Chapter 4

After switching seats, the students gradually became more familiar with each other. Yu Fei ended up sitting in front of Lin Shizhao. Yu Fei was easygoing, warm, and friendly, and Lin Shizhao enjoyed her company. The Basketball Game During the big break, Gu Helin, He Junming, and a few of their close friends went to play basketball. Some sophomore boys, having heard about the "legendary" Gu Helin, wanted to see what he was made of. They intercepted the group on their way to the court and challenged them to a game. Gu Helin smirked, raised an eyebrow, and gave a roguish smile before agreeing. He changed into a black jersey and strode onto the basketball court with long, confident steps. Not only was Gu Helin a top student, but he was also an exceptional basketball player. After three matches, the freshmen won 3-1, with Gu Helin sinking two three-pointers. The girls watching from the sidelines couldn't help but squeal with excitement at his performance. Some even rushed to buy him water and towels. A particularly pretty girl, blushing, shyly handed him a bottle of mineral water. Seeing this, He Junming could barely hold back his laughter. Gu Helin politely shook his head and refused, then grabbed his shirt from the post and walked away. The girls immediately started gossiping as they watched his retreating figure. "Lin Ge?" He Junming called out excitedly. "Hm?" "Damn! Lin Ge, you're something else. You've only been here a few days, and you're already this popular! That girl was pretty cute, too." "Shut up," Gu Helin said impatiently. "But she's still not as pretty as Lin Shizhao~" He Junming teased. This time, Gu Helin didn't respond—his face remained cold. Sensing his mood, He Junming quickly shut up. He Junming had been friends with Gu Helin since middle school. He was playful, straightforward, and extremely loyal. His family had made a fortune overnight after a successful investment, and they had some business connections with the Gu family. Since his grades were poor, he had only gotten into the school thanks to connections—and a hefty donation to the school. The Confrontation Meanwhile, in the classroom: "Shizhao, come to the bathroom with me," Yu Fei said, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Lin Shizhao, who was engrossed in her book. "Sure, let's go." Lin Shizhao closed her book, grabbed a few sanitary pads, and walked out hand-in-hand with Yu Fei. After using the restroom, Lin Shizhao was washing her hands at the sink when she spotted Shen Qian. Shen Qian was holding a cigarette and a lighter, clearly trying to sneak a smoke while avoiding the teachers' detection. "Come on, try one. How would you know if you don't?" Shen Qian coaxed. "No thanks, Xiao Qian," Luo Yao hesitated, shaking her head. Shen Qian's expression darkened as she turned and saw Lin Shizhao washing her hands. "Oh, look who it is—our little vixen from class." Shen Qian flicked her cigarette, grinning. Lin Shizhao didn't want trouble, so she turned to leave. But Shen Qian grabbed her wrist tightly. "Abandoned by your father, and you still have the nerve to stay in the Gu family? You must be really shameless," she sneered. "I wonder what Gu Helin thinks of you. He probably sees your mother as nothing more than a home-wrecking vixen. He must hate you, huh?" Shen Qian's words were cruel. Luo Yao, standing to the side, remained silent. "Why so quiet, Lin Shizhao? Say something. Am I wrong?" The other girls in the restroom, afraid of being the next target, quickly pulled their friends away and left. Lin Shizhao struggled to free herself. Her delicate face was flushed red, and she bit her lip. Just then, Yu Fei walked out of a stall and overheard the conversation. Her face turned red with anger. "Shen Qian, let go of Shizhao! You're going too far. If you don't stop, I'll tell the teacher!" "And here you are again. I'm just showing some concern for a classmate—what's it to you?" Shen Qian scoffed. "Oh, is this how you show concern? Then how about I call a teacher over to 'care' for you too?" "You wouldn't dare!" "Why not? While I'm at it, I could also report that you're smoking." "So what if I am?" Finally, Shen Qian released her grip. Yu Fei immediately grabbed Lin Shizhao’s hand and led her out. "Ugh, she makes me so mad! How can someone be like that?" Yu Fei fumed. "Don't take it to heart," Lin Shizhao reassured her. "I'm fine. Maybe I was meant to be this way—just not very likable." A Silent Understanding "We don’t stay in pain forever. Eventually, we get used to it. The wounds we once suffered stop hurting, even if they leave scars," Lin Shizhao said calmly. But as she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears, and her nose tingled. "Don't cry, Shizhao! What others say doesn't matter. Just ignore them!" Yu Fei felt helpless seeing her friend so upset. She grabbed a tissue and carefully wiped away Lin Shizhao’s tears. Pain that others had never experienced was always the hardest to endure. Each time someone reopened an old wound, it only reinforced the feeling that she shouldn’t exist. With red eyes, Lin Shizhao returned to the classroom and sat quietly in her seat, lost in thought. At that moment, Gu Helin walked into the room, a basketball in hand. A white shirt hung over his shoulder, and sweat glistened on his forehead. His black hair was damp, with strands sticking to his fair forehead, giving him a slightly lazy yet alluring look. He pulled out his chair and sat down, wiping his sweat before taking several gulps of water. A few stray droplets trailed down his chin and settled at his Adam's apple, making him exude an intoxicatingly masculine charm. Gu Helin noticed Lin Shizhao’s reddened eyes. Yu Fei, sitting in front of her, kept glancing back with a worried expression. He Junming also noticed and asked Yu Fei curiously, "Hey, what's up? Why's she crying?" "Who's 'hey'?! I have a name, you know. Hmph! Not telling you," Yu Fei pouted. "Fine, fine, forget I asked. Geez, so stingy," He Junming teased, crossing his legs playfully. Gu Helin had no idea what had happened. He glanced at Lin Shizhao but didn't say anything. Instead, he picked up his math textbook, scribbled something inside, and slid it over to her. Lin Shizhao looked down at the page and suddenly smiled. "You know, girls who cry too much tend to get ugly." Yu Fei and He Junming, who had been observing, exchanged confused looks. "Huh? What now?" they asked in unison.