Chapter 53: Wei Qingyu Originally Belonged To Him, Not Her

Ji Xiao sat in the car looking at the gradually receding figure, hoping she was mistaken. For some reason, she felt a lot of resistance toward the male lead she had liked so much when she read the novel.

"Xiaoxiao, what are you  looking at?" Ji Qingyun noticed Ji Xiao's gaze outside the window that hadn't returned for a long time and asked curiously.

Ji Xiao looked at Ji Qingyun's inquiring gaze. It seemed that only by asking him could she know about such things.

She then pressed her lips together and asked softly, "Dad, is that person…the eldest son of the Jin family?"

"Are you talking about the person who just got out of that silver Rolls-Royce?" Ji Qingyun asked to confirm.

"Yes." Ji Xiao looked at the car slowly driving away in front and nodded.

Ji Qingyun heard this and nodded, "Yes, that is Mr. Jin and his eldest son, Jin Nanfeng."

When the three characters "Jin Nanfeng" passed through Ji Xiao's ears, the girl felt her heart being suddenly pulled.

Confirming it with others in her mind felt completely different, and that faint trace of luck was erased by Ji Qingyun.

She had originally hoped that the story in this book would progress faster, much faster.

But when Jin Nanfeng actually appeared, Ji Xiao felt not a bit of happiness; instead, there was an indescribable pain in her heart.

She had almost forgotten that this world still had someone with a predetermined fate with Wei Qingyu.

Or rather, her subconscious was controlling her to ignore and avoid this matter.

"Why, is Xiaoxiao interested in him?" Ji Qingyun asked as he looked at the slightly lost Ji Xiao.

Hearing Ji Qingyun's words, Wei Qingyu couldn't help but turn her gaze toward Ji Xiao as well.

She saw Ji Xiao thoughtfully shake her head, her voice carrying a hint of worry: "No."

It didn't seem like the way she would deny something.

Wei Qingyu felt a slight discomfort in her heart. She lifted her skirt and, after the servant opened the door, slowly got out of the car.

As the pink satin met the black tulle, she softly asked in Ji Xiao's ear, "What's wrong?"

Ji Xiao's gaze was on the Jin family father and son not far away, but she heard that familiar voice by her ear.

Her heart inevitably felt a bit of indescribable frustration, but she had to pretend nothing was wrong and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Just..."

"Brother Jin!"

Wei Qingyu's words were not yet spoken when Ji Qingyun's loud, cheerful voice interrupted.

The man, thinking he was doing a favor for Ji Xiao, called out to the Jin family father and son who were walking ahead, appearing very familiar with them. He quickly walked toward the father and son who had stopped up ahead with Ji Xiao and Wei Qingyu.

Ji Xiao's heart immediately tightened.

She had been struggling internally with whether to follow the storyline in the book and create an opportunity for Wei Qingyu to run into Jin Nanfeng, or... to follow her current selfish desire and keep Wei Qingyu by her side, unnoticed by Jin Nanfeng.

In the original text, it was this chance encounter under the moonlight at the party that left Wei Qingyu with an unforgettable impression on Jin Nanfeng, indirectly prompting him to transfer to the affiliated school in his senior year.

It was unclear whether it was the primal instincts of an Alpha at work or something else.

When Ji Xiao thought about having to push Wei Qingyu toward Jin Nanfeng according to the plot, she felt extremely resistant.

In her view, the Jin family father and son were chatting and laughing with Ji Qingyun. The young man named Jin Nanfeng, even standing between two well-maintained middle-aged Alphas, exuded a remarkable presence. The huge crystal chandelier cast dazzling light on him, giving even the typically flamboyant Alpha a gentle, jade-like image.

He truly deserved to be the male lead.

Ji Xiao sighed inwardly, her golden-orange eyes darkening with a layer of gloom. She suddenly felt as if she were watching Jin Nanfeng take something precious away from her.

But in the original text, Wei Qingyu was supposed to belong to him.

Not to her.

"Xiaoxiao, come over here," Ji Qingyun called out, waving to Ji Xiao and breaking her train of thought.

At the same time, the Jin family father and son turned to look toward Ji Xiao, following Ji Qingyun’s gesture. This distance, neither close nor far, although it didn't allow them to clearly see each other's features, still made Ji Xiao feel nervous.

 If she took Wei Qingyu over like this, the story would definitely follow the original plot.

Jin Nanfeng would certainly fall in love with Wei Qingyu at first sight, and Wei Qingyu would soon reunite with him after a long separation.

It is said that in times of crisis, one can better see the decisions they need to make.

Ji Xiao looked at Jin Nanfeng’s gaze turning toward her and quickly brushed her long hair aside. The smooth hair covered her ears with ear clips and hid her slightly nervous eyes.

While looking at the ground, she said to Wei Qingyu beside her, "Ah... my earring is missing. Go to the car and help me find it."

The girl's acting was as clumsy as ever, so much so that Wei Qingyu could immediately tell that her search was a bit unnatural. 

Her slender fingers clutched the black tulle, stiff and tense.

But seeing Ji Xiao’s anxious appearance and considering the situation, Wei Qingyu decided not to investigate further. 

She lightly said "Okay" to Ji Xiao, then lifted her skirt and followed the servant to the nearby parking lot.

Even wrapped in a light pink mink coat, the winter cold made her appear frail.

The wind lifted her skirt, and the fluttering, flowing satin intertwined with Ji Xiao's gaze.

Ji Xiao stood there, staring for a long time at the girl she had tricked into searching for the nonexistent earring.

Her golden-orange eyes were filled with an indescribable sense of guilt.

Sorry...

Forgive my lies and selfishness.

Ji Xiao watched the only hint of light pink in the cold world disappear, and her grip on her skirt tightened.

