Chapter 39

After finishing the exam and leaving the exam hall, Feng Ran was discussing with Afu which shopping mall to go to later when, suddenly, Basil appeared in front of them.

After the last incident, this young master's mentality changed. He was no longer as arrogant and proud in front of others as before. Since he was going to steal it, he would steal it openly and honestly. Anyway, Shen Shiqian didn't dare to admit it, so what could he do to him?

Basil's smile brightened the surroundings: "Ranran, you guys finished your exams? How did they go? It feels like I haven't seen you in ages. Where are you all headed?"

Afu looked at him with a smile: "Oh dear, what wind blew our S class's top student here? But I'm sorry, Ranran is mine today."

Feng Ran, sandwiched between the two of them, said, "Afu and I are about to go to the mall. Do you want to come along, Basil? If you do, I can pick out a first snow gift for you."

Basil pouted, somewhat regretfully: "So many days have passed."

Feng Ran: "Yeah, so shouldn't you give me a copy too?"

Afu hooked her arm around Feng Ran's: "That's too cunning! I want one too, or don't even think about coming with us!" She covered her mouth and laughed: "But to receive gifts from both the campus prince and princess at the same time, everyone else must be green with envy."

Basil: "Oh, sure, just don't refuse to accept it."

Basil and Afu weren't actually very close; they'd only occasionally bump into each other at various aristocratic banquets. Although Afu came from the fourth noble family, Olivia, she was very low-key and always tried to appear ordinary and unremarkable. Aside from Feng Ran and everyone else at school, she was only casually acquainted with them. It wasn't that no one had tried to curry favor with her before; after all, her aunt was the current empire's queen, and her family was considered royalty, giving them many opportunities to interact with the royal family. However, Afu skillfully avoided all those attempts at flattery and ingratiation.

Born into the noble family of Kempe, the children learned from a young age how to socialize and depend on each other within the aristocratic family. The people in the circle basically knew each other and had grown up together since childhood, except for Feng Ran and Afu. Feng Ran missed two years of social activities due to health reasons and rarely appeared in public afterward. However, the Feng family was ultimately a lower-ranking family, so no one paid much attention to him, and he became distant from everyone. Afu, on the other hand, simply disliked these activities and didn't want to go. The few times she did go, she was forced to go as a companion and playmate of her cousin, Princess Shirley.

After entering high school, the two girls, who didn't have much of a social circle, naturally became friends. Unlike others who wanted to get close to Feng Ran with ulterior motives, Afu simply wanted to make a good friend in high school. Feng Ran was beautiful, gentle, and tolerant of her little quirky hobbies, which was perfect. Although Feng Ran was well-behaved and seemed kind and approachable at school, she rarely accepted invitations and was often portrayed as an untouchable, aloof cloud. But at least she considered Afu a friend, which Afu could sense.

Among the many young prodigies of the prestigious families of Kempion, the three most famous are Joey Bruce, Bai Chenxi, and Basil Sleica. Bai Chenxi is probably the oldest among them, currently a third-year student at the military academy, and will graduate in a year. However, the Bai family has always been a mad dog of the council, biting anyone they can get their hands on. Even if he naturally grows up to be outstanding, the thought of the Bai family gaining another powerful general in the future inevitably gives everyone in the council a headache.

Joey Bruce, Joshua Ceylanca, and Basil Sleica were childhood friends of similar age. However, when the three of them went out together, Joey was gloomy and taciturn, Joshua was naive and foolish, and Basil reaped a lot of praise and compliments by pretending to be elegant and noble every day. It was only after Joey and Joshua's relationship deteriorated that their contact gradually decreased.

The three of them chatted idly as they left the school gate. Zuo Ling's land-based warship was parked in a very conspicuous place at the entrance, and Feng Ran's good mood instantly turned sour.

Feng Ran: "We're going to Kleken Mall in a bit, do you want to come along?"

Zuo Ling thought for a moment and nodded. "We'll just follow from a distance so as not to disturb you. Please get in the car, and I'll take you all to the mall."

Afu, still feeling quite fascinated by the spacious back seat, cautiously asked Feng Ran, "Were your family members the bodyguards you hired?"

