Chapter 17 Is It Too Late to Pretend We’re Not Close Now?

Chapter 17 Is It Too Late to Pretend We're Not Close Now?

Lin Yao laughed happily.

It was the kind of smile that curved her eyes and came from the depths of her heart.

"You promised me, you can't go back on your word..."

"Shi Yu, do you know how scared you almost made me? If you had seen the principal and told him about dropping out, it would have been too late... I almost thought... thought you and Shi Nian were really going to drop out."

She called him Shi Yu again.

While grumbling in dissatisfaction, she clenched her fists and hit him, the tears she hadn't shed earlier falling now.

No one knew how panicked Lin Yao felt at that moment.

She feared she might be the butterfly that would affect Shi Nian and Shi Yu's life trajectories.

She feared that her awakening would harm others.

The more Lin Yao thought about it, the more frightened she became. She tugged at Shi Yu's sleeve and hit him a few more times. "How could you even think about dropping out? What if I didn't know about this, what if I couldn't stop you in time..."

Shi Yu let the little girl vent her anger by pulling his arm.

When Lin Yao's temper had cooled down a bit, he slightly bent down, his thin lips touching her ear with a somewhat deep voice.

"Actually, it wouldn't have been too late."

"Huh?"

Lin Yao looked up, puzzled.

Shi Yu lowered his gaze, looking at the girl's porcelain-white face still filled with innocence and confusion.

Suddenly, he wondered if he was being too much of a jerk.

"Before you arrived, I had already talked to the principal. He tore up our withdrawal application, so... when you came over, I had just come out."

Although he originally planned to discuss it with the principal another day.

But now, there was a little girl with red eyes begging him to stay, saying she couldn't bear for him to leave.

Shi Yu thought perhaps he didn't have to drop out after all; maybe they could find another way to save their parents' company.

"What... what...?"

Lin Yao blinked her tear-filled eyes.

Half a second later, she reacted in shock.

So... Shi Yu was just teasing her?

The principal had already rejected their withdrawal application, and when she arrived, the situation wasn't as urgent as she thought.

And yet, he watched her worry like a fool, allowing her to act like a child and pout at him?

She... she had some dignity...

Lin Yao blushed fiercely, remembering how she had raised her voice to call Shi Yu "big brother." She wanted to dig a hole and hide.

"Shi Yu, how can you be so annoying! I... I won't talk to you anymore!"

Lin Yao angrily lunged at him, her slender fingers grabbing his collar and pulling him down.

Just as she was about to pinch his neck.

Two students wearing school uniforms chatted and suddenly came down the stairs behind them.

One of the students saw the boy and girl 'embracing closely' ahead and pulled his companion's arm in surprise.

"Hey, look! Isn't that Shi Yu over there!"

"Holy crap... God Yu hugging a girl? So the rumors on the forum were fake; God Yu already has a girlfriend?"

"Shh, keep it down, let's see who that girl is."

Lin Yao caught a glimpse of someone approaching out of the corner of her eye, and her hand, which had been about to pinch Shi Yu's neck, trembled and pulled back. She quickly hid in Shi Yu's arms.

"Shi Yu, someone is coming from behind..."

The little girl shrank into Shi Yu's embrace, terrified.

Shi Yu glanced back, and the gap between them widened slightly as he turned his head.

"You... don't move around!" Lin Yao tightly hugged Shi Yu's waist.

Her face unconsciously pressed against the firm muscles of his waist.

A muffled voice came from his chest, "Why are you still looking? Quickly cover me with your jacket! I don't want anyone to see me with you..."

From under Shi Yu's raised arm, Lin Yao faintly saw the two classmates approaching and frantically tried to cover her face with his jacket.

Shi Yu: "..."

He felt deeply disliked.

But when the girl, in her panic, only focused on tightly gripping his waist with both hands, forgetting about the pain in her injured forehead, and buried herself in his chest,

he lifted his clear-jointed hand and gently covered the injury on her forehead.

Lin Yao's head collided with the palm of his loosely cupped hand.

She didn't even notice anything was amiss.

The two gossiping classmates had already pretended to pass by behind Shi Yu and Lin Yao at this point.

They clearly slowed down their pace.

Shi Yu, holding the trembling girl in his arms, lifted his thin eyelids and gave them a nonchalant glance.

"Yu... Yu-ge... out for some fresh air, huh..."

"Yu-shen, good day. Don't worry, we won't say anything..."

