Just as the two were about to reach the entrance of the teaching building, a crisp, pleasant, and smiling girl’s voice suddenly came from behind.
“Good morning, Peter!
And this must be the new student, Mio, right?” The two stopped in unison and turned around.
The morning sunlight fell right on the girl.
She wore her hair in a neat high ponytail, her blonde hair shimmering with a soft luster in the sunlight.
She was dressed in a clean white shirt and plaid skirt, her temperament capable and bright, her features exquisite and pretty, with a perfectly appropriate smile at the corner of her lips and clear eyes.
She looked like the kind of confident and excellent girl.
It was Gwen Stacy.
Mio’s brows moved imperceptibly.
Of course, she knew Gwen—Peter’s first love, the smart and brave top student, and also the person who would leave Peter with lifelong regrets in the future.
When Peter saw Gwen, his face turned a little redder instantly, and he hurriedly greeted her: “Good morning, Gwen!
Yes, this is the new transfer student, Mio, she just arrived in our class yesterday.” Gwen smiled and took two steps forward, extending her hand toward Mio.
Her tone was friendly and generous, with a sense of propriety that was just right: “Hello, Mio.
I’m Gwen Stacy, I’m also in Class A.
I heard the teacher mention before that a new student on a full scholarship was coming.
I noticed you yesterday when you were solving problems in math class; you were really impressive.” Mio looked at her extended hand, was silent for half a second, then gave it a light shake.
Her fingertips were slightly cool, and they pulled away upon contact.
“Hello, Stacy.
Just call me Mio.” Her tone remained flat, but it had a touch of imperceptible politeness compared to when she spoke to Peter earlier.
“Then you should just call me Gwen, too.” Gwen smiled even more brightly, not minding her aloofness at all, and instead curiously glanced at the white hair peeking out from her hoodie.
“Your hair color is really pretty.
Is it natural?
It’s my first time seeing such a beautiful silver-white.” “Mm, natural.” Mio nodded, not offering further explanation.
“That’s so cool.” Gwen’s eyes brightened, and she then tilted her chin toward the two of them.
“Let’s go quickly.
Dr.
Connors has already headed to the lab.
If we’re any later, we won’t be able to get a lab bench with good ventilation.
We’re doing an organic synthesis experiment today, and the smell is quite strong.” Peter nodded in agreement quickly: “Right, right, right.
The by-products of that experiment smell really pungent.
If we’re late, we’ll only get the spot in the corner, and after one class, your clothes will be full of the smell.” Mio didn’t speak, just followed their footsteps toward the chemistry lab.
Gwen walked beside them, chatting with Peter about the course content from time to time, and occasionally turning her head to say a few words to Mio, asking if she was getting used to life in New York and if there was anything she wasn’t accustomed to.
Her tone was friendly but didn’t make one feel offended.
Mio mostly nodded or shook her head, occasionally saying a word or two, but she didn’t directly shut them down with a cold face like before.
She knew clearly in her heart that Gwen and Peter were both people who would be swept into the superhero chaos in the future; the closer she got to them, the more trouble there would be.
But she couldn’t bring herself to completely ignore others’ kindness, so she could only maintain a polite distance, trying her best not to have too much interaction.
Soon, the three reached the chemistry lab.
Dr.
Connors was already standing in front of the podium.
He was wearing a well-fitting lab coat and gold-rimmed glasses.
He had only one arm, with the other sleeve hanging empty.
He looked serious, organizing the experimental equipment.
Seeing the three of them enter, he adjusted his glasses, said nothing, and just nodded slightly.
Mio breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, they weren’t late.
The lab benches were for pairs.
Gwen naturally waved at Mio: “Mio, do you want to be in a group with me?
Peter usually is in a group with Harry, but Harry asked for leave today.
Since you’re new, I can help you get familiar with the experimental procedure.” Mio was stunned for a moment and glanced at Peter beside her.
He was nodding frantically at her, clearly feeling that this arrangement couldn’t be better.
She thought about it—being in a group with Gwen was better than being with Peter; at least she wouldn’t be noticed by too many people, and Gwen was a top student, so her experimental skills would definitely be proficient, and nothing would go wrong.
“Okay, thank you for the trouble.” She nodded and walked over to sit at the lab bench next to Gwen.
Gwen smiled and pushed an experimental guide in front of her: “It’s no trouble.
I’ve previewed this experiment before; the steps are a bit complicated.
We can divide the work—I’ll prepare the reagents, and you record the data.
How about that?” The bell for class rang quickly, and Dr.
Connors tapped the podium and began his lecture.
His lecture was logically clear and the content solid, but it was also exceptionally boring; many students below were listening until they were drowsy.
Mio appeared to be listening attentively, but in reality, her mind was wandering.
Her gaze fell on Dr.
Connors’ empty sleeve, and she felt a bit conflicted.
Mio took a light breath and forcibly suppressed the thoughts in her mind.
It was none of her business.
Just at this moment, Dr.
Connors suddenly stopped his lecture, and his gaze landed on her: “Mio, regarding the substitution reaction I just spoke about, what is the final synthetic product?
And what by-products will be produced that could affect the experimental results?” The entire class’s gaze instantly focused on her.
Beside her, Gwen quietly nudged her arm, wanting to give her a hint, but she saw Mio had already stood up, her tone steady, reciting the answer without a single stutter.
It wasn’t just the main product and by-products; even the reaction conditions, purification methods, and operational details to avoid by-products were explained with perfect clarity, even more complete and rigorous than the standard answer in the textbook.
Dr.
Connors was stunned for a moment, then his eyes revealed undisguised admiration: “Perfect!
It seems you did very thorough preparation in advance; your professional foundation is very solid.
Please sit.” The students in the class let out small exclamations again, and in the gazes directed at Mio, there was a bit more admiration.
Mio sat down expressionlessly, but she rolled her eyes silently in her heart.
It’s over, she stood out again.
She just wanted to be an invisible person; why was it so hard?
Mio twitched the corner of her mouth slightly, said nothing, and just turned her gaze back to the lab bench, once again cranking up her “stay away from me” aura.