Chapter 276: Wanting Ning Jinli to Be Publicly Embarrassed

Ning Jinli reacted quickly, snatched her phone back, and didn't let the other party get away with it.

The other party wasn't anyone else; it was Si Ya.

Since entering the private room, Si Ya had been watching Ning Jinli, consciously or unconsciously, and Ting Ting's sudden gasp just now drew her attention even more, so she slipped over as the group gathered and quietly walked over.

When she realized they were looking at Ning Jinli's boyfriend's photo and praising him like that, Si Ya felt a sour pang and couldn't help but want to see what he actually looked like.

"Si Ya, what are you doing!" Ting Ting said irritably, "How could you just come up and snatch a phone?!"

Si Ya gave her a sidelong glance, "What, you have a problem?"

Xiao Yan said, "It's not a matter of having an opinion; you are just too impolite."

"Hmph!" Si Ya sneered, "Right, right, you're the most polite. I'm just an uncultured person; otherwise, during that practical class, how could I have been lectured by someone?"

Xiao Yan frowned, "It's been so long, why are you still making a fuss? Besides, that practical class was delayed because you slowed the group down, I—"

"Enough, stop talking!" Si Ya interrupted, "I'm too lazy to listen to your whining."

Ting Ting and Xiao Yan's expressions turned sour, but since they were old classmates and many others were present, they didn't want to argue further.

Si Ya crossed her arms, sized up Ning Jinli, and said sarcastically, "It's been over half a year since graduation, yet you still look like a freshman girl. Are you dressing like this on purpose to stir up the guys' memories, or are you still unable to afford decent clothes and shoes?"

"Si Ya! That's over the line!" Xiao Yan scolded.

Ting Ting also said angrily, "We're just classmates; is it really necessary to speak so harshly?"

Back when they entered university, classmates could tell from Ning Jinli's attire and daily details that her family wasn't well off, but most didn't mock her for it.

After all, a university hosts students from all over the country, each with vastly different family backgrounds—some from wealthy families, others from ordinary or disadvantaged ones.

Moreover, students who get into Xinghan University tend to mind personal qualities; even if someone sees Ning Jinli in ill‑fitting old clothes eating the cheapest cafeteria meals and looks down on her, they wouldn't publicly ridicule her.

Si Ya, however, is an exception.

She not only mocked Ning Jinli publicly many times, but also hired someone to stalk her, exposing that Ning Jinli lived in a rundown rental and relied on a garbage‑picking woman for survival.

Even worse, she took many photos of Ning Jinli's and Su Qinglan's cramped daily lives and posted them on the school forum and similar sites.

Ning Jinli never took any of it seriously.

Ning Jinli had only roughly explained her real situation to Ting Ting, Xiao Yan, and her ex‑boyfriend; only those three know she was originally a wealthy heiress, but after a family disaster she was driven out by her uncle's family and fell into destitution.

However, the events of the past half‑year since graduation, Ning Jinli hasn't told the two friends.

Moreover, although some incidents caused a stir and even involved media reporters, Shangguan Ying promptly suppressed them afterward, preventing wider public spread.

Therefore, everyone present, including Ting Ting and Xiao Yan, are unaware of Ning Jinli's current situation.

If they knew, even the most affluent and influential top families in Xinghan City would only be able to look up to her, and these old classmates would probably be scared stiff.

Facing Xiao Yan's and Ting Ting's accusations, Si Ya wore a disdainful expression, "What are you two shouting about? We didn't just meet yesterday. I always speak like this; if you don't like it, you can cover your ears or get out of the way."

That made both of their faces turn a furious shade of green.

Ning Jinli gently took both of their hands and softly said, "There's no need to stoop to that kind of person; we'll just mind our own business and ignore them."

Si Ya disliked being deliberately ignored, especially by Ning Jinli, who she had approached to pick a fight with, yet remained nonchalant.

It used to be like this at school.

And it's still the same now!

On what grounds, anyway!

"Heh!" Si Ya sneered, continuing unrelentingly, "Ning Jinli, you wouldn't even show me your boyfriend's photo—does that mean you have something to hide?"

Ning Jinli frowned slightly; she really didn't want to engage, but the question was so odd she couldn't help asking, "Just because I don't show you his photo, how does that make me have something hidden?"

