ATPCN – Chapter 29

…How did it come to this?

With An Chen clutching a bag to her left and Ling Jing holding up the hem of her skirt to her right, Zhuang Chi, caught in the middle, helplessly closed her eyes. She first turned to the more conspicuous Ling Jing and suggested, “…Why don’t you put your skirt down? Isn’t it tiring holding it like that?”

And it’s very ungraceful, Zhuang Chi thought. People around them were frequently glancing over, but from their expressions, they only seemed surprised by Ling Jing’s posture, apparently not yet noticing the secret she was cradling in her raised skirt. It was also possible they had noticed but considered it unimportant. After all, aside from Gu Ximian and her group, every single person present was an insider whose number tag had been snatched away by the two people beside her.

“It… it is a little tiring…” Ling Jing hesitated, looking at her skirt, but then shook her head firmly. “But if I put it down, there’s nowhere to put these number tags. I can’t just magically produce a bag…”

“Oh.” An Chen, who had produced a bag, raised an eyebrow and kindly extended a hand. “Then let me help you hold them?”

“In your dreams! Stay away from me! If you’re so helpful, why don’t you give me your bag!”

Lifting her skirt, which jingled and clanged, Ling Jing agilely darted behind Zhuang Chi, her eyes wide as she glared menacingly at An Chen, looking as if she were facing a formidable enemy. An Chen, however, just scoffed lightly, withdrew his hand, and hugged his own bag even tighter.

…It had been this way ever since Ling Jing appeared. The two of them were clearly eyeing each other’s number tags covetously, scheming how to get their hands on the other’s collection. And Zhuang Chi, innocently dragged into this, was thinking, My original plot never described this kind of development. How did it come to this?

Or rather, the original book hadn’t described what happened during this time at all; it jumped directly to the part where An Chen was chosen as Gu Ximian’s dance partner, and then the two of them went to dance… So, was it actually because of an incident like this that that outcome occurred? Was An Chen’s selection not a coincidence at all, but the result of him using such methods to raise his probability of winning to nearly one hundred percent…

She didn’t know whether she should praise him for his effort. Zhuang Chi sighed silently. To ease the tense atmosphere, she tried to smooth things over by striking up a conversation with Ling Jing to change the subject. “You… how did you get all these tags? Did you buy them too?”

“Huh? No.” Ling Jing denied it outright, responding grandly, “I told those people that if they didn’t give them to me, I’d draw a turtle on their faces.”

“…”

It’s a threat! And a super childish one at that!

Zhuang Chi was utterly shocked, while An Chen let out an amused laugh, taunting sarcastically, “A person’s methods truly reflect their character. Did you really think this through before doing something like that? Word will reach your mother’s ears soon enough.”

“Ugh…” Ling Jing flinched slightly, but then quickly took a slow breath with a look of grim determination. “I… I was mentally prepared when I did this. That’s just how badly I want to dance with Gu Ximian! So…”

As she spoke, she whipped her head toward An Chen, her eyes filled with undisguised provocation, and declared, “Give me your number tags! An Chen! Or I’ll draw a turtle on your face!”

…Not only is she not reflecting, she’s trying to use the same trick again! Zhuang Chi was dumbfounded. She heard An Chen sneer, “You think you can threaten me with such a crude tactic? How could I possibly lose to you? If we really came to blows, it’s your face that would end up with a turtle drawn on it, Ling Jing. If you don’t want that to happen, give me your number tags.”

“That’s hilarious. You think someone as unprepared as you can draw a turtle on my face? What are you going to draw with?”

“…Hmph, don’t tell me you actually prepared a pen? How childish.”

“I have lipstick! You fool, haha!”

Even a conversation between elementary schoolers couldn’t possibly be more meaningless than this!

Her head spinning from their ceaseless cries of “turtle,” Zhuang Chi simply couldn’t bear it any longer. At this point, she had no way to turn the tide. Filled with self-doubt—Are the characters I created really all like this?—she decided to make a quick escape from the scene of the accident and planned to sneak away while the two were arguing.

“Wait, Zhuang Chi, where are you going.”

But she was stopped by An Chen after taking just one step. Zhuang Chi stopped very reluctantly as An Chen looked at her with a serious expression. “Your number… it’s still in your own hands, right?”

“…” An ominous premonition instantly burst through the roof. Zhuang Chi was choked up for a long moment before she managed a dry reply under their combined gazes, “…Yeah.”

