Su Mo brought Celia to Tsinghua University.
As they walked through the campus, Su Mo gave her a tour."Cici, was it Old Madam Shen who arranged for your transfer here?"
Back in Yecheng, Su Mo had already known that Celia was Old Madam Shen's adopted daughter.
Celia: "..."
Even her Third Uncle thought she was truly part of the Shen family.
"Cici, Tsinghua University is a paradise for students. The academic atmosphere here is wonderful. Old Madam Shen's decision to place you here was a wise one. You'll definitely learn a lot. Of course, it might feel a bit overwhelming at first, but that's normal. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to come to your Third Uncle. My office is right here." Su Mo pointed toward a nearby office.
As a high-ranking academician, Su Mo naturally had his own office. Now, there were two new offices next to his."Cici, those offices are reserved for two distinguished scholars recently recruited by Tsinghua. I heard one of them is a prodigy—just twenty years old. She earned two doctorates by the age of fifteen and has already been appointed as a professor here. When I was fifteen, I was still in high school. Compared to her, I really feel embarrassed."
Celia glanced at the offices and started to walk toward them.
Before she could take more than a few steps, Su Mo gently pulled her back. "Cici, wrong direction. Your classroom is over there."
Celia: "..."
Celia was placed in Class 28, where she received a warm welcome.
Her new deskmate, a chubby girl, immediately offered her a lollipop with a bright smile. "Are you Celia? Hi, I'm Li Yuting."
Celia curved her lips slightly. "Nice to meet you. Looks like everyone else is out having fun. Why aren't you guys going?"
At that moment, Zuo Ming, the class monitor, came over with a few boys. "Celia, you probably don't know this, but the students in the Rocket Class don't like us. I heard a genius professor was supposed to arrive today. But geniuses usually look down on ordinary students like us. They wouldn't be our friends anyway, so we decided not to bother."
Celia only smiled faintly and didn't respond.
Then their homeroom teacher, Li Guoxiang, entered. Unlike Peng Li's sharp and domineering style, Li Guoxiang was a gentle, scholarly old man.
He walked up to Celia kindly. "Celia, Academician Su has already told me about you. Although Class 28 may not be as outstanding as the Rocket Class, we're a close-knit family here. You're very welcome to join us."
Clap, clap, clap.
The class burst into applause, sincerely welcoming her.
Celia arched a brow. "Well, since I'm here, I'll make the most of it."
But despite everyone waiting, the so-called prodigy never showed up. The crowd eventually dispersed in disappointment.
Meanwhile, Yara Lu and Ning Xiner were walking together.
"Yaoyao," Ning Xiner muttered, her tone full of disdain, "that genius girl kept us waiting all this time without even showing up. What's her game?"
Yara Lu spoke calmly, "She's just showing off her arrogance."
Ning Xiner scoffed coldly. "Ugly people are always the ones causing trouble."
As she spoke, the image of the Shen family's adopted daughter came to mind. "Yaoyao, can you believe that clown from the Shen family actually enrolled here at Tsinghua? She's walking straight into my trap. I'm going to find her right now."
After class, Celia was walking down the corridor with Li Yuting when Ning Xiner suddenly appeared with several other girls.
Her sharp eyes swept over Celia like a knife. The moment she spotted her, her lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Clown," Ning Xiner sneered loudly, making sure her voice carried across the corridor, "I heard Old Madam Shen wants to marry you off to Young Master Fan. Don't you ever look in the mirror?"
Several students nearby turned their heads, whispering and snickering among themselves.
One of the girls beside Ning Xiner quickly chimed in, "Clown, let me remind you—our Xin'er is Young Master Fan's girlfriend. Don't even think about setting your sights on him."
The ridicule drew a ripple of laughter from the bystanders.
Li Yuting's round face flushed with anger. She immediately stepped in front of Celia, glaring at Ning Xiner and her followers."Hey! Watch your mouth. Celia just transferred here—who gave you the right to humiliate her like this?"
Ning Xiner crossed her arms and smirked, her voice dripping with disdain. "And who are you? Just another nobody from Class 28? Don't stick your nose into things above your level."
Li Yuting clenched her fists, refusing to back down. "Even nobodies know better manners than you!"
Celia, standing behind her, remained calm and expressionless, her eyes faintly amused, as if she were merely watching a show.