Drama Queen Reborn as a Top Student!-Chapter 789 - 342 once and for all_2

"Mr. Wei..." A staff member cautiously approached.

Wei Yun’er said coldly, "Go check the identity of the player at Table 27."

The staff member paused momentarily, then quickly agreed.

Players who drew the same numbered chip would automatically become opponents on the chessboard.

The number on that girl’s chip was 27.

The thought of Liu Runxi defending her made jealousy surge like an ocean within Yun’er’s heart; she couldn’t stay calm at all.

Back at the chess academy, Liu Runxi had always been an introvert, often sitting alone in a corner silently practicing. If not for his strikingly attractive appearance, he would have been so quiet that he almost seemed non-existent.

Later, a flashy boy at the academy provoked him. Young Liu Runxi quietly sat behind the chessboard and spoke in a calm, detached voice, "Fists and kicks are the realm of brutes. We’ll settle this on the chessboard."

The young boy possessed a composure and indifference beyond his age. His posture was always straight, like a tall pine or bamboo—graceful and upright—which made him stand out so distinctly among the other boys in the academy.

"You lost; apologize to me."

The boy across from him sneered, "And if you lose?"

"Anything you wish."

The chessboard was laid out, and Liu Runxi placed his pieces with unhurried precision. His demeanor was cool and detached, yet his chess strategy was unexpectedly bold and aggressive, ruthless in its execution. Within moments, he crushed his opponent so thoroughly that the boy doubted his own existence.

That boy, once praised by the academy director as smart and talented, was humbled beyond recognition in front of Liu Runxi. It was then that the spectators began to understand the true meaning of genius.

From that moment on, Liu Runxi became the idol of all the girls in the chess academy, secretly holding their admiration. However, he had always been introverted and distant, never getting close to anyone in the academy.

She, due to her outstanding talent, was appointed by the director as Liu Runxi’s sparring partner, drawing her closer to him. Many girls envied her for the opportunity to be Liu Runxi’s sparring partner.

But that was the extent of it. Aside from chess, Liu Runxi never spoke an extra word to her. It was as if he had no emotions at all. In his eyes, she—the most beautiful girl in the chess academy—was nothing special, merely a sparring partner; nothing more.

Back then, in her youthful naivety, she felt that boy was like the moon hanging high in the night sky—radiant and mysterious, unreachable, forever out of her grasp.

She was willing to be the small star beside the moon, not seeking to shine equally but only to glow alongside him.

She had all the time in the world to grow up with him. After all, she was the only girl able to get close to him.

If she couldn’t get a chance, no other girls could.

By that time, Liu Runxi had already competed internationally and earned remarkable rankings and scores, becoming a rising star in the world of chess. Despite his youth, his future was boundless.

But everything came to an abrupt halt during his prime. He left the chess academy, stopped competing, and transferred to a remote area in Qingzhou.

When he left, she had been competing in a match. She rushed back desperately, but she failed to see him one last time.

She didn’t even have his WeChat or any contact information. Just like that, he vanished from her world, disappearing without a trace.

From then on, their lives no longer intersected.

Having been Liu Runxi’s sparring partner for several years had helped her more than she could have imagined. Fueled by a kind of stubborn resolve, she never stopped competing, as if driven by a need to prove herself. In the past few years, she hadn’t paused for even a single day. Finally, she became the "genius girl" representative of the chess world, achieving fame and fortune far exceeding the limits of her age.

She imagined that someday, when she met Liu Runxi again as someone accomplished and respected, his eyes would finally see her. Together, they would begin a beautiful story.

She hadn’t expected their reunion to come so suddenly and unprepared.

He had grown into the image of a young man—tall, graceful, his features exquisite and detached—the best version of what she had envisioned for him as he matured. No, better than what she had imagined.

How could she not be moved?

But for someone so aloof, almost devoid of emotion, there was now a girl at his side. The way he looked at her carried a tenderness he himself seemed unaware of.

Impossible.

The thought of how he looked at that girl made her feel as if she couldn’t breathe from the pain.

All her years of waiting and striving now seemed like a cruel joke.

"I’ll make you realize just how wrong your choice is."

Liu Runxi walked far away before he finally became aware that he had been holding Shen You’an’s hand. The soft touch of her palm struck him, and he quickly let go, stepping back.

"Sorry, that was impulsive of me."

Shen You’an looked at his ears, now red like translucent jade, and said lightly, "Childhood friends, right?"

Liu Runxi frowned and said, "No. She was appointed as my sparring partner by the academy director when we were kids. Aside from that, there’s nothing between us. What she said, those things that could lead to misunderstandings, are merely her subjective assumptions."

Shen You’an smiled faintly. "Why are you explaining? Even if there were something between you two, it has nothing to do with me anyway. Who said you could only have me as your friend? Am I really that possessive?"

Liu Runxi’s usually calm and detached face finally showed a trace of anxiety. He wanted to explain further, but as he opened his mouth, no sound came out.

"Alright, I’ll stop teasing you now."

Shen You’an said, "You should make more friends, but that girl earlier isn’t the right one."

Liu Runxi suddenly looked up and stared deeply into Shen You’an’s eyes.

The girl’s eyes were open and bright, without a trace of the bashfulness typical of young girls.

His heart suddenly started pounding uncontrollably.

Shen You’an said casually, "You probably understand this yourself, and I think I made it quite clear earlier. If she keeps bothering you, you can use me as a shield. I know how much you dislike troublesome situations, so why not solve it all at once?"

The boy lowered his gaze, his voice hoarse. "That would be unfair to you."

A girl’s reputation is all too important.

Shen You’an said indifferently, "Aren’t friends meant to help each other?"

She glanced at her wristwatch and said, "Time’s up. I need to go in now. If you’re bored, you don’t have to wait for me. Don’t feel obligated."

Shen You’an turned to leave. After taking a few steps, the boy suddenly called out, "An’an."

Shen You’an turned around.

Bathed in sunlight, the boy’s usually detached expression was tinged with warmth. The girls passing by couldn’t help but glance at him repeatedly, their heads turning every time.

He said, "Good luck. You’re the best."

Shen You’an quietly watched him, feeling a wave of warmth flow into her heart.

She lowered her gaze, repressing the emotions in her eyes, then turned and walked away.