Chapter 55: The Unfounded Jealousy

Ever since Liu Hong had seen Su Yao staring intently at Lin Qing, his mind had begun to race, unable to rein in his tumultuous thoughts.

Despite knowing that a relationship between Lin Qing and Su Yao was utterly impossible, he couldn’t stop his mind from wandering.

Typically, Su Yao treated everyone with polite smiles and courteous manners.

Yet, she had no one truly close to her.

In essence, Su Yao could converse with anyone in the class, but she lacked any genuine friends.

This situation was peculiar, yet not entirely surprising.

Though her lips curved into a smile, her indifferent eyes held a chilling coldness.

Su Yao harbored no genuine desire to make friends.

Nor did she bother to conceal this fact.

It was all merely an act, a social formality.

Anyone with a modicum of intelligence could discern Su Yao’s perfunctory and superficial nature, which was one reason many girls disliked her.

However, this very Su Yao, through Liu Hong’s eyes, became an object of profound pity.

‘If not for a past filled with heartache, how else could Su Yao have become like this?’ he thought.

She had sealed off her heart, unwilling to open up.

Such a Su Yao, resembling a wounded little rabbit, gazing out with moist eyes, could instantly soften anyone’s heart.

He felt he couldn’t simply ignore her.

This was precisely why Liu Hong’s affection for Su Yao deepened; beyond her beauty, she possessed a unique, captivating allure.

It drew him closer, an irresistible pull.

Even though Su Yao clearly exhibited resistance and aversion to his advances.

Liu Hong refused to be discouraged; instead, he resolved to persevere.

As the old saying goes, ‘Sincerity can move mountains!’

He believed that with continued effort, Su Yao would eventually open her heart to him.

****

However…

Such had been Liu Hong’s unwavering conviction.

But now, an unexpected change had occurred.

Su Yao’s demeanor towards everyone else remained consistently cool and distant, her smile a gentle barrier against any attempts at closeness.

Yet, her attitude towards Lin Qing was entirely different.

She even initiated contact.

This was the conclusion Liu Hong had just reached, making his eyes burn red with jealousy.

‘What exactly is Lin Qing?’ he fumed.

‘Why does he receive Su Yao’s favor?’

‘Why is he granted such special treatment?’

He was so infuriated he wanted to strike someone.

As these thoughts consumed him, Liu Hong’s gaze at Lin Qing turned savage, as if he wished to flay him alive.

When Lin Qing received Liu Hong’s malevolent stare, he felt a flicker of confusion, but then recalled Zhou Lin’s earlier mention of Liu Hong’s feelings for Su Yao…

Instantly, Lin Qing understood.

‘Liu Hong is jealous.’

‘But he and Su Yao are not in a romantic relationship.’

‘At most, they’re like a cat and mouse.’

‘A predator and its prey.’

‘Liu Hong’s jealousy is utterly baseless.’