Shu Er enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention at that moment.
Many of her classmates were looking at her. This kind of envious gaze was something she had long been accustomed to in her previous life. But back then, they envied her academic achievements and family background. This time, however, they were envious of her receiving Huo Chao’s exclusive service of being personally dropped off at home.
Born into the newly wealthy Shu family, where men and women are equal, Shu Er disliked relying on men for everything. She also didn’t believe that a woman’s dignity or honor needed to come from her partner.
Self-esteem and honor are things one should give to oneself. Only what belongs to you can never be taken away. Anything given by others could be lost at any time.
But at this moment, seeing the hidden envy, jealousy, and hatred in the girls’ gazes, Shu Er, for the first time, found that this feeling was quite enjoyable, even a little intoxicating.
She particularly liked how they hated her so much but were powerless against her. If Shu Er had a tail, it would likely be wagging so hard it’d become a blur by now.
Still, she knew very well that she wouldn’t lose herself just because she received a bit more attention from Huo Chao.
Besides, this attention would disappear as soon as the female protagonist appeared. So while it lasted, she might as well enjoy it as much as possible!
After the morning reading session, there were still a few minutes before class started. Shu Er thought that was enough time to head down to the small convenience store.
As soon as she got up, her deskmate Ning Meng stood up as well. “Shu Er, where are you going?”
“I’m going to the store to buy some food.”
Ning Meng immediately said, “I’ll come too.”
Shu Er had a good impression of her deskmate. Yesterday, when she had just transmigrated, she was confused most of the time, and it was Ning Meng who often reminded her what to do and whether she wanted to go to the restroom together. If not for Ning Meng, she would’ve been utterly clueless right after crossing over.
So she nodded. “Okay.” She was going to buy some snacks to pair with the fruits and milk that Huo Chao would give later, imagining it would be an excellent combination.
As they walked along the road, a few girls occasionally pointed at Shu Er.
It must be said that although the school was large and had a significant number of students, gossip still spread quickly.
Right now, Shu Er could be considered a rising celebrity, with countless eyes focused on her. In just four days since she transferred, she had already become well-known to most people.
Of course, this was all thanks to Huo Chao.
As the undisputed popular figure in the school, anything Huo Chao did attracted attention. Not to mention that this time, he had suddenly started treating a girl well. His actions over the past few days had certainly caught the eyes of many girls.
Shu Er remained calm as she passed by these people, while Ning Meng stood beside her, looking quite proud of herself.
After arriving at the convenience store, Shu Er bought a few cream buns, as well as snacks like shrimp crackers, potato chips, and ham sausages. While in the store, she unexpectedly saw the class’s most taciturn student.
Jiang Xici.
Shu Er had actually noticed him on her first day after crossing over. He had many labels: top academic bully, first place in the middle school entrance exam in County B, gold medalist in the high school physics competition, and a poor student. But these weren’t the reasons Shu Er noticed him. She remembered him from the book. After the heroine—the true savior of the hero—appeared, many people began to attack the female supporting character, accusing her of deliberately pretending to be the heroine to get close to the hero. When, in reality, it was the male lead who had mistaken her for someone else.
At that time, when the female supporting character was mocked and shunned, this poor student, who only cared about his studies, extended a warm hand to her.
Although he couldn’t prevent the tragedy of the female supporting character, he still did his best to help her.
This was a boy who appeared cold and silent on the outside but was kind-hearted on the inside.
Shu Er noticed that Jiang Xici was preparing instant noodles in the convenience store.
Ning Meng whispered to Shu Er, “Jiang Xici’s family is very poor. He probably only eats one meal a day, and it’s the cheapest instant noodles.”
Shu Er thought about it and figured it out. It was almost time for class, and the store wasn’t busy, so Jiang Xici likely came when there were fewer people.
It’s so sad. The school’s top academic bully, who earned the school’s annual scholarship, lives under such harsh conditions?
Ning Meng continued her commentary, “His mother was hit by a car and became a vegetable. She needs a lot of money for medical bills every year, but the driver who caused the accident didn’t have money to pay for it. So they’ve been stuck like this.”
