Four

I am not a girl who can quickly adapt to new environments; I can only pray that the people at the new school will be easy to get along with

It seems that there are still more good people in this world. For example, him, for example, Lu Mingyu

Principal, you really have to help us! Our family is poor, and we have to buy leftover vegetables from the market to eat. We also rely on our neighbors for assistance. This child, although a bit foolish, is still a studious one. Please help us as much as you can. Otherwise, she won't be able to afford her education, and I will have no choice but to marry her off early.

But will I be able to see Lu Mingyu again, the boy who brought me light in the despairing darkness?

After all, it was he who appeared just in time, saving my faltering self-esteem, preventing it from falling to the ground and shattering into pieces

I am going back to class now. He turned around and shook the other stack of papers in his hand

"Are you talking about that very wealthy family?" Chen Meihua replied while locking the door

Before leaving home, I glanced upstairs; there was still no sign of life from Lu Mingyu's home. I couldn't help but ask nonchalantly, "Do you know the family with the surname Lu living upstairs?"

I looked up at him, the sunlight shining on my face, and I instinctively squinted my eyes. I could not clearly discern whether he was smiling or had a cold expression.

Well... this, we are a public school, and the tuition fees are all predetermined, and our tuition is not expensive either. Principal Chen replied in a lukewarm manner.

With an extremely polite tone and a perfectly timed smile, I looked up at him in a daze, hearing Chen Meihua and the principal simultaneously express their approval. Chen Meihua was delighted that I could be friends with such an outstanding person, while the principal seemed to have something he did not wish to say in my presence

Upon learning that my deskmate was a female delinquent, she immediately dragged me back home and kept me there for three days

I stared blankly at the tips of my shoes covered in snow, unable to find an answer

This is the freshly printed registration form for the mathematics competition His voice was deep and steady yet I no longer dared to look in his direction

Oh. I lowered my head, trying to appear obedient.

They have a handsome son, what, have you taken a liking to him? She glanced at me, and it made my heart suddenly tighten. I maintained a stern expression, remaining silent, appearing as if I were blaming her for joking around.

If it were not for the sudden sound of knocking at the door, I would not know what expression to use in response

The door of their house is always tightly closed, with no news at all. So much so that during those days, I began to doubt whether what happened that day was truly a beautiful dream

He was a boy dressed in a school uniform, holding a stack of papers, with short hair that revealed his clean face. The white shirt paired with a beige knitted vest, topped with a well-made woolen coat, made him appear kind and gentle.

I curiously scrutinized the person who unexpectedly rescued me, inadvertently drawing his attention.

Saying this, she tugged at my oversized down jacket.

After leaving the teaching building, he and I stood on the thin layer of snow, surrounded by the melodious sounds of reading.

Chen Meihua skillfully led me to the principal's office on the third floor. From her demeanor, it was clear that this was not her first visit to the school. I somewhat shamelessly thought that perhaps she had been running back and forth to this school several times for my sake.

I foolishly followed behind this seemingly aloof tall boy, the straps of my backpack constantly slipping down, and my oversized puffy jacket made a "crackling" sound as I walked. I felt like a clumsy and foolish quail trailing behind a prince

"When you go in later, don't give me a long face, do you hear me?" At the door, she tapped my forehead.

I found myself disinterested in listening, feeling as though I was walking on clouds the entire way, floating aimlessly, and not fully present.

Chen Meihua was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, with a feigned tone of crying, she went straight to the point and said: "Principal, where is my child? Her grades are quite good, as I mentioned to you before. We are really very poor. The child's father passed away early, leaving us, a mother and daughter, to repay debts for that short-lived ghost. I have worked several jobs from dawn to dusk to raise her. Just look at the clothes this child is wearing; they are all picked up from others' discards."

"If they had moved out earlier, living below someone as messy as me would be unbearable," she muttered self-deprecatingly

This incident had a very negative impact at school. Perhaps due to my previously good academic performance and obedient nature, the occurrence of such an event involving me became even more unforgivable. The teacher directly called Chen Meihua. I thought Chen Meihua would show indifference or not come at all, but in fact, it was quite the opposite. She came and was very concerned. After publicly slapping me, she had a fierce argument with the teachers.

I don't know if it's because my expression is too awkward, but that top student spoke up again during this pause: "Principal, Auntie, should I take her to familiarize herself with the environment first? After all, this school is quite large, and I'm afraid she won't be able to find a place to eat later."

The sunlight is warm, making the snow-covered ground glisten brightly. I do not know if it is due to nervousness, but I am sweating profusely despite wearing a down jacket

I answered obediently. Although I may appear dull, I am not foolish. He must have noticed that I was feeling quite uncomfortable just now, which is why he found an excuse to take me out, so I sincerely thank him from the bottom of my heart

It is important to understand how significant self-esteem is for me as a girl in my adolescence

I endured my displeasure and pushed her hand away

I looked up at her impatiently, but she seemed oblivious to it.

Oh, this child is truly handsome, at first glance, he is clearly a good child! Chen Meihua, ever the opportunist, immediately began to praise.

