After saying goodbye to Liu Qingyue at the school gate, Su Cheng headed to the parking lot to park his beloved car before walking towards the teaching building.
"Good morning~"
"Good morning!"
"Morning!"
"Long time no see."
"What did you do over the weekend..."
"Let me tell you about..."
Along the way, he saw female students wearing pleated skirts with various cute socks and male students greeting each other, which made his already calm mood even more peaceful.
Because none of those greetings were directed at him.
This made Su Cheng feel relieved.
He just wanted to be invisible.
"Morning."
However, when he was walking indoors, a girl approached and greeted him. Her expressionless face made him feel a bit dazed.
Why did this girl seem somewhat familiar to him?
She must be a classmate.
"Good morning!"
So Su Cheng politely responded and then changed into his indoor shoes before heading to his classroom.
"Good morning, Su Cheng!"
Before he could enter the classroom, he heard a crisp and enchanting voice from behind.
He turned around.
It was Zhao Yan, smiling at him.
"Mm, good morning!"
Seeing her, Su Cheng couldn't help but smile, nodding in response.
Zhao Yan tilted her head and looked at him carefully: "Su Cheng, you look very handsome when you smile!"
"..."
Su Cheng was most afraid of receiving compliments, so when he heard Zhao Yan's praise, he immediately felt under siege and hurriedly returned a polite compliment: "Zhao Yan, you look beautiful when you smile too."
Zhao Yan blinked and said: "You're too kind. I was telling the truth - please smile more often."
"Ahem!"
Hearing this, Su Cheng couldn't help but cough lightly to hide his embarrassment.
Su Cheng didn't dare to continue interacting with Zhao Yan and quickly changed the subject: "I'm heading back to class."
"Okay, let's go in together!"
Zhao Yan said with a smile, walking side by side with Su Cheng.
"Good morning, Su Cheng and Zhao Yan!"
Along the way, they kept running into classmates who greeted them both, looking at Su Cheng with curiosity, seemingly wondering why he would be walking so closely with Zhao Yan.
After all, even classmates usually maintained some distance with the opposite sex.
"Su Cheng~"
A familiar voice called from behind them.
Xuan Ying was running towards them while calling his name.
She then squeezed herself between them and said to Su Cheng: "You're here early today."
Beside them, Zhao Yan crossed her arms and watched Xuan Ying with interest, as she noticed several interesting changes - Xuan Ying had changed her stockings from white knee-highs to black pantyhose.
She had also applied light eyeshadow.
Most notably, her chest appeared significantly larger and more prominent, which made Zhao Yan's expression turn quite peculiar, as if she wanted to laugh but didn't dare to.
"Morning, Xuan Ying!"
Su Cheng hadn't noticed Xuan Ying's changes and maintained his smile.
"Ah!"
Xuan Ying suddenly exclaimed, as if remembering something, then hit her forehead saying, "Oh no, I forgot to bring your clothes back. I'm so forgetful. Su Cheng, can I return them tomorrow instead?"
Hearing this, Zhao Yan immediately rolled her eyes - this wasn't forgetfulness at all, she clearly just didn't want to return Su Cheng's jacket.
These past few days, Xuan Ying had been treating Su Cheng's jacket like a treasure, never letting it go, even sleeping with it.
"Sure."
Su Cheng didn't think much of it and agreed.
After chatting for a few more minutes, the three of them walked to the classroom.
"Su Cheng, come here!"
As soon as they entered the classroom, one of the male students gathered in the back rows spotted him and waved him over.
It was Wang Guancong.
This group was one of the popular cliques.
Su Cheng nodded to the two girls behind him and walked over.
"Su Cheng!"
As soon as he reached Wang Guancong's side, Wang Guancong eagerly grabbed his arm and apologetically said: "I'm really sorry about this. My family's property management caused you trouble, but I've already given them a good scolding. They'll definitely improve their service quality from now on."
"No, I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to vent my frustration."
Hearing Wang Guancong's words, Su Cheng felt warmth in his heart.
"Don't be so polite, this was entirely my fault."
"Yeah, now the whole country knows your family's property management is the worst in the nation."
Xuan Ying suddenly chimed in, causing the whole class to burst into laughter.
Because Wang Guancong's Weibo post criticizing his family's property management had become known not just throughout the school, but nationwide.
"Ah, well..."
Hearing this, Wang Guancong immediately scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Haha~ Wang Guancong, I think you did the right thing."
"Yeah! Yeah!"
The classmates all chimed in agreement.
Seeing this, Su Cheng returned to his seat.
When Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying saw Su Cheng sit down, they also returned to their seats, but their eyes kept wandering towards him.
"Here, Su Cheng, let me introduce you."
Wang Guancong enthusiastically gestured to the two boys beside him.
Su Cheng looked up at his words.
"This guy is Chai Hao, he's from the next class. He usually likes to stay at home reading Pica."
