Chapter 276 Wanting to embarrass Ning Jinli in public

Ning Jinli reacted quickly, snatching her phone back and preventing the other party from succeeding.

The other party was none other than Si Ya.

From the moment Si Ya entered the private room, she had been paying attention to Ning Jinli, intentionally or unintentionally. Tingting's exclamation just now attracted her attention even more, so she took advantage of the fact that they were all gathered together and quietly walked over.

When Si Ya discovered that they were looking at photos of Ning Jinli's boyfriend and praising him so much, she felt a pang of jealousy and couldn't help but want to see what he looked like.

"Si Ya, what are you doing!" Tingting said irritably, "How can you just grab my phone like that?!"

Si Ya glanced at her sideways. "What, you have a problem with that?"

Xiaoyan said, "It's not a matter of whether I have an opinion or not, it's that you're being very rude."

"Hmph!" Si Ya scoffed, "Yes, yes, you're the most polite. I'm just a person with no manners. Otherwise, why would I have been lectured and bossed around by someone during that practical class!"

Xiaoyan frowned. "It's been so long, why are you still taking it so seriously? Besides, you were the one who slowed down the group members' progress during that practical lesson, I—"

"Alright, stop talking!" Si Ya interrupted. "I can't be bothered to listen to your rambling."

Tingting and Xiaoyan's expressions turned somewhat unpleasant, but since they were old classmates and there were so many other people present, they didn't want to argue with her any further.

Si Ya crossed her arms, looked Ning Jinli up and down, and said sarcastically, "It's been more than half a year since graduation, but you still look like a freshman girl. Are you deliberately dressing like this to evoke memories for the male classmates, or can't you even afford a decent set of clothes and shoes?"

"Si Ya! You've gone too far!" Xiao Yan scolded.

Tingting also said angrily, "We're classmates after all, do you have to say such nasty things?"

When Ning Jinli was in college, her classmates could tell from her clothes and daily life that her family was not well-off, but most of them did not laugh at her for it.

After all, a university has students from all over the country, and their family backgrounds vary greatly. Some come from wealthy families, while others come from ordinary or disadvantaged families.

Moreover, students who can get into Xinghan University will pay more attention to their personal qualities. Even if someone sees Ning Jinli wearing ill-fitting old clothes and eating the cheapest food in the cafeteria and looks down on her, they will not ridicule her in public.

Si Ya, however, was an exception.

She not only ridiculed Ning Jinli in public on multiple occasions, but also had someone follow her and reveal that Ning Jinli lived in a dilapidated rented room and depended on a woman who collected garbage for survival.

What's even more outrageous is that they took many photos of Ning Jinli and Su Qinglan's impoverished daily life and posted them on school forums and online communities.

Ning Jinli never took it seriously.

Ning Jinli only told Tingting, Xiaoyan, and her ex-boyfriend about her true situation. Only these three people knew that she was originally a rich heiress, but her family suffered a misfortune and she was kicked out by her uncle's family, which led to her downfall.

However, Ning Jinli has not yet told her two friends what has happened in the past six months since graduation.

In addition, although some incidents caused quite a stir and involved media reporters, Shangguan Ying quickly suppressed them afterward, preventing them from spreading in society.

Therefore, none of the people present, including Tingting and Xiaoyan, knew Ning Jinli's current situation.

If these old classmates knew that even the wealthiest and most powerful families in Xinghan City could only look up to her, they would probably be terrified.

Facing Xiaoyan and Tingting's accusations, Si Ya showed a disdainful expression, "What are you two yelling about? It's not like you've just met me. I've always spoken like this. If you don't like it, you can cover your ears or get lost."

The two of them turned pale with anger.

Ning Jinli gently held their hands and said softly, "There's no need to lower yourself to their level. Let's just eat and ignore them."

Si Ya disliked the feeling of being deliberately ignored, especially by Ning Jinli, who remained nonchalant even after she confronted her.

That's how it used to be at school.

It's still the same now!

What gives her the right to do this?!

"Ha!" Si Ya sneered, continuing her attack relentlessly, "Ning Jinli, you don't even dare to show me a picture of your boyfriend, you must be hiding something, right?"

Ning Jinli frowned slightly. She really didn't want to talk to him, but the question was so strange that she couldn't help but ask, "How does not showing you his photo make me feel guilty?"

Si Ya glanced at the three male classmates next to her and said, "Get out of the way!"

