The lecture hall erupted into a small commotion—
Chu Yin actually got it right?!
Song Zhaolin had slipped back to class after sending Lu Zhen off, and when he heard that Chu Yin had been called to answer a question, he briefly worried for the girl at the same table. But hearing her clear, smooth response behind him, he froze. "The new transfer student… she's actually fine!"
Fu Mingxuan, sitting not far from Song Zhaolin, felt her heart sink.
How could Chu Yin answer that?
Fu Mingxuan had scored the highest in mathematics in the class last semester—higher than even Chu Qiuqiu. Yet Chu Yin, a late transfer student, had solved a problem that seemed impossible to most.
Chu Qiuqiu on the stage was equally stunned.
She was the star of the grade, admired and envied by many. Yet now, she noticed several girls laughing under their breath at her—she had told Chu Yin before class, "If you can, you may ask me." And now Chu Yin had answered a question she hadn't even asked. Heat flushed Chu Qiuqiu's face.
The math teacher complimented Chu Yin and motioned for Chu Qiuqiu to return to her seat. She controlled her expression, elegant and calm, but when she saw Chu Yin casually playing on her phone, her mind raced.
Class ended in two minutes. Chu Yin checked her phone, idly scrolling until the bell rang. She packed up and left.
Fu Mingxuan hurried over and asked Chu Qiuqiu in a low voice, "She really answered that question?"
Chu Qiuqiu's lips curved faintly. Her voice quiet but audible to Class 5: "The answer can be found online."
Fu Mingxuan breathed a sigh of relief, muttering sarcastically, "I see… that makes sense."
The younger girls behind her whispered in annoyance: "Why bother pretending?"
"She doesn't look impressive, so she wants people to think she's good at studying? Let her pretend—she'll prove herself in the exams!"
"Exactly. Xuan Xuan will hang her high by then!"
Song Zhaolin frowned, confused.
Chu Yin… isn't good enough?
And an answer exists online? Why can't I find it?
Chu Qiuqiu ignored him. Her heart was uneasy as she walked to a secluded corner and made a discreet call.
The phone connected instantly. In a lowered voice, she said, "Find her transcript and send it to me. Do it right, and I won't treat you badly."
The voice on the other end replied with a thick accent and flattering tone: "No problem, Miss Chu, don't worry!"
The next day at school, Chu Yin felt strange eyes on her from Group 5.
No one overtly harassed her, but subtle, mocking stares made it clear: people were gathering to point out her flaws.
Chu Yin had lived through this before. She wasn't affected. Interpersonal games were tedious; learning was fun. She tapped the system.
"What's today's task?"
Learning Ji chimed cheerfully: "Ding—according to system detection, today's learning tasks are: recite 'Farewell to Cambridge,' 'Orchid Pavilion Preface,' 'Chibi Fu,' and 'You Bao Chan Mountain'."
Chu Yin: "…"She silently withdrew the thought that learning was fun.
"—Excerpts from 'Li Sao.' Finish it and you can unlock [Change Words] permission!" Learning Ji added with encouragement.
Chu Yin: "…Damn."
She could solve math problems with ease, but memorization was her weakness. History, geography, and politics were manageable, but Chinese texts were another story. Yet silent writing required full marks, so memorizing was unavoidable.
After hours of reluctant effort, she completed "Farewell to Cambridge." She spent the day buried in books, barely moving. Song Zhaolin tried to strike up conversation several times but never found the right moment.
Meanwhile, Fu Mingxuan and her friends, sipping milk tea, were disappointed at missing Lu Zhen, but seeing Chu Yin hard at work brought them satisfaction.
"Look at her. So hardworking, but she's only pretending to be a good student!"
"Chu Qiuqiu and Gu Qiuze are back in China for a celebration banquet. Do you think the hillbilly will go?"
"Will she even dress up in a gown? Hahaha, maybe."
Fu Mingxuan raised her eyebrows triumphantly: "Chu Qiuqiu has already invited me—I'll be sure to take pictures."
Ordinary students envied the opportunity to meet such esteemed seniors.