Hello, Principal Chen, this is my child. I brought her here to register today

Upon hearing the phrases "neighborly assistance," "dull-witted," and "marrying early," I clenched my fist tightly once again.

She is truly a master of lies; this down jacket was a discounted item she bought for me at a roadside stall, yet she now describes it as if I picked it up from someone else. I consider myself not to be a vain girl, but with her fabrications, what will other classmates say about me behind my back?

In fact, I am not as afraid as I imagined; I am just surprised that my mother, who wouldn't even celebrate my birthday, would make such a big fuss over me hanging out with a girl from the streets

The new school is not far from home, it takes about ten minutes to walk there

He coldly uttered these few words, turned around, and strode towards another teaching building

The principal was rendered unable to refuse by Yu Chen Meihua's barrage of words, casting furtive glances in my direction.

Well

Perhaps feeling that I did not look pitiful enough, Chen Meihua pushed me a couple more times

The moment she pushed open the office door, Chen Meihua's expression changed instantly

It is not yet beyond redemption

There is a fairly decent high school nearby, and I have inquired about it; they are willing to accept students with your level of academic performance

"Ah, very good, very good, thank you for your hard work, Student Chen." The principal, who was originally neither warm nor cold, immediately transformed into a beaming smile upon seeing him

I suddenly felt a shiver and hurriedly lowered my head

Ah, you stubborn person, if you really knew how to climb the social ladder, I would be happy. Their family was the wealthiest in our community, but they recently moved away because the villa they purchased earlier has been renovated.

I am not sure if I misread the situation, but after hearing it, his footsteps seemed to pause for a moment. However, he did not turn around to look at me, nor did he respond. But this was not important to me

Having such a child is truly enviable, unlike me, who has given birth to a taciturn child. " As she spoke, Chen Meihua tapped my shoulder again

Her secret smoking was discovered by the teacher, and I was inadvertently implicated as well, because she often stuffed cigarettes and a lighter into my backpack, asking me to hide them for her

Chen Meihua is a person of her word; the next day, she took me to register at the new school

Had it been moved? My heart sank, and it felt as though all the strength in my body had been drained away

At this thought, I felt extremely depressed and somewhat nauseous

"Then, let's go," he said, walking beside me, slightly tilting his head and speaking lightly.

Chen Meihua is like this; other people's children are always better than her own. Other people's children are forever the stars in the sky, while her own children are nothing but a loss, a burden, and useless as mud that cannot support itself.

I gritted my teeth, suppressing the urge to rush out of the office, and fixed my gaze on Chen Meihua, wishing I could find a cloth to stuff in her mouth. How could she belittle her own daughter just to save on tuition fees?

In a couple of days, I will take you to the new school, and at that time, you better behave yourself. She shot me a glare without any courtesy, saying, I am counting on you to get into college and earn money to support me in the future

I didn't expect this tactic to be so effective, the principal actually smiled at her and said: "Indeed, he is the most outstanding student in our school. This child has won numerous awards for our school, and this time we are relying on him for the Olympiad competition"

"The tuition at that broken school you are attending is so expensive. If you don't want to go, then don't go; there's nothing to regret about it." She flicked the ash from her cigarette, not sure if she was trying to comfort me.

Oh, understood

In the days that followed, I did not see Lu Mingyu and his mother again

She, who has always been domineering and fierce in front of me, immediately transformed into a smiling and amiable person in front of the principal, who was dressed in a suit and had a round face and big ears. Even when saying hello, she was bowing and scraping, utterly humble.

Oh. I nodded dumbly. As for Chen Meihua, I would agree to whatever she said, but whether I listened or acted upon it was always another matter

He walked up to the principal, respectfully placed the stack of papers on the desk, then raised his head and glanced at me nonchalantly. If Lu Mingyu's gaze towards me resembled the warm sun in winter, then his gaze was like the biting cold wind that howls through winter.

You can wander around by yourself, I will leave first

I watched his silhouette, and suddenly felt the inexplicable chill in my heart gradually dissipating. I do not know which nerve was misfired, but I suddenly shouted loudly: "Honor student, thank you!"

My heart was filled with disdain as I followed her expressionlessly

Oh. I nodded, but was very surprised inside. I thought she would want me to drop out of school early and find a man to marry, providing her with gifts and money. I did not expect that she also understood the importance of education

For the past three days, her small mahjong parlor has not opened. She has been honestly staying at home watching me, yet she hardly speaks to me. Meanwhile, I continue to take care of daily meals and living arrangements as usual. I have begun to fear that she might not allow me to continue my studies because of this

My deskmate, Lu Xiaoxiao, noticed that I was distracted, so she took out the latest astrology book to cheer me up. The book stated that my zodiac sign would have good luck for the next month and that I would meet the person I wanted to see. Lu Xiaoxiao shares the same zodiac sign as me, and she firmly believes in this. However, the events that unfolded in reality dealt a harsh blow to both her and me.

However, just as I was about to ask about this matter, she took the initiative to propose transferring schools for me

Oh, hello, hello. The principal greeted us with a certain warmth.

At this moment, I feel that my self-esteem has been insulted