Chapter 3: Dangerous

[Did you do it?]
[Yes.]

[Did she suspect anything?]
[I saw her drink it.]

[Good.]

The English teacher, MISS Riley, wore rimless glasses and had stylish, slightly curled, medium-length hair.

She cast a stern glance at Qi Youwei, who was looking down at her phone.

Beside her, Xu Yin had already stretched out her elbow to warn her, but it was too late.

“Qi Youwei, who are you messaging?”

“Ah!” Qi Youwei abruptly shoved her phone into her desk, her attempt to cover it up only making it more obvious.
“N-No one.”

MISS Riley walked straight toward her and held out her hand.
“Give me the phone.”

Qi Youwei clutched her phone tightly, her cheeks flushing red as she kept repeating, “N-No, I’m not.”

A boy with a buzz cut in the front row glanced at her with a worried expression.

Meanwhile, Chi Huanyi, the one who had sent her the message, rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “Stupid pig!”

Just as MISS Riley was about to reach into her desk to confiscate it, Xu Yin, who was sitting next to her, suddenly spoke a few words to MISS Riley in fluent Russian.

It was a stream of what sounded like gibberish, complete with trills; no one could understand it.

Except for MISS Riley.

Her expression suddenly changed, and she hastily left the classroom, announcing on her way out that the students should have a study hall first.

In that instant, the entire class looked at Xu Yin in disbelief.

Amazing!
She chanted some spell and actually managed to send MISS Riley, the strictest English teacher in the school’s history, out of the classroom!

Qi Youwei took the opportunity to quickly delete her chat history with Chi Huanyi, then glanced at Xu Yin with a guilty conscience.

The young woman was quietly looking down, writing vocabulary words.
The morning sun slanted across her side profile, making the small tip of her nose seem to glow.

“What did you say to MISS Riley just now?” Qi Youwei asked curiously.

“It was Russian. MISS Riley’s profile is posted in the main academic building. Her major was Russian.”

“You can speak Russian? That’s so amazing!”

“My former English teacher was Russian.”

“So what did you say to MISS Riley? She actually left.”

Xu Yin explained in a low voice, “I told her there was a red ink stain on the back of her pants.”

“Ah? I-Ink stain.”

“She might have accidentally gotten it during her period,” Xu Yin said.
“Even in Russian, it wasn’t easy to say directly. If I save face for the teacher, the teacher will save face for me.”

The way Qi Youwei looked at her… was gradually changing.

“You know… you’re a bit like someone I used to know.”

“Is that so.”

“She was as smart as you, and adults really liked her. She was like a princess, a real princess. Compared to her, Su Wan’an is just a pile of…”

“Your friend?” Xu Yin interrupted her, nonchalantly turning a page in her book.

“Yes, my best friend from childhood.”

“And now? You’ve drifted apart?”

“When we were very young, she went abroad with her family for a vacation… there was an accident. She probably wasn’t even ten years old.” Qi Youwei’s voice grew quieter.
“I never saw her again.”

Xu Yin gave her a gentle smile.

In that instant, Qi Youwei’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

It’s as if…
She really came back.

In less than five minutes, MISS Riley, having changed her pants, returned to the classroom and cast a grateful look at Xu Yin.

“Xu Yin, our class still doesn’t have an English representative. Are you interested? You’d just help me with some things daily.”

Xu Yin stood up and said politely, “Yes, MISS Riley.”

And so, MISS Riley announced to the entire class that the English representative for the semester was Xu Yin.

Chi Huanyi turned around and glared at Xu Yin with resentment.

She looked as if she wanted to kill her with that stare.

After class, Qi Youwei whispered to Xu Yin, “Being a subject representative at Pu Jing is a plum job. There isn’t much work, but the grade points are as high as a class officer’s. Originally, Chi Huanyi’s roommate, Li Jiayao, wanted to run for English representative. She’s been sucking up to Miss Riley for days, running errands and trying to curry favor, but didn’t get anywhere. Now you’ve come and snatched it. They probably won’t let this go.”

“Aren’t they already targeting me?” Xu Yin said without looking up as she packed her books.
“I’ll just deal with it as it comes.”

“I guess that’s the only way.”

“By the way, what are grade points used for? It seems like everyone wants them. At my old school, no one wanted to run for class office.”

“At Pu Jing Private High, grade points are super useful. They determine whether you can get into A-class, or even S-class.”

“We’re in E-class.”

