The Unspoken Connection

The moment their gazes met, Jiang Zhe’s lips immediately curved into a smile. His beautiful, crinkling peach blossom eyes held a warmth akin to a gentle spring breeze, making one’s heart flutter uncontrollably.

Even though Ning Ran was reluctant to admit it, she couldn’t deny that Jiang Zhe was, without a doubt, the most stunning man she had ever laid eyes on.

He was like a piece of exquisite, flawless porcelain; a single glance was enough to captivate and delight.

Yet, Ning Ran remained unmoved by his captivating beauty. She simply pressed her lips together, letting out a haughty snort before deliberately turning her head, severing their eye contact.

This man was handsome, yes, but not endearing. Ning Ran had not forgotten the events of yesterday. The thought of her rejecting a secret admirer and declaring her intention to find someone else, all while standing before Jiang Zhe, brought a fresh wave of intense embarrassment.

Especially after the sensational live stream this morning, with its misleading headlines and commentary baiting Jiang Zhe. While Ning Ran’s actions were a petty retaliation for yesterday’s awkwardness, a flicker of guilt still stirred within her.

Su Lianlian, that white lotus, had suffered a silent defeat yesterday. Ning Ran had already anticipated that she wouldn’t stay quiet. The bullying rumors quickly spreading through Fenghua were undoubtedly Su Lianlian’s doing, perhaps with the involvement of her cheap fiancé.

With fuel added to the fire, extinguishing it had become a difficult task.

Moreover, Ning Ran was well aware of her own standing. Even if the rumors escalated, as long as the Ning family remained influential, no one foolish enough would dare speak of these matters directly to her face.

However, if this continued, her reputation would surely be ruined.

Although Ning Ran didn’t particularly care about her reputation—after all, she planned to escape eventually—she couldn’t allow Su Lianlian to continuously tarnish her name.

It was utterly infuriating.

And those who initially spread rumors about Jiang Zhe, the culprits who misled her, wouldn’t get off scot-free either.

Thus, Ning Ran swiftly retaliated. Since Su Lianlian had started a fire, they would see who could ignite a bigger blaze. Just like that, soon after the bullying rumors surfaced, fresh gossip about Ning Ran and Jiang Zhe began circulating.

From an initial standoff, the romantic rumors quickly overpowered the bullying claims, demonstrating that scandalous gossip held far greater appeal.

It perfectly aligned with public taste.

When Ning Ran’s live stream appeared, her vague remarks about Jiang Zhe, the public release of yesterday’s on-site video, and her final act of forcing the rumor-spreading student to retreat, instantly decided the outcome of their contest.

It was a masterful stroke, killing three birds with one stone.

She debunked the bullying rumors, exacted a small revenge on Jiang Zhe, and dealt with those who deliberately misled her.

Ning Ran considered her strategy flawless, save for one tiny flaw.

“Ning Ran, you’re so secretive! When did you get so close to Jiang Zhe?”

As soon as Ning Ran averted her gaze, a female classmate immediately sidled up to her. Her face, which should have been youthful, was heavily made up, and her wavy perm added at least ten years to her appearance.

Her wide, kohl-rimmed eyes widened further. The overly familiar tone made Ning Ran frown, and the classmate’s proactive mention of Jiang Zhe to start a conversation annoyed her even more.

At this moment, Ning Ran wanted nothing to do with Jiang Zhe’s name, not even a whisper!

“That’s right, even a beauty like Jiang Zhe has fallen at your feet. How incredible!”

“He looks so fair and tender. I’m so envious!”

“Hehehe, even if you look, he’s not yours. Ning Ran has already claimed him.”

Listening to the teasing remarks, Ning Ran maintained a blank expression, refusing to engage. It seemed she and Jiang Zhe were now irrevocably entangled.

Ning Ran had anticipated this to some extent. Based on past experience, even if gossip escalated, others wouldn’t openly discuss it in front of her.

