The White Moonlight is So Scheming - Chapter 31

Late at night, the city remained bustling.

 

Yet the atmosphere inside the hotel suite felt unnervingly quiet.

 

Outside the window, the scenery was gradually swallowed by the night.

 

Shen Tinghan disliked overly bright environments, so the suite was illuminated only by soft wall lights and a single spotlight hanging directly above the island counter, still working.

 

After Verla finished speaking,

 

a subtle shift flickered in Shen Tinghan’s eyes.

 

Inside the bathroom, steam filled the air.

 

Transparent streams of water rinsed away the foam on her shoulders as Shen Juexia hummed a tune, gently pressing the switch button.

 

Seated at the vanity, Shen Juexia carefully combed through her long hair, braiding the sides into delicate twists and securing them behind her ears with bow-shaped hair clips.

 

The lower half of her hair cascaded naturally,

 

lightly resting on her shoulders.

 

Picking up a curling iron set to the perfect temperature, she meticulously curled the ends of her hair. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Shen Juexia broke into a satisfied smile—Hehe! She really was so pretty~

 

A white knitted top paired with a gray pleated skirt,

 

accented at the waist with a black metallic belt.

 

Stepping into the walk-in closet, her eyes skimmed the shelves before she pulled out two CF mini bags in different colors from the second-to-last row. She slung one over each shoulder in front of the mirror, testing them out, and finally settled on the black one.

 

Grabbing her phone from the bed

 

and picking up her bag,

 

by the time Shen Juexia reached the first floor, Xu Qing was already waiting outside the door.

 

“Miss, the cake and gifts are already in the car. Aunt Xu is waiting for you inside,” said Nanny Liu, who had poked her head out from the kitchen upon hearing the commotion, still wiping down the cabinets.

 

“Got it~”

 

Drawing out the last syllable, Shen Juexia hummed her way out the door.

 

Spotting her in the rearview mirror,

 

Xu Qing stepped out of the car and opened the door for her before she could approach.

 

Hearing Shen Juexia’s cheerful humming,

 

Xu Qing smiled and asked, “You seem to be in a good mood today, Miss?”

 

“Mhm, not bad!” Sliding into the car, Shen Juexia tilted her head up to look at Xu Qing, her eyes sparkling as she replied, “Aunt Xu, let’s hurry and get going.”

 

“Alright,” Xu Qing agreed softly, closing the car door.

 

By the time she found out, it was already a bit late.

 

With only two days to prepare, Shen Juexia had hastily ordered the latest M3 Max. The first time she visited Ji Zhijie’s home, she had seen the computer she was using—

 

Honestly…

 

That thing could practically be considered an antique in the tech world.

 

Even if someone paid her, she wouldn’t have wanted to help throw it away.

 

Though the gift might seem a bit thoughtless,

 

at least it was something Ji Zhijie could actually use. If she didn’t like it, she could always make it up with something else later.

 

Running a hand over her smooth chin,

 

she turned off the showerhead and reached for a towel on the rack, drying herself before wrapping it around her body.

 

With a pink headband on,

 

Shen Juexia shuffled out of the bathroom in her bunny slippers.

 

Flouncing onto the bed,

 

she swiped through her phone, meticulously browsing through recommendations on Xiao Hongshu.

 

After pre-ordering the birthday cake, Shen Juexia found herself tangled in a new dilemma: Should she give Ji Zhijie a heads-up?

 

Or

 

just surprise her outright?

 

Come to think of it, what exactly was up with Ji Zhijie today?

 

Everything was fine before Mingming went to the drama club, but after coming out, it was like she became a completely different person. She didn’t even wait for her after school.

 

A sudden message popped up on WeChat.

 

It caught Shen Juexia’s attention.

 

“Xia Xia, what are your plans for this weekend?”

 

Seeing the message from Shen Tinghan, Shen Juexia curled her lips into a smile, swinging her fair legs, and directly initiated a WeChat video call.