“Yes, A is the best, S-class is the absolute best, followed by B, C, D, and E. Different levels get different treatment in the school. For example, S-class and A-class can eat on the third floor of the cafeteria, with unlimited Japanese and Western food buffets. We can only eat on the first and second floors. S-class and A-class also have the best teachers, overseas study trips during holidays, and various high-end extracurricular activities… The regular classes can’t even dream of it.”

“It sounds quite nice.”

“Of course! Even the recommendations for Ivy League schools are prioritized for the top students in S-class.”

“But it doesn’t affect the Gaokao,” Xu Yin said.
“The Gaokao is the fairest selection process.”

“Right, the Gaokao isn’t affected, but most students at Pu Jing Private High plan to study abroad.” Qi Youwei asked Xu Yin curiously, “Will you go abroad?”

Xu Yin shook her head.
“Now that I’m back, I’m not leaving.”

“If you take the Gaokao route, the students in S-class are guaranteed to get into 985 universities,” Qi Youwei said, a look of longing in her eyes.
“And, S-class is the only place in Pu Jing that doesn’t look at family background. It only recognizes grade points. For other classes, like A-class, you can get in through connections.”

“I’m guessing Su Wan’an is in A-class.”

“Mmm, her dad built a laboratory building for the school.” Qi Youwei pouted, then lowered her voice again, with a hint of yearning.
“At the end of every semester, the grade points are recalculated and classes are reassigned. 80% of the girls in the school would kill to get into S-class, because Duan Sili is there… By the way, did I tell you? Duan Sili’s grade points are the highest in the entire school.”

Xu Yin shook her head.

“His grades are incredible, and he’s a member of the Student Union presidium—of course, now that he’s been promoted to president, his grade points will be even higher.” There was admiration and longing in Qi Youwei’s eyes.
“He’s also won quite a few international awards in math and physics competitions.”

Xu Yin looked at her and suddenly asked, “Do you want to get into S-class too? Do you like him?”

At these words, Qi Youwei’s expression changed drastically, and she shook her head repeatedly.
“No no no, no no, I… I… I don’t like him.”

“You don’t like him, or you don’t dare to like him?”

“There’s no way he would ever be interested in me.” Qi Youwei was very self-aware.
“He doesn’t even seem to care for someone as outstanding and beautiful as Su Wan’an, so how could he possibly be interested in anyone else.”

“Good that you know, you stupid pig.”

Chi Huanyi walked past her, bringing a cloyingly sweet scent with her.
“If you dare to have any improper thoughts, you’re dead.”

After speaking, she walked away arrogantly, knocking over the books and stationery on Qi Youwei’s desk, scattering them on the floor.

Qi Youwei didn’t dare say much.
She picked up her books and dusted them off.
“I want to get into S-class. Teachers will unconditionally protect S-class students. I’d be able to suffer less.”

A boy in the front row turned around and said to her, “I’ll study for the exam with you.”

“Who needs you to? You’re a sports student, do you think you can even get in?”

“What’s wrong with being a sports student? My grade points from competitions are really high, okay?” When the boy smiled, he had very gentle dimples.
He had long eyelashes and delicate features, but his build was not delicate at all; he looked sturdy, the muscular type.

He said to Xu Yin, “Let me introduce myself. My name is Lu Qi, her ex…”

Before he could finish, Qi Youwei grabbed a book and smacked him on the head.
“Did you grow a sore on your mouth?”

“Her ex-deskmate,” Lu Qi finished with a grin, rubbing his head.

Xu Yin looked at him, then at Qi Youwei, and smiled.
“Hello.”

“I heard about it over in the boys’ dorm. You made such a grand entrance last night… truly befitting the daughter of the Shanbang diamond tycoon.”

“Just call me Xu Yin.”

“Alright, classmate Xu Yin, so if I propose to Qi Youwei in the future, can I get a discount on diamonds from you? I want the top-grade, natural, flawless kind.”

Xu Yin smiled.
“Sure! I can even give them to you. I have a lot in my cabinet.”

“Holy crap! So generous!”

“Lu Qi!” Qi Youwei stomped her foot in anger.
“If you keep talking nonsense, I’m going to tell everyone about how you asked me to go with you to get circumcised last month!”

“…”
Lu Qi: “Damn it, you already said it.”

Qi Youwei glared at him furiously.
“You deserve it.”

As they were talking, pleasant music began to play over the broadcast, notifying the students to go to the Central Auditorium.

Lu Qi tossed his book aside, grabbed his basketball, and walked out.
“The handover ceremony is starting! Classmate Qi, if the class monitor takes attendance later, just say I went to take a dump.”

“I’m not saying it! Go say it yourself.”

Qi Youwei ignored him and looked at Xu Yin with concern.
“Are… you going?”