“Speaking of which, I almost forgot!” Ling Jing exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “Zhuang Chi, then—”

“What, Ling Jing, are you planning to use your usual method to snatch Zhuang Chi’s number tag?”

Before she could finish, An Chen cut in, “If I recall correctly, you’re still Zhuang Chi’s ‘servant,’ right? What standing do you have to ask her for it?”

Ling Jing was momentarily speechless, at a disadvantage. An Chen pressed his advantage, moving behind Zhuang Chi as if to back her up, and said in a deep voice, “In fact, even if Zhuang Chi were to ask you for your number tags right now, you couldn’t refuse her. Don’t get your positions mixed up—right, Zhuang Chi? Take her number tags and teach her a lesson, why don’t you?”

“…No, I have no intention of—”

“Stop trying to manipulate Zhuang Chi! She’s not like you, she’s not the kind of person who would do something like that!”

Zhuang Chi’s rebuttal was drowned out by Ling Jing’s fierce voice. Ling Jing seemed even angrier than Zhuang Chi herself as she retorted furiously at An Chen, “Besides, I never intended to threaten Zhuang Chi! I just… I just wanted to compete with her fairly!”

…Fair competition?

Feeling only a sense of unease at this new term, Zhuang Chi thought this, and sure enough, she heard Ling Jing say decisively, “—With rock-paper-scissors!”

“…”

Zhuang Chi fell silent. An Chen, however, pondered for a moment before speaking in a surprisingly agreeable tone, “…Hmm, rock-paper-scissors? It’s still very childish… but it’s not a bad way to simply decide a winner.”

“Count me in, then.” As he said this, he looked at the bewildered and horrified Zhuang Chi, a smile filled with fighting spirit on his face. “Zhuang Chi, let’s have a match, betting the number tags we each possess!”

…Even though this was the second time she was thinking it, seriously, how did it come to this?

Now, An Chen (assets: 73), Ling Jing (assets: 11), and Zhuang Chi (assets: 1) stood in a three-way deadlock, forming a circle. The winner of the upcoming game of rock-paper-scissors would take all the losers’ assets. Why would An Chen participate in such an unreasonable contest? Didn’t he think it was unfair to him?

Ironically, Zhuang Chi, who with only one asset seemed to have the most to gain, was even more reluctant than he was. She was still protesting being forcibly dragged into this sudden competition. “…I’ll say it again, I have no desire for your number tags. Why don’t the two of you just play rock-paper-scissors to decide a winner? Can you please let me go?”

“Still hesitating? It seems you really don’t want to lose your number.” Willfully misinterpreting her words, An Chen nodded magnanimously. “In that case, you can prepare yourself mentally. Ling Jing and I will start first. The winner will come for you.”

Can’t this Student Council President listen to what people say! Zhuang Chi was furious, but after speaking, An Chen turned away on his own and closed his eyes, looking as if he were contemplating his strategy—though what strategy there was to contemplate for a game like rock-paper-scissors was beyond her. Zhuang Chi’s anger flared, and she began to seriously consider the feasibility of reporting him.

“Don’t worry, Zhuang Chi!” Beside her, Ling Jing had finally put down her skirt—her number tags were also temporarily in An Chen’s bag, since the rule was now winner-takes-all, and whoever won would get to walk away with the bag. She was warming up her wrists, vowing confidently, “I will definitely beat him and come to face you!”

She didn’t look like she was about to play rock-paper-scissors at all, but more like she was heading into battle. Moreover, that last sentence sounded rather ominous; Zhuang Chi felt that the moment she said it, the outcome was already predictable.

Communicating with these two was simply too exhausting. Zhuang Chi felt mentally drained. She walked silently to the side, really not wanting to get involved in this affair. She decided she should just slip away while the two of them “battled” it out and sneak back when the dancing started—

“So you’re here.”

…The familiar female voice appeared at the most opportune moment. Zhuang Chi’s breath caught. She slowly turned her head and saw Gu Ximian standing not far behind her, smiling gently. “We haven’t had a chance to talk since the banquet started. The dress suits you very well.”

Although a thousand words swirled in her mind, Zhuang Chi ultimately just sighed silently and replied, “…You’re the one who’s very beautiful.”

She must have heard many such compliments tonight, but Gu Ximian still showed just the right amount of happiness, as if a faint moonlight was sprinkled on the corners of her eyes and brows, making her look breathtakingly beautiful. She took a step closer to Zhuang Chi, as if she had something to say, the unspoken words held in her clear eyes.

