The White Moonlight is So Scheming - Chapter 25

“I was cooking noodles earlier and forgot to check my phone.” The accompanying photo showed a decent-looking bowl of tomato and egg noodles.

Biting the tip of her chopsticks, Shen Juexia found Ji Zhijie utterly baffling. Why would she suddenly send a picture of her dinner?

She couldn’t decipher her intentions.

After a few seconds of thought, Shen Juexia also raised her phone and casually snapped a photo of her own meal to send to Ji Zhijie. “I’m eating too.”

The noodles had already started to clump together.

Yet the girl sitting at the dining table still hadn’t touched her food, as if waiting for something.

The screen on the corner of the table suddenly lit up.

Her eyes brightened, but Ji Zhijie didn’t reply immediately. Instead, she deliberately waited two minutes before slowly typing back, “Your dinner looks really hearty.”

“Tch…”

Why was Ji Zhijie replying to her again?

Irritated by her persistence, Liu Yurou finally gave in. “Fine, I’ll tell you.”

“I knew you’d—”

“But I have to tell Ji Zhijie first.”

It was still morning.

The classroom lights were on.

Despite the artificial lighting, the gloomy weather cast an indescribable dimness over the room. Though it wasn’t raining, the air carried a quiet, slightly damp stillness.

Wednesday.

Ji Zhijie still hadn’t come to school today. All the messages Shen Juexia had sent her on WeChat had vanished without a trace.

Her textbook lay open in front of her. Clutching her chest to steady herself, Liu Yurou finally spoke with a guarded expression, “Why are you sneaking up behind me like that? You could scare someone to death, you know?”

“Hmph.” Shen Juexia narrowed her eyes with a cold snort. “Who was calling you just now?”

Tucking her phone back into the pocket of her skirt, Liu Yurou crossed her arms. “Why should I tell you who I was talking to?”

A sly glint flashed in Shen Juexia’s almond-shaped eyes as she abruptly changed tactics, raising an eyebrow to bluff. “I won’t waste time beating around the bush. It was Ji Zhijie on the phone, wasn’t it?”

“You heard everything?”

“Yeah, and I’m willing to help Ji Zhijie.”

Liu Yurou eyed Shen Juexia skeptically, but the determination in her gaze like a tin soldier marching to war gradually dispelled her doubts.

Heard? She hadn’t heard a thing.

But all’s fair in war. Get the information first, then figure out the rest.

Completely unfazed by Liu Yurou’s suspicion, Shen Juexia even straightened her posture further. “Why would I lie to you? What’s in it for me?”

True, this wasn’t something worth lying about.

Maybe she was overthinking it?

Chewing her cheek, Liu Yurou glanced around furtively to confirm no one was nearby before whispering, “Ji Zhijie’s in trouble. She’s at First Hospital right now and needs money for surgery.”

“What?!”

Shen Juexia’s voice nearly shattered the ceiling, her jaw dropping to the floor.

“Shh, shh, shh!” Liu Yurou grabbed her arm, lowering her voice. “You can’t tell anyone about this. She needs about 150,000. Do you have that much?”

In an instant.

A thousand thoughts raced through Shen Juexia’s mind.

If Ji Zhijie died, the secret would be buried forever.

But if her sister found out she’d let her own flesh and blood die without lifting a finger, wouldn’t that ruin her image in her sister’s eyes completely?

And what if something really happened to Ji Zhijie?

Would she never see her again?

The mere thought of that possibility.

Sent a sharp, needle-like pain shooting through her fingertips.

The wound was shallow, not even bleeding, but the fine, sharp pain gradually spread through her body, tugging at her heart until it ached incessantly, growing more and more unbearable.

Seeing Shen Juexia remain silent, Liu Yurou reached out and nudged her shoulder, her voice urgent as she asked, “Shen Juexia? Are you going to lend it or not? Just give me a straight answer!”

“Help me ask for leave from the teacher.”

After saying this, Shen Juexia ran back to the classroom.

