The White Moonlight is So Scheming - Chapter 5

Clenching her fist by her side, her ears tinged with a barely noticeable blush, Ji Zhijie frowned and reminded her, “I already had a piece of this cake—”

Completely ignoring Ji Zhijie’s words, Shen Juexia secretly pinched the soft flesh at her waist.

Soon, glistening tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice took on a damp, tearful tone as she bit her lip and said, “You’re
bullying me.”

“I…” Ji Zhijie wanted to explain, but when she looked up, she met Shen Juexia’s misty, tear-filled eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“What good is sorry?!” Shen Juexia sniffled, clearly unsatisfied with her response.

As class time drew nearer, more students gradually filled the classroom, and some began to notice the commotion in the corner.

Sensing the curious glances around them, Ji Zhijie took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose in resignation. “Alright,
Miss Princess, what do you want?”

On the verge of crying, her eyes slightly reddened.

Tears clung to the roots of her lashes, making the usually domineering little rabbit look pitifully delicate.

But the moment she spoke, her voice betrayed her smugness. Shen Juexia lifted her chin slightly, barely suppressing the smirk
tugging at her lips. “You have to eat lunch with me from now on.”

All this trouble…

Just to make her eat lunch together?

Ji Zhijie’s gaze swept indifferently over her face, her eyes glinting with unreadable amusement. Twirling her pen, she agreed
without hesitation, “Fine.”

A satisfied smile spread across Shen Juexia’s face as she smoothed her skirt and sat down. Propping her head on one hand, she
stared intently at Ji Zhijie. “You agreed so easily. You must be happy too, right? Getting to eat with me from now on.”

A humorless laugh escaped Ji Zhijie as she suddenly leaned in, nearly brushing Shen Juexia’s nose. “Yeah, I’m thrilled.”

No matter what she was scheming.

There was no way Ji Zhijie would let her succeed.

Shen Juexia jerked back, eyes wide with shock, like a rabbit whose ears had been yanked. “If you’re happy, then fine! But why did
you suddenly get so close?!”

“Aren’t we desk mates?” Ji Zhijie straightened up again, shooting her a sidelong glance. Her tone was calm. “We should get closer.”

Closer?

Had she already fallen for her?

Her pride practically soaring, Shen Juexia bit her lip and muttered under her breath, “Getting closer is fine, but you scared me
just now. Next time, warn me first.”

No wonder she was ranked last in class.

A faint, unconscious smile curled at Ji Zhijie’s lips as she uncapped her pen and focused on her test paper, ignoring Shen Juexia.

…

Time slipped by amidst the drone of the lecture.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, and the warm early summer breeze drifted lazily, lulling everyone into drowsiness.

Seated at the back of the classroom, Shen Juexia propped her head on her hand, nodding off like a pecking chick.

The math teacher clicked the mouse.

The numbers on the projector flickered before settling on a two-digit figure. “Student number 32, please stand and answer this
question.”

The classroom fell silent.

After a few seconds, the teacher raised his voice slightly. “Is student 32 absent today?”

“Let me see who number 32 is…” Working at this elite school, everyone understood the unspoken rules. Normally, Zhao Yong would
let such matters slide.

But this morning, he had tripped right after leaving home, putting him in a foul mood. This time, he couldn’t resist picking a
fight.

He quickly found Shen Juexia’s name on the roster and matched it to the seating chart, adjusting his glasses with a sneer.

Hah, isn’t she right here?

Putting down the chalk, Zhao Yong strode off the podium with a dark expression, heading straight for Shen Juexia.

Noticing his approach, Ji Zhijie subtly nudged Shen Juexia, who was fast asleep, with her elbow. “Wake up, the teacher’s coming.”

Just as Shen Juexia was about to bite into a donut in her dream, she was abruptly jolted awake. “What do you want?” she snapped,
eyes blazing.

At that exact moment, Zhao Yong reached her desk.

He rapped his knuckles against the surface, barely suppressing his anger as he growled, “I just called for number 32 to answer the
question. Aren’t you number 32?”

Yawning, Shen Juexia wrinkled her nose in annoyance and glanced at the PowerPoint before turning away. “I don’t know the answer.”

Her attitude pushed Zhao Yong over the edge.

After all his efforts to earn a master’s degree, why was he stuck teaching these idiots who didn’t even understand basic respect
for teachers?

His eyes flicked to her empty desk, and a glint of malice flashed in his narrowed gaze. He had found his excuse. “What kind of
student are you? You don’t even have your textbook.”

“Teacher, she lent her book to me.”

Ji Zhijie’s voice cut him off.

Shen Juexia, who had hunched her shoulders and braced for a scolding, blinked in confusion and turned to look at her.

