Zhu Qing arrived at the company early, pacing anxiously by his desk.
He hadn’t slept, tormented by worry: “It’s been days—where did she go? I should’ve gotten her a phone and had Xiao Li stay with her that night.”

“Damn it, such a great talent.”
Regret gnawed at him, but no amount of cursing changed things.

Thankfully, “General Qi” had a complete change of attitude, granting him an extra ten days.
Still, delays weren’t ideal—even if they found her, the post-production team would need to crunch to catch up.

The worst part? In his excitement that day, Zhu Qing hadn’t even asked her name.
He could kick himself.

I later learned the red car was a Ferrari, an insanely expensive sports car.

At North High’s gate, I stepped out, and every passing student stared.

“Who’s that? She’s gorgeous. Never seen her before.”

“I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere, but I can’t place it.”

“A beauty like that can’t be unknown. Transfer student?”

“Look, a real maid! Her family must be loaded.”

I stood, head lowered, unsure what to do until the maid took my hand, leading me through the gate.
Only then did it feel real.

She brought me to my homeroom teacher, a middle-aged woman named Li Jing.
Seeing me, Li Jing beamed: “You’re Ye Zhixia, right?”

I bowed slightly: “Hello, Teacher.”

“Hehe, no need to be so formal. I’ve prepared your desk and books. Follow me.”

Following her to the classroom building, my palms grew sweaty.
The maid noticed my unease, reassuring me: “Zhixia, school is normal, ordinary. Relax.”

I nodded, taking deep breaths the whole way, afraid I’d stop breathing if I didn’t.
Sweat dotted my forehead.

We reached a second-floor classroom labeled “Grade 11, Class 5.”
Students were reading textbooks.
Li Jing entered, tapping the desk: “Sorry to interrupt, everyone. Starting today, we have a new transfer student joining us. I won’t say much—you’ll love her.”

“A girl, then?” someone teased.

I hid outside the door.
The teacher seemed to know her students well—most were adults, after all.

“Let’s welcome Ye Zhixia with applause.”

The maid gave me a look: “Go on, Zhixia. Introduce yourself.”

“Okay!”
I clenched my fists for courage, heart pounding, peeking in to scan the room.

“Wow…”
The class gasped, mouths agape.

I didn’t know why they were shocked.
Hurrying to the podium, I felt uneasy under forty or fifty pairs of burning eyes.
Following the maid’s etiquette lessons, I bowed slightly, my hair swaying.

My breathing quickened, and I wiped sweat from my forehead, about to speak when someone stood, shouting: “Zhixia! It’s really you!”

“The beggar?”

The conflicting voices confused the class, who exchanged looks: “Beggar?”

“Huh?”
I froze, glancing toward the voices.
The first was Yu Hao, from the basketball court—he’d left a bad impression.
The others, I didn’t know.

The interruption left me blank, at a loss.
Seeing my helplessness, the maid stepped into the classroom, face stern: “Zhixia is my Young Master’s long-lost sister. Please be kind and help her with her studies. Carry on.”
She lied to save my dignity, then left.

The class pondered her words.
I took a deep breath, continuing: “Hi, everyone. I’m Ye Zhixia. My hobby is eating… no, playing basketball.”

My brief introduction nearly made me bite my tongue.
Li Jing led the applause, followed by thunderous clapping from the class.

She glanced at them: “Like her?”

“Love… love her!”
The boys and girls erupted.

A girl said: “She’s so beautiful.”

My back was drenched in sweat.
Li Jing pointed to an empty seat in the back: “Zhixia, sit there for now. We’ll rearrange seats soon. Any questions, come to me after morning reading.”

I bowed stiffly: “Thank you, Teacher.”

I walked down from the podium, head low.

Li Jing smiled, adding suddenly: “School is for learning, no dating, or I’ll call your parents. Back to reading, everyone.”

I sat without reacting, like a deflated balloon, exhaling in relief and wiping sweat with a tissue.

The maid waved from the door and left.

My deskmate, a boy, propped his head on his hand, studying me.
He was kind of handsome.
I forced a smile: “Hi.”