She pulled her phone from her backpack and immediately hailed a cab to First Hospital.

But Shen Juexia’s gaze wasn’t fixed on the textbook in front of her. Instead, like a puppet whose soul had been ripped away, her eyes were vacant as she stared at the empty seat to her left.

Her expression betraying an indescribable emotion, Shen Juexia lightly bit her lower lip, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the textbook page.

All around her, classmates were bent over their notes.

But for Shen Juexia, none of it mattered, because her mind had already begun counting down to disaster—no replies to her messages, and now she couldn’t even get through.

She vaguely remembered a plotline from a novel she’d read.

At this rate, in just one more day, the true heiress would make a grand return, dressed in dazzling attire, thoroughly humiliating the fake one.

It’s over.

Everything’s over…

The entire morning passed in a daze.

The little rabbit, sitting motionless in her seat, never did see the figure she’d been waiting for appear.

When the lunch bell rang, everyone left the classroom.

Only Shen Juexia remained at her desk, lost in thought.

She had done everything she could. The fallout after the truth came out was beyond her control, and after all this time together, maybe just maybe Ji Zhijie would go easy on her?

Lifting a hand, Shen Juexia lightly patted her cheeks.

Well, since things were already like this, she might as well order the most expensive dishes from the second-floor cafeteria at lunch otherwise, she’d never get to eat them again!

Dragging her heavy feet, she stumbled out of the classroom in a daze.

As she walked across the corridor bridge, Shen Juexia suddenly stopped, frowning.

Hadn’t Liu Yurou rushed to the cafeteria right after class? Why was she still standing here now?

Her sixth sense tingling, Shen Juexia felt something was off. Instead of calling out to Liu Yurou, she quietly circled around to stand behind her.

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask someone else for you.”

“No need to be polite, we’re classmates.”

Gripping the railing tightly, Liu Yurou hung up the phone and sighed as she turned around only to jump in fright. “Holy—! Shen Juexia, why are you creeping around like a ghost?”

Tilting her head, Shen Juexia’s outstretched arms hovered in the air as she frowned. “What were you planning to tell Ji Zhijie?”

“Tell her that you came to me asking about these things, and that I didn’t keep my promise, betraying her privacy.”

Pursing her lips into a tight line, Shen Juexia clenched her fists. “If you’re just going to tell her all this, why wouldn’t I just ask her directly?”

“Exactly, which is why I told you to ask her from the start,” Liu Yurou replied with a careless shrug.

Shen Juexia met her gaze.

Realizing there was no way Liu Yurou would tell her anything, she waved her off in annoyance and muttered, “Fine, you can go back to class now.”

Witnessing Shen Juexia’s instant change in demeanor. One moment sweetly begging for a hug, the next treating her like trash. Liu Yurou was speechless.

The lobby of the hospital ward was bustling with people coming and going.

Nurses pushing hospital beds, patients in wheelchairs, grim-faced family members, and doctors rushing by.

Her gaze flitted swiftly over the passing patients.

She didn’t dare linger.

Shen Juexia lowered her head as if to escape, shuffling to a corner and pressing her back against the cold wall.

Ji Zhijie’s mother.

Shouldn’t she have been her own mother?

Coming down the stairs, Ji Zhijie spotted Shen Juexia curled up in the corner at first glance. Frowning, she quickened her pace and reached out to press her palm against the little rabbit’s forehead.

Pulling Ji Zhijie’s hand down, Shen Juexia said softly, “I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry for making you sit with me in the rain for so long. Here, take my clothes to change into first?” Handing over the T-shirt, Ji Zhijie’s ears burned as she turned her head away.

Taking the dry T-shirt, Shen Juexia remained motionless, still standing in place.

“The clothes are clean, if you—”

Shaking her head, Shen Juexia interrupted Ji Zhijie, “Where’s the restroom?”

“It’s… never mind, just follow me.” Lowering her half-raised arm, Ji Zhijie turned and walked to the right.