Si Ya glanced at the three male classmates beside her and said, "Step aside!"

The three male classmates, not wanting to argue, silently stepped back a few paces.

Si Ya pulled a chair, flopped down dramatically, rested an arm on the round table, propped her chin with her hand, and said with a mocking glint in her eye, "I admit you're pretty enough that even just your figure and face can attract suitors, but just now, when your friends and those three guys saw the photo, their reaction was abnormal—what, not only handsome but with a uniquely unparalleled aura, the world couldn't find a second like him."

Xiao Yan coldly emphasized, "That's the truth."

"Yeah, yeah," Ting Ting chimed in, "We're not saying nice things just because we're friends; Jinli's boyfriend is really that outstanding."

Si Ya's face was full of contempt, "I get that you two are close and have no doubts about her, but please think: if you were just blown away by the photo, how could a man of such high caliber even consider her? Does she deserve him?"

The two were stunned for half a second by that question.

Then they quickly replied that Jinli is great, doesn't need to rely on looks to attract ordinary men, and she deserves the best.

"Hahaha!" Si Ya laughed, leaning forward and backward, pointing at them, "You just hesitated! You're still deceiving yourselves!"

"You…" Both of their faces flushed with anger.

They were both anxious and embarrassed, wanting to explain to Ning Jinli.

Ning Jinli said softly, "Ting Ting, Xiao Yan, you don't need to explain anything to me; Si Ya is just sowing discord. If you take her words seriously, you lose."

Hearing that, the two finally calmed down.

"Sowing discord?" Si Ya's eyes held contempt and heavy sarcasm, "I don't have that spare time; I just can't stand your affectation."

"Ning Jinli, you want to look ashamed in front of friends and admiring male classmates by using a fake photo to pretend you have a high‑quality boyfriend. That's understandable, but don't you know the saying 'too much is as bad as too little'? Don't you realize that even a fake must be as realistic and reasonable as possible?"

"Sigh, I never expected your vanity to be that strong. If you had just fabricated an ordinary handsome guy, I probably would have believed you. But you went overboard. I saw through it at a glance, and your guilt in not letting me see how astonishing the fake boyfriend looks only confirms my suspicion!"

Such high‑falutin analysis almost made Ning Jinli laugh.

After Si Ya finished, she stared steadily at her.

But she said nothing.

Si Ya was a bit stunned, "No, Ning Jinli, I just exposed you publicly, and you still… you didn't even react? Are you that thick‑skinned?"

Ning Jinli calmly looked around; the other classmates hadn't even eaten their meals, all ears perked up, watching like spectators.

Obviously, Si Ya was aiming to embarrass her publicly.

But in the half‑year since graduation, she had gone through many things ordinary people couldn't even imagine; her mindset and perspective had long changed, and now she found Si Ya's stunt utterly boring and childish.

Some classmates covered their mouths and giggled, some were just watching the drama, and some cast sympathetic glances toward Ning Jinli.

Si Ya relished being the focal point in control of the whole scene, and being able to make Ning Jinli mortified in front of former classmates. She didn't believe Ning Jinli could truly be as indifferent as she seemed; perhaps now she even wanted to die.

"Xiao Ya, that's enough," a voice full of magnetism sounded.

A few people started heckling, teasing:

"Are you, class monitor, feeling sorry to see Ning Jinli embarrassed?"

"Hehe, class monitor, protecting another female classmate in front of your ex—doesn't that seem wrong?"

"Hahaha!"

"…"

The man in the suit's gaze suddenly turned sharp; he glared at the jokers, "You guys watch your words. I'm lucky my temper's much better now, otherwise—"

Before he finished, the men paled slightly, gave an awkward, ingratiating smile, and apologized to the suited man.

Si Ya asked with a half‑smile, "Zhang Haoyang, just now when I sat next to you drinking and chatting, you said you still missed me a lot after the breakup. So now are you planning to shelter Ning Jinli? Huh, well, after all you once said she's purer and prettier than me, her naturally pristine aura is something I can't match."

Zhang Haoyang's cheek trembled, "Xiao Ya, I said that because I wanted you to know that even if you don't compare to her in that regard, I still like you. Why don't you get my meaning?"

The more he explained, the more displeased Si Ya's gaze became.

