chapter 2

After that day, I officially joined the student council.

Ten people were admitted with me, but I alone entered the executive office, where I assisted Ji Yanli with his daily work.

Milu University was a world-famous private institution. Most of its students came from wealth and privilege, and the divide between them and scholarship students was almost instinctive. The student council represented status as much as ability; never before had it admitted someone on scholarship.

Ji Yanli had always wanted to break that deadlock. By volunteering, I had handed him the perfect opportunity. Of course he would not refuse me.

Especially when I had this face on my side.

Wearing a pleasant smile, I pushed open the office door. “President, your documents are printed. I just need your signature.”

Ji Yanli nodded and went through the details with me. Once everything had been confirmed, he smiled.

“Having you here certainly saves me a lot of—”

Before he could finish, a girl in a pale pink dress flung herself into his arms.

“Yanli, I’m here!”

Ji Yanli looked resigned, but his eyes were indulgent. “Ruo, how many times have I told you to knock?”

“I know. And I’ll do it again next time.”

Zhao Ruo blinked mischievously, then turned to me with a smile. “Yanli, when did you hire such a beautiful assistant? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

He steadied her and said, “This is Shen Man from the executive office. She mainly helps me with my daily work.”

Zhao Ruo smiled at me as though she could not have been friendlier, but I caught the cold vigilance in her eyes.

“Shen Man? So you’re the great beauty everyone started talking about the moment classes began.”

Then a teasing male voice came from behind me. “She really is hot. I like her.”

The young man swept an openly suggestive gaze over my body.

I instinctively avoided his eyes and turned to leave, but he seized my wrist. “Did I say you could go?”

I could not struggle free. My eyes reddened, which only stirred his appetite. He slowly rubbed my wrist, leaving angry red marks on pale skin.

Ji Yanli’s face darkened. Frost covered his eyes, and he had just opened his mouth when Zhao Ruo cut in sharply.

“Zhao Ming, that’s enough. A joke like that is rude.”

She shot him a warning look.

Zhao Ming snorted, but finally released me. I fled the office as if terrified.

Zhao Ruo immediately began coaxing Ji Yanli in a soft, spoiled voice. “Yanli, Zhao Ming just likes to joke around. Don’t be angry.”

Ji Yanli sighed, helpless and indulgent at once.

“Fine. I’m not angry.”

The instant I closed the door, all panic vanished from my face.

I looked down at my reddened wrist and clicked my tongue in disgust, then sent a message.

I met them.

The reply came at once.

How are they?

I glanced back at the door. Zhao Ruo’s voice was faintly audible from inside.

I smiled without warmth.

“Exactly as before. False, arrogant, and stupid.”

Perfect company for me in hell.