Drama Queen Reborn as a Top Student!-Chapter 787 - 341 She is your girlfriend_2

"I... I’m sorry." She quickly stepped back upon realizing what had happened.

Shen You’an hadn’t expected such a crowd. She regretted it now; had she known, she would have taken a cab. Even getting stuck in traffic was better than being squeezed to death in the subway.

At that moment, an elderly aunt carrying a vegetable basket began huffing and puffing her way toward the exit. While pushing her way through, she loudly exclaimed, "Move, move! I’m getting off! Don’t block my way!"

Despite her age, the aunt was full of strength. The crowd was shoved aside wherever she went. When she passed by Shen You’an, Shen hadn’t been prepared and was knocked by the woman’s burly arm. The train car was too packed to maneuver, and Shen You’an stumbled backward, falling straight into Liu Runxi’s chest.

The old aunt, who had bumped into Shen, showed no sign of remorse. Instead, she cast a sideways glance at Shen You’an and Liu Runxi, then said to Liu, "Young man, watch over your girlfriend."

In the heat of the moment, Shen You’an had fallen into Liu Runxi’s arms. Stiff as a board, Liu didn’t dare to move. But the old aunt’s comment made his cheeks turn crimson in an instant. Thankfully, the mask he wore hid his embarrassment, though the tips of his jade-like ears gleamed a vivid red.

"Auntie, that’s not..." he tried to protest.

The old woman ignored his explanation and bustled out of the train as soon as the doors opened.

The surrounding passengers began subtly glancing at the two of them. One wore a white puffer jacket, the other black. Both masked. Though their faces weren’t visible, their stature and demeanor captured everyone’s attention. Looking at the boy’s protective stance toward the girl, who would believe they weren’t a couple?

Shen You’an coughed lightly, straightened herself, and looked away to hide her discomfort.

After experiencing so much over the years, she thought she’d hardened her nerves. Yet, this awkward situation was a rarity even for her.

Luckily, they didn’t have to endure it for much longer. The train soon arrived at their stop, and the two disembarked one after the other.

Outside the subway station, Shen You’an took a deep breath. The stifling and oppressive atmosphere of the train car dissipated in an instant.

"I’m really sorry about earlier. I should’ve planned ahead more carefully."

"It’s not your fault. You’ve already done so much. Besides, you’re the one accompanying me to the competition. Let’s go."

Under the sunlight, Liu Runxi saw her composed and airy expression. Hidden in his sleeve, his hand clenched into a fist, briefly tightening before relaxing again without a word.

He took the lead, walking ahead. "This way."

On the way, Liu Runxi explained the scale, rules, and important points of the upcoming competition to Shen You’an.

"The Ren Shi Cup Youth Go Tournament, hosted by Ren Shi Chess Academy, is an amateur Go competition aimed at young players. The tournament uses a single-elimination format. Contestants are paired through a random draw, and losing one match means elimination. The last player standing is the winner. The level of the participants this time is fairly average, so, given your current skill, you have a good chance of winning. That said, there are still a few things to keep in mind..."

Liu Runxi patiently and attentively briefed Shen You’an on competition tips. Having competed in Go tournaments since childhood, he knew the rules like the back of his hand and had more than enough expertise to guide a novice like her.

"This time there will be two judges. Since this is an amateur competition and not related to ranking advancements, the judges won’t have much of a role..."

When they arrived at the entrance of Ren Shi Chess Academy, the second hand on the clock had just touched eight.

"Let’s go verify your information first."

Familiar with the layout, Liu Runxi easily led her to the competition venue. Staff members at the entrance were verifying contestants’ information using devices.

Shen You’an walked up and handed her ID to the staff.

Liu Runxi waited not far off, his gaze fixed firmly in Shen You’an’s direction.

Suddenly, a delighted voice called out beside him, "Runxi?"

Turning his head, Liu Runxi saw a young girl approaching with a face full of joy.

"I thought I’d mistaken someone, but it really is you, Runxi! Even with the mask, I’d recognize you in an instant."

As she spoke, the girl reached out to grab Liu Runxi’s arm, her every movement brimming with familiarity and intimacy.

Liu Runxi took a step back, dodging her hand. His face was expressionless and distant. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The girl’s joyful smile froze briefly, but she quickly recovered, her face lighting up again. With her sweet and charming appearance, her crescent-shaped eyes when she smiled made it easy for others to take a liking to her.

"Runxi, ever since you transferred to Qingzhou, we haven’t seen each other. It’s been years now, and you’re so much more distant with me than before. Back then, we..."

"Liu Runxi."

When Wei Yun’er heard that voice, she noticed that the chill between the boy’s brows seemed to thaw under its warmth. A faint tenderness appeared, subtle yet unmistakable.

Her chest tightened, and she turned towards the source of the voice.

As soon as she spotted the approaching girl, Wei Yun’er’s pupils suddenly contracted. Her nails dug into the soft flesh of her palms.

The girl walked over to Liu Runxi and presented a number tag she had received. "Look," she said.

A rare trace of softness appeared on Liu Runxi’s perpetually cold face.

Wei Yun’er clenched her fists, then suddenly smiled and asked, "Runxi, is this pretty young lady your girlfriend? Is she also one of the contestants?"

Liu Runxi frowned slightly and turned to Wei Yun’er. The sharpness in his dark eyes made her chest tighten involuntarily.

The girl also directed her gaze at Wei Yun’er. Her deep, jet-black eyes held a faint, inscrutable smile that left Wei Yun’er feeling inexplicably uneasy.

Suppressing her discomfort, Wei Yun’er grinned and stepped forward. "Did I say something wrong? Miss, are you not Runxi’s girlfriend?"

Shen You’an cast a quick glance at Liu Runxi, her expression carrying a hint of teasing mockery.

This mess you’ve caused—deal with it yourself.

Liu Runxi let out a helpless sigh. "Don’t speak nonsense."

Wei Yun’er’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two of them. "So, you’re not boyfriend and girlfriend?" she murmured.

Her mannerisms and tone were tinged with girlish coyness, and paired with her sweet appearance, it was easy to perceive her as innocent and endearing.