I Am Already A Queen

Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Cheng Xiaoqing Provoking Jiang Yanna

Seeing this, Shou Meiling, Ruan Jiaojiao, and Han Mengyu wandered over and gathered around her desk.

”Meixia, you truly have an incredible sweet tooth!” Ruan Jiaojiao commented, her eyes practically burning with envy as she stared at the rich pastries.

”Jiaojiao, if you crave dessert that badly, just eat some. You simply need to ensure you put in the work to burn off the extra calories afterwards.” Shou Meiling advised with a gentle chuckle.

”Ah, forget it... I am far too lazy to bother with extra workouts.” Ruan Jiaojiao dismissed it with a dramatic wave of her hand.

”By the way, where did you manage to buy those cakes, Meixia?” Han Mengyu asked, leaning in closer.

”Please don’t tell me you picked them up from a convenience store. Those packaged desserts are never fresh.” Ruan Jiaojiao added, her nose crinkling slightly.

”From a vending machine.” Qiao Meixia stated simply.

”A vending machine? Where on earth is there a cake machine on campus?” Ruan Jiaojiao asked, thoroughly confused.

”Over by the motorcycle parking lot.” Qiao Meixia answered.

”Ah... no wonder none of us knew about it! We have never had any reason to venture over to that area,” Han Mengyu remarked, realisation dawning on her.

”Naturally... considering none of us rides a motorcycle to school.” Shou Meiling noted logically.

”Still, is it really safe to buy delicate cakes out of a vending machine? Shouldn’t they be just as processed as convenience store goods?” Ruan Jiaojiao questioned, furrowing her brows in doubt.

”The shop owners personally replace all the stock inside the machine every single morning.” Qiao Meixia clarified.

”What?! How on earth do you know that?” Ruan Jiaojiao asked, her eyes widening.

”I ran into them directly.” Qiao Meixia stated.

”Oh...” Ruan Jiaojiao nodded in understanding.

”They happen to be the actual owners of Not Today, Salad Can Die.” Qiao Meixia added passively.

”What?! Are you serious?!” Ruan Jiaojiao gasped, visibly stunned.

”Is that really true, Meixia?” Shou Meiling asked, equally surprised by the revelation.

Qiao Meixia gave a calm nod while bringing another delicious bite of cake to her mouth.

”So these are fresh, signature cakes straight from their famous bakery?!” Ruan Jiaojiao squealed excitedly.

Qiao Meixia nodded once more.

”Meixia... pretty please, could you spare a tiny piece for me?” Ruan Jiaojiao pleaded, blinking her eyes rapidly in a hilariously dramatic display of cuteness.

Without a word, Qiao Meixia picked up the box, placed it in the centre of her desk, and gestured for Ruan Jiaojiao to help herself. Seeing the gesture, Ruan Jiaojiao’s face instantly lit up with utter delight.

”Thank you so much, Meixia! You are genuinely the absolute best!” Ruan Jiaojiao gushed, showering her with enthusiastic praise.

”You two should take one as well.” Qiao Meixia said, looking over at Shou Meiling and Han Mengyu.

There were exactly three slices remaining in the container, just enough for each of the three girls to enjoy one.

”Thank you, Meixia.” Shou Meiling accepted with a graceful, sweet smile.

”Thanks a lot, girl!” Han Mengyu chimed in happily, picking up her slice as well.

Unfortunately, the teacher for the upcoming period stepped into the classroom at that exact moment. Realising their time was up, the girls had no choice but to carefully put the box away and wait until the lunch break to finally savour those delicious cakes.

When lunchtime finally arrived, the three girls immediately rushed over to Qiao Meixia’s table the second Yin Junjie stepped out of the room. Eagerly retrieving their cakes, they invited Qiao Meixia to join them for lunch at the cafeteria. However, Qiao Meixia shook her head, quietly declining their offer.

”You must be completely stuffed after eating all those cakes this morning.” Shou Meiling chuckled softly.

”Hmm...” Qiao Meixia admitted with a faint nod.

Understanding her situation, the three girls headed off to the cafeteria together. Qiao Meixia, on the other hand, decided to take a stroll around the campus. Since starting at the school a week ago, her routine had been strictly confined to her classroom and the cafeteria. Today felt like the perfect opportunity to wander around and explore the rest of the grounds.

