Fang Ming watched Gu Anxi with a complicated expression.
By then, Gu Anxi had already left the classroom with her notebook, supposedly to find a place to sleep. Principal Shen had given her special permission!
With a conflicted heart, Fang Ming opened the manga. He glanced at it for only a mont before putting it down. It depicted the daily lives of Big Grey and Little Rabbit, which, in reality, mirrored the daily lives of Bo Xichen and Gu Anxi. Fang Ming pressed his lips together.
During lunch in the cafeteria, he ran into Gu Mingzhu and they ate together. Gu Mingzhu wasn’t alone; she was with a female friend.
The friend brought up the dual-author magazine feature. "Mingzhu, with just a photo together, anyone with eyes can see you’ll outshine that author by miles."
Gu Mingzhu smiled faintly. "That’s not necessarily true. There’s always soone better out there; the sky’s the limit."
Her modest reply didn’t convince her companions. The friend with her covered her mouth and giggled. "Mingzhu, you must be joking! I bet the author of *Big Grey Wolf* is so fat nerd, probably the kind who weighs around 175 pounds."
Gu Mingzhu smiled. "Even if she weighs that much, she’s still a little fairy in her readers’ hearts."
"That’s just fans seeing her through a filter! When she’s on the cover with you, Mingzhu, the difference in your appeal will be glaringly obvious... I don’t believe people will still be fans of hers then!" The female student unknowingly voiced Gu Mingzhu’s own thoughts.
Gu Mingzhu glanced at her. "You shouldn’t talk like that." She lowered her head and sipped her soup. "I genuinely love the works of ’Miss Rabbit Who Doesn’t Wear Thermal Pants,’ which is why I suggested a dual feature. I have no other intentions."
Her friends exchanged knowing smiles but said nothing more.
Just then, Fang Ming spoke up. "Did she agree?" He paused, then asked again, "Do you know her?"
Gu Mingzhu smiled. "My mom helped arrange it. Aunt Bo Jin said she knows Miss Rabbit. Besides, it’s a dual feature for *Jia Ren*—such a great opportunity, who would refuse?"
Fang Ming lowered his gaze. "If you’re not familiar with her, there’s no need to force it, Mingzhu..."
Gu Mingzhu smiled. "Fang Ming, what’s wrong?"
Fang Ming looked up, his gaze resting on her face with a hint of complexity. After a long mont, he said quietly, "It’s nothing." He stood up to leave. "I wish you success."
Gu Mingzhu was sowhat surprised. "Fang Ming, are you done eating already?"
In the past, he would always stay with her, watching her eat until she finished before they left together. If ti permitted, he would even walk with her.
Truthfully, Gu Mingzhu felt the Fang family wasn’t quite a match for the Gu family, so she had always kept Fang Ming at a slight distance. After all, Fang Ming was handso, the campus beau, and excelled academically. She had no reason to reject the pursuit of such a boy, did she?
Now, Fang Ming’s abrupt departure left Gu Mingzhu a little flustered. "Fang Ming."
Fang Ming’s voice was distant. "I’m heading back to my departnt."
Gu Mingzhu gently bit her lip.
Her friend leaned in and whispered, "Could he be going to find Gu Anxi? I heard Beicheng University is holding new elections for campus belle and beau, and many people have nominated Gu Anxi this ti. Mingzhu, you need to be careful." She paused. "She’s a strong contender."
Gu Mingzhu lowered her eyes. "Campus belle? What does she have to compare with ?"
Her friend considered it. Mingzhu was top of their entire departnt, had her own published column, and also owned her family’s perfu brand. Gu Anxi, aside from being backed by the Bo family and having won a series of major awards, seed to have...
Wait. Wait a minute... It seed Gu Anxi’s qualifications were no worse than Mingzhu’s!
Gu Mingzhu looked at her and sneered, "Why did you stop talking? Were you about to say Gu Anxi is also very outstanding?"
Her friend remained silent.
