Chapter 4: Ex-Girlfriends at One Table

The afternoon sun dappled the shaded path leading to Cafeteria One, filtering through the gaps in the leaves.
Su Cheng intentionally lagged half a step behind Yin Xuelian, her gaze fixed on the other girl’s tall and graceful figure.
That unique aura of confidence, as if Yin Xuelian was born to stand in the spotlight, remained undiminished even in simple sportswear.

‘Truly… she hasn’t changed at all.’
Su Cheng sighed silently in her heart, then immediately shook her head, refuting her own thought.
‘No, there are changes.’
In her previous life, Yin Xuelian, though amiable when they first met, also carried a subtle sense of distance, making her not so easy to approach.
Her name, like a snow lotus on a mountain peak, yet she possessed a hint of amiability.
If it were the Yin Xuelian of her previous life, she would never have actively “conscripted” a distracted freshman after the opening ceremony and enthusiastically treated them to a meal, like she was now.

After all, being so popular, she would be wary of everyone, especially the opposite s*x.
It might also be because Su Cheng was now a girl, so there was no need to be overly cautious.
That made sense.
‘Could it be… she’s also probing for something?’
The thought sent a slight chill down Su Cheng’s spine.
Rebirth was her biggest secret, and her reliance for avoiding the tragedies of her previous life.
‘If Yin Xuelian also… No, impossible!’
She quickly dismissed this overly alarming conjecture.
Yin Xuelian’s behavior seemed more like curiosity about something new, especially her, this “white-haired junior” who was so different.

“Su Cheng.”
Yin Xuelian’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned her head slightly, her pink hair shimmering softly in the sunlight, her light brown eyes holding a faint smile.
“What’s your major?”
‘Here it comes.’
Su Cheng braced herself, maintaining the innocent demeanor of a new student on her face: “Biological Science. I’m interested in biology.”
“Oh? Studying biology, huh?”
Yin Xuelian’s voice rose slightly at the end, carrying a hint of unexpected amusement, as she half-jokingly said.
“Don’t tell me I’m also one of your research subjects.”
“Pfft, haha, how could that be? That’s what medical students do, haha.”
Su Cheng clutched her stomach, laughing so hard that two tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.
“Oh, well, I don’t really know what other majors do, so I just said whatever came to mind.”
After speaking, Yin Xuelian’s gaze circled once more over Su Cheng’s striking white hair and pure, lovely face.
“Alright, alright, I forgive upperclassman.”

Su Cheng slightly reined in her smile, laughing less exaggeratedly.
“Oh, right, after your military training, it’ll be time for club and student union recruitment. Do you have any in mind to join?”
‘Something’s not right.’
The smile on Su Cheng’s face gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
‘Why did Yin Xuelian suddenly ask that?’
“Hmm… I haven’t really thought about joining any clubs or the student union yet.”
Yin Xuelian nodded knowingly, seemingly having anticipated her answer, but that didn’t faze her.
“Well, during university, joining an organization is definitely good. For example, if I’m in the student union, I can even earn extra credits.”
“With a junior like you, joining the student union’s publicity department would definitely be a good fit.”
She extended an olive branch, her eyes holding a hint of expectation.
‘Lies, all lies.’
Su Cheng, of course, knew that joining the student union could earn extra credits, but that only happened if you had a certain level of achievement.
Yin Xuelian’s position in the student union went without saying; for her, earning credits was normal.
Furthermore, to avoid her, Su Cheng was even less likely to join the student union.

“My personality isn’t really suited for the student union. I actually prefer staying in the dorm, playing games, and watching anime.”
Su Cheng lowered her eyes, concealing the complex emotions that flickered within them.
She needed to project an image of a homebody to Yin Xuelian.
“Is that so?”
Yin Xuelian sighed with a hint of regret in her tone.
“I was still hoping that junior could join the student union, but it’s fine. If you ever change your mind, you can always come find me.”
It seemed Yin Xuelian still hadn’t given up on the idea of Su Cheng joining the student union.
But Su Cheng was determined not to join; once she joined the student union, she would inevitably have contact with her.
“Okay, thank you, upperclassman.”
Su Cheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Today’s mission, to refuse entering the “vortex center” that was the student union, was accomplished.