He was expressionless: “Liu Yu. You seem famous. I heard Yu Hao mention you in class.”

“Huh?”
His words threw me.
I glanced at Yu Hao’s seat, noticing others sneaking looks, him included.

The girl in front turned back, offering a tissue: “You look so nervous.”

“Yeah… thanks.”
I took it, wiping my forehead, then studied her.
Her hair was like a mushroom, her vibe average, wearing black-framed glasses.
From my years of street-watching beauties, I knew she’d shine with a little effort.

“I’m Zeng Xin. Your name’s nice, and you’re so pretty.”

“Thanks.”
I replied awkwardly, overwhelmed by the attention.

During morning reading, I didn’t know what to do.
My drawer was stuffed with textbooks and workbooks, but except for Chinese, I couldn’t understand anything.

Zeng Xin turned back: “Where did you go to school before?”

“I…”
I swallowed, whispering: “I’ve never been to school.”

“No way, you’re joking?”
She didn’t believe me: “It’s the era of nine-year compulsory education. At least you’d have a junior high diploma.”

Liu Yu frowned: “Your family’s in the old town, near the river, right?”

I froze, biting my lip: “Yes.”

His hand shook, but he fell silent.

Had he seen me before?

Not surprising—I didn’t remember everyone who’d hurt me.
Suddenly, I worried if he’d extorted or hit me.
This was school, though—he wouldn’t act out, right?

Zeng Xin noticed my grim expression, glaring at Liu Yu: “You know where she lives?”

She rummaged in her drawer, pulling out a manga titled The Princess’s Guardian and sliding it onto my desk: “Ignore him. If you’re upset, read this. Don’t let the teacher catch you.”

I read the title aloud: “The Princess’s… Guardian?”

She shushed me: “Quiet! The teacher seems nice but can be strict.”

I stuffed it in my drawer, pulling out my Chinese textbook: “Thanks.”

Until morning reading ended, I read the textbook word by word.
Once the substitute teacher left, I curiously flipped through the manga.

I preferred action-packed ones like Dragon Ball, scavenged in tattered pieces, but I was curious about this story.

Reading with my head down, my hair got in the way, so I tucked it behind my ear.
Zeng Xin, watching, gasped: “You’re too pretty.”

I held up the manga: “I just started, but you’re making me excited for the plot.”

“No, I meant you.”

“Huh?”
I froze for a second.
Yu Hao approached, looking awkward: “Um… Zhixia, remember me?”

I nodded lightly: “Yes.”

He looked relieved, as if glad I remembered, but my impression of him wasn’t great.

“Zhixia, I was wrong last time. I shouldn’t have treated you like that.”

I shook my head, forcing a fake smile: “It’s fine, I’m used to it.”

Looking at my classmates, most were staring.
I pursed my lips.
Was this school life—being gawked at like a zoo animal?
No, it couldn’t be.
I wanted to learn, to rise above.

Yu Hao added: “Let me treat you to breakfast, to make up for it.”

“I… ate at home.”
My teeth chattered, my expression sour, hiding my unease by flipping through the manga.

Zeng Xin grew curious: “Was that your family’s maid? She’s gorgeous. Your family must be rich, huh?”

“Uh…”
I choked: “Yeah.”

I didn’t want to elaborate.
The manga’s heroine, Leng Yue, was a cold princess.
I couldn’t relate, flipping through quickly.

“Do you have Dragon Ball at home?”

Zeng Xin giggled: “So you like action stuff? I have similar ones. Want me to bring some tomorrow?”

I hesitated, shaking my head: “No, thanks… I’m here to study, to make something of myself.”

She teased: “Just have your parents or brother take care of you.”

Her words were unintentional but hit my sore spot, leaving me breathless.

I tapped my chest lightly, standing: “Where’s the bathroom?”

“End of the hall. You okay? You look unwell.”

“I’m fine…”
I hurried out, passing classmates who stared even from meters away, their gazes lingering.

“Little fairy?”
A familiar voice called.

I turned: “Gao Yang?”

“It’s really you!”