Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The monthly exam is coming again, and the students of Shi Yi Zhong are starting their big review, striving for excellent results and working hard to move up the rankings.

  Class 2 of High Grade 1 also welcomed a new head teacher, Li Yongguang. He is nearly thirty years old, with regular features and often wears a pair of black-framed glasses, looking elegant and refined. It's said that he graduated from a well-known university, and his father is the director of Yang City Education Bureau, who arranged for him to work at No. 1 Middle School. In short, it's just a matter of time before he gets promoted to a leadership position in two years.

  Although he looks elegant and refined, Li Yongguang is extremely high-profile, driving a sports car to and from school, eating high-end takeout in the office at noon, changing into designer clothes every day, and his hair is also styled with a slightly trendy look.

  Just a few days after entering the school, he was rumored to have an affair with the beautiful teacher Xia Ran, which caused a lot of discussion among teachers and students. Unfortunately, his family background is very good, even the principal has to give him some face, let alone these small teachers?

  "This time's monthly exam, I require every student in the class to keep each subject score above ninety percent of the total score, otherwise next week, after each class, you will all go to the playground for punishment!" Li Yongguang announced loudly from the podium.

  The class fell silent for a moment, then erupted into an uproar! Ninety percent? Isn't that at least one hundred percent or ninety points at the very least? Are they superhuman?!

  "Did you hear that?" Li Yongguang slapped the table and asked loudly.

  The classroom fell silent again instantly.

  "Why aren't you speaking? Did you hear me?" Li Yongguang continued to ask loudly.

  "I can call a dog and it will wag its tail for me! What about you?" Li Yongguang was furious, this was also too humiliating!

  "We don't even have a tail..." Sports Committee member Wang Qiang muttered quietly, but in the silent classroom, it sounded particularly clear.

  The whole class burst into laughter. Li Yongguang's face turned iron-green "You! Come with me to the office!"

  "What's wrong with him! He's as stupid as a pig! I'm exhausted, but he still can't pass the exam! Oh no, oh no, he'll definitely fail next week!" Li Yongguang walked away with Wang Qiang, who had a worried look on his face. Then, Xiao Li from the front row shouted out loud.

  "Isn't this going to kill us? We might as well have the whole class stand in detention next week." The classmates started making a ruckus, each speaking their mind.

  "The class suddenly boiled over. 'Quiet! Everyone be quiet!' Shi Ran stood up, walked to the front of the classroom, and slapped the blackboard, shouting. Seeing no one paying attention, he immediately became annoyed and shouted at Liu Ye, 'Liu Ye, is this how you behave as a discipline committee member?'"

  "I... I didn't mean to." Yuelai got up, her face slightly red as she explained in a low voice.

  Everyone immediately had a black line on their heads, what does this have to do with whether you did it on purpose or not?

  "You're the class monitor, can't you see that the whole class is in an uproar? If you don't have the ability, then quit your job and let a capable student take over!" Shi Ran looked at the timid girl with disdain and sneered.

  "Ah... Ah..." Liu Ye's face turned bright red as she stood there at a loss, when a soft voice sounded "Isn't it that classmates should help and love each other? Is Class Monitor Shi being too harsh?"

  He suddenly raised his head and looked in the direction of Ai Zi Qing, pursed his lips, and a sense of humiliation surged up in his heart, as if someone had grasped some kind of handle on him. He gritted his teeth and let out a cold hum before returning to his seat.

  Ai Zi Qing patted Liu Ye's shoulder and pulled her down to sit. At this time, the female teacher who taught language had already walked into the classroom.

  The Chinese class was as dull as ever, and it was in the afternoon, classmates were dozing off, lying on their desks, with nothing but the sound of the teacher's endless classical Chinese filling their ears.

  Seeing all the students in the class not paying attention, the teacher on stage got very angry, banging on the podium and shouting "The monthly exam is just around the corner! Is this your learning attitude? What does learning rely on? It relies on self-awareness! You are students now, you should do what you're supposed to do! Can't do it well? Then force yourself to do it well! In 'Water Margin', in the chapter 'The Storm on Mount Liang', it says: 'Why did Lin Chong go up Mount Liang? The key lies in one word...'

  The whole class burst out laughing suddenly.

  The language teacher's face turned bright red.

  In the dull and tedious textbook career, there are always some interesting things that make our campus life colorful.

  The school is particularly charming at dusk, with classmates walking in twos and threes on their way home from school, bidding each other farewell.

  Ai Zi Qing and Liu Ye had just walked to the school gate when they saw a wheat-colored sports car speeding out of the school garage, heading towards the entrance. There were many students in front, but he didn't slow down, rushing straight ahead, and the students in front automatically scattered to both sides, whispering to each other.