The two politely greeted Shi Yu, but their eyes never left the figure tightly hugging him.

Unfortunately...

All they could tell was that it was a long-haired girl; nothing else was discernible.

All the girls in their school wore the same uniform; who knew who this was!?

The two wanted to observe more closely, but when they looked up, they met Shi Yu's cold gaze.

The two onlookers: "..."

Not daring to linger, they slunk away.

However, they then saw the girl Shi Yu was protecting.

She said something to Shi Yu, seemingly in a hurry, and reached out with her slender white fingers to tug at his sleeve.

In the next second, Shi Yu turned sideways to shield her, and casually took off his black school jacket, covering her head with it.

The stunned onlookers: !!??

Why did Shi Yu suddenly take off his jacket and cover her?

Could it be...

As they were wondering, they saw the girl pull the black jacket over her head.

After adjusting it, she suddenly pushed Shi Yu and ran off.

Shi Yu, being pushed aside: "..."

The two onlookers: "..."

WOC??!!

Shi Yu was actually pushed away by a girl?

Big news!

Ignoring Shi Yu's somewhat unpleasant expression, the two onlookers quickly forgot their promise of "not telling anyone" and rushed to the corner of the corridor, taking out their phones to type furiously.

...

Lin Yao, still wearing Shi Yu's jacket, ran quite a distance before she felt no one was chasing her, and then removed the jacket from her head.

Holding the boy's black jacket in her arms,

the familiar, chilly woody scent lingering on the clothes disturbed Lin Yao's peace of mind.

As if the jacket was Shi Yu himself, she squeezed it a few times.

This only strengthened her resolve...

to never talk to Shi Yu again.

"Lin Yao, there you are. Stephen was looking for you everywhere!"

Just as she reached the corridor outside Class 13, Lin Jingtao waved at her from the classroom door.

Lin Yao instinctively hid the black jacket behind her back.

"Oh, I'll be right there."

Looking around, she realized she had nowhere to hide the jacket.

But if she brought Shi Yu's jacket back, it would surely cause rumors.

Thinking Shi Yu would return shortly,

Lin Yao quietly hung Shi Yu's jacket on the doorknob of the classroom's back door.

He should see it when he comes back...

Lin Yao arrived at the office.

*

"Lin Yao, you're here. Come over..."

Seeing her enter, Stephen smiled and beckoned her over.

"Not bad. The principal just called me, saying that Shi Yu and Shi Nian's withdrawal applications have been canceled. I didn't expect such a young student like you to be so skilled at persuading your classmates."

Lin Yao was bewildered.

What... what do you mean by doing ideological work with the classmates?

Shi Yu's withdrawal application wasn't even submitted in the first place; what did it have to do with her?

Lin Yao: "Mr. Stephen, actually, it wasn't me..."

Stephen: "No worries, no worries. The teacher knows you're being modest. Shi Yu isn't someone just anyone can persuade. Hmph, it wasn't in vain that I cooperated with you to stop Shi Nian earlier... These two kids are promising students for our school. If they were to leave under my watch, I wouldn't know how to explain it to the school leadership."

Lin Yao: "..."

Not to mention the school leadership, even Lin Yao herself felt it was a pity.

Even when she hadn't yet awakened her consciousness, she had to admit that Shi Nian was very outstanding and admirable.

As for Shi Yu... she suspected Mr. Stephen loved him too much.

Stephen: "Alright, now that things have settled down for now. Since they agreed to stay, there shouldn't be any problem with what I discussed with you about taking on a class officer role, right?"

Lin Yao's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously. "I have no problem with it, Mr. Stephen."

"It's good that you have this confidence. The teacher also believes you can handle it." Stephen nodded and smiled. "Then it's settled. From now on, you will be the class president, and Shi Nian will be the vice president. She will assist you in your duties."

Lin Yao was taken aback by Mr. Stephen's words, suddenly feeling something was off.

Lin Yao: "Why... why am I the class president?"

She had always thought Mr. Stephen meant for Shi Nian to be the class president and her to be the vice president.

After all, her grades were far worse than Shi Nian's.

But Stephen picked up his thermos cup, slowly unscrewed the lid, blew on it, and then looked at her seriously with a thoughtful expression.

"Yes, you are the class president. Go ahead. The teacher has great confidence in you; you'll make a good class president."

Lin Yao looked at Mr. Stephen, who didn't seem to be joking.

Her heart was filled with both anxiety and a small flutter of excitement.

