Transmigration: On the Gossip Front
Chapter 718 - 719 Freeloading Man 4_1

Chapter 718: Chapter 719 Freeloading Man 4_1

The moment Song Lei entered the supermarket, the first thought in everyone’s mind was that someone was pursuing her a bit too closely.

Chiang Yi had just arrived here when she followed right after him.

Song Lei knew everyone was watching her, but she truly didn’t care; these days, she was definitely in the spotlight, so she had to stay calm.

It wasn’t until she had finished checking out that she noticed Chiang Yi eating in a corner, who also happened to look up at that moment, causing their gazes to meet once again.

Long before Song Lei entered the small supermarket, Chiang Yi had already seen her, and his lips couldn’t help but curve upward.

Yet, she did not seek him out, which irritated him. When he looked up at Song Lei and found her looking back at him,

Chiang Yi turned his head away quickly; in any case, he absolutely could not let Song Lei think he was looking at her.

Song Lei turned on her heel and left, an insignificant person, not as important as taking a lunch break.

Carrying her items, Song Lei strolled back to the classroom.

Everyone had seen her go to the supermarket and had assumed she would buy a lot of stuff. Who didn’t know that whenever Song Lei went shopping, she not only bought things for Chiang Yi but for his friends too?

But this time, she had only bought a pack of cookies and a bottle of coffee drink, to everyone’s astonishment.

Composed, Song Lei walked past everyone again with calm indifference.

Those who had just placed bets, especially the ones betting it wouldn’t last more than a day or two, began to doubt, observing her demeanor, wondering if she could really hold out for three to five days.

Indeed, even though her current attitude toward Chiang Yi was icy, people still believed she would initiate contact with Chiang Yi.

With just two items in hand, Song Lei entered the classroom, where most of the students were already present, either doing homework, chatting, or resting.

Those who weren’t resting noticed her return with just the two items.

Everyone, accustomed to Song Lei’s usual large hauls, was puzzled to see she had only bought two things.

Including her deskmate, who didn’t have a close relationship with her, looked at her skeptically, wondering what she was up to now.

Song Lei yawned and began to rest her head on the desk.

When Chiang Yi entered the classroom holding a few snacks, the class first reacted with surprise and then laughter when they saw the plastic bag in his hand.

"That’s more like it. How could Song Lei not buy something for Brother Chiang?" Jiang Yin’s fair-weather friends were the first to jump in.

"Right, Brother Chiang, today’s haul is definitely not much."

They had become accustomed to consuming the gourmet snacks Song Lei bought, which were delicious and not cheap.

Having consumed the snacks provided by the original owner, they never spoke well of her and occasionally even showed her disdain.

They knew this boldness came from Chiang Yi’s support; who didn’t realize the less he acknowledged her, the more diligently Song Lei pursued him?

Chiang Yi’s face darkened at once, "What do you mean ’bought by Song Lei’? I bought these myself."

In the past, he often couldn’t refute accusations of living off her, since he really didn’t spend any money.

But why now, when he was the one who had paid for his own snacks, were people still suggesting they were bought by Song Lei? Wasn’t he entitled to purchase his own things?

"There were plenty of witnesses in the supermarket today."

"Song Lei only bought two items, a bag of cookies and a coffee drink."

After having a good lunch, Chiang Yi remembered that he hadn’t bought snacks for the afternoon. Seeing Song Lei’s attitude, he was sure there would be none for him.

But spending more money was something he was reluctant to do; his parents were just ordinary workers with an average income, and there were still mortgage payments to cover at home. The pocket money he received wasn’t much.

Brand-name sneakers and sports apparel, which boys like him fancied, seemed impractical to his parents, who argued that shoes costing over a hundred yuan were wearable and there was no need to buy those costing thousands.

In any case, on this matter, his parents could never understand Chiang Yi’s needs.

In the past, he could only silently watch as his friends made purchases. No matter how envious he felt inside, he had to keep it to himself and not show it.

Ever since Song Lei started pursuing him, he didn’t have to pay for his school expenses anymore, so he could save that money for sneakers and other stuff.

Occasionally, when he mentioned liking something in front of Song Lei, she would present it to him, and he would reluctantly accept it.

He had already saved enough money and planned to buy the pair of sneakers he had been anticipating for so long, but he had spent some of the money on food today and would have to wait until next month’s allowance to afford the sneakers.

Chiang Yi was in a terrible mood. He had it all planned out: as soon as the sneakers were released in the city, he would rush to get them.

Now, even if he could buy the sneakers, he wouldn’t be among the first to do so.

The more Chiang Yi thought about it, the worse his mood became, and he visibly drooped.

Seeing his bad mood, no one dared to tease him further and could only acknowledge understanding with an "oh."

Chiang Yi returned to his seat, and his gaze inadvertently fell on Song Lei’s position, realizing she was still resting, not having looked up or made a sound throughout the ordeal.

This made him feel truly defeated, as he took out his notebook in a gloomy mood to start on his homework.

Song Lei had no idea that such an incident had occurred during her nap.

When she woke up again, she noticed everyone was looking at her with strange expressions.

Song Lei didn’t bother wondering what kind of drama they were concocting in their minds; she figured they were probably surprised that she wasn’t fawning over Chiang Yi anymore.

Unable to hold back, especially since the people around kept shooting her meaningful glances, her deskmate blurted out, "You only bought biscuits and water for yourself today?

Song Lei replied with a noncommittal "Hmm," "It’s enough for me alone."

Ah, is that what they wanted to know? Hearing her answer, everyone was driven crazy.

"Didn’t you used to buy stuff for Chiang Yi too?" her deskmate pressed on.

"You said it yourself, that was in the past, I don’t buy for him anymore."

"So what, is there a problem if I don’t buy him things?"

Song Lei chuckled, "I get criticized when I buy things."

"And when I don’t, you’re all surprised."

"Alright, better to spend your time reading more books and practicing more problems."

She then took out a workbook from her backpack and started working on it.

She knew that her next-door deskmate also liked Chiang Yi, but since she was average-looking and introverted, she could only passively undermine the original protagonist.

Knowing that the girl next door liked Chiang Yi, Song Lei was aware of the state of their relationship—not even as good as typical classmates.

If that was the case, there was no need to maintain a facade. With less than two years until the high school entrance examination, she had to start working hard.

It was also thanks to the original host, who was pursuing Chiang Yi, that she ended up in the science stream, which wasn’t her strong suit. On top of that, with the next two years spent chasing after Chiang Yi, her grades were doomed.

But the original protagonist’s choice had satisfied Song Lei. The humanities were easier, but she couldn’t bear the overwhelming amount of rote memorization required.

Song Lei went to the washroom to attend to her physical needs and wash her face on the way back.

No sooner had she left the classroom, than the rest started discussing.

Chiang Yi was indeed popular in class, with his handsome looks, good grades, and the persona of a sunny, all-American boy.

He was mostly adored by the girls, which some boys did not appreciate, as they resented his presence.

Now, with Song Lei’s change of attitude, they had seized the opportunity to mock loudly.