The moment their eyes met, Lin Yue’s mind went blank. She hastily stepped aside to make way.
After Xie Yan Si walked out, Lin Yue turned her head to look at his tall, receding figure.
How could she have never imagined that Xie Yan Si had actually returned to the country?
Even if he had returned, he should have been at Rice University, not at Chengbei No. 1 High School.
What on earth was going on?
Could someone please explain this to her?!
Lin Yue’s face was full of confusion, mixed with a hint of belated excitement and nervousness.
It seemed that Xie Yan Si hadn’t recognized her. Had his memories from back then still not returned?
“Student at the door,” the vice-principal called out when he saw someone standing there. “Who are you looking for?”
Lin Yue shifted her gaze away from Xie Yan Si’s figure and walked into the school administration office.
“Hello, teacher. I’m here to complete the transfer check-in.”
Chengbei No. 1 High School was strict with academics. While other schools were just starting their term today, Chengbei No. 1 High School had already been in session for a week.
Transfers from other schools had to go through the political education office for approval, which had just been granted today.
There were two transfer students in total today, and the vice-principal had just sent one out.
This girl must be the heiress of the Lin Group—Lin Yue.
As soon as this child completed the transfer procedures, the chairman of the Lin Group had personally come to greet him, asking them to take extra care of their little princess.
The vice-principal had always paid lip service to the children of wealthy families but never actually gave them special treatment.
He had risen from the position of dean of students and was known for his strict impartiality, focusing solely on academic performance.
These rich second-generation students were usually left to their own devices at school, as long as they didn’t cause trouble. If they did, they were dealt with strictly according to school regulations.
But Lin Yue was different.
Not only was her family wealthy, but she was also an exceptional student.
Every time he attended business banquets with the principal of Rice University, he would proudly mention Lin Yue, boasting that their school had produced a humble and hardworking little genius.
Now, this little genius had come to their school.
Naturally, the college admission rate would follow her here.
Just in time for her senior year, she could add an even more intense atmosphere to the college entrance exam preparations for her peers.
Seeing a student who excelled academically and was well-behaved, the vice-principal’s usually stern face softened into a kindly expression.
“You must be Lin Yue,” the vice-principal stood up to greet her. “Come, bring your documents over. I’ll register them, and you can sign your name. Then, I’ll take you to Class 1 of the senior experimental division.”
Class 1 of the experimental division was the best class at Chengbei No. 1 High School, filled entirely with top scorers from various districts.
After the vice-principal finished registering Lin Yue’s documents, he clasped his hands behind his back and personally escorted her to the classroom.
Along the way, they passed by a large sports field, where the senior students were assigned to a separate area.
With time tight and tasks heavy, they needed to race against the clock—this was a turning point in their lives, a race against time.
Walking through the school, Lin Yue felt as though Chengbei No. 1 High School had almost isolated the senior year area.
Even the sports field was empty and devoid of people.
As they walked, the vice-principal introduced the school to Lin Yue, as kindly as a father.
“This area is quiet. Students from other grades won’t come here, and the newly enrolled freshmen won’t disturb you seniors. Your task now is to study hard, work hard, and study with all your might.”
Lin Yue listened attentively, her views aligning perfectly with the vice-principal’s.
Yes, she had to study with all her might!
If not now, then when? She was determined to immerse herself in the ocean of learning, unable to extricate herself.
No one was allowed to disturb her heart, which was striving upward and fighting to study!
Just as she finished making this vow in her heart, Lin Yue happened to pass by a noisy classroom and caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
It was so familiar that Lin Yue immediately stopped in her tracks.
The vice principal, who had been speaking, turned around and noticed the girl hadn’t followed. His gaze also fell on the classroom of Class 10, Grade 12, which was bustling with noise and excitement, as if they had entered Sun Wukong’s Water Curtain Cave, with little monkeys chattering and screeching incessantly.
Some were even holding mops and buckets, passionately singing duets, while other students cheered, clapped, and whistled.
Looking at these little monkeys who were about to turn the world upside down, the vice principal felt a headache coming on.
Class 10 was set up for these rich second-generation students, all of whom had been admitted through sponsorship. Not a single one of them was well-behaved. If given the chance, they could turn the entire school upside down.
It was the first day bringing a new student here, and such an outstanding one at that. Worried that the girl might be frightened, the vice principal cleared his throat, walked over, and knocked on the back door.
The sound was too soft for them to hear clearly. They were still singing, “You are the wind, I am the sand, inseparable to the ends of the earth.”