Zhao Yong’s furious glare shifted from Shen Juexia to Ji Zhijie behind her.

Of course, he knew who she was.

The genius girl the school board had spent hundreds of thousands to poach from the rival high school; poor, with no influential
family backing her.

Why? Why were these people either born into wealth or able to earn effortlessly what took him years of grueling work?

Shen Juexia was untouchable, backed by the Shen Corporation. But this Ji Zhijie? What right did she have?

His expression twisted as he crossed his arms, sneering. “The school spent so much money to bring you here from No. 1 High. Were we
just supposed to feed you for free?”

Though many whispered such things behind her back, no one had ever dared say it to her face.

Even the usually oblivious Shen Juexia frowned at his words, but Ji Zhijie’s expression remained unchanged.

“Of course, someone who can earn this kind of money must have thick skin. You’re pretty enough wonder what shady things you’re
doing outside school.”

SMACK.

The classroom fell silent.

“You can leave now.” Shen Juexia stood up, barely tall enough to reach his face on her tiptoes when she delivered the slap.

Stunned, Zhao Yong clutched his cheek, staring at her as if she had lost her mind.

“When you officially signed the contract, the school’s HR specialist should have emphasized that Shengde High strictly prohibits
teachers from insulting or punishing students in any form.” Though Shen Juexia’s voice was soft, her logic was razor-sharp. “As for
the slap I just gave you, compensation will be arranged through proper channels. If you’re dissatisfied with the amount, you’re
welcome to seek medical verification through legal channels.”

“Additionally, the surveillance footage of you insulting students if made public would likely ensure no other school would hire
you.” Crossing her arms, Shen Juexia lifted her chin, her delicate face wearing a perfectly polite smile while her words struck
like daggers.

Wealthy family. Unafraid of scandal. Still a minor.

Shen Juexia was genuinely curious—what could this person possibly do to her?

Clenching his jaw, Zhao Yong glared at Shen Juexia before storming off with a furious wave of his hand.

After his departure, scattered whispers filled the classroom:

“Of all people to provoke, he had to pick the Shen family’s little demon?”

“Exactly! Shen Juexia’s been willful since childhood, spoiled rotten by her family like an unleashed mad dog.”

Even after Shen Juexia sat back down, Ji Zhijie couldn’t tear her gaze away.

This was the first time someone had stood up for her.

“You just took those insults without reacting? Tch… Why are you still staring?” Shen Juexia thrust her pale palm in front of Ji
Zhijie’s face. “Look! My hand’s red from slapping him, this makes me so angry!”

Ji Zhijie lowered her eyes to the palm, where distinct red marks had indeed formed.

“Does it hurt?”

“Duh! Of course, it hurts!” Shen Juexia widened her almond eyes dramatically, puffing her cheeks in exaggerated indignation. “I got
injured protecting you! Now you see how good I am to you?”

Had Ji Zhijie not dozed off in class.

None of this would’ve happened.

Swallowing her words, Ji Zhijie awkwardly cradled Shen Juexia’s hand and blew on it gently. “Does this help?”

She’d brought this on herself.

She knew Zhao Yong wouldn’t dare retaliate against Shen Juexia.

Yet seeing that expression on Shen Juexia’s face, she’d just known the girl would cry after being scolded.

Her crying was annoying.

Ji Zhijie simply didn’t want the irritation.

Gulping, Shen Juexia wrinkled her pert nose, seemingly evaluating whether the blowing actually helped. After a pause, she
hesitantly asked, “Mmm… maybe blow on it again?”

Ji Zhijie coughed lightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Alright, I’ll blow again.”

Holding the delicate hand, she blew patiently, over and over.

The pampered grumbling pleased Shen Juexia, starlight dancing in her almond eyes. “As long as you behave from now on, I’ll protect
you.”

Was she being treated like a child?

Amused, Ji Zhijie looked up with a raised brow. “Sure, thank you, young mistress.”

Wearing a triumphant smile, Shen Juexia gazed down at Ji Zhijie tending to her hand then suddenly froze. Her almond eyes flickered,
the smugness at her lips stiffening mid-smirk.

Then, like a startled rabbit, she abruptly withdrew her hand.

Her palm now empty, an indescribable emotion welled up in Ji Zhijie’s heart. She didn’t understand why she felt this sudden pang of
loss. After a brief silence, she turned back toward the blackboard and said, “Since it doesn’t hurt anymore, focus on the lesson.”

“Mm…” Shen Juexia obediently responded, causing no further trouble.

Digging her nails into her palm, she tried to steady herself.

Her heart, which had raced uncontrollably, still hadn’t calmed down. The inexplicable fluster left her unsettled.

Just moments ago, she had nearly blurted out, calling Ji Zhijie “sister.”

The resemblance was just too strong.