Then there were the occasional calls from Pei Dai, telling them that it was a crucial time and asking them not to worry too much and to focus on their studies.
Su Qing didn't know if it was Jiang Sui's company, but she felt completely at ease, less stressed.
The most important thing was the start of the final exam.
But at the end of the exams, something happened...
Tian Shasha was taken away.
This incident caused quite a stir within the school, but due to the pressure of public opinion and the negative impact of the uproar, the principal stepped in to suppress the matter and held a general meeting for all students.
Has there been any progress?
Pei Dai hadn't provided Su Qing or Jiang Sui with any information, and Su Qing hadn't paid much attention.
Because the exams were approaching, Su Qing had left everything to time and justice.
Only in the afternoon after the exam did Xu Miaoran visit Su Qing once.
As if struck by something, she grabbed Su Qing's arm and headed out to the snack street. Xu Miaoran was taller than Su Qing, and she seemed oblivious to the cold. She wore only a tweed coat, a skirt underneath, white boots, and light make up, looking incredibly fashionable.
Su Qing wasn't sure why she was looking for her, but she could sense Xu Miaoran's constant scrutiny, as if she were examining radishes and cabbages at a market.
"Su Qing, I still don't think you're any better than me."
Xu Miaoran was carrying a bag of a brand unknown to Su Qing, and her entire body exuded the fragrance of wealth and luxury.
Xu Miaoran's confusion and bewilderment were palpable.
"I don't think you're inferior to me in any way."
She truly possessed the qualities of a gifted child. While her academic performance wasn't impressive, her artistic talents were top-notch, and her beauty and family background were also impressive.
Su Qing generously acknowledged others' excellence.
Xu Miaoran hadn't expected Su Qing's words to be like this. She was startled. Amidst the throng of people, she stared at this girl, often described as a little b**ch. Her presence was truly minimal. If someone didn't look up, then couldn't even see her delicate and stunning face.
Her aura was so indifferent, she looked frail, even vulnerable, yet her eyes were so bright, so dark and luminous that it was impossible to look away.
It was hard to imagine that someone so vulnerable could possess such powerful eyes.
"In this world, besides Su Qing, besides Xu Miaoran, besides Jiang Sui, there are so many excellent and good people, too many to count, and everyone is excellent in some way."
Su Qing pursed her lips and added something. She hadn't meant to say it, but the look on Xu Miaoran's face as she looked at her made her feel like she had something to say. Su Qing didn't want to embarrass anyone, or herself.
"You're right."
Xu Miaoran listened, observing Su Qing intently. She didn't see any hint of jealousy in the young woman's eyes. She was so calm and natural.
"So I plan to go abroad and see better people, better scenery, and better lives."
It couldn't be said that Su Qing's words had awakened her. She truly did like Jiang Sui, but not so much that she can completely gave up everything. The courage to do so had actually vanished the moment she entered his room.
Someone told her that if you want someone's heart, you must win their body.
Someone told her that Su Qing always liked to act pitiful, hoping to elicit pity.
And so on...
Xu Miaoran hated evil and never imagined she would fall into someone else's trap, leaving her with what she considered a friendship, only to be exploited by others.
Xu Miaoran had observed Su Qing, having someone observe her. Aside from studying, she didn't seem to have any connection with others.
It seemed as if Jiang Sui was truly insisting on sticking Su Qing.
Girls really shouldn't embarrass other girls.
Planning to go abroad?
Su Qing's eyes were startled for a moment, then she regained her composure.
"Then I wish you a safe journey and hope you meet someone better."
At first, Su Qing disliked Xu Miaoran, but over time, she seemed to have somewhat forgotten those scars. One must always look forward, not dwell in the past. Although she was certainly annoying back then, she was truly bright and beautiful now.
It wasn't anything emotional; it was just politeness.
"I called you out today because I wanted to apologize."
Xu Miaoran still felt very uncomfortable. As a high-ranking young lady, she had never had anything to do with apologies, nor was she prone to groveling.
"It's all in the past, actually."
Su Qing's nonchalant expression made Xu Miaoran's heart skip a beat. She pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a complex and unclear emotion.
"Su Qing, Tian Shasha and I know each other. Actually, I can't blame anyone else, I blame myself too. I had tinted glasses towards you and listened to one person's opinion one-sidedly. I almost became the executioner who hurt you. I really did like Jiang Sui. At that time, I wanted to exhaust everything. I wanted to make all the rich young men and women in Jiangcheng's circle to know that if I, Xu Miaoran, liked someone, no one could escape."
She spoke bluntly and directly.
Su Qing had actually guessed that Xu Miaoran might know someone involved in that incident, but she hadn't expected that person to be Tian Shasha.
Now that Tian Shasha had been taken away, Su Qing didn't want to mention her again, feeling that the girl was incredibly cunning.
From the very beginning, those words she'd said when she entered the competition, she was probably scheming.
Su Qing remained silent, only to hear Xu Miaoran continue, her expression slightly self-deprecating.
"I was standing at his door that day, and he actually pushed me out. I worked so hard to get my father to organize the banquet, and he just showed up and hurried away."
"I quite like him. I like his handsomeness, his aloofness, and the fact that his family is a good match for me. And also his haste."
"It's just that he doesn't like me. From the beginning, his heart was completely devoted to you."
"I became jealous, irritable, and even completely resentful of you. You didn't do anything wrong."
Xu Miaoran's words were a bit heated, but her emotions remained relatively composed. You could tell she was still a little hurt and upset, but she hide it well.
Su Qing had been listening intently. She seemed like a good listener, quiet and reserved, with no unnecessary expressions—no sympathy, no ridicule, nothing at all.
Xu Miaoran suddenly felt a pang of regret.