"The problem is the boyfriend she got also has an elf bloodline, which is so charming~ I'm so jealous."
"Elf bloodline, that's indeed quite rare now, most of the elves on the planet have migrated away."
Initially, this planet was developed by a consortium of the elf race within the Federation, so its name has the distinctive elf characteristic, 'Jade Skirt', but with the subsequent industrial development and environmental deterioration, many elves have slowly left this planet, moving to other Star Domains in the Federation.
"Exactly, that's why I'm envious. Her boyfriend even bought her the latest 'Mo Yun Workshop' personal terminal, I saw the online price is at least 30,000 Federation Coins."
"Wow, that's so rich." The others sighed.
The income gap between the different Star Domains within the Federation is huge, and the median income within the 'Four-leaf Crystal' Star Domain is 32,400 Federation Coins/year, meaning this amounts to an ordinary person's annual salary.
"That Tiffen really knows how to, even at the winter festival party, she knew to intentionally wear a dress to lure boys in, putting up with the cold weather just like that, and now who knows what tricks she pulled again, tsk tsk."
"Why don't you try it, Mili?" Lina teased from the side, seemingly accustomed to such matters.
"Me? I reckon I'd have to wait until junior year. If my grades are still good by then, I could ask my aunt for some money for cosmetic surgery and beautification, I'm quite familiar with this, after all, many in my family work in related industries."
"Mili, you're such a pushover, you're really too timid, go for it directly, those boys are easy to deceive, don't tell me you've never had a boyfriend before; it's mainly because finding one who is rich, handsome, and single is not easy."
Clara ridiculed her companion unabashedly, not caring about offending anyone with her words.
"You." Mili wanted to retort and snicker back, but looking at Clara's decent figure and skin, she suddenly felt a surge of self-doubt and her voice faded.
However, she turned her head and saw the gray-haired girl standing in the corner, her mood suddenly improved.
"What about you, Hexia? With your looks, you should have had several boyfriends by now. How come they don't buy you anything?"
"I, I've never been in a relationship."
The girl replied, slightly frightened. She didn't understand why the fire suddenly spread to her.
"Ah, come on, that can't be true. I refuse to believe it. Nowadays, who isn't looking for a man to spend money on them? You look quite alright, if it's not because you're too absorbed in your studies to the point of silliness, how come you've not snagged a single one?" Mili spoke teasingly, making faces as she spoke.
"Hahaha." The other two nearby also laughed. This made the gray-haired girl feel ashamed and insecure, not knowing how to respond or rebut.
In their class, those who were popular tended to be the ones who could talk and sing, or those who liked sports and combat, whereas students like the gray-haired girl, who studied quietly and rarely interacted with others, often became outsiders and transparent figures.
"Who do you think you are, expecting to get ahead by studying, you fool! Hahaha!" Such mockery had been directed at introverted classmates in the past, causing uproarious laughter from many people.
Although studying isn't everything, Hexia knew this well but still felt terrible being spoken to like that. It felt torturous just standing there.
Fortunately, Lina eventually broke the tension.
"Alright, alright, stop laughing. Hexia is planning to go to Irene Academy to become a doctor. You guys might need her help someday."
That conversation put an end to the ridicule for the time being.
"Now, where were we? Oh right, it was my turn." Lina loosened the hair at the side of her ear, revealing a large, round golden earring, embedded with a ruby.
"I'm attending the enrollment audit of Wenliu Yi High School. You might not have heard of it because it's a school in the South Third District." The environment in the Southern Hemisphere of the Emerald Skirt Planet is much better than in the Northern Hemisphere, making it a wealthier region.
"It's a school affiliated with the Black Conch Group. After graduation, it's easy to get a job within the company."
"Black Conch Group? Is that the company that makes waterproof materials?"
"Yes, that's the one. It's quite profitable." Lina pretended to be indifferent, but the others knew that this was a very enviable company.
Suddenly, the topic focused on Lina again, while the gray-haired girl became an object of no interest once more. However, she didn't need the attention. In fact, being ignored allowed her to relax a little.
Time slowly passed, and the car Hexia called arrived.
"Hey, did you call for a car yourself? Had I known, I would have asked you to join us in a carpool. That would have saved a lot of money." Lina was a little surprised.
"Oh, this." Hexia didn't know how to respond, she could only nod her head and then quickly walked into the car, the door closing gradually after her.
Once she sat in the gray hover car, the sound of rain and clamor outside became quiet, and only a faint beeping noise from inside the car could be heard.
The automatic AI system began to give reminders, then text appeared on the screen in front of her.
[Welcome aboard, your destination is: Northern Seventh District, Payin City, 653 Xuan stone Street, Skylight]
[Please confirm: Yes/No]
"Confirm."
[Received, the vehicle is planning the route, please wait]
[Planning complete, beginning to drive...]
The mechanical voice of the automatic AI was calm and quiet, which gradually stabilized the girl's previously chaotic mind.
Electronic AIs are really nice, at least they don't say things that hurt one's feelings.
Inside the car, the girl hugged her file bag and leaned against the window, gazing at the gray world outside.