125 The One Surrounded by an Aura

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“Brother, I want to eat that,” a tender voice sounded from the left. Following her finger, Li Zi Qing saw a cotton candy stall at the street corner.

Chen Zi Mo gently patted little Xie Xi Tong’s head. “Brother will go buy it for you.” Then he turned to Li Zi Qing on his right and asked kindly, “Zi Qing, do you want some?”

Remembering that her mother usually forbade her from eating street food, Li Zi Qing shook her head. “No, thank you.”

Chen Zi Mo held the hands of the two delicate little girls as he approached the stall. He still bought two sticks and handed one to Li Zi Qing. “If you don’t want to eat it, just hold it and play with it. If you don’t want it anymore, just throw it away.”

With that, he took both girls’ hands again—holding Chen Zi Mo’s hand with her left, the cotton candy in her right.

Watching Xie Xi Tong’s face covered in sticky sweetness, Li Zi Qing couldn’t resist anymore and took a tentative lick.

So sweet!

Recalling Chen Zi Mo’s warm, gentle eyes, Li Zi Qing felt a pang in her heart, like the sadness she felt when her favorite uncle got married in childhood. She clung to him and cried bitterly.

Feeling the coolness on her hand, Li Zi Qing lowered her gaze and realized it was tears.

Glancing once more at the lively group chatting under the tree, Li Zi Qing turned and walked away.

Xie Xi Tong cast a brief glance in her direction but quickly averted her eyes and resumed playful banter with Lin Xia as if nothing had happened.

Xie Xi Tong did not harbor the same resentment toward Li Zi Qing as the original owner of this body did. This woman was simply proud and aloof, like many talented and beautiful women. Such women rarely schemed; since ancient times, people have adhered to the principle of reciprocity—no one wants to offer warmth only to meet coldness.

Whether it was intentional or innate, even with Xie Xi Tong’s memories, she could not lower herself to befriend that lofty talented woman.

As the saying goes, “The higher the person, the greater the envy; the purer the world, the more the disdain.” This was precisely the kind of ethereal figure Li Zi Qing was—like a celestial exile.

She herself had once been just like that.

But now… Xie Xi Tong glanced at the carefree Lin Xia, smiling without restraint, then at Zhao Qian running over nearby, and smiled softly.

This was the life she truly desired.

“Phew! It’s so hot,” Zhao Qian rushed over, snatching the fan from Lin Xia’s hand and fanning herself vigorously.

“Here, some water.” Lin Xia took out a bottle of drink from a plastic bag, twisted off the cap, and handed it to Zhao Qian.

“Wow, Xia Xia, you’re so thoughtful.” Zhao Qian gulped down the drink. “Ah, refreshing! It’s ice-cold, too.”

“Where’s Xiao Xiao? Isn’t she with you?” Xie Xi Tong asked. Zhao Xin was busy on the other side discussing the upcoming debate competition in two months with Chen Zi Mo.

“She’s still checking the bulletin board over there. I was too hot, so I came over to find you guys first,” Zhao Qian replied. “By the way, the four of us are still in the same class. Ah Xin did really well this time and is with us too—we’re all in Class 7.”

In each grade, the top six classes were humanities-focused, with Class 3 being the humanities experimental class. Class 7 was the science experimental class.

Like all high schools, Rongcheng No. 1 High School prioritized science over humanities, relying on top science students to maintain its graduation rate. Thus, the number of humanities classes was fixed at six, while the number of science classes varied.

Class 7 was the elite among science classes, reserved for the top students.

The school believed that competition and pressure fostered motivation. Class sizes were fixed at 60 students. Each semester, students’ final exam scores and average mock exam results were reviewed. Only those who met the criteria could remain in Class 7.

In other words, even if you got into Class 7, your place was not guaranteed.

For those who made it in, being kicked out was a great shame—especially for teenagers of sixteen or seventeen, who were often cherished by teachers and parents alike in middle school.

This competitive policy was a sharp sword hanging over the heads of these prodigies.

“By the second year, we’ll have to choose between humanities and science. What are you planning to choose?” Zhao Qian fanned herself, chatting casually.

Lin Xia smiled gently. “I’ll definitely choose humanities. You don’t know how much time I spend on science—I’m always doing tons of problems every day but still can’t beat Tong Tong.”

