Chapter 56: Could It Really Be?
A Heavy Atmosphere at School
The school, usually buzzing during break time, now carried a heavy atmosphere due to some unexpected incidents.
These sudden attacks had occurred more than twice, affecting all first-year classes with similar situations. Due to the highly special identities of those attacked, Yu Li initially thought they were targeting the protagonist. However, after confirming the situation in each class, she realized that wasn’t the case.
Patterns of the Attacks
Those attacked in each class were teenagers of high status, but only Ai Xinglan and Fu Qingyue were halo bearers. Without exception, the attackers were all commoner students. The school had already launched an investigation, and all first-year classes were suspended. With doubts in her heart, Yu Li sought out Fu Qingyue to understand her situation.
Yu Li’s Conversation with Fu Qingyue
“So, you don’t know the person who attacked you, Little Qingyue?”
“Mm.” Fu Qingyue nodded lightly.
From Fu Qingyue’s response, it was clear she wasn’t familiar with the boy who attacked her—she didn’t even know his name. This matched Yu Li’s findings from other classes; no one knew why they were targeted.
Unlike the other victims, Fu Qingyue didn’t seem to care about the attack at all, as if it was something she was used to. Her full attention was on Yu Li, who had come to see her. The corners of her mouth curved slightly upward in a faint smile, as if she was quietly happy.
Fu Qingyue’s Unusual Reaction
Fu Qingyue knew her reaction might seem odd, but compared to why she was attacked, she cared more about spending time with Yu Li.
Yu Li noticed Fu Qingyue’s inexplicable attitude. There was no sense of danger in her—only an overwhelming feeling of happiness. Yu Li couldn’t fully understand, but she knew what to do.
At least for now, there was no need to make her upset.
A Lighthearted Shift in Topic
So, Yu Li shifted her serious expression to a smile and said, “Alright, then here’s the second question.”
“Mm.”
“Was lunch delicious?”
The topic jumped so abruptly that Fu Qingyue was momentarily stunned, unable to react. When she did, she nodded vigorously. “Li Bao, it was super delicious.”
As always, Fu Qingyue spoke in short sentences, but this time Yu Li sensed some ambiguity in her words.
“…You ate the food, not me, right…?”
Faced with Yu Li’s question, Fu Qingyue didn’t respond, just staring at her expressionlessly.
A Playful Misunderstanding
Her gaze made Yu Li feel uneasy, and she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. “You… you’re talking about the food being delicious, right? I’m not edible, okay?!”
Fu Qingyue nodded lightly. “Mm, thank you, Li Bao… for the food.”
Seeing Yu Li’s fluster, Fu Qingyue couldn’t help but smile. On her usually icy face, the smile didn’t feel out of place—it carried a natural, gentle warmth.
“Oh, Little Qingyue, you smiled?”
Yu Li covered her mouth in utter surprise, as if witnessing a world wonder.
“I… smiled?”
Hearing Yu Li’s words, Fu Qingyue felt a touch of disbelief. She instinctively raised her hand to touch her cheek but felt nothing.
Capturing a Rare Moment
“Oh形で“Such a pity I didn’t capture it in time. You look so pretty when you smile, Little Qingyue~”
Yu Li felt regret for not snapping a photo of Fu Qingyue’s smile with her phone, but at least she now knew Fu Qingyue wasn’t incapable of showing expressions.
“Is that so…” From childhood to now, her expressions had always been subtle, yet today Yu Li said she saw her smile. “If it’s true, it must be… thanks to Li Bao.”
“Huh, me?”
“Mm, it’s all because Li Bao is here.”
Fu Qingyue’s Heartfelt Words
Hearing Fu Qingyue’s earnest words, Yu Li scratched her head, a bit embarrassed. “Is that so? Hehe, if you say that, I’ll believe it~”
“Mm, it’s all thanks to Li Bao. Meeting you was truly wonderful.”
Fu Qingyue always spoke her thoughts so directly, which Yu Li found a bit overwhelming, her ears turning slightly red.
Unaware of this, Fu Qingyue seemed focused on adjusting her expression. Her facial muscles twitched slightly as she tried to smile again for Yu Li, but she failed.
Understanding Without Words
Yu Li noticed this and spoke softly, a bit helplessly. “Even if you don’t force yourself to make vivid expressions, I can understand your feelings, Little Qingyue. So don’t push yourself!”
Hearing this, Fu Qingyue nodded and stopped forcing herself, though she seemed to hesitate, as if wanting to say something more.
“Mm… Little Qingyue, is there something else you want to tell me?”
Topics ending meant Yu Li would leave, so Fu Qingyue recalled her butler’s advice.
“Mm, I… can I talk about what happened today?” Unsure if her butler’s advice was correct, she chose to ask Yu Li’s opinion first.
An Open Heart
“Of course! My goal is to be a friend Little Qingyue can talk to about anything. So whatever it is, if you want to share, you can come to me anytime!”
Seeing Yu Li’s response, Fu Qingyue nodded happily. “I understand. Thank you, Li Bao.”
Yu Li didn’t say anything more, just smiled at Fu Qingyue, who then began her story.
Fu Qingyue’s Revelation
“Just now, Brother Ye asked to meet me at school.”
“Wait a second, Brother Ye… isn’t he dating someone else?! And he still came to find you? Did you turn him down, Little Qingyue?!”
At the first sentence, Yu Li bristled with anger, but Fu Qingyue shook her head. “Sorry, Li Bao, I didn’t refuse.”
“Huh?”
“Because… I don’t feel any jealousy about Brother Ye dating someone else.”
“I wanted to meet him to confirm, so I agreed.”
“After seeing Brother Ye again, I realized I might have… misunderstood something all along. To me, he’s always just been an important family member. He must think the same, which is why he distanced himself when I misunderstood.”
Fu Qingyue spoke with seriousness, as if she had uncovered the truth.
“This is also thanks to Li Bao. Because of you, I noticed my true feelings.”
A Shift in the Halo
Hearing Fu Qingyue’s words, Yu Li was somewhat surprised. She instinctively activated her vertical pupils to glance at the halo above Fu Qingyue’s head. It was pure silver, without a trace of black patterns.
The female protagonist… through her own overthinking, broke free from the male protagonist?
Yu Li genuinely felt a sense of disbelief, but Fu Qingyue’s words continued.
“I didn’t say anything to Brother Ye. This way, things can stay the same as before… except now, I have Li Bao.”
Fu Qingyue’s face remained expressionless, but Yu Li could see a faint joy emanating from her.
A Growing Bond
Yu Li blinked, looking at Fu Qingyue, who couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning her. A trace of doubt crept in. She even wondered if, had she possessed a halo, Fu Qingyue’s halo might already be tinged with her colors.
It couldn’t be… could it? Unlike Little Ai, Fu Qingyue, who had been involved with the male protagonist, shouldn’t fall for a girl… right?