She looked at Lin Zhao’s outstretched hand, then at the smile on her face, and the confusion in her eyes deepened.
Was this really Lin Zhao?
The girl who always picked fights with her, treating her like a thorn in her side—how could she smile so gently now?
Xu Ning’s heart was full of uncertainty and caution. She sat in her chair, slightly recoiling, her eyes clearly wary.
She looked at Lin Zhao’s hand again, then at those eyes that showed no trace of hostility, and hesitated for a long time.
Finally, she slowly reached out her own hand.
Her fingertips barely touched Lin Zhao’s, like a dragonfly skimming water, and she quickly pulled back.
Lin Zhao watched her cautious gesture, the corners of her lips curving into a deeper smile.
She withdrew her hand, placing it on her lap. “From now on… let’s take care of each other.”
Xu Ning lowered her head and murmured a tiny “Mm,” her voice barely audible.
Mr. Li cleared his throat softly, breaking the classroom silence. “Alright, everyone, let’s begin the lesson.”
Lin Zhao sat up straight, her gaze fixed on the blackboard, appearing to listen attentively.
But from the corner of her eye, she kept glancing at Xu Ning.
Xu Ning was truly quiet, quiet like a wild grass growing unnoticed in a corner.
Head bent over her notes, she wrote diligently, long lashes shading her eyes. She looked so obedient it was almost unnatural.
A meaningful smile slowly spread across Lin Zhao’s lips.
She turned her gaze toward the window.
The sunlight was just right, and the breeze gentle.
Then her eyes returned to Xu Ning.
Xu Ning seemed to notice her gaze, stiffening slightly, and her pen slowed down.
Lin Zhao pulled back her eyes, her smile deepening further.
She had thought that the characters in books merely carried out their author’s commands, yet this person was far more interesting than she imagined.
The bell signaling the end of class rang. Lin Zhao’s eyelids felt unbearably heavy. She ignored the curious stares around her, resting her head on her arm, planning to take a brief nap.
Just as she drifted into light sleep, a shadow suddenly loomed over her, followed by a dull thud—the desk shook violently.
Lin Zhao’s brows knitted instantly. Without even looking up, the voice alone told her who it was.
“Zhao Zhao, I didn’t expect you’d come to Class One.” Gu Zhuoxiao plopped down on the edge of Lin Zhao’s desk, swinging his legs.
Lin Zhao didn’t even twitch her lashes, keeping her head down, unwilling to spare him a glance.
Seeing she ignored him, Gu Zhuoxiao wasn’t angry. Instead, he continued talking to himself. “I knew you still like me. Though you’ve been saying things these past few days to annoy me, we grew up together, so I’ll let it slide.”
His eyes swept toward Xu Ning, quietly sitting beside her. A look of condescension emanated from him, his entire posture oozing superiority that made one’s teeth itch.
“By the way, why leave the seat next to me to cozy up to this country bumpkin? Are you tired of the old tricks and looking for something new?”
Xu Ning’s fingers tightened around her pen, knuckles whitening. Her head bowed even lower, hiding her eyes.
She was always quiet at school, avoiding conflicts and trouble, yet even so, she couldn’t escape being targeted by people like him.
Lin Zhao had originally intended to feign sleep and ignore him, but hearing those words made a fire surge up her chest.
She abruptly lifted her head, tilting it slightly, and fixed Gu Zhuoxiao with a cold smile—completely devoid of warmth. “If she’s a country bumpkin, then what are you? A wild child with no parents to care for you?”
The classroom went silent. Students who had been chatting casually all gasped.
Everyone knew Gu Zhuoxiao’s parents were in a distant marriage, pursuing separate lives. They’d left him with money but rarely cared about his upbringing.
It was the one thing Gu Zhuoxiao hated most. Even the boldest students avoided saying such things to him directly.
Gu Zhuoxiao’s smile froze. His pupils constricted, and his teasing gaze turned to anger. He leaned forward sharply. “What did you say?”
Lin Zhao didn’t flinch, even leaning slightly forward, meeting his eyes. “Are you deaf? I said you’re uncultured.”
She raised her hand, pointing at him sitting on the desk. “Move your butt. This isn’t a mental hospital, and I don’t have time to treat you.”
“You—!”
Gu Zhuoxiao’s temples bulged with veins. He slammed the desk, standing up, as if he wanted to rip Lin Zhao apart on the spot. “Lin Zhao! How dare you be shameless!”
