Your Aloof Persona Has Crumbled - Chapter 47

After Wen Shike entered the room, she did a quick lap, using several traditional online methods to check every corner for hidden cameras. Only after confirming there was nothing did she sit down on the sofa with peace of mind, though she still covered a few sensitive spots with objects just in case.

“Even in a hotel this expensive, would they have those things?” Lu Jingwei sat down at the desk and placed her books on the tabletop.

“Who knows with these things? It’s better to be cautious either way.”

Lu Jingwei turned on her tablet and looked back at Wen Shike. “Are you going to sleep? Will my studying disturb you?”

“I’m not sleeping. If I sleep now, I won’t be able to fall asleep tonight.” Wen Shike rubbed her neck. “Go ahead and study, it’s fine.”

Lu Jingwei glanced back at Wen Shike again. To be honest, having Wen Shike there made her feel a bit self-conscious, but she couldn’t exactly kick her out. The thought of Wen Shike hearing her clumsy English pronunciation in a moment made her feel uneasy.

She had only heard Wen Shike speak English during rehearsals, just a few sentences, but it was enough to make her feel the vast gap between them. Wen Shike had a very standard London accent, while her own was a very standard “Chinglish” pronunciation.

Wen Shike caught Lu Jingwei’s gaze. The other girl’s eyes were a bit too obvious, but leaving was not an option. She pretended not to understand Lu Jingwei’s look, stood up, and walked to the floor to ceiling window to look outside.

They were on a very high floor. Standing there, she could basically overlook the entire Yangjin District of Jiangcheng and see the Xing River running through the city. It was beautiful.

Lu Jingwei began her lesson, instinctively glancing at Wen Shike.

“Is someone there with you?” The teacher noticed Lu Jingwei’s gaze and asked.

“Wen Shike is here,” Lu Jingwei said.

The teacher was silent for two seconds. “Oh, Eldest Miss Wen. She was my student before, too.”

Wen Shike sauntered over, greeted the teacher, and then sat down on the sofa behind them. “I’m here today to see if your teaching standards have declined.”

Teacher: “…”

Lu Jingwei could feel the teacher probably wanted to roll their eyes but held it back.

For some reason, perhaps because she realized there were now two people feeling awkward, Lu Jingwei felt her pressure diminish significantly. Clearly, the teacher looked even more stressed than she did.

Ten minutes later, Lu Jingwei completely forgot someone was sitting behind her.

Wen Shike was very quiet. She barely spoke or moved, simply keeping her head down looking at her phone.

They were staying in Jiangcheng for about two days. Tonight they’d visit the Old Town, tomorrow morning they’d go to the lake, in the afternoon a famous historical street, with free time in the evening. The day after, they were going to Jiangcheng Paradise, a local theme park built based on historical stories.

Wen Shike looked through many travel guides and recorded all the delicious food at every scenic spot.

Even though Jiangcheng was a historical site, how could one not eat?

However, the calories in some items were indeed a bit high.

If she dared to eat them in front of the camera, she would definitely be scolded by Sister Qiu.

Wen Shike frowned and opened a food delivery app.

She’d better eat one now, she happened to be hungry.

Wen Shike covered the camera the production crew had placed there and glanced at Lu Jingwei, who had already finished her lesson.

“Are you hungry?” Wen Shike asked.

“A little.”

“Want some noodles?”

Lu Jingwei turned to look at Wen Shike. “If you’re ordering, get a portion for me too.”

“Alright. Want an extra chicken leg?”

“No need, I can’t eat that much.”

The delivery was brought up by hotel staff. When Wen Shike opened the door, she saw Ming Wangxue and Sheng Ling standing there holding a bag of fried chicken.

“You guys are actually secretly ordering food too.” Ming Wangxue looked at Wen Shike with disdain and squeezed through the gap beside her.

Wen Shike didn’t bother arguing and took the noodles from the delivery person.

When Ming Wangxue saw Lu Jingwei, she almost wanted to leave. Books and a tablet were laid out on the table, clearly, she had just finished studying.

Why can this person study all day?

“Every time I see Wei-Wei-Wei, I feel inferior,” Ming Wangxue said as she set the fried chicken down and sighed softly.

“Such a small one for four people?” Wen Shike glanced at the chicken, which was barely larger than her hand.

Ming Wangxue shot her a look and said crossly, “I don’t dare eat too much. The calories are so high; I only dare have a taste. You really aren’t afraid of gaining weight or breaking out.”

Wen Shike opened the meal container and sat down. “I might gain weight, but I generally don’t get acne.”

