For Meng Yin, the presentation is not a difficult task. Her parents have been running a business in Australia for over a decade, and she often flies there during vacations to spend some time. Meanwhile, she is fascinated by British accents and has undergone very systematic training in that regard. So she is just unsure about what the presentation will be like.
While pondering what Mr. Wang mentioned earlier, the girl in front of her turned around warmly to greet her.
"Hello, Meng Yin, I am Lin Xipei, your new front desk mate, and also the English class representative," the girl's voice was lively, her round face adorned with a pair of pearl-like eyes, swaying a high ponytail, resembling a doll.
"Hello," Meng Yin greeted.
Xipei leaned in a bit, discreetly saying, "If you ever want to know anything, just ask me. I am the information expert of Class 2." Yin looked at the girl in front of her, blinking her grape-like eyes, filled with a gossipy spirit.
She did have a question to ask, but it wasn't gossip.
"Um," Yin licked her lips, "Xipei, I wanted to ask you about that English presentation."
The English course at the First High School has a blend of Eastern and Western elements in its structure. Like all ordinary high schools, FHS's English course is based on textbooks, with the only difference being that there is an English-speaking presentation every month where students either choose from assigned topics or randomly select current hot events.
Group members work together to expand the content into a 10-minute presentation.
"This time it's the English essay topic for the assessment," Xipei explained.
Yin nodded, then asked, "So, does this mean everyone has to rewrite their essays?"
"Pretty much," Xipei hadn't thought the presentation could be interpreted that way. After a moment of reflection, she added, "Mr Wang said the speaking groups have a mix of grades, with top English performers and those not so outstanding in English balanced in each group."
Yin felt more assured.
Before she could say "thank you," Xipei began her jumping thoughts and circuitous gossip.
"Yin, did you transfer from a school outside the city?" The students at FHS primarily consist of students from the entire province, with a few applicants from other provinces as well. However, the school rarely accepts transfer students from other schools during their third year of high school. Not only is the time required for adaptation to a new environment considered due to the pressure of the college entrance examination, but there are also academic requirements and recommendations for transferring to FHS. The basic conditions for admission are that the student needs to have ranked in the top 5 in their grade level at least three times, be in the top 300 in the city's standardized test, and have a letter of recommendation from the previous school.
While others might not know about these transfer conditions, the information expert Lin is well aware.
"No," Yin pondered, "I was previously at the Third High School."
Xipei shocked.
The Third High School is a private high school with some teaching resources rivalling those of key schools, but its reputation has always been mixed.
This was a transfer student with a story, Xipei thought.
Xipei felt she could post on the school's online forum.
"Did Xu Zhiyi know about your transfer before?" Despite the winding path of gossip, one must still strive forward, Xipei glanced at Zhiyi's seat and saw him looking over in their direction with a gaze.
While novels often depict the chance encounter of male and female leads on campus, based on this small incident at the opening ceremony, the information Queen Lin was a bit uncertain.
Meng Yin subconsciously remembered Zhiyi's last words before he left the stage: "Are you going to explain to me why you didn't mention transferring when we were having a hotpot?"
That expression was cold and menacing.
"No," restraining the urge to turn her head, Yin replied, her slight movement not escaping Xipei's eyes.
Xipei's eyes lit up, she moved closer to Yin, raised his chin and said, "Look, our bro. Yi is already getting serious."
Yin's gaze shifted to meet Zhiyi's eyes. She was momentarily stunned. Indeed. Without a word, she and Xipei shared a knowing look and burst into laughter. The bond of friendship among the girls began to take shape.
"I'll give you a little insider information," Xipei added, "Many people at school have a crush on Xu Zhiyi~"
Yin remained silent and thought, truly living up to Xipei's reputation as the queen of gossip.