Right after getting dumped, He suddenly learned that his best buddy was the legendary cold-as-ice school beauty. - Chapter 54

Kayako’s charm had the entire class screaming in excitement.

Many of the girls huddled together, hands covering their eyes, sneaking peeks through their fingers.

Ji Qingqian had watched countless movies with Lu Yibei—so many she’d lost count.

But there was always a screen between them.

She didn’t really know what expressions Lu Yibei made while watching movies.

Would a horror film make him curl up like the other girls, trembling with fright?

Just the thought made her find him a little cute.

[Qingqian: Next time, let’s watch some ghost movies.]

[YibeiNorth: No!]

[Qingqian: Whether you want to or not.]

[Qingqian: Don’t worry, I’ll sit with you.]

[YibeiNorth: No!]

[Qingqian: I’ll be right beside you. What’s there to be afraid of?]

Lu Yibei had been about to reply with a triple “No,” but he paused.

He had assumed she meant watching the movie online together, like usual… but she meant side by side.

Ah, right.

He was still a little groggy from just waking up. Her words made him realize just how close he would be sitting to Qingqian…

A small smile curved his lips.

[YibeiNorth: Then pick one that’s not too scary.]

[Qingqian: Okay, I’ll tell you once I’ve chosen.]

[YibeiNorth: Not too scary! Don’t pick some legendary classic!]

Qingqian’s eyes curved in a faint smile.

She glanced at the other side. One girl screamed and dove into her roommate’s arms.

Satisfied, she let out a quiet hum.

Let’s pick something a little scarier. Otherwise, what’s the fun?

Many of the students stole glances at her as they watched.

This “Ju-On” was top-tier horror—there was no denying it.

They were curious if the icy-cold campus beauty would lose her composure.

Alas, their hopes were dashed.

Ji Qingqian’s expression remained unchanged, alternating between checking her phone and watching the film.

Even when the ghost let out that spine-chilling creak… creak… she stayed calm.

“Ju-On” was well-made. She had been impressed the first time she saw it.

But this was her second viewing—she could get through it unscathed.

The boys were disappointed.

The girls, however, couldn’t help but look on with admiration.

She’s so cool.

“So…”

Chu Chu awkwardly sat next to her, leaning in close, almost pressed against Qingqian.

Qingqian: ?

“I-I just don’t want you to get scared,” Chu Chu said, smiling stiffly.

“I’m not scared,” Qingqian replied.

“…I think you are,” Chu Chu insisted.

Really? Can’t you tell I’m not scared? Qingqian thought silently.

She stayed silent.

Chu Chu’s shoulder was lightly tapped, and a cool breeze brushed her neck.

“My life is so miserable—”

“Ah!!”

Chu Chu screamed—more dramatically than any victim in the movie—drawing everyone’s attention.

Qingqian frowned and rubbed her ears.

Behind Chu Chu, Ma Jiaojiao leaned on her shoulder, laughing hysterically:

“Ha ha ha… little wimp!”

Her eyes were tearing up from laughter.

Chu Chu’s eyes also glimmered with tears—but from fright.

“Ma… Jiaojiao!”

Chu Chu jabbed at her with a Wing Chun-style punch.

“Hey, hey, hey, think about your future kids!” Ma Jiaojiao hurriedly apologized.

“If you don’t like horror, we can play games instead, distract ourselves. Wang Jue was also pretty scared.”

Wang Jue next to her smiled sheepishly.

She, too, was afraid of these films, but less so than Chu Chu—she didn’t jump at every little thing.

“You’re not scared?” Chu Chu asked.

“Not at all. What, the ghost’s going to crawl out of the screen?” Ma Jiaojiao scoffed.

Qingqian wanted to suggest she skip “Ju-On” and watch “The Ring” instead.

“I’ve already seen this with my senior before; the scariest it’ll do is startle me once,” Ma Jiaojiao said, glancing at Qingqian.

“And you’re not scared either, right?”

Qingqian shook her head: “Same as you.”

Ma Jiaojiao nodded.

She assumed Qingqian meant she had seen it like she had. In truth, Qingqian also meant she had watched it with Lu Yibei.

Calling him “Senior” still feels weird, Qingqian thought, like he’s riding over me.

“Then let’s play games together,” Ma Jiaojiao said, sitting on Qingqian’s other side.

Wang Jue sat next to her.

The goddess was so aloof that no one dared sit close while watching the movie.

“Do you play PUBG?” Ma Jiaojiao asked.

“A few rounds,” Qingqian replied.

“No worries, Wang Jue is a beginner too,” Ma Jiaojiao said, taking out her phone.

“I’m terrible. Don’t mind me,” Wang Jue whispered.

“No problem. I’m an old pro—winning is easy,” Chu Chu said, puffing up proudly.

Ma Jiaojiao: “Stop puffing up—for your future kids…”

She glanced at Chu Chu’s average stats and hummed softly.

Chu Chu: “…Why’d you stop there?”

Ma Jiaojiao: “I just think that baby formula these days is nutritious; breastfeeding isn’t always necessary.”

Chu Chu: “Ma Jiaojiao, you—!”

If Qingqian weren’t between them, Chu Chu would have punched her.

Qingqian had indeed not played for a while.

“Update,” she said.

“Take your time,” Ma Jiaojiao said.

Seizing the moment, she sent Lu Yibei a quick message:

[Qingqian: My roommates want me to play PUBG, might reply slowly.]

[YibeiNorth: No problem. I’m about to write anyway.]

[Qingqian: Let me know when you’re done working.]

[YibeiNorth: Okay.]

Once updated, Chu Chu quickly created a room, claiming the “host” title and appointing herself captain:

“Listen to my plan. One-on-one veteran-newbie strategy. I’ll guide Qingqian, Ma Jiaojiao, you guide Wang Jue. Any objections?”

“Mm.”

“No problem at all.”

“…Okay.”

The four of them jumped at the same point.

Pairs kept a bit of distance; according to Chu Chu, this maximized resources quickly.

“Qingqian, if you find weapons, give them to me first. There are other teams here; battle starts soon. Just hide behind me—I’ll get us the win,” Chu Chu said.

“Mm,” Qingqian replied.

Chu Chu was satisfied.

She couldn’t beat Qingqian in looks, or in finding a boyfriend, or in leg length.

But in gaming, she still had the upper hand.

…Though seeking confidence in a game was, admittedly, a little pathetic.

Chu Chu laughed so hard she almost cried.