Chapter 5: If Anyone’s to Blame, It’s Because You’re Not as Beautiful as Ru Yin

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A sudden tightness gripped Lin Qiongqiong’s chest. Yes, why did everyone like Xu Ruyin, but not her? Her roommate, her boyfriend—even the senior students and mentor in the lab all favored Xu Ruyin. Clearly, Xu Ruyin loafed around all day in the lab, never even washing a single test tube, only pretending to work when the mentor or seniors were present. Yet everyone believed she was more hardworking than Lin Qiongqiong. Even when Lin Qiongqiong painstakingly completed experimental results, Xu Ruyin stole them and published the paper first, and everyone sided with Xu Ruyin, accusing Lin Qiongqiong of plagiarism.

“Of course it’s because flies are always attracted to filth!” An Ling spoke bluntly.

Lin Qiongqiong suddenly saw it clearly.

Chu Miaojing noticed Lin Qiongqiong’s disappointment and gave her a comforting hug. “Qiongqiong, they’re not worth your sadness. Their clique ostracizing you is their fault, don’t overthink it. You still have us.”

Lin Qiongqiong nodded. “You’re right!”

True sincerity cannot be blamed if it isn’t reciprocated. It only means those who betray genuine feelings are undeserving.

Xu Ruyin, Liu Xuan, and Yan Zhiqing all looked extremely displeased. Especially Xu Ruyin, who was compared to excrement, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “An Ling, I didn’t say anything. Do you have to talk about me like this?”

An Ling rolled her eyes. “Drama.”

Lin Qiongqiong laughed. “You have a keen eye. She even shamelessly plays the homewrecker—doesn’t that make her the drama?”

Those words shocked not only Chu Miaojing and An Ling, but also Liu Xuan and Yan Zhiqing, who glanced at Xu Ruyin in disbelief.

Liu Xuan defended her, “Qiongqiong, what proof do you have that Ruyin is a homewrecker? Did she steal your boyfriend?”

Yan Zhiqing added, “Yeah, don’t accuse me of spreading rumors and then turn around to slander Ruyin!”

“She did steal my boyfriend. She admitted it herself. The night before last, she didn’t return to the dorm; she was with Cheng Ziyu,” Lin Qiongqiong stated the facts almost numbly.

Xu Ruyin felt quite proud to flaunt her conquest in front of Lin Qiongqiong, but she also knew being the other woman was disgraceful and wouldn’t brag about it, so Liu Xuan and Yan Zhiqing were very shocked.

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Since they shared a dorm, they all knew Xu Ruyin hadn’t returned last night. When they asked in the dorm group chat where she was, she said she was with her boyfriend.

But no one expected that Xu Ruyin was actually with Lin Qiongqiong’s boyfriend!

Chu Miaojing frowned, shooting a glance at Xu Ruyin sitting arrogantly on the bed. “So shameless? If it weren’t for you bringing her along, Qiongqiong, she wouldn’t have gotten into Professor Zhao’s lab or earned so many recommendation points. And now she’s stabbing you in the back?”

Xu Ruyin resented Chu Miaojing’s words. “What do you mean I was brought along by Lin Qiongqiong? Those recommendation points were thanks to Senior Cheng. He introduced me, and only because of him did I get into Professor Zhao’s lab. Not just me—without Senior Cheng, Lin Qiongqiong wouldn’t have gotten into Zhao’s lab either.”

Lin Qiongqiong finally understood: from beginning to end, Xu Ruyin never appreciated her.

Yet Xu Ruyin didn’t consider that with her barely passing B-grade GPA and zero research experience, she wouldn’t have known Cheng Ziyu without Lin Qiongqiong’s help.

Moreover, she hadn’t insisted on choosing Professor Zhao as her mentor at first. She could have gone to a better school but chose to stay local and follow Zhao only because of Cheng Ziyu.

In hindsight, sacrificing her future for love made her a fool.

“And don’t talk as if Senior Cheng belongs to Lin Qiongqiong! They’re not married; Cheng has the right to choose someone better!” Xu Ruyin said matter-of-factly.

Everyone listened in astonishment.

An Ling cursed, “First time I’ve heard someone describe shamelessness with such elegance!”

Though Liu Xuan and Yan Zhiqing considered being the other woman disgraceful, they mostly relished seeing Lin Qiongqiong abandoned by her boyfriend.

Compared to criticizing Xu Ruyin’s privileged background, they preferred to kick Lin Qiongqiong, who came from a rural background, when she was down.

Liu Xuan said, “Indeed, Qiongqiong, you and Senior Cheng aren’t married. Breakups happen. If anyone’s to blame, it’s you—you’re not as pretty as Ruyin. In my opinion, girls should take good care of their appearance.”

“If it were me, I’d pick Ruyin too. Her family does business in Jiangcheng and she’s fair-skinned and beautiful, unlike you…”

Yan Zhiqing’s gaze flicked between Xu Ruyin and Lin Qiongqiong, ready to compare, but suddenly froze.

“Qiongqiong, when did you become so fair-skinned?”

Xu Ruyin was startled by this.

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After hearing Liu Xuan praise her, Xu Ruyin got off the bed and stood beside Lin Qiongqiong, hoping everyone could see the difference in their looks firsthand.

Other traits might be subtle, but skin tone was unmistakable.

It was midsummer, and Lin Qiongqiong was always outdoors. Being frugal, she never bought sunscreen or skincare products, so her skin was several shades darker than others’.

Xu Ruyin was different. Her family was wealthy, owning a business. While she might not use luxury brands like Chanel, she used Estée Lauder and Lancôme, applying sunscreen by day, masks at night, and occasionally visiting beauty salons. Wherever she went, people complimented her flawless pale skin.

Cheng Ziyu had once complained to her that she was like white jade, while Lin Qiongqiong beside her was a lump of charcoal.

Everyone looked at Lin Qiongqiong and Xu Ruyin in surprise, realizing under the light Lin Qiongqiong’s skin was luminously fair, like cold white porcelain, making Xu Ruyin’s usually praised fair skin appear somewhat dull.

Simply put, Lin Qiongqiong had cool-toned pale skin, while Xu Ruyin’s was warm-toned.

Everyone was suddenly aware that Lin Qiongqiong’s features were delicate and beautiful. Even with a bit of baby fat, her stunning looks were undeniable.

In the past, everyone only noticed her tanned, acne-prone skin and never truly appreciated her features.

“I was just about to say something, but your gift surprised me so much I forgot. Qiongqiong, you’ve gotten so fair lately! Your face looks like it’s about to glow with moisture,” An Ling said, squeezing Lin Qiongqiong’s cheek, delighted.

Chu Miaojing glanced at the displeased Xu Ruyin. “Qiongqiong’s features were always pretty, but now that she’s fairer, she looks like a goddess. I don’t know how blind Cheng Ziyu is, passing up a rising beauty for some internet celebrity face.”

No one dared to disagree.

Xu Ruyin was recognized as pretty, but her features had a slightly artificial feel, and with her signature influencer makeup, she was often mistaken for an internet celebrity at school. She proudly boasted about her internet celebrity looks.

But now, compared to Lin Qiongqiong’s naturally elegant, refined features exuding sophistication, she seemed like a humble handmaiden beside a graceful princess.

Xu Ruyin stared at the full-length mirror in disbelief. “How is this possible? Qiongqiong, how did you suddenly become so fair? Did you get whitening injections? No... whitening injections don’t work this well, you must have done laser whitening!”