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Psst! We're moving!
The next day, a status update on a social media platform was reposted thousands of times.
[GR hired Cheng Mi; Cheng Mi was unaware of the dispute between GR and their former model.]
These few words, coupled with the identity of the person who posted the clarification, made the status update explode online.
Shock, joy, anger—the internet was filled with emotional fervor.
The person who posted this clarification was neither the instigator, Zhang Lingyin, nor the victim, Cheng Mi, but Deng Zi, who wasn’t even that familiar with Cheng Mi.
Deng Zi’s action was righteous and loyal, but it also meant he was very close to being fired.
Cheng Mi saw the news the next day at school. Deng Zi posted the status update in the early hours of the morning and hadn’t contacted her or said anything to her afterward.
During a class break, Cheng Mi went to the restroom to call him.
The call rang for a while before being answered, his voice thick with sleepiness.
“It’s early morning, why are you calling?”
Unless Cheng Mi’s memory was failing, it was past ten in the morning.
She said: “Check the time?”
Deng Zi replied: “Plenty of time. I packed up and left in the middle of the night yesterday, so today I’m going to sleep until the world goes dark and enjoy the bliss of being unemployed.”
No matter the studio, if it involves profit, it will always prioritize its own interests. Profit knows no mercy; it’s only about what benefits oneself.
Deng Zi’s status update last night was undoubtedly an act of tarnishing the studio’s reputation, damaging its image and good name.
To them, Deng Zi was “turning his elbow outward,” meaning he was disloyal. Employees were supposed to keep quiet, but Deng Zi didn’t, so he naturally had to pack up and leave.
Cheng Mi said: “Master Photographer Deng, there’s one thing you’re misunderstanding: they didn’t ask you to leave; you jumped ship from their studio yourself.”
On the other end, Deng Zi sounded like he was reaching for a cigarette. A lighter clicked, and he chuckled: “Tsk, you really know how to talk. But don’t you know, since last night, no less than three studios have called me.”
“Impressive, Master Photographer Deng.”
Deng Zi said: “Not really, just a moment of impulsive excitement. I’ve always had the idea of resigning from there. Well, you gave me an opportunity, and I just took it.”
Cheng Mi recalled that Deng Zi and Zhang Lingyin had a decent relationship. Initially, Cheng Mi and Deng Zi met through Zhang Lingyin. That time, Zhang Lingyin was on a business trip and asked Deng Zi to help with Cheng Mi’s photoshoot. Being able to assist a colleague with work was considered a good relationship.
But Deng Zi’s clarification meant pushing Zhang Lingyin out, completely taking an opposing stance.
“Isn’t your relationship with Zhang Lingyin pretty good?” Cheng Mi asked.
“You also know it’s ‘pretty good.’ It’s the kind where they think of you when they need something, but you’re not a friend when they don’t,” Deng Zi joked, though he was usually very loyal in helping out. “She always tries to be lazy and make me do things. I’ve tolerated her for a long time.”
“No mistaking it, you’re just an old softy.”
Deng Zi sighed: “I certainly am.”
“But this time, wasn’t I not such a good person?”
Cheng Mi chuckled.
“Let’s put it this way, in your situation, you’re a good old softy,” Deng Zi’s voice was a bit muffled as he bit his cigarette, “You should have done it this way: don’t terminate the contract first, instigate Zhang Lingyin to come out and apologize to you. After she apologizes and clarifies this misunderstanding, then you kick her out. That would be so satisfying. But you, you just terminated the contract. Once that contract is terminated, you might not see Zhang Lingyin apologize in your next life.”
The day Cheng Mi went to find Zhang Lingyin, after their confrontation, Zhang Lingyin had offered a few apologies to Cheng Mi at the end and even promised to clarify the misunderstanding. Of course, her sincere attitude was before Cheng Mi terminated the contract, because she still wanted to keep working with Cheng Mi.
After Cheng Mi terminated her contract with them, there was no longer any connection. They certainly wouldn’t bring controversy and criticism upon their own studio for an unrelated person. Zhang Lingyin certainly wouldn’t play the good Samaritan and put herself in the eye of the storm.
Some people’s true nature doesn’t need much pondering.
Deng Zi said: “I understand you don’t want to work with them for another minute, because I feel the same way. But this concerns your own reputation. You should definitely settle accounts with Zhang Lingyin. With your presence, she’d be apologizing to you on her knees.”
Cheng Mi was silent for a moment, then said: “Being deceived feels pretty disgusting.”
Coming from Cheng Mi, these words carried significant weight. She was usually someone who spoke without sharp edges, but suddenly, small thorns appeared in her words.
Even Deng Zi was a bit surprised.
But it must be said, this made him see a bit more humanity in Cheng Mi, that kind of spirit that gets angry and furious, as he had never seen Cheng Mi angry before.
