The Days I Was Secretly Loved by the All-Girls School Beauties - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“Clearly feeling disgruntled, yet won’t admit it…” Xue Qi muttered cautiously, offering a few words in her own defense.

“That’s enough… I know what I’m doing.” Pei Yanxi closed her eyes and took a deep breath, pointing toward the door to dismiss her.

After Xue Qi left, Pei Yanxi couldn’t help but look at the electronic screen again. On the surveillance footage, Yun Zhan stood in front of Wen Sixue. Their overlapping silhouettes flickered across Pei Yanxi’s dim eyes. She found the image an eyesore; her mood, which had finally settled slightly, seemed to grow more restless at that moment.

“Really… why do I care so much…” After staring at the monitor for a long time, her eyes were strained. Pei Yanxi covered her forehead with her hand, her head throbbing as if filled with lead.

She chose to block the water for Wen Sixue… Pei Yanxi repeated this sentence to herself. The more she said it, the less peace she could find.

Yun Zhan’s injury was quite serious. By the time she reached the Medical Department, a large patch of skin on her shoulder was stuck to her clothing; it was a bloody, mangled sight.

Seeing the crimson mess on Yun Zhan’s shoulder, Wen Sixue’s eyes grew red and swollen. Her anxious gaze was fixed on Yun Zhan’s face, terrified that something else might go wrong.

The doctor carefully lifted Yun Zhan’s clothes and was startled by the sight of the ulcerated skin, a wave of goosebumps rising across her body. Yet Yun Zhan sat there like it was nothing, waiting silently for the doctor to treat the wound.

“Doesn’t it hurt? …To be able to endure this kind of pain, you…” The doctor wiped cold sweat from her brow. Even she was frightened looking at these wounds. Had she not seen it with her own eyes, she would never believe that a pampered young lady from a wealthy family could endure such a severe burn without crying or screaming.

The scalded flesh was fused with the fabric. The doctor had to meticulously remove the clothing fragments before beginning the treatment; the local anesthetic was only applied afterward. Bright red blood dripped onto the floor along with the tweezers. By the time the procedure was finished, over half an hour had passed.

Throughout the entire process, Wen Sixue stayed by Yun Zhan’s side, never moving a step away. Staring at Yun Zhan’s bloody arm, Wen Sixue’s legs felt weak. Yun Zhan hadn’t cried or made a scene, but Wen Sixue couldn’t stop her own tears. Once her vision blurred, her reddened eyes were filled with guilt and disbelief. While the doctor worked, Wen Sixue didn’t dare speak, as if afraid of disturbing the wound on the shoulder, or perhaps afraid of breaking the tension of the pain.

“Were you scared?” Yun Zhan cast a concerned look at her.

Wen Sixue bit her lower lip hard, her heart aching with distress. How could someone block boiling water for her? And then turn around and worry about her with such an indifferent attitude? Is she made of wood? Can’t she feel the pain at all?

“Alright, alright, stop crying. I’m not afraid of pain; this is nothing to me. As long as you’re safe, that’s what matters. I truly hope you can live a good life.” Yun Zhan casually handed her a pack of tissues.

Yun Zhan was never a coward. She didn’t fear pain or death. Furthermore, with the advanced technology of 21, the wound wouldn’t even leave a scar.

Wen Sixue’s breathing was erratic, small whimpers escaping her throat. “Doesn’t it hurt… why did you do this for me? I don’t deserve this treatment from you…”

Wen Sixue shook her head. She didn’t understand. She and Yun Zhan had only met once; they weren’t even casual acquaintances. Her parents had abandoned her, choosing selfish pleasure and leaving her alone in the country. When the Wen family fell, her relatives fled one after another. Even the family members she lived with wouldn’t be willing to take a blow for her, let alone a near stranger…

Since entering Minton Academy, she was frequently bullied because of her family. The clan had fallen before she was even born. In her eighteen years of life, even being treated normally was a luxury. Self-preservation is human nature. Yun Zhan could have easily stood by as a cold bystander, keeping herself completely uninvolved, but she had forced herself out of Jiang Yanmo’s grip to stand in front of her.

“The water was thrown at your face,” Yun Zhan said after a long silence. “I thought about how you have to perform on stage later. If your face got hurt, it would be very difficult for you. I’m taller than you, so the water only reached my shoulder. That’s why I blocked it.”

It was a reason that simple, devoid of any other motives. Yun Zhan never thought of herself as particularly delicate; she had 21 to heal her, while Wen Sixue relied on her appearance to make a living. She didn’t want Wen Sixue’s life to be any harder…

Yun Zhan leaned back in her chair with her clothes half-undone. The warm sun from outside the window shone directly into her eyes, making her brown pupils sparkle. Yun Zhan sent her a “it’s okay” look. The girl’s eyes were warm, like a gentle breeze in April.

Drowning in the tenderness of Yun Zhan’s gaze, Wen Sixue’s mind went blank. She didn’t know what she was thinking, but suddenly, it felt as if all her terrible emotions had vanished…

“Yun Zhan…” Wen Sixue whispered her name, her head lowered, her trembling fingertips clutching the white sheets of the hospital bed.

“Don’t dwell on it. Why don’t we chat?” Yun Zhan truly felt the situation wasn’t that dire; it was better for both of them to relax.

