Chapter 987 — What Do I Mind?

"I am fine with it, truly. If Xiaoxiao can accept me and let me stay at your side as well, then naturally that would be wonderful. If she cannot, I will quietly watch over the two of you from the sidelines!" Tang Zhi said with an easy, untroubled laugh.

Wei Zhao nodded and said nothing more. He truly had never imagined things would come to this, nor that Feng Xiaoxiao could have such a wretched history. From appearances alone, it was utterly impossible to tell; had Feng Tianlong not revealed the truth, Wei Zhao would likely still have taken Feng Xiaoxiao for a healthy, mischievous girl...

The car arrived at the school and pulled up at the snack street behind the campus. Wei Zhao and Tang Zhi returned to school together.

Wei Zhao and Tang Zhi parted ways at the door of Class Nine, Senior Three. Before they separated, Tang Zhi winked at Wei Zhao and said, "I am heading back to class first. You can begin your... girl-chasing plan! But do not let the act turn into something real. I would not mind, but I fear you will be the one heartbroken when the time comes!"

"Ha..." Wei Zhao gave a small laugh and nodded, heading toward his own classroom. "Aren't you going to the cafeteria to buy something to eat?"

By the time Wei Zhao returned, the last class of the afternoon had already ended, and evening self-study was about to begin. Self-study for the senior year ran past six in the evening, so at this hour most students were out buying something to eat.

"I will go myself," Tang Zhi said. "Why don't you go keep Xiaoxiao company?"

"A sudden change would make her suspicious. Better to shift gradually," Wei Zhao said with a shake of his head. "I will ask her in a bit, and we will all go to the cafeteria together."

"That works too!" Tang Zhi nodded. Wei Zhao was right; if he had abruptly done a complete about-face, Feng Xiaoxiao really would have grown suspicious!

Back in the classroom, Wei Zhao saw Feng Xiaoxiao sitting alone in her seat, and his heart ached despite himself. Feng Xiaoxiao had no friends in any real sense. At that moment the other students had all gone out in twos and threes to buy food, leaving her by herself.

Wei Zhao walked quickly to his seat and sat down.

Hearing movement beside her, Feng Xiaoxiao looked up. When she saw it was Wei Zhao, delight rose in her face. "You are back? How come you were gone so long?"

"Didn't you go buy something to eat? Self-study runs until six thirty, two whole hours. Aren't you hungry?" Wei Zhao asked, instead of answering her question.

"Huh?" Feng Xiaoxiao was taken aback. She had never expected Wei Zhao to take the initiative to care about her, and she was instantly a little agitated. "I haven't eaten yet. Have you? Shall we go to the cafeteria together?"

"I am going with Tang Zhi in a bit," Wei Zhao said mildly. He could not let Feng Xiaoxiao see through him; that earlier remark had already been far warmer than his usual manner, so he had to keep the measure carefully in check.

"Oh... then I will come too!" Feng Xiaoxiao was secretly vexed. She had thought Wei Zhao was beginning to care about her, but it seemed he had only asked offhandedly! So, unwilling to be outdone, she spoke up.

"Suit yourself," Wei Zhao said. Instead of refusing as he usually did, he answered indifferently and then rose and walked toward the classroom door.

Feng Xiaoxiao hurried after him, walking at Wei Zhao's side. She refused to believe that Wei Zhao could resist a pursuit as fierce as hers. He was bound to fall for her!

Arriving at the door of Class Nine, Senior Three, Wei Zhao called for Tang Zhi. Seeing Feng Xiaoxiao beside Wei Zhao, Tang Zhi immediately furrowed her brows and said with feigned "surprise," "Wei Zhao, she..."

"She wants to come to the cafeteria too..." Wei Zhao said.

Tang Zhi glanced at Feng Xiaoxiao, which counted as a greeting. She knew she could not appear too friendly; that would not suit her character.

And so this strange trio set off together toward the school cafeteria. Wei Zhao held Tang Zhi's hand, while Feng Xiaoxiao walked on his other side. She wanted to take Wei Zhao's hand as well, but she was afraid he would simply shake her off, and that would be utterly humiliating!

Feng Xiaoxiao felt like such a third wheel. How was it that Wei Zhao and Tang Zhi got along so well?

It seemed that trying to come between Tang Zhi and Wei Zhao would not be so easy after all! Feng Xiaoxiao also knew that after Tang Zhi had seen through her last scheme, whatever she tried next, Tang Zhi might not react much at all. And to hope that Wei Zhao would fall for her and then cast Tang Zhi aside was an even more impossible task—at least, Feng Xiaoxiao felt that pulling it off within her lifetime was a long shot!

Should she change her tactics? Watching Wei Zhao and Tang Zhi, so inseparable, Feng Xiaoxiao's little head began to spin once more!

Hmm—maybe I shouldn't have Wei Zhao dump Tang Zhi after all. Instead, let him fall for me and Tang Zhi both at once. Then, when I die, Wei Zhao will probably grieve too, won't he? But then again, he'd still have Tang Zhi. If I die and he feels nothing, won't I have died for nothing?

Forget it. I'm going to die sooner or later anyway. If I can't get my revenge on Wei Zhao, I may as well use him to test out what love feels like—at least I won't have to worry about hurting him! Yes, that settles it, Feng Xiaoxiao told herself, consoling her own heart.

Once that thought crossed her mind, Feng Xiaoxiao actually felt relieved, and her hostility toward Tang Zhi diminished considerably.

The three of them arrived at the cafeteria. Wei Zhao went to buy the food. He knew what Tang Zhi usually ate, but had no idea what Feng Xiaoxiao liked, so he asked, "Xiaoxiao, what do you want to eat?"

"I... whatever you two are having, I'll have the same. Are you treating me?" Feng Xiaoxiao perked up at once when she heard Wei Zhao was going to buy her a meal, happy for reasons she herself could not fathom. Sometimes the person one understands least is oneself!

Wei Zhao nodded. "You didn't even finish your beef noodles at noon, so consider this a second helping on me."

"Then whatever you two are eating, I'll just have a bit of the same!" Feng Xiaoxiao was not a picky eater, and said so outright.

"All right." Wei Zhao nodded and went off to buy the food. On his way out he glanced at Tang Zhi, and she gave him a reassuring look.

"Feng Xiaoxiao, what exactly are you playing at?" Once Wei Zhao had gone, Tang Zhi turned to Feng Xiaoxiao and asked coldly.

"I... I like Wei Zhao. What, is that not allowed? Does it bother you?" Feng Xiaoxiao hadn't expected Tang Zhi to come at her so suddenly, but she was no pushover either, and her answer came out sounding quite self-assured.

"Why would it bother me?" Tang Zhi curled her lip. "If some fool wants to be Wei Zhao's mistress, what's it to me? I'd be delighted—except I'm afraid Wei Zhao won't even look at you!"

"Huh?" Feng Xiaoxiao was stunned. She hadn't expected Tang Zhi's words to cut so sharply. She had assumed Tang Zhi would oppose her with all her might, never imagining she would say this! But Feng Xiaoxiao quickly recovered—Tang Zhi must be speaking out of anger!