Zhao Qian nodded. Lin Xia really lacked talent in science. She needed nearly twice the time to solve the same problems that Tong Tong did quickly and clearly. Choosing humanities was not a bad idea for her.

“Ah! Ah! I’m dying of heat, water, hurry!” From afar came Sun Xiao Xiao’s voice, drawing the attention of students passing by in the vast campus.

Lin Xia turned her head with a look that said, “I don’t know her.” Zhao Qian mirrored the expression, making Xie Xi Tong smile at their silliness. She playfully imitated them with an innocent gaze toward the sky.

Hmm, the sun is really hot.

Zhao Xin, who had been discussing with Chen Zi Mo, suddenly sensed something unusual. Looking around at the parents and adults watching their way, and then seeing Sun Xiao Xiao running over, she smiled at Chen Zi Mo. “Those four really have a good bond.”

With cheeks like new lychees, a smooth nose like goose fat, radiant skin, and graceful manners, Zhao Xin could have been a figure straight from a Jiangnan elegant lady painting if dressed in ancient costume.

Chen Zi Mo shook his head with a gentle smile as he looked at her sparkling dark eyes. “They’re just four lively treasures—truly exasperating.”

Zhao Xin covered her lips lightly and gave him a teasing glance, full of charm and waves of softness.

A jade-like beauty!

Xie Xi Tong silently praised Zhao Xin. In her previous life, her appearance was decent, comparable to Zhao Xin’s, but she lacked Zhao Xin’s flawless, milky skin and gentle, understanding nature.

She had brought small gifts for everyone on this outing, even remembering Lin Hui, whom she had only met once. For someone so young to be so socially adept was impressive.

From her time with them, she realized that among the four sisters, Lin Xia had the most ordinary features but was the most aloof. On the surface, her temperament seemed the gentlest, but she was the most guarded, treating all classmates equally except for Xie Xi Tong and a few others. Everyone thought she was kind, but no one knew it was because she didn’t take them seriously and therefore didn’t bother with petty matters.

The original owner was temperamental but sincere and straightforward with people.

Of course, her personality was somewhat like Lin Xia’s. Even though the environment had changed, years of cautiousness were not easily shed.

Thinking of this, Xie Xi Tong was grateful to the original owner for leaving her such good parents, brother, and friends. It seemed that straightforward people were better at understanding others than scheming ones like herself.

Though Zhao Xin’s gifts were small, they were thoughtful. If her goal was only Chen Zi Mo, she would have ignored everyone else, which was understandable. Or she might have just given gifts to Lin Xia; Lin Hui had no connection to her life.

Lin Xia had been somewhat indifferent toward Zhao Xin before, but the gift incident changed her impression. Being socially adept might not sound simple, but it was truly comfortable to be around. Thus, their interactions became more genuine.

Sun Xiao Xiao came rushing like a whirlwind, grabbed the water Zhao Xin handed her, and gulped it down.

After drinking heartily, she wiped her mouth like a tomboy and smiled at Zhao Xin. “Thanks, Sister Zhao Xin. You three are so mean; just wait and see how I’ll get back at you. Hmph!”

Zhao Qian twisted her mouth and snorted. “Look at the mess you made. You’re not ladylike, yet you blame us?”

Sun Xiao Xiao glanced around. Since it was the start of the school year, parents and students were everywhere. People under the trees nearby were all watching them, pointing and whispering.

At this age, Sun Xiao Xiao cared deeply about her image. Her cheeks, already flushed from running and heat, turned even redder.

She cleared her throat twice. “Zi Mo, didn’t you say we were going to karaoke? Let’s go quickly. It’s so hot.”

Chen Zi Mo and Zhao Xin exchanged a smile full of meaning.

“Meng Meng and Ah Xin haven’t arrived yet; let’s wait a bit longer,” Chen Zi Mo said with a smile.

“What? That guy is coming too?” Others didn’t mind, but Xie Xi Tong frowned in displeasure.

She really disliked Zhou Meng—such a careless, unruly young man, much like the dissolute scoundrels everyone in Jinling despised.

She despised such men the most.

