She Gives Too Much (GL) - Chapter 5

Even Chen Xi, with her notoriously thick skin, felt her cheeks flush slightly as she withdrew her hand.

The mentor’s gaze lingered between the two women, and she asked with a smile, “Do you two know each other?”

Chen Xi instinctively glanced at Li Zhi, her expression slightly awkward.

Their relationship was difficult to define. It wasn’t quite accurate to say they knew each other, but it was equally inappropriate to claim they were strangers.

They were stuck in an awkward middle ground—former casual acquaintances turned classmates.

Just as Chen Xi was hesitating how to answer her mentor, Li Zhi spoke first.

She withdrew her gaze from Chen Xi, her expression impassive and her tone indifferent. “We don’t know each other.”

These three crisp words sealed away the night’s reckless abandon within the Li Family’s old mansion, revealing not a hint of it to the outside world.

The Chen Xi standing before her mentor was the model student, a far cry from the bold maid who had knelt on the chair cushion, offering her wine-stained lips in return.

Even after Chen Xi’s abrupt departure, the young miss’s refined upbringing compelled her to refrain from judging the other girl’s private life.

At least in public, she would protect Chen Xi’s reputation and dignity.

Chen Xi stared blankly at Li Zhi, who had already turned to discuss the donation and recruitment plans with the mentor.

As for Chen Xi, she was merely an insignificant student trailing behind the mentor, not deserving of even a second glance.

The Young Miss, completely absorbed in her work, had eyes only for the contract documents in her hands. Her earnest and meticulous demeanor was even more captivating than the day her collar button was half-undone.

Chen Xi sat quietly beside her mentor, unconsciously clasping her right hand with her left, her gaze fixed intently on Li Zhi.

“Chen Xi.”

The lounge door suddenly creaked open. Yan Tuo stood panting in the doorway, as if she had rushed over the moment rehearsal ended.

She nodded and bowed apologetically to the mentor and Li Zhi. “I’m sorry to interrupt. I need to speak with Chen Xi about something.”

The mentor glanced at Chen Xi, then at Li Zhi.

Li Zhi crossed her legs and flipped through the documents on her lap, her expression unreadable.

“Go ahead,” the mentor gestured to Chen Xi.

Chen Xi looked at Yan Tuo with confusion and concern. She walked to the door and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Did something happen with the host rehearsal?”

Her voice was kept so low that Li Zhi, sitting across the room, could barely hear her.

But Yan Tuo’s reply carried clearly:

“I was worried about you.”

Li Zhi’s hand, which had been flipping through the documents, paused momentarily. She glanced sideways at the doorway.

The girl standing before Chen Xi wore a wine-red dress, her face strikingly beautiful and unforgettable.

“That’s Yan Tuo,” the mentor explained softly, noticing Li Zhi’s glance toward the door. “She’s been Chen Xi’s roommate for years, and they’re very close. Both are my students. Yan Tuo is usually quite composed, so she must have something urgent to discuss with Chen Xi.” The mentor’s tone was filled with pride for her students.

Chen Xi closed the door behind her, completely blocking out the conversation outside.

Li Zhi lowered her lashes and continued reviewing the documents in her hands, showing little interest in Yan Tuo.

“What kind of student is Chen Xi?” Li Zhi asked casually, barely pausing her work.

Chen Ying, eager to talk about her student, immediately launched into praise.

“Chen Xi came straight to graduate school from our undergraduate program. For six years, she’s excelled academically and received the national scholarship every year.”

Chen Ying rarely used students’ nicknames during serious discussions, unless she’d gotten too used to saying them.

“Speaking of our Qian Qian, she could easily get by on her looks, but she insists on relying on her abilities. She excels in both her studies and her work in the Student Union.”

Li Zhi’s gaze remained fixed on the document, her hand lingering on the page.

Qian Qian.

“This girl isn’t just talented; she’s also sensible and hardworking. She spends the time others use for sleeping on part-time jobs. In the two years I’ve known her, I’ve never heard her mention dating. I suspect she’s afraid it would interfere with her earning money.”

Li Zhi’s hand gripping the document paused, her brow furrowing. “Is her family struggling financially?”

Perhaps feeling she had been too nosy or had unconsciously pried into someone’s private affairs, Li Zhi murmured, “I’m sorry.”

She continued, “If any students face severe financial hardship during their studies, the Li Corporation is considering establishing a scholarship fund for underprivileged students starting this semester. This would help them better focus on their studies and complete their education.”

Chen Ying’s eyes lit up, practically bursting with excitement. She was about to clap and cheer.

This was fantastic news, both for the school and its students.

Under Chen Ying’s burning gaze, Li Zhi lowered her eyes and flipped through the documents. “Students giving back to their alma mater, and corporations giving back to society—these are acts of public service. The Li Corporation has long considered such initiatives, and now seems like the perfect opportunity.”

“That’s wonderful!” Chen Ying exclaimed, pulling out her phone. “I’ll have the principal speak with you about this right away.”

“There’s no rush,” Li Zhi interjected, pausing mid-sentence. “Chen Xi?”

“Oh, Qian Qian…”

Chen Ying hadn’t inquired about the students’ family backgrounds, but she had noticed Chen Xi frequently working part-time jobs to support herself. She had assumed her family’s financial situation was likely modest.

Especially during her freshman and sophomore years, Chen Xi had worked relentlessly, suggesting she was desperately short on money.

This was common knowledge, even discussed on the school’s online forums and bulletin boards.

Back then, Chen Xi’s monthly living expenses were probably only two or three hundred yuan.

