EVERY LIKE, VOTE, AND COMMENT HELPS!

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Jiao Jiao was like a new person when she stepped into Huadian on Monday morning. 'Jing Jiao fever' had died down significantly during her first week but rose again with enthusiasm at her bright and shining appearance.

Chi Yang met her soon after she entered the school, a few boys trailing behind him.

"Hey, Jiao Jiao! Why are you so happy this morning?"

She grinned and wiggled the strap of her backpack. Lowering her voice conspiratorially, she said, "I've got a bag full of precious treasure; why wouldn't I be happy?"

His brow quirked. "Treasure, huh? Care to share?" He carelessly reached a hand out to grab her strap before she pulled back to avoid his touch.

"No way, Chi Yang! I seem to recall you said we'd be opponents this year. A Pinnacle girl will never help out someone from Zenith."

Jeers rang out from the group of boys. "Oooooh, Brother Yang, she's right. What if she's trying to poison us before the monthly assessment!"

They continued to laugh as Chi Yang watched Jiao Jiao helplessly. She sighed and leaned in closer to him. "It's just my math homework from Mr. Liu's class on Friday. I've been having a bit of trouble, but I finally figured it out. You don't need it anyways, I'm sure you didn't have any problems. Aren't you top of Class 2?"

Chi Yang's eyes were transfixed on her peeking dimple and rosy lips and the light scent of flowers that drifted over him.

Xu Haoran broke in and said, "Brother Yang, why are your ears red? Is it hot in here?" Raucous laughter and jeering erupted as Chi Yang turned his head away in embarrassment.

"I'm Xu Haoran, but you can call me Ranran. Can I call you Jingjing?"

Jiao Jiao's nose wrinkled as she replied, "Ew, no."

Direct hit! Many boys fell hard at that moment.

Xu Haoran was relentless. "Okaaaay, so Jiao Jiao it is then!" He continued teasing, "You're right that a Pinnacle girl shouldn't share her secrets with Zenith. Because Class 2 is coming for you, and we'll freeze Pinnacle out of the Excellence Prize this year!"

Chi Yang elbowed Xu Haoran viciously in the ribs. As he howled and stumbled back into the group of rowdy boys, Jiao Jiao laughed in delight. "Challenge accepted, Xu Haoran! We'll see how many of Zenith can steal a spot from Class 1!"

As the weeks passed, Jiao Jiao's life at Huadian Elite Academy was a whirlwind. Boys vied for her attention, offering to carry her books or help with her homework. Girls, on the other hand, still seemed to give her the cold shoulder, casting envious glances in her direction.

Jiao Jiao and Li Qian met twice weekly at her apartment for math tutoring. Ever attuned to her emotions, Li Qian recognized the lingering unease she felt under her seemingly cheerful demeanor. His genuine belief in her filled the spaces where her self-doubt resided, and she was starting to rely on him more and more.

One afternoon, Jiao Jiao was in the school library doing memorization exercises to prepare for the next day's monthly assessments. She was so absorbed that she didn't notice a group of girls approaching her table until they practically hovered over her.

"Isn't she just perfect?" one of the girls whispered sarcastically, loud enough for Jiao Jiao to hear.

Jiao Jiao looked up, her cheeks tinged with pink and recognized a few girls from her class. "What was that?"

The girl who had spoken, a short girl with curly hair named Chu Lili, smirked. "Oh, look, she can speak."

The other girls giggled, except one, a tall girl with a jet-black bob and narrowed eyes. Jiao Jiao's discomfort grew as the girl glared at her silently.

Finally, she quirked her lip and sneered, "This is the village rubbish that took my spot? Too easy." Xu Haomei placed her hands on the table and loomed over Jiao Jiao's petite figure. "Once the assessment ends, I'll be back in Pinnacle with no problem."

Wang Xinyu piped up. "You'd better keep an eye on her, Meimei. Not only did she steal your spot in Pinnacle, but she's also got all the boys drooling over her."

Jiao Jiao's eyes narrowed, and she stood up from the table with a thumping heart. "You must be Xu Haomei. I've heard about you." She thought about the conversation she'd overheard a few weeks ago and looked suspiciously at the two girls standing like bookends on either side of Xu Haomei.

Xu Haomei laughed derisively. "I've only been gone for a month, and look what happens. Little girls who think they can get fresh show up?" She tutted and continued, "You'll know soon enough after the assessment tomorrow, hmm?"

Jiao Jiao felt a knot forming in her stomach, but she lifted her chin. "Yes, I think everything will be clear after tomorrow. I'd say it was nice to meet you, but..." She gathered her things and left the library, patting her little heart once she was out of sight.