“Mmm, I promised the Student Union I’d help.”

“But… you…”

Qi Youwei trailed off, words clearly stuck in her throat, unable to come out.
“If you have a stomachache, or feel unwell anywhere else, you c-can ask for leave.”

Xu Yin glanced at Lu Qi’s retreating back.
“I don’t play basketball, so I don’t need that kind of excuse.”

“…”

The students filed into the Central Auditorium one after another.

Along the way, all the chatter Xu Yin could hear revolved around one person—

“Now that Duan Sili is president, will he be in charge of room inspections?”
“OMG, will he come to the girls’ dorm? The wall next to my bed is covered with his candid photos!”
“What are you thinking! Why would he handle such a trivial matter himself? Are the officers below him just for show?”

“I haven’t seen him in so long, I miss him so much. He was in Germany for a study trip for two whole months!”
“Is my makeup okay? I put it on specially!”
“That’s too obvious. That guy doesn’t like heavy makeup. Something like my natural look is best.”
“Hah, as if he’d even glance at you. Tsk, still daydreaming.”

“I’m so envious of Su Wan’an, getting to go up and pin the badge on him.”
“If you were the young miss of the Su family, you could go too, and even have a marriage alliance!”
…

Qi Youwei pulled Xu Yin to the side entrance of the auditorium and pointed ahead.
“The restroom is over there. If you need it, this door is the closest.”

“Got it, thank you.”

However, when they reached the restroom entrance, they found a yellow warning sign—”Entry Prohibited.”

“What’s going on?” Qi Youwei was dumbfounded.

A staff member at the door explained, “Students, the women’s restroom is temporarily closed for engineering maintenance.”

“Ah! How could this be!”

Qi Youwei immediately panicked.
Xu Yin looked at her.
“Weiwai, are you in a hurry?”

“I… I’m okay.” Qi Youwei asked her hesitantly, “But do you really not need to use the restroom?”

“I’m okay too. Let’s go in.”

Qi Youwei’s mind was in a turmoil.
This was the only restroom in the Central Auditorium; the next closest one was across the sports field in the teaching building.

She looked around and suddenly saw Chi Huanyi not far away, a malicious smile on her face.

It was her doing!

Of course, it was them.
Only they… would have the ability to make the restroom “coincidentally” undergo maintenance.

They entered the grand auditorium that could hold ten thousand people and took their seats according to their class.

Qi Youwei was restless, unable to stop herself from worrying about Xu Yin’s digestive system every few moments.
“If you feel any discomfort, tell me in advance. I… I’ll take you to find a restroom.”

“Mmm, okay.”

A line of students entered from the auditorium’s main north entrance.
The boys wore neat, gray blazer uniforms, and the girls wore blue, academy-style pleated skirts.

As soon as they walked in, all the students turned their attention to them, as if they were celebrities making an entrance.

Qi Youwei explained to Xu Yin, “They are the S-class. They have style, don’t they? Their aura is very different.”

“How can you tell they’re S-class?”

“Here, look.” Qi Youwei pointed to the nameplate on her chest, which had the English letter E on a white background.

Xu Yin looked up and saw that the students over there had nameplates with the letter S engraved on a gold background.

Indeed, it was dazzlingly shiny.

After the S-class students were seated, they were followed by the A-class students.

Leading them was none other than Su Wan’an.

She walked with a composed gait, her chin slightly raised, the corners of her eyes tilted upwards, like a proud and arrogant cat.

A single streak of blue dye peeked out from her black hair.
Her nameplate had a silver background.

She walked past Xu Yin without a sideways glance.

But Xu Yin’s gaze remained fixed on her figure until she took her seat in the front row.

“Do you think she’s pretty?” Qi Youwei asked.

“Mmm,” Xu Yin nodded.
“A worthy school belle.”

Not long after they sat down, a senior from the Student Union called Xu Yin backstage.

“This is the president’s badge,” the senior said quickly, handing her a tray.
“Later, you’ll carry this and follow Su Wan’an on stage. Just walk behind her.”

On the tray lay a shield-shaped president’s badge, made of pure silver with an olive branch pattern at the bottom.

Engraved in the center were three characters—

Duan Sili.

The characters were strong and powerful, their sharpness palpable.

As soon as Xu Yin took the tray, the senior added impatiently, “Remember, after Su Wan’an pins the badge on the president, you follow her and leave the stage together. Your task will be complete then.”

Xu Yin nodded.

The air conditioning backstage was on full blast, raising goosebumps on her skin.

