Chapter 112: The War of Women

Wang Yuqing could not quite define her feelings toward Ma Yunrou. During their middle school years, Ma Yunrou had been a campus beauty, while Wang Yuqing was a self-proclaimed homebody. They had absolutely no social interaction, and Wang Yuqing only knew of her by reputation.

"Yuqing? Yuqing? Are you still there?" Xu Qing asked from the other end of the line, noticing Wang Yuqing’s long silence.

"Oh, Xu, I'm fine. Just lost in thought for a moment," Wang Yuqing quickly pulled herself together.

"So, what was it you wanted to ask me?"

"Well... Xu, you were in the same class as Ma Yunrou in middle school, right?" Wang Yuqing had spent a long time debating whether to dig deeper into Ma Yunrou’s background. Although she had once snuck a peek at Xiao Lin’s diary, the information there was sparse and mostly focused on his own feelings.

"That’s right, I sat next to her for a year. Why do you ask?" Xu Qing sounded puzzled.

"Could you... could you tell me more about her? And what happened yesterday when she ran into Xiao Lin?"

"Wait... Yuqing, what is going on between you and Ma Yunrou? She just called me earlier to ask about you. What kind of game are you two playing?" Xu Qing was completely bewildered.

"What? Ma Yunrou asked you about me?" Wang Yuqing gasped.

"Xu, please, just tell me! Are we still best friends or not?"

"Fine, fine. I get it." Xu Qing muttered, then proceeded to share what she knew about Ma Yunrou, including her demeanor and actions when she encountered Xiao Lin the day before.

"Thank you, Xu. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime." After hearing her out, Wang Yuqing exchanged a few more casual words before hanging up.

After ending the call, Wang Yuqing felt even more confused. She had originally assumed Xiao Lin had broken up with her because he had rekindled an old flame with his former lover. But according to Xu, Xiao Lin’s reaction to seeing Ma Yunrou had been indifferent, whereas Ma Yunrou had been the one constantly pressing herself onto him. Even during that slightly suggestive game, Xiao Lin had a clear opportunity for intimacy but had walked away. This proved he no longer had feelings for her. So why, then, did he break up with her? Wang Yuqing tapped her head, utterly perplexed.

"Could the problem be with Ma Yunrou herself? Yes, that must be it. Why else would she be asking about me?" After much contemplation, Wang Yuqing arrived at a bold conclusion.

"No, I have to find out the truth," she resolved.

Meanwhile, Ma Yunrou was busy making calls, trying to gather information about Wang Yuqing. She had never expected that Wang Yuqing had also attended Donghai Affiliated Middle School. She had even dug up an old graduation photo and saw the dowdy girl in it. She was stunned; how could a girl with such a weak presence have captivated Xiao Lin so completely?

"Wang Yuqing... a nice name, but a pity you’ve provoked me, Ma Yunrou." Ma Yunrou tossed the photo aside with a cold sneer.

She then called Uncle Xiang, asking him to look up which hospital Xiao Lin was in. After buying some fruit at a stand, she took a car to the hospital. She knew that to defeat Wang Yuqing, she had to go through Xiao Lin. Although Lin Yumei had told her to harm Xiao Lin, Ma Yunrou decided that could wait; her priority was to crush the girl who dared to compete with her for her man.

At home, Wang Yuqing grabbed her bag and headed out, hailing a taxi. She was going to the hospital to get to the bottom of this. She was determined to find the truth.

As it happened, Xiao Lin had already left his room and was processing his discharge papers; he wanted to go home, as being alone in the ward was unbearable.

Since Wang Yuqing lived in the city, she arrived at the hospital before Ma Yunrou. When she reached the room, she found it empty. A nurse walked in to tidy up, and when asked, confirmed that the patient had just been discharged and had left.

Just as Wang Yuqing was speaking to the nurse, Ma Yunrou arrived. Having gotten the room number from Uncle Xiang, she walked in only to see a beautiful girl talking to the nurse. She thought she had the wrong room, but after a second look, she realized she was in the right place.

"Excuse me, is Xiao Lin in this room?" Ma Yunrou asked the nurse.

"The patient has already left," the nurse replied.