In a big city like this, most middle-class students spent over a thousand yuan a month, not to mention those from wealthier families.

Chen Ying later heard that Chen Xi had lived on just two or three hundred yuan a month, and she couldn’t imagine how she had managed.

“I heard someone mention once that Qian Qian fainted in public. I wonder if it was low blood sugar,” Li Zhi said, her thumb twisting the corner of the document—a habit she had when deep in thought.

If Chen Xi’s mentor said she was so short on money, why had she left so abruptly the other day? And why was she making no effort to reconnect today?

Could it really have been just a casual fling?

While the two women were talking in the room, Chen Xi pulled Yan Tuo by the wrist to the side and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“I still think something’s wrong with you. Did something happen at home again?” Yan Tuo scrutinized Chen Xi, noting that her complexion was much better than before. She began to doubt if she had been overreacting earlier.

When they had left the mentor’s office, Chen Xi’s expression had been strange, as if she were afraid of something.

Yan Tuo’s unease grew with each passing moment. She rushed over to check on Chen Xi before the rehearsal was even finished.

If something’s really wrong, at least someone will be here for her.

“It’s all right now,” Chen Xi said, noticing the concern in Yan Tuo’s eyes. Her slightly narrow eyes curved into a bright, relieved smile.

The heavy stone that had been weighing on her heart had shattered into harmless fragments with the Young Miss’s simple denial: “I don’t know her.”

“Really?” Yan Tuo frowned, crossing her arms.

“Really,” Chen Xi replied, her eyes wide and earnest as she shook her head slowly.

“You had me worried for nothing,” Yan Tuo grumbled, fanning her face as she headed toward the auditorium stage. “My face feels like it’s been plastered with paste—stuffy and hot. Next time, I’m refusing to wear makeup, even if they kill me.”

Chen Xi, accustomed to it, didn’t mind so much. Besides, going out without makeup made her feel like she was walking around naked, too embarrassed to face anyone.

What if I run into a talent scout? I need to always be at my best.

Chen Xi straightened her hair, using the tiled wall behind her as a mirror. Remembering the Young Miss’s denial earlier, her lashes fluttered as she lowered her gaze. She tucked a stray strand behind her ear.

The Young Miss may be cold, but she’s not a bad person.

After leaving Li Zhi’s dressing room, Chen Ying introduced Chen Xi to several senior students in her field.

Chen Xi performed flawlessly throughout the day, her demeanor poised and professional. She answered every question about her field with expertise and confidence.

Chen Ying was thoroughly impressed. “Now I have no worries at all. You’ll have your pick of offers when the time comes.”

Chen Xi smiled and shrugged, secretly exhaling in relief behind her mentor’s back.

In truth, she didn’t plan to accept any of them.

At precisely ten o’clock that morning, everyone gathered in the auditorium.

The front row was reserved for the university president, senior administrators, and distinguished alumni who had made significant contributions to the institution.

Chen Xi stood outside the entrance, helping the Student Union maintain order. Her gaze swept across the room, and she spotted a young, strikingly cold face amidst the crowd of middle-aged figures in the front row.

Li Zhi sat alone at the very edge of the row, not engaging in conversation with anyone. Her eyes were fixed on Yan Tuo, who was speaking at the podium, her expression unreadable.

She sat there quietly, surrounded by people yet utterly detached, appearing entirely out of place in her surroundings.

Several etiquette ladies from the Student Union approached, carrying tea trays.

Chen Xi glanced at Li Zhi and raised her hand to stop the younger student who was about to serve tea to the front row.

The girl’s hands trembled nervously as she looked up at Chen Xi, her voice barely a whisper: “S-Senior Sister…”

Chen Xi smiled reassuringly. “I’ll take it from here.”

She carried the tea tray back to the lounge, allowing the others to catch up before returning to the auditorium.

To block out the light, the auditorium’s heavy, dark curtains were drawn shut, and the main lights were turned off, leaving only a spotlight illuminating the podium.

It was currently the lecture portion of the event, with all eyes and ears focused on the speaker. His resonant voice filled the hall.

Chen Xi entered the auditorium carrying a tray, having already adjusted her breathing and slowed her pace. With a warm smile, she began placing cups of tea on the red velvet tables in the front row, starting from the seats near the entrance.

When she reached Li Zhi, the young woman suddenly shifted her gaze from the main stage to Chen Xi’s face.

Chen Xi offered her a practiced smile and reached to take the disposable paper cup from the tray.

Even in the dim light, Li Zhi noticed that the tea in her cup was a pale green, unlike the brick-red liquid in the cups on the tables beside her.

The Young Miss glanced sideways, realizing that her tea was the only one in the row that differed from the others.

Oh-ho!

“The black tea is too astringent; it hurts my throat after drinking it,” Chen Xi whispered, noticing Li Zhi’s puzzled look. She leaned down to explain.

Even though several days had passed, Chen Xi still wasn’t sure if Li Zhi’s throat had fully recovered. So, she replaced the uniformly prepared black tea for the Young Miss with a more soothing green tea.

Consider this repaying the favor from earlier.

Chen Xi held the teacup with one hand, intending to set it on the table, but Li Zhi reached out and took the cup from her hand, giving her a deep, lingering look.

When Chen Xi left the auditorium, her heart was still racing.

She handed the tea tray to a younger student beside her, her lashes lowered as she gazed at the back of her right hand.

When Li Zhi had taken the teacup, the tip of her middle finger had deliberately brushed lightly across the back of Chen Xi’s hand.

Wait for me here after it’s over, she had said.

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