Chu Yin, oblivious to their chatter, finally finished "Chibi Fu" before school ended.
"Ding—Three recitations complete. Mission 60% complete. Host, keep going~"
The hardest task, "Li Sao," was next. Her mouth burned with each recitation, but she persisted. At the end of class, she packed her bag crisply.
Song Zhaolin wanted to speak, but couldn't summon the courage.
Group 5 sympathized: "How's it sitting next to her?"
Song Zhaolin: "Uncomfortable. She's too intimidating. Can't even make small talk!"
Chu Yin rode the Chu family bus home, studying textbooks along the way.
The driver, noticing her diligence, treated her differently from other young ladies—polite, attentive, even opening the car door.
At home, the villa was decorated. Today was her brother's celebration banquet.
In her previous life, Chu Yin had assumed her brother favored Chu Qiuqiu. But after the Chu family's bankruptcy, her brother had genuinely cared for her, trying to save her from Lu Zhen's clutches.
She remembered the last scene of her previous life and shivered. Even knowing the system, she hated the thought of Lu Zhen controlling her fate.
She decided not to attend the banquet. She had endured enough hypocritical social gatherings in her past life. Chu Yin went upstairs to continue her recitations.
Downstairs, guests arrived, presenting gifts. Chu Qiuqiu floated among them like a butterfly.
"Qiuqiu, where's your sister?" a friend asked maliciously.
Chu Qiuqiu glanced upstairs. "She's not suited for this occasion."
"Good call," the girls agreed, slightly envious.
At 8 PM, the two male leads arrived—Chu Shi and Gu Qiuze—receiving flowers and applause. As eldest sons, they were accustomed to such attention.
Mrs. Chu proudly mentioned, "Wait for Song's parents, then you can greet your sister."
Chu Shi interrupted: "Mom, I won a prize, there's a banquet… where's Xiao Yin?"
Mrs. Chu hesitated, then said: "She's upstairs. Not very social…"
Chu Shi, recalling a dream, knew what would happen if he didn't act quickly. He grabbed his coat. "Go now. You too, Gu Qiuze."
Chu Qiuqiu guided the little sisters, holding Chu Shi affectionately.
"Brother, my friends want to meet you and Brother Qiuze~"
Chu Shi thought of the dream, expression flat: "Where's Xiao Yin?"
Chu Qiuqiu: "Upstairs."
Chu Shi and Gu Qiuze went up.
Chu Yin had just finished "Li Sao" and was drinking water when the door opened.
"Brother?" she whispered.
Chu Shi, a little nervous, asked, "Do you still recognize me?"
Chu Yin nodded.
He ruffled her hair gently. "Come out. Brother will take you to eat and meet some friends."
Chu Yin felt a warmth she hadn't in years. She nodded happily.
But stepping outside, she froze.
Gu Qiuze leaned on the railing, smiling warmly. Handsome, clear features—impossible not to like him. But Lu Zhen… hated him.
Chu Shi introduced: "This is Gu Qiuze, one year older, brother's classmate, good looks, good character…"
Gu Qiuze interrupted: "Stop, I'm fine."
He turned to Chu Yin with a friendly smile: "Hello, I'm Gu Qiuze."
Chu Yin smiled faintly. Everything was different this year. Lu Zhen hadn't seen him yet.
She began to speak: "Hello, I…"
Suddenly, the door downstairs squeaked open.
Chu Yin's heart sank.
"Isn't this Young Master Lu?!"
Chu Yin froze.
Learning Ji whispered: "Host, don't underestimate the hero~"
Chu Yin quickly opened the script.
Her eyes widened. Lu Zhen was entering.
Before she could react, the system suggested: [cross out "come"]
Without hesitation, she changed it to: "go."
Learning Ji: "…amazing!"
Downstairs, everyone greeted enthusiastically: "Master Lu!—"
Lu Zhen walked in, placed the gift box down, then…
Turned around and left.
The door closed. Only the autumn wind swept the hall.
Everyone froze.
This Master Lu… was unusually cold.