Peach-Orange! – Chapter 438 – New Friend

The consequences of not inviting Su Tao along are threefold.

First, Su Tao explodes and punches Luo Ying into minced meat. It’s uncertain whether mixing it with rice would also generate some emotional value, but the probability of this happening is relatively low. Su Tao’s possessiveness isn’t so extreme that she would forbid Chi Xiaocheng from having a meal with another girl.

Second, Su Tao senses danger, assumes Chi Xiaocheng is about to cheat, and punishes her by locking her in a dark room.

Third, after Chi Xiaocheng’s explanation, Su Tao reluctantly believes her but feels unsettled, planting a seed of unease.

From any angle, the current possessive Tao-tao can’t simply be ignored.

But if all three of them go together….

Honestly, Luo Ying’s clothes are quite plain, suggesting her family circumstances are modest. Asking her to treat Su Tao as well would be pushing it, especially since they’ve only just met.

Just as Chi Xiaocheng was about to say she’d pay for her own meal, Luo Ying waved it off casually. “No problem! I just transferred here and don’t have many friends yet. I’d love to meet more people.”

This kind of outgoing personality was completely different from her own. If someone Chi Xiaocheng wasn’t close with asked to eat together, her first reaction would be to find it troublesome.

She took out her phone and apologized, “You don’t have to treat us. I’ll pay for myself.

“One or two meals won’t break the bank. Did you think I was going to treat you to dragon meat? Just regular noodles or stir-fry, nothing expensive.”

Her words were warm and friendly.

Chi Xiaocheng rarely felt this kind of ease in conversations.

Hmm… maybe it was because she didn’t socialize much?

She couldn’t quite figure it out but quickly sent a message to Su Tao.

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Su Tao had just finished class and was chatting with Chen Qian when she noticed Chi Xiaocheng’s message.

One glance, and her expression shifted.

Chen Qian leaned over. “What’s wrong?”

Su Tao frowned slightly. “Xiaocheng made a new friend and wants me to join them for lunch.”

“Eating with a new friend?”

“Yeah.”

“Male or female?”

Chen Qian’s question made Su Tao narrow her eyes instantly. “Definitely not a guy!”

If it were a guy, they absolutely could not be friends. Anyone deliberately approaching Xiaocheng must have ulterior motives.

Chen Qian shrugged helplessly. “If it’s not a guy, what’s there to worry about? Friends are normal. You can’t be with her 24/7 anyway. You don’t want her to be all alone, do you?”

Su Tao pouted. “It’s not that… I just feel a little annoyed, even if it’s a girl.”

The incident with Fang Ning had taught Su Tao a harsh lesson. Even though it was later clarified as a misunderstanding, the discomfort had lingered for a long time.

Threats weren’t exclusive to guys. Even girls could easily fall for Xiaocheng’s charm!

“Sorry, Chen Qian, I won’t be eating with you at noon. I need to check out this new friend of Xiaocheng’s.”

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“Fine, fine. Call me if anything happens. I’ll always have your back.”

Hearing Chen Qian’s half-hearted yet supportive words, Su Tao felt deeply moved. “Chen Qian, you’re really… we’ll be best friends forever!”

Now this was what a true best friend looked like!

After saying goodbye, Su Tao hurried toward the building where Chi Xiaocheng was.

Before long, she spotted Xiaocheng sitting on a flower bed with another girl, chatting happily under the sun.

Su Tao immediately felt irritation.

Xiaocheng wasn’t the socially bold type, so if she was chatting so easily, it must be the other girl taking the initiative.

She definitely had designs on Xiaocheng too!

Instead of revealing herself, Su Tao stealthily followed the crowd of students heading to lunch, positioning herself close behind the two.

Her ears twitched as she caught Luo Ying’s clear voice, sounding amazed. “So, from what you’re saying, Xiaocheng, your Su Tao is practically perfect?”

Wait, they were talking about her?

Su Tao’s eyes darted as she heard Chi Xiaocheng reply, “Pretty much. Tao-tao is the most perfect person I’ve ever met, though that’s compared to others. To me, she still has plenty of flaws.”

Luo Ying sighed. “I’ve heard about Su Tao before at school. I’d really like to meet this sister of yours. Class has been over for a while, so shouldn’t she be here soon?”

Chi Xiaocheng raised an eyebrow. “Just to meet, right?”

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Luo Ying chuckled. “Relax, I can tell how much you care about her from the way you talk. I’m not going to steal her.”

“I didn’t say anything like that.”

Their conversation flowed into Su Tao’s ears, shifting her tension into confusion.

It really did seem like just a normal friendship?

And they were talking about her. Plus, the way this girl spoke made her seem harmless.

Feeling it was pointless to wait any longer, Su Tao slipped back into the crowd before suddenly emerging, pretending to look around.

Chi Xiaocheng spotted her from afar and immediately stood up, waving. “Tao-tao, over here!”

Her adorable voice drew the attention of several passersby, including Su Tao.

“Sorry, Xiaocheng, class ran late. Who’s this?”

Su Tao turned to Luo Ying, her gaze lingering briefly on the girl’s face before settling on the eyes behind the black-framed glasses.

Clear.

Yet with slyness deep within, making it hard to guess what she was really thinking.

Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As Su Tao sized her up, Luo Ying did the same, smiling. “Hi, I’m Luo Ying, from Xiaocheng’s class. We just met today. You’re Su Tao, right?”

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“Yeah.”

Though suspicious, Su Tao didn’t show outright hostility to such a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you. You said you just met today…?”

“Oh, that.” Luo Ying explained, “I’m an exchange student. I just enrolled half a month ago, but you two were on leave then. I only talked with Xiaocheng today.”

“Exchange student… Luo Ying, which school were you at before?”

“Shanghai University. The school arranged for first-years to exchange for an experience.”

So they really had just met.

And it didn’t seem like she had any hidden motives.

Plus, she didn’t give off a bad vibe.

Su Tao relaxed slightly and smiled. “I see. Well, we’re all hungry now. Should we walk and talk?”

“Sure.”

The situation unfolded differently than Chi Xiaocheng had expected.

She had thought Su Tao would grow jealous of Luo Ying, even hostile, further intensifying her possessiveness.

But now, the two of them seemed to be getting along?