I'm Not Playing This Vicious Female Supporting Character Anymore! - Chapter 8

Rong Xi stared expressionlessly at Qin Yuzhen.

“Well then, Rong Xi, you should go eat with Minmin and the others. I’ll keep Zhenzhen company,” Gu Si said, linking arms with Qin Yuzhen. The two looked inseparable, as if they’d known each other for years.

Rong Xi took a deep breath and forced a warm smile. “Let’s all eat together. I can’t find them anyway.”

“Alright, I don’t mind at all. As long as you’re okay with it,” Gu Si nodded.

“Why would I mind?” Rong Xi’s smile remained fixed.

Qin Yuzhen noticed the undercurrent of tension between Rong Xi and Gu Si, but as a clever person, she knew the wisest course was to pretend she hadn’t seen anything.

The school cafeteria was impressive, spanning three floors with a wide variety of dishes. Beyond standard plates, there were hotpot, clay pot meals, and rice noodle options, all reasonably priced.

As they entered the cafeteria, Rong Xi was about to introduce Qin Yuzhen when Gu Si spoke first.

“Zhenzhen, do you like spicy food? If you do, you must try our school’s clay pot meals. Our spicy sauce is specially made—it’s incredibly fragrant and pairs perfectly with the clay pot. It’s my favorite dish here!” Gu Si glanced toward the clay pot window, then looked at Qin Yuzhen with eager anticipation.

The System could only marvel at how truly remarkable this girl was. No one could resist that gaze—Rong Xi was completely helpless.

“Then let’s get the hot pot,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“Host, you’re as shameless as ever,” the System grumbled.

“I can handle spicy food, and hot pot is delicious. What’s wrong with trying it?” Qin Yuzhen replied.

Beside her, Rong Xi pursed her lips.

“What are you getting?” Qin Yuzhen tilted her head to look at Rong Xi.

“I’ll get hot pot too,” Rong Xi said, keeping pace with Qin Yuzhen, a half-step behind. She watched the two of them, bewildered. How could someone as astute as Qin Yuzhen be so close to a girl who had randomly appeared and clearly harbored ill intentions?

Their turn came quickly. Although Qin Yuzhen insisted she didn’t need to pay, Gu Si insisted on covering the cost. “It’s no big deal. You can treat me next time. It’s not like we’re only having one meal together.”

Rong Xi glanced at Gu Si, wondering how many more meals she intended to have.

“Zhenzhen, you’re new here and don’t know anyone. Rong Xi will be eating with her friends next time, so I’ll keep you company then,” Gu Si said, carrying her tray and looking at Rong Xi. “Eating alone is too lonely.”

Rong Xi: ……

“You’re in the liberal arts class, she’s in the science class. It’s just not practical. Besides, I never said I wouldn’t eat with her.” Rong Xi still smiled, but Qin Yuzhen could detect a hint of gritted teeth beneath her words.

Gu Si ignored Rong Xi and looked at Qin Yuzhen with a wounded expression. “Zhenzhen, don’t you want to eat with me?”

“Sister…” Rong Xi murmured softly.

Qin Yuzhen glanced at Rong Xi, almost wanting to laugh. “Let’s find a place to sit first.”

Gu Si quickly scooted next to Qin Yuzhen, while Rong Xi sat across from them.

“Zhenzhen, let’s get a tray meal tonight.”

Qin Yuzhen was about to speak when she felt a nudge under the table. She looked up to see Rong Xi staring at her pleadingly. Beside her, Gu Si leaned in closer, forcefully drawing Qin Yuzhen’s attention. The two girls instantly leaned in close, their faces almost touching. “Zhenzhen, do you want chicken legs? The chicken legs at our school are so delicious!”

“I’ll go buy some. I want to see what else they have too.”

“Then I’ll go with you,” Gu Si said, reaching for her chopsticks.

“No need. Just finish your meal,” Qin Yuzhen said with a reassuring smile, then stood up and walked away.

“Host, aren’t you worried they’ll come to blows if you put them together?”

“How could they possibly fight?” Qin Yuzhen asked, hands in pockets.

The System muttered, “What do you think Gu Si’s angle is? Do you really think she’d just cozy up to you because you helped her once? You’re not the female lead.”

“What does her angle have to do with me? She’s pretty and her voice is pleasant—what more do I need? Besides, even if she does have ulterior motives, do you think I’d be intimidated by her?” Qin Yuzhen chuckled softly and took her place at the back of the line.

