Su Ning's Guilt and Gratitude

The appearance of Chu Han undoubtedly made the scene even more intense.

“Holy shit, another beauty just showed up. Who’s that?”

“That’s Chu Han from Class 6. Heard a lot of guys have a crush on her.”

“She’s Gao Wenhao’s girlfriend—basically latched onto a rich second-gen.”

“Rumor has it Zhou Yi used to be her simp. What’s going on here?”

“Anyone got the full tea? Haven’t seen drama this juicy in ages.”

Two beauties fighting over one guy—how could it not be entertaining?

Wang Yang and his friends stood nearby, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Only Wang Yixin had the guts to step forward. Frowning, she said, “What are you all doing? Do you really want Zhou Yi to be gawked at like some circus act?”

Su Ning glanced around and realized nearly everyone was staring in their direction.

She quickly let go of Zhou Yi’s hand.

The spot where she’d touched him felt like it was burning, her ears turning red as her heart pounded wildly.

Only then did she have a moment to look at the girl who’d spoken.

The newcomer was tall, with fair skin and delicate, well-defined features. Her light brown hair had a slight wave to it.

Even the plain school uniform couldn’t hide her curves—especially her chest, which swayed subtly as she walked.

Chu Han’s eyes were deep-set, almost like those of a mixed-race model you’d see on TV.

She did, in fact, have a quarter European ancestry. Her eyes weren’t pure black but held a faint blue hue, gleaming like precious gems.

As Chu Han got closer, Su Ning realized she’d seen her somewhere before—she just couldn’t place it.

The girl’s striking beauty and the hostility radiating from her made it clear she was here for Zhou Yi.

When Zhou Yi saw Chu Han, he said coolly, “What do you want?”

The last time they’d met, he’d been begging her through tears not to leave.

Chu Han glanced at Su Ning before forcing a smile. “Zhou Yi, I think there’s been a misunderstanding between us. I’d like to explain, if you have time.”

Wang Yixin, who had no love for Chu Han, immediately sneered, “Oh please, you and ‘misunderstandings’ with guys are a dime a dozen. Wasn’t there also a ‘misunderstanding’ with Li Hao from Class 2? Chu Han, just how many guys have you ‘misunderstood’ with?”

Unfazed, Chu Han arched an eyebrow, her mixed-race features making her expression even more striking.

“Wang Yixin, you weren’t so high and mighty when you were playing homewrecker, were you?”

Chu Han actually dared to expose her in front of Zhou Yi!

Wang Yixin flipped her hair and said innocently, “If your friend can’t keep his girl in check, that’s not my problem. Stop throwing shade.”

A flicker of impatience crossed Zhou Yi’s face.

“Let’s take this outside. I don’t need to be trending on the school forum.”

With that, Zhou Yi strode out of the cafeteria, trailed by three beauties.

The envious glares from the guys in the cafeteria could’ve burned holes in his back.

“Damn, that’s next-level.”

“Su Ning, Chu Han… and who’s the other one? She’s pretty too.”

“That’s Wang Yixin. I even tried to chase her once.”

“Zhou Yi should teach a masterclass. I’d kneel to take notes.”

“I’m not greedy—just one would be enough for me.”

“Yeah, right. You think you’ve got his face?”

“I buy the looks argument for others, but Su Ning? No way. There’s gotta be more to it.”

......

Once outside, Zhou Yi turned to Chu Han and Wang Yixin. “Su Ning and I have something to discuss. If you need anything, text me later.”

Wang Yixin didn’t seem bothered. Smiling, she waved and said, “Sure thing! Let’s grab boba sometime. Bye~”

Chu Han, however, was speechless.

This meant Zhou Yi had chosen Su Ning over her.

And he had the nerve to say “text me”?

He’d blocked her!

But she couldn’t lose face in front of these two, so she forced a smile and agreed.

After the other two left, Zhou Yi led Su Ning toward a secluded grove on campus.

The whole way, Su Ning was silent, her mind racing for the right words.

“It’s cooler here. Let’s talk,” Zhou Yi said, stopping at a quiet pavilion. “Wouldn’t want to waste your time, Su Ning.”

The words made Su Ning pale slightly. She took a deep breath before meeting Zhou Yi’s deep, narrow eyes.

“I need to know… was it really you who saved me that day?”

Her voice trembled with tension.

The answer clearly mattered to her.

“It was me. You were passed out on the side of the road. I carried you to City First Hospital. I still have the payment receipts.”

Su Ning staggered back a step, her face blank.

It really was him. She’d woken up in that very hospital.

[Su Ning’s regret +40, affection +20.]

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her voice was softer now, laced with guilt.

Zhou Yi gave a bitter smile. “What good would that have done?”

“I never planned to tell you. I thought… if I could just do small things for you in secret, that would be enough.”

“Besides taking you to the hospital, there were other things you never knew about.”

“The milk and bread that magically appeared in your desk.”

“The umbrella that showed up when it rained.”

“The band-aids left for you after P.E. when you got hurt.”

......

Zhou Yi listed every little thing the original Zhou Yi had done for her.

They weren’t grand gestures, but they deserved to be acknowledged.

Pining in silence was the dumbest thing—a one-sided war waged by the admirer.

No matter how much you gave, it meant nothing if the other person never knew.

Part of Zhou Yi thought the original him was a fool, but his quiet devotion also tugged at his heart.

So he wanted to do this much—at least let Su Ning see clearly who’d been there all along.

Hearing this, Su Ning was deeply moved. Her lashes fluttered as shock and remorse flooded her.

All this time, someone had been silently caring for her in ways she never noticed.

And how had she repaid him?

The things she’d said to him… she never should’ve been so cruel.

She’d even slapped him.

Wasn’t that just biting the hand that fed her?

Guilt weighed heavily on her.

[Su Ning’s regret +10, affection +10.]

As Su Ning drowned in regret, Zhou Yi continued:

“If my diary hadn’t been read out loud, you wouldn’t be caught up in all this gossip.”

“I’m sorry for dragging you into the spotlight. Truly.”

“But in a way, I’m glad it happened. Otherwise, I’d still be stuck in that cycle of pointless devotion.”

“Thankfully, I’ve moved on. I won’t bother you like that again.”

Hearing this, Su Ning’s heart inexplicably lurched with panic.

Before she could stop herself, she reached out and grabbed Zhou Yi’s sleeve.