Chapter 541 Because I Trust Her

Chapter 541: Because I Trust Her

Wu Yue pursed her lips, overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.

"My appetite isn’t great. I probably won’t eat much."

She wanted to return the braised meat to He Feiyan—just getting through the greens and rice would be enough.

He Feiyan stopped her. "You haven’t even taken a bite yet. How do you know you can’t eat it? Just eat first. If you can’t finish it, fine, but at least try. Go on, give it a shot! My eldest brother’s braised meat is *the* best!"

She flashed a thumbs-up.

She had only taken a small portion of rice, along with a big, fluffy steamed bun.

A bite of bun, a bite of meat—she even licked the sauce clean.

Seeing her eat so heartily, Wu Yue felt her appetite stir unexpectedly.

She looked at the braised meat in her bowl, telling herself she’d only try a bite.

Maybe it wasn’t as delicious as He Feiyan claimed.

Yet bite followed bite, and she unknowingly finished the entire bowl of rice.

The moment she felt full, she startled herself.

He Feiyan grinned at her. "Told you it was good, huh?"

Wu Yue just looked at her, speechless.

Kindness always put her on guard, always wondering if they had ulterior motives.

After the meal, the two stepped out of the cafeteria.

They hadn’t gone far when someone shouted after them.

He Feiyan didn’t want to turn around—she recognized that voice instantly.

"Don’t bother. She’s the worst," He Feiyan whispered, leaning toward Wu Yue with visible disdain.

Wu Yue smiled faintly. "I know her."

Xue Ying’s father had once been in cahoots with Jiao Zongyao, so of course they were acquainted.

Wu Fengxi was a pushover, and Wu Yue had put up with plenty of sneers because of her.

Xue Ying was one of those who had looked down on them.

"I saw you from way over there. What are you doing here?"

The question was, naturally, directed at Wu Yue.

No shocker—she and Wu Yue had beef.

Back when Xue Ying lived in the same compound, there was this neighbor boy she was always tagging after.

But he liked Wu Yue.

Xue Ying asked him out and got shot down. On the same day, he confessed to Wu Yue—only to get shot down too.

Later, he left Beicheng with his parents, and this incident became an unresolved grudge in Xue Ying's heart.

Wu Yue took a deep breath and turned to look at her.

"I work here."

Xue Ying scoffed, "Work? Don't tell me your uncle pulled strings for you?"

"Yes."

Jiao Zongyao did get her in—there was no denying that.

Xue Ying didn’t look at her again, nor did she say another word to her. Instead, she turned her gaze to He Feiyan.

"You’re friends with her? Doesn’t it gross you out?"

With that icy jab, she turned and walked away.

He Feiyan’s eyes darted to Wu Yue.

She didn’t even flinch, choosing instead to lower her head.

No protest, no fury.

Her eyes were rimmed red, yet she didn’t refute Xue Ying.

"Xue Ying!" He Feiyan called out to her.

Xue Ying froze mid-step. "What?"

"What did you mean by that just now? Who’s dirty? Guess a dirty mind sees dirt everywhere."

He Feiyan grabbed her hand and pulled her back in front of Wu Yue.

"Say it! Who were you talking about? Say it again!"

Xue Ying held her breath. "Whoever keeps quiet is who I mean! I wasn’t talking about you—why are you so angry?"

He Feiyan’s voice sharpened. "Name names! Who are you talking about? You’re a teacher—how can you just throw around accusations?"

"How am I slandering her? I didn’t say anything wrong! You don’t know a thing—who are you to call me a liar? How close are you, really? You barely know her!"

Xue Ying retorted angrily, her anger boiling over. Was it just because Wu Yue looked more pitiful than her?

At this moment, He Feiyan seemed just like that older brother from back then—both fooled by Wu Yue’s act.

He Feiyan snapped, "What do *you* know? Aren’t you just making assumptions? How do you know it’s true?"

Xue Ying: "And how can you be sure it’s false?"

"Because I *trust* her!"

He Feiyan and Wu Yue weren’t close, but they had been classmates for several years.

She’d seen firsthand what Wu Yue was like.

Unlike those shady rumors, she trusted what she had witnessed.

