The badge presentation ceremony.
‘Sounds nice, doesn’t it.’
But in reality, it was just Heslington’s way of slapping a label on every student.
From highest to lowest rank, they were crimson, deep blue, silver-gray, and for the special-admissions students, plain white.
As for F5, they each had their own custom-made Black Gold Badges, which were additionally engraved with their family crests.
It was just that they never wore them, nor did they need to.
After all, who didn’t know F5?
Secretary Zhang began a tedious recitation of the school’s history.
From the school motto to the rules and regulations, Bai Tao didn’t hear a single word.
“Having said all that, I only hope that our new first-year students at Heslington can look to their upperclassmen as role models, strive for self-improvement, and continue to work hard.”
He straightened the documents in his hands.
“Now, please wait quietly for ten minutes.”
“Shortly, we will invite F5 to present the Heslington badges to our new first-year students.”
Secretary Zhang walked off the stage.
Instantly, an undercurrent of excitement rippled through the silent hall, and many people discreetly took out their mirrors.
The two girls standing in front of Bai Tao started fixing each other’s hair.
“Is my hair okay?
What about my makeup?”
“It’s perfect!
You look especially beautiful today!”
The girl lost herself in a pleasant fantasy.
“What should I do if one of the F5 guys smiles at me when he gives me my badge?”
She smiled shyly.
“To match the deep blue badge, I even did my makeup with a blue theme…”
“Underclassmen, I suggest you get a grip!” A sharp female voice rang out from nearby.
Bai Tao looked up toward the voice and saw two girls, one tall and one short.
One had a hime cut, the other, big, wavy hair.
“Stop daydreaming.
You think you can fantasize about our F5 with a mere deep blue badge?”
“Go, take away all their mirrors!”
At her command, a group of followers appeared from behind her, fanned out into the crowd, and confiscated everyone’s mirrors and makeup.
“Honestly, I come back a week late, and you all act like I, Pei Jue, don’t even exist, is that it?!”
On their collars, both girls wore crimson snowdrop-shaped badges that gleamed darkly in the light.
The two girls saw the color of the badges and recognized their faces, immediately lowering their heads.
“S-Sorry!”
“Senior Pei Jue, Senior Bu Zhongyao!”
“Remember this: F5 belongs to everyone!” Pei Jue sneered, flicking her full, glossy curls.
“Next time I find out you have such presumptuous thoughts…”
“As the president of the official F5 fan club, I will revoke your right to join any fan club whatsoever!”
Bu Zhongyao chimed in, “Right!
And you’ll end up just like that ungrateful girl with glasses in the school cafeteria last week!”
As if for a demonstration, she pulled a printed wanted poster out of her bag.
“Wanted by the entire school!”
Pei Jue crossed her arms.
“I can’t believe it. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
I miss one fan event, and this is the kind of mess that happens.”
Bu Zhongyao chuckled obsequiously.
“Fortunately, the sketch artist we hired finally managed to draw what that girl with glasses looked like.”
“When Secretary Zhang calls out the special-admissions students, we’ll deal with her properly!”
“Ohoho!
You’re right, Zhong Yao!
Let’s go!” Pei Jue beckoned with her finger.
Bu Zhongyao responded quickly, “Yes, Sister Pei~”
As the two walked away, the corner of Bai Tao’s mouth twitched.
‘Maybe I’m just fated to be a fugitive.’
‘Being wanted in my original world was one thing, but to be wanted on the first official day of school at an elite academy…’
‘Good thing I’m not that “girl with glasses” anymore.’
The auditorium lights came back on.
A line of uniformed ushers walked onto the stage, holding trays of Heslington badges in various colors.
“Next, will the students whose names I call please come to the stage to receive your Heslington badge.”
One after another, a parade of nobodies went up on stage.
They went up with normal faces but came down looking like rotten tomatoes.
Originally, F5 was supposed to present the badges one by one, but the Zuo Family brothers were indifferent, Si Hansu didn’t want to fake a smile, and Jing Wang hadn’t even shown up.
So naturally, the responsibility fell to Qi Heting, who was gentle with everyone.
Qi Heting had tied his shoulder-length golden hair into a single braid that rested on his right shoulder.
He was dressed in the Heslington uniform, and even though he wore black leather gloves, his ten fingers still appeared slender and well-defined.
He maintained a flawless smile as he handed a badge to each person, the curve of his lips never wavering in the slightest.
“Next, the special-admissions students.”
The moment he finished speaking, the faces of everyone who already had their badges filled with utter contempt.
“I really don’t get it.
Why does a prestigious, aristocratic place like our Heslington Beast School have to recruit these inferior people?”
“Isn’t it a good thing?
Last year’s special-admissions students were so boring, I couldn’t even be bothered to bully them.”
“Hope this year’s special-admissions students are a bit more exciting.”
Secretary Zhang tapped the microphone.
“Quiet.”
He waited for the crowd to settle down before calling out:
“Class 1, Medical Division, student Lin Xiaowu.”
No reply, no movement.
“Class 1, Medical Division, student Lin Xiaowu.”
Still no movement.
“Last call, Class 1, Medical Division, Lin Xiaowu…”
“I’m sorry!
I’m late!” A timid voice came from the main entrance of the auditorium.
She was just over 160 cm tall, with short hair that fell to her shoulders.
She was panting from running, her cheeks flushed red.
Bai Tao froze.
To think she was still in this world.’
Her delicate and fragile appearance could easily arouse anyone’s protective instincts, regardless of gender.
She looked like an innocent, naive little flower.
Secretary Zhang sighed.
“Come up first and receive your Heslington badge.”
“Yes.” Lin Xiaowu kept her head down, the tips of her ears burning, and quickly ran onto the stage to get her badge.
She had just taken the badge when she scrambled to run off, but her left foot tripped her right, and she fell flat on her face.
The audience erupted in an uproar.
Pei Jue and Bu Zhongyao narrowed their eyes.
They didn’t know why, but even though the girl before them hadn’t done anything, they felt an inexplicable dislike for her.
Bu Zhongyao kept comparing the girl to the sketch.
“It’s not her.
This one’s too short.”
Pei Jue bit her lip.
“There should be one more special-admissions student this year.
It must be the other one!”
Secretary Zhang cleared his throat.
“Our last student: Class 3, Finance Division, Bai Tao.”
As soon as he spoke, Bai Tao stepped out from the line.
Head held high, she walked slowly toward the stage, stepping into the spotlight under everyone’s gaze.
Even the harsh, unflattering overhead light was partially blocked by her prominent brow bone, casting a deep shadow that made her features appear even more defined.
The light reflecting off the floor illuminated her face with a soft glow, making her features seem vibrant and dewy.
Even Pei Jue and Bu Zhongyao found their lips unconsciously parting.
‘Is…
Is she really a special-admissions student?’
That face…
it wouldn’t be overshadowed in the slightest even standing next to Senior Qi.
Qi Heting met Bai Tao’s gaze, his platinum-blond lashes lowering as his eyes filled with gentleness.
“Bai, this is your badge.”
He was just about to take the silver-gray badge offered by the usher beside him.
But the two Zuo Family brothers, who had been idle the whole time, snatched it first.
Then, one from the front and one from the back, they closed in and pulled her completely into their arms.
“Little Taotao, long time no see.”
“Caught you.”