After differentiating into an Alpha, my sense of smell seems to have become more sensitive, Zhuang Chi thought. Otherwise, why would she feel the elegant scent of Gu Ximian’s perfume rushing towards her, inexplicably making her heart beat a little faster.

“—Is this the friend you were looking for? Can you introduce me?”

“That wouldn’t be right, sister. It’s obvious they haven’t finished talking yet.”

“Ah, is that so? I’m sorry…”

Just as Zhuang Chi was holding her breath, waiting for Gu Ximian to speak, she heard two other vaguely familiar female voices from the side. She subconsciously turned her head and saw Olivia holding a slightly apologetic smile, with Lily standing beside her.

“Yes. This is Zhuang Chi, a first-year student at St. Blaisedon like me.” Gu Ximian quickly picked up the conversation, then turned to Zhuang Chi to explain, “…I told Olivia earlier that I wanted to find you, but when she heard you were also a student at St. Blaisedon, she said she wanted to meet you too… She’s a nice person, you two should get along.”

…Is that so? Me and Olivia? Speaking of which, are Gu Ximian and Her Highness already on a first-name basis? A jumble of thoughts swirled in her mind, but Zhuang Chi still maintained a friendly attitude and greeted the two princesses. Olivia responded with a beaming smile, looking very happy to have made a new friend. “Gu Ximian was looking for you for a long time. You two must have a great relationship, right? That’s so nice.”

“Actually, I noticed you all over here earlier, but I didn’t know you were the person she was looking for, so…” She glanced apologetically at Gu Ximian, and after being reassured by the other’s “don’t mind it” look, she brightened up again and pointed to Ling Jing and An Chen, who had temporarily paused their actions due to the arrival of Gu Ximian and the princesses. “Are they your friends? They look like they’re preparing for something.”

“…” It was a little difficult to explain what they were preparing for. In order to conceal from the princess the fact that these two were brazenly collecting number tags and gambling with them, Zhuang Chi could only be vague. “…Um, the two of them… are getting ready… getting ready to play a game.”

“A game!” Olivia’s azure eyes lit up at once, and she turned her head, full of hope. “I love games! Can I join too?”

…No way! Zhuang Chi was alarmed. She glanced at the other two, who were already brazenly plotting for the princess’s number tag upon hearing her willingness to join. To preserve Olivia’s positive experience at her first banquet in this country, Zhuang Chi had to intervene. “…It’s just ordinary rock-paper-scissors. If you want to play, you don’t have to join them specifically—”

“Rock-paper-scissors! That sounds like a new game! How do you play it?”

“…Um, I’ll explain the rules to you later, and then I can play with you. For now, let’s just watch.”

What kind of place was A Country, anyway, that even a worldwide game like rock-paper-scissors hadn’t made its way there? But this was for the best. At least she had successfully stopped Olivia and saved her number tag. Zhuang Chi silently avoided the regretful gazes of An Chen and Ling Jing, only to meet Gu Ximian’s thoughtful one.

“…” Gu Ximian met her gaze for a long moment, then glanced over at An Chen’s group and asked, “…Zhuang Chi, you’re not participating in their game?”

…Somehow, this question didn’t feel as simple as it sounded on the surface. If it was Gu Ximian, it wouldn’t be strange at all if she already knew about the two of them collecting number tags. Zhuang Chi wasn’t sure if she should say more, and hesitated before replying, “…No, I’m not…”

“Why?”

Caught off guard by such a question, Zhuang Chi choked up. She heard Gu Ximian continue, “It’s probably not because those two are unwilling, right? I see them glancing at you from time to time. They seem very concerned about you.”

“Rock-paper-scissors is a quick game, isn’t it? It would be good to give Olivia a demonstration.” After saying these official-sounding words with a composed expression, Gu Ximian’s gaze shifted slightly, and she lowered her voice. “It’s okay, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll wait for you. I was just coming to find you directly after seeing the message you sent… but it seems that’s fine too. You’ve run into something interesting here.”

“Have you… already made up your mind not to participate?”

The end of the question was soft and gentle, her tone not forceful, leaving her room to refuse. Yet Zhuang Chi couldn’t answer immediately. She just looked at Gu Ximian’s beautiful eyes, her previously firm thoughts thrown into disarray by a few simple words, causing her lips to tighten in uncertainty.

Gu Ximian blinked slowly at her, her eyes holding a secret code only they could understand. She said softly, “…You know I’ll be praying for your victory.”

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