Chapter 48: The Campus Belle Contest and a Glimpse of Regret

Bai Mengze ignored Li Zhongyi’s words.

Although she yearned to deal with Li Zhongyi directly, the sheer number of people present made Bai Mengze immediately suppress the urge to act.

‘No big deal,’ she thought. ‘After the competition, when fewer people are around, I can always give Li Zhongyi another sack treatment.’

After all, the first time might be clumsy, but the second time would be practiced.

Indeed, her technique for ‘sacking’ people was growing increasingly refined.

“Bai Mengze, I’m talking to you! You can’t seriously think that just because you’ve gotten a little prettier, you can ignore me now, can you?”

When Bai Mengze offered no response, Li Zhongyi’s anger flared, causing her to raise her voice.

This drew the curious gazes of the girls waiting in line, all eager to see what exactly was unfolding.

‘Judging by this situation, is there some juicy gossip to be had?’

“Li Zhongyi, are you unwell, or are you secretly in love with me? Just so you know, my orientation is perfectly normal, so don’t overthink things.”

“…”

Upon hearing Li Zhongyi’s words, Bai Mengze’s expression remained largely unchanged. She simply shot Li Zhongyi a speechless glance, utterly bewildered by what the woman was trying to achieve.

All she wanted was to participate in the competition; other matters could certainly wait.

‘After all, ‘sacking’ required the cover of after-school hours.’

As Bai Mengze mused about the post-school ‘sacking’ operation, Li Zhongyi, on the other hand, felt utterly exasperated, unsure how to even respond.

‘What did she mean, ‘secretly in love with her’?!’

‘Bai Mengze was far too conceited!’

“Stop with your useless nonsense, Bai Mengze! I’m telling you now, the first place in the Campus Belle Competition is mine, so don’t you dare interfere.”

“You’ve said that several times already, haven’t you? There’s no need to keep emphasizing it. The more you do, the more it reveals your lack of confidence.”

Listening to Li Zhongyi’s flustered outburst, Bai Mengze finally understood why the other girl had been persistently pestering her.

‘So, it was all because she was worried about the Campus Belle Competition…’

‘Unfortunately, her worries came too late.’

The moment Ji Wenyan had called the principal, Li Zhongyi’s chances of securing first place had vanished.

Even if she genuinely possessed the talent, the principal, to avoid any perception of bias, would never allow Li Zhongyi to win.

A wave of sympathy washed over Bai Mengze as she considered this, and she glanced towards Li Zhongyi.

‘Should I tell her the dreadful news right now?’

“Bai Mengze?”

Just as Bai Mengze was about to speak, a voice from not far away suddenly called out her name.

This made Bai Mengze sigh involuntarily, wondering if it was truly necessary to encounter so many acquaintances just for participating in one competition.

‘Who was it this time?’

‘It was much better to be with Ji Wenyan; there wouldn’t be all these annoying complications…’

‘It felt so comfortable.’

With a hint of irritation, she lifted her head, only to instantly regret looking.

“Xuan Li, what brings you here? Student council work must be quite busy; you didn’t have to go out of your way to see me.”

Upon seeing the newcomer, Li Zhongyi’s eyes lit up. Her words carried a proud, triumphant tone, and she even cast a deliberate glance at Bai Mengze.

A pang of slight disappointment struck Li Zhongyi when she saw Bai Mengze remained expressionless; she had truly hoped to see a look of regret on Bai Mengze’s face.

After all, Bai Mengze had once rejected the exceptionally accomplished Xuan Li.

‘Now, he was hers—Li Zhongyi’s!’

“I was just passing by. Mengze, it’s been a long time since I last saw you.”

Xuan Li paid little heed to Li Zhongyi’s enthusiastic declaration. At that moment, he simply gazed adoringly at Bai Mengze, realizing that the woman he loved had grown even more stunning.

Back when Bai Mengze’s parents had met with misfortune, he had considered comforting her for a few days, thinking he might win her over.

However, upon hearing rumors that Bai Mengze had provoked someone she shouldn’t have, leading to her detention, Xuan Li hesitated.

Bai Mengze’s life was now tainted, and he couldn’t allow himself to be dragged down with her.

Consequently, Xuan Li stopped rejecting Li Zhongyi’s advances and agreed to become her boyfriend.

Although Li Zhongyi was beautiful, Xuan Li was only interested in her family’s wealth and influence.

If Bai Mengze’s parents were still alive and everything remained as it was, he would never have considered dating Li Zhongyi.

Yet, circumstances had changed, and he had to cut his losses promptly.

He could no longer associate with Bai Mengze.

Nevertheless, now, seeing such a breathtakingly beautiful Bai Mengze, he found himself regretting his choices.