Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Heroine Is the Overbearing CEO's Love Rival

“Yes!” Shen Tingyu smiled softly as he watched Jiang Ruoxue’s retreating figure and hurried to catch up.

“Do you want to try this?” Jiang Ruoxue held up a skewer of fried cabbage.

Among all the fried skewers, her favorite was always the fried cabbage. Even after frying, the cabbage retained a pleasant chewiness. Dipped in chili oil and the vendor’s special sauce, its aroma was simply irresistible.

Every time she ate fried skewers, Jiang Ruoxue would make sure to get some cabbage.

“I’ll have some.” Shen Tingyu took the empty plate from Jiang Ruoxue and skillfully picked out the foods she liked.

“You really are my little brother! You know me so well.” Jiang Ruoxue patted Shen Tingyu on the shoulder.

“Boss, one more fried tofu, with less scallion and extra cilantro. How much is the total?” Shen Tingyu asked.

“That’ll be thirty-six yuan in total.” Small shops near schools like this kept prices low, relying on volume rather than high profits.

Shen Tingyu took out his wallet to pay.

“Jiang Ruoxue! You snuck out too?” A boy tapped Jiang Ruoxue on the shoulder, surprised and delighted.

He had been watching from behind for quite some time, uncertain at first but feeling the resemblance. Seeing Shen Tingyu standing beside Jiang Ruoxue confirmed his suspicion.

Over the past few days, he’d heard plenty about how close Shen Tingyu and Jiang Ruoxue from Morian were—they were inseparable, having been classmates since kindergarten.

This math training camp was the first time they’d been placed in different classes.

Many students were attending the training this time, divided into three classes. The boy who spoke was someone Jiang Ruoxue had met during the camp.

“Fang Hao, it’s you.” Jiang Ruoxue smiled upon recognizing him.

“If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have found a way in.” Fang Hao had guided her on where to climb over the wall and even shared the patrol schedule of the school security.

“Want some skewers? My treat. Consider it a thank-you. Pick whatever you want.” Jiang Ruoxue handed an empty plate to Fang Hao.

Shen Tingyu kept a neutral expression but had discreetly sized up Fang Hao several times and even sent a secret message to Shi Yan to report back.

“No need, it’s nothing.” Fang Hao waved off the offer, sensing Shen Tingyu’s dislike for him.

Shen Tingyu’s glare felt like knives; Fang Hao thought it best to leave rather than be an eyesore.

“Your skewers are ready, classmates.” Unlike other stalls, this vendor removed the fried items from the skewers, dipped them in sauce, and packed them into disposable paper boxes.

“Thank you, boss.” Shen Tingyu accepted the takeout box and tore off the plastic bag.

Jiang Ruoxue took the disposable chopsticks from the bag, unwrapped them, and picked up a bite, savoring it.

“So delicious! Try it.” She fed a piece to Shen Tingyu.

“Delicious.” He swallowed it in one bite. Their movements were natural and practiced, showing they often shared food like this.

Shen Tingyu shot a challenging glance at Fang Hao.

Fang Hao felt helpless inside. He didn’t like Jiang Ruoxue; there was no need to act so hostile.

“I won’t stay to chat. I’m off.” Fang Hao said goodbye, about to leave.

A female voice called out, “Fang Hao, what are you doing here? And who are these two?”

Chen Rui’s eyes landed squarely on Shen Tingyu.

Before coming over, she had mentally prepared herself. Seeing Shen Tingyu and Jiang Ruoxue in their school uniforms, Chen Rui instantly recognized them as the uniforms of Morian International School, the city’s most expensive private school.

Worried she might not get another chance to meet Shen Tingyu, Chen Rui seized the moment to say hello and hoped to get acquainted.

Jiang Ruoxue and Fang Hao noticed the commotion and looked at Chen Rui. Jiang Ruoxue felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if she had seen this girl somewhere before. Seeing her stirred an uncomfortable, tight feeling in her chest.

Shen Tingyu, the object of Chen Rui’s attention, didn’t even look up. He was checking his phone for the milk tea order, which was ready.

“This is a classmate of mine from math training,” Fang Hao introduced Jiang Ruoxue and Shen Tingyu to Chen Rui. Though not close with Chen Rui, he still upheld basic courtesy.

Before Fang Hao could introduce Chen Rui, she took the initiative. “Hello, I’m Chen Rui, Fang Hao’s classmate. Nice to meet you.”

Hearing the name, Jiang Ruoxue’s expression shifted sharply. She stared at Chen Rui’s face for several seconds, trying to place where she’d seen her before.

It was because Chen Rui resembled her grandmother! Many years had passed, and Li Yanhong had been gone for several years now.

When Li Yanhong had been the housekeeper at the Jiang family, especially when Shi Yan was away, she often brought Chen Rui to spend weekends at their home.

Under Li Yanhong’s indulgence, Chen Rui had frequently snatched Jiang Ruoxue’s toys and bullied her. Jiang Ruoxue often lost her toys to Chen Rui and was even punished by Li Yanhong for it.

Seeing Chen Rui’s face brought back those unpleasant childhood memories.

For years, Jiang Ruoxue had thought she no longer cared, but those memories still lingered like a thorn in her heart.

When quiet, they caused no pain, but when stirred, they were deeply unsettling.

“Fang Hao, I have things to do. I’m leaving.” Having finally climbed out, Jiang Ruoxue didn’t want to waste this good moment on someone she disliked.

She left with a cold expression. Shen Tingyu immediately sensed her mood shift from the moment Chen Rui appeared. As she departed, he didn’t even bother to hide his glare at Chen Rui.

Such a grown-up with no sense of tact, deliberately coming over to be annoying.

“Sigh, classmate…” Chen Rui felt thoroughly ignored and was a little annoyed.

“Fang Hao, your friends don’t like me, huh? Well, I’m not as smart as you guys to attend math training, nor as rich as them to study at Morian,” Chen Rui laughed bitterly, forcing a strained smile.

“You know they don’t like you but still force yourself here.” Fang Hao rolled his eyes and walked off.

What a farce. Did she really think he was a fool who wouldn’t see through her little schemes?