What the Joke, Attack

Time quietly slipped to six in the evening.

The last member who had signed up for the Music Club's gathering stepped into the private room.

The room was spacious and elegantly designed, cleverly divided into five rectangular tables—clearly tailored for large group events like corporate or club gatherings.

Feng Duo sat at the head of the center table.

Yet, despite this being a celebration for the school festival's successful performance, her expression was far from pleased.

She couldn’t wrap her head around why Qu Meimei was spreading rumors about Luo Shuning again.

Hadn’t they already made up?

"President, let’s clear the air during this gathering," Qu Meimei suddenly spoke up from Feng Duo’s left, her gaze sharp as it locked onto Luo Shuning and Gu Luo sitting across the table.

Hearing this, Feng Duo suppressed her rising anger and lowered her voice. "Qu Meimei, this is a dinner. Don’t cause a scene. Whatever issues you have, take them back to school."

"Hah?!" Qu Meimei scoffed, her voice abruptly rising. "President, why won’t you let me speak?"

"I know you publicly promised to pass the club presidency to Luo Shuning, but do you have to favor her so blatantly?"

The moment these words left her mouth, all the second-year members turned their attention to Feng Duo and the others.

Meanwhile, the first-year newcomers at the far end of the room were purely here for the drama.

They had some vague understanding of the conflicts, but not enough to take sides.

"Qu Meimei, do you really have to make this ugly?" Feng Duo’s face flushed red with barely contained fury.

"What? Am I not allowed to speak as the victim?" Qu Meimei sneered before directly targeting Luo Shuning. "Luo Shuning, you’ve gone too far. The school festival performance was my idea, yet you stole Gu Luo away during it and even held hands in front of the whole school!"

She then turned to the rest of the room, raising her voice. "Everyone knows Gu Luo was originally brought in by me. But how did it end up?"

"And we all know why, don’t we?"

Murmurs broke out among the crowd at her words.

Their eyes darted between Qu Meimei, Luo Shuning, and Gu Luo, expressions shifting with uncertainty.

Because, admittedly, there was some truth to it.

Seeing this reaction, Qu Meimei felt a surge of triumph.

This was her ultimate counterattack.

Compared to Gu Luo and Luo Shuning’s last-minute "heroic save" narrative, her version was far more logical—far more convincing.

Meanwhile, Ren Lei was practically shaking with rage, her chest heaving. If Luo Shuning hadn’t repeatedly warned her to stay calm before entering, she would’ve lunged at Qu Meimei and clawed her face apart by now.

"Luo Shuning, Gu Luo, anything to say for yourselves?" Qu Meimei completely ignored Ren Lei’s glare, smirking at the pair across the table.

She tilted her chin up, a taunting grin on her face, ready for a heated debate.

No matter what they said, she was prepared to insist Luo Shuning had seduced and brainwashed Gu Luo.

But Gu Luo’s response left her stunned.

"Qu Meimei, you’re right about one thing—I was indeed deeply drawn to Luo Shuning."

His voice was quiet, yet every word carried clearly across the room.

"Y-You… what did you just say?"

Qu Meimei wondered if she’d misheard.

What kind of response was this?

Instead of denying it, he was admitting it?

Not just her—everyone in the room was floored.

Most had come expecting entertainment, but no one anticipated Gu Luo would outright acknowledge it.

"Because Shuning is better than you in every way—more talented, more beautiful, kinder, gentler, more graceful, more popular, academically stronger, taller, fairer, more well-proportioned, more—"

Gu Luo rattled off dozens of comparisons without pause, each word landing like a hammer on Qu Meimei’s heart.

Defense? Rebuttal?

No—this was an all-out attack.

The room plunged into dead silence, all eyes fixed on Gu Luo and Qu Meimei.

Qu Meimei’s face twisted, her fingers clenching her drink glass until her knuckles turned white.

She’d imagined a thousand scenarios, but never this.

How could he be so cruel?

Yet Gu Luo wasn’t done. His tone remained steady, but with an unshakable conviction.

"Shuning’s smile is like sunlight—warm and comforting. Her eyes hold galaxies, seeing through people yet never judging. She would never stoop to your level, using venomous words to slander and hurt others."

Qu Meimei’s lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to retort, but Gu Luo gave her no opening.

"Shuning has a quiet radiance—she doesn’t need to try to attract attention because she naturally shines. And you—" He looked at her, a trace of pity in his gaze, "you only mask your insecurity with envy and lies."

The others held their breaths, eyes darting between the two.

Qu Meimei’s face paled, the truth striking her weakest point.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Gu Luo’s calm delivery only made each syllable cut deeper.

"Shuning’s kindness is something you’ll never understand." His voice grew firmer, leaving no room for doubt. "She offers tea when someone’s upset, helps without hesitation, never keeps score, never gossips. And you? You twist facts and spread rumors."

"Shuning’s goodness is beyond your reach. She sees the beauty in the world, choosing forgiveness over grudges. But you? You measure others with your own pettiness, attacking with malice. You think it hides your inferiority, but it only makes you more despicable."

Gu Luo’s tone sharpened. "Shuning doesn’t fight for attention—she simply is, and that’s enough to draw the right people. Yet you exhaust yourself tearing her down, only to look more pathetic."

"So tell me—isn’t it natural to be captivated by someone like her?"

Beside him, Luo Shuning was nearly crimson, her head bowed, too embarrassed to meet anyone’s eyes.

Her ears burned scarlet.

Her heart swirled with equal parts mortification and sweetness.

Wasn’t this just a public confession?

So embarrassing!

But also… so, so happy.

Her chest felt like it was overflowing with honey.

.............

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