Envy, Jealousy, Hatred

Wherever they went, the crowd unconsciously parted to make way for them. Even the club members who had been enthusiastically and frantically recruiting newcomers put away their flyers and stood quietly to the side.

Yet Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei paid no attention to the countless eyes on them. Their expressions remained composed, their steps steady. They had long since grown used to such attention.

At Saint Radiance Middle School, they had always been figures admired by everyone. Now, they had merely changed stages.

Under everyone's gaze, the two gradually disappeared into the crowd.

But by then, some people had come to their senses. Damn it, why had I chickened out just now?

Why did I want to recruit them into my club, but my body wouldn't listen to me?

Was that red-haired one a freshman this year?

He was so manly!

Which class was that girl from?

Starting today, she was 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 their class number tags, symbols of the new semester's beginning.

Whether by coincidence or because both of them had outstanding academic grades, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei had actually been assigned to the same class.

They were both in Class 1-1.

That's great, Chi Tong and I are in the same class!

The corners of Shendai Liufei's lips lifted, joy sparkling in her eyes. Her voice was full of happiness she could not conceal.

Chi Tong also revealed a rare smile. That was good too. They could look after 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 turned to look toward the entrance, as if an invisible pressure had descended upon the room along with them.

Some people opened their mouths so wide they forgot to breathe. Someone's pen clattered to the floor. Others instinctively sat up straight, as though welcoming the arrival of some great presence.

Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei simply stood quietly at the doorway. Their temperament, their looks, their presence—they were like two stars that had just descended into the mortal world, freezing the air in the entire classroom for an instant.

The handsome guy and beautiful girl are so cute!

Wow, so cute!

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 heart-fluttering. The boys' gazes were drawn to Shendai Liufei like magnets.

Her long black hair drifted gently in the breeze, and her amber eyes were as soft and captivating as dawn. Every gesture carried both the nobility of a goddess and the approachable charm 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 shining from his heterochromatic eyes, and the mature presence that did not belong to someone his age made their hearts race in an instant.

He stood there like a lone peak, cold and distant, yet impossible not 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 wasn't I beside such a cute girl?

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, they had experienced such gazes and discussions countless times back in middle school.

The bustle of the first day of school was always much the same.

There were no formal classes that day. They simply introduced themselves before moving on to free time.

The classroom gradually became lively again as the students gathered in twos and threes. Only the corner where Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei sat retained a faint, awe-inspiring quiet.

Chi Tong, Shendai Liufei spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of anticipation and tentative hope.

Would you like to take a walk around the school together?

Chi Tong merely shook his head slightly, his tone calm but firm. Ah, I'm going to sign up for the Basketball Club.

Shendai Liufei's eyes widened slightly, her voice filled with surprise and curiosity.

Chi Tong, are you going to play basketball again?

When Chi Tong had chosen to leave the Basketball Club a year ago, she had felt deeply puzzled and regretful.

After all, Chi Tong's basketball skills had been so good. That was precisely why she had been so deeply attracted to him back then.

Chi Tong did not answer directly. Instead, he glanced at her, his gaze deep. I never gave up basketball. I was only taking a temporary break before.

He paused, then asked, Ah, haven't you decided which club to join yet?

Or will you continue with the Kendo Club?

Uh... Shendai Liufei froze for a moment, then fell into brief distress.

She lowered her head, brows faintly furrowed, as if contemplating one of life's great problems.

I haven't decided yet.

She shook her head lightly, a trace of helplessness in her voice.

I'm not particularly interested in kendo. I spent all three years of middle school in the Kendo Club, and I'm already tired of it.

She raised her head, a flash of confusion and indecision 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 curved slightly, revealing a faint smile.

In that case, think it over carefully first.

His voice was calm, yet it carried a gentle note of encouragement.

Then he turned around, his gaze fixed firmly 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 appearing on her face.

It's not like I have anything else to do. Since you invited me so sincerely, I'll reluctantly accompany you.

With that, the two walked out of the classroom side by side.

The classroom behind them remained bustling, but everyone's eyes stayed fixed on them until they had left.

Envy, jealousy, hatred—an overwhelming lemony sourness filled the entire classroom.

Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei walked side by side along the path toward the Basketball Club. But before they had gone far, a burst of grating laughter suddenly came from the corner ahead.

Hey, kid. With that red hair, you think you're pretty cool, huh?

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 right!

Several delinquent boys in Lingnan High School uniforms surrounded them with snickering grins.

They wore disdainful smiles, their eyes filled with provocation and contempt.

These guys were notorious delinquents from Lingnan High School, the local bullies of the school.