On Saturday, Lu Shinian spent the morning in her room working on test papers until the afternoon, when Chai Ping dragged her out of the house to attend Wang Jing’s tutoring class.
The entire car ride, Chai Ping nagged her about being polite to the teacher. Leaning against the window, Lu Shinian sighed deeply, wishing the car would just keep driving until eight or nine in the evening so she wouldn’t have to go to Wang Jing’s class.
Wang Jing was a middle-aged man in his thirties, of average height and gentle appearance, with polite manners. On the surface, there was no way to tell he was a scumbag which was the most terrifying part.
Wang Jing greeted them warmly, all smiles. “Chairwoman Chai, I didn’t expect you to personally bring your daughter here. It’s such a pleasure to see you.”
Lu Shinian rolled her eyes inwardly.
“Everything is for the sake of my child. I’ll trouble you to look after Shinian from now on.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll do my utmost to help Miss Lu improve her grades.”
After a few polite exchanges, Chai Ping lightly patted her shoulder. “Stop spacing out. Greet your teacher.”
What kind of teacher is this, anyway?
Lu Shinian cursed silently but still managed to put on a smile, obediently saying, “Hello, Teacher Wang.”
Wang Jing’s gaze shifted to Lu Shinian, his eyes noticeably brightening. “If you have any questions about math in the future, you can always come to me.”
Scumbag.
Lu Shinian smiled. “Thank you, Teacher.”
Chai Ping had matters to attend to in the afternoon, so after giving her a few brief instructions, she drove off.
Wang Jing’s tutoring class, also known as the “Gold Class,” was specifically designed for the children of the wealthy and powerful. The class had only fifteen students, a small number, but nearly all of them had gotten in through money and connections. They were either the sons of some big-shot CEO or the daughters of a high-ranking official privileged elites. Ordinary people had no chance of entering this class.
After arriving, Lu Shinian walked straight to the back of the classroom and took a seat.
The lesson covered highly advanced problems, far beyond what was taught in regular school, making it completely unsuitable for someone of Lu Shinian’s mediocre level. She propped her head up, listened for half the class, then slumped onto the desk.
I don’t understand any of this. Might as well go home and work on basic problems.
Halfway through the session, a group of students in the front huddled together, whispering and occasionally glancing back at her.
Eventually, one of the boys walked over and got straight to the point. “Lu Shinian, is Dean Lu Zhenghong your father?”
Lu Shinian glanced at him, vaguely recognizing him.
Most of the students in the class were normal, but there were a few who, relying on their privileged backgrounds, acted arrogantly and judged others based on family status and grades, sticking only to their own cliques.
This guy, Jiang Gu, was one of them, the son of some corporate bigwig. In her past assessment, he was the type who “looked down on everyone from above.”
Lu Shinian shook her head. “No, Dean Lu is just a relative.”
“What kind of relative? Like an uncle?”
“He’s my uncle’s great-great-uncle’s seventh uncle’s sixth uncle.”
Jiang Gu was baffled. After a pause, he asked, “So… Dean Lu is your distant relative?”
Lu Shinian spun lies effortlessly. “Yeah, I’m terrible at studying. My family begged Dean Lu shamelessly to pull strings and get me in here.”
“Oh.” Jiang Gu’s attitude was noticeably different now as he leaned back in his chair. “Did you understand the problem the teacher left during class?”
Lu Shinian answered truthfully, “No, did you?”
Jiang Gu raised his chin, his eyes flashing with sarcasm. “Such a simple problem most of us here can solve it. You actually can’t even handle something this basic? You really need to study harder. Not just anyone can come here.”
“Wow, so impressive.” Lu Shinian slightly raised an eyebrow. “Which village’s pig are you to be this full of yourself?”
Jiang Gu frowned. “Why are you insulting me?”
Lu Shinian replied calmly, “Can’t I? You’re the one asking for it by talking to me like that.”
Jiang Gu’s eyes widened. “You!”
Lu Shinian cut in, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have insulted you like that.”
Honestly, it was an insult to pigs.
Lu Shinian adhered to the principle that if she apologized fast enough, he wouldn’t have a chance to retaliate, effectively choking Jiang Gu’s words in his throat.
Jiang Gu seemed stunned by how quickly and insincerely the apology came, leaving him speechless for a moment. Just then, Wang Jing walked into the classroom, and Jiang Gu shot her a furious glare before returning to his seat.
Seeing Jiang Gu so thoroughly shut down, Lu Shinian felt satisfied.
In her past life, she had endured plenty of his veiled mockery, but back then, she was the type to endure for the sake of peace.
But now? Screw that.
