Chapter Ninety-Five: Reunion with Xuanguo

Watching Kuang Shao walking ahead of him, Zhan Yu felt as if his gaze could bore a hole through the back of Kuang Shao’s head. His perfectly planned Lantern Festival had been ruined. He hadn’t even finished executing his projects; for tonight’s plan, Zhan Yu had nearly questioned everyone under his command, including A Zuo and the others. Braving their laughter, he asked so many people and finalized his scheme, only for Kuang Shao to so easily sabotage it.

Zhan Yu wondered if Kuang Shao had forgotten the lessons he’d taught him lately. Clearly, it was time to remind him. Zhan Yu’s lips curled with meaningful intent—a reminder was certainly in order this time, Kuang Shao needed to learn his lesson well.

As Kuang Shao spoke, he suddenly shivered. Had his cousin scared him earlier, and he still hadn’t recovered? No, he had to send her back quickly; her expression alone might frighten the little chubby girl from the Wan Qi family, and then the Wan Qi family would surely cause trouble. Kuang Shao resolved to have Kuang Hongyi arrange for someone to escort his cousin home.

He started to speak to Xuan Xuan. Yawning as she walked, Xuan Xuan found Kuang Shao’s chatter tiresome, almost lulling her to sleep. He’d always been a talker, but never so bad; fearing he’d say more, Xuan Xuan quickly greeted Zhan Yu and logged off.

Kuang Shao, looking frustrated, turned to Zhan Yu, saying, “My mech still isn’t fixed. I have no idea how Wan Qi’s little chubby girl managed to dismantle it so thoroughly.” Zhan Yu glanced at him, thinking, that was Xuan Xuan’s style. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes; clearly, both master and disciple shared the same passions—they both loved meat.

With Xuan Xuan gone, Zhan Yu felt it was time to leave as well. Without another word, he logged off. Kuang Shao wanted to find someone to complain to, but Zhan Yu had already vanished; he pursed his lips and logged off himself. His father had been talking non-stop about Wan Qi’s little chubby girl lately; even fixing his mech had become less appealing. He needed to hurry things along.

Xuan Xuan, having logged off, went straight to sleep. Lately, her father had been waking her up early every day, preparing her to study mechs under Kuang Hongyi in the future—he called it acclimatization.

With the Lantern Festival over, classes were about to begin.

Early in the morning, Xuan Xuan and Wan Qi Weihao were sent to school by her father. On the first day of the new semester, classes began immediately. Perhaps it was this rigor that kept the First Military Academy’s affiliated elementary school at the top spot among all elementary schools, year after year.

Yawning and waving to her father, Xuan Xuan took her seat in the second row by the window. In front of her sat Wan Qi Weihan, behind her was Wan Qi Weihao. Their class only had thirty students. Xuan Xuan remembered that the Magic and Martial Academy of the Mata continent had far more, but according to Wan Qi Weihao, the Federation’s elite education meant thirty was already a large class.

Most of her class’s teachers had been replaced by members of the Wan Qi family last year. Xuan Xuan sat in her specially designed seat—a chair higher and softer than the others, so Wan Qi Weihan wouldn’t block her view.

Wan Qi Lianhao liked to bring Xuan Xuan and the others to school early. Sitting in the classroom for a while, Xuan Xuan hadn’t seen the teacher enter yet, when Ai Zhe walked in. After a winter break, Xuan Xuan felt he’d changed a lot.

The blond, somewhat silent boy was now even quieter; not even a sarcastic remark when he saw her. He used to at least say “hey” when he saw her, but now, not even that—he just went straight to his seat, which was to her right.

Maybe his family hadn’t had good food for the New Year?

But whatever Ai Zhe thought of her didn’t matter much. Xuan Xuan took out a plate of dried meat from her backpack. Recently, Kuang Shao had been frequently urged by Kuang Hongyi to bring snacks to Xuan Xuan’s house, especially dried meat. Wan Qi Lianhao always tried to block him, but he wasn’t home every day—some treats inevitably found their way into Xuan Xuan’s pocket.

Squinting happily as she ate, she thought it wasn’t quite as good as Zhan Yu’s grandmother’s cooking, nor her own, but it was close. The Kuang family was, after all, the Federation’s richest—its reputation well earned. Even the Wan Qi family had to be cautious when comparing finances.

Kuang Hongyi had recently devoted all his attention to his only disciple; anything good was always set aside for Xuan Xuan. Several mid-level Kuang managers had been promoted to executives for recommending excellent chefs—such opportunities were rare in centuries of Kuang family history.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a leap to the top.

Wan Qi Weihao saw Xuan Xuan eating and quickly handed her a bottle of juice before tidying up his things. The start of the semester meant holiday homework—a tradition passed down in the Federation for thousands of years.

