Nothing Special

After all that commotion, the first lesson was wasted. The remaining classes were physics, held in a large lecture hall, so she didn't return to the classroom.

Over the past month, due to several senior physics teachers being away on business trips, only three teachers remained to oversee the entire grade, thus combining three classes for a single large lecture.

Before she even reached the classroom door, someone called out to her from behind.

A girl with glasses, holding a stack of exercise books, ran up to her—it was the class monitor.

"Qianmiao, where's your math homework?"

Tang Qianmiao continued walking unhurriedly, without turning her head. "Didn't do it."

"What? You didn't do it again." The monitor frowned in frustration and added, "Mr. Yan is very strict. Last time you didn't hand it in, he already warned you. This is your last chance. If you don't submit it this time, things will get difficult for you in class."

"Where's the restroom?" Tang Qianmiao suddenly asked.

The monitor paused for a second, then pointed in a direction. "Over there."

"Thanks." Tang Qianmiao headed toward the restroom.

After taking a few steps, she sensed someone following her.

Glancing back, she asked, "Why are you following me?"

"The staircase ahead connects to the 'Chasing Wind' class. It's mostly boys there, and they're not exactly decent. It wouldn't be safe for you to walk alone."

Tang Qianmiao stopped, turned, and looked at her quietly, a hint of a smile on her lips. "So, are you saying you want to protect me?"

The monitor, seeing her calm and bright eyes, suddenly blushed for no reason.

Though Tang Qianmiao was a girl, there was an air of carefree confidence about her, something usually found in boys.

"I-I didn't mean that..." the monitor stammered, head lowered.

Before she could finish, a teasing whistle echoed from afar.

The monitor turned, her face growing even redder, panic setting in. "Qianmiao, we should hurry, they're coming!"

Not far away, a group of seven or eight boys approached, almost filling the entire corridor. The leader had a few buttons of his school uniform undone, revealing a scrawny chest.

As they neared, the monitor hid behind Tang Qianmiao, her face flushed like a ripe persimmon.

The boy with the open shirt stared at Tang Qianmiao with a lecherous grin. "Hey, transfer student, I heard you got into a fight with Lu Wanyu earlier? Need help? If you can't beat her, I'll step in—just say yes to being my... Hey! Hey, I'm talking to you! Stop right there!"

Without sparing him a glance, Tang Qianmiao walked forward at her usual leisurely pace, causing the boy to flare up in anger.

The other boys snickered, their laughter far from good-natured, except for one who, neatly dressed, frowned slightly.

"Zheng-ge, looks like your flirting game just failed miserably."

"Shut up!"

Xu Youzheng shot them a glare, then turned to the boy beside him. "An-ge, isn't Tang Qianmiao beautiful? Didn't I tell you?"

Shi Cheng'an's expression was icy. "She's average."

He took a step forward.

Xu Youzheng was dumbfounded. Average? 

Someone whispered into his ear, "Bro, you forget—An-ge only ever had eyes for Feng Chuchu. Have you ever seen him look twice at any other girl?"

"Exactly. Feng Chuchu's in the honors class too. This transfer student might be pretty, but other than her looks, she's utterly ordinary. Nothing captivating. A pretty face alone gets old fast. We need to seek inner beauty."

Xu Youzheng remained confused, not quite understanding.

As they chatted, they entered the lecture hall.

Shi Cheng'an, walking a few steps ahead of them, had already seated himself beside a girl.