With My Ability To Swap, I Will Never End Up In A Love Triangle Mess - Chapter 45

“Class President Lin, this isn’t like you. You actually didn’t snitch on me?”

Xia Xi poked Lin Xueníng’s cheek with his index finger. Hmm, nice and soft.

Lin Xueníng rolled her eyes and swatted his hand away.

“I just figured you were exhausted. Normally, I’d have reported you to the advisor in a heartbeat.”

As they chatted, the rain gradually tapered off.

Finally, sunlight broke through the clouds, spilling across the ground.

Stepping out of the boutique, Xia Xi took a deep breath. The post-rain air was undeniably fresher.

“Well, the rain’s stopped. Time to go our separate ways~”

Seeing Lin Xueníng still trailing behind him, Xia Xi made it clear he wanted to part company.

“Are you that eager to get rid of me?”

Lin Xueníng muttered under her breath, then quickly raised her voice to cover her embarrassment.

“I mean, we’re actually heading the same way!”

“Same way? Huh?”

Honestly, after three years of university, Xia Xi had no idea the class president lived in the same direction.

Then again, why would he pay attention to the daily movements of someone who made life difficult for him? It made sense he wouldn’t know.

“Mhm, so let’s walk together.”

Faced with her insistence, Xia Xi couldn’t bring himself to refuse—though internally, he groaned. What’s gotten into her today? Why’s she clinging to me like this? Should’ve never lent her my jacket.

Oh well. Having a beauty by his side wasn’t the worst thing. Most guys would kill for this treatment.

They walked in silence, neither speaking.

Lin Xueníng hugged herself, her hands tucked into the oversized sleeves of Xia Xi’s windbreaker, head bowed as if lost in thought. Every now and then, she unconsciously drifted closer to him, only to hastily retreat when he pointed it out.

“Hey, bro, told you good things happen when you stroll right after the rain stops.”

Two bleached-blonde punks brushed past them.

The younger one leered, turning to ogle Lin Xueníng’s retreating figure with a greasy chuckle.

The older one nodded in agreement, stroking his stubbled chin as he eyed her.

“Unless I’m mistaken, that little hottie’s rocking the wet look.”

“Too bad she’s got some clueless bastard tagging along.”

Their gazes shifted to Xia Xi—taller and more solidly built—and hardened.

“Wanna…?”

The younger punk left the question hanging, but his meaning was clear.

Sure enough, the older one nodded, then quickened his pace to catch up with Xia Xi and Lin Xueníng.

“Hey there, pal—your girlfriend’s easy on the eyes~”

With the streets nearly empty post-rain and most shops closed, the two punks felt emboldened.

As for surveillance cameras? Please. In this suburban town, half of them probably didn’t even work.

Xia Xi tensed when one of them clapped him on the shoulder.

Why does this crap always happen to me?

First, the once-in-a-lifetime subway incident, then getting busted senior year, followed by that creepy customer, and now street thugs in broad daylight. It was like bad luck magnetized to him whenever pretty women were involved.

Shooting a discreet glance at the visibly rattled Lin Xueníng, Xia Xi pulled her close in one swift motion.

“She’s taken. Back off.”

His words only egged the punks on. They edged closer, one even reaching for Lin Xueníng’s windbreaker.

“Heh, calling you ‘bro’ was a courtesy. Here’s the deal—we like your girl. Hand her over for some fun, and we’ll let you walk away unscathed.”

The younger punk seemed to be the ringleader, oozing arrogance.

“Xia Xi, I—”

Lin Xueníng tugged at his sleeve, trembling.

As a straight-A student raised in a sheltered environment, she’d never faced anything like this. Reality was nothing like TV dramas—the sheer lawlessness radiating off these men was paralyzing.

Right now, she felt like a lamb cornered by wolves, her mind blank with panic.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

Feeling her shake, Xia Xi tightened his hold.

He wasn’t keen on playing hero, but she was still his classmate. Sure, she gave him grief at school, but after years together, they were at least friends.

Letting a friend get dragged off by thugs? Not happening.

(If it were a stranger, though, he’d probably just call the cops. These days, you never knew—what if the “victim” was part of a trafficking scheme, baiting would-be rescuers?)

Pressed against Xia Xi’s chest, Lin Xueníng absorbed his warmth and steady heartbeat, inexplicably comforted.

She’d never been assertive—teachers and classmates saw her as the model good girl. Only around Xia Xi did her任性 (rènxìng, willful/capricious) side emerge.

Why? She couldn’t explain it. But from the moment they’d met freshman year, she’d lost the ability to hold back around him.

“Oho, playing the white knight?”

The younger punk spat on the ground, cracking his neck.

His partner mirrored the aggression, cracking his knuckles.

Both were regulars at the local jail—a short stint meant nothing to them. But for Xia Xi?

If he fought back and it wasn’t ruled as self-defense, the court of public opinion would crucify him. Student with a police record—the rumors would spiral.

“Maybe you should go. I’ll—”

Lin Xueníng felt his grip tighten and knew he was scared.

Of course he was. Xia Xi was just an ordinary college student, same as her. In fact, as a guy, he’d never been targeted like this before.

He was only staying because of her.

“Don’t talk. I’m thinking.”

Xia Xi forced calm into his voice.

He really didn’t want to get beaten up. But scanning the deserted street—the few passersby ducking their heads and hurrying away—he couldn’t see any way out besides throwing punches.

Then, his system pinged.

[Host crisis detected. Temporary quest activated.]