“Then let’s add each other on WeChat, it’ll be easier to keep in touch later.”
“Ah, okay.”
Su Cheng looked up, revealing a hint of awkwardness on her face at the opportune moment, but still obediently pulled out her phone.
Adding her on WeChat wouldn’t do any harm; as long as she buried the contact deep in her list and didn’t interact, their relationship wouldn’t progress further.
Su Cheng scanned the QR code and added Yin Xuelian as a friend. Her profile picture was still the same as in her previous life: a pink-haired girl smiling brightly and making a V-sign, a selfie of herself.
The note: Upperclassman Yin.
If it were the old Su Cheng, the note would definitely have been: Yin Xuelian (Campus Belle, Great Beauty).
While adding the friend, the entrance to Cafeteria One was already in sight.
The aroma of food mixed with the din of the crowd assailed them. It was peak dining hour, and the cafeteria was bustling with noise, a lively mix of new and old students.

Yin Xuelian expertly led Su Cheng through the crowd, smoothly arriving at the serving window.
“What do you want to eat? My treat, don’t be shy.”
Yin Xuelian handed her meal card to Su Cheng, letting her order first.
“Upperclassman, you’re too kind. I’ll just have a little.”
Su Cheng’s gaze fell on the nearest dishes, which included stir-fried water spinach and char siu, both of which she liked.
“Auntie, these two dishes, and one liang of rice, please.”
“Little sister, is that enough rice? If it’s not enough, come back to Auntie for more.”
“Okay, okay, thank you, Auntie.”
The serving auntie’s enthusiasm made Su Cheng uncomfortable; or rather, she had never experienced anything like this in her previous life.
This was the gift her cute appearance had bestowed upon her.

The meal card returned to Yin Xuelian’s hand, Su Cheng stepped back to the end of the line, waiting for Yin Xuelian to appear.
After finding a spot, the two sat down facing each other.
“Junior, is this enough for you to eat?”
Yin Xuelian asked her skeptically, afraid Su Cheng was too embarrassed to order more food to save her money.
“It’s enough. This is how much I usually eat.”
Yin Xuelian frowned, then picked up a chicken leg from her own plate and placed it on Su Cheng’s.
“Hey, hey, upperclassman, you’re force-feeding me!”
“Of course! You absolutely have to finish it today. If you don’t finish it, I won’t let you leave.”
Yin Xuelian pouted her lips, gazing at Su Cheng with a slightly chiding look, not allowing Su Cheng even a hint of refusal.
Su Cheng squinted her eyes in mock persecution, sighing innocently and helplessly.
“My dear sister, you can’t play like this.”
“Hurry and eat. I’ll let you go once you’re done.”
It seemed that today’s lunch, no matter what, wouldn’t be eaten so easily.
Su Cheng gnawed on the chicken leg with one hand while shoveling rice into her mouth with the other, a hint of resentment hidden deep in her eyes.
‘How did I get manipulated by Yin Xuelian like this?’
‘In my previous life, I had a good reputation; it was I who manipulated Yin Xuelian.’

“Su Cheng? What a coincidence.”
Su Cheng had just swallowed a mouthful of rice when Lin Shiyue’s surprised voice suddenly rang out.
“Cough, cough!”
Su Cheng put down her chopsticks and patted her flat chest, trying to catch her breath.
The sound of metal clattering came from beside her. Su Cheng held her breath, not daring to imagine who was beside her.
But her peripheral vision uncontrollably caught Lin Shiyue’s profile, and across from her was Yin Xuelian’s surprised expression.
Now, all three of them were sitting together.
If this were her previous life, those two would probably have started fighting.
But now, with them barely knowing each other, at most just acquaintances, they couldn’t possibly start fighting, could they?
‘Tsk, this damned love triangle…’