Chapter 219: Gifts of Sisterhood In the midst of his hectic school routine, Xin finally managed to steal a moment for himself.
The weight of assignments and endless projects around him had become overwhelming, prompting him to take a short break.
Slipping his hand into his pocket, he retrieved his phone, its surface cool against his fingertips. His thumb swiped across the screen, unlocking a flood of notifications that had accumulated during his silent hours.
The notifications came in rapid succession, like a barrage of fireworks set off in his palm. His phone had become a beacon of curiosity and inquiry, all thanks to the latest gossip that had set the school on fire.
Xin’s eyebrows furrowed in surprise as he scrolled through his messages. His high school group chat, once a platform for mundane conversations, was now a hub of intense speculation and fervent queries.
Messages flooded the screen, all of them revolving around one burning question:
[Is it true? Are you really going out with Seraphina Fey?]
Xin blinked at the screen, his mind trying to process the sudden storm of attention.
Seraphina’s declaration had clearly made its way through the grapevine, reaching even the corners of digital conversations.
The news had spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of his peers.
Or perhaps it was Tyler.
Xin scrolled up and saw that his hunch was indeed correct.
It was really Tyler.
[Tyler: Xin, I’m really sorry. I accidentally shared the video of Seraphina’s declaration with you. I tried to delete it, but these people saved it before I could even blink]
[John: I warned you about posting stuff online! People always screenshot for evidence! It’s not safe here anymore!]
[Candice: Even if you hadn’t shared it, we would’ve found out. Everyone’s going nuts over that video!]
[Helen: Absolutely, it even made its way to Zone B!]
Intrigued, puzzled, and perhaps a tad overwhelmed, Xin decided not to respond. He was very tempted to pressed [Leave the Group] but he felt like it would be an insult after his classmates had welcomed him back form the dead.
Xin didn’t message but his sudden [Seen] status on the screen elicited a flurry of responses from the group. The chat came alive with a mix of emotions, from congratulatory emojis to stunned disbelief expressed through typed words.
Most expressed their questions on how that had happened.
Xin quickly closed his phone
With a sigh, Xin leaned back, his mind now swirling with thoughts. The reality of the situation dawned on him even more –– he was no longer just another student navigating the corridors of his school.
He was now entangled in a web of attention and curiosity, all because of a simple, unexpected declaration of love.
The weight of Seraphina’s choice had not only transformed his personal life but had also thrust him into the spotlight, leaving him to grapple with the sudden spotlight that had found its way to him.
As he stared at his phone, contemplating the messages that continued to pour in, he couldn’t help but wonder how this newfound attention would shape his days to come.
Xin made the firm decision to skip the reunion altogether.
Indeed, it was the only strategy he could think of to dodge the impending barrage of questions heading his way.
As long as his faux romance was still in the spotlight, his plan was to avoid any inquiries.
At present, his focus was entirely on amassing wealth and reclaiming their former residence.
In the midst of Xin’s contemplation, the atmosphere in the room seemed to shift. The door swung open, revealing Xiaxia and Seraphina, flanked by a line of impeccably dressed staff members. Each staff member carried an armful of bags, a sight that left Xin utterly stupefied.
The bags, adorned with prestigious logos, shimmered under the ambient light, creating an almost surreal display of wealth and opulence.
Their sheer number was staggering, creating an almost mesmerizing effect as they were carefully arranged in rows, showcasing an array of colors and designs that spoke of unparalleled luxury.
Xin could hardly believe what was going on. The room was now transformed into a high-end boutique, replete with the most coveted fashion items money could buy.
Xiaxia wore an expression of sheer delight, her eyes wide with excitement as she watched the bags being placed before her.
The room crackled with a palpable tension as Xin stammered, his voice barely audible, "W-wha . . . what’s all this?"
His eyes widened in disbelief as Xiaxia hurriedly placed numerous bags into his hands.
"Look, Xin!" Xiaxia exclaimed, her voice infused with a contagious enthusiasm. "Big sister Seraphina generously gave me all of this to celebrate our newfound sisterhood!"
B-big . . . Big Sister? When did that happen?! Speechless and dumbstruck, Xin struggled to find the right words. There were countless thoughts swirling in his mind, yet he didn’t know which one to ask first.
Desperate to understand, Xin pulled Xiaxia aside into a secluded corner, his voice barely above a whisper, "What happened to staying away from Seraphina? You treat her as an enemy before, and warned me not to get close, but what are you doing?"
Xiaxia responded with a mixture of determination and pragmatism, "Xin, just play along with her. It might benefit us in the long run. We could gain so much from being on friendly terms with her, you know?"
Furrowing his brow, Xin couldn’t shake the feeling that Xiaxia was taking advantage of Seraphina’s kindness, using their friendship as a means to acquire these luxurious items.
It felt like she had traded him for bags, a notion he found disconcerting.
"Stop taking advantage of her generosity and return these things, right now," Xin urged, his tone firm yet concerned.
"Egh?" Xiaxia protested, her eyes wide with innocence. "But she already gave them to me willingly. I didn’t force her."
"Xiaxia . . ." Xin warned, his frustration evident in his voice, but before he could say more, Seraphina intervened.
With a smile, Seraphina stepped forward, her presence commanding the attention of the room. "It’s all right, Xin. I want her to have these. Consider them tokens of our sisterly bond."