Chapter 124 - To Be Beautiful (2)
Xi Qian couldn't refute, but she hated it when people thought that they could take advantage of her because she was always smiling, not knowing her smile hid the nasty thoughts she kept inside.
When they were younger, she initially didn't like Su Xiaofei like the rest of their peers. She was a haughty person even as a child. She used to say and do things that many people don't like. Her straightforward and strong personality naturally made other kids isolate Su Xiaofei from the rest of their group.
It was only when Xi Qian spotted Su Xiaofei crying on her own behind the playground of their school did she realize that while she hid her worries and troubles underneath a smile, Su Xiaofei built walls around her to keep everyone at an arm's length.
"Feifei, you can tell me everything, okay? I won't force you to tell me what worries you, but if you feel like you need a person to lean on, I'm here."
Su Xiaofei smiled at her. A genuine smile she gave only to those who were close to her heart.
"Xi Qian is the best. Now, if only she could help me solve this damn problem so we can go home soon."
Xi Qian tried to stifle a laughter but failed, earning a fierce warning from the librarian. Other students who were studying made a shushing sound towards them. She mouthed a quick apology and lowered her head as she smiled at Su Xiaofei.
When they finished and left the library, they found Lu Qingfeng waiting outside, dressed in a white shirt and black jogger pants. His hair was still slightly wet, indicating that he had taken a quick shower before deciding to see Su Xiaofei and Xi Qian today.
"Do you have anything planned for later?" He asked Su Xiaofei, ignoring Xi Qian's suspicious look on him.
"Nothing. Aside from studying and napping, I haven't been doing much these days." Su Xiaofei admitted, but she wasn't complaining about it, which was unusual since she liked spending her spare time spending her mother's money, shopping away in her previous life.
"I'm planning to get my measurement for my founding ball suit. Have you decided on what you're going to wear for the event?"
"Ah, I'm planning to check my wardrobe for a party dress I haven't used yet. Qian will help me with it as she's going to attend with me." Su Xiaofei replied.
"Actually, Feifei… I need to tell you something." Xi Qian gently tugged Su Xiaofei's arm to get her attention.
"Feifei, I decided not to attend the founding ball this year." She said when Su Xiaofei gave her an inquisitive look.
"But why? I thought you agreed that you'd be going with me? If this is because you don't have anything to wear or what others would say about you, you shouldn't allow them to get to you." Su Xiaofei was a bit disappointed that Xi Qian was backing out of their plan, but she would respect her friend's decision if Xi Qian was really not going to attend the ball.
"Feifei, it's because I didn't notice that the founding ball is the same day as grandma's death anniversary. I haven't visited her grave for months because I've been too busy with work and school. I'm hoping to spend the day cleaning her resting place and take a short break." Xi Qian explained to her best friend before glancing at Lu Qingfeng.
"Besides, Lu Qingfeng would be attending the ball, right? Just go together and enjoy the night. Who knows, maybe you'll be crowned as the Fairy Queen instead of Ye Mingyu." She added, trying to lighten the mood between them.
Lu Qingfeng gave her a look, but this time, Xi Qian ignored him. She wasn't trying to set them up together, alright? Although this little tyrant was treating her a little better these days, it won't change the fact that he was only doing it because of Su Xiaofei and not because he was truly concerned about her.
Su Xiaofei fell silent but nodded. If Xi Qian put it that way, then she had no other choice but to agree with her. She knew how close Xi Qian was to her deceased grandmother when the old woman was still alive.
As the three decided to leave the school grounds, they heard the speakers around the school calling for Su Xiaofei to be present at the headmistress's office as soon as possible.
"What is it now?" Xi Qian scowled. She had a bad feeling about this as this wasn't the first time her best friend was called out by the headmistress because of someone's complaint about Su Xiaofei.
"What have you done this time?" Lu Qingfeng raised a slender brow, questioning her.
"What did I do? Nothing." Su Xiaofei pressed her lips into a thin smile. Was it a scheme set up by Ye Mingyu again? She wondered.
"I really didn't do anything! Let's just go and see what's up this time." She assured them as she turned right, walking towards the headmistress's office.
However, as soon as she stepped inside the office, her brows shot up when she saw two police officers waiting for her.
"Miss Yan, you called for me? I swear I didn't do anything bad this time." She told the headmistress, allowing everyone within the room to see that she felt wronged with this sudden summoning.
The old woman clasped her hands together and glanced at the two police officers to explain their presence to Su Xiaofei.
"Miss Su, do you happen to know a young woman named Chen Li?" One of them cautiously asked.
"Yes, officer. Chen Li is the daughter of the housekeeper who used to work for my family, but they aren't living with us as my mother fired them for stealing some of my possessions." Su Xiaofei answered. She inwardly snickered as she realized what could have happened.
Chen Li was finally apprehended by the authorities as she expected.
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