The homeroom teacher noticed that Hu Yuying seemed a bit nervous and uncomfortable.
Pointing to the seats at the back of the classroom, the teacher said, "Hu Yuying, the seating arrangement is based on rankings. For now, sit there, and after the next test, we’ll rearrange the seats according to your grades."
Hu Yuying obediently nodded to the teacher and then made her way to the back of the classroom.
After sitting down, she began organizing her books and stationery.
She took out her textbook and focused on listening to the teacher explain the key points.
A moment later, Hu Yuying pursed her lips, her small hands unconsciously tightening, and her head lowering further and further...
Long Aotian raised an eyebrow. Was his gaze really that intimidating?
He had only glanced at her a couple of times, and yet she looked like she was about to cry.
Was she really that timid?
Long Aotian couldn’t bring himself to keep staring at her.
Although his reputation wasn’t the best, he swore he had never bullied any girls before the female protagonist transferred to the school.
After some thought, he decided to explain himself.
After all, he wasn’t the same villainous male lead from the original story, and he didn’t want to leave a bad impression on the female protagonist.
"Hu Yuying, don’t be afraid. I’m not a bad person—wait, no, I mean I’m not a bad guy. I’m actually quite kind. I would never harm or hurt anyone, especially girls. You can relax!"
Hu Yuying found Long Aotian’s words a bit strange, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.
She simply nodded timidly and softly replied, "Mm."
Seeing her nod, Long Aotian was satisfied. He thought to himself, "Good, it seems the female protagonist’s impression of me is starting to change."
In the original story, the female protagonist wouldn’t even acknowledge the original Long Aotian’s existence.
Now, she was nodding and even responding with a soft "Mm." Long Aotian was more than pleased!
"Then you can keep listening to the lecture. I’ll focus on studying too," Long Aotian said, pretending to flip through his textbook.
Hearing this, Hu Yuying secretly glanced at Long Aotian, afraid he might notice, and quickly looked away.
Her small hand gripping the pen tightened slightly.
After a moment of hesitation, she whispered, "Classmate, this is Chinese class. You’ve got the wrong book."
"Huh?" Long Aotian looked at the math book in his hand. "No wonder it felt off."
He quickly found his Chinese textbook and smiled at Hu Yuying. "Thanks."
"You’re welcome, it’s fine." Perhaps amused by Long Aotian’s slightly foolish mistake, Hu Yuying’s eyes curved into crescent moons, and her tone was no longer as reserved as before.
Long Aotian stared at her for a moment, captivated.
Her eyes were beautiful, bright, as if they held all the beauty and hope in the world.
Her lips curved gently, exuding a serene and innocent charm that made one want to tease her.
Maybe even make her cry, just to see her eyes turn red and her delicate, tearful expression...
Shaking his head, Long Aotian quickly dismissed the thought. It was too dangerous, and he had to stop it immediately!
But Hu Yuying just looked so easy to tease.
Taking a deep breath, he turned his attention back to the textbook.
In his previous life, Long Aotian had grown up in an orphanage, where simply surviving and having enough to eat was a struggle.
To make a living, he had dropped out of high school early and started working odd jobs.
In the end, his lack of education meant he could only do manual labor.
After much hardship, he finally landed a sales job, only to find himself transported into this novel on his very first day at work!
Though he didn’t know why he had been reincarnated into this story, it was clear that he had been given another chance to study.
This time, he was determined to seize the opportunity!
Three minutes later, Hu Yuying, who had been diligently taking notes, frowned slightly as a faint snoring sound reached her ears.
She glanced over and saw that the classmate who had spoken to her earlier was now asleep on his desk.
She looked at Long Aotian, then quickly at the teacher at the front of the classroom, worried that he might get called on.
When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, Hu Yuying felt an inexplicable sense of relief.
After the teacher left, the classroom became noisy.
Hu Yuying, being an introverted girl and new to the school, watched as her classmates chatted and laughed with their friends. She didn’t know how to join in.
She simply sat quietly at her desk.
Meanwhile, the other students were curious about the new transfer student.
Seeing Hu Yuying sitting so quietly, looking sweet and shy, a few outgoing girls approached her.
"Hi, I’m Li Qian. Want to be friends?" one of them said.
Hu Yuying’s eyes lit up with joy, unable to hide her excitement.
A soft smile appeared on her lips, and a faint dimple formed on her left cheek, radiating a natural, youthful charm.
Her gentleness seemed innate.
"You’re so cute. Let’s be friends too!" said a slightly chubby boy with darker skin, staring at Hu Yuying with a silly grin.
Hu Yuying hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, surprised that she had made so many friends on her first day.
"If you agreed, then you’re my girlfriend now," the boy said with a smirk.
Hu Yuying’s smile froze. She looked up at the boy, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion, giving off an adorably clueless vibe.
It seemed she didn’t quite understand what he meant.
"Wang Shuo, if you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tell the teacher!" Li Qian glared at Wang Shuo, her eyes filled with disgust.
"Whatever. All you know how to do is tattle. Besides, she agreed to be my friend," Wang Shuo retorted, giving Hu Yuying a meaningful look before sauntering off toward the boys’ restroom.
"Don’t pay attention to people like him. If he bothers you again, just tell the teacher," Li Qian said, shooting a glare at Wang Shuo’s retreating figure.
Seeing Hu Yuying’s soft, easy-to-bully demeanor and her apparent naivety, Li Qian added, "Remember, there are two people in this class you shouldn’t mess with. One is Wang Shuo, and the other..."
She paused, pointing to Long Aotian, who was still asleep by the trash can near Hu Yuying’s seat.
"Every class has its troublemakers. Wang Shuo is one, and so is he.
"But he’s worse than Wang Shuo. He actually gets into fights. Wang Shuo has been beaten up by him before."
Hu Yuying followed Li Qian’s gaze to Long Aotian, who was lightly snoring and drooling.
"Got it?"
"Mm, I understand," Hu Yuying replied softly.