“Ha.” Ming Wangxue glanced at Wen Shike’s noodles and swallowed. “Can you finish all that?”

Wen Shike: “…”

“You can go to the kitchen and get a bowl; I’ll share some with you,” Lu Jingwei said. “I can’t finish this much.”

Sheng Ling opened the window to let the smell out. “Actually, it’s almost dinner time. Shall we just eat at the hotel tonight? I checked, and the buffet here seems very good. Our rooms include dinner.”

“Okay,” Wen Shike nodded.

“Then I’ll mention it in the group chat.”

Ming Wangxue frowned, looking at the noodles and fried chicken. Suddenly they didn’t seem so appetizing. “We’re having the buffet tonight and we’re eating now?”

“Eat if you want to. We can’t eat much anyway.” Wen Shike shared some noodles with Sheng Ling and looked at Lu Jingwei. “Not having any fried chicken?”

“I want to, but…”

“I’ll go running with you tonight,” Wen Shike said.

Lu Jingwei looked at Wen Shike and finally couldn’t resist picking up a chicken wing.

“The drumstick is better,” Wen Shike noted.

Ming Wangxue glared at Wen Shike and snapped, “Wei-Wei-Wei is just being polite! Everyone knows the drumstick is better.”

Wen Shike squinted at Ming Wangxue.

Ming Wangxue: “…”

Ming Wangxue lowered her head and went quiet, but she quickly snatched the drumstick, deliberately waving it in front of Wen Shike before taking it away.

Wen Shike didn’t bother with her. She was full after eating less than half her noodles. She leaned against the back of her chair, watching Lu Jingwei finish every bit of her noodles.

Lu Jingwei rarely left leftovers, she basically finished all the food. She wiped her mouth and looked up to find Wen Shike staring at her.

The two made eye contact.

“Is there something on my face?” Lu Jingwei blinked and touched her face, not feeling anything wrong.

“Nothing’s there, she’s just looking,” Ming Wangxue said.

Wen Shike glanced at her. “Ming Wangxue.”

“Yeah?” Ming Wangxue looked up at Wen Shike, her hand grabbing Sheng Ling’s arm, already prepared to hide behind her. She pulled Sheng Ling’s collar slightly crooked in the process.

Wen Shike smiled.

“Don’t smile like that…” Ming Wangxue started to panic seeing Wen Shike smile.

Sheng Ling pulled her sleeve out of Ming Wangxue’s hand, glanced at her, then looked at Wen Shike. “Hit her hard, it’s fine.”

While tidying the things on the table, Lu Jingwei watched the trio’s antics and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Wei-Wei-Wei, control her!” Ming Wangxue immediately turned to Lu Jingwei.

Suddenly called upon, Lu Jingwei paused and instinctively looked at Wen Shike. “She didn’t do anything.”

“She’s intimidating me!”

“She only called your name.” Lu Jingwei wiped the table with a tissue and moved toward Wen Shike’s side, wanting to help her tidy up.

“We can do it ourselves,” Wen Shike said softly.

Ming Wangxue was still making a fuss. “Wow, Wei-Wei-Wei, you’re biased!”

“Hurry up and pack the things.” Wen Shike packed her delivery containers. “You’re eighteen years old.”

Ming Wangxue mumbled something, but her voice was too low for Wen Shike to hear. Sheng Ling heard it, though, and glanced at Ming Wangxue, feeling that one day Ming Wangxue would definitely get pummeled by Wen Shike.

After eating, Ming Wangxue wanted to stay a while longer, but Wen Shike “chased her away.” Ming Wangxue was still complaining as she left, finally being forcibly led away by Sheng Ling.

Once they were gone, the room became quiet.

Lu Jingwei wiped the table again, but it still felt a bit greasy. Wen Shike stood by, watching her.

She hadn’t noticed it back at the dorm, but seeing it now, Lu Jingwei looked like someone who frequently did housework at home. Even though she was just wiping a table, Wen Shike didn’t know why she had that feeling.

The phone on the table vibrated twice. Lu Jingwei glanced at it, her brow furrowing slightly. She looked up at Wen Shike. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Okay.” Wen Shike nodded. Lu Jingwei took her toiletries into the bathroom. Soon the sound of water started, but occasionally, the sound of someone talking could be heard from inside.

Wen Shike stood up and knocked on the bathroom door. “I’m going out for a bit, probably back in half an hour.”

“Okay.” Lu Jingwei paused and gripped her phone. Perhaps because life had been too good lately, she had almost forgotten about the vampires at home.

She scanned the content on her phone, her gaze turning cold.

Flowers Bloom in Wealth: The money is gone, send some more.

