“Hmm. At the end of the day, studying is your own responsibility. Put a little more heart into it.”
Teacher Zhu gazed at Lin Lin with that classic *disappointed-teacher* look—making Lin Lin feel slightly embarrassed.
She lowered her head and mumbled half-heartedly, “Yes… I know…”
*Sigh…* Teacher Zhu exhaled. *No, I still need a plan. Otherwise, this kid’ll forget everything the second she walks out.*
“For the next monthly exam, I want you scoring above one hundred. Stuck on something? Ask Gao Liang. Get some tutoring from him these days! Or was arranging such a great desk mate totally wasted?”
Teacher Zhu shot Lin Lin a meaningful glance and whispered, “Xiao Lin… if he hesitates, just… *nudge* him a little. Gao Liang’s not the type to say no.”
Uh…
Lin Lin’s lips twitched. *Is a teacher really supposed to say that?!*
Wasn’t this basically pushing her down the path of becoming an academic seductress?
Today it’s tutoring from a guy—what’s tomorrow?! She didn’t even dare imagine.
Well… Gao Liang definitely wouldn’t play the role of the academic tyrant anyway.
Lin Lin gave a very reluctant nod, thinking: *A hundred points? Yeah, right.*
Even if she failed, the teacher couldn’t actually do anything. Might as well agree casually.
Teacher Zhu nodded. “Alright then. Head back to class.”
*Phew…*
Lin Lin finally let out a breath of relief and hurried back.
Just outside the classroom door, she glanced again at her math test.
That glaring red “Fail” stirred a wave of gloom.
Honestly… bad grades, poor social life…
*Sigh… What do I even do?*
Why did her school life stay so gloomy—even after becoming a pretty girl this time?
This…
Where’s the real problem?
Could it be… because she never dared to talk to others first?
Hmm…
After thinking it through, that possibility felt pretty high.
If someone rarely talks to others, they’re often seen as cold, aloof, or antisocial.
But Lin Lin’s real reason for not initiating chats was…
Social… social anxiety.
Sometimes just speaking made her heart race. With strangers, her voice would shrink to a whisper. If she accidentally spoke too loud in excitement? Total regret later.
That was Lin Lin.
Social anxiety had many roots—but mostly, crushing self-doubt.
She’d thought turning into a cute girl would ease it…
But…
Now?
Lin Lin felt a pang of panic. She didn’t seem popular with classmates at all.
*Ugh…*
At this rate, high school would end in total loneliness.
What to do…?
Lost in thought, her eyes drifted toward her seat—
Her lips twitched again.
Several girls hovered near Gao Liang, textbooks in hand, practically vibrating with eagerness. One even held an *art sketchbook*!
Was that even necessary for high school art class?!
Watching the ultra-popular genius Gao Liang, Lin Lin quietly clenched her tiny fists.
No. She had to study harder too.
Wait—being a top student seemed to boost social points, right?
A genius *and* a pretty girl? Hmm~
*Ohhh…*
So *that’s* why Gao Liang’s so popular.
But… how could *she* improve?
*Ugh…* One more glance at Gao Liang.
Tch—
Seeing girls swarming him, Lin Lin silently vowed: *No contact with that guy. Ever.*
Not to be edgy. Not because liking someone at this age was silly. Just…
Because of that stubborn *male pride* still lodged deep in her heart—even though she wasn’t a guy anymore.
Yeah…
So tutoring from *him*?
Don’t even *think* about it!
Tch.
But avoiding him wasn’t enough to soothe her frustration.
Damn it—her social anxiety was at least 70% *his* fault!
Why were *you* so popular?!
Fuming, Lin Lin stomped back to her seat. The girls nearby froze awkwardly—
Then, remembering how Lin Lin had even stood up to Han Kui during morning reading, they quickly stepped back, clearing space.
Just as Lin Lin was about to sit—
A hand landed on her shoulder.
She froze, turned… and saw *that blonde* smiling behind her.
*Hss—*
Lin Lin sucked in a sharp breath. That smile felt… forced. Unnervingly stiff.
W-wasn’t this Han Kui—the one she’d snapped at during morning study?!
What was she here for? R-revenge?!
Surely not…
Facing the delinquent girl, Lin Lin’s earlier boldness had long vanished under repeated setbacks. She shrank slightly and asked, voice trembling: “U-um… c-can I help you?”
“Hehe… well…” Han Kui rubbed her hands together with exaggerated friendliness. “I’ve got something to discuss with you, Lin Lin. Mind stepping outside? Don’t worry—it’s just… making a friend~”
“F-friend?!”
At those three words, Lin Lin’s eyes lit up. *A friend?!* She’d craved this so badly. In that joyful haze, even Han Kui looked suddenly kind and trustworthy.
No hesitation!
Lin Lin nodded firmly and followed Han Kui out.
*Yes! I’m finally getting a friend!*
At the classroom door, she stood straight, eyes sparkling with hope.
The blonde wiped sweat from her brow, momentarily speechless at Lin Lin’s radiant excitement—but kept a sweet smile. She gestured, leaned close to Lin Lin’s ear, and whispered:
“Listen up, Lin Lin~”
She took a deep breath—then erupted:
“ARRGH! Who the hell do you think you are, you clueless good-for-nothing?! Sharing a class with me—got a big head now?! Think I won’t slap you silly, *brat*?! Don’t you *dare* use your desk-mate status to get close to Gao Liang—or I’ll bury you behind the school hill, *brat*! Still dared to talk back to me?! You should feel *grateful* just breathing the same air as me, *brat brat brat brat brat brat brat brat brat brat—*!!”
“And that’s that~ So… how about sending me a love letter, *Brat-chan*~?”
…
Lin Lin stood frozen after the machine-gun rant. A long silence. Then—a shiver.
And…
Her composure shattered.