She composed herself, lifted her skirt, and stood next to Ji Qingyun. "Dad."

"I'd like to introduce you," Ji Qingyun said, "This is your Uncle Jin Changsong."

"Hello, Uncle Jin," Ji Xiao greeted politely.

Upon hearing this, Jin Changsong showed a kind smile just as described in the book and said, "Hello, Xiaoxiao."

"And this is your Uncle Jin's son, Jin Nanfeng," Ji Qingyun added.

Compared to her polite and well-behaved demeanor towards Jin Changsong, Ji Xiao's attitude toward Jin Nanfeng was much colder.

She merely nodded slightly and did not extend her friendly hand to this peer. "Hello."

Jin Nanfeng, seeing this, could only nod slightly in return. "Hello."

His voice was cool yet carried the magnetic tone of an Alpha, standing out prominently in the not-so-quiet hall.

Ji Xiao felt a bit more wary and insecure toward this Alpha. 

Jin Nanfeng was also an S-level Alpha, and his family was far more reputable than hers. Compared to him, her own S-level Alpha status felt insignificant as dust.

"I remember, Xiaoxiao, you should be in your second year of high school this year, right?" Jin Changsong interrupted Ji Xiao's thoughts as they walked.

Ji Xiao nodded obediently upon hearing this. "Yes."

"How are your grades?" Jin Changsong asked.

Ji Xiao's eyelids twitched upon hearing this.

Sure enough, adults are like that.

Even in the upper class, when children are present, they can't avoid asking about their grades.

Before Ji Xiao could answer, Ji Qingyun jumped in to boast, "Our Xiaoxiao has entered the experimental class this year and ranked in the top ten in the grade in the final exams."

Jin Changsong’s eyes brightened. "Xiaoxiao is in the experimental class at the affiliated high school? That's really impressive. I know the affiliated high school is the best high school in City A. I'm also considering whether to transfer Nanfeng from Yuhua Private School to the affiliated high school. I’m just worried that the teaching pace will be different, and Nanfeng might not adapt."

Ji Qingyun responded, "Actually, Brother Jin, since you’ve returned to City A, you might as well bring the kids over. Nanfeng is a smart kid. Even if he goes to the affiliated high school, I believe he will adapt quickly."

"That does make sense," Jin Changsong nodded. "Nanfeng, what do you think?"

"I think it’s worth trying," Jin Nanfeng replied, his voice as cold as ever.

Jin Changsong then looked thoughtfully at Ji Xiao, his face warm as he said, "How about this, Ji Xiao, why don’t you introduce your school to Nanfeng so he can consider it further? Is that okay?"

Ji Xiao couldn’t help but smile slightly when the topic was directed toward her.

Indeed, protecting the female lead has its rewards.

Heaven truly favored her by presenting such a good opportunity.

If she spoke more about the affiliated high school's shortcomings, wouldn't that cut off the possibility of Jin Nanfeng transferring there?

This way, Wei Qingyu would not have any romantic involvement with him. 

With her support, Wei Qingyu wouldn't miss having a male lead.

Wei Qingyu could even follow the heroine route without a CP!

"Sure."

Thinking of this, Ji Xiao's eyes filled with smiles, and she readily agreed.

Jin Changsong looked at the brightness in this young girl's eyes and nodded twice with an ambiguous expression.

Then he picked up the champagne from the table beside him and said to Ji Qingyun, "Since that's settled, let's not disturb these young people, Brother Ji."

"Alright," Ji Qingyun respectfully took the wine glass from Jin Changsong's hand.

As he followed Jin Changsong to another social circle, he couldn't help but turn back and remind Ji Xiao, "Xiaoxiao, don't drink."

"I know, Dad," Ji Xiao replied, then turned to look at Jin Nanfeng.

Pretending her dress had pockets, she slipped one hand into the layered gauze, tilted her neck slightly, and said with a rebellious tone, "Let's go?"

The vintage, ornate European wall lights emitted a bright glow, making the entire banquet hall look resplendent.

The slightly raised head and the long hair falling over her neck outlined her slender neck with light and shadow.

The girl's golden-orange eyes held a bit of mischief and defiance, like a proud black swan.

Jin Nanfeng looked at this person who was so different from the celebratory atmosphere around them, and a barely noticeable ripple passed through his eyes.

"Alright," he said plainly, following Ji Xiao's side.

The heavy door of the banquet hall was opened from the outside, and Wei Qingyu, who hadn't found the pearl earring, entered the hall with the guidance of the attendant.

As soon as the girl appeared wearing her light pink gown, everyone nearby looked at her.

The Young Miss of the Wei family, who had been absent for more than half a year, stood at the center of everyone's gaze with a poised demeanor and a serene expression on her cool face.

The bright lights shone on her face, making her appear as dazzling as a pearl, despite the decline of her family.

However, this pearl ignored the gazes directed at her. She slightly raised her head, searching for her girl among the crowd.

The moment she found her, her eyes slightly froze.

Wei Qingyu saw Ji Xiao and the boy named "Jin Nanfeng" in a corner booth with a significant blind spot.

The lighting cast an ambiguous glow over the beautiful scene, making it look especially glaring from any angle.

"Qingyu," Ji Qingyun called out to Wei Qingyu as she was about to move forward, waving at her with a kindly elder's demeanor. "Come over here."

Wei Qingyu looked at Ji Qingyun and the people around him whom Chen Linji had warned her about through a text message. She was forced to walk over.

Her gaze still glanced towards Ji Xiao's direction.

She saw Ji Xiao's black skirt unintentionally touching Jin Nanfeng's leg and the crimson lipstick mark on the glass wine cup in her hand.

The long-absent feeling of suffocation returned to the girl's heart and was gradually magnifying.