Chapter 35 Openly Protecting Her

Fuming, she entered the studio—her competition piece was gone!
“My painting?!”
“What’s wrong?”
“What happened?”
People crowded around—saw her empty easel, shook heads.
“Don’t know—didn’t notice.”
“Yeah—we just came. No one near your spot.”
“Yixuan—your piece had the best shot at the ‘Peacock Cup.’ Find it—someone must be jealous.”
Of course she’d find it!
She called campus security—explained, checked footage.
No cameras in the studio—only hallway traffic. From when she left first yesterday till someone entered today—only one figure went in and out!
Su Niansheng!
Finally—caught her!
Lin Yixuan’s eyes sharpened—relishing revenge.
“Xiaoqian—catch!”
“Tired—let’s stop.”
Gym—Su Niansheng finished tennis, wiping sweat—phone flooded with missed calls/messages.
From the class president.
Unknown numbers.
And Lin Yixuan.
Why’d she call?
She opened the class president’s message: Su Niansheng—come to Studio ③, 11th floor, Chongde Building. Urgent.
Studio?
Okay.
Confused, she headed there—pushed in, stunned.
Full of people.
Student council discipline members, art majors, class leaders, ex-roommates Xu Yue/Zhao Menghan, and Lin Yixuan in the center.
Seeing her—Lin Yixuan sneered. “Took you so long—I thought you’d chicken out!”
“?”
She felt like walking into a trap—facing judgment.
“What are you saying?”
Her calm tone angered Lin Yixuan. “Still playing dumb? Why steal my painting?”
“Your painting?”
She frowned.
Lin Yixuan turned, laughing at others. “Told you.”
The studio door opened—Tao Yu walked in.
“President!”
“Hi president!”
People greeted—Lin Yixuan brightened.
“Yubai—you’re here!”
She sneered at Su Niansheng.
“I knew you’d deny—class president, play the footage!”
“Okay.”
As the president played footage from a USB—Tao Yu looked at the only girl not turning to him.
She looked post-workout—slender neck glistening, skin fair. Moist sportswear showed faint butterfly bones, straight back—focused on the projector.
Before—she’d be first to turn at his voice.
Footage ended—Lin Yixuan gloated, looking at her, Tao Yu, everyone. “See? Everyone see?”
She wanted Su Niansheng ruined—disgraced, punished, and humiliated before Tao Yu.
Let her feel his disgust—like when he threw her wet bag in the trash.
“Wow—really her?”
“Only her in the footage.”
“But why steal? Aren’t they friends?”
“Maybe just pretend…”
People whispered, pointing.
Tao Yu watched too.
“Saw it.”
Su Niansheng recalled entering—never noticed the painting. Didn’t bother explaining.
“So what? Proves what?”
“So what? Proves what?” Lin Yixuan gaped. “Su Niansheng—bold! From yesterday till now—only you entered. Backpack flat going in, bulging out. Who else but you?!”
Heh.
Su Niansheng laughed. “Why steal your painting?”
“Why?”
Lin Yixuan stood—pointed at her, mocking.
“Because you like Yubai—jealous he’s close to me, and I…”
Waiting for her rage—Tao Yu cut her off sharply.
“Enough!”
She looked up—Tao Yu’s face was cold.
“Yubai?”
“How much did the painting cost? I’ll pay.”
“What? Yubai—you…”
Her eyes widened—staring at him.
Yubai—why protect her?!
Gasps filled the room.
The president—openly protected Su Niansheng, offering to pay?
He’s always fair—first favoritism, and for her—whom he hates?
Xu Yue/Zhao Menghan exchanged looks.
Impossible? But…
Does Tao Yu not hate her as he seems?
People were shocked—stared at her. She “tch” laughed.
Almost clapped.
What a show!
Dragged here for a false trial—Lin Yixuan slandered her, Tao Yu “concluded” she’s guilty.
This “couple” was in sync—just like they toyed with her in the past.
Now—his fake “protection” disgusted her.