  "I heard it was one of our school teachers."

  "This car is too cool!"

  "What's so great about it? There's a broken car that's like nothing, and my brother has two of them!"

  Classmates' discussions rose and fell, with some admiring, but most being skeptical, after all, a student from a top school is mostly from the aristocracy, which is an undisputed fact.

  The driver was Li Yongguang, Ai Ziqing's homeroom teacher, who was rushing to a date with Xia Ran, the music beauty of Municipal No. 1 Middle School.

  "Zi Qing, tonight's party you'd better dress up nicely, after all, you're the boss of Shangdi!" Wang Lele excitedly said to Ai Zi Qing, she had already learned about this not-so-secret secret from Su Xi and others.

  "Big sister, you've already said that five times! Five whole times...... Can't you just let me be quiet for a bit?" Ai Zi Qing helplessly leaned back into the sofa.

  Today is the day when Su Xi's senior sister returns to China, and she invites Su Xi and others to hold a dinner party at Shangdi. Wang Lele has admired that senior sister for a long time, saying that she must bring Ai Ziqing, this 'Shangdi' boss, to show off.

  Su He and others also invited her to attend the party together, Ai Zi Qing was groundless by Wang Le Le, had no choice but to agree, as a result, Wang Le Le became excited like she had been injected with chicken blood.

  "Wow, so cool! I actually have the owner of Yang City's largest club as a friend! It's going to be awesome when I tell others!" In this dazzling golden sunset, Wang Lele had already entered a fantasy state, gazing at 16-year-old Ai Ziqing with a worshipful expression.

  After rebirth, Ai Zi Qing carefully combed her fluffy short hair for the first time at Wang Le Le's request, making it soft and pretty.

  In order to show respect for today's protagonist, Ai Ziqing changed into a smooth milky white long dress, simple yet formal, paired with the dazzling purple hairpin she left behind, instantly looking like a clean and beautiful princess from a fairy tale. Extremely simple collocation, but perfect to the extreme!

  "Wow, Ziqing, you're absolutely stunning!" Wang Lele exclaimed with exaggerated wide eyes.

  Ai Zi Qing smiled slightly and looked a bit embarrassed. If this appearance were to be seen by Jing Shi Zhou Yuan and others, they would likely be shocked to the point of dropping their jaws.

  Yang City's top high-end club - Shangdi.

  The second floor hall, a bright and magnificent scene, with bright and elegant floor-to-ceiling windows, clean and white walls, luxurious crystal chandeliers, bright red plush carpets, rows of long tables filled with all kinds of delicious food, juice, accompanied by soft music in the grand hall.

  Luxurious and majestic!

  These knives symbolize that the host is extraordinary!

  Also showing the extraordinary of tonight's noble guests...

  Ai Zi Qing walked in with Wang Le Le, and the manager hastily came over to greet them.

  Manager Yang Jia was promoted after Chang Yu took over. She is steady and a management graduate, originally just a receptionist at Shangdi after graduation, also considered to be exceptionally promoted, naturally more dedicated, and has met the behind-the-scenes boss Ai Ziqing.

  "Chief Ai." Yang Jia revealed a respectful yet unyielding smile.

  "Attend a friend's party, don't mind me, busy yourself." Ai Zi Qing waved her hand and took Wang Le Le straight to the back hall.

  Yang Jia respectfully retreated to one side and waited until Ai Zi Qing had entered the elevator before walking back to the front desk to handle matters.

  Ai Zi Qing and Wang Le Le arrived at the flower hall, seeing that there were not many people inside, so they didn't go in. They walked to a nearby sofa and sat down to rest, waiting for Su Xi and others.

  Han Xiang, Su Xi, Xu Jian, Kevin, Zhang Yuan, Song Xueyi were all present, and when they saw Ai Ziying on the sofa, their eyes suddenly flashed with a look of surprise!

  "Zi Qing?" Su Xi exclaimed in disbelief. Although he had seen Ai Zi Qing's different attire during the vacation, today it still made him exclaim in surprise.

  Seeing several people's stunning gaze, Ai Ziying couldn't help but smile awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed after all, who would like to be watched like a monkey. Fortunately, at this time the elevator door opened again, and several people walked out one after another, while the elegant woman surrounded by everyone in the middle was smiling and walking towards them.

  "Hey, Su Xi, long time no see, you look so handsome that even I don't dare to recognize you!" The woman had a head of light brown beautiful curly hair, delicate face, elegant and charming.

  "Xuě lì xué jiě, hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn, nǐ yě shì yuè lái yuè piàoliang le." Sū xī lǐ mài xìng de zàn tàn, yǎn zhōng rú suǒ yǒu rén yībān shǎn guò yī sī jīng yàn, yě zhǐ shì dān chún de jīng yàn.

