Chapter 414: Day 19 into the Mary Sue Story

Chapter 414: Day 19 of Being Trapped in a Mary Sue Story

There were curious glances, malicious speculation, contemptuous stares—but what she found hardest to bear, what made her stomach churn, was the unguarded envy and jealousy mixed in among them.

As she hurried through the hallway, she could hear people behind her whispering in lowered voices: "That's her... she's so lucky, to actually get Young Master An Yi to stand up for her..."

"Not just Young Master An Yi—Young Master Ye Ming has his eye on her too, doesn't he? Being singled out by someone like that means she's got charm."

"And Crown Prince Huangfu isn't done with her yet... God, what kind of spell does she have?"

"Who knows, maybe girls from poor families just know how to seduce."

The people gossiping, whether male or female, were all eating it up.

Whenever such whispers drifted into her ears, Leng Bingning felt an icy fury mixed with sheer absurdity surge straight to her head, burning until her fingertips tingled.

She gripped the strap of her faded canvas bag, her knuckles going white with the strain.

Envy? Jealousy?

What exactly did they envy her for?!

Jealous that she's an orphan? Jealous that she's poor? That she had to work several jobs just to cover tuition and living expenses, pinching every penny?

Jealous that because she accidentally spilled a few drops of water, she got forced into being a maid for a cold, heartless prince for a month, her dignity trampled whenever he felt like it?

Jealous that she was publicly harassed by a greasy, dangerous mafia heir who was like a venomous snake, nearly getting herself killed?

Jealous that she now walked through campus like a monkey under a spotlight, with everyone judging her, enduring all sorts of malicious speculation and distorted interpretations?

If this was the "good fortune" and "charm" they envied, then she'd rather not have any of it!

She'd happily swap places with them!

Let them feel what it's like to have eyes boring into their backs and a lump stuck in their throat!

Did they think being "specially noticed" by those so-called "big shots" was something to be proud of?

That was nothing but a sticky swamp, cold shackles, a whirlpool that could swallow her whole at any moment!

Leng Bingning bit her lower lip, her rainbow-colored eyes flickering through murky, shifting shades of anger and hurt, finally settling into a deep, brooding dark purple.

She straightened her back, which had been slightly hunched from days of exhaustion and stress, forced herself to ignore those gazes, and walked quickly toward her next workplace.

But inside, she was seething: This school, these people—what the hell is wrong with them?!

Bullshit!

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Friday evening. The sun was setting, and the city's lights were just beginning to flicker on.

In the city center, outside a creative fusion restaurant that had recently made a name for itself, a modest line had already formed.

An Yi and Lu Lu stepped out of the car and looked up at the restaurant's stylishly designed facade.

Warm yellow light spilled from the floor-to-ceiling windows, revealing the place was nearly packed inside.

Recently, the restaurant had been all over social media, with reviews and recommendations everywhere, touting "a clash of Eastern and Western inspiration" and "molecular gastronomy meets traditional techniques"—enough hype to pique An Yi's curiosity.

So when Lu Lu enthusiastically suggested trying it out, An Yi agreed.

Lu Lu parked the car and practically skipped over to An Yi's side, his face beaming with obvious delight.

"This is the place! I booked a table in advance—no wait!" Lu Lu said proudly, eagerly leading the way for An Yi.

An Yi rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

The interior was more spacious than it looked from outside. The lighting was cleverly designed, ensuring each table was well-lit while still creating an intimate atmosphere.

The waiter confirmed their reservation and led them to a table by the window.

The location was excellent, overlooking the gradually brightening neon lights and the steady stream of cars on the street.

The table was covered with a snow-white cloth, set with delicate silverware and glassware. A small silver candlestick held a flickering flame, casting dancing reflections on the polished silver.

At the center of the table, a slender transparent glass vase held a single white tulip still in bud, tiny droplets of water clinging to its petals—fresh and elegant.

Not bad at all.

Lu Lu pulled out An Yi's chair first, waiting for him to sit before taking his own seat across the table.

He picked up the menu and began introducing items enthusiastically: "An Yi, look, their signature dish is this 'molecular cherry foie gras,' and this 'low-temperature slow-cooked wagyu with black truffle foam'—I heard this 'sea urchin squid ink pasta' is also very special... Oh, and this dessert, 'strawberry capsules with popping candy chocolate soil'—even the name sounds fun! What do you want to try?"

He pushed the menu toward An Yi, his eyes wide with anticipation. He'd done his homework—the dishes he'd mentioned were famous, and judging by the reviews, everyone who'd tried them raved about them!

He wanted to impress An Yi, so he had to prove how reliable he was!

An Yi took the menu, his gaze sweeping over the dish names and the delicate, almost too-perfect images beside them. He kept a faint smile on his lips, but a vague sense of foreboding was already stirring inside him.

That feeling had repeated itself too many times across the modern worlds he'd been transported to.

"I'll go with your recommendations. What about you?" An Yi gently pushed the menu back to Lu Lu, his tone calm.

Lu Lu beamed: "Same as you!"

The food came quickly.

The restaurant's atmosphere, service, and plating were all flawless.

Each dish arrived like a miniature work of art, carefully presented, and the visual effect was genuinely stunning.

Lu Lu's eyes lit up, and he pulled out his phone to take photos—mainly to document this dinner with An Yi, hoping to sneak An Yi's hand into the frame to show off their closeness on his social feed.

Then he'd add a few coy, suggestive captions and soak up everyone's envy.

It was hard for anyone else to score a meal with An Yi—only he could show off like this!

Heh heh!

He snapped a few quick photos and then showed them to An Yi.

An Yi smiled, his eyes crinkling: "This restaurant does a good job with atmosphere. The photos turned out well too."

Lu Lu grinned, showing off his superior photography skills—that counted as a talent too... right?

Seeing An Yi already picking up his knife and fork, he quickly put down his phone and picked up his own utensils, looking at An Yi expectantly: "An Yi, hurry up and try it!"

An Yi gave a slight nod, first lifting a spoonful of "molecular cherry foie gras" with his silver spoon.

He brought it to his mouth, and then... and then nothing more.

An Yi's movements paused almost imperceptibly, then he swallowed the morsel expressionlessly and set down the spoon.