Chapter 357

Because of Ji Fei's interference, Su Ze's expression turned grim. "If there's any issue, we can discuss it later. Jiaxi needs to change her clothes now."

After speaking, he shot a sharp glance at Qin Jiaxi.

In the past, whenever Su Ze wore a cold expression, Qin Jiaxi would obediently comply. But this time, she remained unmoved.

[Heh, the scumbag is panicking. He’s only trying to take Jiaxi away quickly because Qin Yi is here. Is he really that afraid of others finding out that Jiaxi is a member of the Qin family? So, it wasn’t just Qin Han’s request to keep Jiaxi’s identity hidden on campus—you were in on it too. I always wondered why, as her boyfriend, you allowed others to bully her like this. Turns out, it was all by design. You two hid her identity from the public and watched her get bullied. What a brilliant move!]

Ji Fei’s internal monologue was seething with anger.

Qin Zhao and Qin Rong finally understood. Su Ze’s urgency to take Jiaxi away wasn’t simply about not standing up for his girlfriend—it was about preventing her identity from being exposed.

Earlier, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍when he thanked Qin Yi for looking out for her, he was deliberately vague, making it seem like Qin Yi’s intervention was out of respect for Su Ze, not because of any connection to Jiaxi.

What a bold move! How dare he bully the Qin family’s daughter? He’s got quite the nerve!

"This is no small matter. This bracelet is priceless and holds significant meaning," Qin Zhao said with a cold laugh. "What? Is the young master of the Su family so generous that he won’t even seek justice for his own girlfriend?"

Though Qin Zhao didn’t work for the Qin Corporation, his celebrity status carried a commanding presence.

Su Ze’s face darkened. "It’s just a small matter. Jiaxi won’t make a fuss about it."

"No, it’s not a small matter. I care about it," Qin Jiaxi suddenly spoke up, breaking her silence.

Qin Jiaxi raised her head, tears welling in her eyes. She stared directly at Su Ze, as if the fog had finally lifted. "Do you always try to downplay things and make me endure in silence? Why is it that every time I’m wronged, you act like this? Aren’t you my boyfriend? I don’t expect you to fight for me, but why won’t you even give me fairness?"

When the signs of something being off became too obvious to ignore, the grievances she had long suppressed finally erupted.

Qin Jiaxi’s trembling voice and pointed questions made Su Ze flush with anger. "Jiaxi, stop making a scene. If you’re too unreasonable, I’ll have to ignore you!"

Ji Fei and the others nearly laughed in disbelief.

Qin Yi frowned and retorted, "Are you out of your mind? Who’s making a scene here?"

Su Ze’s face turned a kaleidoscope of colors after being directly confronted by Qin Yi.

The surrounding students couldn’t help but start whispering among themselves.

"Su Ze probably doesn’t want his girlfriend’s scandal to blow up. That’s why he’s acting like this. Qin Jiaxi is being ungrateful."

"Exactly. Qin Jiaxi stole Yu Xin’s things. Su Ze is just trying to protect her. I don’t think Teacher Qin knows the full story."

"He probably doesn’t. If he did, given his status, he wouldn’t be defending a thief."

Qin Yi naturally overheard the murmurs and was utterly baffled.

What on earth? Who’s Yu Xin?

Just as Qin Yi was about to ask, Su Ze, seemingly realizing something, hastily interrupted.

"Jiaxi, I’ll ask you one more time—are you coming or not? My patience has its limits."

Before Ji Fei and the others could react, Qin Jiaxi suddenly asked with seriousness, "I have a question. You knew this bracelet was a gift from my family, right? So why didn’t you say that when they asked you? Instead, you just said it wasn’t something you bought. Were you trying to lead everyone to believe that my bracelet was obtained through shady means?"

Her words instantly silenced the room.

[Well done, sister! You’ve finally woken up. Yes, that’s exactly what he was doing! He wanted to stand up for Yu Xin because, in truth, he has feelings for her!]

Though Qin Zhao and Qin Rong had already guessed as much after piecing together the clues, hearing it out loud still infuriated them.

The only silver lining was that Qin Jiaxi wasn’t a lovesick fool. She had finally seen through the scumbag’s intentions.

Perhaps flustered by being exposed, Su Ze grew even angrier, as if Qin Jiaxi had insulted him.

"Qin Jiaxi, you’d better think carefully before you speak," Su Ze said coldly, his tone laced with warning and his attitude still dripping with arrogance. "Why would I do such a thing? Do you still consider me your boyfriend?"

Qin Jiaxi froze, instinctively shrinking back.

Su Ze had meant the world to her. When she was drowning in misery, he had appeared like a beam of light in her life. His public confession had given her, who had always doubted herself, a sense of validation.

To her, it had been salvation.

When she learned that she could one day marry Su Ze, she had been overjoyed. She thought that marrying him would allow her to escape her suffocating family. Even if her mother and brother didn’t love her, at least she had a boyfriend who did.

So, Su Ze was her lifeline. Even if that lifeline was covered in thorns that silently wounded her, she didn’t dare let go.

But after this family gathering, something felt off—very off.

Su Ze had been cold toward her, showing almost no concern. Aside from publicly acknowledging their relationship, he had never stood up for her or protected her. Whenever she clashed with someone, Su Ze always took the opposing side, criticizing her. It wasn’t the complete rejection and scolding she got from her mother and brother, but it was still heartless.

Everything felt wrong.

"I’m starting to wonder—are you really my boyfriend?" Qin Jiaxi murmured softly.

Su Ze’s expression changed, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Just then, a delicate-looking girl rushed over.

"What’s going on? Jiaxi, are you arguing with Su Ze?"

[Oh ho ho, the scheming saint has made her grand entrance. She’s been watching from the sidelines all along, hasn’t she? Is she worried the show’s about to fall apart?]

Qin Zhao and Qin Rong immediately fixed their gazes on the newcomer. This was Yu Xin.

When Su Ze saw Yu Xin, his expression softened noticeably. His attitude was completely different now.

"We’re not arguing. Jiaxi’s just being unreasonable. I wanted to take her to change her clothes, but she’s being stubborn," Su Ze explained.

Yu Xin immediately turned to Qin Jiaxi with disapproval. "Look at you, you’re soaked. Come back to the dorm with me and change before you catch a cold."

"Yu Xin, why are you being so nice to her? Look at what she’s holding," one of the girls who had previously bullied Jiaxi interjected, clearly confused.

Yu Xin’s expression shifted slightly. "We’re good sisters. What does it matter if I’m nice to her? Nothing else is important. Please step aside."

[Another master of ambiguity, trying to wrap this up without clarity. Not happening!]

"Oh, so you’re Yu Xin? Perfect timing. Let’s settle this face-to-face. They’re saying Jiaxi stole your bracelet. Is the one Jiaxi’s holding the same as yours?"

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!