Lin Zhao smirked inwardly, but on the surface, she wore a look of obedient innocence.
She took two steps forward, her foot stumbling slightly, almost losing her balance. Lin Zhenhai instinctively reached out to steady her, then quickly withdrew his hand halfway.
Lin Zhao steadied herself and said, “If I promise you that I won’t cause trouble anymore, that I’ll study properly, and won’t talk back, would you agree to transfer me to Class One?”
Lin Zhenhai’s expression hardened. “I knew it. You’re not sincere at all! You’re scheming to get into Class One just because of that Gu boy, aren’t you? You’d better give up that idea!”
His voice grew sharper. “I’ve already told you, stay away from him! That boy has a bad reputation. Being close to him won’t benefit the Lin family in the least.”
Lin Zhao rolled her eyes dramatically.
Gu Zhuoxiao?
What an idiot.
She wasn’t going to Class One for that fool.
She put on an aggrieved expression, hurriedly defending herself. “Who told you that it’s for him? How could you think that of me?”
“Do you think I’m the kind of person who’d throw away my future for a man? Dad, I’m your daughter! How could I ever do something to make you sad for someone else?”
To make her words even more convincing, Lin Zhao steeled herself and dropped to one knee on the floor.
She lifted her head, eyes shining with fake sincerity. “Father! Your kindness, I will never forget. You’ve raised me for more than ten years, with endless effort and sacrifice. How could I ever bring shame to you for another man? Could I do such a thing?”
She answered her own question firmly: “No!”
“From today onwards, I will devote myself to studying, never causing trouble again. Please, give me another chance and transfer me to Class One.”
Lin Zhenhai asked, “Are you serious? This isn’t for that boy?”
Lin Zhao nodded solemnly. “Absolutely! If I tell a single lie, may heaven strike me down!”
Suddenly, a clap of thunder boomed in her ears.
Lin Zhao froze. Could it really be… happening so soon?
101 said: “Don’t be afraid, that thunder’s fake.”
“You did that?”
“Just wanted to add a little atmosphere,” 101 replied nonchalantly.
Lin Zhenhai watched her, placing the ruler he was holding down on the tea table with a soft clink.
“Alright, I’ll trust you this once.”
Lin Zhao’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Don’t get too excited yet,” Lin Zhenhai interrupted. “I’ll make this clear—this is the last chance I’m giving you. If you continue your stubborn ways, get out of the Lin family! From that moment on, I, Lin Zhenhai, will consider you nonexistent. Understood?”
“Don’t worry.”
The next morning, Lin Zhao entered the bathroom. The girl in the mirror looked pale, with a band-aid on her chin.
Lin Zhao tugged lightly at the corner of her mouth, wincing at the pain. She pulled out a mask to cover the lingering bruises on her face.
After changing into her school uniform and slinging her backpack over her shoulders, she went downstairs. Lin Zhenhai was at the table having breakfast.
Hearing her footsteps, he looked up, fixing his gaze on her. “Remember what you promised yesterday.”
“I know,” Lin Zhao replied, her voice muffled behind the mask.
Without another word, she turned and walked out.
Head down, she moved steadily toward school, trying to avoid the crowd.
Her reputation at school wasn’t the best. Wherever she went, she drew glances and whispers.
The old Lin Zhao wouldn’t care, even taking pride in it. But this new Lin Zhao simply didn’t care at all.
Being thick-skinned didn’t mean being shameless.
Just as she reached the classroom door, two girls came running from either side, grabbing her arms.
“Zhaozhao! Why didn’t you come to school yesterday?”
“We looked for you all day yesterday! We messaged you too, but you didn’t reply. We were so worried!”
“Yeah, and why are you still wearing a mask? Are you sick? Are you okay?”
“I have business,” Lin Zhao said flatly, two words.
“Business? Does it have anything to do with Gu Shao?”
The two girls leaned in, whispering gossip.
“It seems he didn’t come to class yesterday afternoon either. Did you two…”
“Not related to him,” Lin Zhao cut them off.
The girls continued chatting, ignoring her.
“Zhaozhao, did you have a fight at home? You seem upset…”
Before she could finish, Lin Zhao’s icy gaze silenced her.
Her patience ran out. She whipped her head around, eyes blazing. “Are you done?”
The girls exchanged glances and released her arms.