  "Oh! Xiao Xu, Kevin, you're here too?" The woman seemed to have just discovered Su Hei and the others standing beside her, and exclaimed in surprise.

  "Xuě lì, hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn." Xú Jiàn yě xiào zhe yǔ nǚ zǐ shàng qián yōng bào. Kǎi wén zhī shì kù kù de diǎn tóu, fēi cháng fú hé tā de yí guì fēng gé, ér xuě lì yě hǎo sì yǐ xí guàn bān, yōu yǎ de hán xiào diǎn tóu.

  Translation:

  "Sherry, long time no see." Xu Jian also smiled and hugged the woman. Kevin just coolly nodded, very much in line with his usual style, while Sherry also seemed to have gotten used to it, elegantly smiling and nodding.

  "Snowy, you've changed so much since you were 18, I can hardly recognize you!" Sherly stepped forward again and warmly hugged Song Xueyi.

  "How are you? Are everyone doing well these years?" Sherry nodded towards Wang Lele and Ai Ziqing, taking care of everything, even if it's someone unrelated, they wouldn't make you feel left out at all. However, when looking at Ai Ziqing's appearance, her eyes paused for a moment.

  "Not bad, how was your time in England?" As they chatted, the crowd flowed into the flower hall.

  "It's still the same, you're not unaware of me." Sherry smiled and gently pulled Su Xi's arm, feeling satisfied with his momentary stiffness.

  Ai Zi Qing had learned from Wang Le Le early on that this Xue Li sister had grown up with Su Xi and Song Xue Yi since childhood. In No. 1 Middle School, she was also in the same class as Xu Jian. In their second year of junior high school, they went to England together like a family. This time, she came back mainly to see these old friends.

  Several people were chatting eagerly about the past, Ai Zi Qing quietly retreated to one side, picked up a cup of juice and started drinking. Su Xi, on the other hand, kept watching Ai Zi Qing's movements, seeing her show no reaction when she saw Xue Li being affectionate with him, his eyes slightly dimmed.

  Sherry, who was observing the movements of the people around her, smiled and replied to everyone's words, while her eyes also quietly swept towards Ai Ziqing, who was drinking alone on the side, and interjected in a timely manner, "How come no one introduces me? Who is this?"

  "This is my friend, Ai Zi Qing, she," Wang Lele was about to continue with a pleased expression when Xue Li laughed and said "Oh? Su Xi, this Miss Ai is quite good-looking, tall and elegant." This remark was strange and somewhat abrupt, causing Ai Zi Qing to slightly furrow her brow.

  "Sister Xue, Zi Qing is a good friend of mine." Su Xi also felt that Xuē Lì's words were somewhat frivolous, and she secretly frowned in her heart, but smiled to correct her.

  "Oh, Miss Ai, what does your father do?" Seeing Su Xi being so protective of her, Xue Li also became somewhat uncertain about Ai Zi Qing's background and asked tentatively.

  Ai Zi Qing couldn't help but feel a little disgusted, was it really the case that this circle judged people's worth based on their family background? But reality was indeed so, especially since their living environment from a young age had shaped them in this way, which wasn't surprising.

  "My father works in a company and my mother has been laid off." Ai Zi Qing replied with an expressionless face.

  A faint laughter echoed around, it was unclear whether it was a kind intention or a sneer.

  Everyone was surprised. Today, those who came to this gathering were also young masters and ladies in the circle. When they heard the word "layoff", it was really a bit difficult for them to adapt.

  "Oh, Miss Ai's mother is enjoying life at home, what good fortune." Sherry said with a kind smile, but her words had some underlying sarcasm.

  "Xuē lì, zǐ qíng zhǐ shì bù xǐ huān gāo diào ér yǐ." Wén yán, Xú Jiàn zài yī páng zhòu méi tí xǐng, tā shí zài xiǎng bù tōng, yī xiàng yōu yǎ shàn liáng de Xuē lì jīn rì wèi hé yào nán fú yī gè gēn tā wú guā qíng de nǚ hái.

  "Huh? What's going on with everyone, is there something wrong with the way I'm speaking?" Upon hearing Xu Jian's reminder, Xue Li's heart felt even more uncomfortable. After all, they had grown up together since childhood, but today a stranger suddenly appeared, not only did Su Xi pay too much attention to Ai Zi Qing, even Xu Jian who was usually gentle but uninterested in women started speaking on her behalf. All of this made Xue Li feel a sense of disorientation and melancholy. Had she already become an outsider in this circle?

