The Reborn Aristocrat’s Daughter
Chapter 420: The New Campus Belle (1)_1

Chapter 420: Chapter 420: The New Campus Belle (1)_1

Situ Xin looked in the direction Tian Jinlei pointed, finding the seat’s location quite favorable. Her impression of Tian Jinlei and Lin Shaohui wasn’t bad either, so she nodded in agreement, "Okay, let’s sit together then." Although Situ Xin had just been confessed to by Xiao Muli and Yu Qihao, she, unlike her three friends, including Situ Jin, never felt her looks were particularly dazzling or attention-grabbing, as she’d never received a single love letter over the years.

Her interpretation of Xiao Muli’s and Yu Qihao’s affections was that they stemmed from years of companionship. This led her to view Tian Jinlei’s act as a normal exchange between classmates. Unaware, she wondered if Xiao Muli and Yu Qihao would regret their previous actions that stopped other boys from approaching her, leading her to such a mistaken belief.

When Situ Xin walked into the classroom with Tian Jinlei and the rest, she immediately drew the majority of gazes. The classmates speculated about the relationship between their class belle, the newly anointed beauty queen of Capital City University, and their class heartthrob, Tian Jinlei.

Though many boys in the class, indeed the school, harbored secret affections for Situ Xin, they merely worshipped her as an idol in their hearts, with few daring enough to actually muster the courage to pursue her.

Tian Jinlei, on the other hand, was different. He was handsome but not in the same league as the beautiful Situ Xin. Several girls in the class had their eyes on Tian Jinlei, but given the school year had just begun, and out of consideration for their gender, they hesitated to make a move so impulsively. They were waiting for the right opportunity.

So, when these girls saw Situ Xin appear in the classroom with Tian Jinlei, they were filled with a mix of admiration, jealousy, and spite. However, they kept these feelings internal, unlike Liu Yuhan, who seemed ready to spew flames from her eyes as she watched Situ Xin.

"I knew it, that Situ Xin is a vixen through and through, always luring people in. Look Mengqi, even Jinlei has fallen for her tricks," Liu Yuhan griped. Had she had a handkerchief, it surely would have been torn to shreds by now.

"Yuhan, don’t get so angry. It’s not worth damaging your health over this," Cao Mengqi appeared to console Liu Yuhan, but the look of jealousy laced with viciousness as she eyed Situ Xin betrayed her true feelings. Gazing at Situ Xin’s stunning face stirred intense envy within her; she wished that face were hers, so all the attention Situ Xin received would be directed toward her instead. "You know, Jinlei is just infatuated with Situ Xin’s face. I think you shouldn’t get upset. Just scratch her face, and see if she still has any allure to bait men," Cao Mengqi suggested with the air of someone offering advice.

"Mengqi, you’re right, Jinlei is just bewitched by Situ Xin’s face. Ugh, I wish I could go up there and ruin her face right now," Liu Yuhan said fiercely. "But Mengqi, I can’t just blatantly go and do that. Besides, before I came to Capital City for university, my parents told me that this place is different from other provincial capitals — to keep a low profile and not offend those who shouldn’t be offended." Liu Yuhan had always been spoiled by her family, which is why she was a bit brash and imperious but lacked guile, or else she wouldn’t have let Cao Mengqi lead her by the nose for so long.

"Of course, it wouldn’t be right to do it openly. I meant to do it secretly. Yuhan, I remember your maternal grandfather lives here in Capital City, right? Your cousin, who came to pick you up at the beginning of the semester, seemed to adore you. And he seems to have some influence in Capital City. You could ask him for help," Cao Mengqi said, watching Liu Yuhan’s expression closely before continuing, reassured as she saw no change.

Liu Yuhan’s mood significantly improved on the mention of her cousin. She was utterly oblivious to Cao Mengqi’s calculating look and said proudly, "Of course, my cousin Yan Lei knows people from all walks of life here. After class, I’ll give him a call and tell him I’ve been bullied. He’ll definitely help me."

Liu Yuhan deeply trusted Cao Mengqi, who had grown up with her from a young age. But because Cao Mengqi’s parents were of much lower rank than Liu Yuhan’s, from an early age, they had instructed Cao Mengqi to be invariably pleasing and yielding to Liu Yuhan and to never cross her.

In the beginning, both Cao Mengqi and Liu Yuhan were too young to understand these dynamics. However, with her parents’ guidance, Cao Mengqi always deferred to Liu Yuhan, thereby winning over the otherwise bratty and friendless Liu Yuhan almost instantly.

Over the years, Cao Mengqi grew accustomed to indulging Liu Yuhan. But everything changed when they met Tian Jinlei. Technically, Cao Mengqi met Tian Jinlei first; his handsome looks, good grades, and family background immediately captivated her. As she contemplated becoming better acquainted with Tian Jinlei over time, she planned to find an opportunity to confess her feelings to him.

Yet, before she could profess her love, Liu Yuhan also took notice of Tian Jinlei and fell for him at first sight. Upon seeing Tian Jinlei, Liu Yuhan pulled Cao Mengqi aside and declared, "Mengqi, I’ve found my Prince Charming. I’ve decided I’ll pursue him; I want him to be my boyfriend. Mengqi, you can’t compete with me for him."

Upon hearing Liu Yuhan’s words, Cao Mengqi was stunned on the spot. She couldn’t believe Liu Yuhan had fallen for the same man she liked.

And when Cao Mengqi accompanied Liu Yuhan to confess to Tian Jinlei, she clenched her fists so tightly upon hearing Liu Yuhan say, "I like you, please be my boyfriend," that her nails dug into her flesh, but she felt nothing.