Public schools in Hua Country were highly valued, and even well-run private schools could not compare. Wealthy students might go to private schools as a stepping stone to studying abroad, but public schools remain the preferred choice.
Despite this, the principal was determined to gain international recognition and had been recruiting renowned teachers to enhance the teaching staff. To his surprise, he received a recommendation letter from overseas praising Song Fan's academic achievements and listing her successful students' names.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, the principal treated Song Fan with the utmost respect, fearing she might leave.
Song Fan was not used to it and said, "I'm just a guest teacher. You don't have to be so polite."
However, the principal was even more polite, "It's my fortune that you chose our school. I have to treat you with respect."
Song Fan frowned and prepared to go back and ask the man who had prepared the recommendation letter for her. Could it be that everything written in the recommendation letter was just bragging?
The principal expressed his delight and offered, "I would be more than happy to personally give you a tour of the school later to help you become familiar with the surroundings."
Song Fan declined the offer, stating that she preferred to explore the school independently, "I believe it's important for me to observe the students properly, not just as a teacher but as an individual."
The principal agreed readily and praised her, saying, "Miss Song is so young. They'll probably think that you are a new student."
Song Fan did not want to go out in such a big way. If the principal showed her around, the school would probably know her in less than half an hour. She did not like the feeling of being the centre of attention.
The principal asked his secretary to take Song Fan out, and she asked about the names and uses of the school's buildings before suggesting that she walk around on her own.
Meanwhile, Song Fan's name had spread throughout Eke, but only as that of a malicious woman. Everyone was discussing Song Fan's past, which was all revealed by Song Yin.
"I heard that a daughter of the Song family is going to school."
"Doesn't the Song family only have one daughter?"
"Maybe she's an illegitimate daughter outside. I heard that she's even older than Miss Song Yin."
"Since when can an illegitimate daughter study with us?"
"Moreover, she even poisoned Song Kai. He almost died."
"Why hasn't someone like that been arrested yet?"
"The Song family sent her to the countryside. She only came back a while ago."
Song Fan did not expect everyone to know about her in such a short time. However, even if they did, she would not care.
Eke High School mainly accepted children from wealthy families. Still, the principal also wanted to compete with public high schools in academics, so they also accepted poor but academically successful students. These two groups of people were worlds apart, with almost no communication between them.
The wealthy students looked down on the poor students, and the poor looked down on the wealthy due to their academic achievements.
However, Song Fan felt that fighting between the rich and poor students was only a matter of time. After all, they were all in the prime of their lives, and they would not care about the consequences if they were impulsive.
After Song Fan walked into the teaching building, many gazes were cast along the way. They were all looking at the girl who had suddenly entered.
Song Yin suddenly appeared in the corridor and said, "Sister, are you here to see me?"
Now, everyone knew what Song Fan looked like. Some people even secretly took photos and posted them on the school forum, and many commented on Song Fan's looks.
Song Fan just wanted to walk around herself, so she perfunctorily said, "I'm here to visit the school."
"It's great that you are here to study with me." Song Yin jumped up and went to grab Song Fan's arm.
Song Fan immediately dodged, planning to continue walking according to her plan.
Song Yin lowered her head and cried silently as if Song Fan had broken her heart. Others thought that she was bullying Song Yin.
The boys had a strong desire to protect her.
It also made the girls, who were usually on good terms with Song Yin, angry. They came out and looked at Song Fan. They wanted to mock her for wearing cheap clothes.
But in the end, they realized that Song Fan was wearing branded clothes. They sneered and said, "I heard you're from the countryside. Your clothes are all from luxury brands. Could it be that you stole Yin Yin's coat?"
When his words came out, everyone agreed. They were all rich children who were used to luxury goods. However, their assumptions were proven wrong when they realized Song Fan wore branded clothing.
They sneered and accused her of stealing Song Yin's coat, assuming she could not afford such expensive items as a country girl.
Another boy said, "The brand you're wearing is the shop that Song Kai frequents. He always buys clothes for Yin Yin there. You must have stolen it from Yin Yin's closet."