Ning Shu left the clinic with gauze wrapped around her forehead, drawing the school doctor's curious gaze until she disappeared from sight.
Returning to the classroom based on the memories of the original host, Ning Shu felt a surge of emotion upon seeing it. Since the age of fifteen, she had been confined to hospitals and never had the chance to step into a classroom.
However, her brief excitement was swiftly dampened. As she approached, a bespectacled teacher blocked her path.
"Lin Jiajia, you skipped class and arrived late on purpose. Stand by the door; you're not joining the class," Mrs. Liang spoke mildly, her eyes revealing disdain. "Don't disturb others' learning."
Though unhappy, Ning Shu knew better than to resist. She obediently stood aside as Mrs. Liang harrumphed, embodying more a mean-spirited bureaucrat than an educator shaping young minds.
At Ace Academy, teachers held lower status than students, especially the untouchable "Three Princes." Mrs. Liang's actions now aimed to curry favor with them.
Lin Jiajia's memories revealed Mrs. Liang had once made Ling Xue's life difficult during her bullying, only to switch sides when Ling Xue rose in status—a true opportunist.
Standing in the hallway, Ning Shu heard whispers and laughter from the classroom. Some students even rose to mock her with disdainful gazes.
Ning Shu thought to herself, baffled, "What did the original host do to earn such hatred? It's as if she'd committed a heinous crime." Reviewing Lin Jiajia's memories, she found no egregious wrongdoing—just relentless troublemaking for Ling Xue.
It seemed everyone despised her without reason.
In this world, Ling Xue was the unequivocal center, around whom everything orbited. With a mere gesture, countless worshippers flocked to her side. It wasn't just charisma; it was dominance.
Ning Shu wondered about the future of this world, feeling she might be overthinking things. She lacked even a basic plan to achieve her current task, yet her mind wandered to concerns about the fate of humanity.
Her legs began to ache from standing so long, prompting her to shift her weight. When the bell signaling the end of class finally rang, a crowd poured out, surrounding her before she could move.
Among them were the girls who had attacked her in the restroom. An Rong, who had smashed Ning Shu's head against the wall, now chewed gum arrogantly. She lifted her chin and sneered down at Ning Shu.
"You dared to come to class? Seems like you've got a short memory."
Ning Shu trembled. This body feared An Rong, Ling Xue's loyal lackey who had tormented the original host daily.
Resentment and fear surged within Ning Shu's heart. If Ling Xue was the person the original host despised most, An Rong wasn't far behind. After all, An Rong had inflicted countless cruelties upon her.
"Prince Leng is coming, Prince Leng is coming..."