Chapter 9
Chapter 9
It’s me again.
It’s always me!
Years of accumulated grievances surged forth at this moment like a tidal wave.
“We’re both your children, so why am I always the one sacrificed? No new clothes for the New Year, no one to pick me up when it rains, and I’m the only one without my own room. Now, even the duty of being a filial daughter is mine alone… Why?”
Why was I always the one who was least loved?
Facing my sharp, choked questioning, Dad set down his chopsticks and said impatiently, “It’s because your own brain isn’t up to the task. Don’t go blaming us.”
“Tell you what-I won’t ask for much. If you can make it into the top twenty of your class this time, you can keep studying.”
In the midterm exams, I had ranked fortieth.
In other words, I had to jump up twenty places this time.
That was easier said than done.
Amidst agonizing anxiety, the day to collect report cards finally arrived.
I ran into Li Lang at the school gate.
She stepped out of a private car, looking happy, but her smile froze the moment she laid eyes on me.
A thick layer of mockery surfaced in her gaze.
“You used to pester Shen Dongye every other day under the guise of asking questions. Once the results come out, he’ll definitely realize you had an ulterior motive.”
“Li Linlin, a bottom-feeder like you should stop acting like a toad lusting after swan meat, okay?”
Li Lang’s friend stepped forward. “Forget it. Either way, she won’t be Shen Dongye’s seatmate next semester.”
Whether it was my family or my classmates, no one believed I was actually studying hard.
Li Lang and I arrived quite late.
Once we were seated, Old Li scanned the room and said, “Alright, everyone is basically here. I’ll distribute the report cards now.”
“Those students whose grades have significantly dropped must reflect on the reasons during the break and adjust your attitudes.”
*The one whose grades dropped… it couldn’t be me, could it?*
Subconsciously, I gripped Shen Dongye’s sleeve tightly.
He winced in pain and turned his head to look at me. “Don’t worry. You’ve definitely improved-by at least ten places!”
If I only improved by ten places…
Not only would I lose the chance to be your seatmate next semester, I would lose the chance to even be your classmate!
Finally, the report card was placed in my hands. I searched for my name with frantic eyes.
I scanned down quickly from first place.
Seventeenth-not me.
Eighteenth-not me either.
Nineteenth-still not me…