She had never imagined that someone she once found so intimidating would turn out to be this dim-witted.
First, he interrogated her about her family background like he was conducting a census, then, upon realizing she wasn’t from a prestigious family and wasn’t academically outstanding, he immediately started mocking her. Where did he even get the audacity?
This was textbook childish behavior.
No, even elementary school kids wouldn’t stoop this low.
Why couldn’t people just act decently, study hard, and get along?
After leaving the tutoring center, Lu Shinian felt mentally and physically refreshed.
On Saturday evening, as usual, Chai Ping and Lu Zhenhong were busy, leaving her to handle dinner alone.
Lu Shinian hailed a taxi and returned to her neighborhood. When she got in the car, the sky was still bright, but by the time she stepped out, it had darkened, and the neon lights around her had flickered to life.
With no particular craving in mind, she wandered aimlessly down the street. Chai Ping called midway to ask what she was eating, and Lu Shinian simply searched for a photo of fried rice online and sent it to her.
She had pulled this kind of trick plenty of times before. Back when she had just graduated and was running around for her internship, barely even finding time to drink water, she’d collapse at night with trembling legs. She’d buy a cheap bun and wash it down with bottled water on the roadside. When Lu Shiyin called to ask how she was doing, Lu Shinian would send a month-old hotpot photo and claim she was living the high life, eating like a queen.
It was truly a mix of bitterness and tears.
There was a saying, if you don’t endure the hardships of studying, you’ll endure the hardships of life. Whether that was entirely true or not, it had certainly been her mindset back then.
People really ought to step outside more otherwise, they’d never realize just how comfortable sitting in a classroom was.
Lu Shinian decided she’d eat whatever the next food shop offered, no complaints.
She stopped in front of the next store and realized it was a convenience shop. A glance inside made her pause.
Behind a massive glass window, the girl wore a striped green uniform shirt. The bright light cast a glow on her face, giving her skin a sickly pale hue. Her sleeves were rolled up, revealing slender white wrists. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her expression calm yet indifferent.
She had only seen Yu He twice outside of school once at the police station entrance, and now here. Each encounter seemed to breathe more life into Yu He’s presence in her mind.
Yu He turned her head and noticed her too.
Lu Shinian waved at her. Yu He’s gaze lingered for just a moment before quickly shifting away.
Lu Shinian walked into the convenience store, grabbed a cup of instant noodles and a sausage from the shelf, and headed to the counter to pay.
Yu He followed the usual procedure, scanning the items and ringing her up.
At the end, Lu Shinian asked, “Do you have hot water? I’d like to make the noodles.”
Yu He glanced up at her, then fetched a thermos to prepare the noodles for her.
Lu Shinian smiled. “Thanks.”
At six in the evening, Lu Shinian sat by the window, savoring a bowl of braised beef noodles. Though the beef looked suspiciously plastic-like, it didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for the meal.
She finished every last drop, noodles and broth alike.
Wiping her mouth, Lu Shinian sighed contentedly. Nothing beat the satisfaction of instant noodles.
Suddenly, a glass of water appeared beside her. She turned her head.
Yu He stood by the table, looking down at her with lowered lashes, strands of hair framing her cheeks.
Lu Shinian blinked in surprise. “For me?”
Yu He replied, “Mm.”
It was rare for Yu He to approach her first.
Lu Shinian picked up the glass and grinned. “Thanks, Yu He.”
Yu He remained silent, simply standing there watching her. After a few seconds of their eyes locked, Lu Shinian tilted her head. “Is there something on my face?”
Yu He said, “No.”
Then why keep staring?
Was the water poisoned?
Puzzled, Lu Shinian took a sip.
“Did your family kick you out?” Yu He asked calmly.
“Cough!”
The question caught Lu Shinian off guard, making her choke on the water. Yu He kindly handed her a napkin.
After wiping her mouth, Lu Shinian replied, “Do I really look like I got kicked out?”
Yu He gave a quiet “Mm,” her gaze drifting to the empty noodle cup.
Lu Shinian almost laughed. Was this top student imagining some dramatic backstory, her being cast out, wandering the streets, starving until this single cup of noodles saved her?
Yu He pressed, “Isn’t that the case?”
Her tone was tentative.
For some reason, Lu Shinian’s heart twinged. Beneath that cold exterior lay unexpected gentleness. She could picture Yu He hesitating, mustering courage just to offer water and ask.
Yu He was infinitely more endearing than those so-called elite classmates.
Who could refuse sudden concern from the usually aloof top student?
“Yeah,” Lu Shinian admitted, tilting her head up. “Want to keep me company?”