I'm Not Playing This Vicious Female Supporting Character Anymore! - Chapter 12

Dinner that evening passed uneventfully.

This was mainly because Rong Xi ignored Gu Si’s provocations, leaving the latter unable to stir up any trouble alone. Meanwhile, Qin Yuzhen was still preoccupied with thoughts of Zhao Pàohuī and remained largely silent.

Thanks to the System’s alert, she was aware that Zhao Pàohuī was watching them from a distance.

Qin Yuzhen glanced at Rong Xi, who was seated across from her, and leaned over to tuck a stray hair behind the girl’s ear.

Rong Xi paused, looking up at Qin Yuzhen. “What is it?”

“Just thought that stray hair might be bothering you while you eat,” Qin Yuzhen replied.

Rong Xi sensed something odd about Qin Yuzhen’s behavior, but didn’t dwell on it. Noticing Gu Si’s expression, she flashed a radiant smile. “Thank you, Sister.”

“Host, when you tucked Rong Xi’s hair earlier, that guy nearly jumped out of his chair,” the System remarked.

“Tsk, a sewer rat,” Qin Yuzhen chuckled.

Unfortunately, this rat wouldn’t be eliminated this week, as the weekend was approaching.

As they exited the cafeteria, Qin Yuzhen got a clear look at the guy’s face.

As expected, he had shifty, weaselly features that reeked of sleaziness. The mere sight of him made Qin Yuzhen feel sick. Zhao Pàohuī was from the International Class, yet he’d followed them to their building. If Rong Xi hadn’t turned back to look, he might have even tried to follow them upstairs.

“Am I imagining things, or did I just feel someone watching me?” Rong Xi asked, pursing her lips and frowning slightly.

“It’s real,” Qin Yuzhen replied. “That person is probably a creep, so you need to be careful. Don’t go out alone—stick with me.”

Hearing the word “creep,” Rong Xi shuddered, glanced around, and lowered her voice. “Are there really creeps at our school?”

“Absolutely, and he’s been stalking you specifically,” Qin Yuzhen said.

Rong Xi pressed her lips together. “Stalking me specifically? Are you just trying to scare me?”

“No,” Qin Yuzhen said irritably, glaring at her. “Why else would I tell you to stay with me?”

Rong Xi looked at Qin Yuzhen. The System watched the genuine emotion in Rong Xi’s eyes. If it had hands, it would have rushed over and shaken her violently, telling her not to be deceived by this facade.

It’s all fake! Everything is fake!

“But… you can’t protect me from everything,” Rong Xi said, sounding worried.

Qin Yuzhen laughed. “Who are you looking down on, little sister?”

“Did you even see his face? We should tell our families about this.”

“I can’t be sure. What if he was just coincidentally following you, coincidentally looking shifty, and coincidentally staring at you?” Qin Yuzhen said.

“You’re just trying to scare me!” Rong Xi said, lightly stomping her foot and playfully slapping Qin Yuzhen’s arm. Only after she did it did she realize what she’d done.

The two exchanged glances.

“Rong Xi, you actually hit me!” Qin Yuzhen exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Rong Xi: I don’t know why, but I’d already anticipated this. I’m not surprised at all.

“I’m sorry, Sister! I didn’t mean to!”

Fortunately, they had reached the classroom door. Rong Xi quickly returned to her seat to escape Qin Yuzhen’s scolding.

“Before, I thought Rong Xi was rather foolish,” the System remarked.

“What about now? Is she not foolish anymore?”

“Judging by how quickly she retreated to her seat, she’s certainly not foolish. Look, she’s already figured out what kind of… hmm… person you are, after spending only a few days together,” the System said.

“Hmm? What do you mean by ‘hmm’ person?”

“That’s classified.”

Senior 3 evening study sessions lasted until 10 p.m.

Qin Yuzhen couldn’t figure it out. Why was this Mary Sue novel so grounded in reality for Senior 3 students?

“Host, that’s not so bad. Didn’t some schools used to hold classes on Saturdays and Sundays in the past?” the System offered in consolation.

Qin Yuzhen didn’t feel like replying. She propped her chin in her hand and focused on her homework. Six subjects, each with its own assignment. Her pace was noticeably faster than during the day.

Beside her, Liang Xuzhou finished one assignment and turned to see Qin Yuzhen already working on the second.

