39 Pretty to See, Foul to Smell (1/2)

So, the cat was out of the bag: Xiao Luo knew all along that Chu Yue was the one who'd cooked up this nefarious scheme. Standing face to face with his stormy gaze and dagger eyes, she felt a pang of guilt, as if she had committed a serious crime.

The other guests were also in on the joke. Fu Jiawei, Fang Shulan, and Ye Yingying were targeting a guy from an ordinary family simply because Chu Yue had instructed them to do so.

Those three most certainly wouldn't have dared challenge Chu Yue. After all, her father was Chu Yunxiong, one of Jiangcheng City's most influential figures. Though their families were just as wealthy, they didn't travel in the same circles. The three students were well aware that a loose tongue could cause them a lot of trouble. Chu Yunxiong was not someone to be trifled with or tested.

”Xiao Luo, don't be angry, said Bai Ling. Young Mistress Chu isn't a bad person. She's just…”

He interrupted her. ”If this isn't bad, then define bad for me. Murder and arson?”

Xiao Luo waved his hands dismissively before turning to Chu Yue. ”Let me think about why you're doing this to me,” he said. ”Ah, I get it! First, I took all your glory in the match yesterday, right? Second, I didn't talk to you politely and deferentially as if I were your grandson like everyone else, right?”

”I…”

Chu Yue kept silent because Xiao Luo was dead-on right about everything. That was the reason she wanted to make him look bad.

”Ms. Chu, young mistress Chu. Don't you think your behavior is childish? Why do you think everyone has to dote on you, protect you, flatter you, obey you, and put you at the center of their heart? Is it because your family is rich, and you have a pretty face?”

Grinning sarcastically, Xiao Luo continued, ”Who do you think you are? Do you think the earth will stop spinning without you? Sorry to break it to you, but you have a grossly exaggerated high opinion of yourself. I, for one, despise you. I will never grovel before you. In my eyes, you're just like the Stapelia plant: pretty looking, foul-smelling!”

”You…”

Chu Yue unconsciously shed a few tears. Xiao Luo's words hurt. He used no expletives, but his sentences were like poison needles jabbing in her flesh. No one had ever spoken to her so disrespectfully before.

The others were startled, too. Xiao Lou described the campus belle of Huaye University as a Stapelia: pretty but foul-smelling. Wow. This guy was running his mouth a little too much. Wasn't he afraid of being struck by lightning?

After thinking for a while, Chu Yue came up with a rebuttal, ”Do you still want to join my team?”

To her surprise, Xiao Luo said with a contemptuous smile, ”Before this, yes. Now, no. Although there's a chance for me to win a huge sum of money, which I could use, I won't compromise my morals or integrity. So, thanks, but no thanks! I won't yield to you over money.”

He exuded an air of indifference.

Then he turned briskly on his heel and walked away.

”Xiao Luo, where are you going?” Bai Ling called out.

”Back to school!”

”But there are no taxis in this area. Leave with us later!” she shouted.

Xiao Luo callously waved his hand without looking back, acting like a total nut job.

Everyone on the dance floor was astounded.

”That stupid poser. How dare Xiao Luo compare me with the pretty but stinky Stapelia! I… I…”

Chu Yue wiped her tears, feeling misunderstood. The fact that Xiao Luo didn't give a damn about her dealt a heavy blow to her pride.

Bai Ling sighed faintly, unable to console her. She could only repeat what she'd been saying all along, ”Xiao Luo is your nemesis. Accept your fate!”

After the commotion died down, Fu Jiawei felt that the time had arrived for him to sell himself. Enduring the slight pain at his chest, he hobbled over to Chu Yue and said, ”Princess Chu Yue, don't argue with him. Rest assured, I'll get someone to teach him a hard lesson and make him grovel before you to apologize.”