Wang Guancong suddenly pointed to one of the boys.
This boy looked rather shy but handsome. His face immediately turned red as he hurriedly explained: "Although I like reading manga, I definitely don't read it on Pica. I'm really not... not that kind of person, you have to believe me!"
"Is it X Manga Paradise then?"
"No, not that either!!"
At Wang Guancong's direct way of introducing people, the boys all shared knowing smiles, while Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying showed confused expressions, not quite understanding what Pica was.
Su Cheng was somewhat surprised that even a rich kid would read such things. He nodded at Chai Hao with an 'I understand' expression: "Mm, nice to meet you."
Seeing this, Chai Hao breathed a sigh of relief and extended his right hand to Su Cheng: "I'm Chai Hao, you can call me Ah Hao."
Su Cheng reached out and shook Chai Hao's hand.
He understood that this was Wang Guancong's invitation to join their group.
It was a very kind gesture.
Now that school had been in session for a week, all the social groups had already formed.
It was very difficult to integrate into an established group.
But in truth, he didn't want to integrate.
He was used to being alone, and his financial situation wouldn't allow him to socialize with these rich kids anyway.
But he also couldn't reject Wang Guancong's goodwill.
"I don't need an introduction, we're in the same class."
The other boy next to Wang Guancong, who looked very sunny, glanced at Chai Hao and then at Su Cheng as he spoke.
"Mm, I know."
Su Cheng nodded.
He remembered this person was called Gao Ye.
In Su Cheng's memory, this Gao Ye was a very active and somewhat humorous person who often bantered with other boys in class, which left a deep impression on Su Cheng.
After the introductions, they began chatting casually, mostly about games - things like items and equipment, or spending tens of thousands without getting the character they wanted.
Su Cheng felt like a husky that had wandered into a wolf pack, his eyebrows twitching.
Because he never spent money on games.
Whenever they discussed technical aspects, he could contribute a few insights.
"Let me tell you, I just ran into Senior Gu on my way to school. If I had been a bit braver, we might have become friends."
Wang Guancong, seemingly noticing Su Cheng's discomfort, suddenly changed the topic to something that interested teenage boys the most.
"Think bigger!"
Gao Ye spoke up.
"That's impossible. All those well-connected guys in our school have tried pursuing Senior Gu, but they were all ignored by her. Actually, I'd be satisfied just being friends with her - that alone would be something worth bragging about."
Wang Guancong gave him an exasperated look.
"Though I think Senior Ji is more beautiful than Senior Gu, it's just that Senior Ji has such a strong presence and she's quite aloof."
"No way, Senior Gu is the best!"
"Nonsense, Senior Ji is better."
Chai Hao suddenly looked at Su Cheng: "By the way, doesn't Su Cheng have some connection with Senior Ji?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's attention immediately shifted to Su Cheng.
The two girls who had been observing Su Cheng from the side also stared at him, and even the expressionless girl sitting on the right turned her head to look at him.
This reminded them of last week when Ji Qingyi personally came to their class to invite Su Cheng to join the club.
So they all curiously looked at Su Cheng.
Seeing their reactions, Su Cheng had no choice but to tell the truth: "Actually, I don't know why she invited me to join the club either."
"Is that so?"
"Then who do you think is the prettiest in school?"
Chai Hao suddenly asked with a grin on his face.
"Uh..."
Hearing this, Su Cheng's face reddened, not knowing how to answer the question.
Forcing himself to be honest, he said: "I think it's the Student Council President!"
"Oh~ The Student Council President!"
"That's what I thought- Wait! The Student Council President?!?"
Chai Hao suddenly exclaimed, startling the entire class, causing everyone to turn their attention to him.
"Damn it, Chai Hao, keep your voice down when discussing things like this."
Wang Guancong quickly covered his mouth.
Chai Hao apologetically glanced at the rest of the class, then suddenly whispered: "Have you seen what the Student Council President looks like under her mask?"
"Quick, describe her to us!"
Wang Guancong eagerly pressed.
"Yes, yes!"
Gao Ye also looked at Su Cheng excitedly.
"Just tell us!"
Wang Guancong stood up and suddenly gathered around Su Cheng's desk, with the three of them surrounding him.
This made Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying frown at the sight.
Could it be that no one at school had seen the Student Council President's true appearance?
Su Cheng realized this and lied without batting an eye: "I've heard that everyone in school supports her, so she must be the most beautiful!"
After all, even if he told the truth, these three wouldn't believe it.
The stern and serious Student Council President was actually pitiful, very cute, easy-going, and gentle?
She even plays claw machines?
Likes pink teddy bears?
And was even bullied by him?
Who would believe that?
...........
"Well, that makes sense."
"I thought you had actually seen her."
"Got excited for nothing."
Hearing this, the three of them shook their heads in disappointment and left Su Cheng's seat.
Su Cheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that his smooth talking had prevented him from giving himself away.