Chapter Eight: Enmity at Lunch (Part One)

My Legend of Rebirth—No Pop-ups

It wasn't until I was still staring blankly at Su Xin, who was coming toward me after finishing her book, that I suddenly realized my desk was already piled high with all sorts of textbooks for class. This is what a top high school is like—even the textbooks are dauntingly thick. Helplessly, I picked up a few books and flipped through them, my lips curving into a wry smile. All these textbooks talked about functions, classical literature, English vocabulary, principles, chemical reactions—yet to me, they were as trivial as the childish question, “What is one plus one?” Now, possessing all the knowledge on earth, my mind was practically an encyclopedia; how could such elementary matters possibly interest me?

Yet, seeing my bitter smile, Su Xin at my side seemed to think I was troubled because the books were too difficult to understand. At this moment, she leaned in and whispered, “Xiao Qiang, don’t give up. I know you’re a smart boy. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand now—just listen more in class, work hard, and I’ll help you.”

Though her words left me speechless—so she saw me as so hopelessly incapable?—on second thought, I was actually moved. After all, for a top student like her to volunteer to help a fee-paying student like me was proof enough of her kindness. Such a good woman—how could I have missed her in my previous life! I wanted to give myself a slap for that. I quickly said with gratitude, “Thank you, Su Xin. Please take care of me from now on.”

She smiled, a little embarrassed by my grateful gaze, her cheeks flushing as she lowered her head to tidy her books. “Of course. You’re my friend—helping each other is only natural.”

The morning passed quickly, filled with class officer elections, book distributions, and other trivial matters. It was the first day of school, and since most students were meeting for the first time, everyone was in high spirits. When our homeroom teacher, Mr. Liu, announced the end of the morning session, the class burst into invitations for lunch together.

I patted Zhang Li, who sat in front of me, and grinned. “Zhang Li, let’s get lunch together.”

He nodded happily but, glancing at his deskmate, quietly asked, “Lili, I’m having lunch with Xiao Qiang, do you want to come?”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but smirk—so Zhang Li already had a target on the first day of school. Then again, didn’t I as well? With that thought, I turned to Su Xin, who was still reading her literature book, and said grandly, “Fair lady, on this beautiful summer day, may I invite you to share lunch with me?”

“Pfft…” Su Xin burst into laughter at my suddenly flowery words, playfully patting my shoulder as she raised her head and replied, “Indeed, it’s possible, but I wonder what virtue or ability I possess to deserve such an invitation from you?”

Now there was hope! I quickly replied, “You have both virtue and ability, and above all, a benevolent heart.”

Perhaps unable to bear my words or maybe because my tone had grown earnest, her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink as she gave me a coquettish glare. “Alright, alright, your reason barely passes. It’s just a meal—no need to make it sound so dramatic. Come, let’s go.”

I nodded and, glancing at Zhang Li, saw him looking at me with admiration, as if to say, “I knew it!” I shrugged and smiled. But just then, an extremely unpleasant voice rang out beside me.

“Su Xin, let’s have lunch together. I know a very authentic Western restaurant near No. 4 High; the pasta there is excellent. What do you think? Will you honor me with your company?” The voice, of course, belonged to my least favorite rival, Xia Jianren. My brow furrowed instantly, and my mood soured.

Su Xin, however, seemed unguarded toward Xia Jianren, but after what he’d done in class targeting me, she clearly didn’t like him much. She simply smiled politely and replied, “Thank you, Xia, but I’ve already accepted my deskmate’s invitation for lunch. Sorry.”

She meant to refuse him outright, but he stared at me in astonishment and exclaimed, “No way! Su Xin, you’re actually friends with a fee-paying student? What’s the point of associating with someone who only gets to study because their family paid for it? Hmph, at best they just have some money, but if we’re talking about wealth, my family is dozens of times richer! You shouldn’t bother with people like him. Have lunch with me instead.”

His words lit a fire in me, and I strode straight up to him, snapping, “Listen, Xia, I’ve put up with you long enough! What’s wrong with being a fee-paying student? Are we not human? If you keep belittling me, don’t blame me for being rude!”

Xia Jianren, completely unafraid, sneered coldly, “Kid, don’t push your luck! Do you even know who I am? The nerve to talk to me like that! Rude? Who do you think you are?”

I was so angry I wanted to punch him, but Zhang Li quickly grabbed me, signaling me to calm down. At that moment, Su Xin finally lost her patience and stood up, facing Xia Jianren. “Xia, I don’t know who you are, nor do I care how much money your family has. Whom I befriend and spend time with is my right and my freedom—it’s none of your business. Xiao Qiang, let’s go have lunch.”

With that, she turned and walked toward the classroom door. I shot Xia Jianren a cold, surprised glance, wanting to say more, but Zhang Li was already dragging me out of the classroom. Wang Lili, sensing the tension, hurried after us. Soon, the three of us left together.

Watching our departing figures, Xia Jianren’s eyes flashed with malice. “Hmph, Xiao Qiang, you’re choosing the path to hell rather than the road to heaven. I’ll make sure to see you kneel before me! No woman I desire has ever been beyond my reach!”

Of course, I didn’t hear any of this. At that moment, the four of us, dampened by the earlier confrontation, walked into an ordinary restaurant near No. 4 High, ordered a few simple dishes, and found a table to sit down.