 

Placing the wine glass on the table.

 

Shen Tinghan looked up at the blonde woman sitting across from her. “Yes, I still like her.”

 

“Ding-dong!”

 

“Alright, everyone, great work today!”

 

During class, she completely ignored her.

 

The moment class ended, she immediately dashed to the office.

 

The entire morning was wasted just like that.

 

Shen Juexia couldn’t find even the slightest opportunity. It was as if a carrot was dangling right beside her, but no matter how hard she tried to reach for it, she just couldn’t take a bite.

 

Finally seizing the chance at noon, Shen Juexia rubbed her hands in anticipation, ready to catch Ji Zhijie before class ended.

 

But who would’ve thought?

 

The moment class ended; Ji Zhijie was called away by the teacher.

 

Instantly, all her energy and tactics were drained.

 

With no appetite left, Shen Juexia now had no desire to move at all.

 

She sat motionless in her seat.

 

As she replayed her interactions with Ji Zhijie in her mind, she suddenly realized: if Ji Zhijie wanted to avoid her, there were countless excuses and methods she could use.

 

Back when they first met.

 

Didn’t Ji Zhijie say she found her annoying?

 

So, back then why didn’t Ji Zhijie use any of those methods?

 

Handing out the pre-ordered milk tea to everyone.

 

Wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, Mu Xue glanced at the two standing by the door and said, “Zhijie, Juexia, if you have time this weekend, it’d be best to rehearse privately. After all, the arts festival is next Friday.”

 

“Sure, I’ll go over on the weekend.”

 

“Actually, never mind. The weather forecast says it’ll rain this weekend.”

 

Hearing Ji Zhijie’s excuse, Shen Juexia blinked. “But we’re not going outdoors, so even if it rains outside, it shouldn’t matter, right?”

 

“We’ll see when the time comes.”

 

Leaning on her crutch, Ji Zhijie was the first to leave the classroom.

 

Unable to understand why Ji Zhijie had suddenly become like a different person, Shen Juexia clenched the hem of her clothes, staring down at her hands like a lost little stray rabbit.

 

The way things had turned out.

 

She bore at least ten percent of the responsibility.

 

A nagging sense of guilt tormented Liu Yurou’s conscience. After hesitating for a moment, she still walked over to Shen Juexia and quietly reminded her, “This Sunday is Ji Zhijie’s birthday.”

 

A flicker of surprise passed through Shen Juexia’s almond-shaped eyes as she froze.

 

Next Monday.

 

Wasn’t that her own birthday?

 

So, Ji Zhijie’s birthday was just one day before hers?

 

Though she usually preferred celebrating her fixed birthday. The lunar calendar date rarely caught her attention, since she celebrated an entire birthday month every year.

 

“Anyway, that’s all I’ll say. What you do with this information is up to you.” Casually picking up a milk tea from the corner of the table, Liu Yurou walked out of the activity room with Chen Qian.

 

After leaving the activity room.

 

Liu Yurou glanced back subtly at Shen Juexia, silently thinking to herself: Sigh, I hope I didn’t just make things worse again.

 

Her almond eyes were clouded with drowsiness.

 

Lifting her arm, Shen Juexia patted the alarm clock by her bedside.

 

Rubbing her cheek against the soft cotton quilt, Shen Juexia thought of her “responsibility” and patiently coaxed herself to get up: Ji Zhijie had gotten injured protecting her. She couldn’t just abandon her because she wanted to sleep in.

 

Her cherry-pink lips pressed into a thin line.

 

Resolutely throwing off the covers, Shen Juexia mustered her energy and climbed out of bed, then dashed barefoot into the bathroom.

 

She turned on the faucet.

 

Cupping her hands together, she splashed cold water on her face.

 

The icy water did briefly jolt her awake for a few seconds, but soon enough—the drowsiness crept back into her eyes.

 

She shook her head lightly.

 

After finishing her morning routine, Shen Juexia quickly put on her uniform, grabbed her phone, and hurried downstairs.

