Chapter 19: Hermione's Nightmare, New

Experience Pack

The next day!

Since it was the first day of school, William Li went in smoothly.

The result!

Not long after he entered the classroom, he saw his homeroom teacher, Mr. Louis, bringing in a familiar face.

"Classmates, let me introduce you to the new student joining our class this semester: Hermione Granger!" Mr. Louis said with a smile as he introduced Hermione to the class.

He then added, "Hermione, please introduce yourself to everyone!"

After nodding, Hermione began her introduction, "Hello, everyone. I'm Hermione Granger. My favorite activities are reading and studying! I don't care who was first in this class before, because from now on, I'm going to be number one!"

As she spoke, she lifted her head slightly like a proud little rooster, glancing around at the class with an indifferent gaze, as if she didn't take any of them seriously.

Suddenly!

"Really."

A soft voice came from the corner.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Hermione couldn't help but tremble.

The next second!

She quickly turned toward the sound.

With one glance, she saw a face that seemed to haunt her nightmares.

It was William Li!

"Why are you here!?" Hermione's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

Though she knew she and William attended the same school, she hadn't known they were in the same class until that very moment.

After all, their school was a renowned private institution, popular with wealthy families in the area. With over ten classes per grade, it was a small miracle they ended up in the same one!

"I'm in this class; why wouldn't I be here?" William Li grinned.

Hermione: "..."

Unbelievable!

How could something like this even happen?

She couldn't help but complain inwardly.

Mr. Louis, hearing the exchange between the two, smiled and said, "It seems Hermione and William know each other. In that case, Hermione, you can sit next to William!"

After saying this, he turned to William and added warmly, "William, make sure to take care of our new classmate, Hermione."

"Sure thing, Mr. Louis!" William responded politely, with a small smile.

To this!

Hermione felt as if a herd of galloping horses was charging through her mind.

Sure, she knew William—but their relationship was hardly good!

They were more like "rivals."

Being seated beside William Li under these circumstances was awkward enough, let alone Mr. Louis asking William to look out for her.

But!

Hermione, while competitive, was also a well-behaved and polite child.

So!

After her expression shifted for a moment, she reluctantly nodded and walked over to sit beside William.

As soon as she sat down!

"Hermione, your introduction just now was quite bold. I hope you can back up your words soon," William Li said with a half-smile.

Was that sarcasm?

It sure sounded like it!

Hearing his words, Hermione's face turned an alternating shade of blue and white.

If anyone else had said that, she might have taken it as encouragement.

But coming from William Li…

She had already lost to him twice. From those experiences, it was evident that William's results were better—at least for now.

So, when William said that, it certainly felt like he was mocking her!

However, Hermione held her tongue.

To retaliate after losing twice would be petty.

"Alright, enough joking around. We're classmates now, so let's look out for each other, alright?" William Li said, observing Hermione's face. He smiled genuinely and extended his hand for a handshake.

While it was fun to tease Hermione, breaking her spirit wasn't his goal—it would only hinder his plans.

Therefore!

He decided to back off.

"This..."

Hermione was taken aback by the gesture.

She had no idea what was going through William Li's mind and couldn't quite grasp his intentions at that moment.

But after a slight hesitation, out of politeness, she extended her hand and shook his.

And at that moment!

For some inexplicable reason, Hermione found that she didn't find William Li quite as annoying as she once had.

——

School in Britain ended early!

Around three o'clock in the afternoon, school was dismissed.

And William Li wasted no time, shouldering his small backpack and heading home—his house was not far from the school, and William had always been mature for his age, so since first grade, he had been walking home by himself.

As soon as he got home!

He saw Mary busy in the kitchen.

Even Li Wenhua, who had recently been very busy with setting up his fast-food venture, was in the kitchen. Typically, he wouldn't come home until seven or eight o'clock in the evening, but today he was there at three.

"William, you're back?"

Mary, hearing the door open, looked over and immediately noticed William Li. After greeting him, she added, "There's freshly made afternoon tea on the table. Help yourself!"

"Alright!" William Li nodded in agreement, then asked curiously, "What's going on?"

Mary smiled and replied, "I reconnected with an old friend a couple of days ago. Since we haven't seen each other in ages, I invited her to our house tonight. We're preparing dinner for them!"

"Oh!"

William Li suddenly understood.

No wonder he saw his mother so busy in the kitchen today, and even his father came home early despite being so occupied lately!

"By the way, my friend said she'd be bringing her husband and her two children—one is your age, and the other is a little girl, one year younger than you. As the host, make sure to be friendly with them!" Mary added with a smile.

"Yeah!" William Li nodded.

When guests came over, adults talked among themselves, and the children played together.

Though William, with his much older mentality, didn't really enjoy hanging out with kids, since they were coming over, he'd at least play his part.

A while later!

Six o'clock in the evening.

"Ding Dong!"

The doorbell rang.

"They're here!"

Mary's eyes lit up as she went to open the door.

The people arriving had to be the guests she had invited!

William Li instinctively turned his eyes toward the door.

The next second!

When Mary opened the door, and four people appeared before his eyes, his pupils contracted, and shock was evident on his face.

He knew these four people!

He knew them very well.

After his initial shock, a look of ecstasy spread across his face.

A new experience pack had arrived!