This wasn’t mentioned in the book. After all, he was just a passerby in ‘Extremely Addicted’ and didn’t warrant much of an introduction.
Shu Er knew that someone like Jiang Xici would have a strong sense of pride and wouldn’t easily accept sponsorship out of pity.
If she were still the young lady of the Shu family, she might have slapped a check with six zeros in front of Jiang Xici right then and there. Investing in someone like him would be a sure win, as the returns in the future would far exceed the initial investment.
But unfortunately, she was no longer the young lady of the Shu family! She was now just an ordinary girl from a middle-class family. Forget about writing a check with six zeros—she couldn’t even take out a five-digit sum.
She can’t even support herself, so how could she invest in someone who would become incredibly successful in the future?
But Shu Er wasn’t in a rush. Whether it’s a return on one dollar or ten thousand dollars, there will always be some gain.
In short, she had to find a way to invest in Jiang Xici. He wouldn’t accept a sponsorship out of pity, so what if it was framed as an investment out of optimism for him? She believed that he wouldn’t refuse.
While Shu Er was thinking about this, Jiang Xici had already left with the instant noodles he had just made. He probably went somewhere private to eat them in secret. It was quite pitiful.
After buying snacks, Shu Er and Ning Meng returned to the classroom. By the time they arrived, Jiang Xici had already finished eating and returned. He had a strong scholarly aura, a handsome appearance, and a slender figure.
With a plan in mind, Shu Er no longer paid much attention to Jiang Xici.
After morning exercises, Shu Er hadn’t yet returned to the classroom when she and Ning Meng noticed a large group of boys and girls gathered at the front.
What happened in the class? Why were so many people gathered there, blocking the small corridor?
At that moment, someone noticed Shu Er and shouted, “Shu Er is here!”
That single call was like a magic spell. The previously crowded corridor suddenly parted, creating a small path for her to pass through.
As the crowd dispersed slightly, Shu Er immediately spotted Huo Chao not far away.
He was sporting a baseball cap, a white sweatshirt, black jeans, and a bag in his hand while leaning against the wall. Who knew how long he had been waiting there?
Although the scene was quite pleasing to the eye, Shu Er couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It felt as though Huo Chao was an orangutan in a zoo, surrounded by a large group of curious onlookers.
She chuckled to herself for a while.
Seeing that Shu Er had arrived, Huo Chao took a few steps towards her, handed her the bag filled with fruit and milk, and was about to leave.
But there was no way Shu Er would let him go that easily.
Before Huo Chao could take a step, Shu Er grabbed his sleeve and said in a delicate voice, “Brother.”
She pulled Huo Chao to a secluded spot. Seeing this, the others felt awkward and either returned to the classroom or headed to the restroom, constantly glancing back as they left.
Most high school students are thin-skinned, and there were only a few as bold as Shu Er.
Shu Er smiled and said, “Brother, you really brought me food yourself. I’m so happy!”
Huo Chao hummed softly.
Shu Er held up the bag she had just bought.
“Look, I just went to the convenience store and bought some snacks. They’ll go perfectly with the milk and fruit you brought.”
‘So, bring more snacks tomorrow! If they’re imported and expensive, even better!’
Anything that could inconvenience the male lead would make Shu Er happy.
Huo Chao looked Shu Er up and down and asked a question that hit right to the heart, “So, you don’t have enough to eat?”
All that fruit wasn’t enough for her? Did she really need so many snacks too?
Shu Er was fuming at his comment. This super straightforward guy—didn’t he know it’s rude to tell a girl she eats too much? Of course, she couldn’t eat all of it by herself, but she could share it with her classmates!
She could also give some to Jiang Xici! Jiang Xici was so thin and at an age where his appetite was huge; no amount of food would be too much!
Using the male lead’s resources to build relationships was perfect, afterall! It wasn’t like she was losing anything by making Huo Chao pay!
Shu Er pouted, “Brother, you said something that made me unhappy. I’m going to punish you by making you take me to and from school every day.”
“…”
Huo Chao didn’t reply for a long time, so Shu Er continued to act shamelessly and coquettishly, “Brother, aren’t you pursuing me? Don’t you want to spend more time with me every day?”
