Chapter 42: Conspiracy
Friday, the day before National Day. In Dorm 507, Jiang Yanya was helping Xu Rong pack her luggage.
Xu Rong stood on the balcony, looking down at Zhang Shi leaning against the door of his sports car. She played with the curls at her chest with one hand, while the other held her phone, sweetly talking to Zhang Shi.
“All packed,” Jiang Yanya approached Xu Rong expressionlessly, her gaze following Xu Rong’s to Zhang Shi. A subtle smile played on her lips before she gently tugged on Xu Rong’s sleeve and whispered.
Xu Rong turned, glancing at the packed suitcase, her cheeks flushed with affection. “Zhang Shao, I’m all packed. I’ll be down soon!” she said, her voice sweet and coquettish.
Jiang Yanya was used to Xu Rong’s bossy and inconsiderate behavior. She simply watched as Xu Rong waved happily to Zhang Shi downstairs before hanging up the phone and asked, “Rongrong, will you still live in the dorm?”
“Of course not. Zhang Shao and I will be together all day, every day,” Xu Rong raised her eyebrows, her determination clear.
Since Xu Rong had spent two days with Zhang Shi in Shanghai, experiencing a luxurious lifestyle she’d never seen before, she had become even closer to him after returning to school. Knowing that Zhang Shi had an apartment off-campus, she’d been hinting at moving in with him, and now she had succeeded.
“Freshmen are required to live in the dorms. Are you just going to move out without the counselor’s permission?” Xu Rong probed further. “Doesn’t Zhang Shao live in the dorm either?”
“It’s not a big deal if we’re discovered,” Xu Rong said carelessly, a smug look on her perfectly made-up face. “Zhang Shao said he’ll handle any problems.”
“It’s great to have Zhang Shao take care of everything,” Jiang Yanya said enviously. “Isn’t that how Zhang Shao finally got you to be his girlfriend? He must be very happy.” Jiang Yanya continued to flatter Xu Rong insincerely.
Xu Rong had long set her sights on Zhang Shi. She told others that Zhang Shi was pursuing her, but anyone with eyes could see that their ambiguous relationship was due to Zhang Shi’s indiscriminate acceptance of advances.
Xu Rong glanced at Jiang Yanya, “Hmm,” she slung her bag over her shoulder, a slight smirk on her lips, and proudly walked out of the dorm. Jiang Yanya trailed behind, pulling her suitcase.
“Zhang Shao,” as soon as they left the dorm building and saw Zhang Shi, Xu Rong walked towards him with a dainty gait, clinging to his arm and acting cute.
“Your roommate is quite helpful,” Zhang Shi enjoyed Xu Rong’s affection, but his gaze lingered on Jiang Yanya, who was putting away Xu Rong’s luggage. He then said to Xu Rong.
“Aren’t girls from ordinary families like that?” Although Xu Rong didn’t think highly of Jiang Yanya, when Zhang Shi mentioned her, she seemingly agreed while subtly belittling her.
Jiang Yanya felt Zhang Shi’s gaze lingering on her, making her blush. Then she heard Xu Rong’s words about her “ordinary” background, causing her to lower her head.
“The luggage is settled, Rongrong.”
Zhang Shi showed a slight look of regret. Jiang Yanya, usually insignificant as Xu Rong’s shadow, had her plaid shirt pulled up slightly as she bent down, revealing her curvy figure. It was a fleeting glimpse, but it caught his attention.
“Zhang Shao, let’s go.” Xu Rong didn’t notice Zhang Shi’s regret and pulled him towards the car.
Jiang Yanya watched as Zhang Shi drove away with Xu Rong. When Xu Rong, through the half-open car window, caught Jiang Yanya’s gaze, she blushed.
Only after Zhang Shi’s car was out of sight did Jiang Yanya return to the dorm, still blushing.
“The girls in your dorm are all pretty,” Zhang Shi said casually to Xu Rong while driving.
Xu Rong’s cheerful expression stiffened slightly, a forced smile on her face. “Gu Wanrong is so beautiful that you can’t forget her,” she said, feigning hurt. “You are my boyfriend, and I love you so much.”
Zhang Shi secretly scoffed. You just want my family background, he thought, but he smiled and said, “I just mentioned it casually. I do love you. I even prepared a candlelit dinner for you tonight.”
Hearing Zhang Shi’s words, Xu Rong’s anger subsided. She wiped away a few nonexistent tears and said, “Then I’ll forgive you a little.”