21 watched silently from the side. Well… how to put it… Yun Zhan really does have some very attractive qualities. For example, right now, it was obvious Wen Sixue had been touched by her, but this little “block of wood” Yun Zhan knew nothing, completely oblivious to the surge of emotion in Wen Sixue.

“That book hit your arm earlier. Does it still hurt?” Yun Zhan’s gaze landed on Wen Sixue’s arm, wanting to distract her.

“It hurts.” Wen Sixue suddenly felt a wave of grievance. Her logic told her: Yun Zhan is injured and needs your care; don’t be so immature. But… looking into Yun Zhan’s gentle and concerned eyes, she couldn’t help but want to be a little selfish… just a little. She had never bared her heart to anyone; she wanted to do it just this once.

“I’ll have the doctor treat it for you later. Maybe next week—”

“Yun Zhan…” Wen Sixue finally couldn’t hold it back. Large teardrops began to fall. “I don’t want to attend Minton Academy at all. I don’t want the title of ‘Yuedu’s Number One Courtesan,’ and I don’t even want the surname Wen. My parents did so many bad things abroad, but in the end, I’m the one who has to bear the consequences. I couldn’t even keep the gold brooch you gave me…”

That day, right after she received the brooch from Yun Zhan, before she could even get used to its warmth, the “hounds” of the nobility came to her door and took it. They toyed with it in their hands, mocking her: “Who knew the Eldest Miss of the Wen family had fallen so low that men are still throwing fortunes at you.”

“Miss Wen, you’re so beautiful. No matter what, you’ll find a way to pay back the money, right? Why not become my—”

“Get out! Get out!” Wen Sixue had screamed with all her might, finally bursting out of the door amidst the mockery and laughter of the men. She had already forgotten how she composed herself to come to school. Perhaps the method was what others said: The moment the sun rises, forget about yesterday.

The brooch was gone. Yun Zhan was silent for two seconds, then she gently placed her palm over the back of Wen Sixue’s hand.

“It’s okay. If the brooch is gone, it’s gone. I still have more. I can give you another one.” Yun Zhan lightly stroked the back of her hand, comforting her in a soft voice. She wouldn’t ask Wen Sixue how it happened; it was clearly something unpleasant. If it was stolen or coerced away, she would get it back one day.

“Can I hug you, Yun Zhan?” A spring breeze brushed against her burning cheeks. Her other hand was hidden under the blanket, her knuckles white with tension. Every time Yun Zhan looked at her, she buried herself deeper into her collar, her chin hiding in the soft knit texture, leaving only the tip of her nose a faint red—like a cherry blossom peeking out from the snow under the light.

“Sure.” Yun Zhan freed one hand and gave her a generous hug. The warmth of her body allowed Wen Sixue to relax. Gradually, she began to crave Yun Zhan’s temperature and scent. It was so beautiful… it made her wish time would stop at this very moment.

Knock, knock.

A crisp knocking at the door cut through the emotions spreading in Wen Sixue’s heart. Startled, she assumed it was the doctor and stood up to open the door.

The moment she opened it, Wen Sixue met a face that was far from unfamiliar. Pei Yanxi’s face was pale and devoid of emotion, like a mirror covered in frost.

“Senior Pei…” Upon seeing who it was, Wen Sixue’s eyes widened. She instinctively retreated several steps. The innate coldness and oppressive aura radiating from Pei Yanxi made it hard for her to breathe.

At Minton Academy, Pei Yanxi was the absolute superior, whether to students or teachers. Even if Wen Sixue hadn’t interacted with her, she had certainly heard her name and seen her photos. Superior birth, exceptional ability, captivating looks, and innate pride—if Pei Yanxi was a celestial being from the heavens, then Wen Sixue was the dust beneath her feet. Wen Sixue was acutely aware of this. This was her first time making eye contact with Pei Yanxi, and insecurity and fear made her legs go weak.

Pei Yanxi was half a head taller than Wen Sixue. When her gaze landed on the girl, it paused for half a second. Her eyes seemed veiled by an invisible cold mist; her focus didn’t settle on the face, but lightly brushed over the other’s brow before slowly sliding down to the jawline, as if weighing a piece of ice with her fingertips. There was no obvious disgust in that look, but no friendliness either.

“How is the injury?” Pei Yanxi walked right past Wen Sixue to Yun Zhan.

Yun Zhan’s clothes were partially open, exposing a large area of fair skin. The scalded skin on the shoulder had been covered, leaving only the smooth, delicate curve of the shoulder visible. Pei Yanxi’s eyelashes fluttered. She took a few quick glances before averting her eyes. When her peripheral vision caught Wen Sixue’s jacket lying on Yun Zhan’s lap, Pei Yanxi fell silent again. The words of concern at the tip of her tongue couldn’t be spoken.

“Thank you for your concern, Senior. I… it’s not very serious.” Yun Zhan looked at her exposed skin and suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

“Liar,” Pei Yanxi retorted, her tone sharp.

Little lying cheater… She had just asked the doctor. It was clearly a serious injury, with parts of the skin ulcerated, yet she said she was fine… She didn’t understand why Yun Zhan would save Wen Sixue, nor why she would lie to her. A hint of sadness flickered through her dark pupils. She looked at Yun Zhan, yet no words of questioning could come out of her mouth.

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