The new classmate was quite tall, appearing to be around 5'7", with a simple ponytail.
Her eyes conveyed a message of cold indifference, keeping people at arm's length.
Seeing the expressionless new student, everyone was reminded of another person. In their hearts, they recalled that Shi Li used to have the same expression.
Had she changed at some point? No, she hadn't. She still wore that cold expression, but because they had glimpsed part of her silly inner self, they could automatically ignore her cold face.
What cold-faced beauty? She was clearly just a poker-faced goofball.
Because of Shi Li, looking at the new classmate now felt much more familiar.
Originally, upon hearing that she was a student from a provincial key school, classmates were whispering among themselves: "She worked so hard to get into a provincial key school, what on earth made her decide to come to our school?"
As Shi Li's inner voice rang out, everyone's minds boiled like kettles. It was fortunate that no one could hear the classmates' inner thoughts, otherwise, passersby would have had to cover their ears and exclaim, "Help! Where did these sentient kettles come from?"
The classmates closely watched the new student's expression, fearing she might inappropriately ask, "Who's talking?" or offer some explanation.
They were prepared to rush forward and cover the new student's mouth.
Even the homeroom teacher was ready; if the new student spoke up, he would call her to the office to discuss her academic situation.
Everyone was prepared, just waiting for the new student to give the signal to spring into action.
However, the new student seemed not to have heard that voice at all. She turned to ask the homeroom teacher where she should sit. "Teacher, where should I sit?"
The teacher replied, "Hm? Oh, oh, oh, where should you sit? Let me see."
He walked around the classroom, his gaze settling on Song Ying beside the podium.
Song Ying: ???
"There's no other place for you in the classroom, so you can sit next to the podium."
Song Ying thought she would have to give up her seat to the new student. Far from being displeased about losing her seat, she was actually quite happy. "Then I'll give my seat to Rongrong."
Although she liked studying and was a good student, sitting right under the teacher's nose without a chance to daydream had been quite difficult for her.
Now that a new student had come to inherit her throne, Song Ying was delighted.
The homeroom teacher waved his hand, "No need for you to give up your seat. Rongrong can sit on the other side of the podium."
Song Ying said, "But won't that make it inconvenient to walk around?"
"It won't be a problem. Our classroom is big enough; we can spare that space."
"Class monitor, take some people to bring in a desk and chair."
It was clear that Rongrong was receiving preferential treatment from the school. The class monitor didn't even need to fetch the desk and chair; teachers had already delivered new furniture to the classroom.
Just like that, Song Ying got a deskmate, even if they were separated by the podium. They could still be considered deskmates.
The classmates were confused by the new student's apparent lack of reaction to Shi Li's inner voice.
[So did she hear it or not?]
[Yeah, is it possible that not just anyone can hear Shi Li's inner thoughts?]
[Maybe only we chosen ones can hear it]
[Mere mortals should step aside]
As Rongrong's deskmate, Song Ying was entrusted with the mission of sounding out Rongrong.
After class, instead of curling up in her seat to read as usual, Song Ying shuffled over to Rongrong's desk.
For an introvert like her, initiating conversation with someone was incredibly difficult, but for the sake of her classmates, she had to take this step.
Song Ying started with small talk, "Rongrong, the teacher said you were previously a student at a provincial key school. You must be really smart! I actually got an admission notice from a provincial key school too, but there was this private high school in our county that offered me an annual scholarship, so my mom made me go there instead."
Hearing this, Rongrong, who had been working out math problems on scratch paper, paused her pen. "But you're at Qianpu School now, aren't you? Qianpu's teaching resources are no worse than those provincial key schools, and the scholarships they offer each year are only higher than what that school offered you, definitely not less."
Song Ying didn't mind that her personal affairs were known. She spoke somewhat carelessly, "Oh, that's not it. I'm actually paying tuition to study at Qianpu School. My mom married a rich guy, and after I was brought back, I was sent to study at Qianpu School."
These two short sentences revealed a lot of information.
The new student felt that this family situation was indeed quite complicated. However, she could sense that this girl wasn't valued by her mother. Despite her efforts qualifying her for the best school, she wasn't allowed to go because of money.
No matter how you looked at it, these parents weren't very competent.
She also felt a bit sorry for this girl, so she stopped what she was doing to talk to her.
Showing vulnerability had been Song Ying's survival wisdom for many years. No matter what kind of person it was, they wouldn't be on guard against someone who seemed pitiful.
She used this initial display of vulnerability to get closer to the other person.
"You can win gold medals in competitions; you're really amazing. I want to learn from you in the future and strive to be as excellent as you are."
Song Ying looked soft and small, naturally evoking a protective instinct in others.
Especially when such a girl looked at you with admiration, saying she wanted to learn from you. Even the outwardly cold new student was somewhat moved.
She said, "If you encounter any problems in your studies, you can come to me. My grades in other subjects are average, only my math is decent."
"Don't be so modest! If your grades are just 'decent,' then no one else has the right to say their grades are good."
Song Ying giggled, "Then I'll have to trouble you more with math problems in the future. This is such a coincidence; I can understand all the other subjects, but I'm completely lost when it comes to math."
"We really are destined deskmates, aren't we?"
"Deskmates?"
"Yes, we're deskmates separated by the podium."
This mention of being deskmates made their relationship feel even closer.
Song Ying would go chat with Rongrong during every break, sometimes asking her math questions, sometimes introducing her to the various subject teachers.
Their relationship had become quite close, and it had only taken half a day.
Song Ying fiddled with the red pen on Rongrong's desk, seemingly casually asking, "By the way, did you hear someone say this morning that you were indeed poached by Teacher Wang?"
"Oh, I heard that," Rongrong asked in return, "Why? Is something wrong?"