Gu Mingzhu lifted her chin. "I won’t give up the position of campus belle."
***
When Gu Mingzhu returned ho, Tang Yuan wanted to discuss sothing with her.
"Mingzhu, I’ve spoken to your Aunt Bo Jin. She has already asked Miss Rabbit, and she agreed to do the joint photoshoot with you, but..." Tang Yuan’s tone was laced with disdain as she continued, "she’s asking for a paynt of ten million, calling it her commission."
Gu Mingzhu was also displeased, biting her lip lightly. "Mom, who does she think she is? A distant relative of the Bo family like her wouldn’t even dream of getting on such a magazine cover, and she has the nerve to ask for money."
Tang Yuan looked sowhat troubled. "I heard from Bo Jin that she regards this junior quite highly."
It was precisely because Bo Jin valued and wanted to promote Miss Rabbit that Tang Yuan felt it was even more necessary to have them compared. This way, everyone would know what a truly beautiful writer looked like—soone like Mingzhu, for example. Multi-talented. Tang Yuan had great confidence in Gu Mingzhu. Although angered by the demand, she felt the money had to be spent.
Gu Mingzhu said in a low voice, "Mom, my publishing editor said they’ve reprinted another thirty copies."
Tang Yuan smiled. "That bit of money for the photoshoot is nothing. We must spend it to build montum."
Gu Mingzhu nodded.
Just then, Gu Ning erged from the study, having discussed sothing with Gu Yuanshan. Seeing Tang Yuan and her daughter talking, Gu Ning, who was in a good mood, decided to join in. "I heard from Big Brother that Mingzhu is going to do a joint feature with Miss Rabbit."
Tang Yuan smiled. "That’s right."
Gu Ning glanced at Gu Mingzhu. "Our Mingzhu is so striking; anyone standing next to her would pale in comparison!"
Tang Yuan maintained her smile. Gu Mingzhu wore a slightly reserved expression.
Gu Ning said caustically, "So young and already scheming like this! You should focus on proper pursuits. All this business of outshining others is for the entertainnt industry. You’re writing youthful angst novels; who are you trying to outshine?"
Tang Yuan was displeased. This sister-in-law of hers was extrely harsh, but she held considerable prestige within the Gu family. Most of the ti, Tang Yuan had to endure her, even if it ant Mingzhu felt quite wronged.
Gu Ning chuckled and then left.
She returned to her villa, changed into a sowhat ’kawaii’ yet edgy outfit, brought a delicate gift for Miss Rabbit, and drove to a Michelin restaurant on the most bustling downtown street. She had arranged to et Miss Rabbit there.
Miss Rabbit had said she’d have a red carnation with her as a signal...
Filled with anticipation, Gu Ning entered the restaurant and imdiately began scanning her surroundings.
She didn’t spot Miss Rabbit, but she did see a familiar figure. That little rascal Gu Anxi was sitting there alone, eating.
Gu Ning walked over. "Why are you eating alone? Isn’t Bo Xichen with you?"
Gu Anxi looked up, her eyes scanning Gu Ning from head to toe. What a... non-mainstream outfit, she thought, then cleared her throat. "I’m eting a friend here for a al. Aunt Gu Ning, why... are you dressed like that?"
Gu Ning’s face flushed. "What would a child like you understand? This is the latest trend this year. Many international superstars abroad dress like this."
Gu Anxi said "Oh," then slowly added, "I haven’t seen it in any magazines I’ve read."
Gu Ning, embarrassed and irritated, retorted, "I don’t have ti to talk to you; I have an appointnt."
"What a coincidence, so do I," Gu Anxi said with a grin.
Gu Ning looked around again but still didn’t see any young woman of about twenty sitting alone. Puzzled, she took out her phone and sent a private ssage: [Miss Rabbit, I’m here~]
Gu Anxi’s phone pinged. She glanced at it. Then, under Gu Ning’s watchful gaze, she picked up her phone and sent a voice ssage: [I’m already here!]
Gu Ning stared, dumbfounded.
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