At the dining table, the two women exchanged glances.

“Gu Si, is something wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong, Rong Xi? Why are you suddenly snapping at me?”

“There’s no one else here—stop pretending!” Rong Xi ground her teeth. “Let me tell you, Qin Yuzhen isn’t going to be so easily bewitched by you.”

Gu Si raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean ‘bewitched’? I’m just trying to be her friend. You can’t be upset just because she likes me more than you.”

“Hmph, she’s even better at pretending than you. She’s probably cursing you out right now.”

“Who cares? As long as she pretends to like me on the surface.” Gu Si laughed, lowering her voice. “She doesn’t even pretend to like you.”

Qin Yuzhen returned with three bags of chicken wings. From a distance, she saw Rong Xi and Gu Si staring each other down, looking ready to come to blows. She set the chicken wings down between them.

“Zhenzhen, you bought so many! You’ll definitely gain weight if you eat all of these,” Gu Si said, feigning annoyance as she picked up a wing and took a bite. Her expression lit up with delight. “These are so good—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside!”

“You’re not fat at all. Even if you gained a little weight, you’d still be adorable.”

Gu Si tilted her head and smiled at Qin Yuzhen, then pouted. “Actually, I’ve already gained weight. I used to have abs, but now I just have a soft belly.” She patted her stomach as she spoke.

Rong Xi glared at Gu Si, tempted to slam his hotpot right onto her head. He muttered under his breath, “So fake.”

“Hmm? Rong Xi, what did you say?” Gu Si turned to look at him.

“I didn’t say anything.” Rong Xi glanced at Qin Yuzhen, then lowered his head to eat his hotpot.

“It must be because I was talking with Zhenzhen and ignoring you. I’m sorry, Rong Xi, please don’t be angry,” Gu Si said earnestly.

Rong Xi sighed inwardly and looked up at her. “I’m not angry.”

Qin Yuzhen glanced at Rong Xi again and noticed her using a chicken leg to hide her smile, clearly amused by the scene.

“As long as you’re not mad, Zhenzhen,” Gu Si said, “could you give me your contact information after we get back to class? I’d like to hang out sometime.”

“No need to wait. Just tell me now. I’ll remember it.”

Gu Si paused. “Wow, your memory is amazing!”

“It’s not that amazing. But I’ll definitely remember your contact info,” Qin Yuzhen replied, looking at Gu Si.

Clack! Rong Xi’s chicken leg fell into her bowl, but no one noticed.

“Then I’ll give you my QQ number. I’ll be waiting for you to add me when you get back. I’ll be upset if you forget me!” Gu Si rattled off a string of numbers.

“I won’t upset you.”

Rong Xi wiped her mouth. “I’m done eating. I’ll head back now. You two keep chatting.”

“Wait for me,” Qin Yuzhen said, glancing at Rong Xi.

Rong Xi had already stood up, but at Qin Yuzhen’s words, she sat back down, staring blankly at the remaining chicken leg. By the time Qin Yuzhen and Gu Si finished eating, afternoon self-study was about to start.

“Why did you make me wait? Didn’t you have Gu Si to keep you company?” Rong Xi blurted out as soon as they separated.

“I was worried you’d be lonely going back to class alone.”

Rong Xi rolled her eyes at the empty air.

“You’re getting upset for no reason,” Qin Yuzhen said.

“Hmph.”

“Sister, we’ve only known each other for three days. Are you already dissatisfied with me?”

Rong Xi frowned at Qin Yuzhen. “I’m not.”

“Rong Xi.”

“Hmm?”

“Our relationship isn’t so close that I have to dislike someone just because you do,” Qin Yuzhen said. “We’ve only known each other for three days—no, not even three days yet.”

Rong Xi stopped walking, her face paling slightly as if she’d realized something. “Sorry.”

“See? So I suggest you and I cultivate a good relationship. That way, when you fight with others, I can help you,” Qin Yuzhen said, looking at Rong Xi.

Rong Xi: I’ll never be able to guess what Qin Yuzhen is trying to say.

“Who needs your help?” Rong Xi said, relieved, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Oh, so you’re refusing to cultivate a good relationship with me?” Qin Yuzhen sighed softly. “I see you’ve never truly accepted me as your sister. Fine, then.”

Rong Xi: ???

She wanted to say more, but they had already reached the classroom. The math teacher was standing at the podium, and this wasn’t the right time for conversation. Besides, Qin Yuzhen had already quickly entered the classroom and returned to her seat.

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