Chapter 209: Chapter 209: At This Moment, She Wished She Could Confess Everything to Him

In stark contrast to her bewilderment, the others were much more composed. Vice Principal Zheng, who oversaw academics, chimed in with a wide grin. “Xu is a model student at our school. She has consistently placed second in her grade on the last several major exams. I never would have imagined she was your girlfriend.”

As soon as Vice Principal Zheng spoke, the others chimed in with a chorus of praise for Xu Su’s excellent grades and outstanding performance at school.

However, their expressions were all different. Many of the school administrators had heard about the romance between the students ranked second and first in the senior class. They had even held a small meeting about the matter. No one knew what they were truly thinking at this moment, but their words were all pleasant.

Zhou Mochen appeared completely oblivious. Smiling, he placed some food on Xu Su’s plate and interrupted them. “Please, no more praise. She gets embarrassed easily and can’t handle all this. You can just talk amongst yourselves; don’t worry about us over here.”

Xu Su finally understood his intentions. He was going to cement his status as her boyfriend in front of the entire school, teachers and students alike.

’So calculating! Sinister! Cunning!’

She viciously chewed on a piece of pork knuckle, furious.

Being forced to go public with their relationship made Xu Su extremely uncomfortable. ’What will my classmates think…’

Well, to be honest, Xu Su didn’t care *that* much about what her classmates thought. It would just be the usual gossip, wouldn’t it? Rumors like, ’She broke up with Xi Zirong to be with a rich guy.’

After all, Zhou Mochen was genuinely wealthy. Anyone who could get so many school administrators to dine with him had to have a high status.

It wasn’t hard to imagine what the students would be whispering about.

The more she thought about it, the less Xu Su cared. ’Fine, let it be public.’ Ever since she broke up with Xi Zirong, her friends had been speculating about the reason anyway.

Now the reason was out… though not in the way she would have chosen.

Zhou Mochen had likely come to the school so suddenly to check up on her, to see how she was doing. He just so happened to catch her disobeying doctor’s orders and used it as an excuse to drag her to lunch with them.

And now, he had gone and declared that Xu Su was his girlfriend….

After announcing Xu Su as his girlfriend, the smile on Zhou Mochen’s face grew even wider, making Huang Chao’s already startled heart pound in his chest.

’God knows his boss is not a patient man!’

’This man—gently coaxing his girlfriend, meticulously pouring her water and serving her food, a smile constantly plastered on his face—is this really my big boss?’

It couldn’t be helped. Huang Chao hadn’t witnessed any of Zhou Mochen and Xu Su’s interactions over the past two-plus years. Otherwise, he would have long since grown accustomed to it.

The moment Xu Su put down her chopsticks, Zhou Mochen leaned in close. “All done?”

Xu Su nodded. “Yeah, I’m heading back to class.”

Zhou Mochen glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s still early. Come on, give me a tour of your school.”

He pulled Xu Su to her feet, glanced at the others who had also risen, and waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t be so formal. Please, enjoy your meal. I’ll just look around myself.”

Then he turned to Huang Chao. “You’ve been drinking. Remember to call Little Li to come drive.”

Outside the private room, the second-floor cafeteria was completely empty. The first-years hadn’t begun their military training, the second-years were still on summer break, and the third-years had all finished eating and gone back to their dorms or classrooms.

Xu Su wrenched her hand away, her face stern. “Don’t be so handsy at school.”

Zhou Mochen froze for a second. Then he suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and, with his other hand, tugged open her collar where a button was undone. He glanced at her scabbed wound, and only after confirming it wasn’t red or swollen did he release her.

He smiled, trying to placate her. “All the administrators at your school know you’re my girlfriend now, Susu. Surely holding hands is fine.”

Xu Su ignored him. She hurried down the stairs, strode out of the cafeteria, and began walking toward the academic building under the scorching sun.

Zhou Mochen caught up and grabbed her arm, his expression darkening. “Are you this angry? Tell me, what are you so mad about? Does making our relationship public upset you this much? Am I someone you should be ashamed of, or is there something making this difficult for you?”

On a day this hot, no one lingered outdoors. The campus path leading from the cafeteria to the academic building was deserted. Still, Xu Su worried someone might walk by. She glanced around before pulling Zhou Mochen behind a large tree by the athletic field.

In the shade of the tree, an occasional breeze made the heat a little more bearable.

Xu Su shook his hand off again. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused me today? Zhou Mochen, did you even stop to think about me?”

She felt a surge of indignation. For days, she had been ostracized by Gu Yunjia and the other girls in her class. And even though she was mentally strong, it wasn’t as if she was completely unaffected.

But why couldn’t Zhou Mochen consider any of this?

He was only concerned with his own sense of security, never stopping to think how her classmates would view her after their relationship was revealed so publicly.

Before, Xu Su would have only been angry. But now that they were officially together, she also felt wronged. Wronged that her boyfriend hadn’t considered her at all, only himself.

“What kind of trouble could it be?” Zhou Mochen gently brushed the tip of her nose, which had turned red with indignation, and sighed with a hint of resignation. “I like you, Xu Su. I like you so much. Do you only see my feelings for you as a source of trouble?”

“Don’t twist my words!” Xu Su snapped, turning her head to avoid his hand and taking a step back.

Fearing they would be overheard, she lowered her voice. “I’m a student right now. Didn’t we agree we’d wait until after my college entrance exams to go public? If you announce it now, what are my classmates and friends going to think of me?”

“You want the truth?” Xu Su had only taken one step back when Zhou Mochen surged forward, pinning her against the tree. He took her hand and pressed it against his heart.

“The truth is, my heart is in turmoil. I don’t know why you’re so afraid of our relationship being public at school, but Xu Su, it’s making me incredibly insecure.”

“I’ve always respected your wishes and stayed out of your school life, but I’m growing more and more insecure. Every time you come back to school, your attitude toward me changes instantly. You’re impatient with my texts and calls. Getting you to meet me is harder than getting an audience with the mayor of Beijing.”

At this, Zhou Mochen sighed again, feeling pathetic. He lowered his head to kiss the crown of her hair, his voice laced with confusion. “Sweetheart, just tell me… are you doing something you shouldn’t be at school? Why can’t I shake this feeling of unease?”

Xu Su’s heart skipped a beat. Zhou Mochen’s voice was so soft, she could hear the vulnerability in his words. He couldn’t possibly know about her and Xi Zirong, yet somehow, he seemed to sense it.

Guilt, remorse, and an undeniable ache for him all converged in her chest. Xu Su’s brow furrowed. In that instant, more than anything, she wanted to confess everything.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep