Chapter 7: The Best Deskmate in the World
Who was Yu Linna? Fang Jiayi had wanted to know about this girl for a long time. It seemed she had heard of her since their first year of high school, often seeing the name “Yu Linna” on the ranking list. But back then, she hadn’t paid much attention to her.
She truly began to notice her when she saw her in person. At that time, Fang Jiayi thought, so there really are such beautiful people in this world. Especially her golden hair, which was very attractive.
After becoming classmates and deskmates in their third year, she wanted to get to know this girl, to become closer to her. Although she didn’t know Yu Linna’s true nature, Fang Jiayi enjoyed being with her.
However, after these few days of brief interaction, she discovered that this girl named Yu Linna wasn’t as difficult to get along with as she imagined. Surprisingly easy, in fact. As long as she had some money in her wallet, she could quickly win her over.
“I’ll treat you to dinner. What do you want to eat?”
“Isn’t that too much trouble…?”
“Consider it a thank you gift for accompanying me.”
“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”
Although she said it politely, Yu Linna’s expression didn’t look embarrassed at all. Being able to get a free meal was naturally excellent. Since she didn’t have to pay, she was happy to accept.
Don’t blame me for being shameless; I’m forced by life. To fill my stomach, I can only do this.
She was right!
It was this impoverished world that was wrong!
Fang Jiayi didn’t mind Yu Linna’s thick skin. Although her family wasn’t extremely wealthy, treating her to a meal wasn’t a big deal. Besides, she wanted to get to know her.
However, as students, Fang Jiayi didn’t dare to take her to a fancy restaurant. They just went to a nearby fast food place and ordered some casual food. But Yu Linna was the type who would eat even instant noodles as long as they were free. There was no helping it; she was truly afraid of being poor!
Fang Jiayi didn’t know much about Yu Linna, but from her appearance, she could tell that her family wasn’t very well-off. And the fact that she worked part-time jobs suggested that her family situation was probably quite difficult. Thinking about it this way, it made sense that Yu Linna’s grades were so high. Because in their school, students with high rankings received scholarships every semester. Although the amount was small, it was still money.
“Yu, I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time, your grades are so good, why did you choose to come to our school?”
What Fang Jiayi couldn’t understand was why Yu Linna, whose grades were outstanding even citywide, chose to attend their less prestigious school. The city’s best experimental high school was clearly more suitable for her. If she studied there, she would definitely have greater opportunities for advancement.
“Because our school waived my tuition for three years when they admitted me. The tuition at the experimental high school is too high; I wouldn’t go there.”
She admitted it frankly, which was in line with her personality. If that was the case, it was understandable why someone like her would condescend to attend their school. It all boiled down to money.
Just how poor was Yu Linna?
Fang Jiayi didn’t want to pry directly. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future to gradually learn more.
As they ate, Yu Linna looked up at the TV in the restaurant. A new program was airing, a celebrity interview show.
“Our guest today is the talented actor, Yang Ziyang. Welcome~”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone.”
Yu Linna stared at the TV program, a hint of envy in her eyes.
If everything went smoothly for Nangong, would she also become a big star? If one day she became a star and appeared on TV, would they still be able to get along like before?
It wasn’t impossible.
From the very beginning, Nangong Ying and she weren’t the same kind of people. Nangong Ying was so dazzling, different from someone like her, who only knew how to study. No matter how good one’s grades were, they weren’t as good as having connections. This wasn’t without reason.
She had initially thought that Nangong Ying would pull her into that world, but those were just fantasies, impossible to realize.
“Yu, is this program that interesting?”
“…Not really, it’s quite boring. But it’s not completely worthless.”
“Pfft, don’t tell me you also want to be a big star? Well, you’re not bad-looking. Being a star would suit you.”
Fang Jiayi said half-jokingly, not taking it seriously.
Yu Linna, however, pondered this question seriously. If she wanted to be a star, what would that entail? Perhaps she would follow the same path as Nangong Ying. Nangong Ying was always the queen of the stage. If possible, she really wanted to be like Nangong Ying.
Yes, she admired Nangong Ying, longed to be like her.
“Yu? What’s wrong? Are you really thinking about it?”
“…No, I’m thinking about how to thank you for the meal.”
“Hmm… if you want to thank me, then treat me like a friend.”
“…That’s it?”
Yu Linna couldn’t imagine the other party only making such a simple request.
