6: Chapter 6 The Insignificant Character in a Pampered Novel

The next day, Xu Zhao went directly to her homeroom teacher and requested to live on campus.

Her homeroom teacher’s surname was Chen. She was a veteran teacher with twenty years of experience, dedicated to teaching and nurturing students. However, in an aristocratic school like Yinghua High School, she was unremarkable and still couldn't afford to offend students with such illustrious backgrounds.

In her past life, Xu Zhao had sought help from Teacher Chen. At that time, Teacher Chen was extremely shocked and self-reproachful, never imagining that her most prized student had been bullied to such an extent. Teacher Chen took the initiative to communicate with Liang Yiqing's homeroom teacher, only to be ridiculed. Later, because she argued strongly for Xu Zhao regarding the spots for the Math Olympiad, she was fired by the school not long after.

Afterward, she went to the best public high school in the city—The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China. During their senior year, she even came to Yinghua to find Xu Zhao, advising her to transfer to the affiliated high school and offering to help. But for one, it was impossible for the Xu Family to let her transfer, and for another, Xu Zhao was afraid of burdening Teacher Chen again, so she declined her kindness.

Right now, Teacher Chen looked at the injuries on her face with indignation, her lips trembling: "Is it that group of people again? I'm going to find Liang Yiqing's homeroom teacher right now! And the principal's office—why hasn't there been a disciplinary decision after two weeks! Are they just going to let them do whatever they want in school? This is a school, not a gathering place for thugs!"

"Teacher, don't go—it's useless." Xu Zhao grabbed her arm. Even if she went, it would only accelerate Teacher Chen's dismissal. She would deal with those people one by one herself.

"I didn't come here today for that. I want to live on campus."

"Live on campus? Do your parents know about this?"

"Whether they know or not doesn't matter. One more or one less of me at home makes no difference."

Teacher Chen truly felt for this child from the bottom of her heart. Aside from being a bit too quiet, she was well-behaved, sensible, and studied hard—a child who never required anyone to worry about her. Yet, it was the children who cried and made a fuss who got the candy. In the same class, everyone could see clearly how Xu Jiao was treated versus how she was treated.

During their freshman year, the Parents of the Xu Family had approached her privately. Their words were filled with warnings, telling her to mention less often how many points Xu Zhao scored or that she was first in her grade during class. They even requested that she try not to let Xu Zhao's name appear on the school's Honor Roll, the reason being they feared their eldest daughter, Xu Jiao, would feel inferior and sad upon seeing it.

This pair of parents was truly ridiculous. On one hand, they enjoyed the glory and various conveniences brought by their younger daughter's excellent grades, yet on the other hand, they disliked her for being too outstanding and hurting the other daughter's feelings.

A while ago, because of the matter involving Xu Jiao, Li Yan, and Liang Yiqing, she had specifically sought out the Parents of the Xu Family. To her surprise, their first reaction wasn't to criticize their eldest daughter's puppy love, but to complain that their younger daughter had a gloomy personality and didn't get along well with her classmates, hoping that she, as the homeroom teacher, would be more patient!

The Parents of the Xu Family even went so far as to hint, both explicitly and implicitly, that Xu Zhao had psychological issues and was mentally ill.

It was a real eye-opener that left her so angry she could only laugh.

The parents didn't care, and the school leadership didn't care. Everything remained calm even now. Were they planning to sweep it under the rug? Teacher Chen suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness toward this school.

Under such circumstances, that child Xu Zhao still had no complaints and was still studying hard. To Teacher Chen, this was already the greatest comfort.

Right now, her words were spoken calmly, but hearing them undoubtedly made Teacher Chen's heart ache once more. Over all these years, how exactly had this child lived in that kind of environment within the Xu Family?

Seeing that Teacher Chen remained silent for a long time, Xu Zhao added an explanation: "Teacher Chen, I upset Xu Jiao yesterday. My parents probably can't wait for me to live at school so I won't be an eyesore at home."

"As long as I don't transfer schools and don't leave Yinghua, preserving Xu Jiao's enrollment spot at the school, they won't care about a small matter like me living on campus."

Suddenly, a wave of warmth enveloped her. Xu Zhao's body stiffened as she allowed Teacher Chen to gently pull her into a light embrace, patting her back and comforting her: "Good child, don't be sad. You are very good. Your parents will regret it sooner or later."

Xu Zhao was slightly stunned. She wasn't sad; she was simply stating facts.

"Also, Teacher, I want to participate in the selection for the Math Olympiad training class."

"Good, good. Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have put your name down." Such a talented student should shine in the position that suits her best.

Xu Zhao nodded and said nothing more, fearing the experiences of her previous life might repeat themselves. However, now that it was her, if they wanted to touch her cake again, they would have to see if she agreed.