Her steps were much smaller than when she walked alone.

Even in midsummer.

The post-rain breeze carried a faint chill.

The wind tugged at Ji Zhijie’s clothes, outlining her tall, slender frame. Her delicate spine seeming as if it could snap at any moment. Yet those very shoulders effortlessly bore the weight of everything that should have been hers to carry.

Walking behind Ji Zhijie.

Watching her thin back, Shen Juexia suddenly felt a pang of heartache.

A flicker of shock crossed Liu Yurou’s eyes as she raised an eyebrow. “Honestly, you’d really be suited for acting.”

Pretty face, quick at changing expressions.

What a waste not to act.

“Hmph.” Shen Juexia curled her lip, fiddling with her nails. “Do you know how rich my sister is? Acting? I don’t need to do such exhausting work to support myself.”

“When Ji Zhijie isn’t around, it’s like you become a completely different person.” Liu Yurou wrinkled her face, clicking her tongue in amazement.

Clearing her throat, Shen Juexia composed herself and patted Liu Yurou’s shoulder. “Alright, if there’s nothing else to say, let’s hurry back to the classroom.”

With that, Shen Juexia strode ahead on her own.

The two entered the classroom one after the other.

No sooner had they sat down than the bell for the third period rang.

Her mind completely absent from the Chinese teacher’s lecture, Shen Juexia propped her head on her hand, staring blankly at the empty desk beside her.

Earlier, Liu Yurou had accidentally let slip.

Suddenly mentioning Ji Zhijie’s mother which meant this matter was likely related to Ji Zhijie’s mother.

Recalling her near self-exposure last time.

Shen Juexia pressed her lips together, warning herself inwardly to stay calm this time.

Before anything leaked, she couldn’t afford to panic. Right now, the most important thing was to figure out.

What exactly had happened in the hallway?

No matter how much anger simmered inside, it would always dissipate under Shen Juexia’s gentle explanations especially since Ji Zhijie could never bring herself to truly be angry with her.

Her gaze lingered on Shen Juexia.

A strange mix of joy and confusion flickered in her amber eyes. Ji Zhijie had never imagined that someone in this world could care for her so deeply.

She raised her hand awkwardly and gently patted Shen Juexia’s shoulder, her voice slightly hoarse. “I’m not angry, you don’t need to be so nervous.”

Hehe.

Thankfully, I managed to bluff my way through!

Nodding, Shen Juexia blinked her almond-shaped eyes. “If you’re not sick, then why were you at the hospital?”

The leaves appeared even greener under the nourishing rain.

Occasionally, a few leaves were knocked loose by the raindrops, fluttering weakly onto the damp ground.

“The one who’s sick is my mom.” Curling her fingers slightly, Ji Zhijie began to explain softly, “Two years ago, she started experiencing frequent gum bleeding. We went to the community hospital, and the doctor suggested we go to a larger hospital for a thorough check-up…”

Raindrops fell on the plane tree beside the bench, making crisp sounds. A few drops occasionally slid down the branches, landing near Shen Juexia’s feet.

A cold droplet splashed onto her back.

Shen Juexia shrank her shoulders, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Noticing Shen Juexia’s reaction, Ji Zhijie frowned and said, “Don’t catch a cold. Let’s go inside to talk.”

Sniffling, Shen Juexia nodded.

Ji Zhijie finally realized something was off!

Though the rain wasn’t heavy, who in their right mind would keep talking in the rain like this?

But she was discussing such a heavy topic.

Shen Juexia couldn’t bring herself to interrupt.

Swallowing her silent complaints, she followed behind Ji Zhijie—outwardly appearing as docile as a well-behaved kitten.

–

As time passed.

The midsummer sun grew increasingly scorching, its glare almost blinding.

After one lap, Shen Juexia’s breathing gradually became labored, her untrained calf muscles trembling faintly, her steps growing heavier and slower.

The distance she had initially pulled ahead.

Slowly, was overtaken by Ji Zhijie.