Chapter Nine: A Moment of Doubt

Chapter Nine: A Moment of Doubt

Upon hearing the question, Lydia Moore stood up and glanced at the blackboard before tilting her head in thought. After a moment, she flashed a bright smile and answered clearly, "Bach's classic works include: *Sonatas for Cello and Harpsichord*, *Sonatas for Harpsichord and Flute*, *English Suites*, and *French Suites*. Additionally…" She blinked, as if recalling something more, and continued, "*The Well-Tempered Clavier* Book I, as well as the six *Brandenburg Concertos* and various other concertos and orchestral suites."

The class was stunned. They had expected her to falter on material that would be covered in the next class, but not only did she answer fluently, she also listed additional pieces beyond what was mentioned in the textbook. Was her claim of attending Qingli's Law and Politics College true? Based on her performance, she seemed to know more than even the music majors.

"Excellent response," the teacher said with approval, observing Lydia with newfound respect. Qingli students were indeed impressive. Her performance was consistent with the evaluation in her Qingli records: clear thinking and comprehensive knowledge. Unlike Sakura students who excelled in practical skills, Lydia had a rich academic background. If she could enhance her practical application of knowledge, she would undoubtedly become outstanding. The teacher privately rated her highly.

As Lydia sat back down, the bell rang loudly outside the classroom. The teacher, having given a brief explanation and assigned recent homework, left the room with her book in hand, her steps graceful.

Liberated, some students slumped over their desks to catch up on sleep, while others gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing various topics. The classroom's air conditioning provided a cool respite from the heat outside, creating a stark contrast to the sweltering world beyond.

Lydia Moore, engrossed in her study of fruit-based beauty tips, occasionally touched the increasingly noticeable spots on her face. "Strawberries and jujubes contain a lot of vitamin C, which is an effective antioxidant that not only maintains skin elasticity but also inhibits and blocks melanin production…" she murmured, frustrated. The Southern sun was harsh on her skin, and if she didn't find a solution soon, the spots on her face would only worsen. She had come to Sakura Academy partly to improve her appearance, not to worsen it, she thought gloomily.

Nearby, Judy gave a meaningful glance to a girl next to her. The girl quickly snatched Lydia's book from her desk, glanced at the cover, and burst into exaggerated laughter. "*Complete Guide to Fruit Beauty*, Lydia Moore, you really read this kind of book?"

Her comment triggered a wave of laughter throughout the classroom, with students pointing and making remarks as if they had discovered something extremely amusing.

Lydia Moore looked around, puzzled. "This is the first time anyone has mentioned it. What's wrong?" Back at Qingli, she had no time for such concerns. Now at Sakura Academy, she was determined to put more effort into her appearance.

"Hmph!" Judy sneered dismissively. "Is this because of Aaron King? Are you dreaming of transforming from an ugly duckling into a swan? Have you watched too many cartoons and gotten deluded?" "Yeah, exactly," the girl next to her chimed in.

"But isn't it okay for an ugly duckling to become a swan through hard work?" Lydia Moore countered. She never dared to dream of becoming Cinderella, chosen by a handsome prince. However, the ugly duckling becoming a beautiful swan surely required effort, didn't it? Shouldn't hard work and rewards be a fair trade-off? Or is it that an ugly duckling is doomed to remain one forever and should not have dreams?

Her blunt question left Judy momentarily speechless, and her gaze grew darker. She really disliked Lydia Moore, as she always found herself at a disadvantage whenever she tried to provoke her. Used to being pampered and catered to, she resented Lydia's repeated resistance. Who did she think she was? Judy bit her lip, her fingers clenched in frustration.

"Not everyone is born a swan, I understand that. Maybe in your eyes, I'm not even as good as an ugly duckling, but…" Lydia maintained her smile. "I believe that as long as I work hard, I will see results. And being here, with all of you as classmates, I'm really happy and want to be good friends with everyone. Although…" Lydia Moore blushed slightly and scratched her head, "it seems like you all don't really like me, but making an effort to be friends with you is also part of my effort."

Her face was flushed, but her eyes were clear and sincere, without a trace of flattery. The students who had mocked her began to quiet down.

At that moment, she didn't seem as plain and ordinary as they had thought. Her smile appeared somewhat endearing. Perhaps she wasn't as annoying as they had believed. At least, her performance in class had outshone theirs.

If she could improve her appearance, it might even provide them with some visual enjoyment. Then… why mock her?

Since the "fruit beauty incident," the students' attitudes towards Lydia Moore gradually improved. Girls who had previously ignored her began to speak to her. Although Judy and Ava Blue still occasionally caused trouble because of Aaron King, Lydia Moore found them somewhat endearing and even felt a bit bored when they didn't trouble her.

Regardless, it was a good start. Lydia Moore was confident that someday she would get along well with them. Because being with them made her genuinely happy.

The 57 bus was always hard to catch. Lydia Moore, waiting at the school gate, finally believed the security guard's words, as she had been waiting for nearly 15 minutes. The sun blazed like a fireball in the sky, making her feel scorched. The heat was suffocating, and the oppressive weather left her breathless. With no breeze, sweat streamed down her forehead, and she glanced at her meager, light green wallet, which couldn't possibly cover the cost of a taxi.