The three male classmates didn't want to argue with her, so they silently stepped back a few paces.

Si Ya casually pulled up a chair, swaggered down, leaned one arm against the round table, rested her pointed chin on her hand, and said with a mocking look in her eyes, "I admit you're pretty. You could attract suitors just by your figure and face. But the reaction of your friends and these three male classmates after seeing the photo was so abnormal. What... not only handsome, but also with a unique temperament, you can't find another one like him in the whole world."

Xiaoyan coldly emphasized, "That's the truth."

“Yeah, yeah,” Tingting immediately chimed in, “We’re not just saying nice things because we’re friends. Jinli’s boyfriend is just that outstanding.”

Si Ya looked at her with disdain. "I can understand that you two are close and don't doubt her at all, but please use your brains. Since you're so amazed by her just from seeing her photos, how could such a high-quality man be interested in her? Does she even deserve her?"

The two were stunned for half a second by the question.

She then quickly added that Jinli was simply wonderful and didn't need to rely on her looks to attract ordinary men; she deserved the best.

"Hahahaha!" Si Ya laughed so hard she almost fell over, pointing at the two of them and saying, "You two were obviously hesitant just now! And you're still deceiving yourselves?"

"You..." Both of them turned red with anger.

He was both anxious and embarrassed, and wanted to explain to Ning Jinli.

Ning Jinli said softly, "Tingting, Xiaoyan, you two don't need to explain anything to me. It's purely Si Ya trying to sow discord. If you take her words seriously, you've already lost."

Upon hearing this, the two calmed down.

"Sowing discord?" Si Ya's eyes were filled with disdain and deep sarcasm. "I don't have time for that. I just can't stand your pretentious act."

"Ning Jinli, it's understandable that you want to impress your friends and male classmates who admire you by creating a fake photo to pretend you have a high-quality boyfriend. But don't you know the saying 'too much of a good thing'? Don't you know that even when you're faking it, you have to make it as realistic and believable as possible?"

"Sigh, I really didn't expect you to be so vain. If you had just brought an ordinary handsome guy, I probably would have believed it. But you went too far. I saw through it immediately, and the fact that you were too guilty to let me see just how amazing the person you brought to pretend to be your boyfriend really is only confirms my suspicions!"

Ning Jinli almost laughed out loud at his long and eloquent analysis.

After Si Ya finished speaking, she stared at her intently.

But she didn't say anything.

Si Ya was somewhat taken aback. "No, Ning Jinli, I exposed you in public, and you didn't even react? Are you that shameless?"

Ning Jinli calmly glanced around. The other students hadn't even finished their meals and were all watching this side, listening intently to the drama unfold.

Clearly, Si Ya wanted to embarrass her in public.

However, in the half year since graduation, she has experienced many things that ordinary people cannot even imagine. Her mindset, thinking and perspective are very different from before. At this moment, she only feels that what Si Ya did is very boring and childish.

Some classmates covered their mouths and chuckled, some were just watching the show, and others cast sympathetic glances at Ning Jinli.

Si Ya enjoyed the feeling of being in control of the whole process and being able to make Ning Jinli feel ashamed in front of her former classmates. She didn't believe that Ning Jinli could be as indifferent as she seemed on the surface. She probably felt like dying right now.

"Xiaoya, that's enough." A magnetic voice rang out.

Several people egged them on and joked:

"Is our class monitor unable to bear seeing Ning Jinli embarrassed?"

"Hey, class monitor, isn't it a bit much to protect another female classmate in front of your ex-girlfriend?"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"..."

The man in the suit's gaze suddenly sharpened as he glared at the group joking around. "You lot, watch your mouths. Luckily, my temper's much better now, otherwise—"

Before he could finish speaking, the men's expressions changed slightly. They smiled awkwardly and ingratiatingly, and apologized to the man in the suit.

Si Ya asked with a half-smile, "Zhang Haoyang, when I sat down next to you for drinks and a chat just now, you said you'd been missing me a lot since we broke up. So, are you planning to protect Ning Jinli now? Heh, that makes sense. After all, you once said that she's purer and prettier than me, and that her natural, clean aura is something I can't match."

Zhang Haoyang's cheeks trembled slightly. "Xiaoya, I said that back then because I wanted you to know that even if you can't compare to her in this aspect, I still like you. Why don't you understand what I mean?"

The more he explained, the uglier Si Ya's gaze became.

