School had started.
I missed the boundless sky above my home, yet here I was, caged once more in these narrow confines.
That’s what I’d thought… but somehow, after my rebirth, even school felt oddly endearing.
These faces before me—some youthful, some prematurely serious—radiated a vibrant energy that sent a faint tremor through my heart.
How nostalgic. This precious student era.
No backstabbing. No survival of the fittest. No ruthless pursuit of profit. Just kids in outdated blue-and-white tracksuits, studying in classrooms for a future they’d chase past the first great threshold of life—the Gaokao—before scattering to distant corners of the world.
A time of innocence, flowing only forward, never back.
How lucky I was to return here. To truly savor high school this time.
I’d always believed high school shouldn’t revolve solely around frantic studying. But with National Day approaching…
I pouted.
And then there was the Gaokao.
A blessing and a curse. It offered a fair shot at advancement, yet buried true geniuses beneath its rigid structure.
An angel. A devil.
Later criticisms of the Gaokao often crumbled under scrutiny—mostly noise from self-important fools.
True, life was unfair. Born into hierarchies, we were sorted from day one. But the Gaokao? It gave you a battlefield where you could stand toe-to-toe with those born on golden pedestals.
A chance that vanished once missed.
Though I didn’t particularly care.
After all—I’d been reborn fifteen years ago. I stood atop the pyramid of this unfair world.
Possibly the highest starting point on Earth.
My mood lifted.
Last life, I’d aced the Gaokao. A diligent student, through and through.
This life?
Su Su’s first fifteen years perfectly embodied one phrase:
*"Sorry. Geniuses really can get away with anything."*
Stunning looks. Top grades. Gentle, reliable nature. Only flaws? Frail health, short stature, and being a hopeless bro-con. I couldn’t find a single other fault.
She’d dominated her school’s rankings since childhood—untouchable, a prodigy.
And now? I’d merged my past life’s hard-won wisdom and vast knowledge with Su Su’s terrifying memory, processing speed, and reflexes.
In exams? I was already invincible.
So yes—I could finally relax. Savor the high school days I’d rushed through last time, buried in textbooks.
Registration time neared, but I wasn’t rushing. I slowed my pace, backpack slung over one shoulder, strolling through First High’s campus.
New semester buzz filled the air. Students hurried past—excited, nervous, clustering in small groups, laughing as they found their classrooms.
Hmm… solo walkers like me were rare. Only a handful.
I scanned my fellow loners with mild curiosity. Not a single familiar face.
I pouted.
*Huh. Was Su Su really this unpopular?*
Wait—
A familiar silhouette caught my eye.
I quickened my steps, straining to recognize her. The shape of her shoulders, her clothes… I’d seen her recently. Very recently.
I closed the distance. Finally, her face came into view.
My feet froze. My whole body locked up.
*Holy crap.*
Of course I’d seen her recently!
It was Yu Qingyu!
No wonder she felt familiar…
Muttering under my breath, I ducked my head, hunched my shoulders, and tiptoed backward to escape.
A clear, bright voice stopped me cold from behind:
"Su Su?"
I halted, then turned with practiced ease—tilting my head slightly, wearing just the right shade of surprise.
"Oh… it’s you, Qingyu."
"Mm." Her smile was flawless. "I spotted you. Long time no see."
*Long time no see?! We literally met this morning!*
I plastered on my own perfect smile, bowing politely.
"Yes. Long time no see, Qingyu."
"Eh? But didn’t we just meet this morning?"
"…"
*Ugh!*
Trapped again!
Why did everyone I met lately have such deep scheming skills?
I kept my expression smooth, blinking innocently.
"Oh? So you *do* remember seeing me this morning, Qingyu—I’d thought you’d forgotten."
"How could I forget?" Her smile didn’t waver. "A girl as adorable as you isn’t easily forgotten."
Something unsettling lurked beneath that smile.
Flustered by the direct compliment, I fumbled for a distraction.
"Eh… you’re adorable too!"
Qingyu didn’t respond.
*Holy crap—the awkwardness just deepened!*
She just watched me, silent. Her eyes held deep, still lakes, swirling with unreadable light.
Panicked, I scrambled for a topic shift.
Got it!
"Qingyu, which class were you assigned to?"
"Class 16. You?"
"Eh?"
*My heart didn’t even skip a beat. I just wanted to cry.*
Gritting my teeth, I answered:
"...Class 16 too."
"How wonderful! We’re classmates again."
"Yes. Truly fortunate."
*Truly disastrous!*
[To be continued]
