Chapter 217: Two Rounds
The students of Class Three started calling out in the class group.
Xu Xinghe: “Hurry to the animal area! Grade 2 Class 1 and Grade 1 Class 8 are about to debate!”
Jiang Chuchu: “Bring snacks @Qin Yue”
Qin Yue: “Am I your errand boy?”
Jiang Chuchu: “Aren’t you?”
Qin Yue: “…I am.”
It turned out that compared to the outing, gossip was far more interesting. By the time Class Three rushed over, quite a few students from other classes had already gathered as well.
No one had expected things to escalate this much, but now that it had started, there was no backing out. Better to argue it out thoroughly and settle it once and for all.
Unexpectedly, Ning Jianxian himself showed up, standing quietly beside his classmates.
Bao Qingsong pointed him out to Qinghuan. “That one—the side-parted bangs, barely any expression. Total poker face.”
Qinghuan looked over. “Feels like the typical black-haired second male lead.”
Two girls nearby immediately perked up and looked toward Ning Jianxian.
They were Murong Tianjiao and Ouyang Wushuang—two girls with names so domineering they sounded like characters from a wuxia drama.
Back during introductions, people had wondered if their families knew each other because of the similar naming style.
Turned out, both sets of parents were hardcore wuxia fans, and both mothers had compound surnames—hence the unconventional names.
Ironically, despite their bold names, both girls were extremely socially anxious. Growing up, they’d often been teased because of their names, which made them withdraw from social interaction and feel more comfortable online.
But after entering Class Three, things changed.
First, they met each other—finally someone who shared the same experience—and instantly became friends.
Second, the class atmosphere was unexpectedly warm. Even when others were curious about their names, there was no mockery.
So around Class Three, they gradually became less anxious.
They also shared similar hobbies—like anime.
Hearing Qinghuan’s comment, they became excited.
“Yeah, he does resemble that type.”
“Feels like a mix of several characters.”
They started listing names one after another—some of which Qinghuan vaguely recognized from popular anime.
Seeing them having fun, Qinghuan didn’t interfere, only reminding them not to stare and comment too much—it would be impolite.
The two obediently nodded and moved to the back to continue chatting.
Qinghuan withdrew her gaze and happened to catch Ning Jianxian looking at her.
She was slightly surprised but still gave him a friendly smile.
His expression didn’t change at all, but he nodded in acknowledgment before looking away.
Qian Xiaoyao confirmed both sides were ready and took out a coin.
Instead of a single toss, each class would guess once—whoever guessed correctly would speak first.
First toss: Class 8 guessed heads—wrong.
Second toss: Class 1 guessed heads—correct.
So Grade 2 Class 1 spoke first.
The opening statement:
“Ning Siqi knows he’s an illegitimate child, yet he keeps coming over to provoke Ning Jianxian!”
Class 8 immediately exploded. “What do you mean provoke? He’s just trying to build a relationship!”
“Beep—” Qian Xiaoyao blew a whistle from somewhere. “Evidence.”
A student from Class 1 continued, “After the monthly exam results came out, Ning Siqi saw that Ning Jianxian did well and went up to congratulate him.”
“But Ning Jianxian didn’t even look at him and just walked away! Even if they don’t get along, basic courtesy should exist!”
Class 1 looked exasperated. “Do you even know how much Ning Jianxian scored?”
Class 8 hesitated. “Even with subject selection, he ranked pretty high in several subjects, right?”
The speaker sneered. “You’re freshmen, so you don’t know—his idiot father doesn’t care about rankings, only raw scores.”
“Last semester, during a parent meeting, Ning Jianxian had low scores in two minor subjects, but the exams were difficult, so his rankings were actually high.”
“But when his father saw the scores, he publicly criticized him, saying it was unacceptable and that he should reach a certain score.”
“So for Ning Jianxian, even if his ranking is high, as long as the score is low, he gets zero praise at home.”
“This time, the Grade 2 exams were also hard. His ranking was high, but his score still didn’t meet his father’s expectations.”
“At the time, when Ning Siqi congratulated him, he specifically mentioned the score—not the ranking. Does that sound like sincere congratulations? If it were you, would you respond?”
Class 8 fell silent.
Someone muttered, “Maybe Ning Siqi didn’t know…”
Qian Xiaoyao immediately blew the whistle again. “Any evidence that he didn’t know?”
Class 8 fell even quieter.
Class Three, watching: Perfect—this is premium gossip.
Class 1 concluded, “Whether intentional or not, Ning Jianxian doesn’t want to see him. If he keeps approaching, he won’t get a good response.”
“If you really think Ning Siqi is wronged, then advise him not to seek trouble next time—and don’t stand up for him over this.”
Class 8 had no reply.
Qian Xiaoyao announced the end of Round One.
Round Two—Class 8 rallied.
“Ning Siqi didn’t choose to be born illegitimate! His mother was pitiful too! Blame his father—not him. Bullying him for this is too much!”
Class 1 frowned. “What bullying?”
The confusion seemed genuine.
Class 8 explained, “He’s often late because Ning Jianxian deliberately refuses to let him use the family car in the morning.”
Class 1 exchanged looks. “We’ve never heard of that.”
“That’s because Ning Jianxian never told you! Who knows how much he bullies Ning Siqi behind the scenes—”
Before they could finish, Ning Jianxian spoke.
His tone was calm. “I never deliberately prevented him from using the car.”
Qian Xiaoyao blew the whistle. “Evidence?”
“Yes,” Ning Jianxian said. “Our household only has two drivers—one for my mother, one for my father. They don’t follow my instructions. I simply ride with my mother when she leaves.”
“Then it’s your mother’s fault!” someone from Class 8 shot back.
Unmoved, Ning Jianxian replied, “Ning Siqi can use my father’s driver. My father leaves at nine, so the driver can easily take him to school first and return.”
This time, Class 8 asked first, “Evidence?”
Ning Jianxian took out his phone and scrolled through messages.
“One morning, my mother had an early flight, so I asked my father if I could take his car.”
He played a voice message:
“Jianxian, didn’t we agree? You only ride with your mother. Otherwise, when Siqi sees you, he’ll remember that you still have a mother—and his is gone. It’ll make him sad.”
Ning Jianxian put his phone away, expression unchanged.
“At least this proves that our transportation arrangements are clearly separated.”
Class Three was stunned.
That didn’t just prove the car situation—it exposed a deeper issue.
If seeing Ning Jianxian would remind Ning Siqi of his mother and make him sad—
Then why does Ning Siqi keep approaching him at school?
