Chapter 201: Fake Relationship The room fell into a hushed silence, a thick blanket of disbelief settling over the students like fog. Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and gasps hung in the air as Seraphina’s words reverberated through the room.
Then, a collective surprise blew through the roof at Seraphina’s revelation.
"N-no way," Maximillian blurted out, his voice a mix of disbelief and denial. "This has to be some sort of joke. You can’t be serious, Lady Seraphina. He’s just a nobody!"
Seraphina’s expression was calm and composed, and she simply smiled sweetly at Xin. She reached out and gently intertwined her fingers with his, her touch warm and reassuring.
The gesture seemed like a blow to Maximillian’s gut.
"We’re going out, right, Xin?" she said, her voice soft but firm.
Xin’s countenance remained a serene mask, betraying no emotion, but inside, his mind had ground to a halt. A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions stormed within him, leaving him paralyzed, unsure of how to respond in that overwhelming moment.
His silence, however, was universally interpreted as affirmation.
The room erupted into a cacophony of reactions, each student processing the revelation in their own way. Some were visibly shocked, their eyes wide with disbelief, while others wore expressions of profound surprise, struggling to reconcile the unexpected pairing before them.
Amidst the chaos, there were those whose reactions leaned towards the dramatic. Shrieks of romantic excitement pierced the air, echoing the sentiments of those who had found a new love story to revel in.
Simultaneously, most students’ hearts were broken, and they cried and wailed.
In the midst of this emotional storm, Xin stood rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed on Seraphina, who remained steadfast beside him.
Her unwavering gaze offered him a sense of stability in the midst of the chaos.
Although his exterior portrayed calmness, his inner world was a tempest, a whirlpool of thoughts and feelings that he struggled to make sense of.
Meanwhile, the room continued to buzz with animated conversations and reactions. The news of Seraphina and Xin’s relationship had sent shockwaves through the student body, and the repercussions of this revelation would undoubtedly echo through the corridors of the school for days to come.
The room erupted into chaos once more. Students recovered and started talking over each other, their disbelief and confusion reaching new heights.
"What? Are you serious?"
"But he’s just a nobody!"
"How did this happen?"
"Did we miss something?"
Maximillian’s face contorted with a mixture of anger, frustration, and disbelief. He couldn’t fathom the idea that someone like Xin, whom he considered beneath him, could be romantically involved with Lady Seraphina, the object of his adoration.
"You’re lying!" Maximillian shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "This can’t be true. Lady Seraphina, you’re just confused. I can’t believe you would choose him of all people!"
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed into slits, a mischievous glint dancing within them. "Should I make a point by kissing him right in front of you?"
Her words hung in the air, laced with a challenge that seemed to electrify the room.
Maximillian’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, his face flushing crimson as he stammered, "K-k-k-kiss?!"
The sheer shock of the suggestion caused his nose to gush blood, and he crumpled to the ground, knocked out cold. K.O!
Amidst the chaos, Seraphina remained remarkably composed. She dismissed the fallen bodies around her with a casual glance and focused her attention on Xin.
"We should get you to the infirmary . . . ," she said, her voice softening with concern as she finished with a face that could melt the coldest hearts, "Babe . . ."
A bizarre spectacle unfolded as blood sprayed in every direction, rendering everyone unconscious.
Victor and Xiaxia’s souls seemed to momentarily vacate their bodies, their expressions frozen in a blend of astonishment and disbelief.
In the midst of the chaos, Seraphina calmly took hold of Xin’s hand, leading his seemingly robotic body toward the infirmary.
The corridor remained eerily silent in the aftermath of the unexpected events. Seraphina’s actions had left the onlookers dumbfounded, their minds struggling to comprehend the surreal scene they had just witnessed.
Inside the infirmary, Seraphina gently guided Xin onto a chair, her touch tender and caring. She wiped the blood from his face, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
"I’m sorry that this happened to you," Seraphina said softly, her voice a gentle caress in the midst of the turmoil. "I’ll go and excuse you from your classes. You should take some time off, Xin."
.
That was probably a good idea. Xin thought. After what happened, maybe he should just take the year off.
But instead of agreeing to the break, Xin found himself compelled to address the unresolved matter that lingered between them. "About what you said earlier," he began cautiously.
Seraphina’s expression morphed into an innocent facade. "About what?" she replied, her eyes wide with feigned innocence.
Xin grumbled under his breath. "About you and I going out?"
Seraphina moved to sit on the chair opposite him and explained seriously, "I was just kidding, of course," she started. "But it might be the only way to keep you safe at school or wherever you go."
Xin thought that was the reason, discomfort flickering across his features. "You don’t have to go to such lengths," he protested, hesitant about the idea of pretending to be in a relationship.
Seraphina shook her head firmly. "It’s because of me that this happened, so I will take full responsibility," she said with determination. "At least, until everything dies down, we should keep up this facade of a relationship."
The weight of her words settled on Xin’s shoulders. He sighed, torn between the desire for a normal life and the discomfort of living a lie. "But . . ."
Seraphina reached out and gently held his hand, her eyes locking onto his with seriousness. "Believe me, you won’t like what those guys will do to you after they find out about that picture. This might be the surest way for you to regain a semblance of your normal life."
Xin’s gaze met hers, and at that moment, he realized the sacrifice she was making for him.