The atmosphere in the classroom was charged with anticipation. Over the past few days, the exams had been completed, and now the students were about to face the moment of truth. Some students were beaming with confidence, high spirits evident in their chatter and excitement. Others, however, grunted and exchanged nervous glances, bracing themselves for the outcome. Today's results would determine who qualified for the upcoming qualifying test for the prestigious competition.
Feng Yan, as always, sat in her usual corner, her cold demeanor creating a stark contrast to the bustling energy around her. Her ice-cold eyes, combined with her strikingly beautiful face, gave her the appearance of an unapproachable "ice beauty," a figure of calm amidst the chaos.
The homeroom teacher entered the room, holding the test papers, and a hush fell over the classroom. Feng Yue, sitting near the front, was brimming with confidence. She was sure she would rank in the top five, certain of her qualification for the competition. She had studied hard, and her performance had been consistent. The thought of triumph only fueled her ego, and she was already imagining the praise she would receive.
As the teacher began distributing the papers, she gave feedback on how each student had performed. The tension grew with each name called out, as students eagerly awaited their results. When Feng Yue received her paper, she glanced at her score and smiled slightly—it was as expected, a strong performance. However, her moment of satisfaction was short-lived.
When the teacher finally called out the top scorer, everyone froze in disbelief.
"Feng Yan is the class topper, ranking first," the teacher announced, her voice steady.
A stunned silence fell over the room. All eyes turned to Feng Yan, who sat in the corner, her face as expressionless as ever. There was no pride or triumph in her gaze, just the same cold indifference she always carried.
Feng Yue, on the other hand, was utterly floored. Her mind raced, unable to process the information. Feng Yan? First place? The girl who had always hovered near the bottom of the rankings had somehow outperformed everyone? The shock quickly gave way to a burning jealousy that ignited in her chest.
Without thinking, Feng Yue shot to her feet, her voice sharp and incredulous. "There must be a mistake! Feng Yan must have cheated!"
The teacher frowned, clearly displeased by the accusation, but Feng Yue's words had already planted a seed of doubt among the students. After all, Feng Yan had never come close to the top five, let alone first place. How could such a drastic change happen? One by one, Feng Yue's friends stood up, supporting her claims. They whispered among themselves, their glances at Feng Yan filled with suspicion.
Feng Yan remained seated, her gaze steady as she watched the scene unfold. There was no anger in her eyes, just a quiet, icy detachment. To her, they were like monkeys dancing in a cage, making noise and flailing about without understanding the bigger picture. Their pettiness was beneath her notice.
The classroom soon descended into chaos, with more students voicing their doubts. The homeroom teacher, now visibly upset, tried to maintain order but was unable to quell the unrest. Realizing that the issue had escalated beyond her control, the teacher announced that the matter would be taken to the principal.
Feng Yue smirked, convinced that the principal would expose Feng Yan's supposed deceit. The other students whispered among themselves, the tension growing as they all made their way to the principal's office. Feng Yan, however, walked calmly at the back of the group, her face as composed as ever, as if none of this affected her in the slightest.