The White Moonlight is So Scheming - Chapter 6

“Student number 32, stand up and recite this passage,” the Chinese literature teacher called from the podium.

“Teacher, Shen Juexia has taken sick leave today,” the class monitor promptly interjected.

“Again?” Li Yue frowned, then called on another student to answer without further inquiry.

Having been desk mates for over a month,

Ji Zhijie had seen Shen Juexia fewer times than she could count on her fingers.

When she learned her desk mate was the second daughter of the Shen Group conglomerate, Ji Zhijie remained indifferent. Or rather,
from the moment she accepted payment to transfer to Shengde Academy, she’d never intended to form any so-called “classmate bonds”
here.

They simply belonged to different worlds forcing connections wasn’t her style.

During their first meeting,

Ji Zhijie had been instantly struck by Shen Juexia’s beauty at first glance.

A young woman who shared her mother’s hospital room. An avid fan of celebrities had once shown her numerous idol photocards, asking
which type of girl she found most attractive. Ji Zhijie couldn’t decide.

Before meeting Shen Juexia,

she’d never really had a concrete standard, even narcissistically considering herself quite good-looking.
Only upon seeing Shen Juexia did she finally understand this was the type of beauty that resonated with her.

Yet, it began and ended at appreciation.

She might glance a few extra times, but nothing more.

Shen Juexia sometimes took leave, sometimes attended class.

Even when present, she’d just quietly nap at her desk, never exchanging a word with Ji Zhijie, who in turn treated her like nothing
more than a beautiful, sweet-smelling decorative piece beside her.

This Monday, the pampered young miss suddenly initiated conversation, even making the bizarre request for “future lunch
companionship.” Unsure of Shen Juexia’s motives, Ji Zhijie suspected it might be boredom-driven teasing.

Yet she’d inexplicably agreed.

Then, from that day onward—

Shen Juexia never returned to school.
“Ji Zhijie, the teacher’s calling you!” Liu Yurou in front of her jostled the desk by rocking her chair, whispering urgently.

Owing favors, she’d copied Ji Zhijie’s homework countless times.

Had she really spaced out during class?

Ji Zhijie’s brow furrowed in disbelief.

Immediately lifting her gaze to the blank projection screen, she flawlessly recited the required passage word for word.

The teacher nodded approvingly at her textbook-perfect response.

“Ding-dong.” The bell rang precisely.

The moment class ended, Liu Yurou spun around, eyes sparkling with gossip. “Brainiac, what’s up with you lately? You’ve been
distracted for days, did Shen Juexia scare you senseless that day?”
At the name, Ji Zhijie’s pupils flickered.

Gripping her black pen, she stared at the plane trees outside the window, answering tonelessly, “No.”
She wouldn’t lose herself over someone so unreliable.

Not in a million years.

—

“Auntie Xu, is Xia still refusing to go to school?”

“Mm, the second young miss has been locking herself in her room these past few days, refusing to come out. Even her meals are left
at the door, she only takes them after I leave.” Aunt Xu’s face was full of worry, her eyes filled with concern.

Seeing the door to the CEO’s office ajar, Secretary Chen knocked symbolically before entering with a stack of files. “President,
these are the documents that require your review.”

“Leave them there for now.” After briefly instructing his secretary, Shen Tinghan tapped the desk lightly and spoke into the phone,
“I understand. You may go about your duties.”

“Yes.” Hanging up, Xu Qing cast a worried glance in the direction of Shen Juexia’s bedroom.
The afternoon sunlight was blocked by heavy curtains.

Inside the bedroom, silence and gloom spread unchecked. The tree shadows cast on the walls seemed drained of vitality, leaving
everything dull and lifeless.

A faint scent of iris flowers lingered in the air.

This was Shen Juexia’s favorite fragrance, yet now, the cool floral aroma only accentuated the loneliness of the dim space.

At the center of the room, on the large bed.

A young girl curled up, her silhouette flickering in and out of the dim light.

She was afraid.

Interacting with Ji Zhijie wasn’t as simple as she had imagined. Whenever she faced him, she couldn’t help but feel guilty like a
counterfeit standing before the genuine article, forever lacking confidence.

If she accidentally let something slip.

The ensuing price would be a separation she couldn’t bear.

A sliver of light seeped through the gap in the curtains.
It fell onto the floor, forming a pitifully faint strip of light. Shen Juexia, curled up on the bed, gazed blankly and helplessly,
unsure if the world would abandon her in the next moment.

Compared to slipping up…

Pushing herself into the abyss with her own hands…

It might be better to face death calmly and quietly, waiting for the day the truth came to light and she was driven out of the Shen
family by Shen Congjun.

“I close my eyes, pressing close to the rhythm of your heartbeat…” A soft, lingering song shattered the quiet air of the room.

The flickering screen annoyed Shen Juexia greatly. She picked up her phone, intending to hang up immediately, but hesitated when she saw the caller ID.

It was a video call.

It had been so long since she last video-called her sister…

Her pale cherry lips pressed together, turning an unusual shade of red. Shen Juexia bit her lip and finally answered the call.
Staring at Shen Tinghan on the screen, she murmured, “Sister.”

