176 Warning Jiang Xue

Not long after Shen Xi returned to the dormitory, Jiang Xue and Su Xi returned.

When they saw Shen Xi, whom they had not seen the whole morning, Jiang Xue taunted, “Xixi, where have you been? You didn’t return last night or show up for lessons this morning. You must have been very… busy. Did you tire yourself out? It’s busy work, soliciting favours all night.”

As soon as Su Ni heard Jiang Xue hurling jabs at Shen Xi, she excused herself by saying she needed to use the washroom.

Su Ni’s current policy was to take the long route whenever it involved Shen Xi, more so when Jiang Xue threw herself into the mix. It was best to distance herself from that particular battlefield.

Jiang Xue sneered with contempt as Su Ni fled.

Shen Xi sat on her chair, fearless in her retort, “Everyone will look unclean to you, Jiang Xue. I can understand why. After all, you don’t possess a clean record, so it’s only natural for you to assume the same of everyone else. I must say, you were quite impressive, allowing all those men free reign over your body. What is it they say? Ah. Instantiable. That’s what you were. I’m surprised you had as much stamina as you did.”

Jiang Xue’s eyes darted to the open door of their dorm room and quickly shut it. “Shen Xi, that happened a long time ago. The past should remain the past. I would advise you to be more sensible and watch your words. Otherwise, you’ll suffer.”

Shen Xi brushed off Jiang Xue’s threat and approached her, one menacing step at a time.

She wore a smile that was not a smile, a ghastly promise of what was to come should Jiang Xue step out of line, one that caused her nemesis’s heart to tremble. Jiang Xue backed away, one step at a time and was soon forced up against the table, preventing her from retreating further.

“Do you honestly believe no one knows what happened or that you could sweep it all under the rug? Your depravity knows no bounds!” Shen Xi’s words were an arrow through Jiang Xue’s heart.

“Shut up, Shut up! Shen Xi, if you don’t stop spouting nonsense, I will have my mother eradicate you! Don’t test me!” Jiang Xue’s emotions raged out of control as she shouted at Shen Xi hysterically.

Shen Xi eyed Jiang Xue with disdain. She traced her fingers along Jiang Xue’s exposed neck, stroking with increasing force. Jiang Xue grabbed Shen Xi’s wrist, frightened by her actions.

“You… Don’t act recklessly! If you lay a hand on me, my parents will end you!” A tremor rippled in Jiang Xue’s voice as she spoke.

Shen Xi grinned impishly. She freed her hand from Jiang Xue’s grasp and lifted her chin with her index finger. “If you have the guts, then come! But let me warn you: know your strength or lack thereof. Who knows? If you aren’t careful, you might share Su Ni and Liu Cheng’s fate, or one far worse than theirs.”

Jiang Xue rebutted with an air of defiance, “Shen Xi, you should be the one to know your place. I am neither Su Ni nor Liu Cheng. Behind me stands the might of the Jiang and Xiang families. You are nothing to me. I suggest you pack your things and leave Zhuo Ying High School before I make you.”

Jiang Xue did not know where Shen Xi’s confidence came from. To think she would dare threaten her! What? Did she think her lowly parents, two peasants who worked odd jobs, could stand up before her might? It was ridiculously naïve.

Shen Xi patted Jiang Xue on her painted cheek. It was obvious she had spent a lot of effort on her appearance. “Alright. Let’s wait and see then. I, for one, would like to observe how you intend to court death.”

Each pat grew in intensity, creating loud snapping sounds. Jiang Xue was so angry she smacked Shen Xi’s hand away. Just as she raised her hand, preparing to slap her foe, Shen Xi grabbed her outstretched hand, twisting it behind her back and holding her in a wrist lock.

“You can’t beat me. As for your parents or that empty-headed dolt, Xiang Cheng, let me assure you that they aren’t up to the task either. You may believe what you will, but let it not be said that I never warned you.” The smile Shen Xi plastered on as she spoke was eerie in the extreme, and the look she gave Jiang Xue would forever dwell in the depths of her mind.

Whether or not Jiang Xue provoked her, Shen Xi decided she would deal with Jiang Xue. The grudge she bore from her past life would not so easily be forgotten. She would allow Jiang Xue time to grow, and when the time was ripe, she would let her taste despair, a fate worse than death.

But that was for the future. Now, she needed to prepare for her college entrance exams. Shen Xi did not want to cause any great upheavals at the moment, so it was only natural Jiang Xue would take the liberty to run rampant and act so carefree.

That was fine. There was less than a year left; she could afford to wait.