The sudden commotion instantly drew the attention of the entire class.
Chattering students turned their heads, all eyes now focused on the two of them.
Several of Gu Zhuoxiao’s lackeys hurried over, fearing the situation would escalate.
A blond boy quickly grabbed Gu Zhuoxiao’s arm, forcing a flattering smile. “Ah, Young Master Gu, Miss Lin, calm down. Let’s talk this through—no need to ruin our harmony, we’re all classmates.”
As he spoke, he leaned closer to Gu Zhuoxiao, lowering his voice. “Don’t be angry. Miss Lin… it’s understandable.”
Gu Zhuoxiao, brimming with suppressed rage, turned to glare at him. “Understandable? She dared speak to me like that! How is that understandable? And you side with her?”
The blond shrank back but continued cautiously. “Think about it. Miss Lin used to like you so much, always following you around. Yet you paid her no attention. Over time, anyone would feel resentment, right? Perhaps she’s acting out to get you to care about her more.”
He paused, lowering his voice further. “Young Master Gu, if you just show a little patience, speak kindly to her… with your charm, she’ll obey in no time. Left in your arms, it’s only a matter of time.”
His words struck a chord in Gu Zhuoxiao. He thought about it and realized it might be true.
Much of his anger drained. He concluded Lin Zhao was playing a game of “push and pull.” Getting angry would only mean falling into her trap.
He forced a half-smile, softening his tone. “Zhao Zhao, don’t be mad. I didn’t mean it earlier. Don’t take it to heart.”
Then he turned his gaze to Xu Ning, commanding: “Hey, country bumpkin. Get up and switch seats with me.”
Xu Ning flinched slightly. She looked at Gu Zhuoxiao, then at Lin Zhao’s icy face, lips moving as if to speak, but she finally pressed them shut.
She didn’t want trouble; changing seats was nothing serious to her.
She silently set down her pen, preparing to stand.
Just as she did, a warm hand pressed gently on her shoulder.
The pressure wasn’t heavy, but she couldn’t pull away.
Lin Zhao, already seated upright, looked at Xu Ning. “Sit down. Don’t move.” Her gaze was calm but unyielding.
Xu Ning froze. She looked up into Lin Zhao’s eyes.
There was none of the earlier indifference toward Gu Zhuoxiao—only seriousness.
She hesitated, then obediently sat back down, gripping her pen again.
Lin Zhao finally turned back to Gu Zhuoxiao, a cold smile curling her lips. “Young Master Gu, you’ve got quite the audacity. So now, you can make decisions for others without asking?”
Gu Zhuoxiao frowned. “She’d agree anyway.”
He glanced at Xu Ning, his eyes threatening. “Hey, I’m asking you. Do you agree?”
Xu Ning’s lips moved, about to speak.
“She doesn’t agree.”
Lin Zhao’s voice cut in before she could.
Gu Zhuoxiao’s face darkened. “She hasn’t said anything! Who gave you the right to decide for her?”
Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow. “So what?”
“Instead of wasting time arguing with me, maybe Young Master Gu should go to the hospital to get your brain treated.”
She sneered. “Maybe if you go now, you can still be cured.”
“YOU’RE ASKING FOR DEATH!”
Gu Zhuoxiao was completely enraged. He yanked his arm from the blond’s grasp, clenched his fists, and charged at Lin Zhao.
“Young Master! Don’t be impulsive!” The blond and other lackeys panicked, rushing to hold him back. “Calm down! Don’t stoop to her level—it’s not worth it, really not worth it!”
It took all their strength to restrain Gu Zhuoxiao.
The blond, still holding him, gestured at Lin Zhao to say less.
Breathing heavily, Gu Zhuoxiao shot Xu Ning a glare full of resentment. In his mind, if it weren’t for Xu Ning, Lin Zhao wouldn’t have dared oppose him repeatedly.
Xu Ning shrank back instinctively, her body chilled.
Gu Zhuoxiao snorted, turning away with his lackeys.
Lin Zhao, acting as if nothing happened, wiped the desk Gu Zhuoxiao had perched on. She then looked at Xu Ning.
Xu Ning still looked pale. She kept her head down, fingers twisting at her clothes, before finally looking up and softly saying, “Actually… I can switch seats.”