Chapter 5: I'll give you resources, you give me photos

Shen Yusheng felt even more guilty inside; just as he was about to speak and apologize again, a commotion came from the entrance of the auditorium.

Wen Ling lifted her gaze over and curled her lips.

Ruan MiaoMiao, she really has people fawning over her front and back.

Dressed in a princess gown, her expression confident and aloof, she is worlds apart from the girl who once begged at her grandfather's house in a dress washed yellow.

Seeing the two people behind Ruan MiaoMiao, Wen Ling's eyes flickered.

They were Ji Wanruo and Li WanZhen.

Wen Ling had long known that these two became friends with Ruan MiaoMiao after she left, and even believed Ruan MiaoMiao's words, helping her spread the image of Wen Ling's seemingly bright and kind demeanor at school and in Sijiucheng, while in reality she was a domineering, arrogant miss who relied on her status to bully others.

Wen Ling lowered her eyes with a dejected look; in Shen Yusheng's eyes it seemed a girl saddened to see her good friend getting along well with others, but actually Wen Ling merely feared she couldn't hide the contempt and disdain in her eyes—otherwise the persona she was trying to rebuild would collapse?

"Wen Ling, don't be upset; I know the rumors back then were all misunderstandings. As long as you explain things clearly to them, it'll be fine," Shen Yusheng comforted.

Wen Ling could hardly contain the disgust welling up inside her, and she said softly, "It's fine, senior; they already have new friends, so I don't need to go over and embarrass myself." She lifted her gaze, her eye sockets slightly moist: "As for the misunderstanding, I don't want to explain it—once people have fixed opinions, what's the use of explaining? The clear will clear themselves; I believe someone will surely trust me."

Shen Yusheng pressed his lips, solemnly saying, "Wen Ling, I believe you!"

"Thank you, senior." Wen Ling looked at him gratefully, turned her head to glance at the three, and sighed, "Senior, I'm heading out first; I'll come back later when the evening party starts."

Shen Yusheng merely thought she was in a bad mood and wanted to go relax.

Wen Ling smiled at Shen Yusheng, turned and walked outward; when she passed the three, her steps paused slightly, and she glanced sideways at them.

Ruan MiaoMiao sensed the hostile gaze, puzzled she lifted her head—just then her eyes met Wen Ling's; she widened her eyes, and Ji Wanruo and Li WanZhen followed her line of sight, all three equally incredulous.

Wen Ling merely gave them a light smile before turning and leaving; that smile made Ji Wanruo and Li WanZhen break out in a cold sweat despite the early autumn season.

Ruan MiaoMiao is Wen Ling's cousin; even if Wen Ling knew they were backed by Ruan MiaoMiao, she would still give some face to the Qin and Ruan families—but they aren't.

Ruan MiaoMiao bit her lip, feeling deeply unwilling inside.

She had many times wanted to get close to Zhou Yinhe and his circle; her cousin Qin Yuanzheng had even taken her to their gatherings, yet from start to finish she never exchanged more than a few words with Zhou Yinhe.

Only once, Zhou Yinhe got drunk, stared at her for a long while; she thought he finally took an interest in her, she laughed shyly, but then he hoarsely said, "You're Wen Ling's cousin; do you have a photo of Wen Ling? Your cousin doesn't have one."

She was completely stunned, staring at him in disbelief, then heard Zhou Yinhe continue: "I heard from your cousin that you're now an actress—I'll give you resources, you give me photos."

Ruan MiaoMiao really wanted to refuse, but having just entered the entertainment industry, and with the Qin family unwilling, even as a Qin family cousin she still had to climb step by step like anyone else; if Zhou Yinhe gave her resources, she might just skyrocket.

Ruan MiaoMiao agreed, added Zhou Yinhe on WeChat, pulled out from her phone a photo of herself and Wen Ling together and sent it to him.

Besides wanting Zhou Yinhe's resources, she also wanted him to see the two somewhat similar faces in the photo, so he could transfer his affection for Wen Ling onto her.

Who would have thought…

A few days later, Ruan MiaoMiao made an excuse to follow her cousin to the club they often went to; when Zhou Yinhe took out his wallet to tip the waiter, she saw the photo hidden inside his wallet.

He had actually cropped her out, leaving only Wen Ling's photo!

The more Ruan MiaoMiao thought about it, the more unwilling she felt; she told Ji Wanruo and Li WanZhen she was going to see her former teacher, then set off alone after them.

Ji Wanruo and Li WanZhen exchanged a glance; they both actually understood what Ruan MiaoMiao intended to do.

Wen Ling stood by the lake on campus, watching the koi swim back and forth in the water; hearing hurried footsteps approaching from behind, she suddenly smiled.

"Wen Ling! What are you doing back here? Are you trying to snatch my grandfather and Senior Yinhe again?" Ruan MiaoMiao dropped her gentle white‑lotus act in front of everyone; her jealous, sharp voice was grating.

Wen Ling rose to her feet, turned to face her, wearing an innocent expression: "Cousin, how can you say that? Our grandfather belongs to both of us, Zhou Yinhe is my ex‑boyfriend, and I've never heard that you and Zhou Yinhe are together."

Ruan MiaoMiao clenched her lips, her gaze at Wen Ling seeming to spit fire; only see Wen Ling's slender, fair fingers brushed a strand of hair that had fallen onto her collarbone, revealing that enticing red mark.

Ruan MiaoMiao stepped forward a few paces, suddenly grabbed Wen Ling's wrist, and stared at the red mark on her neck.

"What is this? Are you pestering Senior Yinhe again? How shameless! You know you've already broken up with him, right?" Ruan MiaoMiao snapped.

Wen Ling cried out in pain, "Ah!" drawing a crowd from nearby; Ruan MiaoMiao only then realized they were outdoors, and just as she was about to let go, Wen Ling reversed her grip, seized her hand, and pulled her back a few steps—before Ruan MiaoMiao could react, Wen Ling had already fallen into the lake.

"Help! I—I can't swim, help!" Wen Ling struggled in the lake, choking on the water as she coughed; those nearby saw someone fall in and rushed over, some shouting for help, others jumping in.

After great effort, Wen Ling was finally pulled ashore, and someone even draped a coat over her.

Wen Ling sat on the ground, coughing nonstop, her eye sockets red and wet, her damp hair sticking to her face, making her look all the more fragile.

"Cousin, even if you don't like me, you shouldn't harm me—you know I'm afraid of water." Wen Ling lifted her head, hands resting in front of her, looking miserable and wronged.

Upon hearing that, the surrounding crowd murmured; Ruan MiaoMiao stepped back, shaking her head anxiously as she explained, "I didn't push her! She fell on her own—she's trying to frame me! Really, you guys believe me!"

In an instant, about half of the bystanders believed Ruan MiaoMiao's words, even bringing up the old rumors about Wen Ling.

Wen Ling sighed in her heart, lamenting that this was the charm of the beloved female lead.

"What is this?"

The onlookers heard the voice, turned back, and saw the newcomers make way in unison.

Wen Ling lifted her gaze—there stood Zhou Yinhe and his three companions.

Upon seeing Wen Ling in that state, Zhou Yinhe's pupils contracted sharply.