Chapter 252: Volume 1, Chapter 252 – Stupid Beauty x Sports School Male God (14)

The phone the young man held was an old-style touchscreen, its corners cracked, its color faded from long use, the touchscreen unresponsive, and aside from a communication app, only the phone's built-in applications remained on the screen.

I rarely use my phone.

Carrying a phone is only for emergency contact.

Jiang Zhi whined, "No~"

The black-haired girl stood on tiptoe, taking advantage of his distraction to draw near, leaning her upper body forward, her long ponytail swaying in the sunlight, her porcelain cheeks tinged with a faint blush, beautiful as a landscape painting.

He Yin flashed before his eyes, her fresh scent lingering at his nose, her rose-colored lips within reach, inviting to be plucked, her soft, clear voice fell in his ear, as if countless electric currents brought a tingling feeling.

Every inch could easily tug at his heartstrings.

Those eyes that once could not recall people could now see the girl before him clearly, even etching her likeness into his bone marrow, impossible to dispel.

"Jiang Zhi Zhi!" he stepped back and called out stiffly.

Jiang Zhi said sweetly, "You can just call me Zhizhi."

The buzz-cheeked youth before him flushed red, ears burning; if she went on teasing, steam would likely sprout from his head and he'd burst where he stood.

Jiang Zhi reached out, took his phone, dialed her own number, and promptly gave it back.

"This is my phone number; I won't keep bothering you, so don't worry."

Having said that, she waved her hand and left his sight.

The youth stood there a long while, only snapping back to awareness when his phone vibrated.

He unlocked the screen to find her message.

(Zhizhi 【note】: If you want to find me, you can send me a message.)

He Yin was composing a reply.

Ten minutes passed.

He finally sent back an 'Hmm'.

In the dormitory.

Lying on the bed, Jiang Zhi stared at that character, turning it over in her mind, wanting to laugh.

She could imagine the youth repeatedly editing and deleting his reply by the roadside.

As time passed.

Because He Yin was noticed by the national team, he was selected as a youth team member and competed in various places.

He was so busy that when Jiang Zhi sent him a morning message, he wouldn't reply until night.

Besides competing out of town, his daily task was to run on the school track, gradually breaking his own records.

As a track athlete, in track events, whether the 100-meter or the 500-meter, he possessed abilities beyond ordinary people.

Jiang Zhi was also busy during this period; as a performance major, she needed to take many courses, including vocal music and dance, as well as dubbing classes.

Today, the drama performance she signed up for will be broadcast at the theater in the city center.

Coincidentally, He Yin will return from out of town after his match.

Jiang Zhi stood in the changing room cubicle and sent him a message.

(Where are you? My performance is about to start.)

He Yin replied slowly, the phone signal being poor.

(He Yin: in the car.)

Jiang Zhi took a selfie showing her made-up face and dressed in formal attire.

This performance's drama is adapted from the famous novel 'Rose'; the brief plot tells the story of a girl named Rose from childhood to adulthood, an inspiring tale of growth, changing fate, and loving life.

The character Jiang Zhi plays is the young Rose.

Her black hair dyed dark brown, curled at the ends, seaweed-like long hair cascading over her waist, she wore a plain-colored long dress, which in no way diminished her beauty.

In the frame, the girl beamed, making a scissor-hand gesture, revealing neat white teeth; under orange-yellow light, her brows and eyes slightly lifted, those bright eyes gazing intently at the lens.

It seemed as if she were looking at him.

Having arrived at the theater, He Yin stared intently at the photo on his phone screen, zooming in and out, his fingertip gently caressing the girl's face, his heart pounding violently, unable to calm.

In his low voice lay a barely perceptible hint of desire.

"Zhizhi."

The drama soon began.

As the stage lights dimmed, a melodious, pleasing song echoed throughout the theater.

Actors took the stage one by one; they were all school students, performing admirably, until the protagonist Rose appeared, wearing a long dress, standing center stage and singing an uplifting song.

Her performance wasn't as good as the other actors', but it wasn't terrible either; it was merely average.

Yet the actress playing Rose had a stunning appearance; every frown and smile caused countless viewers to be captivated.

The girl was not born to be an actress, but if she truly entered the entertainment industry, she would surely become a pampered pet of high officials and nobles; her path would be smooth, all good resources laid before her for her to choose.

The youth seated in the front row, wearing a pure black baseball cap, turned his head, taking in the expressions of everyone behind him.

His brows knit, his dark eyes flickering with waves of cold, hostile intent.

Almost everyone's gaze was fixed on the girl on stage, sinking into her.

She belonged to the brightest star; countless people wanted to pluck her, to claim her as their own.

He Yin realized for the first time how powerless he was.

If he continued solely as an athlete, he would likely never be able to enter her world.

In the future, her looks would cause many to vie for and possess her.

Yet he could not protect her from any harm.

Only.

He stood at the highest place, only then did he have the ability to protect her.

【Villain He Yin's Favorability 86 points】

【Villain He Yin's Hatred Value 12 points】

Jiang Zhi, who was performing on stage, suddenly heard the Main God System's notification tone and froze for a moment.

"What's wrong with him?"

777 checked the villain's emotions, unable to understand: "I don't know why the villain's hatred value increased."

After a while it continued: "However, I sensed that he is very angry."

Jiang Zhi roughly understood.

After the play ended, she left the stage and went to the dressing room to remove her makeup; the teacher came over and said that everyone would have dinner together tonight, a private room had been booked, and the address had been sent to the group.

Jiang Zhi thought of He Yin waiting outside for her, and politely refused: "Teacher, I have something tonight, I might not be able to go."

Upon hearing that, the teacher walked over and sternly criticized: "Jiang Zhi Zhi, you are the lead of this play, and this dinner was specially arranged for you by the investors; if you don't go, how is that acceptable?"

Jiang Zhi gave a light laugh: "Teacher, I was just saying; I will go to that dinner with everyone."

The teacher's expression improved a bit, then turned and left the dressing room.

Jiang Zhi lowered her head and sent a message to He Yin.

(I still can't leave; the teacher said there's a dinner tonight.)

(He Yin: okay, I'll wait for you.)

Jiang Zhi sent the dinner address to him.

A female student walked over from the side, smiling and said: "Jiang classmate, I really envy you, you're so pretty."

Jiang Zhi detected the mocking tone in her words, propping her chin and agreeing: "Is that so? I think the same."

That girl was originally jealous of her; coming over to talk wasn't really a compliment. Upon hearing it, she became quite angry, gritting her teeth: "You're just lucky to have a good face; when you grow old and lose your looks, see who will still like you."