Every enclosed room was equipped with cameras and audio recording devices, capable of capturing students’ performances from every angle without blind spots for teachers to later use for evaluation.
While the psychological experts were engaging with the students, the teachers who designed this course were also watching the live feed in the background. Some had young trainee teachers by their side.
When they saw He Ying speak up to remind Xia Shuyue before entering the room, an experienced teacher adjusted his glasses and affirmed, “He Ying has the demeanor of a leader.”
Another teacher immediately chimed in, “He Ying is indeed much more composed than the other students. But at this age, being too prominent will attract high expectations and increase pressure.”
“Xia Shuyue, following He Ying, has little chance to shine. She’s completely overshadowed.”
At this point, the teachers were still unsure about He Ying’s personality. They worried that Xia Shuyue might not handle the pressure while also hoping she could learn from He Ying what she lacked most.
It wasn’t until He Ying started attacking the psychological expert’s watch because of Xia Shuyue that all the observing teachers instinctively glanced at their own wrists.
Some quietly tucked away their watches, feeling personally attacked.
Some looked at their jade bracelets, relieved that bracelets didn’t show any brand.
Others proudly displayed their bare wrists, thinking, “I use my phone to check the time, and I’m proud of it!”
None of the teachers expected that, for He Ying’s group, this was only the beginning.
It seemed that the psychological expert’s initial remarks were too rude in He Ying’s eyes. In the subsequent conversation, she repeatedly left the expert speechless, while Xia Shuyue’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Only then did the teachers realize they had worried about the wrong person.
The one who needed concern wasn’t Xia Shuyue at all—it was the psychological expert assigned to this group.
Just look at how badly they’ve bullied the expert.
“Director Li, do you think we should apply for a special subsidy for the expert in He Ying’s group?”
“Apply for it,” Director Li said, wiping sweat that wasn’t there, feeling just as stressed as the psychological teacher.
On ordinary days, He Ying seemed no different from other students. But today’s class made it clear to the teachers why the principal had found it necessary to call a full faculty meeting specifically for He Ying.
He Ying’s leadership skills and intellect, combined with her extremely privileged family background, could easily disrupt the school’s balance.
“May the Bodhisattva bless us and hope He Ying is a good kid,” a desperate teacher began to pray.
Director Li, however, calmly observed He Ying’s every move again. Her veteran teacher’s intuition told her that He Ying treated Xia Shuyue differently—it seemed He Ying was intentionally trying to protect Xia Shuyue from harm.
But from the information she had gathered, He Ying and Xia Shuyue weren’t on good terms, and the reason for this was naturally Shangguan Mingyu.
Thinking of this, Director Li felt annoyed.
That brat doesn’t study himself and even holds Xia Shuyue back. I’ll report him later.
……..
The psychological expert himself had no idea how he survived those 20 minutes. All he knew was that if given another chance, he would never volunteer for He Ying’s group out of curiosity about the daughter of the wealthiest person.
It was too humiliating.
Today’s humiliation fee was well-deserved; he couldn’t just endure a round of grievances only to be left with another round of grievances. Even his watch had suffered along with him, wuwu.
The class finally ended, and the psychological expert breathed a sigh of relief. As the melodious bell rang, he bid farewell to He Ying and Xia Shuyue with polite words: “Classmates, that’s all for today. I’ll submit your evaluation results directly to your course instructor. Don’t forget to write your reports after you return—over 1,000 words.”
Both He Ying and Xia Shuyue acknowledged with a “yes.”
Just when it seemed everything was over, He Ying suddenly bowed to the psychological expert after standing up.
Under the expert’s surprised gaze, she spoke sincerely: “Teacher, I apologize for my earlier disrespectful remarks.”
“I didn’t mean any offense toward you personally; I simply disagreed with the instructor’s arrangement for this class. I understand the teacher’s intention was to have us confront our inner weaknesses and temper our willpower.”
“But I cannot agree with this kind of adversity education that forcibly drags out students’ inner suffering just to toughen them up.”
“Teacher, I apologize once again for my earlier rudeness.”
The psychological expert felt as though he had just woken from a convoluted dream, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.
He assured He Ying that he didn’t mind. After He Ying and Xia Shuyue left, he pondered for a moment and still decided to note down He Ying’s suggestion at the end of his report.
As he wrote, he couldn’t help but marvel.
What a good kid. I’m definitely coming back next time!!
Next time, I won’t wear a watch!
After leaving, He Ying also curled her lips into a smile.
You little thing, I’ll charm you to death. Won’t you give me full marks for participation?
The experimental class was the last one in the morning. After it ended, it was time for lunch. Naturally, He Ying hadn’t forgotten about the important NPC for the meal. As soon as she left the classroom, she started calling Shangguan Mingyu.
The phone rang for half a minute without an answer. It was unclear whether Shangguan Mingyu hadn’t heard it or was deliberately ignoring it.
He Ying glanced at Xia Shuyue, who was following closely beside her, hesitating as if wanting to say something, and spoke matter-of-factly: “Xia Shuyue, give me your phone.”
Xia Shuyue moved with remarkable efficiency. As soon as He Ying finished speaking, she presented her phone with both hands.
Literally with both hands.
The inexplicably reverent attitude made He Ying wonder if she had been frightened out of her wits by the previous class.
“What are you doing?” He Ying asked as she took the phone.
Only then did Xia Shuyue realize her actions might have seemed overly eager, and He Ying probably didn’t like that. Flustered, she withdrew her hands, her ears tinged with red.
She wanted to explain but couldn’t think of a suitable excuse. In the end, she could only say: “Just now… and also this morning… thank…”
“Shangguan Mingyu, why aren’t you answering my call? I don’t want to hear your excuses. Come to Building 6 of the experimental area right now to take me to lunch… I don’t care how long it takes you. Bring Chi Jingsheng along too.”
Listening to He Ying’s imperious tone toward Shangguan Mingyu, Xia Shuyue felt an inexplicable sense of envy.
“Xia Shuyue? Of course she’s with me. This is your punishment for not listening. Get over here now.” With that, He Ying hung up the phone.
When handing the phone back to Xia Shuyue, she disdainfully remarked, “Didn’t Shangguan Mingyu get you a new phone? This thing is from years ago, and the touchscreen is even malfunctioning.”
Upon hearing this, Xia Shuyue’s face instead showed a smile: “This was bought for me by the teacher in my village when I passed the junior high school entrance exam. It’s of good quality and can still be used for a long time… Besides, Shangguan Mingyu and I are just ordinary classmates, and I can’t accept him giving me such expensive things—I wouldn’t be able to repay him.”
Xia Shuyue paused, then continued: “Miss, it was wrong of me to dirty your clothes earlier, and I didn’t apologize properly at that time, but I sincerely want to do something. If you don’t mind, could I help you wash your clothes? Even if it’s not that particular outfit, it’s fine.”