She really wanted to be the class president; she had never been one before in her life.

"Mr. Stephen... don't worry, I will definitely do a good job. I will... I will study hard and unite with my classmates. In short... I won't let you down."

The girl's eyes sparkled with determination as she earnestly promised the head teacher before leaving the office.

Mr. Stephen watched Lin Yao's departing back, holding his tea cup, and slowly sipped the hot tea.

"Old Stephen, not bad... Haven't seen you talk so kindly to a student in a long time."

Behind him, Mr. Zou, their physics teacher, also holding a thermos cup, turned around in his seat and said cheerfully.

The troublemakers in Class 13 would take advantage if the teachers were too gentle.

Even Mr. Zou, known as the "Buddha," had to put on a stern face when teaching Class 13.

Mr. Stephen: "That girl is different from those troublemakers in our class. She's very well-behaved."

Mr. Zou: "So you made her the class president. Want to encourage her, right?"

Stephen didn't deny it.

He seemed to recall something, and his eyes became somewhat wistful.

"That child reminds me of a student I used to teach. If I had encouraged her and given her confidence back then, maybe things would have turned out differently."

After saying this, Mr. Stephen lifted his thermos cup again, gazing into the distance as he slowly took another sip of tea.

In Class 13, Lin Yao had just reached the classroom door but hadn't entered when whistles suddenly came from inside.

*

"Our little class president is back..."

"Stand up, stand up, welcome our little class president..."

"Clap, clap..."

Lin Jingtao and a bunch of classmates gave her enthusiastic applause the moment she stepped into the classroom.

Lin Yao was startled and stood frozen at the door, her deer-like eyes wide open.

She looked inside and saw almost the entire class standing and clapping for her, except for the school bully who remained slumped over on the desk without lifting his head.

Moreover, Shi Nian, Shi Yu, and Zhou Yuwei weren't present.

Lin Yao: "What did you call me... little class president?"

What was little about her?

No...

Lin Yao: "How did you know Mr. Stephen made me the class president?"

"Come on in, little class president." Lin Jingtao familiarly pulled Lin Yao towards the podium.

He stopped teasing her by calling her 'sister-in-law' or 'top student.'

"Mr. Stephen came by earlier and said he wanted you to be our class president. Several people were unhappy about it. Who knew you'd be the one to convince Brother Yu and Sister Nian to stay? You're amazing!"

Lin Jingtao gave Lin Yao a thumbs-up.

The guy who usually plays ball with Shi Yu, Gu Hui, said, "Brother Yu's temper is such that no one can persuade him. The fact that you managed to convince him is indeed impressive."

A girl with light makeup and streaked hair, who looked like someone not to be trifled with, stepped forward.

Her name was Song Zishan, an art student who usually didn't take orders from anyone in class. But now, she found Lin Yao quite likable.

"Lin Yao, if I were you, and Brother Yu and Shi Nian were being wronged by our former classmates and slandered on the forum, I wouldn't have been so nice... It's rare that you didn't blame them and even persuaded them to stay. You're actually quite kind."

Though her words sounded awkward and not entirely complimentary, they reflected the genuine thoughts of most students in the class.

"That's right. I, Xiao Kai, usually don't admire anyone, but I like your straightforward approach—holding people accountable for their actions without personal bias."

A tall, muscular boy with dyed yellow hair came forward. He was Xiao Kai, the sports specialist and class sports representative.

Lin Yao felt a bit bewildered.

She couldn't describe the feeling in her heart, but it was as if a warm current was flowing through her chest.

In reality, Shi Yu and Shi Nian's decision to stay had nothing to do with her. When she arrived, Shi Yu had already been refused by the principal.

Moreover, if she were honest, her initial intention to persuade them was merely out of fear that the plot might change.

She didn't want her butterfly effect to alter the course of events in this world, which could affect her negatively.

Lin Yao believed she wasn't selflessly kind; she had her own motives.

Yet... from Mr. Shi and these seemingly unreliable classmates, she unexpectedly felt a strange warmth for the first time.

It was different from the popularity she had painstakingly maintained by carefully crafting a perfect image.

Everything seemed more real now.

Just before class started, Shi Nian returned.

Seeing her sit beside her, Lin Yao wanted to explain about 'persuading Shi Yu.'

But before she could speak, Shi Nian's soft voice broke the silence: "Lin Yao, thank you... I've been a terrible sister. Because both Shi Yu and I couldn't bear to see our parents' hard work go to waste, when he suggested dropping out to work at their company and preserve their research, I foolishly agreed."