Wang Yuqing, standing by the nurse, looked at Ma Yunrou at the door. Her large, beautiful eyes were filled with shock as she instinctively whispered, "Ma Yunrou."

Ma Yunrou noticed the beautiful girl and heard her whisper. "What? Do you know me? And who are you?" Ma Yunrou didn't recognize her, still thinking of the Wang Yuqing from the photo as plain and dowdy.

"I don't know you. I don't know you at all," Wang Yuqing waved her hands, not wanting to reveal her identity or get involved with her. She turned to leave, but as she brushed past Ma Yunrou, the fountain pen cap hanging from her collar slipped out. It fell against her chest, and Ma Yunrou saw it clearly.

"Wait a minute," Ma Yunrou said, blocking her path.

"That pen cap isn't yours, is it?" Ma Yunrou pointed at the cap on Wang Yuqing’s chest. She had long forgotten the day Xiao Lin gave her the pen, but having found it in an old box two days ago, she recognized the cap immediately.

Wang Yuqing groaned inwardly at the unfortunate timing.

"This... I found it on the road," she stammered.

"Found it on the road? Heh. You must know Xiao Lin, right? He is my boyfriend. I don't understand why you are wearing the cap from the couple’s pen he gave me." Ma Yunrou sneered, emphasizing the word "boyfriend."

"You’re lying! You’re lying! Xiao Lin couldn't possibly be your boyfriend," Wang Yuqing said, agitated.

Sensing the tension, the nurse wisely slipped out of the room.

"Oh, I'm lying? He told me himself. If you don't believe me, go ask him. And look for yourself—is my name on that cap? By the way, I’m Ma Yunrou." Ma Yunrou looked defiant. Though she still didn't know who this beautiful girl was, she was clearly close to Xiao Lin.

"He told you himself..." Wang Yuqing seemed stunned, repeating the words. She didn't need to check the cap; she knew the name was there.

"You’re Wang Yuqing." Looking at the heartbroken girl, Ma Yunrou noticed her nose was an exact match to the one in the graduation photo. Could it really be such a coincidence? She found it hard to believe.

Wang Yuqing said nothing, holding back tears as she nodded. She would not let this woman look down on her.

Once confirmed, Ma Yunrou’s jaw dropped. The difference between the past and the present was staggering.

Looking at a girl whose beauty rivaled her own, a surge of jealousy rose in Ma Yunrou. However, she was deep and didn't show it on her face. "Hello, Wang Yuqing, is it? I often hear Xiao Lin talk about you," she said, extending a hand. The words were casual, but the mention of Xiao Lin was a barb aimed straight at Wang Yuqing’s heart. Xiao Lin had never mentioned her; this was a deliberate provocation.

Wang Yuqing’s body swayed. She looked at the extended hand and, suppressing her sorrow, reached out to shake it.

The two rivals held hands. If Xiao Lin could see this, one wonders what he would think. Both were breathtaking, though one was like a vibrant rose and the other a fresh jasmine. If one had to choose, Wang Yuqing’s temperament was superior; no matter how beautiful Ma Yunrou was, she could not hide the darkness within, whereas Wang Yuqing possessed a natural, honest elegance that Ma Yunrou could never emulate.

"Let's go get a drink. I’ll tell you the story of Xiao Lin and me," Ma Yunrou said with a smile.

"Fine," Wang Yuqing replied. Despite her reluctance, she refused to flee in front of her rival.

With their own hidden agendas, the two girls walked out of the hospital together, found a nearby cafe, and sat down across from each other in a quiet corner.

"What kind of coffee do you like?" Ma Yunrou asked. She had visited this place with Liu Zhibo and felt sophisticated for it. She assumed a student like Wang Yuqing had never been to such a place and intended to show off.

However, Ma Yunrou was destined to be disappointed. Wang Yuqing came from a good family and often visited cafes with her mother.

"I'll have an Iced Southern Coffee," Wang Yuqing said politely to the server.

Ma Yunrou froze. Did that even exist? She had never heard of it.

"And for you, Miss?" the server asked.

"Oh, I'll have the Iron Coffee," Ma Yunrou said, copying what she had seen Liu Zhibo drink, assuming it was the height of luxury.