After Xu Zhao settled into the dormitory, she took the school uniform and intercepted the three people who were about to leave at the door of Class 3.

"Returning your clothes. Thank you."

Zhou Chi blinked, seemingly not recognizing her, yet finding her somewhat familiar. He clapped his hands and said, "Are you that unlucky soul from the bathroom?"

Xu Zhao: ...Unlucky soul?

Incredibly apt.

"My name is Xu Zhao, from Class 1."

"Xu Zhao? Xu Zhao! The first-place winner of last year's National High School Mathematics League!" Zhou Chi exclaimed. He had happened to help someone, and that person turned out to be the school's famous Study God.

It was no wonder Zhou Chi hadn't recognized her for a moment. In the past, Xu Zhao always had thick bangs covering her forehead and wore large, black-framed glasses. She was thin and small, and she always curled her body to minimize her presence. When she was being beaten last time, her hair was disheveled, and he hadn't seen clearly who it was.

The Xu Zhao before them was much more vibrant. Although she still wore the large black-framed glasses, her bangs had been trimmed, revealing a smooth forehead, and her hair was tied into a high ponytail with a hair tie. The biggest difference was that her back was very straight, and her overall spirit was clearly different—a world of difference.

Gu Yunjing, who was standing to the side, raised an eyebrow. The school uniform, which didn't fit her to begin with, made her look even thinner and weaker. Her arms and legs were slender, her nose was small, and her mouth was small—everything about her was small. There was even a cartoon band-aid on her forehead with the edges peeling slightly. Paired with her serious little face, he inexplicably found her somewhat cute.

He thought to himself, So this is what she looks like.

Zhou Chi waved his hand dismissively and said, "You should thank Brother Gu. He was the one who snatched my jacket and handed it to you."

Gu Yunjing immediately felt a slightly cool gaze fall upon him, followed by a clear, feminine voice: "Thank you."

Gu Yunjing was noncommittal; this voice wasn't as timid as he had imagined.

No, she wasn't timid either. When he saw her in the public restroom last time, although she was in a sorry state, she hadn't been at a disadvantage despite being outnumbered. At the staircase, she had been sharp-tongued, making those two flush with embarrassment.

She really was... how should he put it? Skilled in both the literary and the martial arts?

Zhou Chi threw an arm around Gu Yunjing's shoulder and said with a chuckle, "It's nothing, it's nothing. My Brother Gu does good deeds without seeking fame."

Zhou Chi suddenly leaned in close to Xu Zhao and whispered, "Brother Gu has a bit of a temper and isn't very good at talking, so don't mind him. But he's definitely a good person."

Gu Yunjing: ...I can hear you, okay?

Xu Zhao looked at Gu Yunjing, whose face was slightly dark, and then back at Zhou Chi, nodding in agreement. "I know."

Know what?

Know that he's a good person?

Gu Yunjing felt slightly uncomfortable. The little girl's judgment was actually okay.

"Oh, right, aren't you an Study God? If you really want to thank Brother Gu, could you help us with tutoring? Brother Gu is worrying about how to get through the midterms. The old man has already spoken—if he fails again, his allowance will be cut—ow, ow, Brother Gu... why are you kicking me?"

"Shut up!" Gu Yunjing kicked him in the backside.

"It's you, you're the one who wants Xu Zhao to tutor you, okay? If you get a 26 in math again on this midterm, your dad will have you packing your bags overnight." Cheng Yi added from the side, trying to cover things up, but it only seemed to make things worse.

"I have no problem with that, as long as you aren't afraid of being implicated by me." That said, Xu Zhao knew in her heart that these three were definitely not afraid of being implicated.

"It's a deal then. I'll notify you of the specific time later. I promise it won't affect your rest," Zhou Chi said with a smile.

Once Xu Zhao had walked far away, Cheng Yi leaned in. "Why did you want to help her?"

"Huh? Help her? Isn't she the one helping us with tutoring?" Zhou Chi looked bewildered.

Cheng Yi rolled his eyes; he really shouldn't have harbored too many fantasies about this guy's IQ. "Why ask her to tutor Young Master Gu?" Wasn't it to protect her?

Zhou Chi answered as if it were obvious: "She's an Study God! Who doesn't know that Xu Zhao from Class 1 is a study machine? In her eyes, there's nothing but studying. Compared to Brother Gu's face, math, physics, and chemistry formulas are more attractive to her. Isn't this much better than those tutors who-knows-who hired or what their purpose is for getting close to Brother Gu, or those girls who are infatuated with our Brother Gu's looks?"

Zhou Chi stroked his chin and said with mock seriousness, "With her around, Brother Gu is very safe—Ow! Brother Gu, why did you kick me again!"