Zhang Haoyang waved his hand, "Forget it, it's all in the past, there's no need to make a fuss about it. Xiaoya, since most of our old classmates are here, I'll just say it directly—I'm single now, and I still can't forget you, why don't we get back together?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's attention instantly shifted to the two of them.

Tingting whispered to Ning Jinli and Xiaoyan, "These two are really... They loved to show off and attract attention back in college, and they're still the same now."

Xiaoyan picked up her red wine, took a sip, and said bluntly, "A leopard can't change its spots."

They didn't have a very good impression of Zhang Haoyang.

Although this guy is quite tall and handsome, during his university years, relying on his wealthy family background, he always acted as if he looked down on others, and would often give orders and act arrogantly.

“Let’s eat something,” Ning Jinli said with a smile and wink at the two of them. “Since we’re already here, it would be a waste not to finish all this food. After we’re full, the three of us can have a get-together by ourselves. It’s on me.”

The two quickly said that they could get together alone, but she couldn't treat them.

Ning Jinli knew that the two of them were taking care of her, just like they had done in college, always finding ways to help her.

"Cover! Cover! Cover!" someone shouted while clapping their hands.

Immediately afterwards, most of the students joined in the commotion.

In this warm atmosphere, Zhang Haoyang looked at Si Ya with deep affection and extended his hand, "Xiao Ya, let's continue being together..."

Si Ya's expression was inscrutable.

She seemed a little hesitant.

Seeing this, Zhang Haoyang stepped forward and continued, "I'm not the carefree rich kid I used to be. I've started to live a serious life now, and I promise I'll treat you very well from now on."

These words touched Si Ya, and she inadvertently recalled the days when she was with him. Putting aside everything else, he was at least willing to spend money on her.

Looking back on my current situation...

To put it nicely, she was working as a model, but she was never noticed by any big companies and had to find opportunities to work out on her own. The money she earned wasn't even enough for her daily cosmetic procedures.

Not long ago, she hooked up with a powerful figure in the underworld, the same guy who drove her to the hotel in his sports car today.

As a result, something happened outside the hotel, and she got caught up in it and got beaten up by some thugs.

Such people are wealthy and powerful in society, but life isn't easy for those around them.

In comparison, Zhang Haoyang is better. Besides, after breaking up with him, she regretted missing out on a money tree, but she didn't go back because of her pride.

Now that Zhang Haoyang has taken the initiative to reconcile, it's a godsend.

In an instant, Si Ya's mind raced, then she put on a tearful expression and grasped Zhang Haoyang's hand, "Okay... I'm willing to continue being your girlfriend..."

A cheer erupted from the private room, with some shouting "Give them a kiss!" and others yelling for the two to "get married right here!"

Zhang Haoyang was about to give him a hug.

Si Ya suddenly grabbed his wrist, stared at his watch, and asked, "Why are you wearing this cheap junk that costs a few thousand yuan now? What happened to your several luxury watches that cost hundreds of thousands of yuan before?"

Zhang Haoyang's expression became somewhat unnatural, and he lowered his voice to say, "Well... it's a long story, I'll tell you about it later. In the past six months, my family has encountered some problems."

Si Ya's face froze instantly. "Something's wrong? What's wrong?"

"Xiaoya..."

"No, Zhang Haoyang, you have to tell me now."

"..."

Helpless, Zhang Haoyang pulled Si Ya into his arms and whispered, "My parents' company went bankrupt, and my family... has to start all over again."

"What?" Si Ya was completely stunned.

Zhang Haoyang immediately said, "But don't worry, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. My family is still richer than the average person, just not as wealthy as before. Most importantly, I've successfully landed a job at a really good pharmaceutical company, and I can easily earn a million a year in the future. I can still make sure you live a good life."

Si Ya's mind was in complete chaos, and her face was blank.

The classmates around her thought she was overwhelmed with happiness and were egging the two of them on to kiss.

Bang!

The sudden, unexpected collision sounded.

A man suddenly burst through the door to the private room, then fell to the ground, writhing in pain.

Everyone stared in disbelief, and then they noticed that there was a particularly tall young man outside the door.

"Brother Kai? Didn't you leave? What happened..." Si Ya exclaimed as she looked at the man rolling on the ground.

Ning Jinli looked at the tall figure outside the door and couldn't help but feel a little startled.

Xiao Qidi?

How did he suddenly appear?