Chapter 37 Chapter 37: Midnight Beauty
Mentioning the rumors about herself and Xiao Yiyan left Su Yuan depressed. Aside from her transformation, being linked to Xiao Yiyan was the most troubling matter these days.
No matter how others praised Xiao Yiyan as a goddess, Su Yuan did not see that as a measure of worth.
Beauty is only flesh over bones. Attractive, yes, but one must beware of poison beneath.
The truth is that a beautiful figure does not guarantee a good match. Throughout history, countless men have lost both fame and years chasing beauty.
Xiao Yiyan, raised in a greenhouse, was a spoiled princess. Such people often suffer from “princess syndrome,” believing the world should revolve around them. They do not ask if it is reasonable, only assume it is natural.
The frightening part is that this syndrome is invisible. With her privileged background, she excelled in many ways, earning praise. Yet beneath the halo lay excessive self‑centeredness.
Using Su Yuan as a shield without hesitation, feeling only mild guilt afterward, showed she did not realize the burden she placed on others. She assumed everyone enjoyed the same treatment she did.
High intelligence, low emotional awareness.
So Su Yuan had little fondness for her.
…
“The truth is I have no relationship with her. She dragged me in as a shield. I am unlucky.”
Gao Jun said, “Not entirely unlucky. Misfortune may hide fortune. She could have chosen anyone, but she chose you. That means you are special. If you can be her shield today, tomorrow you might become her real partner.”
“I am not so optimistic.”
Ji Yehao disagreed. “She does see you as special, but perhaps because you seem harmless. If she chose someone else, they might cling like glue. You, Su Yuan, are easier to discard.”
“What kind of talk is that.” Su Yuan glared. “You mean I am easy to throw away.”
Gao Jun laughed. “Then be stubborn. Make her regret it.”
Su Yuan shook her head. “I will not be shameless. My dignity forbids it.”
Gao Jun stroked his chin. “True. Our Su Su is pure. Not suited to being clingy.”
Su Yuan blinked. When had she given them the impression of purity. She considered herself secretly mischievous. Still, being called pure felt oddly pleasant, though her face grew warm.
“Yehao, stir the flask.” she ordered suddenly.
Distracted by talk, they had neglected the experiment.
Ji Yehao quickly stirred.
Gao Jun smiled, watching. A shadow of a beautiful figure flashed in his mind. “Yehao, Su Yuan, let me tell you something.”
“What.”
Neither looked up, focused on the flask.
He leaned closer, whispering mysteriously. “Last night, when I went to the bathroom, I think I saw a beauty.”
Su Yuan gasped softly, catching herself before panic showed.
Ji Yehao frowned. “We are in a men’s dorm. How could you see a beauty in the bathroom.”
Gao Jun scratched his cheek, embarrassed. “That is what puzzled me. In the dorm bathroom, suddenly a beauty appeared.”
“And she was naked.” he added quietly.
Su Yuan’s face darkened. She realized it had been Gao Jun who entered the bathroom. Anxiety rose. How much had he seen. Did he recognize her.
Her face paled.
Ji Yehao scolded, “A naked beauty in the dorm bathroom. You were half‑asleep. You might as well say you saw Su Yuan’s bare backside.”
Su Yuan’s heart jumped. His crude words struck too close.
Gao Jun nodded. “I think I was dreaming.”
Su Yuan exhaled in relief. He had not recognized her. She smiled. “You must have seen a ghost.”
“A ghost. I am a firm materialist.” Gao Jun’s face changed. He feared ghosts since childhood.
Su Yuan laughed. “Then why are you trembling.”
“Stretching my legs.” He refused to admit it. “Even if it was a ghost, she was beautiful. Just small‑chested. Not my type.”
Small‑chested.
Su Yuan forced a dry laugh.
“Why so quiet.”
“What should I say.”
“Yehao, now that you mention it, that ghost looked like Su Yuan.” Gao Jun lifted Su Yuan’s fringe, revealing her wide, frightened eyes.
“You…”
He froze. Her eyes were bright, strikingly beautiful.
“Stop that. People will misunderstand.”
“What misunderstanding. You are not a girl. It is just hair.”
“Precisely because I am a boy, it causes misunderstanding.”
“Hmm.” He conceded.
Ji Yehao coughed. “Enough. Su Yuan, hold the flask.”
She obeyed, realizing their group was behind. She steadied the flask while Ji Yehao poured in ice water.
“Gao Jun, prepare the funnel.”
“Got it.”
Gao Jun shook his head. He had thought Su Yuan’s eyes beautiful, almost enchanting. “I must be lovesick. I need a girlfriend.”
He followed instructions, cutting filter paper, muttering, “Yehao, Su Su is growing more delicate. He needs training. Otherwise how will he find a girlfriend.”
“Impatient fool.” Su Yuan muttered.
…
Time flew as they worked. Students in white coats bustled, breaking glassware now and then. The atmosphere was full of youthful energy.
The bell rang, but the experiment continued.
“Su Yuan, check the manual. What is next.” Gao Jun scraped the crude product carefully from the funnel.
Su Yuan smiled at his care, then read. “Place the product in another flask, add ethyl acetate and boiling stones, set up the reflux apparatus, and heat.”
She looked up, surprised to see Ji Yehao had already assembled the apparatus. “You are fast.”
He smiled confidently. “Of course. Unlike you, just watching.”
“Cut it out.” Su Yuan scoffed.
Ji Yehao was handsome and logical. Su Yuan thought life unfair, giving him both looks and talent.
Compared to him, she felt lacking.
She had once considered herself somewhat handsome, though others called her pale or cute. Next to Ji Yehao’s sunny charm, she was average.
As for logic, she admitted she had been slow. But now she felt she had matured, worthy of comparison.
She tucked her hands in her coat pockets, supervising as Gao Jun loaded the product. She gave instructions, then fetched boiling stones. Ji Yehao poured ethyl acetate.
She solemnly dropped the stones in. “Done.”
She felt like a chief designer.
Next came hot filtration. She folded filter paper proudly, placing it in the funnel.
“Here.” She smiled at their admiring looks.
They filtered, cooled, washed, dried, and obtained crystals of acetylsalicylic acid.
Su Yuan’s report filled with data. Her handwriting was neat and elegant, dragon‑like strokes, clean and impressive.
She was proud of her penmanship.
Finally, they restored the equipment, folded their coats, cleaned the lab, and left with books in hand, walking back to the dorm.
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