Her handwriting remained neat, her signature as elegant as ever, and the page showed no signs of any corrections.

“What do you want? Trying to copy?” Qin Yuzhen stuffed the completed assignment into her drawer, glancing at Liang Xuzhou. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Who wants to copy yours?” Liang Xuzhou retorted, turning sideways to hide his messy work.

Though he didn’t want to admit it, comparing Qin Yuzhen’s pristine work to his own left him feeling rather ashamed.

During two study periods, Qin Yuzhen finished all her assignments. She put on an Item Card and leaned her head on the desk.

Still preoccupied with the “pervert” incident, Rong Xi had little patience for homework. Turning around, she saw Qin Yuzhen sleeping again, her brow furrowing slightly. She realized Qin Yuzhen truly disliked studying and seized every opportunity to slack off.

When school let out that evening, Rong Xi noticed Qin Yuzhen’s uncharacteristic silence. Qin Yuzhen said nothing, closing her eyes in the car, still half-asleep.

Rong Xi stared at Qin Yuzhen, frustration plain on her face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Qin Yuzhen asked, sensing Rong Xi’s intense gaze and opening her eyes.

Rong Xi pursed her lips. “Why don’t you focus on your studies?”

“Huh?” Qin Yuzhen yawned. “Who said I’m not studying properly? Don’t jump to conclusions, young lady.”

“I saw you sleeping during study hall.”

“Because I’m done studying. This is called balancing work and rest.” Qin Yuzhen looked at her.

Rong Xi stared at Qin Yuzhen. She had seen Qin Yuzhen’s academic records from school—they were abysmal. She couldn’t understand where Qin Yuzhen’s confidence came from.

“I think you should study more,” Rong Xi said stiffly.

Qin Yuzhen laughed. “You’re quite the nag, little sister.”

“Even if the Rong Family can send you abroad, studying abroad isn’t that simple… I’m just trying to remind you. Don’t get annoyed with me.” Rong Xi’s voice trailed off. She didn’t understand why she was meddling so much, nor why Qin Yuzhen was so ungrateful.

Qin Yuzhen glanced at Rong Xi’s expression. “Why do you think my grades are bad?”

Rong Xi glanced up at Qin Yuzhen, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. She was too embarrassed to hurt Qin Yuzhen’s pride and couldn’t bring herself to be so blunt.

“We’re home. Get out of the car,” Rong Xi said, quickly jumping out.

Qin Yuzhen sighed helplessly. “Why are you running off so fast? You can’t hide from me.”

Rong Xi slowed her pace and turned to look at Qin Yuzhen. The latter strolled leisurely behind, her backpack empty, clearly having brought nothing back.

As they entered the villa, Mother Rong, seated on the sofa, waved them over. “Remember, we’re going shopping together tomorrow. Don’t forget—wake up at 9 AM, and we’ll eat lunch out.”

“Sounds good,” Qin Yuzhen nodded, her smile perfectly enthusiastic.

Rong Xi clenched her fists slightly, glancing at Qin Yuzhen. She felt it would be best to stay behind. “Mom, I think I’ll stay home…”

“Is something wrong tomorrow, Sister?” Qin Yuzhen tilted her head, looking at her. “Let’s go together. It’s better that way, since it’s my first time shopping around here.”

Rong Xi: …..

“Come on, Xixi, let’s go together. We’re family, so there’s nothing to be uncomfortable about.”

In the end, Rong Xi nodded.

Back in her room, Rong Xi tossed her backpack onto the sofa, let out a long sigh, and pulled out her diary.

*****

October 5th, Friday, Sunny

Even though it was just one day, it felt like so much had happened.

Gu Si came again. I don’t understand why she’s always so interested in the people around me. It’s so annoying.

Today, she even made a fool of me. It’s all Qin Yuzhen’s fault. I don’t understand how they became so familiar so quickly. Qin Yuzhen even seems to like her.

Qin Yuzhen is truly despicable. She can’t win an argument against Gu Si, but she won’t let me argue with her either. It’s ridiculous. But she’s not as difficult to deal with as I imagined.

She really hates studying. If she were put in a regular class, she’d probably cause a scene.

Rong Xi wrote down whatever came to mind. She wanted to document all of Qin Yuzhen’s despicable actions, but decided against it. If Qin Yuzhen ever saw it, she’d probably laugh at her.

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