Flowers Bloom in Wealth: I heard you’re getting quite close to that rich young lady now? Make sure to get on her good side, okay?

Flowers Bloom in Wealth: What are you doing, why aren’t you replying? Your cousin is getting married and needs to buy a house. I’ve agreed with him that you’ll provide 300,000.

Lu Jingwei: ?

Lu Jingwei: I don’t have that much money. I already gave you everything last time.

Lu Jingwei’s finger slid across the glass as she dialed the number and pressed the record button.

“I really don’t have money. I’m not famous yet, where would I get that much?” Lu Jingwei said.

“Your cousin said you’ve been filming a variety show lately? You must have money. It’s fine if you haven’t been paid yet, you can give it to us once the money comes in.”

Lu Jingwei took a deep breath. “No money, and I wouldn’t give it to you anyway! What does the cousin buying a house have to do with me?”

“How does it not! That’s a male heir of the Lu family. Shouldn’t you, as a sister, help out? Besides, you’re a celebrity now, earning money is obviously so easy. You think I don’t know? And you’re so pretty, there are so many rich sugar daddies in the entertainment industry. Just find one at random. What use is ‘face’?”

“Lu Jingwei, I raised you this big, isn’t it only right for you to honor your parents?” the other person’s voice sounded displeased. “Or is it that you’ve met that ‘whoever’ and now your wings are too strong? I’m telling you, either send the money over, or I’ll go to the media and tell them exactly how unfilial you are! If you don’t give me money, you can forget about mixing in the entertainment industry and come home early to get married!”

Lu Jingwei clenched her fist slightly, her voice gaining a hint of a sob. “Was it you who raised me? Wasn’t it my grandmother who raised me? I’ve earned a total of over 100,000 since entering the industry, and I’ve already sent it all to you. What more do you want?”

“Now your cousin needs money. I’ve already promised; you can’t make me lose face. You’re my daughter, and I don’t want to make things too ugly. How about this, you don’t have to give 300,000, but you have to give at least 200,000.”

“But I really don’t have money right now.”

“It’s fine. You can give it in a few days; there’s no rush.”

Lu Jingwei hung up, her expression cold.

The phone vibrated again.

Flowers Bloom in Wealth: Almost forgot. If you don’t have hundreds of thousands, you must have a few thousand. Your brother saw some ‘Hook’ or whatever shoes recently that cost over 1,000. Send over 3,000. He’s your brother after all, he can’t dress too poorly and make you lose face.

Without a word, Lu Jingwei transferred the money directly from her bank card. Of course, she didn’t forget to write a note: Lu Qiang demanding 3,000 yuan.

She looked at herself in the mirror, staring hard into her own eyes, then let out a laugh, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

Endure it. Just a little longer.

Wen Shike wandered around the hotel, eventually reaching the sky garden. There weren’t many people, just two people eating dessert. She found a random seat and sat down, her mind filled with the expression Lu Jingwei had when she saw her phone.

Lu Jingwei rarely showed negative emotions on her face, like disgust, revulsion, or hatred but that fleeting look earlier contained all of those. It was only for a second, but Wen Shike had felt it clearly.

She thought back to the first time she met Lu Jingwei, when Lu Jingwei had requested an advance of 100,000 yuan.

Wen Shike: I feel like Lu Jingwei is having some kind of trouble, but she won’t say anything, and I feel awkward asking.

Huang Xiyun: Then look into it yourself.

Wen Shike: If she doesn’t say it, it means she doesn’t want me to know. Besides, I’ve only known her for five or six months. I feel like investigating people isn’t right, it invades their privacy.

Huang Xiyun: Then don’t look. If she hasn’t asked for your help, it means she can solve it herself. What are you worrying about?

Wen Shike: Sigh.

Huang Xiyun: You’re paying a bit too much attention to her.

Wen Shike: I guess I’ve never met someone like her before.

Huang Xiyun: Tsk.

Huang Xiyun: By the way, do you actually like men or women? I really can’t figure out your orientation.

Wen Shike wanted to type something, but…

For some reason, she felt this question was a bit difficult to answer.

Wen Shike: I love my country.

Huang Xiyun sent a string of eye roll emojis.

Huang Xiyun: What should I do? I love it too. We’re rivals in love.

Huang Xiyun: I’m asking you seriously, don’t talk nonsense.

Wen Shike: I don’t know. Don’t ask.

Huang Xiyun: ???

Huang Xiyun: You actually went “bent”?

Wen Shike: I don’t know.

Huang Xiyun wanted to ask more, but Wen Shike had already decisively blocked her notifications.