 

She exchanged a brief greeting with Xu Qing.

 

Sitting down at the dining table, she ate breakfast while typing a message on WeChat: “Ji Zhijie, are you up yet? Are you ready to leave?”

 

Now.

 

Unlike before.

 

Her eyes held only Shen Juexia’s figure.

 

Ji Zhijie’s gaze was tender.

 

The little rabbit hopped cheerfully ahead.

 

The tall girl slowed her pace, unhurried, always keeping a steady distance behind her.

 

The streetlights were like fallen stars.

 

Lighting their path.

 

The evening breeze rustled the fluttering leaves, whispering softly; it lifted the girl’s hair, sending it dancing through the air—footsteps and the wind entwined in their ears.

 

Ji Zhijie wished.

 

Time could freeze in this moment forever.

 

Her crutch leaned beside her.

 

Ji Zhijie sat by the entrance, putting on her shoes.

 

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her phone screen light up. After tightening her shoelaces, she picked it up and replied, “I was just about to leave. What’s up?”

 

Morning reading was almost over…

 

Ji Zhijie must be arriving soon, right?

 

Cupping her cheeks.

 

Shen Juexia stared unblinkingly at the front door.

 

Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and just as she was about to drift off again—Ji Zhijie appeared.

 

Her eyes brightened, her gaze sticking to Ji Zhijie like glue. Shen Juexia pouted, “Why are you so late today?!”

 

Ji Zhijie raised her textbook, deliberately blocking her view.

 

She didn’t respond.

 

The young mistress couldn’t stand being ignored like this.

 

She shot to her feet, pretending to snatch the book from Ji Zhijie’s hands.

 

“Class.”

 

The physics teacher walked in, carrying a stack of test papers.

 

After greeting the teacher.

 

All the students had taken their seats except for Shen Juexia, who was still standing.

 

Ji Zhijie looked up at her, frowning. “What exactly do you want? Can you focus on class first?”

 

Biting her lip.

 

Shen Juexia let out an unwilling huff.

 

Her fingers loosened.

 

Crossing her arms, the little rabbit plopped back into her seat, fuming.

 

She refused to believe it.

 

Could Ji Zhijie really avoid her forever?!

 

“Wait a few more minutes before coming down.” Switching to the ride-hailing app, Shen Juexia took a screenshot, then returned to WeChat and sent it to her. “I booked you a ride. Here’s the license plate number.”

 

Suppressing the urge to smile.

 

But the happiness spilled uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes.

 

Gazing softly at her phone screen, Ji Zhijie pressed her lips together and replied, “Got it.”

 

Receiving Ji Zhijie’s response, Shen Juexia stuffed the half-eaten pancake into her mouth, cheeks puffed as she urged Xu Qing in a muffled voice, “Auntie Xu, let’s go now!”

 

“So early?” Xu Qing blinked in surprise.

 

“Gulp.”

 

The little rabbit swallowed the pancake.

 

Wait, did she just hear Auntie Xu’s voice?

 

Shen Juexia was fidgeting with her fingers when she turned her head to locate the source of the voice. Spotting the familiar black sedan, she excitedly waved her hand. “Auntie Xu! What a coincidence, what are you doing around here?”

 

Seeing Shen Juexia so lively and energetic, Xu Qing suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to burst into tears.

 

Taking a deep breath to steady her emotions, she put the car in park, turned off the engine, and hurried over to Shen Juexia. “Miss, why didn’t you answer your phone? You scared me half to death!”

 

“My phone died,” Shen Juexia replied, pulling the now-useless brick of a phone from her pocket. She tilted her head slightly. “I’ve only been out of school for less than an hour. Why are you so worried?”

 

“The school called me saying you were missing, and I couldn’t get through to your phone. I was afraid something had happened, so I—”

 

Her previously relaxed gaze suddenly sharpened.

 

Shen Juexia swallowed hard. “You didn’t call my sister, did you?”