Zhang Haoyang waved his hand, "Enough, enough, it's all in the past, no need to make a scene. Xiao Ya, since most of our old classmates are here, I'll be blunt—I'm single now, I've never stopped thinking of you; how about we get back together?"

As soon as he spoke, everyone's attention instantly shifted to the two of them.

Ting Ting whispered to Ning Jinli and Xiao Yan, "These two really... even back in college they loved showing off, craving attention, and they're still the same now."

Xiao Yan lifted her glass of red wine, took a sip, and bluntly said, "A dog can't stop eating shit."

The two didn't have a good impression of Zhang Haoyang.

Though he was fairly tall and handsome, during college he relied on his wealthy background, always acting as if others were beneath him, constantly ordering people around.

"Let's eat," Ning Jinli said with a smile, winking at the two, "Since we're all here, it'd be wasteful not to finish these dishes. After we fill our bellies, the three of us can have a private get‑together; it's on me."

The two hurriedly agreed that a private gathering was fine, but they refused to let her foot the bill.

Ning Jinli understood they were looking out for her, just like back in college when they always found ways to help her.

"Reconcile! Reconcile! Reconcile!" someone shouted while clapping.

Immediately, more than half the classmates joined in the heckling.

In the lively atmosphere, Zhang Haoyang gazed affectionately and reached for Si Ya's hand, "Xiao Ya, stay with me…"

Si Ya's expression was hard to read.

She seemed a bit hesitant.

Seeing this, Zhang Haoyang stepped forward and continued, "I'm no longer that cynical rich kid; I've started living seriously, and I promise to treat you well from now on."

His words moved Si Ya; she unintentionally recalled the days they were together—aside from everything else, at least he was willing to spend money on her.

She then thought back to her current situation...

The flattering part is that she's a model, but she never got picked up by major agencies, so she has to chase gigs herself, and the earnings aren't enough for daily cosmetic treatments.

Not long ago she got involved with a "big brother" from the underworld—the same guy who drove a sports car to bring her to the hotel today.

As it turned out, something happened outside the hotel entrance, and she got caught up and took a beating from the big brother.

Those people are wealthy and powerful in society, but life beside them isn't that great.

Compared to that, Zhang Haoyang is better; besides, after breaking up with him she regretted missing a "money‑tree," but pride kept her from returning.

Now Zhang Haoyang is proactively seeking reconciliation—truly a heaven‑sent opportunity.

In an instant, Si Ya's mind raced through calculations, then she showed a tear‑glimmering expression, grasped Zhang Haoyang's hand, and said, "Okay... I'm willing to continue being your girlfriend..."

The private room instantly filled with cheers; someone shouted "Kiss!" and others urged the pair to "get married right here."

Zhang Haoyang was about to seize the moment for a hug.

Si Ya suddenly grabbed his wrist, stared at his watch, and asked, "Why are you now wearing this junk that costs only a few thousand? Where's that pricey luxury watch you used to have, worth tens of thousands?"

Zhang Haoyang's expression grew uneasy; he lowered his voice, "Well... it's a long story. I'll tell you later—over the past six months or so, my family ran into some trouble."

Si Ya's face froze, "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"Xiao Ya..."

"No, Zhang Haoyang, you have to tell me right now."

"…"

Zhang Haoyang, helpless, pulled Si Ya into his arms and said even softer, "My parents' company went bankrupt; my family... everything has to start over."

"What?" Si Ya went numb all over.

Zhang Haoyang quickly said, "But rest assured, even a skinny dead camel is larger than a horse; my family is still wealthier than ordinary people, just not as rich as before. Most importantly, I've secured a position at a top pharmaceutical company, and a future annual salary of a million will come easily, so I can still give you a good life."

Si Ya's mind was a jumble, her complexion blank.

The classmates beside them thought she was dizzy from happiness and kept heckling, urging the pair to kiss quickly.

Boom!

A sudden, unexpected collision sound rang out.

The private room door was slammed open by a man, who fell to the floor, rolling in pain.

Everyone stared in shock, then noticed a particularly tall young man standing outside the door.

"Kai Ge? Didn't you leave? How...?" Si Ya blurted, looking at the man rolling on the ground.

Ning Jinli glanced at the towering figure outside and couldn't help but feel startled.

Xiao Qidi?

How did he suddenly appear?