Han Shixu walked up to her with his bag slung over one shoulder, blocking her line of sight. “What are you doing here?”
The sudden appearance startled Song Enya.
“Nothing much. I just thought this lake was beautiful. Villas built in such a nice location must be very expensive.”
She patted the seat beside her with a light smile, gesturing for him to sit down.
“This is an artificial lake, fed by water from the neighboring Clear Spring Lake. But the villas here are indeed not cheap.”
“Clear Spring Lake? The famous one?” Song Enya was a bit shocked.
She had heard that many influencers went there to take photos.
Han Shixu nodded. “Yes, that one. I heard it took a lot of effort to build it because Qingcheng initially didn’t agree.”
“But they eventually agreed. It was either the Li family… or the Jin family?”
He thought carefully, as if discussing something trivial. “I don’t remember. In any case, they paid a sum of money.”
Song Enya was stunned. “Rich people really are fortunate. How much did they pay?”
“Twenty million?” Han Shixu said uncertainly. “Anyway, it wasn’t much. After it was built, the villas here sold out quickly.”
Twenty million… and that’s not much?
Song Enya’s expression turned slightly awkward.
She coughed to cover it up and, thinking of what had happened during the day, changed the subject. “I found a school.”
As she said this, a bright smile spread across her face.
“Really? Congratulations.” Han Shixu smiled as well.
“The school contacted me today. They said they were impressed by my grades and could waive my tuition. It’s a rare opportunity, and I don’t want to give it up.”
“No matter what, this is something you earned through your hard work. You deserve it.”
Han Shixu stood up. “Alright, let’s go. It’s time to go home for dinner.”
“Mm, okay.”
The two walked together from the park back to the Han residence.
After stepping through the main gate, one went to the dining room after dropping off his backpack, while the other tied on an apron and headed to the kitchen.
…
Early in the morning, the Han family’s driver was already waiting at the entrance.
Ji Hua hurried out and handed a box to her son.
“Shixu, take this to school for Yuanxi. Make sure to tell her I made it especially for her.”
Han Shixu reluctantly reached out to take it, but Ji Hua bypassed him and firmly placed the box in the car before pushing him inside.
“Good morning, Madam.” Song Enya, passing by the entrance, greeted her somewhat nervously.
This was her first time meeting the lady of the house face-to-face.
Ji Hua glanced at her. “Are you going out to work again?”
“I’m going to school.”
Ji Hua suddenly remembered. “Ah, right, you’re still at an age to study.”
She had little interest in chatting and said with a smile, “Since you’re going to school, I won’t keep you. Hurry along.”
“Where are you going? Do you need a ride?” Han Shixu, sitting in the car, rolled down the window and asked.
Ji Hua’s expression cooled. “It’s not on the way. Aren’t you almost late for school? Shouldn’t you leave quickly?”
Song Enya waved her hand in agreement. “Madam is right. Besides, I can go on my own.”
Before Han Shixu could say anything, she had already turned and walked away, leaving him no choice but to give up.
After the driver left, Ji Hua muttered quietly about Han Shixu meddling in others’ affairs.
She didn’t see that at the corner ahead, Song Enya smiled and waved at Han Shixu through the car window.
…
Upon arriving at Di’an International, Song Enya waited a while longer at the security office before being led inside by an older female teacher.
“This way is the gymnasium and cafeteria, over there are the swimming pool and equestrian center. Besides these, we also have an auditorium and rehearsal rooms… Our school has invested considerable funds into building these facilities, making them the most comprehensive in the entire empire.”
“What is this?”
Song Enya stared at a massive screen in front of her, densely packed with numerous names.
The top three were singled out, not only enlarged and bolded but also highlighted in different colors.
Moving closer, she saw “Jing Yuanxi” written prominently at the very top, with a large golden “S” marked before the name.
“That’s the ranking chart. Unlike other schools, we don’t rank students by scores but use a sequence-based system.”
At this point, the teacher adjusted her glasses, her tone suddenly turning serious. “Additionally, you should know that our school has relatively strict academic requirements. You must be aware that most graduates from our school are admitted to prestigious universities.”
Song Enya nodded. “I know, the acceptance rate is as high as ninety percent.”
And nearly half of that ninety percent go on to internationally renowned universities.
The teacher smiled proudly. “That’s because at Di’an International, every assessment and test, including regular practice assignments, counts toward the college admission evaluation. Moreover, if a student ranks at the bottom for four consecutive times, they will be forcibly expelled.”
Song Enya showed little reaction to this.
She didn’t believe she would be expelled, as her grades had always been excellent. Besides, wasn’t Di’an International interested in her precisely because of her academic performance?
Still, she appreciated the teacher’s well-meaning reminder. “Thank you, but my grades are quite good. Please don’t worry, teacher.”
She thought she might have imagined it, but it seemed she heard a faint laugh from the other side.
When she looked up again, the older teacher still wore a kindly expression. “Then I wish you good luck, student.”
Song Enya responded with a friendly smile.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you to see the teaching building last, and then I’ll explain the uniform requirements.”
As soon as they started moving, the bell for the end of class suddenly rang. The entire school seemed to come alive as large groups of uniformed students poured out from every building.
Clutching her backpack strap, Song Enya followed the teacher, moving against the crowd toward the most luxurious teaching building.
At the same time, the students of Class 1, Grade 12 were returning from another building. Song Enya watched as they carved a path straight through the crowd in the hallway.
“Yuanxi, let me do today’s homework for you. I’ve been practicing copying your handwriting for over two months now—I guarantee it won’t be discovered, and I won’t let you lose any points.”
The speaker was Jin Mingzhen, causing everyone else to slow their pace.
Pei Jize looked amusedly at the person beside him. “Hey, isn’t she trying to curry favor with you?”
Before Jing Yuanxi could respond, Jin Mingzhu’s expression had already darkened.
She turned angrily toward the other side and coldly demanded, “Do you even have the right to do that?”
Jin Mingzhen pressed her lips together without speaking, her gaze fixed on the person ahead.
“Sure, come find me for it before school ends,” Jing Yuanxi replied with a smile, glancing at Jin Mingzhu.
Without waiting to see how the others would react, she strode ahead toward the staircase, her leather shoes tapping rhythmically against the floor.
Jin Mingzhu was momentarily at a loss, only catching sight of Jing Yuanxi, Pei Jize, Yin Meiyan, and Han Shixu heading upstairs together.
Bai Huina and the others passed by her indifferently, not bothering to speak to her.