"Gao Lili, if we looked like Shangguan You, I can't imagine how much we'd cry. Look at her. She used to chase after Han Yachu every day, but he wouldn't even spare her a glance, and she still has the nerve to live in this world."
"Li Ruo, you're right. If it were me, with such poor grades and being so ugly, I would've dropped out of school and hidden at home crying long ago."
The four of them took turns mocking Shangguan You, tearing her down. The old Shangguan You was indeed naive. When they bullied her, she would just lower her head, run home, lock herself in her room, and cry. Yet, she would show up at school the next day all the same.
But the present Shangguan You was different. Her former self might have tolerated these insults, but her current self could not. Though violence could solve everything—a couple of slaps could shut them up—I don't want to be labeled ugly, stupid, and a blockhead for the rest of my life. I can only rely on my own abilities to prove them wrong.
"Shen Jia, Gao Lili, Li Ruo, Liao Si, do you dare to make a bet with me? If I achieve first place in the entire school in the upcoming final exams, you will apologize to me in front of all the teachers and students. You must also never appear before me again and take a detour whenever you see me. If I fail, I will do the same: I'll immediately drop out of school and avoid Lan Xuan and Han Yachu whenever I see them. How about it? Do you dare to bet?"
"HAHAHA! This is hilarious! The person who's always last in class actually thinks she can be first in the entire school? That's the biggest joke I've ever heard!"
Shen Jia burst into laughter. She was truly astounded by Shangguan You's audacity.
"Shangguan You, have you lost your mind?"
"You want to ruin yourself that badly? We'll gladly oblige!"
"Get first place in the school? Can you even surpass Lan Xuan and Han Yachu? That's hysterical!" Laughter erupted from the surrounding students.
"What, you don't dare to bet? Are you scared to even make a wager with someone who's always at the bottom?" Shangguan You's cool voice cut through the sneers, surprisingly loud.
"Fine, a bet it is! Who's afraid of whom? I'm certainly not scared of a dimwit like you! You should give up on Lan Xuan and Han Yachu already. They'll never look your way," Shen Jia said, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Remember, if you don't get first place in the entire school, you drop out immediately and steer clear of me! Wherever I am, I never want to see your blockheaded face again!"
"And when you see Lan Xuan and Han Yachu, you better make yourself scarce!"
"We'll see who has the last laugh. Just wait and see," Shangguan You uttered coldly before turning and heading towards the cafeteria.
"Youyou, how could you agree to their bet? First place in the entire school? With your grades, how is that even possible? If you lose, not only will you have to transfer schools, but you'll also have to avoid Lan Xuan and Han Yachu! How could you be so reckless?" Zhu Li exclaimed, looking at the seemingly unconcerned Shangguan You, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Zhu Li, I'm fine," Shangguan You replied calmly.
"Youyou, your determination truly moves me! To help you win this bet, I'll tutor you. And don't worry, I'll go easy on you during the exams," Gui Mo's characteristically flamboyant voice rang out as he plopped down next to Shangguan You.
"Idiot," Shangguan You snorted, continuing to eat without sparing Gui Mo a glance.
"Youyou, no matter which school you transfer to, I'll follow you!" Gui Mo declared.
"You didn't need to make that bet with them." A gentle voice interjected. Lan Xuan's bright face appeared before her, with the frosty Han Yachu beside him. How did these two end up together? These two usually paid her no mind. Why would they lower themselves to talk to her today?
"Hmph. As if your grades are anything to look at," Han Yachu said coolly, though his voice held an unreadable undertone. This was the first time Han Yachu had ever spoken directly to Shangguan You.
"It has nothing to do with you," Shangguan You retorted.
Ugh, why are there so many noisy crows all of a sudden? First, that meddlesome admirer, and now these two aloof show-offs. What does any of this have to do with them? I don't even know them well.
"The exams are in a month. Do you need my help with tutoring?" Lan Xuan asked, his smile growing even warmer, apparently unfazed by Shangguan You's earlier dismissal.
"Youyou has already agreed to let me tutor her. We appreciate your kind offer," Gui Mo interjected, his peach-blossom eyes flashing, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. The aura he exuded was a match for Lan Xuan and Han Yachu combined.
"Thank you for your offers, but I don't think I need any help," Shangguan You stated coolly again. She wanted to leave, but with Gui Mo and Lan Xuan flanking her, she was stuck.
"Lan Xuan, Han Yachu, Gui Mo, Youyou's just joking!" Zhu Li chimed in with a fawning laugh. Seeing the campus heartthrobs up close, she was thrilled. This was a golden opportunity to be near her idols; how could she pass it up?
"Youyou must be overjoyed that you're all willing to tutor her! She only made that bet with Shen Jia and the others because of you three, you know!" Zhu Li babbled, getting carried away.
"I know, that's why I'm so touched! I never imagined Youyou would be so motivated to improve, all for my sake!" Gui Mo declared with a self-satisfied smirk. He had a way of exuding charm despite being just a high school student, and he was a master at singing his own praises.
"Your smile is fake, and your words are even faker," Shangguan You retorted, her lips twisting. I can't believe I ran into such an utter narcissist, and he even attracted two more self-important show-offs!
"Even though I don't like you, seeing how determined you are, Xuan and I can tutor you," the frosty Han Yachu stated coldly before turning to leave.
"Wait for us after school, okay? Han, wait for me!" Lan Xuan called out hurriedly, then rushed to catch up with Han Yachu.
Two idiots.
"Youyou, I'll tutor you after school too!" Gui Mo insisted, his peach-blossom eyes practically sparkling.
"Youyou, this is fantastic! The school's two—no, wait—three top heartthrobs are going to tutor you! They must have been moved by your sincerity! Youyou, your perseverance has finally paid off! This is truly wonderful!"