Chapter 3: The Aristocratic Academy
The Platinum Aristocratic Academy, Yingsheng Institute, as the name suggests, was a school constructed with luxury in mind—a place exclusively for the children of the most powerful families. It was one of the few elite institutions in all of Asia.
As Ling Olivia stepped through the grand entrance, the majestic scenery along the way left her wide-eyed in amazement.
The road was flanked by carefully cultivated, rare dwarf trees. Within the delicate white fences, the low shrubs interwove with charming flowerbeds, creating a picturesque scene.
Not far ahead, a large plaza came into view, with a magnificent circular fountain at its center. In the middle of the fountain stood a towering statue of a goddess carved from white jade. Water cascaded gracefully around her, sparkling in the sunlight and forming a dazzling, multicolored halo resembling a giant blooming lotus.
Beyond the plaza stood a castle-like academic building, designed in the style of European palaces. The tall structures reached into the sky, exuding exquisite elegance and opulence, evoking awe and reverence in anyone who looked upon them.
Surrounding the plaza was an endless stretch of verdant grass, dotted with vibrant flowers of various hues. It resembled a green silk tapestry embroidered with delicate ornaments, a sight so beautiful it felt dreamlike.
For the first time, Ling Olivia realized that a school could resemble a tourist attraction.
After getting out of the car, Ling Olivia found herself walking among other students dressed in the same uniform. However, unlike her, they all radiated an air of wealth and nobility.
Class 3-1, Junior Division
Clutching the slip of paper in her hand, Ling Olivia easily located her assigned classroom.
As soon as she entered, she felt countless gazes turn toward her—curious, disdainful, dismissive, and condescending. Both the boys and girls looked at her with eyes like sharp blades, cutting into her without mercy.
Huh? Everyone's wearing the same uniform and carrying the same school bags, so why are they looking at me like this?
Ling Olivia glanced down at herself and quickly realized the issue.
Her classmates were all dressed to impress. Some girls even wore hairpins encrusted with dazzling, real diamonds—an unmistakable brilliance no cheap knockoff could imitate.
And her?
She had no accessories at all. Her hair, styled in two simple braids that hung over her chest, gave off a rustic, old-fashioned vibe.
Meeting their gazes head-on, Ling Olivia remained calm as she began searching for her assigned seat.
She wasn't here to compete with them. She was here as a servant, not a peer, and what others thought of her didn't matter. As long as she did her job well, nothing else was important.
With that thought, her heart felt a little lighter. She walked steadily past the scrutinizing stares and reached the only two-person desk in the entire classroom. All the other desks were single-person tables.
Finally, she stopped at the desk matching the number on her slip of paper. After double-checking the number, Ling Olivia moved to sit down without hesitation.
"Hey!"
Just as she was about to sit, a girl with delicate, stunning features rushed over, blocking her seat.
"Country bumpkin! Did you come to the wrong classroom? Do you even know whose seat this is?"
Ling Olivia froze in confusion.
"Excuse me, is this Class 3-1 of the junior division?" she asked politely.
"What are you doing here?!" the pretty girl demanded, her tone defensive.
Ling Olivia didn't respond, but her silence made it clear—she hadn't come to the wrong room.