  "If I've said anything out of line, please forgive me, Miss Ai. You know how it is when you're abroad - people tend to be more open and less concerned with formalities." Sherry suppressed the unease in her heart and smiled graciously.

  "Miss Xue didn't say anything wrong, it's just that society is too realistic." Ai Zi Qing replied calmly with a slight nod.

  As soon as this was said, everyone was stunned. The meaning of this sentence is clearly a veiled satire that Shirley was too mercenary just now. Wang Lele has recovered from her initial surprise and disappointment with Shirley and firmly stands by Ai Ziying's side.

  Xue Li's heart was uncomfortable, but she still smiled and said, "Miss Ai, don't misunderstand. In our country, friendships between men and women are rare and pure like they are in your country. I just have some old-fashioned ideas that are hard to change, which is why I said that. Besides, Su Xi and I have been friends since childhood, so of course I want to take care of him well. I hope you can understand my feelings."

  As soon as Sherry finished speaking, everyone kindly echoed and laughed along with her.

  Everyone, including Su Hei, heard the implicit threat and sarcasm in Xue Li's words about their relationship. If it were someone else being mocked, Su Hei and the others would have just laughed it off, but since it was Ai Zi Qing, things were different. They knew her temperament very well - although she seemed easy-going and calm on the surface, she had a pride that ordinary people couldn't understand. If Xue Li continued to speak, something might happen.

  Before several people could speak, Ai Zi Qing lightly laughed and said "Miss Xue Li is joking, after living in the country for over a decade, how can one's mindset change so easily? In just a few short years abroad, it's not like it would be easy to change. However, since Miss Xue Li has already referred to herself as 'us' while abroad, it seems she has indeed been deeply influenced by foreign culture."

  Sheri froze for a moment, then crossed her arms in front of her abdomen and smiled "Miss Ai's words are indeed sharp, it was my fault, thank you for reminding me, I guess I really need to pay attention to my way of speaking from now on."

  This remark was clearly a sign of weakness, and also gave people the impression of being magnanimous. Ai Zi Qing naturally wouldn't continue to make trouble, and smiled awkwardly "It was just a joke, Miss Xue Li, don't mind it. I heard that universities often have debate competitions, and I'm just taking this opportunity to practice my eloquence."

  Everyone heard this and immediately echoed with a smile, and Su He and others also let out a sigh of relief.

  Only Xue Li felt indignant in her heart, feeling that Ai Zi Qing's words were disdainful. What was she? Was she a tool for practicing eloquence? However, it wasn't convenient to say more at this time, so she awkwardly smiled and followed the crowd in discussing trivial matters from their years abroad.

  "Zi Qing, I'm sorry." Wang Lele suddenly whispered in Ai Zi Qing's ear.

  Turning her head, Wang Lele was now somewhat disheartened and lowered her head, as if she was puzzled and thinking about something.

  Ai Zi Qing smiled and said in a low voice, "People will always change, just like we are all changing and growing. We are all independent individuals with our own values. As we grow older, the things we identified with when we were young may be negated because our thoughts are maturing and we learn to judge right from wrong based on our own preferences. So there's no need to dwell on this." She knew that Xue Li had been Wang Le Le's idol since childhood, but today's events made her firmly support her good friend Ai Zi Qing. However, this was undoubtedly a huge blow to Wang Le Le's deeply rooted thoughts.

  Wang Lele nodded dazedly, seeming to understand, yet also somewhat perplexed, but overall feeling that Zi Qing's words were correct. Although she couldn't fully comprehend them, she firmly believed in them.

  Su Hei and others also walked over, Su Hei apologetically said to Ai Zi Qing "Zi Qing, I'm really sorry about today's matter."

  Ai Zi Qing smiled understandingly and shook her head to indicate that everything was fine. Su Xi would come to apologize, which proved that Xue Li was indeed considered one of their own, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered to specially apologize on Xue Li's behalf.

  Ai Zi Qing can understand that although Xue Li's words were a bit over the top earlier, she later apologized and conceded graciously. Su Xi and the others have no reason to blame or condemn her, after all, their relationship since childhood is not ordinary, unlike normal friends, and they won't be as irrational as to unhesitatingly take sides with her and cut off ties with the other party like that. That's unrealistic.

  But just because she understands doesn't mean she agrees with Sherry, and sometimes you don't like someone for no reason at all.

  But what she didn't know was that if Sherry had continued to say unpleasant words, Su He and the others would have really turned to Ai Zi Qing without hesitation, and they had already made preparations, because they had long regarded Ai Zi Qing as their own people!

  The content of this volume will be ending soon. In the next volume, Ai Zi Qing will move to other places and start a new chapter, which is full of wonders and can't be missed! Staying up late to write, once again asking for diamonds, flowers, and recommendation tickets!!