Basil got into the car reluctantly, his face looking like he was about to throw up: "What are you putting on airs for? Joey's old man doesn't even take a landship to work. Hindsight is 20/20. Where were you before?"

Because land-going ships are larger than ordinary luxury limousines, they take up a lot of space on land, so they are only allowed to be used by a small number of privileged classes. However, due to frequent traffic jams on the ground, not many important figures actually travel by land-going ships, as they are not as fast as hovercrafts. At most, they ride in them symbolically on some occasions. But coincidentally, it is not so rare, because the high-ranking officials and nobles in the military clearly like these heavy and stable ships that resemble mechs, and through gradual improvements, they have incorporated them into their daily transportation.

Afu remained silent. After all, she was supposed to be a bodyguard, but Zuo Ling's military bearing was undeniable, and it was easy to tell at a glance that his rank was not low. She did like and care about Feng Ran, but that didn't mean she wanted to get involved in trouble.

Upon arriving at the Clayken Department Store, Aphrodite said she was hungry, so she bought a hamburger at a fast food restaurant and ate it while walking, showing none of the demeanor of a virtuous and gentle aristocratic young lady.

Afu: "What does it matter? You're really inflexible, young master Sleica."

Basil: "It's not that I'm being rigid, what I'm saying is that your sauce is everywhere."

Afu suddenly turned to Feng Ran for confirmation, and Feng Ran nodded with a smile: "Yes, she's especially cute, like a little kitten."

Although she was momentarily taken aback, she quickly recovered: "Never mind, I'll just wash up in the bathroom later. Aren't you going to eat something? It's rare for us to go out. Although the chef at home cooks pretty well, who wants to eat those bland, low-fat, stress-relieving meals with my dad?"

Feng Ran: "If that's how you put it, then it really is..."

Basil: "Carbonated drinks, right?"

Afu: "Ah, me too! I won't say you're too rigid, young master, you're absolutely brilliant and elegant! Please buy me a drink too."

Basil frowned and looked at Feng Ran: "Is she always like this?"

Feng Ran took out a wet wipe from her all-purpose spatial button and helped Afu wipe the sauce off her mouth. "She's cute like this too."

Afu: "Hehe, Ranran, I want to be with you for life!"

So the kind, brave, and strong young master Basil went back to the fast food restaurant and bought three more Cokes. The two girls had long since disappeared.

Feng Ran was pulled into a clothing store by Afu. Watching Afu enthusiastically picking out clothes and standing in front of the shelves, Feng Ran was a little distracted. It wasn't that she was worried that Luo Le wouldn't be able to find them, since Afu had at least sent her the store's location. She was just worried that if she was so leisurely, she would run out of cola to make.

Afu held up various beautiful dresses and skirts on Feng Ran, who rested his chin on his hand, squinted, and wondered if he should have Fran research a carbonated beverage that wouldn't lose carbon dioxide. He stood still and let Afu do as she pleased.

When Basil arrived late, Afu was busy picking out clothes and said she wouldn't drink for now. Basil could only hold the cup for her while silently sighing in his heart that some women were really hard to please, unlike Feng Ran at all.

Feng Ran sat on the sofa in the waiting area, intently biting on the straw, feeling the soda bouncing and tingling in his mouth, with just the right amount of sugar, refreshing and cool, feeling as if his brain cells had come alive and he was breathing heavily.

Noticing Basil's gaze, she turned her head and smiled brightly: "It's okay, the wound has completely healed, you can't even see it anymore, can you? I've been using scar removal products properly, it's not very polite to stare at a lady's exposed skin, young master."

Basil was stunned by her smile, as if she had been brought back to reality in an instant. Her ears turned red as she stood up and said, "I...I'll go buy you a present for the first snow festival!"

When Afu came over with the clothes, she looked around in confusion: "Where is he?"

Feng Ran: "I'm going to buy a gift."

Afu: "Never mind him, Ranran, try this. I carefully selected it. It looks so cute and will definitely suit you."

Afu is holding a cute and sweet fuchsia embellished dress. It has a vest and a waist that are exposed. It is decorated with a lot of red ribbons and bows, making it look gorgeous and complicated. It is a style that Fengran would never normally wear.

