Shen Sangyu had no idea that a single photo she had sent had thrown the entire Huaguo National Museum into an uproar.
The moment Zhu Dongrun saw the image, he summoned every researcher and young scholar specializing in calligraphy. They even retrieved the famous Mid-Autumn Manuscript, the one covered in countless imperial seals, from the museum vault for comparison.
Meanwhile, Shen Sangyu’s phone, lying forgotten inside her desk drawer, kept lighting up with incoming messages.
The notifications continued until the battery finally died.
She never noticed.
Her expression remained icy as she stared at the familiar face standing on the classroom podium.
So…
This was what Meng Chengxi really looked like.
Overall, she was undeniably pretty, wearing light makeup that enhanced her delicate features.
But up close, her skin wasn’t nearly as flawless as it first appeared. Her complexion was slightly rough, and faint acne marks dotted her forehead, remnants of adolescence.
Unlike Shen Sangyu’s light brown eyes, Meng Chengxi’s pupils were pitch black.
They lacked warmth or vitality, giving her gaze an unsettling emptiness.
Dressed in the standard school uniform of Haishi Experimental No. 1 High School, she blended into the crowd without anything particularly remarkable about her appearance.
“Sang Sang, why would someone transfer schools at a time like this?”
Tang Yuan’s voice interrupted Shen Sangyu’s thoughts.
A mischievous smile tugged at Shen Sangyu’s lips. She shrugged nonchalantly before reaching over to pinch Tang Yuan’s soft, chubby cheek.
“Who knows? Maybe she’s some kind of genius.”
“Our new transfer student, please introduce yourself.”
Homeroom teacher Li Yan stood at the front of the classroom, maintaining a calm expression.
Inside, however, she had already cursed Meng Chengxi a hundred times.
‘Transferring this late in the school year, and from a prestigious private school in the capital, no less. She wasn’t satisfied joining an ordinary class and insisted on entering the advanced class. Our university admission rate is definitely going to suffer this year!’
Meng Chengxi had donated three million yuan to Haishi Experimental No. 1 High School before the administration finally agreed to place her in one of the elite classes.
The moment she entered the room, her eyes locked onto Shen Sangyu, who sat beside the window in the third row.
As she looked at the flawless young woman, a flash of calculation and malice crossed her face.
It vanished almost instantly, replaced by what she believed was a perfect smile.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Meng Chengxi. I’ve transferred here from the capital. I hope we’ll all get along well from now on. I also brought a small gift for everyone. I’ll hand them out after class.”
“All right, Meng Chengxi, you can take the empty seat over there for now.”
Li Yan pointed toward the vacant desk in the last row near the back door.
“Our school’s rules are fairly strict. Students aren’t allowed to dye or perm their hair, and makeup isn’t permitted either. Find some time to return your hair to its natural color.”
“Now then, let’s go over this semester’s final examination schedule…”
Seeing that Li Yan had no intention of entertaining further discussion, Meng Chengxi reluctantly walked to the back of the classroom.
As she sat down, her eyes remained fixed on Shen Sangyu’s back.
Naturally, Shen Sangyu could feel the hostile gaze burning into her from behind.
She ignored it completely and focused on listening to the teacher explain the exam arrangements.
When she had imagined meeting Meng Chengxi again, she had expected herself to panic.
To feel helpless.
Instead…
She found herself thinking only one thing.
So this is all you are.
In her previous life, Meng Chengxi had destroyed her family, stolen her face, and even taken her college entrance examination results.
This time…
Shen Sangyu wanted to see exactly what Meng Chengxi thought she could steal from her now.
…
“Classmate, this is a little welcome gift I brought from the capital. I hope you’ll accept it…”
The moment class ended, Meng Chengxi somehow produced dozens of beautifully wrapped gift bags and began handing them out to everyone nearby.
She even prepared one for Shen Sangyu and Tang Yuan.
“Thank you, Meng, but… this is too expensive. I really can’t accept it.”
The moment Tang Yuan recognized the luxury brand logo printed on the shopping bag, she frantically waved both hands.
A welcome gift for every classmate…
This new girl was clearly loaded.
Meng Chengxi sneered inwardly.
Just as I thought.
Country bumpkins who’ve never seen anything nice.