At that moment, the class teacher’s voice called out: “Lin Zhao.”
Lin Zhao looked up to see the homeroom teacher at the classroom door, holding her lesson plan, face not particularly pleasant.
“Come with me to the office,” the teacher said, walking toward her desk without waiting for a response.
Lin Zhao’s stomach lurched.
Why would the teacher want her? Was it about skipping class yesterday?
She glanced at the two girls still frozen nearby, ignored them, and followed the teacher.
The teacher reached her office, set down the lesson plan, and turned to Lin Zhao. “Your father just called me.”
“He said he wants to transfer you to Class One,” the teacher continued, his voice slightly relaxed. “He also specifically instructed that if you misbehave or don’t study properly in Class One, to call him directly, and he’ll come personally to arrange your expulsion.”
Lin Zhao froze, then felt a surge of joy.
So fast?
She had just reached the agreement with Lin Zhenhai yesterday, and already this morning it was done.
Perfect—she didn’t need to waste extra effort maneuvering. One step, problem solved.
Suppressing her excitement, Lin Zhao asked calmly, “Teacher, can I go to Class One now?”
“Yes,” the teacher replied almost instinctively, as if afraid she’d linger another second.
“Go quickly and pack your things. They’ve been notified over there.”
“Thank you, teacher.” Lin Zhao nodded slightly and turned toward the classroom.
Behind her, a few teachers whispered among themselves.
“Transferred to Class One? Isn’t her grade going to drag them down?”
“Who knows. Maybe it’s a parental wish. But I doubt she’ll last—her temper won’t survive the top students for long.”
“Exactly. All those top students… who knows what chaos she’ll cause in Class One…”
Lin Zhao’s steps didn’t falter as she returned to the classroom.
Inside, the students grew quiet, all eyes falling on her.
Her two previous followers approached immediately, looking worried. “Zhaozhao, what did the teacher say? Did she scold you?”
Lin Zhao ignored them, went to her desk, and swiftly shoved everything into her bag. Efficient, decisive, without hesitation.
She left the classroom and walked down the quiet corridor toward Class One.
Reaching the door, the bell rang.
Lin Zhao stood at the door, took a deep breath, and gently knocked.
At the front, a female teacher wearing gold-rimmed glasses was writing on the blackboard. Hearing the knock, she turned and paused at the sight of Lin Zhao. “Student… are you looking for someone?”
“I’m not looking for anyone. I’m here for class,” Lin Zhao replied calmly.
The teacher blinked, then pieced it together. “You’re… Lin Zhao?”
Her name was known throughout the school.
At the sound, all students turned toward the door, eyes fixed on the girl.
Lin Zhao’s expression was unreadable. Her gaze passed over all the faces, landing precisely on Xu Ning in the corner.
Xu Ning’s head was down, focused on her textbook. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden edge around her.
Xu Ning sensed the gaze and looked up, meeting Lin Zhao’s eyes.
Lin Zhao nodded slightly at her, then turned to the teacher. “Yes, it’s me.”
The teacher put down her chalk and papers, cleared her throat. “Class, settle down. This is our new student, Lin Zhao.”
Then she turned to Lin Zhao, forcing a formal smile. “Lin Zhao, please find a seat.”
Before the teacher could finish, a lazy voice came from across the classroom: “Teacher, let Zhaozhao sit here with me.”
It was Gu Zhuoxiao.
The classroom went dead silent, eyes darting between Lin Zhao and Gu Zhuoxiao.
The teacher blinked, smiling awkwardly. “Then, Lin Zhao…”
“No need,” Lin Zhao cut off, her voice cold.
Ignoring all surprised stares, she walked across the aisle to the window-side seat.
She stopped beside Xu Ning.
The seat next to Xu Ning was empty. Lin Zhao placed her bag on the desk, turned to Xu Ning, and said, “I’ll sit here.”
“Since Lin Zhao has decided, that’s fine,” Xu Ning replied softly.
Lin Zhao nodded, pulled out the chair, and sat down naturally, as if the seat had always been hers.
She set down her bag, turned to Xu Ning, and extended a hand.
Xu Ning’s fingers were slender and well-manicured.
Lin Zhao’s lips curved in a faint, genuine smile. “Hello, I’m Lin Zhao. Nice to meet you.”
Xu Ning was completely stunned.