“Would this brooch make my baby forgive me completely?” Zhang Shi drove with one hand, and with the other, he took out a box containing a brooch.
Xu Rong opened the box, saw the Dior brooch, and smiled. “Then I’ll be magnanimous and forgive you.”
Zhang Shi didn’t look at Xu Rong, who was admiring the brooch. He turned and smirked; a few thousand yuan was enough to make her happy.
Meanwhile, Gu Wanrong, who had resumed her Pilates classes three times a week after the Mid-Autumn Festival break, and Yu Yingying, who had joined her, returned to the dorm, chatting and laughing.
When Gu Wanrong and Yu Yingying entered, Jiang Yanya greeted them happily. “Rongrong and Zhang Shi are moving in together. She won’t be back to the dorm anymore.”
“Mm, I know,” Gu Wanrong politely responded.
Yu Yingying didn’t bother responding to Jiang Yanya, continuing to tell Gu Wanrong about the dramas she’d been watching, the novels she’d been reading, and funny things she’d seen on short-video platforms.
Soon, after tidying up, Gu Wanrong and Yu Yingying left the dorm, arm in arm.
Seeing them leave, Jiang Yanya knew they wouldn’t be back until after the National Day holiday. They both had apartments off-campus.
Jiang Yanya sat alone at her desk, consumed by feelings of resentment, jealousy, and humiliation.
Her parents weren’t well-off; her mother was a farmer, and her father worked construction. Their family’s finances were becoming increasingly strained as her and her sibling’s expenses grew. During the holiday, while Xu Rong and Zhang Shi were cohabiting, and Gu Wanrong and Yu Yingying were away celebrating, she had to work part-time to earn living expenses.
The four roommates—Gu Wanrong, Yu Yingying, Xu Rong, and herself—were worlds apart.
Why could everyone boss her around? Why did everyone ignore her? Why were some people born into privilege?
If she had Gu Wanrong’s beauty and Yu Yingying’s family background, would Xu Rong serve her, and would Zhang Shi confess his love to her?
At that moment, Xu Rong sent several messages.
“Gu Wanrong, that green tea b****, pretends to reject Zhang Shao, but secretly flirts with him.”
“That vixen has Zhang Shao hooked.”
“Help me keep an eye on Gu Wanrong. I’ll make her pay.”
The dark night enveloped the room. Jiang Yanya’s usually calm face now held cold, sinister eyes. All her twisted and dark emotions had an outlet—Gu Wanrong.
Her fingers gently tapped the phone screen, slowly typing word by word.
“Rongrong, do you think this is the same as in the video?”
“I don’t know about these expensive things.”
“Image jpg” x4
“Weibo video link”
After sending the message, Jiang Yanya’s sinister expression faded, replaced by a light smile.
Beautiful looks, a wealthy family, and being the center of attention—these had always been Xu Rong’s unique traits. Now, Gu Wanrong appeared, surpassing her in every way. With Zhang Shi as her golden turtle, Xu Rong would definitely use all means to deal with Gu Wanrong.
Gu Wanrong, once you fall from grace, let’s see if you can still shamelessly seduce Zhang Shi and look down on me.
Jiang Yanya added fuel to Xu Rong’s already burning flames.
“Gu Wanrong’s gifts to Yu Yingying?”
“Yes.”
“That attention-seeking b****.”
“Gu Wanrong’s family is too good. Rongrong, don’t provoke her.”
“Zhang Shao is powerful in Shanghai. What is Gu Wanrong?”
“Gu Wanrong’s family background seems to be almost as good as Zhang Shao’s. Rongrong, just let it go.”
“Zhang Shao is my boyfriend now, and my husband in the future. Gu Wanrong is just a shameless third party.”
“But, Rongrong, didn’t you say that Zhang Shao still thinks about Gu Wanrong?”
“What if Gu Wanrong’s reputation is ruined?”
“How is that possible?”
“Zhang Shao will help me.”
“Look at Gu Wanrong’s Weibo. She has hundreds of thousands of fans who like her. And she also knows the manager of the Sihai Club in J City and can go to the top floor of the Sihai Club.”
After sending this message, Jiang Yanya waited for a few minutes. Xu Rong didn’t reply. She exited the chat window.
Xu Rong, I’ve taught you how to deal with Gu Wanrong. Don’t disappoint me.
After Gu Wanrong, it’s your turn.