Meanwhile, over at the bustling cafeteria, Jiang Yanna was enjoying her meal alongside Jin Zexi and a few other close friends when Cheng Xiaoqing suddenly marched over with her own entourage.

”Hi, Jiang Yanna. I sent a few pictures your way yesterday. Did you happen to see them?” Cheng Xiaoqing asked, her tone dripping with provocation.

”What is the point of sending those photos to me?” Jiang Yanna replied smoothly, turning her head to gaze at Cheng Xiaoqing with complete indifference.

”Oh, it’s nothing! I just found it rather strange that you were not included in their little outing, especially since you always love bragging about how close you are to your eldest brother and cousins.” Cheng Xiaoqing sneered.

”I happened to be busy with my own affairs at that time, which is why I did not join them. So, are you satisfied with that explanation?” Jiang Yanna retorted coolly.

She felt zero hesitation about fabricating a lie. Even if Cheng Xiaoqing were foolish enough to confront Qiao Meixia directly, Jiang Yanna knew Qiao Meixia’s detached personality well enough to know she would not waste her breath setting the record straight.

And her calculation was entirely correct. Qiao Meixia would not care to engage with a total stranger like Cheng Xiaoqing in the slightest.

Cheng Xiaoqing studied Jiang Yanna closely, frustrated to find her looking completely unbothered. Was she actually telling the truth?

”Is that so? Maybe I should go ask your twin sister directly to confirm.” Cheng Xiaoqing pressed, attempting to test her reaction once more.

”Cheng Xiaoqing, I am really starting to think you have a secret crush on our Yanna.” Jin Zexi interjected with a sharp laugh.

”What on earth are you talking about?!” Cheng Xiaoqing snapped defensively.

”Well, you have been obsessively seeking Yanna out lately.” Jin Zexi replied, letting out a haughty snort. ”Or are you still throwing a tantrum because that boy never liked you back, so now you are desperate to pick fights with Yanna instead?”

”I got over him a long time ago!” Cheng Xiaoqing shrieked.

Her loud voice echoed across the quiet space, causing dozens of students throughout the cafeteria to turn and stare in their direction. Realising she was standing in the middle of a packed crowd making a complete spectacle of herself, a wave of hot embarrassment flushed across Cheng Xiaoqing’s face. Shooting one final, bitter glare at Jiang Yanna, she turned on her heel and stormed out, her flustered friends scrambling to keep up behind her.

Cheng Xiaoqing had set out to humiliate Jiang Yanna publicly, only to walk away utterly embarrassed herself.

Jiang Yanna shook her head with pity as she watched her leave, secretly cursing the girl in her mind. Cheng Xiaoqing had clearly been hoping to goad her into losing her composure. Fortunately, Jiang Yanna was relieved she had seen those photos the previous night. Having time to process her feelings after talking to her mother that morning allowed her to handle the ambush with complete grace. Otherwise, had she reacted with confusion or demanded explanations on the spot, she would have ended up looking like a complete fool.

”Yanna, don’t pay any mind to her. She is just hopelessly jealous that the guy she liked had zero interest in her, which is why she keeps trying to pick fights with you.” Jin Zexi consoled her.

”Hmm... I understand.” Jiang Yanna replied gently.

”Yanna, you are far too forgiving. If I were in your shoes, I would have slapped her across the face already.” Another friend chimed in indignantly.

”That’s precisely what she wants you to do! The moment you lay a hand on her, she will run to report you, and the teachers will reprimand you.” Wu Xiner chuckled softly.

”Exactly. That’s why we must always handle her with absolute poise and composure.” Jiang Yanna stated smoothly.

”By the way, Yanna, what kind of photos was she talking about?” Wu Xiner asked curiously, unable to suppress her interest.

She was kind of interested in knowing about that.

”Oh, they were just casual photos of my eldest brother, my twin sister, and two of my cousins enjoying themselves at a shopping mall. She naively assumed I missed out because they did not bother inviting me. She snapped the pictures of them and sent them to me.” Jiang Yanna explained lightly.

”And were you?” Wu Xiner blurted out thoughtlessly.

”What kind of question is that, Xiner? Yanna already told you she was busy!” Jin Zexi snapped back defensively.

”Ah... right.” Wu Xiner murmured, taking a slow sip of her tea.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***