The Romance Extras Turned Out to Be a Yuri Story - Chapter 5

[No way!]

[I’m not doing it!]

Lin Luoluo puffed up her cheeks, her mouth twitching like a little hamster, looking utterly displeased.

Beside her, Lin Xiangdong and Dongfang Qing deliberately slowed their pace to accommodate her injured leg, chatting as they walked.

“Mu Yunchun told me you came,” Lin Xiangdong said.

“Zhang Qiu invited me. Since she asked, I had to come,” Dongfang Qing replied, a little shy.

“Only she could talk you into it,” Lin Xiangdong sighed.

Noticing that Lin Luoluo had once again fallen far behind, he turned around and rubbed his forehead, seeing her bickering furiously with the system.

Lin Luoluo: I said no, and that’s final!

Lin Luoluo: You already made me confess once. That was so embarrassing, and I still did it. But now you want me to hurt her? No way!

The system, puzzled: But readers love it when you two clash head-on. That’s how the book’s ratings go up! If your mission score gets higher, maybe you’ll matchmake the male and female leads sooner—and finally go home.

The system was a bad system. It always forced her to do things she hated.

Lin Luoluo sulkily kicked at the ground, forgetting her injured leg. When she pulled her foot back, it landed on a small stone, making her stumble with a yelp.

Just as she was about to fall, before Lin Xiangdong could react, a slender, pale hand reached out and pulled her into an embrace.

Lin Luoluo fell against her rescuer’s chest, staring blankly into that cool, elegant face.

Long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, thick and lush as though grass were growing in her heart. Between brows and eyes flowed a smile, gentle and fragrant like a lily:

“Falling again? Is it that the school paths are too hard to walk on?”

It was Zhang Qiu.

Lin Luoluo’s face flushed crimson. She quickly straightened, stammering, “N-no, it’s not that.”

She was about to thank her when a voice behind Zhang Qiu interrupted.

“Luoluo, how’s your leg?”

Gu Beichen.

Seeing the concern in his eyes, Lin Luoluo felt awkward. She glanced at Zhang Qiu, then quickly looked away.

“It’s fine now,” she muttered.

Out of nowhere, Mu Yunchun appeared, his peach-blossom eyes sparkling mischievously. “With so many people caring about her, Luoluo’s leg will surely heal fast.”

Dripping with sarcasm. That was him.

Lin Luoluo lowered her head even further.

Mu Yunchun seemed to despise her, yet insisted on putting on an act of concern.

Lin Xiangdong looked around and asked, “Why are you all here?”

Zhang Qiu answered, “I’m going to the drama club.”

Gu Beichen coughed. “I have something to discuss with Zhang Qiu.”

Mu Yunchun smiled charmingly. “I came along with Beichen.”

Dongfang Qing glanced at them. Thinking of the misunderstanding earlier that morning, he realized Gu Beichen probably wanted to apologize to Zhang Qiu. And Mu Yunchun? He was clearly there to stir trouble, unwilling to see them reconcile.

As Zhang Qiu’s friend, Dongfang Qing knew he should step in. He said, “Yunchun, I just happen to need a word with you. Let’s talk over there.”

Mu Yunchun stared at him, but Dongfang Qing—his pale face calm and elegant—added with a smile, “About that stock in Yun Duo Technology you mentioned last time, I’ve heard some inside news.”

Mu Yunchun’s expression shifted at once, and he followed Dongfang Qing away.

That left only four of them.

Lin Xiangdong had come to pick up Lin Luoluo, but before he could, Zhang Qiu stepped forward and said, “Since you’re here, I need a word with you.”

Still dazed, Lin Luoluo found herself pulled along by Zhang Qiu.

Gu Beichen immediately chased after them. “Zhang Qiu, wait! I need to talk to you!”

Lin Xiangdong stood alone, scratching his head in confusion. What was I here for again?

Not long after, Gu Beichen caught up, grabbing Lin Luoluo’s wrist. His eyes were red as he stared at Zhang Qiu. “How long do you plan on avoiding me?”

Zhang Qiu’s jade-like face remained expressionless. “Gu Beichen, I told you already. I’m busy today. I don’t have time to discuss this.”

“No. You must listen to me!” He tightened his grip on Lin Luoluo’s hand.

“Let go. I don’t want to hear it.”

“No! You have to hear me out!”

“I don’t have time for your nonsense.”

“Why must you be so harsh, Zhang Qiu? Do you think you’re blameless?”

“Um…” Lin Luoluo whispered pitifully, caught between them, “My hand really hurts.”

Her little face scrunched up miserably, her fluffy curls drooping weakly.

Zhang Qiu drew a deep breath, releasing Lin Luoluo first. “Sorry,” she said gently.

Gu Beichen then realized he, too, was still clutching Lin Luoluo’s hand. Startled, he let go.

The two of them fell into heavy silence at the roadside.

Moments ago they had been arguing heatedly. Now, silence.

Stuck between them, Lin Luoluo’s toes curled so hard she felt she could dig out a luxury apartment floor plan with them.