After all, they had only met in their third year and weren’t very familiar with each other. It wouldn’t have been strange if she had made other requests. She hadn’t expected her to ask for something so simple.
It made Yu Linna feel like she was watching a Japanese anime.
“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
“That’s not what I mean… How about I draw a picture for you?”
“A drawing? You can draw?”
“I learned art when I was young. I’m pretty good at drawing.”
“Then you’re quite talented. Here, let’s add each other on WeChat. I’ll send you a photo someday.”
“Add… add on WeChat?”
“Yeah, come on, I’ll scan your QR code.”
“…”
Yu Linna, who rarely took the initiative to add anyone, especially girls, felt noticeably uncomfortable. Being added on WeChat by a girl, could this be a sign that her spring had arrived?
No, obviously not, because they were both girls!
“Hehe, I added the top student of our advanced class, Yu Linna, on WeChat! This is enough for me to brag about for several days.”
Fang Jiayi was overjoyed. Despite Yu Linna’s usual coldness, she was quite famous. Usually, others couldn’t add her; she rejected everyone and never spoke in the class group chat. Extremely aloof, no one could shake this big tree, but today, Fang Jiayi had breached the city walls! She had added her on WeChat!
She seems very happy… Yu Linna couldn’t understand. Was adding her as a friend that exciting?
As the two girls were enjoying their time together, a woman at the next table had been observing them for a while. The two women at the next table were both in their twenties, at the peak of their careers, and they were dressed impeccably, clearly people of status.
“Chen Xi, what are you looking at?”
Huang Jinglin saw her friend staring at the two girls at the opposite table and couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. Chen Xi wasn’t usually like this. Why would she openly stare at girls? It didn’t make sense.
“Jinglin, that girl, the blonde one, isn’t she quite pleasing to the eye?”
“That girl… don’t do anything rash, I’m telling you. You’re from the editorial department, not a talent scout, understand?”
“Get lost. Who told you I’m doing that? I just realized that girl was a contestant who sang on stage today.”
Chen Xi karate-chopped Huang Jinglin, who clutched the swelling bump on her head and cried. Chen Xi took a sip of her beer, her eyes still fixed on Yu Linna.
“You didn’t remind me, I almost forgot. She’s just the extra who was eliminated in the second round… To be honest, that contestant has nothing but looks. Her singing is terrible, and she has no stage presence. Nothing worth watching.”
Huang Jinglin spoke frankly, without holding back. She didn’t think that that vase with only looks was worth anyone’s attention.
She had been hosting the show for several years and had interviewed big names in the entertainment industry. Good-looking people were everywhere, even more beautiful than her. But she didn’t look favorably upon those who only had looks and no talent.
“This girl, she’s a bit special.”
Chen Xi pushed up her glasses and continued to observe her.
“Chen Xi, what are you planning… I’ll call the police.”
“If you don’t want to walk home alone after the cocktail party, you better shut up.”
She kept watching Yu Linna, her gaze unwavering.
Chen Xi was an editor, a completely different profession from Huang Jinglin. Why was she fixated on Yu Linna? Although Yu Linna was exceptionally beautiful, that shouldn’t be the reason she was staring.
It could only be said that it was fate.
Chen Xi just felt that this girl was different, special. She had this feeling. But besides her, no one else thought so.
Sometimes, fate was strange. When Yu Linna stood up to get a drink from the refrigerator, she happened to pass by their table. She glanced over and suddenly saw Huang Jinglin. She had just participated in the competition today, so how could she not recognize the host?
“Ah… Host-Miss…”
“Ahem… Hello, Miss Yu. What a coincidence.”
Huang Jinglin was extremely embarrassed. Why did they have to meet now? This girl, who was a dime a dozen on the street, why did their worlds have to be so small?
“What a coincidence… Miss Huang is also dining here, what a coincidence…”
“Yes, what a coincidence, ahaha…”
Incredibly awkward.
But Huang Jinglin was an adult, and she quickly adjusted her mindset, intending to speak to her properly with the composure of an adult. However, Chen Xi spoke before she could.
“Let me introduce myself. My name is Chen Xi. What’s your name?”
“Huh? Oh… Yu, Yu Linna.”
“Yu Linna… The name suits you. It’s a nice name. I watched your performance. Although it was terrible, you did quite well.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I’ll be going now.”
Yu Linna didn’t want to stay a moment longer and left directly. It was understandable why she did so. After all, they were strangers; how could they suddenly become familiar?
Chen Xi pushed up her glasses, lost in thought.
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