They’re too scared to even accept a gift.
Of course, Shen Sangyu had no intention of taking it either.
Who knew whether the gift inside was another carefully prepared fake antique?
“Thank you for your kindness. We appreciate the thought, but we can’t accept the gift.”
No matter how much she hated Meng Chengxi, Shen Sangyu maintained impeccable manners.
After all, in Meng Chengxi’s eyes, she was still just an ordinary senior high school student who knew absolutely nothing.
Meng Chengxi hadn’t expected such an indifferent response.
For a moment, she froze.
Then she smiled again.
“Actually… I was hoping to switch seats with Classmate Tang. I’m a little nearsighted.”
Tang Yuan’s round, cat-like eyes widened.
She pointed at herself in disbelief.
“Me?”
“No!”
Why would she ever trade seats?
Being deskmates with Sang Sang was practically paradise.
She could copy homework whenever she needed to, and even tag along for delicious meals at Qinan Restaurant.
Meng Chengxi’s carefully maintained smile almost cracked.
Shen Sangyu naturally understood her true motive.
She wanted to sit beside her.
So she could keep a close eye on everything she did.
“I’m sorry, Meng. Our seating arrangement was assigned by the homeroom teacher. If you’d like to switch seats, you’ll need her approval first.”
Jing Fan, who sat in the row ahead, noticed the growing tension and spoke up.
The students in the front and back rows had long been organized into four-person study groups.
Ever since the physics class placements, nobody’s seats had changed.
Besides…
He didn’t want Tang Yuan sitting farther away either.
“Exactly!” Tang Yuan quickly chimed in.
“If you want to change seats, go ask the homeroom teacher!”
Any favorable first impression she had of Meng Chengxi had completely disappeared.
Did this girl really think she was some soft, easy target just because she looked chubby?
She’d picked the wrong person.
“You…”
Meng Chengxi almost lost her temper.
But in the blink of an eye, anger disappeared from her face, replaced by an aggrieved expression that made her look like the innocent victim.
“If you don’t want to switch, then fine. Why hide behind the homeroom teacher as an excuse?”
“Who’s hiding behind the teacher?”
Tang Yuan nearly exploded.
What an unbelievable white lotus!
Shen Sangyu had already absorbed the Lotus Bud’s power, so why was Meng Chengxi still acting like such a master manipulator?
Seeing Tang Yuan about to argue, Shen Sangyu gently pulled her back.
“Meng Chengxi, no one is making excuses.”
“If you ask anyone in this class, they’ll tell you the same thing. Our school’s rules are quite strict. Not everything works however you’d like it to.”
“Exactly!” Tang Yuan echoed enthusiastically.
“Meng Chengxi, you’ve misunderstood.”
The class monitor also stepped forward.
“Our class is divided into several study groups. Tang Yuan, Shen Sangyu, and I are all in the same group.”
Several other classmates quickly backed them up.
For a moment, Meng Chengxi was left speechless.
Then—
“So many of you ganging up on my sister. Is that supposed to make you impressive?”
A harsh, cracking teenage voice rang out from the classroom entrance.
The awkward croak of puberty made it especially unpleasant to hear.
Sister?
Everyone turned toward the doorway.
A boy wearing the school uniform stood there with both hands stuffed into his pockets.
The first thing anyone noticed wasn’t him.
It was his blindingly bright blue hair.
“Ming’en? What are you doing here?”
Meng Ming’en?
The youngest son of the Meng family.
So…
He was Meng Chengxi’s biological younger brother.
Shen Sangyu disliked every single person with the surname Meng equally.
“Of course I came to protect you.”
Meng Ming’en glared around the classroom.
“Are you the ones bullying my sister?”
“We weren’t bullying Meng at all.”
Jing Fan calmly explained despite the boy’s hostile tone.
“She just wasn’t familiar with how our class works. We simply suggested she ask the homeroom teacher before changing seats.”
“Who are you?”
Meng Ming’en cut him off without even listening.
“Were you the one leading everyone against my sister?”
Only then did Shen Sangyu understand.
No wonder Meng Chengxi had almost exploded with anger, only to suddenly switch to that pitiful expression.
She had already seen Meng Ming’en standing outside the classroom.
She’d been waiting for him to come in and play the hero.