Zhang Qiu finally spoke: “The drama club’s lead actress just had an emergency appendectomy. This afternoon’s final scene needs a replacement.”

She added, “I really am busy. We’ll talk about our matters tomorrow.”

Gu Beichen’s lips trembled with frustration, but in the end, he lowered his head. “Fine.”

Without another word, Zhang Qiu took Lin Luoluo’s hand and led her away.

Her hand was cool yet firm, fully enveloping Lin Luoluo’s wrist. After walking a while, she let go, murmuring, “Sorry for dragging you into this.”

Lin Luoluo bit her lip.

Zhang Qiu suddenly asked, “Do you like Gu Beichen?”

Lin Luoluo froze. Should she nod? Shake her head?

Luckily, Zhang Qiu kept her gaze forward, not looking at her.

“That letter—I didn’t read it. I’ll return it to you later,” Zhang Qiu said.

It took Lin Luoluo a moment to realize she meant the deliberately misdelivered love letter from that morning. She gave a small “oh,” staring blankly at Zhang Qiu’s back.

Zhang Qiu’s shoulders were straight beneath her fitted white shirt. The sunlight revealed the graceful curve of her shoulder blades beneath the fabric. Ordinary washed jeans somehow made her waist look slim, her legs long. Her dark hair swayed behind her, just like Lin Luoluo’s restless heart.

“It was the messenger who told me where you were,” Zhang Qiu continued. Then she warned, “Some people may seem nice on the surface, but they’re not to be trusted.”

Lin Luoluo knew exactly who she meant.

Zhang Qiu was referring to Zuo Jinwei, the senior who was always lurking beside the malicious supporting girl. Lin Luoluo had been put in her care after transferring schools—because Gu Beichen thought she’d look after her. But in reality, Zuo Jinwei pushed her into trouble, sabotaged the male and female leads’ relationship, and schemed to take the lead’s place herself.

Before Lin Luoluo arrived, that senior often went to Gu Beichen’s home to “tutor” his younger sister Gu Xiaoxiao, speaking ill of Zhang Qiu until Zhang Qiu faced hostility from the family. That became one of the cracks in the leads’ relationship.

But in truth, the Gu family knew about her tricks. It was Beichen’s mother, Sang Tian, who disdained Zhang Qiu and deliberately exploited it, even at the cost of manipulating her young daughter. That’s why Gu Xiaoxiao grew up mean and foolish.

Since Lin Luoluo said nothing, Zhang Qiu assumed she, like Gu Beichen, trusted Zuo Jinwei. A faintly mocking smile tugged at her lips.

But then—her sleeve was tugged. She looked down to see Lin Luoluo’s slender fingers clutching it.

Lin Luoluo, a bit embarrassed, whispered, “Thank you.”

The system shrieked in her mind: [Oh no! Host, you can’t become friends with the female lead! Have you forgotten your mission? You’re here to be the vicious supporting girl! You’re supposed to bully her, oppose her!]

Lin Luoluo smiled shyly, but inwardly huffed: [Can’t I bully her and be her friend?]

The system stuttered, then suddenly lit up: [Wait—you mean you’ll first befriend her, then cruelly betray her later? So she learns only the male lead is truly good to her? Brilliant, host!]

Lin Luoluo nearly choked. That wasn’t what she meant at all! But she forced herself to sound calm: [Yes, exactly. You got it.]

Zhang Qiu’s expression softened into a smile.

She nodded lightly, then said as they walked: “I wasn’t just making excuses to Gu Beichen earlier. The lead actress really is hospitalized. The final scene this afternoon needs a heroine.”

Lin Luoluo’s eyes widened. She shook her head furiously. “I can’t! No way!”

Zhang Qiu gently clasped her hand. “The heroine has a long English monologue in that scene. You studied abroad, your English is excellent. Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else who could replace her.”

“You could!” Lin Luoluo blurted. She knew Zhang Qiu’s English was also very good.

Zhang Qiu hesitated, then admitted with a touch of embarrassment, “I’ll be on stage this afternoon too. I can’t play both roles. We need someone else.”

“Huh?”

Lin Luoluo blinked. “Aren’t you hosting the student council election this afternoon?”

“It doesn’t conflict,” Zhang Qiu said. “Originally, I wasn’t going to perform. But the club president insisted—it’s my final farewell to the stage before graduation.”

Remembering what the system had said about Zhang Qiu once playing male roles, Lin Luoluo gasped. “You’re going to play the prince?”

Zhang Qiu looked surprised. “You knew?”

Their eyes met—hers sharp and narrow, his wide and innocent. Looking into the starlight of Zhang Qiu’s gaze, Lin Luoluo’s cheeks burned. She looked away, stammering, “O-okay then. I’ll help you. But I’ve never acted before. I might let you down.”

“It’s fine.” Zhang Qiu smiled. “We have the whole afternoon to rehearse. On stage, just follow my lead.”

She took Lin Luoluo’s hand. With a graceful twist of her wrist, she lifted it high, spinning her lightly in the air. The hem of Lin Luoluo’s skirt flared as the wind carried a clear, melodious voice:

“My princess.”

My princess.

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