The vice principal: “…”
The vice principal raised an eyebrow, and the next second, the force in his hand instantly increased as he slammed it against the back door with a loud “bang!”
Immediately afterward, his voice was nothing like the gentle tone he had used with Lin Yue. Now, it was sharp and fierce.
“What are you all doing!”
“What’s all this noise? What’s all this commotion? Your voices are the loudest in the entire teaching building! Anyone would think the zoo’s gorillas had been let loose!”
“All of you, get back to your seats and sit down!”
“Day in and day out, all you know how to do is fool around. You’re already in your senior year of high school—can’t you focus on studying? Look at the students in the neighboring class. They’re so quiet, so well-behaved. Now look at yourselves!”
The vice principal’s authority hadn’t diminished over the years, instantly intimidating the entire class. Not a single one dared to make a sound as they all returned to their seats and sat down.
Someone muttered softly in protest, “The neighboring class is Experimental Class 1. Comparing us to them? Are you crazy?”
Hearing this, the vice principal immediately assumed the demeanor of a head teacher and began reprimanding them.
Lin Yue tuned out all the noise around her, her gaze fixed on Xie Yan Si, who was sitting by the window.
He seemed very tired, as if he had just finished being a thief last night. Even amid such deafening reprimands, he could still sleep so soundly.
Seeing that they had been subdued by his scolding, the vice principal finally turned back to Lin Yue, his stern expression softening once again.
“Did they scare you? Don’t mind these monkeys. They’re a bit rowdy, but they’re not bad. You’ll get used to them eventually.”
Lin Yue kept staring at Xie Yan Si’s back, lost in thought, her mind even drifting a little.
Xie Yan Si was still the same as in her past life—still fond of sleeping in the classroom. It seemed that only in such a noisy classroom could he sleep peacefully.
But why was he at Chengbei No. 1 High School?
She distinctly remembered that Xie Yan Si was supposed to go to Rice. Did this mean that everything was different from her past life?
There was no Xu Qiao here, and she wasn’t the stubborn Lin Yue she used to be.
…
The vice principal continued beside her, “This is your classroom. You might find it strange—why is Experimental Class 1 next to Class 10?”
“It’s because we trust you won’t be influenced by them. We also hope you can influence the students of Class 10 a little, letting them feel the tense atmosphere of senior year.”
The vice principal stood there rambling on by himself, watching as the students in Class 1 remained exceptionally quiet, with only the sound of pens scratching on papers and pages turning. His heart swelled with satisfaction.
Finally, the vice principal concluded his self-indulgent speech.
“I’ve already spoken with your homeroom teacher. Go in and find an empty seat.”
Lin Yue’s thoughts drifted further and further away.
If things were different from her past life, was Xie Yan Si still the same as he was in their childhood?
Would he still follow her around like a little tail, going wherever she went?
And had his memories returned? Did he still remember her?
Did he still like that pair of boxing gloves?
Lin Yue realized her thoughts had wandered too far. She quickly shook her head.
Did it even matter whether Xie Yan Si was the same as before? The most important thing now was to improve herself and focus on her studies!
Lin Yue pulled her thoughts back and smiled at the vice principal. “Thank you, teacher.”
The vice principal felt a sense of ease just looking at this child and smiled kindly. “You’re welcome. Go on in.”
His smile instantly shocked the students of Class 10.
So this demonic old man could actually smile?
And his tone was so gentle.
They couldn’t help but feel curious about the person who had elicited such an expression from the vice principal and turned their gazes toward her.
They saw a girl standing in the light, her face serene and pure, her smile soft and gentle.
Holding onto her backpack straps, she looked incredibly well-behaved.
In the classroom of Class 10, someone couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Damn, she’s so freaking cute!”
This exclamation was like a sudden thunderclap, and the other students turned to look at Lin Yue.
“This transfer student must have some serious connections to make Old Wang smile like that.”
“I wish she’d smile at me too.”
“Class 1 finally has a girl worth looking at!”
The discussions in Class 10 grew louder, tinged with excitement, and some of the boys in Class 1 couldn’t help but overhear a few words.
They lifted their heads and looked toward the doorway.
Then they saw a sweet, gentle girl politely thanking Vice Principal Old Wang before walking into the classroom.
At the same time, a boy who had been lying by the window in Class 10 had lifted his head at some point, leaning lazily against the windowsill, his gaze fixed on that graceful figure.
The sharp, fierce look in his sleepy eyes gradually faded, and the corners of his thin, straight lips seemed to curve ever so slightly.