She carefully chose her words: "Isn't that a little too cute? Besides, didn't I come here to pick out a gift for you?"

Afu didn't care about anything else and led her to the dressing room: "Oh, baby, believe me, my eyes are the best judge of all! You have fair skin, you're tall, and you have long curly hair. This kind of bright and colorful dress is the only one that can match your beauty! So what if you're cute! Being cute and beautiful at the same time is the key! And if you buy it, I can buy another blue one from the same series, so we can have matching outfits!"

Feng Ran couldn't refuse her: "Then I'll buy you yours, it'll be a perfect gift for the first snow."

Afu grinned and said, "Oh my, I've really hit the jackpot!"

The dress was perfectly tailored, and the ties accentuated the girl's waistline. The vibrant red color made her skin appear even whiter, contrasting sharply with her long black hair, making her look like a Sleeping Beauty descended from a fairy tale.

Afu was very satisfied with what she saw. "I knew it! My aesthetic sense is absolutely top-0 in the empire! This is so beautiful it's practically an aesthetic bully! Anyone who goes out for a walk will be confused. I'm going to ask the sales assistant if they have any matching accessories. Ranran, you wait and see!"

Feng Ran looked at herself in the mirror with a strange feeling. She felt that she was very different from her own perception of herself, as if she were looking at a different person. In fact, this might indeed be the case, because if she remembered correctly, her relationship with Afu in her previous life was actually just average, no different from other casual acquaintances in the circle.

Although Afu is strange and willful, she always gets along much better than Fengran at social events because she directly points out what she dislikes and throws tantrums at annoying things, and her princess cousin always smooths things over for her. Fengran, on the other hand, can only endure it all, trying to appear elegant and poised, and striving not to embarrass her family. She's probably the kind of hypocritical person that Afu hates the most.

The open back felt a bit chilly, so Feng Ran went back into the dressing room to change her dress. When she came out, she found Afu sitting on the sofa, obediently drinking her glass of cola that was probably still flat, with her eyes a little red.

Feng Ran: "What's wrong? Who upset you?"

Afu shook her head, then suddenly gave a silly grin: "It's nothing, it's just that I couldn't find you when I got here, and I suddenly panicked a little, and then I suddenly felt really sad, so I ended up like this, ah! But I held it in, I didn't cry! Isn't that strange?"

Feng Ran reached out and tapped her forehead, saying helplessly yet affectionately, "If you couldn't find me, just message me. Did you imagine something about me again to make me like this?"

Afu pounced on her, grabbing her arm and babbling in protest: "I didn't! What you imagine is nothing compared to seeing it in person. Aren't you going to tell me the truth about your relationship with Basil?"

Feng Ran glanced vaguely through the glass window in the distance at Zuo Ling standing outside, and said calmly, "Just ordinary friends."

Afu: "Really? I don't think they think that way."

Feng Ran: "But at least for now, that's all there is to it."

Afu: "Okay, so you've been keeping little secrets from me."

Feng Ran: "Oh dear, don't you have any? Others may not know, but I do. That Bai Jinyu is from the Bai family, right? You buy so many things that people endorse. Who are you trying to please?"

Although this newly crowned top Alpha actress has kept her background well hidden while working in the entertainment industry, and has worked hard and been passionate and inspiring all the way, the striking faces of her and her brother are obvious to anyone in the industry.

Although Afu's father was a minor official with little power, His Majesty Geno treated their family quite well because of the harmonious relationship between the Emperor and Empress. In addition, since Princess Shirley was his only princess, His Majesty had long intended to support them, considering them as a foundation to prepare for the princess's ascension to the throne.

Thus, Olivia was a breath of fresh air in the parliament, undisturbed by any disturbances. She had no need to curry favor with the rabid White family dog ​​who attacked anyone, unless she had something else in mind, such as people.

Afu's eyes widened: "Don't make wild guesses about things that are still far from certain!"

Feng Ran: "When will it be available? Let me look forward to it too?"

Afu sighed wistfully, "Then you'll just have to wait."

