WWML 77

chapter 77

Gu Qingning let out a small “oh,” took her phone out of her bag, and walked out of the classroom at an unhurried pace.

Opening WeChat, she saw one unread message.

It was from Fu Juncheng.

[Are you still going to the mountain villa?]

Gu Qingning’s lips twitched slightly as she replied slowly:

[No time.]

Just then, Sun Qiaoqiao and Chu Xu caught up to her, walking on either side.

Sun Qiaoqiao lowered her voice. “Qingning, did you hear? Duan Yuxuan is going to the exchange competition too.”

Gu Qingning put her phone away, answering coolly, “Didn’t know.”

“That guy Duan Yuxuan acts like a peacock. This time, you should knock him down a peg,” Chu Xu said.
“Boss Ning, I’m rooting for you! Win, and remember to treat us to a meal, okay?”

Gu Qingning gave him a sidelong glance, smiling faintly without saying a word.

Then something seemed to occur to Chu Xu; a teasing grin appeared in his eyes.
“Oh right, Boss Ning—there’s some gossip going around. I heard Gu Wanwan’s taking the grade-skip exam tomorrow.”

Sun Qiaoqiao gasped, her pink lips parting. “No way. She’s skipping grades again?”

When Gu Wanwan first entered No. 1 High School, she had already skipped to the second year, instantly becoming well-known on campus.

Smart, from a good family, talented, and beautiful—the title of “school beauty” naturally went to her.

But ever since Gu Qingning came back, both the School Beauty and School Heartthrob rankings had the same name at the top: Gu Qingning.

Chu Xu scoffed. “Gu Wanwan’s not that special. Dongzi’s just a fool—she helped him once, and now he defends her like she’s some kind of saint.”

As if the senior-year skipping exam were that easy. Sure, legends exist, but they’re not like cabbages you can grab by the handful at a market.

Gu Qingning listened quietly, her face expressionless—cool and aloof.

And yet, that very aura of “Don’t mess with me” only made her more magnetic.

On the sports field, other classes were having PE as well, and countless gazes unconsciously turned toward Gu Qingning’s overly exquisite face.

Some were admiring, some envious—and some, jealous.

Standing beside her, Chu Xu felt the unprecedented attention and said narcissistically,
“Looks like I’ve gotten even more handsome lately.”

Sun Qiaoqiao couldn’t hold back her laugh and doused him with cold water.
“Oh, please. Everyone’s obviously looking at Qingning.”

Chu Xu: “…”

He wasn’t bad-looking either, okay? At least a decent-looking guy.

Gu Qingning lengthened her stride, her voice calm and cool. “If you don’t hurry up, we’ll be late.”

And sure enough—

Her words turned prophetic.

They were the last three to arrive; the only ones missing from the entire class.

Six minutes late, six laps as punishment.

After running around the track six times, Sun Qiaoqiao and Chu Xu were completely exhausted, their legs giving out as they collapsed on the ground.

Chu Xu lifted his head and looked at the girl beside him—who wasn’t even out of breath. His face stiffened.

What kind of monster is she?

High IQ, high combat skills, and even that much stamina.

Her phone kept vibrating in her pocket. Gu Qingning took it out.

With a swipe of her finger, another message from Fu Juncheng appeared:

[Look toward the east side.]
[I’m behind the snack shop by the field.]

A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Qingning’s eyes, and she reflexively glanced eastward.

Thick trees blocked her view; she couldn’t even see the snack shop, let alone a person.

Keeping her expression neutral, she put her phone away.
“I’m going to the restroom,” she said.

After she left, Chu Xu lay flat on the grass, staring at the sky in thought.

“Do you think Boss Ning even has a flaw?”

She was so perfect it was almost inhuman.

Sun Qiaoqiao thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah.”

Curious, Chu Xu turned his head. “What is it?”

Sun Qiaoqiao replied softly, “…Her handwriting’s ugly.”

At that, Chu Xu burst out laughing. “Hahaha, I totally forgot about that! When Boss Ning’s birthday comes, I’m giving her a calligraphy practice book.”