Having just returned to the hotel, Shen Tinghan sat at the desk with blue-light-blocking gold-rimmed glasses perched on her tall
nose bridge, typing away to wrap up some work.

“Finally, willing to answer the phone?”

For the past two days, Shen Juexia hadn’t picked up any of her calls or replied to her WeChat messages.

Shifting her gaze from the laptop screen to the little rabbit’s face, Shen Tinghan frowned. “Isn’t it noon in the country right
now? Why is it so dark there? It’s not good for your eyes.”

Like a greedy traveler searching for an oasis in the desert, Shen Juexia scrutinized Shen Tinghan’s features, trying to find
differences between her and Ji Zhijie.

But in the end…

She lowered her head in defeat.

“Be good and turn on the lights.”

“I don’t want to.” Dragging out her tone lazily, Shen Juexia couldn’t muster any energy for anything right now.

“It’s already 31 degrees in S City.”
Seeing Shen Tinghan…

Her mood improved slightly.

Pale calves swung up and down in the air as Shen Juexia tilted her head, puzzled. “Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“If you don’t turn on the lights, I’ll shut off the air conditioning,” Shen Tinghan said nonchalantly, lifting the coffee cup
beside her.

“?!” Shen Juexia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Shen Tinghan, you’re the CEO of the company!”

What kind of CEO threatens people by turning off the air conditioning?!

Taking a sip of coffee, Shen Tinghan wore a gentle smile. “The method doesn’t matter as long as it works.”

“Ahhhh!!!” Frustrated, Shen Juexia grabbed at her hair before resignedly flipping the light switch.

Warm light instantly dispelled the darkness, sweeping away the gloomy emotions.

As the room brightened, the camera became clearer, revealing Shen Juexia’s swollen eyes and dark circles in stark detail.

Staring at the screen, Shen Tinghan’s phoenix-like eyes turned cold, her voice eerily calm. “Shen Juexia, how did you end up like
this?”

Having been in the dark for too long, the sudden brightness made Shen Juexia’s almond eyes water reflexively. “Huh?”

“Take a look at yourself.” Glancing at the vanity behind her, Shen Tinghan remarked lightly, “You look like a dirty little rabbit.
It’s not a good look.”

Shen Tinghan was lying, it wasn’t unattractive at all.

Instead, there was a fragile vulnerability that tugged at the heartstrings. She just didn’t like seeing Shen Juexia like this.

“You’re such a mean sister!” Shen Juexia huffed, walking to the mirror and rubbing her eyes before puffing her cheeks in protest.
“I look just as pretty as always!”

“Is that so?” Shen Tinghan brushed it off with a faint smile. “Maybe I was mistaken.”

Turning her face away, Shen Juexia deliberately left the phone on the vanity, ignoring Shen Tinghan and refusing to look at the
camera.

“The surprise I mentioned earlier is now in my hands.”

Before Shen Tinghan could finish, Shen Juexia, who had sworn not to speak to her again, immediately snatched up the phone, eyes sparkling with anticipation. “What is it? Come on, good sister~ Show me already!”

“Wash your face first, then open the curtains.” Shaking the gift box in her hand, Shen Tinghan coaxed with a smirk.

“You won’t trick me?” Blinking her dark, moist almond eyes, Shen Juexia studied Shen Tinghan’s expression carefully, trying to
discern if she was being deceived.
A soft chuckle escaped Shen Tinghan’s lips.

Curving her lips into a smile, her eyes brimmed with affection. “When have I ever lied to you?”

“Hmph!”

Plenty of times!

From childhood vaccinations to school and homework, hadn’t she always been tricked into doing them? Though she grumbled inwardly,
Shen Juexia couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

Otherwise, wouldn’t that just confirm her own crimes; throwing tantrums over shots, skipping school, and dodging homework?

The little rabbit on the screen disappeared.
Soon, the sound of running water came from the other side.

Seeing her obediently follow instructions, Shen Tinghan relaxed slightly.

Turning the phone volume to maximum and placing it beside her laptop, she set down the half-empty coffee cup and pressed her
fingertips to her temples before refocusing on her work.

In the corner of the laptop screen.

The time showed 1:02 AM.
About five minutes later, Shen Juexia emerged from the bathroom wearing a headband with bunny ears and shuffling in her rabbit
slippers.

Hearing the noise, Shen Tinghan raised her phone. “Done washing up?”

“Mhm! Sis, hurry up and show me. What’s the gift, really?” She nodded excitedly, the bunny ears on her headband swaying slightly.
Shen Juexia was so curious she could practically crawl through the phone screen to see.

“Just kidding.” A lazy smile touched Shen Tinghan’s tired eyes as she leaned against the headboard, her gaze tracing the girl’s

delicate features.
Round two.

A surge of irritation flared in Shen Juexia’s chest. Her almond-shaped eyes, usually soft and bright, now glared at her sister
indignantly. She slammed the phone down onto the bed. “You only know how to bully me!”