Xue Ying curled her lip, glancing at Wu Yue with disdain. "Wow, impressive. You just showed up, and He Feiyan’s already got your back? You sure know how to cozy up to the powerful."

Wu Yue's face went white as she turned and fled.

Xue Ying stood her ground, lifting her chin. "He Feiyan, if you befriend her, she'll get you killed sooner or later. You'll regret it!"

He Feiyan ignored her and chased after Wu Yue.

Xue Ying stamped her foot in fury.

She carried this bad mood all the way home.

Director Xue noticed her dark expression and asked, "Who got under your skin now?"

"It's that Wu Yue again! Dad, you still have connections with Deputy Director Jiao, right? Tell him to transfer Wu Yue out of our school. I can't even stand breathing the same air as her!"

Director Xue thought she was being unreasonable and replied impatiently, "You're always wrapped up in these childish squabbles. Can’t you focus on what really matters? Have you any idea what position Deputy Director Jiao's in right now? He can't make a single wrong move these days."

Director Xue wanted to help, but he was powerless.

At his age, getting sacked from the factory, he'd be out on the streets if not for the benefits Jiao Zongyao had given him.

All he could hope for now was for Jiao Zongyao to oust Director Qian. Only if Jiao Zongyao took power would he have a chance at reinstatement.

"Lie low for the time being and stop causing trouble," he warned.

Xue Ying gave another furious stomp, seething.

"How am I causing trouble? I just don’t like Wu Yue! What's trash like her doing in my workplace?"

Seeing how upset she was, Director Xue softened his tone. "Deputy Director Jiao's got her on a special assignment. Once she finishes it, she’ll be gone."

Xue Ying's eyes widened - for once, she connected the dots.

"So she’s deliberately getting close to He Feiyan?"

Director Xue didn’t elaborate, only telling her to keep it to herself...

Xue Ying felt vindicated. She'd said all along Wu Yue was trouble!

She’d be delighted to watch Wu Yue and He Feiyan turn on each other like rabid dogs.

When He Feiyan got what was coming to her, she’d realize Xue Ying had been right all along.

But by then, it’d be too late for regrets.

Meanwhile, Wu Yue had also returned home.

Wu Fengxi had spent the whole day biting her nails, worried she might struggle at school.

Only when she saw Wu Yue return safely did she relax.

"How'd it go?"

Wu Yue nodded. "Alright, I guess."

Wu Fengxi studied her expression, confirming she wasn’t lying, before the worry lines between her brows softened.

"That’s good. Try to fit in with the others, and maybe this weekend you can all go out together—if only to the park."

Lately, Wu Yue had withdrawn into herself.

At that time, she didn't understand the situation and thought Wu Yue was just shy.

But thinking back, she realized it was her own carelessness—after all, Wu Yue had been really bubbly as a child.

Wu Fengxi was about to get up and go to the kitchen when she suddenly saw Jiao Zongyao returning home. She sat back down and silently took Wu Yue's hand.

Jiao Zongyao walked straight to Wu Yue, placed his hand on her shoulder, and gave it a squeeze.

Almost reflexively, Wu Yue swatted his hand away and hid in Wu Fengxi's arms.

Jiao Zongyao's face fell.

Wu Fengxi put on a stiff smile. "It's her first day at work—she's tired."

Jiao Zongyao rubbed his sore hand and asked quietly, "How did things go?"

Wu Fengxi was about to answer for her when Jiao Zongyao cut her off.

"I don't need vague replies."

Wu Yue buried her face in Wu Fengxi's embrace and said quietly, "He Feiyan is approachable. We hit it off."

Jiao Zongyao smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Yue Yue, once this is done, I'll make good on my promise right away."

Wu Yue lifted her eyes slightly.

What had Jiao Zongyao promised her?

Once the matter was settled, he would send her away from Beicheng, far from this hellhole.

Somewhere else, no one would know what had happened to her.

She could never return and start fresh in a completely different place.

She had tried to kill herself before—more than once.

Either she lacked the courage to go through with it, or she was saved.

Each time she was rescued, her want to die faded.

She wanted to save herself, and she wanted someone else to save her.

The only solution she could think of was to leave this place—as far away as possible.