After they paid and left the store, Basil arrived late, carrying two bags. She stood at the mall entrance, looked into Feng Ran's eyes, and said sincerely, "Ranran, Happy First Snow Festival." Then she casually stuffed another bag into Afu's hand, "Here, this is yours."

Afu was so disgusted by his two-faced attitude that she really wanted to shake Fengran and complain, "Look at him!" But she held back because she had accepted his money.

Feng Ran also took out a small, exquisite box and handed it to him: "Thank you, this is for you, and I also wish you a happy first snow day." She turned to look at Afu, who seemed a little jealous, "Afu too, happy first snow day."

Feng Ran gave Luo Le a mistletoe brooch. Afu watched as she picked it out, and as she watched from the side, she exclaimed that giving gifts was indeed an art. The depth and meaning of the gift were so profound that Luo Le was completely captivated. She truly deserved to be called the princess of St. Ya Middle School, whose reputation was impeccable.

The three parted ways at the mall entrance. After Feng Ran got into the car, he opened Basil's gift bag. Inside was a red and green plaid scarf with a small note tucked underneath. Young Master Basil had written domineeringly: Even if you can't tell, don't let others see it. Cover it up properly.

Afu's driver came to pick her up, and they drove very fast, arriving home in no time. The family's private chef asked her what she wanted for dinner. Her parents were having dinner with others out that night, so Afu told her to just cook something simple and went back to her room.

When she eagerly opened the gift bag that Basil had given her, she was stunned by what she saw inside.

[Afu: [Image]]

[Afu: Ranran, look at him!!! Ahhhhhh I'm speechless!!! How could he be like this?!]

Sparkling purple crystal sandals, it's amazing that Basil could find something like this. Feng Ran replied with a string of "hahahahaha" in a very unkind way.

Afu sent the photo to Bai Chenxi again, and he coldly replied with a question mark.

[Bai Chenxi: ?]

[Bai Chenxi: You like this kind?]

She was furious and replied angrily: I don't like it!!!

Afu's interaction with Bai Chenxi was entirely due to the recent Kempen Four Military Academies League. Her cousin Shirley insisted on dragging her to watch it secretly. She had no interest in the competition involving flying mechs, and at most had only dabbled in BL novels of the same genre. So, sitting in the stands, Shirley focused intently on choosing her favorite future minister, while she intently looked down at the StarNet novel.

Midway through, she also ordered takeout snacks because she was expending more energy than usual in a crowded environment. However, since the food couldn't be delivered into the venue, she had to go out and pick it up herself. While looking for food delivery at the venue entrance, she found someone standing in front of the delivery robot with her order number. She is always very rude to strangers, and she immediately confronted the star contestant who had just won the competition.

But Afu is obsessed with looks, and she specifically targets only those who are refined and beautiful. As for someone like Basil, whose temperament outweighs her appearance, she can only get her number from her when she dyes her eyebrows back.

She was tempted, but she was still hesitant about whether to actually make a move. Then, Bai Chenxi, whom she had teased, invited her to eat in the rest area. Since food couldn't be brought into the venue, and he had ordered some other snacks, they could share them. And so, the two of them started arguing.

Afu stuffed those damn slippers into the deepest part of the closet, out of sight, out of mind.

That night, she had a dream. In the dream, it was her cousin Shirley's coming-of-age ceremony, held in the palace. It was a grand and lively event. During the banquet that night, Afu, who had been a human pillar all day, finally had a moment to steal a moment of leisure. Well, how should I put it? She was being intimate with Bai Chenxi, who was still not even close to her yet, in a small room next to the terrace. Being intimate was one thing, but to make matters worse, someone pushed open the door and caught them.

It was none other than Feng Ran who accidentally bumped into them. Feng Ran politely apologized, then turned and left for somewhere else. Afu didn't know why she didn't chase after her. They were supposed to be friends, but they did nothing, feeling awkward and distant. Feng Ran didn't reappear for the rest of the event. Just as Afu was wondering if she had left early, she heard the news that she had drowned in the pond in the garden.

An inexplicable sense of guilt overwhelmed Afu. She woke up drenched in sweat, feeling inexplicably sad, just like she had felt in the mall during the day.