si’s nature, while she probably wouldn’t mock Rong Xi outright, there was a 99% chance she’d express her contempt with a single glance.

And what about the people around her now, who acted so fond of her? Who knew how they’d treat her if they discovered she wasn’t a proper Rong family heiress?

She used to believe that most of the people surrounding her were drawn to her because of her own charm, but now she wasn’t so sure.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Yuzhen noticed Rong Xi’s complexion had paled slightly. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Rong Xi shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

After returning their racquets, Qin Yuzhen and Rong Xi casually strolled to the school’s mini-market. Qin Yuzhen bought two bottles of milk and stuffed one into Rong Xi’s arms. “Stop daydreaming all the time.”

Rong Xi gripped the milk, turning it over. “I’m not daydreaming.”

“When you’re trying to wriggle out of it, control your expression. And stop looking so pale—otherwise, you won’t convince anyone.” Qin Yuzhen stuffed her own milk into Rong Xi’s hat, then shoved her hands into her pockets.

Rong Xi glared at Qin Yuzhen, retrieved the milk, and said, “I just said that so you’d stop fussing over me.”

“Oh, I’m going to fuss over you.”

“Looking after my little sister’s mental health is my duty as her older sister.” Qin Yuzhen smiled at Rong Xi. “Don’t worry about bothering me, Little Sister.”

Rong Xi: …

She felt that if her mental health ever truly collapsed, there was an eighty percent chance it would be because of Qin Yuzhen.

When they reached the classroom, Qin Yuzhen took her milk back from Rong Xi. “Thanks.”

Rong Xi stared at Qin Yuzhen, surprised that someone could be too lazy to retrieve a single bottle of milk.

“Did you make Rong Xi cry?” Pei Jingyue turned to look at Qin Yuzhen.

“Who made her cry? She was crying on her own,” Qin Yuzhen said, a little exasperated. This rumor was spreading way too fast.

Pei Jingyue patted Qin Yuzhen’s shoulder. “You’d better be careful. Rong Xi has a pretty obsessive stalker. He’ll probably come looking for trouble.”

“Got it,” Qin Yuzhen nodded, then twisted her wrist a couple of times. “System, do you have any information on this guy?”

“Yes, he’s a cannon fodder male supporting character. Originally, he was supposed to harass the male protagonist…” The System sighed. “He’s the youngest son of the Zhao family. He likes Rong Xi but doesn’t dare confess, so he fancies himself her ‘protector.’ Of course, Rong Xi has no idea he exists. People usually only talk about him behind her back; no one would dare mention it to her directly.”

“This guy only dares to pick fights with people of lower social status. The male protagonist is attending school under a hidden identity, so…”

“Oh,” Qin Yuzhen nodded, glancing at Liang Xuzhou beside her.

Liang Xuzhou noticed her gaze and looked over.

“Your desk partner is about to have some trouble,” Qin Yuzhen said seriously.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Qin Yuzhen tapped her fingers on the table. “I’m your desk partner. Does it matter to you?”

In the Small World, it’s essential to have underlings. After all, as a princess, how can you function without attendants? Otherwise, you’d have to buy and carry your own milk.

System: ……

Liang Xuzhou stared expressionlessly at Qin Yuzhen.

“If I get bullied, I’ll be in a bad mood. When I’m in a bad mood, I’ll take it out on you. Then you’ll be the one suffering. So, do you think it matters?”

Liang Xuzhou: ???

“What kind of pirate logic is this?” Liang Xuzhou looked at Qin Yuzhen again and chuckled. “Besides, do you really think someone like you would get bullied?”

[ Host, don’t lose your cool. ] the System warned.

Qin Yuzhen sighed softly. “I just don’t want to fight alone. I was looking for someone to help. You seemed like you could…”

She scanned Liang Xuzhou from head to toe, then shook her head with regret. “Forget it. You really don’t look up to the task. I’ll handle it myself.”

Liang Xuzhou: …

Trying to provoke a hot-blooded young man usually works.

“What do you mean I’m no good? I’m the king of Ninth Middle School!” Liang Xuzhou slammed his desk.

The System, watching Liang Xuzhou take the bait, silently lit a candle for him.

The teacher at the podium also slammed his desk. “Alright! You, the king of Ninth Middle School, tell me what I just said!”

Qin Yuzhen lowered her head, smiling, her body shaking with suppressed laughter.

“And you, the new one, what are you laughing at? Get up! If he can’t say it, you tell me!”

Qin Yuzhen: …

Liang Xuzhou scoffed, but then Qin Yuzhen beside him flawlessly recited the question the teacher had posed during his lecture, even providing the answer.

He turned to Qin Yuzhen, his face saying, “You were actually listening?”

The teacher glanced at Qin Yuzhen. “Alright, you can sit down. King of Ninth Middle School, you stay standing.”

Qin Yuzhen couldn’t help but chuckle again, and others joined in.

Rong Xi looked at Qin Yuzhen with curiosity. She wasn’t close to Liang Xuzhou, but she knew he wasn’t the type to slam his desk in class. She was certain Liang Xuzhou’s outburst had everything to do with Qin Yuzhen, but how had Qin Yuzhen managed to answer a question while talking to someone else?

Liang Xuzhou stood for an entire class period, his expression darkening as the bell rang.

“You didn’t even warn me!”

“Huh? How was I supposed to know you didn’t know?” Qin Yuzhen gathered her books. “Sorry, desk partner, but I have to go grab lunch with my pretty sister. Can’t soothe your wounded ego right now. See you later.”

Rong Xi approached, wanting to roll her eyes but managing to restrain herself.

“Pretty sister’s going to eat. Why are you just standing here like an idiot?” Qin Yuzhen glanced at Rong Xi.

Rong Xi froze, pointing at himself. “Are you talking about me?”

“Hmm? Who else? Liang Xuzhou?” Qin Yuzhen glanced briefly at Liang Xuzhou before turning away.

Liang Xuzhou frowned, feeling like he’d been insulted.

Rong Xi’s lips curved slightly. She’d thought Qin Yuzhen was talking about Gu Si.

The System observed Rong Xi’s expression and concluded she was another fool. A single remark from Qin Yuzhen had made her happy! What was there to be happy about?!

Since Rong Xi was in a good mood, she carried a smile on her face as she went to find Gu Si.

Gu Si waited at the stairwell entrance, noticing Rong Xi’s smile with a hint of surprise. She didn’t dwell on it, instinctively moving between the two women and linking arms with Qin Yuzhen.

“You kept me waiting forever,” Gu Si whispered, a slight complaint in her voice. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

“How could that be? I’ve been thinking about this all day,” Qin Yuzhen replied.

Rong Xi moved to Qin Yuzhen’s other side. “That’s right. If I hadn’t reminded her, she would have almost gone down the stairs on the east side.”

“I just didn’t know which way was shorter,” Qin Yuzhen said, glancing sideways at Rong Xi. She then took Rong Xi’s wrist. “Sister, stay close to me. Let’s not get separated.”

“I want you to hold my hand too. I’m afraid we’ll get lost,” Gu Si said, blinking innocently at Qin Yuzhen.

Qin Yuzhen chuckled. “One on each arm makes me feel like I’m babysitting. This is fine.”

“Alright.” Gu Si tightened her grip around Qin Yuzhen’s arm.

Support I’m Not Playing This Vicious Female Supporting Character Anymore!