However, the problem was that Ning Ran had underestimated Jiang Zhe’s charm.

Though the girls surrounding her were giggling and feigning envy, their underlying jealousy was unmistakable. As members of influential families slightly less powerful than the Nings, obtaining Jiang Zhe wouldn’t have been difficult for them. Unfortunately, Ning Ran had already ‘marked’ him.

Any attempt to approach Jiang Zhe would be seen as an open challenge to Ning Ran.

Consequently, these girls, harboring ulterior motives for Jiang Zhe, had to suppress their desires. Now, in front of Ning Ran, their jealousy twisted their expressions, leaving Ning Ran utterly speechless.

She was somewhat perplexed. What was so great about Jiang Zhe, that tactless fellow?

Even if he was handsome, he couldn’t be eaten for dinner. Remembering Jiang Zhe’s self-righteous demeanor yesterday, Ning Ran gritted her teeth, her cheeks puffing out slightly in annoyance.

She wanted to punch him.

“Jiang Zhe is good-looking, and his ‘serving skills’ must be excellent too. Just thinking about it is exciting!”

“Ning Ran, have you tasted Jiang Zhe yet?”

“Jiang Zhe has latched onto a sugar mommy! I wish a rich woman would fall in love with me too…”

The class bell remained silent, but the girls’ chatter grew increasingly inappropriate. Although Ning Ran recognized their envy, jealousy, and hatred, she disdained their shamelessness—the ‘if I can’t have it, I’ll destroy it’ mentality.

If they had been direct, Ning Ran might have respected their courage. But hiding behind veiled insults? What kind of behavior was that?

Unwilling to let her ears be further polluted, Ning Ran lifted her eyelids. Her dark eyes, sharp and piercing, swept across the surroundings like a merciless sword, instantly causing cold sweat to break out on their backs.

Even without speaking, her sheer presence was enough to silence the girls, who instinctively clamped their mouths shut.

“Are you all finished?”

Once the incessant chattering ceased, Ning Ran finally spoke, her voice cold. A mocking smirk played on her lips, her undisguised disdain palpable.

Her conflict with Jiang Zhe was none of anyone else’s business; they should stay far away and not meddle.

“Jiang Zhe is my friend. Be respectful to him. My temper isn’t great, and I’m sure you’re all aware of that. If I lose control and cause everyone to lose face, it won’t be pretty for anyone.”

‘Ning the Retorter’ was online in an instant. She wouldn’t even give face to her family-arranged fiancé, let alone mere acquaintances.

After Ning Ran’s blunt declaration, the faces of the girls who had been talking about Jiang Zhe turned awkward, their expressions a colorful display of discomfort. They wanted to leave but couldn’t, forced to remain standing and feign smiles.

They, too, were pampered princesses in their own homes. However, the clear distinctions in social hierarchy meant they couldn’t compare to Ning Ran.

Thus, they could only swallow their anger, daring not to speak further. The girl with the wavy perm, who had initiated the conversation, clenched her hands into fists hidden within her sleeves. A smile remained on her face, but her heart was filled with gloom, her gaze at Ning Ran a mix of feigned deference and hidden venom.

As for the other onlookers, they pondered. Ning Ran was so protective of Jiang Zhe; their relationship couldn’t possibly be just friends! Who would protect a mere friend like that? It was clearly a ‘protecting her husband’ mode!

Convinced they had unearthed the biggest scoop of the day, they exchanged glances, confirming their shared love for gossip. They planned to contribute to the school forum once physical education class ended. After all, they could post anonymously and speak freely without worry.

“Jiang Zhe, you bastard, you’re asking for death!”

Just as a brief silence fell among the girls, a furious roar suddenly erupted from another direction. Hearing Jiang Zhe’s name, and still reeling from Ning Ran’s protective stance, everyone immediately turned their heads, wondering what had happened. Another piece of gossip to devour?