Chapter 197 - 197 Su Ni Defects
197 Su Ni Defects
The students listening in on the conversation cast curious looks at the pair. They, too, were very eager to know if Shen Xi had ten lovers.
Shen Xi responded sarcastically, “Jiang Xue, you more than anyone else should know whether the rumours are true. Why are you feigning concern now?”
All eyes turned to Jiang Xue upon hearing Shen Xi’s words. From how Shen Xi put things, it sounded like Jiang Xue knew the truth. Moreover, she probably had a part to play in the matter.
Jiang Xue schooled her expression and asked doubtfully, “Xixi, what do you mean? How could I be privy to your private life? I may be your roommate, but that doesn’t mean I pry into your affairs. I ask simply because you haven’t been returning to our dorm these few nights, and I’m worried for you. I know nothing else.”
Whispered words circulated among the crowd of eavesdropping students. They never thought Shen Xi would be so bold as to stay out at night without returning to the dorms.
Shen Xi burst into laughter. Other than Zhao Yuan, Su Ni, Jiang Xue, and Guan Lei, no one among her present classmates knew that she had been staying in one of the observation rooms in the school’s infirmary.
Retrieving the memo from the school doctor, Wang Nan, she said, “I’ve been resting in an observation room under the doctor’s orders, not because of some illicit affair,” she showed her peers the memo as she continued, “Jiang Xue, I do not know what grudge you have against me, but don’t you think you’re going too far? You’ve slandered me despite knowing why I needed to stay in the school’s infirmary overnight, insinuating that I’ve had dalliances outside. What is the meaning of this?”
Jiang Xue covered her mouth in mock surprise, “What? I didn’t know you stayed in the infirmary because of your poor health. When I saw the posts on the forums, I thought you were using it as a cover to meet those lovers of yours. My bad! Though… I’m surprised you’ve needed to go to the infirmary every night for whatever is ailing you.”
As she spoke, Jiang Xue shot Su Ni a warning look. “Su Ni, tell me, have you heard anything about Shen Xi being unwell or that she would be staying in an observation room?
Su Ni cursed Jiang Xue from the depths of her heart. She wanted nothing to do with the matter, yet Jiang Xue had dragged her into it.
Su Ni looked at Shen Xi, considering her options. However, a chill ran down her spine when her mind wandered to how the Su family had come close to bankruptcy.
“Su Ni, you don’t have to be afraid of Shen Xi if you’re just telling the truth,” Jiang Xue urged with a smug smile.
Jiang Xue believed Su Ni would play her part like any smart person. On the one hand, there was Shen Xi, whose family only did odd jobs and had little to call their own, while on the other hand, there was herself, hailing from the rich and powerful Jiang family. Even a fool would know whose side to take.
Eventually, Su Ni spoke up, “Shen Xi did say that she would be staying in the observation room a few days ago. She said something about a health complication. That’s all I know.”
Jiang Xue stared at Su Ni in disbelief. “Su Ni, what are you talking about? Why would you lie on Shen Xi’s behalf? Did her lovers threaten you with bodily harm?”
Su Ni’s vision blurred as her eyes grew red and puffy. Since she had already stepped on this path, she would walk it to its end.
“No, I wasn’t threatened by anyone! I’m telling the truth. Shen Xi is a kind person; why would I want to tarnish her reputation by dragging her name through the mud? I’m not going to do something so heinous and bring harm to another just because you want me to!”
Su Ni spoke from the bottom of her heart. It was a moment of clarity she gained when she understood what Jiang Xue was doing with the footage they collected of the event. Su Ni feared that one day, just like Shen Xi, she would be framed and slandered, accused of having done dirty deeds even if she were innocent. She did not want to experience that kind of pain.
Jiang Xue could not believe her ears. Su Ni dared to go against her wishes and even helped Shen Xi! “Su Ni, what’s wrong with you? I don’t understand what you mean. That isn’t what’s going on, is it?”
Jiang Xue was unwilling to give up. She could not allow Su Ni to turn against her.
Shen Xi sneered. “Su Ni has spoken. Weren’t you the one who asked her? Since she has answered, shouldn’t you respect her by casting doubt on her credibility? What? Are things that are disadvantageous to me the only words you’ll believe? Doesn’t that show your inherent bias?”
Zhao Yuan joined the conversation, mocking, “The four of us share a dorm. If Su Ni and I had heard what Shen Xi said the other day, how could you not have? Here you are spouting nonsense, insisting Shen Xi is guilty of something you have no real proof of. Jiang Xue, what do you have against Shen Xi?”