The appearance of Chu Han undeniably added more excitement to the scene.
"Wow, another beauty? Who's she?"
"That's Chu Han from Class 6. I heard quite a few guys have a thing for her."
"She's dating Gao Wenhao—she really knows how to climb the social ladder, huh?"
"Didn't Zhou Yi used to pine after her? What's going on here?"
"Anyone got the full story? It's been ages since we've seen such an interesting drama unfold."
Two beauties competing for one guy? How could that not be thrilling?
Wang Yang and his friends stood nearby, barely daring to breathe.
Only Wang Yixin had the nerve to step forward, frowning as she said, "What are you all doing? Do you really want to turn Zhou Yi into some kind of public spectacle?"
Su Ning glanced around. Practically everyone was staring at them now.
She quickly let go of Zhou Yi's hand.
The spot where she'd touched him felt like it was burning. Her ears turned red, and her heart began racing.
Only then did she take the time to look at the girl who had spoken.
The newcomer was tall, with fair skin, delicate features, and wavy flaxen hair. Even in the plain school uniform, her figure was unmistakable—especially her chest, which swayed slightly as she walked.
Chu Han's features were striking, reminiscent of the mixed-race models often seen on TV.
Indeed, Chu Han had a quarter of European heritage. Her eyes weren't pure black but carried a faint blue hue, shimmering like jewels.
As Chu Han approached, Su Ning realized she'd seen this girl somewhere before—but she couldn't quite place her.
The hostility radiating from the other girl's stunning face made it clear she was here for Zhou Yi.
Upon seeing Chu Han, Zhou Yi asked coolly, "What do you want?"
The last time they'd met, Zhou Yi had been in tears, begging her not to leave.
Chu Han glanced at Su Ning, forcing a smile. "Zhou Yi, I think there's been a misunderstanding between us. I'd like to explain—if you have a moment."
Wang Yixin, who didn't get along with Chu Han, chimed in sarcastically, "Oh, what now? You seem to have so many 'misunderstandings' with men. Didn't you have one with Li Hao from Class 2 recently? Chu Han, just how many guys are tangled up in your web?"
Chu Han raised an eyebrow calmly, her mixed-race features only adding to her commanding presence.
"Wang Yixin, you weren't exactly playing the innocent when you were sneaking around behind someone's back, were you?"
Chu Han dared to expose her secret right in front of Zhou Yi!
She flipped her hair innocently and said, "If your friend can't keep her boyfriend in line, that's her problem. Don't try to drag me into this."
A flicker of impatience crossed Zhou Yi's face.
"Let's settle this outside. I don't want to end up trending on the school forum."
With that, Zhou Yi strode out of the cafeteria, flanked by the three beauties. His confident gait drew envious stares from nearly every boy in the room.
"That's insane."
"Su Ning, Chu Han—and who's the other one? She's pretty too."
"That's Wang Yixin. I even tried asking her out once."
"Zhou Yi should start teaching classes—I'd kneel just to listen."
"I'm not greedy. One is enough for me."
"Yeah, right. Do you even compare to his looks?"
"The others might fall for his face, but Su Ning? There's got to be something else."
...
Once outside the cafeteria, Zhou Yi turned to Chu Han and Wang Yixin. "I need to talk to Su Ning. If you have anything to say, message me on WeChat later."
Wang Yixin didn't seem upset. Smiling brightly, she waved and said, "Sure thing! Catch you later—we should grab bubble tea sometime. Bye!"
Chu Han, however, was speechless. This meant that between her and Su Ning, Zhou Yi had chosen Su Ning first.
And he had the audacity to mention messaging her on WeChat?
He had blocked her!
But she couldn't afford to lose face in front of these two women. So, Chu Han forced a smile and agreed.
After the other two girls left, Zhou Yi led Su Ning toward a secluded grove.
Su Ning remained quiet the entire way, her mind racing with countless things she wanted to say but didn't know how to begin.
"It's cooler here. Let's talk here—it'll save time," Zhou Yi said, gesturing to a small pavilion tucked away among the trees. Few people came here, making it private enough to avoid prying ears.
His words made Su Ning's face pale again. She took a deep breath and finally looked into Zhou Yi's deep, narrow eyes.
"I need to know… Was it really you who saved me that day?"
Su Ning's voice trembled slightly. The answer seemed crucial to her.
"It was me. You collapsed by the roadside, and I carried you to City Hospital. I still have the receipt."
Su Ning staggered back a step.
It really was Zhou Yi. She had woken up in City Hospital that day.
Her guilt overwhelmed her, and her heart began to soften toward him. For the first time, she truly understood the depth of his kindness.
"I… I need to know why you never told me."
Her voice softened, guilt heavy in her tone.
Zhou Yi gave a bitter smile. "What difference would it have made if I had told you?"
"I never intended to tell you. I thought quietly doing what I could for you was enough."
"Besides taking you to the hospital, there were other things too."
"Like the extra milk and bread that kept appearing in your desk."
"The umbrella that showed up whenever it rained."
"The band-aids that magically appeared when you got hurt during gym class…"
Zhou Yi recounted everything the original Zhou Yi had done for her.
Though they were small gestures, they deserved to be acknowledged. Unrequited love was the loneliest battlefield, fought silently by one person while the other remained oblivious.
No matter how much you gave, if the recipient never knew, it was all for nothing.
On one hand, Zhou Yi thought the original Zhou Yi had been foolish. But his quiet devotion also stirred a sense of bittersweet admiration within him.
At the very least, Su Ning deserved to know who had done all these things for her.
Hearing this, Su Ning was deeply moved. Her lashes fluttered, and a wave of profound emotion washed over her.
Someone had quietly done so much for her.
And what had she done in return?
Thinking back to the harsh words she'd said to Zhou Yi—and the slap she'd given him—she felt a pang of shame.
Wasn't she the one who had repaid his kindness with cruelty?
Guilt flooded her heart.
As Su Ning was lost in her thoughts, Zhou Yi continued:
"If my diary hadn't been read aloud, I wouldn't have disrupted your life."
"I'm sorry for dragging you into the center of all this gossip. I truly apologize."
"But I'm also grateful. Without this incident, I might still be trapped in my own self-pity."
"Thankfully, I've moved on. From now on, I won't do these things anymore, and I won't disturb your life."
Hearing these words, Su Ning felt an inexplicable panic rise within her.
Without thinking, she stepped forward and grabbed Zhou Yi's sleeve.