"It must've been Qiao Wei — she's never liked Xiao'ai."
"She knew Xiao'ai had to perform today, so she deliberately stole and hid her costume."
"Exactly. Who else could be that spiteful?"
Everyone spoke indignantly, condemning Qiao Wei one after another.
A girl tugged at Lin Xiao'ai's hand and said,
"Come on, let's tell the teacher! We can't let Qiao Wei get away with this.
Hiding someone's costume—how disgusting is that? It's embarrassing that our school even has someone like her!"
Lin Xiao'ai quickly stopped her, voice low and tinged with grievance.
"Even if we find her now, it'll be too late for me to perform.
You guys should still go on stage. It's a group folk dance—missing me won't ruin it too much.
It's better than all of us missing the show and embarrassing the class."
"Xiao'ai, you're too kind. Always thinking about everyone else."
They said that, but none of them actually wanted to miss their chance to perform.
Though they'd been ready to storm off to find Qiao Wei a minute ago, they cooled down fast—
they'd deal with her after the show.
If Xiao'ai's costume wasn't returned in time, wouldn't that delay everyone?
"Xiao'ai."
Ji Jiang appeared just then.
Before anyone could react, he walked straight over and wrapped Lin Xiao'ai in his arms,
gently wiping away the redness at her eyes.
"I heard someone stole your costume?"
"Mm." Xiao'ai lowered her head.
"I don't know who it was. I can't perform anymore. I really wanted to do well in front of you."
"It's fine. Look what I brought you."
Ji Jiang lifted a bag and opened it in front of everyone.
Inside was a beautiful new ethnic dance dress — almost identical to her old one,
only brighter, more eye-catching.
He glanced around.
"You're all wearing the same design, right?
Having one that's a bit different won't hurt.
In fact, it might make things more creative. What do you think?"
What could they say?
Since Ji Jiang had spoken, even if they felt uneasy, they could only smile and lead Xiao'ai away to change.
Some people just had that kind of luck — lose a costume, and still have a thoughtful boyfriend bring her a prettier one.
Because of that dress, Lin Xiao'ai stood out on stage more than anyone.
By the end of the dance, everyone knew her name.
Afterward, the other girls felt a bit jealous,
but out of respect for Ji Jiang, they said nothing.
Instead, remembering who the supposed culprit was,
they quickly helped Xiao'ai change back and dragged her off to confront Qiao Wei.
"Maybe it wasn't Qiao Wei," Xiao'ai murmured.
"It could've been someone else."
"Impossible. It had to be her."
Everyone insisted, and Xiao'ai fell silent.
"Hey… A Xin, it's New Year's Day—can't you stop studying for one day?"
Qiao Wei sighed, resting her chin on her hand as she stared at the pile of practice problems.
She'd thought that when A Xin dragged her away to change,
maybe they'd go eat barbecue or something fun.
Instead, A Xin had brought two cups of hot water, two pieces of bread,
and sat her down in the classroom—to do practice papers.
"Final exams are coming," A Xin said.
"Even if I work super hard this semester, I'll never beat you," Qiao Wei grumbled, pouting.
"Do you underestimate yourself, or overestimate me?
You think everyone can just casually surpass the top student in the grade?"
A Xin looked up.
"Then work hard for the day you do."
"…Fine."
Qiao Wei couldn't refuse that kind of sincerity.
And honestly, if she went out, something annoying would probably happen anyway.
At least here, no one stared at her like she was a nuisance.
After finishing two problems, she nudged A Xin.
"Hey, I did pretty great just now, right?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"I totally nailed that one!"
"Great job."
Hearing the praise, Qiao Wei beamed.
Even the math problems seemed a little friendlier now.
If one day she actually managed to surpass A Xin,
would A Xin look at her with admiration and say,
"Wow, Qiao Wei, you're amazing!"
Bang —
The classroom door slammed open.
Cold air swept in, making Qiao Wei shiver.
A group of angry girls stormed in, Lin Xiao'ai among them.
Instinctively, Qiao Wei tensed to stand, but A Xin placed a calm hand on her shoulder.
"What's the rush?" she said evenly.
"A Xin, they don't look friendly!" Qiao Wei whispered,
"You're good at fighting, right? You beat He Meili last time — these girls will be easy!
I'll guard the door, you handle them, okay? Make them cry if you can!"
A Xin of course ignored that.
Her eyes flicked toward the security camera; her lips pressed into a faint line.
Leaving such obvious evidence? Never.
And she didn't want Qiao Wei to see her as violent.
"Qiao Wei, where did you hide Xiao'ai's costume?"
The lead girl didn't even let Qiao Wei speak,
her face full of fury.
"You did something so disgusting — during the performance, you hid her costume on purpose, didn't you?"
"Who hid her costume?" Qiao Wei snapped instinctively,
her angry tone only making her look guiltier.
"Why would I do something like that?"
"Who else could it be?" the girl shot back.
"You're the only one who's ever had a problem with Xiao'ai!
You used to bully her — now you're jealous because everyone sides with her,
so you hid her costume to ruin her big moment!"
"Qiao Wei, just apologize to Xiao'ai," another girl said.
"We won't tell the teacher if you do."
"Yeah, we're classmates. You really went too far this time—just say sorry."
Qiao Wei was livid — so angry she could barely breathe.
If A Xin's hand hadn't held her down, she might've leapt at them already.
Hide Lin Xiao'ai's clothes? Was she insane?
That messy group dance of theirs—could it possibly outshine hers?
"Qiao Wei… was it really you?"
Lin Xiao'ai's soft, hesitant voice joined in.
"Why would you do that? Is it because of Ji Jiang? But that's not something I could control…
Ji Jiang is just too perfect. When he confessed, I couldn't refuse him.
I tried to, but he said he'd handle it. I didn't expect…"
Her voice trembled.
"Luckily, Ji Jiang brought me a new dress, or I really would've embarrassed everyone.
Even if you don't like me, Qiao Wei, you shouldn't hurt all of us, right?
The others never did anything to you."
"See that, A Xin?" Qiao Wei half-laughed, half-cried.
"Every single time—it's like this. Even when I do nothing, somehow I'm the villain."
A Xin pushed up her black-framed glasses, calmly packed away the worksheets,
and took Qiao Wei's wrist.
When the girls tried to block her, one light push from A Xin made them instinctively step aside.
"A Xin, don't think the teacher will protect Qiao Wei just because you're a top student!"
A Xin turned her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over Lin Xiao'ai.
"Didn't you come to find Xiao'ai's missing costume?" she asked mildly.
"I'll take you to it. I'm sure we'll find it soon."
She smiled faintly.
"I've already messaged the teacher to check the security footage and keep a copy.
Let's all go watch it together.
After all, cameras don't lie… right, Lin Xiao'ai?"
Lin Xiao'ai's face turned pale.
Seeing A Xin lead Qiao Wei out, she quickly followed.
"The performance's over—no need to trouble everyone. Let's just drop it.
I believe Qiao Wei wouldn't do something like that."
"Even so," A Xin said seriously, meeting Qiao Wei's eyes,
"I still want to find the real culprit. I won't let Qiao Wei be mocked, doubted, or humiliated for something she didn't do."
Qiao Wei blinked, warmth rising in her chest.
She didn't know what to say—A Xin looked so calm, so resolute.
A Xin really is a good classmate, she thought.
Why does she look cooler than any of the boys in school …?