Chapter 264: Chapter 264

Zhao Guodong looked at Ye Ling, and the few people beside him were also looking at Ye Ling. Ye Ling noticed that they were staring at her, and under normal circumstances, she would have let it go, but there were outsiders present as well.

"This is Yang Hui." Thankfully Zhao Guodong had asked earlier, so Ye Ling took the opportunity to break the silence.

Yang Hui nodded gracefully to the group and then pulled Ye Ling aside, "Are you all together?"

"Yes, from the same neighborhood," Ye Ling glanced around and noticed Liu Zhiyuan and the others were present too.

Initially, she had thought that when they used to gather in the community, it was just that, but after starting school, they actually stuck together.

Yang Hui exclaimed in surprise, "You... you guys are actually from the same neighborhood, that’s impressive."

For people who knew this to show surprise, the group was already used to it. Ye Ling felt a bit embarrassed hearing Yang Hui’s continuous praise, "Alright, let’s go eat. Tomorrow’s the official start of school and the beginning of military training; I heard it’s three months long. Let’s rest while we can."

"Okay." Yang Hui didn’t press further, nodded to the group, and left with Ye Ling.

Zhao Guodong watched them leave and was then pulled along by Zhang Linong, muttering on the way, "I was hoping to chat a bit more."

"We’re at school, not in the neighborhood. You need to watch yourself; the school doesn’t forbid interactions between boys and girls but prohibits dating. Since Ye Ling and we are from the same community, she feels comfortable with us, but outsiders may have different opinions, so it’s best to be mindful," Zhang Linong advised him.

Zhao Guodong paused, feeling a warmth in his ears, "I understand."

Yet he felt inexplicably guilty, overthinking it but quickly raising his chin. He didn’t notice, but his conflicting demeanor was observed by everyone, except the slower Wang Ping, who couldn’t quite grasp what was going on. The rest understood perfectly.

After eating, Ye Ling and Yang Hui returned to their dormitory and saw the new student, who they had spotted during enrollment. The new student had long, flowing hair, thick eyebrows, and big eyes on an oval face. Though Ma Yue also had an oval face, the new student was very fair, with cherry lips and a sweet smile that inadvertently reminded Ye Ling of Ye Qian.

"Hi, I’m Liu Nan." After introducing herself, Liu Nan pouted, "Why am I the one sleeping on the top bunk? I’m so unlucky."

She seemed like a child. Content originally comes from novel⦿fire.net

Yang Hui laughed, "I’m Yang Hui, and she’s Ye Ling. I noticed there are only five of us here; could it be we’re the only new girls this time?"

Liu Nan’s bed was above Ma Yue’s, and while Ye Ling knew Liu Nan was originally supposed to be on the lower bunk but swapped with Ma Yue, she didn’t say anything to avoid conflict.

"Probably, given our school’s high standards, not everyone can get in," Liu Nan seemed naive, but her words showed she knew a lot.

Yang Hui and Ye Ling were no fools and quickly deduced that Liu Nan came from a high-ranking family.

"By the way, tomorrow we officially start training. When the instructor brought me over, they said the military training would last three months. Have you chosen your major yet? There are over ten options. I plan to choose education management because it’s suitable for girls like us," Liu Nan shared her thoughts.

Ye Ling had actually been considering her options too, and Liu Nan’s question prompted her to think carefully. She preferred to engage with institutions rather than mingling too much with other girls, so she planned to choose the science and technology research and address major. Seeing Yang Hui and Liu Nan chatting, Ye Ling kept her thoughts to herself, knowing everyone would find out after the military training anyway.

Liu Nan loved to play, Yang Hui enjoyed lively atmospheres, and Ye Ling was the quietest among them. However, she didn’t want to stand out, so she tagged along with Liu Nan and Yang Hui for a stroll outside the school. Knowing Ye Ling hadn’t been to Beijing before, the three even visited Tiananmen.

It was Ye Ling’s first time seeing Tiananmen in two lifetimes, and she was thrilled. By the time they returned to school that afternoon, she was too tired to move but felt very happy.

When they returned, Ma Yue and Dong Minghui had already come back. Seeing the three return so joyously, especially with Liu Nan looking so lovely, Ma Yue felt even more displeased looking at them.

Liu Nan greeted Ma Yue and Dong Minghui, but Ma Yue stayed silent while Dong Minghui gave Liu Nan a condescending look up and down. Liu Nan might seem naive, but she wasn’t stupid, "Are you from the north?"

Such pride was a clear indication of a wealthy upbringing, and only someone from a significant background would dare display such arrogance at this school.

Dong Minghui raised her chin and nodded.

Liu Nan then immediately asked, "What position does your father hold?"

This was a sore spot for Dong Minghui, as her father was only a staff officer for a commander. She glared, "Who are you to ask? Why should I tell you anything?"

Liu Nan, used to dealing with people , raised her chin haughtily, "It’s okay, my grandfather is a Ph.D. holder, so I’m just curious about your father’s occupation."

Dong Minghui’s face darkened.

With a grandfather who’s a Ph.D. holder, her father’s position mustn’t be low either.

Dong Minghui was both embarrassed and angry, "Ma Yue’s grandfather is also a Ph.D. holder, what’s there to boast about?"

"That’s Ma Yue’s grandfather, not yours," Liu Nan replied lightly.

Dong Minghui’s face turned completely red, unable to respond, and she looked helplessly at Ma Yue, who was absorbed in her book, pretending not to notice. Seeing that Ma Yue had no intention of helping, Dong Minghui felt a deep sense of discomfort.

Liu Nan, having embarrassed Dong Minghui, winked at Ye Ling and Yang Hui. Yang Hui didn’t dare to react openly, but Ye Ling, finding Liu Nan’s personality pleasant, couldn’t help but let out a laugh. Dong Minghui, searching for an outlet for her frustration, wouldn’t let this opportunity pass.

"What’s funny? Do you really think you’re somebody just because you’re buddy-buddy with her? Don’t get too cocky too soon," Dong Minghui snapped.

Ye Ling raised an eyebrow, not wanting to engage with Dong Minghui.

Liu Nan took over, "Ye Ling is with me now, so you bullying her is like bullying me. What’s wrong with laughing? Why do you care so much? People can’t even laugh here unless it’s your school now?"

Dong Minghui dared not argue with Liu Nan any further, resorting to a fierce glare at Ye Ling.

At this moment, Ma Yue, who had been silent, put down her book and looked at Liu Nan, "Dong Minghui is with me, so anyone who bullies her is bullying me."

The confrontation with Liu Nan was set. (To be continued. If you work, feel free to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)