Naturally, Xuan Xuan didn’t do her own homework. Even with her father supervising, she handed it all to Wan Qi Weihan and Weihao. Who, if not her brothers, would indulge their only sister?

Besides, the teachers—except those from the Wan Qi family—assumed Xuan Xuan was as useless as the rumors said. As the only young lady of the Wan Qi family, no one dared to make things difficult for her. With the two Wan Qi boys shielding her, even the teachers who disliked her wouldn’t say anything.

Ai Zhe glanced at Xuan Xuan; perhaps it was just his imagination, but she seemed to have gotten even rounder over the break, plumper than last time. With family doting on her like that, of course she would gain weight.

Seeing Wan Qi Weihao’s juice, Ai Zhe’s eyes flashed with longing. When would his own family hand him exactly what he wanted, when he needed it? He gave a self-deprecating smile; his family only ever asked which servant was slacking.

He lowered his head, organizing his things, unwilling to look at her anymore—he feared his envy would worsen.

The classroom grew busier and louder as more students arrived. Most eyes were on the three from the Wan Qi family and Ai Zhe, sparking lively discussion. The students thought their voices were quiet, but Xuan Xuan hoped for more—she liked hearing gossip and news.

In such a classroom, even if it were ten times larger, Xuan Xuan could hear whatever she wanted.

As Xuan Xuan yawned again, their homeroom teacher finally entered. She wasn’t from the Wan Qi family but was an old hand at the school; Wan Qi Lianhao felt it wouldn’t be right to replace her.

Her surname was Wu—a fiercely competitive female teacher who demanded strict standards from every student. She favored high achievers; those who didn’t perform well were thorns in her side, especially if they were in her class.

Clearly, Xuan Xuan was one of those thorns.

This teacher, it was said, had taught Wan Qi Weihao and his brother for some time, instructing them in Chinese—a subject Xuan Xuan struggled with most. In the class, the students called her “Wu the Ambitious,” having almost forgotten her real name.

She was always competitive, not just among the sixth graders in the school, but across the capital’s elementary schools.

Parents adored her, hoping she would inspire their children to strive and learn.

Xuan Xuan dragged down the class’s grades, not studying herself and negatively affecting the class’s learning atmosphere. Wan Qi Weihao and Weihan, once her brightest hopes, were now at risk of being led astray. Though she resented Xuan Xuan, she dared not act against her.

Not only could she not do anything to Xuan Xuan, she had to curry favor, wishing she could attend to her every need. After all, Xuan Xuan belonged to the Wan Qi family, and her pampered status was beyond any teacher’s challenge.

Suddenly, Xuan Xuan looked up at the podium, narrowing her eyes—it was her.

Wu the Ambitious led a girl in a white dress to the front—a girl about the same age as Wan Qi Weihao and Weihan.

“Class, today we have a new student joining us. Please welcome Xuan Guo,” said the teacher.

“Hello, everyone. I am Xuan Guo. Please take care of me,” the girl said.

Xuan Guo’s features were delicate; though still young, she was already a budding beauty. The boys applauded enthusiastically.

“Go find a seat,” Wu the Ambitious said gently. Though Xuan Guo was joining mid-term, the teacher knew her grades were good and she seemed obedient.

“Thank you, teacher.” Xuan Guo smiled at her, and glanced around the room—one look was enough to spot Xuan Xuan. The Wan Qi family stood out.

Xuan Xuan glanced at her, then lost interest. Just another toy arranged by her grandfather—she’d play if she liked, otherwise, Xuan Guo was just an eyesore, easily discarded.

Lowering her head to her textbook, Xuan Xuan, as a great alchemist, was determined to conquer these square characters.

Xuan Guo’s hands clenched tightly. She was different now.

Just that one look, and Xuan Guo felt Xuan Xuan had changed.

But no matter what, Xuan Xuan was still a talentless failure, neither scholarly nor martial. Xuan Guo believed she deserved to be the favored one.

How dare Xuan Xuan look at her that way? Xuan Guo pressed her lips together, smiled as if nothing had happened, and glanced at the seating. With the semester just begun, some seats were empty.

Without hesitation, she walked directly to Ai Zhe. Before coming here, her father had already investigated; Ai Zhe was the most likely heir to the Ai family—a family that rivaled Wan Qi.

Smiling softly, she said, “May I sit in front of you?”

Though her looks weren’t top-tier yet, she would surely grow into a peerless beauty. Even now, with some childishness, she knew how to use her advantages. With that smile, no one in the class, except the Wan Qi brothers and Ai Zhe, could refuse her.

ps:
ps: I recommend Qiqi’s book, “The Ugly Doctor.”
Bean Sprout wrote this chapter in a tangled mood, deleting and rewriting, never satisfied, but finally, even the last version didn’t please her.