Peach-Orange! – Chapter 361 – The Overbearing Su Tao

Chi Xiaocheng’s confusion and bewilderment only lasted for a brief moment.

Almost the instant Zeng Xiuhua glared at her viciously, she immediately shrank back, retreating a step in fear.

Because she was naturally clumsy, as she stepped back, she flailed in a panic, trying to run outside. But since she was too close to the doorframe, the moment she turned around, her forehead slammed straight into the dormitory door.

With a crisp “Duang!”, the door responded with a loud “Bang!” before shutting tightly.

Chi Xiaocheng immediately clutched her forehead and crouched on the ground. The pain, mixed with her fear of Zeng Xiuhua hitting her, made this soft, adorable, and submissive little loli burst into tears.

“Wuwu… that really hurt~”

Her voice was delicate and pitiful as Chi Xiaocheng nearly turned her back completely to Zeng Xiuhua.

After her brain’s long reflex arc finally processed the situation, she hurriedly turned around, covering her chest as she timidly stared at the heavily made-up woman.

Anyone who saw such a little loli would feel two conflicting desires.

One, the urge to protect her.

Two, the urge to torment her mercilessly.

And for those with inherently dark hearts, seeing their victim too afraid to resist would only fuel their cruelty further.

Chi Xiaocheng was precisely exploiting this latter psychology. Tao-Tao would undoubtedly come down within half an hour. What would happen if she saw her being bullied?

Oh no, she couldn’t help but feel a little excited at the thought of that scene.

Being protected by Tao-Tao again… how nice~

Though Chi Xiaocheng was secretly thrilled inside, her acting remained flawless. Just as she expected, Zeng Xiuhua flashed a mocking, scornful smile.

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But soon, she suppressed that inappropriate expression and replaced it with a smile. “Oh, who do we have here? It’s just Cheng-Cheng. It’s been so long, no need to be so scared of me, right?”

It was like a confident hunter toying with prey already cornered.

But dragging things out was exactly what Chi Xiaocheng wanted.

So she replied fearfully, “You lied to me and bullied me before… I… If you dare do anything to me today, Tao-Tao won’t let you off!”

At the mention of Su Tao, hatred flickered briefly in Zeng Xiuhua’s eyes.

She continued smiling. “Nonsense, those were all misunderstandings, weren’t they? I never bullied you. That little argument before was just because I didn’t understand why you left.”

Sighing, she walked toward Chi Xiaocheng. “In the beginning, you were the one who told me Su Tao didn’t want you anymore. That’s why we became such good friends, remember? I even lent you my makeup.

“Who knew Su Tao would suddenly go crazy and interfere with our friendship?

“And you, you still cared about Su Tao. That really hurt me back then.”

Hurt?

She absolutely despised Chi Xiaocheng and Su Tao.

Not only had she been beaten up, but afterward, fearing retaliation, she had even taken a long leave to hide at home. Yet, they still somehow managed to track her down.

She had been forced to spend months in jail. She couldn’t even go home for New Year’s!

Because the incident spread around the neighborhood, she became the laughingstock of her entire village.

Looking at Chi Xiaocheng’s pitiful, makeup-free face, Zeng Xiuhua couldn’t help but imagine tearing it to shreds.

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She stared down at Chi Xiaocheng, noticing how the girl seemed frozen in fear. She couldn’t resist taunting, “What’s wrong, Cheng-Cheng? Cat got your tongue?”

Chi Xiaocheng bit her lip. “Su Tao… Sister Su Tao, she… she only argued with me last time because of Ye Liang. But she actually… actually still cares about me! I won’t let you talk about her like that!”

She raised her eyes, tears still glistening, but her gaze was firm.

Zeng Xiuhua scoffed and reached out to pat Chi Xiaocheng’s head, only for the latter to duck swiftly.

She expected anger, but instead, Zeng Xiuhua simply shrugged. “Think what you want. Su Tao and I do have issues, but I don’t want to fight with you either. We are dormmates, after all.”

Chi Xiaocheng: “???”

“Don’t look so surprised. After being forced into ‘reform’ and barely getting out, I’m not stupid enough to mess around again.

“At the very least, I won’t cause trouble for you two. I don’t want to get expelled.”

As Zeng Xiuhua turned away, speaking indifferently, Chi Xiaocheng was the one left baffled.

Had she really changed?

No, her danger sense was still faintly warning her.

Zeng Xiuhua did have ulterior motives. She was just holding back for some reason.

Was she really afraid of Su Tao?

Before Chi Xiaocheng could figure it out, Zeng Xiuhua extended an invitation. “By the way, have you eaten? Let’s grab a meal together. It’s my treat.”

Her danger sense didn’t flare up. In fact, it completely settled.

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This confirmed that Zeng Xiuhua genuinely just wanted to have a meal with her.

Moreover, she had suppressed her hostility.

Remembering how she had almost been outmaneuvered by Chu Lingfeng last time, Chi Xiaocheng decided to play it safe and shook her head. “No thanks. I’ll wait for Tao-Tao to come down.”

Hearing that Su Tao would be down soon, Zeng Xiuhua’s eyebrows twitched.

She smiled at Chi Xiaocheng. “So, Cheng-Cheng, starting today, can we be friends again?”

You don’t hit someone who’s smiling.

Chi Xiaocheng decided to see what Zeng Xiuhua was really up to and nodded. “Sure.”

“Then see you tomorrow, Cheng-Cheng. I’m off to breakfast.”

Zeng Xiuhua picked up her makeup mirror, touching up her face as she opened the dorm door.

But standing right outside was a towering shadow.

The figure blocked out the sunlight entirely, startling Zeng Xiuhua into stumbling back.

Only when her eyes landed on that familiar, beautiful face did she inwardly curse.

Damn it.

She knew Su Tao would come. She just hadn’t expected her to be this fast.

‘Whatever. It’s not like I caused any trouble or bullied Chi Xiaocheng.’

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Zeng Xiuhua sidestepped, trying to squeeze past the doorway, only for Su Tao to deliberately raise an arm, blocking her.

Zeng Xiuhua frowned. “Su Tao, what’s your problem? You already beat me up last time and had me thrown in jail. This new semester, I don’t want any trouble. Move.”

Su Tao raised an eyebrow. “I’m glad you’ve learned your lesson. I also can’t be bothered with you. But let’s be clear about one thing.”

The girl tilted her chin up, looking down at Zeng Xiuhua with a displeased glare.

“What did you mean by calling Xiaocheng ‘Cheng-Cheng’ just now?”

Zeng Xiuhua sneered. “What else could it mean? Chi Xiaocheng and I are just ordinary friends. We already cleared up the misunderstanding.”

Su Tao immediately turned to Chi Xiaocheng for confirmation.

The latter still wore that frightened expression but gave a small nod under Su Tao’s gaze.

Zeng Xiuhua said coolly, “See? I didn’t cause any trouble. We can just stay out of each other’s— Ghk!”

Her words were abruptly cut off as Su Tao’s hand clamped around her throat, lifting her clean off the ground.

“You claim you didn’t bully Xiaocheng? Then why is she crying?”

The girl’s body seemed to be gradually adapting to the War Hero bloodline after her Darkening.

Dominant.

Overbearing.