Wherever they went, the crowd unconsciously parted to make way for them. Even the club members who had been enthusiastically recruiting newcomers put away their flyers and stood quietly to the side.
Under the gaze of so many people, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei did not care in the slightest. Their expressions remained composed and their steps steady. They had long since grown used to such looks.
At Saint Radiance Middle School, they had always been figures admired by everyone. Now, they had merely changed stages.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the two gradually disappeared into the crowd.
But then, someone finally came to their senses. Damn it, why did I chicken out just now?
Why was I thinking about recruiting them into my club, but my body wouldn't listen to me?
Was that red-haired one a freshman this year?
He's so manly!
Which class is that girl from?
Starting today, she's the girl of my dreams!
Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei walked side by side into the freshman registration area. Sunlight streamed through the glass onto them, as though draping them in the aura of protagonists.
They moved efficiently and quickly completed the registration procedures, receiving the class number badges that marked the beginning of the new semester.
Whether by coincidence or because both of them had outstanding academic records, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei were assigned to the same class.
They were both in Class 1-1.
That's great, Chi Tong and I are in the same class!
Shendai Liufei's lips curved upward, joy sparkling in her eyes. Her tone was full of unconcealed happiness.
Chi Tong also revealed a rare smile. "That works too. We can look out for each other."
With that, the two headed toward their classroom together.
The moment they pushed open the door to Class 1-1, the previously noisy classroom fell into deathly silence. Everyone's eyes turned toward the doorway as though some invisible pressure had descended upon the room along with their arrival.
Some people opened their mouths and forgot to speak. Someone's pen clattered to the floor, while others instinctively sat up straighter, as if welcoming the arrival of some extraordinary presence.
Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei stood quietly at the door. Their temperaments, their looks, their presence—it was as if two stars had just descended into the mortal world, freezing the air in the entire classroom for a moment.
A handsome guy and a beautiful girl! So cute!
Wow, so adorable!
Whether boys or girls, everyone in the classroom now had hearts in their eyes. It was as if the moment the two entered, they had detonated a bomb called love at first sight. The boys' gazes were drawn to Shendai Liufei like iron to a magnet.
Her long black hair fluttered softly in the breeze, and her amber eyes were as gentle and captivating as the morning light. Every movement she made carried both the nobility of a goddess and the approachable warmth of a girl next door.
Every smile and frown of hers seemed capable of shattering the last line of defense in the boys' hearts.
Meanwhile, the girls' gazes surged toward Chi Tong like a tide.
His dazzling short crimson hair, the calm and confidence in his heterochromatic eyes, and the mature presence that did not belong to someone his age made their heartbeats accelerate in an instant.
He stood there like a lone peak, cold and distant, yet impossible not to want to approach.
But when they saw Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei enter the classroom together, envy, jealousy, resentment, and even a trace of hatred quietly began to grow in the corners of the room.
Damn it, why isn't a cute girl like that by my side?
Why did that girl walk in with my husband?
Of course, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei knew nothing of these thoughts. Even if they had known, they would not have cared.
To them, such looks and discussions were things they had experienced countless times in middle school.
The bustle of the new school term was always much the same.
There were no formal classes arranged that day. They simply introduced themselves before moving into free activity time.
The classroom gradually became lively again, with students gathering in groups of two and three. Only the corner where Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei sat retained a quietness that inspired a trace of awe.
"Chi Tong," Shendai Liufei spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of anticipation and hesitation.
"Do you want to take a walk around the school together?"
Chi Tong shook his head slightly, his tone calm yet firm. "I'm planning to sign up for the basketball club."
Shendai Liufei's eyes widened slightly, her voice full of surprise and curiosity.
"Chi Tong, are you going to play basketball again?"
A year ago, when Chi Tong had chosen to leave the basketball club, he had also felt deeply confused and regretful.
After all, Chi Tong's basketball skills had been so good. That was precisely why she had been so deeply drawn to him in the first place.
Chi Tong did not answer directly. He glanced at her, his gaze deep. "I never gave up basketball. I was only taking a break before."
He paused, then asked in return, "Haven't you decided which club to join yet?"
"Or are you going to stay in the Kendo Club?"
"Uh..." Shendai Liufei froze slightly, then fell into brief distress.
She lowered her head, her brows knitting together as though she were pondering one of life's greatest problems.
"I haven't decided yet."
She shook her head lightly, her tone carrying a trace of helplessness.
"I'm not particularly interested in kendo. I spent all three years of middle school in the Kendo Club, and I'm already sick of it."
She raised her head, a flash of confusion and conflict passing through her eyes.
"I want to join a new club, but I don't know which one to choose."
Seeing her like this, Chi Tong's lips tilted upward slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"Then think it over carefully first."
His tone was calm, yet carried a gentle note of encouragement.
Then he turned around, his gaze firmly fixed in the direction of the basketball club.
"I'm going to sign up for the basketball club. Want to come with me?"
Shendai Liufei blinked, then gave a soft huff. A proud blush appeared on her face.
"Since I don't have anything else to do anyway, and since you invited me so sincerely, I suppose I can reluctantly accompany you."
With that, the two walked out of the classroom side by side.
The classroom behind them remained bustling, but no one's gaze left the two until they had gone out the door.
Envy, jealousy, and hatred—an overwhelming sourness filled the classroom, sharp enough to sting the nose.
Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei walked side by side along the path toward the basketball club. However, before they had gone very far, a burst of piercing laughter suddenly came from around the corner ahead.
"Hey, kid. With that red hair, you think you're pretty cool?"
"Oh, and you've got such a cute girlfriend too?"
"Heh, that really pisses me off. If you know what's good for you, let us teach you a lesson, then hand your girlfriend over to me!"
"Hey, did you hear that? That's exactly right!"
Several delinquent boys in Lingnan High School uniforms surrounded them with snickers.
Disdainful smiles hung on their faces, their eyes filled with provocation and contempt.
These guys were notorious delinquents from Lin Nan High School, as well as the school's local bullies.
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