The moment she left, Chi Huanyi called Qi Youwei.
She spoke in a low, urgent voice—

– “What’s going on! Did you put the medicine in or not?”
– “I did, really, I put it in her cup.”

– “Then why is she acting like nothing’s wrong? Logically, it should have taken effect by now.”
– “I… I don’t know.”

At that moment, their head teacher also walked over and sat down in the front row of E-class, right next to Chi Huanyi.

Chi Huanyi glared back at Qi Youwei and could only hang up the phone resentfully.

The ceremony, which should have started on time, was delayed for a full half-hour, yet there was still no movement.

It was obvious that the most important person was late.

Backstage, the Student Union officers were visibly nervous.

The school leaders had already arrived, but the president was still nowhere to be seen.

The senior in charge of Xu Yin was pacing anxiously.
“Someone… quick, go find the president!”

“Propaganda Department! Hurry, get on stage and say something! Keep the crowd calm, don’t let the leaders get suspicious!”
“Say what?” the boy who was called out asked, looking completely lost.

“Say anything! Just stall for time! Quick!”

The boy muttered, “You can’t expect me to go up there and perform a ‘breaking a stone on my chest’ trick, can you?”

“I don’t care what you perform! Just get going!”

Xu Yin held the tray, waiting and waiting in a corner.

The atmosphere backstage was tense, with everyone waiting anxiously.

A few minutes later, the sound of a girl’s high heels echoed in the hallway, and she said excitedly, “The president is here!”

Then, a group of girls flocked over, waiting in the backstage corridor.

Xu Yin followed the sound and looked over.

Duan Sili’s figure appeared at the end of the corridor.

Sunlight shone on his sharp profile, coating it in a faint halo of light.

He casually spun a basketball in his hand, then tossed it backward without looking.
It was fumbled into the hands of a boy next to him.

He wore the same white and gray blazer uniform, but on him, it exuded a refined quality that was completely different from those around him.

His skin was very fair, the cool white tone of a European.

Beneath his strong brow was a pair of Asian black eyes, as deep as an abyss.

He walked backstage, and the officers crowded around him, eager and respectful.

Duan Sili looked straight ahead, too lazy to utter a single word.

As he passed by Xu Yin, a very faint scent of cool cotton trailed behind him.

It was a very clear and clean scent.

But to someone as sensitive as Xu Yin, it sent only one signal—

Dangerous.

The Student Union officers didn’t dare to delay and immediately led Duan Sili toward the stage entrance.

Xu Yin thought to herself, this person’s entourage is even bigger than the school leaders’.

However, the Duan family of Ao Gang Wan… she had heard of this family’s name even before she returned.

Their reputation was indeed considerable.
They had risen rapidly in the last ten years, to the point where even Xu Yin’s lawless “father” in the Golden Triangle had to be cautious when dealing with the Duan family.

“What are you spacing out for? It’s your turn to go on.” The senior reminded Xu Yin, her tone impatient.
“The president doesn’t like to dawdle. He even skipped the school leaders’ speeches. Let’s get through the procedure quickly. His time is very tight.”

Xu Yin picked up the tray and walked quickly toward Su Wan’an, who was already waiting by the side of the curtain.

One behind the other, they walked onto the brightly lit stage.

Below the stage, people whispered softly—

“This young miss from Shanbang, she made such a grand entrance yesterday. I thought she was some big shot.”
“In the end, she still has to be a shoe-lifter for the Su family’s young miss.”
“Isn’t that the truth.”

“But she’s so pretty. Even standing next to the school belle, she’s not overshadowed at all.”
“More than that, I even feel like she’s prettier than… than you-know-who. Is it okay to say that?”
…

Xu Yin looked up at Su Wan’an.

Her chin was raised, her lips curved into a perfect smile, as she walked toward Duan Sili with impeccable grace.

She was just about to take the badge.

But just then, Duan Sili suddenly reached out, faster than her… and picked up the silver badge directly from Xu Yin’s tray.

The meaning couldn’t be clearer—
He would put it on himself.

Su Wan’an was startled, but being well-acquainted with his temperament, she suppressed that bit loss of composure and put on a proper smile again.

Xu Yin’s only thought was to get through the procedure quickly and get off the stage.
Her high heels were getting a bit uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Su Wan’an made no extra moves.
She turned gracefully with practiced steps and walked off the stage.

Xu Yin quickly followed.

Unexpectedly, as she passed by Duan Sili, she heard him ask—

“New here?”

His voice wasn’t loud, but… everyone heard it.

Su Wan’an’s steps faltered.

The gazes of all the students in the auditorium seemed to be drawn, focusing on the three people in the center of the stage.