A man should be either refined like her brother and Ah Xin or steady like the stern uncle in her memories. How could there be such a frivolous person?

Remembering that the original owner once cried on Zhou Meng’s shoulder and had physical contact with a stranger made Xie Xi Tong even more uneasy and reluctant to meet him.

Lin Xia smiled. “I didn’t expect that after you were sick, you’d dislike Brother Zhou Meng even more. He even went to City B to see you while you were ill.”

Xie Xi Tong frowned. “He wasn’t there to see me; probably just gloating. Since I came back, where has he been? Has he visited me even once?”

Chen Zi Mo found it amusing. Tong Tong always looked displeased when she saw him, as if he owed her millions. What a character!

He shook his head and smiled. “It’s because of you. You always look at people like they owe you money. Your health hasn’t fully recovered; I wouldn’t dare let him come and upset you. Besides, Meng Meng has his own family matters.”

“Hmph, you’re just making excuses for him. I just don’t like him.”

Zhao Xin looked up at the sun. “Let’s go. Maybe something’s holding them up. It’s too hot to wait here.”

“Yeah, it’s so hot! Brother Chen, quickly get Uncle’s car. Let’s drive over,” Sun Xiao Xiao hurried, aware of the curious eyes on her. “After karaoke, when it’s cooler, we’ll sneak the car back.”

Chen Zi Mo sighed. “I’m not eighteen yet. I don’t have a driver’s license.”

Though he could drive, the law did not permit him.

“No worries, it’s just a few minutes’ drive. Nothing will happen,” Sun Xiao Xiao assured. “Besides, my dad’s here. Who’d dare stop you?”

Lin Xia found this amusing—it sounded just like the old “My dad is Li Gang” excuse.

But it was common. Their families, combined, practically controlled Rongcheng. With Chen’s father’s car plate, no traffic cop would dare stop them.

“Go on, Brother Chen. What if Tong Tong gets sunstroke?” Sun Xiao Xiao winked at Xie Xi Tong, feigning concern. “Oh, Tong Tong, your face is so red. Could you be sunstroke?”

Xie Xi Tong: … red because of your teasing!

That was everyone’s silent thought.

Chen Zi Mo truly doted on his little sister. Seeing her flushed face after her recent illness, he nodded. “Alright, wait here. I’ll go get the car.”

“Yeah!” Sun Xiao Xiao quickly flashed a V sign with her fingers.

“Go ahead. I’ll call Meng Meng and Ah Xin to tell them we’re going ahead,” Zhao Xin said warmly.

Chen Zi Mo drove the car over. Zhao Xin took the front passenger seat, while the other four friends squeezed into the back. Fortunately, none were heavy, so it wasn’t cramped.

“Who are they? Driving at school at such a young age?”

“You don’t know? The driver is famous at our school. Since he enrolled, he’s always top of every exam.”

“Top of the class and driving at school? That’s bold!”

“Not quite. His father is the principal of our high school. Who’d dare say anything to him?”

“No way! I thought his dad was the principal of the experimental high school. How did he become our school’s principal?”

“You don’t know? When Chen Zi Mo and Xie Xi Tong were younger, his father stayed at the middle school to take care of them. Now that they’re in high school, he naturally moved up too.”

“What? He’s Chen Zi Mo?”

“Yes. Handsome, right? See the girl talking to him? That’s Zhao Xin. Wow, so pretty.”

“That’s Zhao Xin? She’s pretty, but isn’t Chen Zi Mo’s girlfriend supposed to be Li Zi Qing? How did it become Zhao Xin?”

“I don’t know, but in middle school, Li Zi Qing and Chen Xuanqi once fought over Chen Zi Mo. That’s old news.”

“Wow, bro, you sure know all the gossip!”

“Heh, that’s because I’m Chen Zi Mo’s classmate.”

The man looked around at his many bags and asked, “So?”

“Hey, I got addicted to Journey and Overlord Continent games, so I accidentally repeated a grade.”

“Wow, repeating a year and still got into No. 1 High? You’re smart!”

“Not really. No one’s smarter than Chen Zi Mo. You’ll see when you start school—comparing yourself to others can be maddening…”

After they left, the whispers spread through the air, hovering over the campus.

No matter how much time passed, those with halos remained the objects of admiration.

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