Chapter 553: Deliberately Scheming or Simply Clueless (Part 3)

Upon hearing Gu Shuxin’s words, Chu Lingxiu didn’t answer immediately. She glanced at Shen Nian first, and only after seeing no objection on her face did she turn to Gu Shuxin and nod.

"Let’s go."

Chu Lingxiu and Shen Nian started walking ahead. Gu Shuxin stood frozen for a moment, then hurried to catch up with them.

A look of bitter jealousy crossed Gu Shuxin’s face as she watched Shen Nian and Chu Lingxiu. ’How could I not have seen the way Chu Lingxiu just looked at Shen Nian!’

’I’m the one who should be receiving that kind of attention from Chu Lingxiu—and only me! But now, Shen Nian has appeared and just ripped away the position that was supposed to be mine!’

’Before, Chu Lingxiu would have invited me directly to the Chu Family’s home. But today, not only did she not invite me, she even implied that I shouldn’t be walking with them.’

’Why?! Why did everything have to change the moment Shen Nian appeared!’

Gu Shuxin’s heart held only bitter jealousy for Shen Nian; it never once occurred to her that the person who made Chu Lingxiu change her attitude was never Shen Nian, but Gu Shuxin herself.

"Lingxiu, are you going somewhere with Shen Nian today?"

Unwilling to give up, Gu Shuxin came up to Chu Lingxiu’s other side and looked at her as she asked.

"Mhm."

Chu Lingxiu nodded, saying nothing more.

"Well, can I go with you?"

Gu Shuxin didn’t want Chu Lingxiu and Shen Nian to get close. Convincing Chu Lingxiu to change dorms had already been a misstep. Now, it looked as though Chu Lingxiu was taking Shen Nian back to the Chu Family home, and of course, she couldn’t bear to watch that happen.

She couldn’t stop Shen Nian and Chu Lingxiu from leaving together, but she could tag along and stir up some trouble.

"Well..."

"Lingxiu, don’t worry. I’m well aware of your family’s rules. I promise I won’t do anything to make things difficult for you."

"I’m afraid that’s not very convenient."

All three of them spoke at nearly the same time. Chu Lingxiu had only just begun to speak when she heard Shen Nian’s voice, so she let her own words trail off.

Gu Shuxin, on the other hand, only realized what Shen Nian had said after she had finished speaking. Instantly, her expression changed.

"Lingxiu?"

Gu Shuxin looked at Chu Lingxiu, the meaning on her face perfectly clear. ’Shen Nian isn’t part of the Chu Family. What right does she have to make decisions for Chu Lingxiu!’

’Best of all would be if this made Chu Lingxiu resent Shen Nian. That would be perfect.’

"Xiao Nian is right. It really is a bit inconvenient."

’Tonight is the banquet my family is holding specifically for Lu Cheng and Shen Nian! Even I can’t just bring someone uninvited.’

Besides, deep down, Chu Lingxiu really didn’t want Gu Shuxin showing up at the banquet tonight.

After all, whether or not Gu Shuxin had truly changed her ways, the fact that she had previously coveted Lu Cheng was real.

Now that Chu Lingxiu had made peace with Shen Nian and was starting to build a friendship, she certainly wasn’t going to do something that would upset her friend.

If Shen Nian’s words had merely angered Gu Shuxin, then Chu Lingxiu’s words were starting to instill a genuine sense of panic in her heart.

Before, she had only been vaguely worried, but now, she was almost certain that Chu Lingxiu’s attitude toward her had genuinely changed.

"Lingxiu..."

Gu Shuxin looked at Chu Lingxiu, her face filled with disbelief.

Just then, the three of them walked out of the dormitory building and saw a car parked a short distance away.