Lin Yao: "..."

So that was why.

Shi Yu and Shi Nian wanted to drop out to save their parents' company.

Although Lin Yao didn't understand how two high school students could save a struggling tech company, she knew that the company was built from scratch by Uncle Shi. As it grew, Aunt Song quit her job to help run it alongside Uncle Shi.

They had nurtured the company well, making it thrive.

For Shi Nian and Shi Yu, the company might represent more than just their home—it symbolized the legacy of Uncle Shi and Aunt Song.

Lin Yao wanted to comfort Shi Nian, but any words seemed powerless.

Fortunately, Shi Nian quickly regained her composure.

Taking a deep breath, she gently held Lin Yao's hand and said, "But luckily, you reminded me and stopped Shi Yu. He told me it was because of you that he agreed to stay. Thank you, Yao Yao."

Lin Yao choked up: "Shi Yu said... it was because of me?"

Shi Nian nodded: "Yes. Didn't you beg him to stay and take the college entrance exam with you? He's always treated you like his little sister and wouldn't let you face it alone."

Shi Nian smiled: "Your words really worked."

Lin Yao: "..."

When did she beg him?

She had only asked if he would stay with her... Lin Yao thought Shi Yu was being mean, but upon reflection, she couldn't argue against it.

Feeling defeated, she pouted and began to sulk inwardly.

Shi Nian watched Lin Yao's clean, expressive face, changing expressions five times a second, finding it adorable.

No wonder she managed to convince the difficult Shi Yu to stay.

The morning classes passed in a blink.

At lunchtime, Lin Yao offered to go to the cafeteria with Shi Nian.

Shi Nian: "Sure."

Shi Nian went to get her meal card.

Considering Shi Nian's situation, Lin Yao decided not to let her use the money on the card.

Gently tugging on Shi Nian's sleeve, she said, "I want to eat outside and have some old-dry-mom fried rice. Can we? I've been craving it for a while."

Shi Nian: "..."

Who could refuse such a cute and persuasive girl?

But...

Shi Nian admitted, "I don't have any cash."

The moment there was some money in her card, it would be immediately deducted to pay off debts.

Lin Yao flashed a sweet smile: "I'll treat you. I'll treat you, will you accompany me to eat Lao Gan Ma fried rice and have milk tea? That way, you can help me cover up."

Shi Nian: "But..."

"If you don't agree, then forget it."

Lin Yao let out a soft sigh, showing a regretful expression.

"I've heard long ago that the Lao Gan Ma fried rice at the stall by the school gate is the best, but as you know, my classmates used to think I couldn't eat spicy food. If I go with you, I can say you brought me... I dare not tell others the truth, only you."

Lin Yao lifted her eyes, looking like a pitiful, dejected puppy.

"But since you don't want to go with me, forget it..."

"Okay."

Shi Nian chuckled; if Lin Yao didn't have a wound on her head, she would have ruffled her hair.

"I'll go with you."

She said.

"Really? Then let's go..."

The dejected puppy instantly wagged its tail happily.

*

Outside the school, in the bustling fried rice restaurant.

Lin Yao and Shi Nian found an empty seat in the corner. Lin Yao first took out a wet wipe and calmly wiped down the chairs and table before inviting Shi Nian to sit down together.

They ordered two servings of Lao Gan Ma fried rice, a serving of braised pork with preserved vegetables, and a serving of steamed Sichuan-style sausage.

The owner couldn't help but give them a curious glance after taking their order.

These two female students didn't look like they could eat much, yet they ordered such hearty dishes.

Shi Nian wasn't surprised at all.

These were all the foods Lin Yao liked when she was younger. Later... although they had separated, from overhearing her conversations with other classmates a few times in class, she knew that Lin Yao had changed her image from someone who loved meat to a more refined persona who couldn't eat too much.

Sitting down, Lin Yao wiped the bowls and chopsticks while whispering: "If we run into anyone we know, could you say that you ordered all this?"

Shi Nian almost burst out laughing.

She was too cute.

"Sure, I ordered everything."

"Shi Nian, you're so nice, much better than Shi Yu."

She even got a backhanded compliment from Lin Yao.

Shi Nian thought, next time she must record it and let Shi Yu hear it.

Again, saying she was better.

Soon, the food arrived.

Seeing the two plates of meat and a plate of fiery red Lao Gan Ma fried rice on the table, Lin Yao felt tears welling up in her mouth.

