Chapter 23

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After the basketball game ended, the surrounding audience reluctantly dispersed.

Ming Dai was still thinking about how Xia Ling had called him a “mad dog” when she was dragged towards Gu Lingsi, Ning Xu, and the rest.

Looking at the group of people standing there, Ming Dai realized that there were a few familiar faces among them—

Behind Gu Lingsi was Tang Xue, the girl who had splashed red wine at her at a banquet in her previous life. At this moment, she was talking to someone else, but her gaze could not help but drift to Ning Xu. It seemed that she had already fallen in love with him.

Unfortunately, Ning Xu did not receive her signal. He was talking about basketball with the boy beside him. Ming Dai had also seen this boy before. He was Ning Xu’s childhood friend and best friend, Lu Yu. Ming Dai knew from him that Ning Xu had a crush on Gu Lingsi and made a bet.

The tall boy standing next to Gu Lingsi was Liu Zhengqing. He had a refined and handsome appearance and was Gu Lingsi’s childhood friend. He always had a smile on his face as he listened attentively to Gu Lingsi’s words. He seemed to have a good upbringing, but in reality, he would only treat Gu Lingsi well.

As far as Ming Dai knew, even though Gu Lingsi and Ning Shu were only engaged ten years later, Liu Zhengqing would not change his mind. He was the most loyal knight to Princess Gu Lingsi.

On the other hand, Ming Dai knew about him because he later ran an entertainment company and made things difficult for her a few times, saying that it was a “lesson” for her for disrespecting her sister…

There were three to five other people. Ming Dai looked familiar but could not remember their names. She had probably met them by chance in her previous life. They were all from Gu Lingsi and Ning Xu’s circle.

Speaking of which, these “acquaintances” did not have a good relationship with Ming Dai.

In this circle, Gu Lingsi was the goddess of these people.

Ever since Ming Dai returned to the Gu family at the age of 25 in her previous life, she had never managed to squeeze into this circle, much less acknowledged by this group of people.

They looked down on her and were wary of her. It was as if Ming Dai was the one who tried to steal something that didn’t belong to her.

However, who would have known that it was a position that originally belonged to her?

… Those emotions left a mark in Ming Dai’s heart after time passed.

She lowered her eyes and walked half a step behind Xia Ling, looking quiet.

As she stood beside Xia Ling, these people took a few more glances at her and automatically regarded Ming Dai as Xia Ling’s sidekick.

They were exceptionally enthusiastic towards Xia Ling. As she walked over, they stopped joking and greeted her.

“Sister Xia, you’re here!”

“I heard that you just won the national award, Sister Xia? Congratulations!”

“Sister Xia, we’re going to the resort this weekend. Do you want to come with us?”

“…”

All of them smiled brightly and sincerely.

Their attitudes were completely different from the arrogant and condescending attitude they had when they faced Ming Dai in her previous life. They were vaguely trying to please her and pretend to be close to her.

As for the reason behind it, it was firstly because Xia Ling was outstanding enough to deserve this respect.

Secondly, it was because Xia Ling was different from these rich and idle people who used the family trust to live and wait for death. She was the only daughter of the Xia family and had been chosen as the successor since she was born. The education she had received since she was young and the hard work she had put in were far inferior to them.

There were three other reasons, and the most important one was that in this kind of industry, family background was still important!

For example, the Xia family and the Ning family were at the top echelon of the pyramid. They had been rich for at least five generations. Xia Ling and Ning Xu, who came from these two families, had extraordinary statuses in the small circle. Everyone else had to respect and curry favor with them.

Among them, Gu Lingsi was probably the only one who was relatively calm.

However, this was not because of family background. In terms of strength, the Gu family was only in the second tier. In the early years, this family was still considered strong, but from the previous generation, the family had gradually become weak and slid to the third tier.

The fact that Gu Lingsi was able to receive special respect and a status that exceeded her family background was closely related to the perfect image she had displayed since she was young.

Not only did the young men and women regard her as the goddess of moonlight, but in the eyes of the usually picky wives of the rich and powerful, she was also the number one candidate for a perfect daughter-in-law.

Speaking of which…

These people were only high school students in their teens, but they had such a thorough understanding of the rules of the adult world. It was as if the skill of calculating benefits was innately flowing in their blood.

… Ming Dai instantly felt relieved.

The emotions that kept growing in her heart dissipated, and her whole body felt light.

The world was clear and peaceful.

Even Ning Xu, who slowly appeared in her field of vision, became less of an eyesore.

“A distinguished guest has arrived. What’s the matter?”

He deliberately lowered his voice so that it was less awkward during the voice change stage. It sounded more mature and magnetic.

The 16-year-old Ning Xu was tall and well-built. He was more than 1.8 meters tall and was full of youthful energy. He sat down on the long chair. No matter how one looked at him, his expression looked like he was provoking someone.

Xia Ling’s expression was unfriendly as he questioned.

“Ning Xu, did you complain to my mother?”

“How is telling the truth a complaint?”

Ning Xu slowly dragged out his voice, and the corners of his eyes curled up because of his smile.

Xia Ling stared at him and suddenly snorted.

“You haven’t told your brother about your results for the start of the semester, right?”

Ning Xu slowly sat up straight.

“This result… Tsk, how disappointed do you think your brother is? I will let bygones be bygones and recommended a few tutors. I don’t think you have time to go to some resort this weekend.”

“Xia Ling!”

Ning Xu stood up angrily, his voice almost breaking.

“Why are you calling your sister?”

The air seemed to have frozen, and the surrounding atmosphere was even worse.

The others became nervous. Someone nudged Gu Lingsi.

Gu Lingsi was helpless. She could only step forward and grab Ning Xu’s arm to persuade him.

“Alright, don’t be angry.”

Ning Xu was still righteous. He shook her off without thinking.

With a cry of surprise, Gu Lingsi lost her balance and fell to the side. That direction happened to be where Ming Dai and Xia Ling were standing!

In an instant, Ming Dai did not even have time to think before she felt the world spin around her. A heavy object hit her and she fell backward.

Ming Dai, who had just been sick, did not have the strength to stabilize this person who had suddenly pressed down on her.

She fell to the ground uncontrollably and was forced to become a meat cushion—

“Ooh!”

Ming Dai felt intense pain in her elbows and ankles, and she could not help but groan.

Gu Lingsi, on the other hand, looked completely unscathed from the fall.

Tang Xue, Liu Zhengqing, and the others immediately rushed over and surrounded Gu Lingsi.

“Lingsi, how are you?”

“Are you hurt?”

“Can you stand up?”

“…”

Gu Lingsi, who was drowned in concern, finally managed to speak.

“Thank you for your concern. I’ll be fine.”

“Of course you’re fine, because Ming Dai is the one who’s injured!”

Xia Ling’s voice that was suppressing her anger rang out from outside the crowd.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go over and help Ming Dai, but those people were too fast and surrounded her, so she couldn’t squeeze in at all!

Xia Ling was very angry. She was truly angry!

Everyone saw this and felt apprehensive. They couldn’t help but make way.

It also revealed Ming Dai, who was completely blocked by Gu Lingsi.