Having obtained Principal Wang's permission, Gu Xiaoer pushed open the door and entered.
When she saw Guo Ting, a flash of surprise crossed her face, then she nodded lightly at her and greeted the Principal.
"Hello, Principal," she said.
Principal Wang's stern expression immediately brightened into a smile when he saw who had arrived. "Student Gu is here! Come, take a seat!" he said, chuckling.
He rose from his seat specially to point out a chair next to his desk, indicating for Gu Xiaoer to sit there.
The seemingly trivial act of the Principal, however, turned Guo Ting green with envy. She thought resentfully: How many times had she been to the office, and how long had she been standing there today, yet the Principal had never offered her a seat. Why did Gu Xiaoer receive such treatment the moment she arrived?
Why? Why!
The Principal's glaringly obvious preferential treatment was just too much. Was joining Shenghan really something so impressive?
Gu Xiaoer, however, didn't take the seat. After all, Guo Ting was still standing there, and she really didn't want to be making enemies.
"Principal, please just let me know what you need!"
Principal Wang, in a good mood, began, "Student Gu, it's like this. I've already discussed it with you over the phone, the graduation send-off evening party has decided on you as the host. There are no issues on your end, right?"
Gu Xiaoer frowned slightly, "Principal, aren't you worried that my lack of experience might lead to a mess-up?"
Guo Ting had one thing right when she visited her in the hospital; she really had no experience in hosting.
"Hahaha, Student Gu, you need to have some confidence! Of all the people, you stood out and became the first to work for Shenghan right after graduation. Both the Principal and the teachers believe in your abilities. You're now our school's most distinguished graduate!"
Gu Xiaoer sweated... Principal, you're really exaggerating. There are others who joined Shenghan Group besides me...
She had never received such high praise before, especially from someone at the level of a principal!
Unable to decline, she finally replied, "Alright then, Principal. I'll do my best!"
The graduation send-off evening party was thus confirmed.
Gu Xiaoer and Guo Ting said their goodbyes to the Principal's office and headed straight for the staircase. She preferred to take the stairs rather than ride the elevator with Guo Ting.
Guo Ting gazed at Gu Xiaoer's retreating figure with envious eyes. Unable to suppress her inner turmoil any longer, she blurted out angrily.
"Gu Xiaoer, you must be laughing at me inside, right? Now everything is yours, the entire school's focus is on you. You must be satisfied now!"
The girl who was walking down the stairs stopped in her tracks, turned around, and looked at Guo Ting with surprise. Her voice was sharp and shrill, reverberating in the empty stairwell. She seemed like she wanted to burn away all her dissatisfaction.
Staring at Guo Ting's torrent of anger, Gu Xiaoer felt even calmer.
"I really don't care about all this, so how can I be satisfied?"
The girl spoke softly and indifferently, her tone light yet audible enough for Guo Ting to hear. There was no anger, no mockery, just indifference.
Guo Ting was grinding her teeth. What did Gu Xiaoer mean by that? Her words were even more infuriating than if she had just mocked her. There she was, having achieved everything, having it all, yet still acting as if she didn't care! The aura, honors, and focus—these were all the things Guo Ting desperately wanted!
Watching that figure disappear quietly down the staircase, a flicker of something passed through Guo Ting's eyes.
In a certain corner of Nanyi School's cafeteria, three people sat whispering to each other. They wore hats like they were shunning the light, the brims pulled down to hide their faces.