People who have risen to high positions in their careers possess an innate aura.
Although Wen Zhong'en and Yu Xiuxiu were amiable to their daughter, they could be formidable when they meant business.
Wen Di instinctively felt a little intimidated, pursing his lips dryly. "I have other matters to attend to. I can report tomorrow."
He used the excuse of fetching files to evade their gaze.
However, he was stopped just as he reached the door.
Wen Zhong'en stared at him with heavy brows, an oppressive presence filling the office.
"Teacher Wen, what did you just say to my daughter? We arrived late and didn't catch it. Could you please repeat it?"
Wen Zhong'en's voice was deep, and the deliberate emphasis on certain words carried a palpable sense of danger.
Wen Di's forehead began to bead with sweat, but he forced a smile. "I run a strict class. Your daughter has just transferred, and I..."
"What do you mean by 'small place'? What do you mean by 'unsophisticated behavior'?"
Yu Xiuxiu had no patience for his evasiveness and cut straight to the point.
Having navigated the legal field for years, dealing with seasoned veterans, she never backed down in terms of presence.
Sometimes, even her assistant was afraid of her temper.
Wen Di managed a stiff smile. "Perhaps my wording was off. I just didn't want your child..."
"Teacher Wen meant no harm, he's just a bit clumsy with his words."
Fearing the situation might escalate, the principal quickly intervened to smooth things over.
Yu Xiuxiu frowned. She herself came from a small town and worked tirelessly to prove that people from smaller places were just as capable as those from big cities.
She absolutely did not want her child to be labeled in such a way!
Just as she was about to retort, her hand was taken and gently squeezed.
She looked down to meet her daughter's soft gaze, and her anger instantly dissipated.
Wen Tingxue didn't want her parents to argue with the teacher. Although she was also unhappy with what was said, she could understand the homeroom teacher's perspective, given the reputation of Lucheng No. 7 Middle School.
-
After leaving the principal's office, Wen Tingxue took a brief stroll around the school.
It was large, with abundant greenery, and more beautiful than she had imagined.
Passing the honor roll, Wen Tingxue spotted Yu Wenli's photograph.
The young man, wearing a school uniform with a white base and blue trim, had a clear, aloof expression, befitting a student who consistently ranked first.
Teachers passing by would often mention his name, praising his excellent grades and good character, though noting his somewhat reserved nature.
Wen Tingxue smiled and left with her parents.
Tomorrow, she would be attending the same school as him.
On the way back, Yu Xiuxiu took her daughter to a lingerie store and, much to her daughter's blushing embarrassment, picked out several styles for her to try on.
They finally emerged from the store laden with bags.
She had intended to shop yesterday, but it was too crowded and inconvenient, so she decided to complete everything today.
In the car, Wen Tingxue's face turned even redder as she looked at her slightly fuller chest, resembling a ripe red apple.
Yu Xiuxiu couldn't help but pinch her daughter's cheek, smiling. "My little Yiyi just looks slender."
In reality, her development was quite good.
She had accompanied her daughter throughout the lingerie shopping to ensure she picked out suitable items, fearing that her daughter wouldn't know what was best for her developing chest.
Wen Tingxue's face burned even more, her ears and neck flushing red.
"Mom..."
Her soft protest, however, subtly deepened the mother-daughter bond.
Yu Xiuxiu lovingly stroked her daughter's hair. "But you're still thin, you need to eat more."
Her daughter's frame was naturally small, and she had become alarmingly thin, looking no older than a child.
Lying in her mother's embrace, Wen Tingxue felt a warmth that brought immense peace.
Meanwhile, at an internet café.
After a round of gaming, Chi Zerui habitually reached for his phone to check the overflowing unread messages.
Yu Wenli, who had stayed up until three in the morning, was feeling drowsy and was dozing with headphones on.
Friend request notifications popped up one after another on his computer screen, yet none were accepted.
Chi Zerui listlessly scrolled through the flirtatious messages. Just as he was about to close WeChat, he accidentally clicked into a group chat where people were discussing something:
"From the countryside?"
"Will she be ugly?"
"Can a village girl be pretty? Everyone on the forum is guessing which class she'll be in."
"As long as it's not our class."
"Just don't let her join our class, I refuse!"
Chi Zerui glanced at the group name: Jiangcheng First High's Handsome Guys' Hub.
"Boring."
Chi Zerui lost interest and exited WeChat. As he put his phone down, he suddenly realized something.
Transfer student? That would mean...
"Brother Yu."
Chi Zerui reached out and pulled off Yu Wenli's headphones, leaning in to say, "Is your neighbor's little sister transferring to First High?"
Yu Wenli blinked, momentarily confused, and nodded.
"Mm."
"Then that's trouble."
Chi Zerui raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Your little sister is currently being mocked and rejected."
"Hmm?"
Yu Wenli blinked, his eyes glistening as he looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
His voice, heavy with sleep, sounded particularly captivating.
Chi Zerui handed him his phone, enjoying the unfolding drama. "The forum is buzzing about her, saying she's transferring from the countryside..."
He paused, then added with a smile, "And that she's ugly."
As for this assessment, he truly...
Calling her beautiful would be an exaggeration, but ugly? That was far from the truth.
At most, she was timid and weak.
The type he disliked the most.
Yu Wenli took a brief look, then coldly tossed the phone aside.
Seeing his action, Chi Zerui's scalp tingled. "Brother Yu, you..."
"Mm."
A crisp, monosyllabic affirmation confirmed his guess.
Chi Zerui shook his head in disbelief.
To take down the forum for that little girl?
It seemed unlikely.
His long fingers flew across the keyboard. Within minutes, the most popular posts on the forum had vanished.
Yu Wenli hadn't brought down the entire forum; he had simply dealt with a few accounts that were stirring up trouble.
The game interface was brought back up. Seeing Yu Wenli's intention to log off, Chi Zerui quickly said, "Brother Yu, you promised to help me rank up."
"Next time."
The computer light illuminated the young man's face, lending him an unusually cold demeanor.
Chi Zerui casually accepted a few friend requests from girls and teased, "I was the one who discovered your little sister was being criticized. Isn't this a case of using someone and then discarding them?"
Yu Wenli's hand, which had been hovering over the logout button, paused. Then, his mouse moved, and he re-entered the game interface.
"Invite people."
His voice, tinged with a subtle murderous intent, perked Chi Zerui up. He quickly rallied people in the group chat.
Yu Wenli was skilled at games but lacked a strong addiction to them. He would usually play a few rounds and then log off.
While others were still enthusiastic, he had lost interest and wouldn't play further, no matter what they said.
Only when he was in a bad mood would he play more rounds. Crucially, when he played with emotion, he could almost single-handedly carry the team, proving to be incredibly formidable.
Clearly, Brother Yu was currently in a foul mood.
As expected, by evening, Chi Zerui had ascended two ranks and was on track to gain a third.
Everyone in the group chat was asking, "What's going on? Brother Yu is playing like a god!"
Chi Zerui replied vaguely with a smile. Then, recalling Yu Wenli's earlier words, his expression shifted.
He couldn't help but look at the little sprout with newfound respect.
After all, she was the only one who had ever received such special treatment from Brother Yu so far.