Chapter 339 - 279: Lying is a Child’s Nature

Lin Ruoxi and Gu Muxue stood face-to-face in front of Xue Rui’s home. Both were turned sideways to Xue Rui, so he had a clear view of their expressions.

He couldn’t help but glance from one to the other. Lin Ruoxi was quite a bit taller, but Gu Muxue’s confident gaze and stylish outfit meant she more than held her own. ’None of that matters now, though,’ he thought. ’What’s important is to get my story straight with Xue Yao so she doesn’t blow my cover.’

Lin Ruoxi stared at the huge bag of grapes, which had to be over ten pounds. She hesitated. ’Should I accept something from Gu Muxue?’

She instinctively glanced toward Xue Rui, but he was looking down, fiddling with his phone.

’I’m an adult now. I have to learn to make my own decisions. Besides, it must be tiring for Gu Muxue to hold that.’

Lin Ruoxi squatted slightly, supporting the bottom of the bag with one hand while gripping the handles with the other, afraid it couldn’t take the weight and would spill. She said timidly, "Thank you, but I’ll just take a little. I can’t eat all this by myself."

As she spoke, she took a plastic bag from her schoolbag in Yu Minlan’s car, put some of the grapes inside, and handed the rest back to Gu Muxue.

Xue Yao was in the middle of a game when she was bombarded by messages from Xue Rui. She couldn’t help but go to the window and take a look.

She gulped. Xue Rui had sent her a message: *You know what to do.*

’Of course I know what to do,’ she thought. ’But what is my brother doing right now? Isn’t he being a little too calm?’

’His two girlfriends are having a royal showdown, and he’s just casually scratching his back?’

The truth was, Xue Yao didn’t know what her rascal of a brother was really up to. He was trying to prevent Gu Muxue from finding any of Lin Ruoxi’s stray hairs on him, using the act of scratching an itch as an excuse to check his clothes...

"You live alone?" Gu Muxue asked in surprise.

’Lin Ruoxi is so frugal,’ she thought. ’Why would she carry a crumpled old plastic bag around?’

The moment she said it, she remembered Lin Ruoxi’s family situation. Xue Rui had mentioned that Lin Ruoxi only had an ailing grandmother who probably couldn’t eat fruit. Her gift might have become a burden.

"Yes," Lin Ruoxi nodded.

’Although Xue Rui comes over sometimes, he hasn’t stayed the night lately, and Grandma is in a nursing home...’

"I’m sorry, I didn’t know," Gu Muxue quickly amended. "I think you’re really brave. I get a little scared of the dark when I’m alone."

Lin Ruoxi looked blankly at her, not understanding why Gu Muxue was apologizing. She said, "Um, I’m used to it."

Just then, Xue Rui confirmed that his clothes were clean. He was about to go over and say something when Gu Muxue shot him a fierce glare, warning him to stay put.

Xue Rui slapped his forehead. ’Crap, this is bad,’ he thought.

’Even though Muxue and I don’t have explicit rules like I do with Ruoxi, sharing the little things in our lives has become an unspoken agreement between us.’

’Muxue sends me photos when she goes grape picking. And what about me?’

’Lin Ruoxi came to my house, and I didn’t even give Gu Muxue a heads-up.’

’Now Muxue is obviously pissed!’

’Well, at least she’s only mad at me. She’s being perfectly civil to Lin Ruoxi, not taking her anger out on her.’

Gu Muxue decided not to dwell on the heavy topic. She smiled and said, "School starts in a few days. Has Xiaorui bought you a ticket yet? He’s your boss, so that kind of thing should be reimbursable, right?"

Lin Ruoxi froze. ’Xue Rui hasn’t said anything about how I’m supposed to get to school, has he?’

’A ticket... Does that mean I’m taking the high-speed train?’

Yu Minlan noticed Xue Rui kept looking at her. She got out of the car and said, "I’m Boss Xue’s driver. Ruoxi has a lot of luggage, so I’ll drive her when the time comes."

Gu Muxue smiled and nodded at Yu Minlan.

Xue Rui sighed. ’That Yu Minlan is so slow on the uptake,’ he thought. ’Thank god she didn’t call Lin Ruoxi the boss’s wife.’

Gu Muxue sighed inwardly. ’Lin Ruoxi has no desire to talk to me. Or to anyone, for that matter. She’s still the same blank, dazed person she always was.’

’That’s not good. She needs to learn how to communicate with people, at the very least.’

"We’ll both be studying in Chang’an then. Remember to keep your acceptance letter safe."

"I joined the school’s QQ group, and I saw that some careless students have already lost their acceptance letters and are asking the teachers what to do," Gu Muxue said with a smile.

She remembered that Lin Ruoxi’s acceptance letter was with Xue Rui—he had shown it to her a few days ago. So, she steered the conversation toward school, one of the few topics they had in common.

"Um, I’m also going to school in Chang’an," Lin Ruoxi said softly.

’Gu Muxue asks so many questions. I don’t know what to say. I know I’m not good with words, and I understand that the more you talk, the more likely you are to slip up.’

’If I say the wrong thing, Xue Rui will be unhappy.’

’I’m going to school with Xue Rui, so it’s fine for him to hold on to my acceptance letter.’

"Xiaorui and I are going to school together. He’s already bought the tickets," Gu Muxue said.

Lin Ruoxi’s pupils trembled. ’Xue Rui is going with Gu Muxue?’

"I... I can go by myself," Lin Ruoxi stammered.

Gu Muxue’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly. She had noticed Lin Ruoxi’s odd reaction. ’Does Lin Ruoxi seem to be looking forward to going to school with Xue Rui?’

’That look of disappointment just now...’

’Did Lin Ruoxi really give up on Qingbei just for the money?’

’Was it really because Chang’an is closer to home?’

’Xue Rui’s earlier explanation had been practically seamless. I didn’t doubt those were her reasons, but I think I need to add one more to the list: Lin Ruoxi likes Xue Rui.’

She took a deep breath, sizing Lin Ruoxi up once more. ’With looks this stunning, even other girls can’t help but sneak a few extra glances. Is Xue Rui really not tempted?’