Wah... so happy.

While Lin Yao was digging into her meal, a few tables nearby, some students wearing No. 3 Middle School uniforms excitedly took out their phones and discussed among themselves.

"Look, look, it turns out Shi Yu already has a girlfriend!"

"What? God Yu is really dating someone? Last time, wasn't it just a rumor..."

"Not last time, this time it's a real girlfriend! Two students from the International Department saw God Yu hugging a girl when passing by Jiaozilou. Here's a photo they secretly took of them hugging!"

Secretly taken... hugging... photos!?

Lin Yao, who was busy eating, suddenly lost her appetite.

She looked up nervously, casting a guilty glance around.

Unexpectedly, her gaze met Shi Nian's, who was looking down at her.

Lin Yao: "..."

Her heart skipped a beat, feeling like she had been caught by a parent.

"That, Sister, can I..."

"Shh!" Shi Nian suddenly raised her index finger, signaling her to be quiet. "Did you hear that? The people behind us are talking about Shi Yu having a girlfriend."

Lin Yao: Ah???

Shi Nian gently pushed her head down. "Keep your voice down; they haven't noticed me here... Quickly take out your phone and see who Shi Yu is dating. As his sister, I don't even know."

Shi Nian couldn't help but mutter: "Oh my god, he actually wants to date now. Doesn't he worry about dragging the poor girl into trouble..."

Sitting across from Shi Nian, the 'poor girl' herself, who felt deeply implicated, found this hard to comment on.

"Shi Nian, why don't we just not look? It might be a misunderstanding..." Lin Yao tried to stop Shi Nian.

But Shi Nian had already taken out her phone.

"Found it, it's this photo!" Shi Nian said in a breathy whisper.

Lin Yao wanted to cover her face: "…"

It's over, there's no time left.

With the mindset that since everyone has seen the photo, she might as well explain clearly to Shi Nian.

Lin Yao put down her chopsticks, her voice involuntarily softening as she cooed, "Sister Shi Nian, actually, I and Shi Yu..."

"Lin Yao, can you quickly help me identify who this girl in the photo is?"

Shi Nian held the phone up to Lin Yao's face.

Lin Yao was just about to say that she had already called her sister.

Why did she need to be publicly humiliated? She wasn't really dating Shi Yu, but then she was stunned by the photo.

"This... the person in this photo is..."

The girl blinked her beautiful deer-like eyes again and again, disbelieving.

The photo on the phone truly embodied what 'paparazzi shot' meant.

Apart from Shi Yu's handsome face, which could still dazzle even in a fleeting paparazzi shot.

The girl he was carefully protecting in his arms, with his jacket covering her head, was almost blurred into a mosaic.

Only a vague figure could be seen, partially hidden under the school uniform jacket in Shi Yu's arms.

Lin Yao: "Phew..."

Lin Yao breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back into her seat.

That photo didn't even capture the bandage on her forehead; there were no distinguishing features at all.

Shi Nian didn't hear clearly and asked softly, "What did you say?"

Lin Yao feigned innocence and shook her head, "Oh, nothing... nothing..."

Shi Nian didn't suspect anything but kept examining the blurry paparazzi photo.

Shi Nian: "Who is this girl? Why do I feel like I've seen her before?"

Lin Yao looked up in surprise.

No way, even with such blurriness, Shi Nian could recognize her?

Was this the powerful heroine aura from the original story?

As soon as Shi Nian looked up, she saw Lin Yao's surprised expression.

Shi Nian: "What's wrong? Do you also think she looks familiar?"

Lin Yao: "...Well, it's hard to say. Everyone wears the school uniform, so they naturally look familiar."

"Is that so?" Shi Nian glanced at the photo and then at Lin Yao, making Lin Yao too nervous to speak.

After a while, Shi Nian put away her phone and nodded, saying, "You're right. Everyone wears the school uniform, so it's no wonder I find her familiar."

Lin Yao finally breathed a true sigh of relief.

Even Shi Nian couldn't tell who it was, so no one would suspect her.

As long as she avoided Shi Yu from now on and stayed far away from him.

Just as she thought this, she saw a familiar figure enter the restaurant.

The boy, without his school uniform jacket and wearing only a white long-sleeved shirt, swept his cool and indifferent gaze across the restaurant. Seeing Lin Yao, he walked straight towards her.

Lin Yao: "..."

Could she still hide under the table and pretend not to know him!?!