This was Cheng Mi, yet even she had moments of not thinking things through due to her likes and dislikes.
Deng Zi said: “Disgusted to the point of wanting to immediately cut ties with the other party?”
Cheng Mi wasn’t someone who liked to vent her emotions to others: “Are you going to ask me to tell you about it next?”
“Oh, you actually guessed it.”
Deng Zi sighed more than twice during this call: “But I still think you should be tougher. You should have gone after Zhang Lingyin. With your presence, she would have apologized to you on her knees.”
“That ruthless?” Cheng Mi chuckled softly.
“If you’re not ruthless, those scoundrels won’t be scared.”
“I’ve only been here for how long? I won’t cause trouble.”
Causing trouble in her current situation wouldn’t just be her own problem, but would also trouble Li Yeheng and Si Huiru.
Deng Zi sniffed out gossip: “What, you used to cause trouble often?”
“This Master Photographer Deng, you’re very gossipy.”
Deng Zi: “Isn’t that normal? In our line of work, our eyes and ears always need to stay ‘gossipy’.”
He added: “Oh, right, are you still looking for work? If so, I can help you ask around.”
“You should worry about yourself first.”
Deng Zi sounded not arrogant, but genuinely confident: “What am I afraid of? I’ll find a new job by tomorrow. I’m often in this field; although I don’t have many connections, finding you a modeling gig shouldn’t be difficult. Of course, the conditions might not compare to GR, but they won’t be bad. I’ll definitely find you good conditions.”
Cheng Mi said: “Besides modeling?”
Deng Zi felt puzzled: “You don’t want to model? You could make a living off this for life.”
“No interest.”
Aside from GR magazine approaching her after she came to Fengxun, the only other time Cheng Mi worked as a model was as an exclusive model for a certain brand of women’s clothing. Both times she took these jobs were related to money. Cheng Mi herself was very suitable for modeling, but she wasn’t actually keen on it.
Deng Zi asked her: “Then what are you interested in? Becoming a big star?”
“Not that far,” Cheng Mi chuckled, then said, “something like a bar resident singer.”
Deng Zi was surprised: “You’re full of surprises, Cheng Mi! You actually like to sing?”
“It’s alright. Compared to modeling, I’m a bit more interested in this.”
Like her mother, Cheng Zi, Cheng Mi had a good singing voice. For a period, Cheng Zi had specifically trained her in this area. But later, Cheng Mi had her own ideas and stopped learning, though she would still occasionally play music.
Deng Zi said: “That’s much easier to find than modeling. You’re probably looking for something like a quiet bar, right?”
“Either is fine.”
“Easy, there are tons,” Deng Zi had some noisy TV sounds in the background. “If you want, I can contact some friends for you today.”
“You have a wide network.”
“That’s called being a drunkard.”
This entire break was spent chatting. Soon, the warning bell rang.
The restroom Cheng Mi was in was quiet and empty. She left the window: “Gotta go, class is starting.”
“Alright, study hard, third-year high schooler. Let’s grab a drink when you’re free.”
________________________________________
Deng Zi’s status update not only stirred up a storm online but also made the Fengxun High School forum incredibly lively.
For a while, the forum showed no study-related topics; it was all dominated by Cheng Mi’s and Qi Yunmiao’s names.
• That GR editor is really disgusting. What are they playing at? Are they two-faced?
• This will cause misunderstandings, you know? Yesterday, the forum slandered Cheng Mi so badly.
• But Cheng Mi is really beautiful! Even though GR was disgusting this time, this issue’s photoshoot is really good. Cheng Mi looks too good.
• I agree, Cheng Mi is much prettier than Qi Yunmiao.
For a while, various voices—sympathetic, angry, curious, and just watching the drama—all mixed together in chaotic disarray.
Cheng Mi hadn’t done anything since coming to this school, but her fame was already on par with Qi Yunmiao’s.
When Cheng Mi returned to the classroom, she ran into a familiar person. Si Tingyan, in his school uniform, was walking towards their classroom.
The corridor was still bustling after the warning bell, with students chatting, laughing, chasing, and playing.
Si Tingyan was completely separate from the greasy, exaggerated behavior of the boys around him. His shoulders were slightly thin but very straight, and his black and white school uniform looked neat and clean on him.
Within five or six meters, their eyes met.
But unlike old friends, they didn’t meet warmly or wave from a distance.
They stood face to face, the distance shortening with each step.
Cheng Mi was also wearing her school uniform, her jacket unzipped, hanging loosely on her.
Yet, she didn’t look unkempt at all. The school jacket wasn’t just a uniform on her; it had become part of her style.
Because she was a figure online and on the forum, and recently her name had been frequently mentioned due to the magazine model incident, curious glances were constantly thrown her way in the corridor.
Cheng Mi didn’t pay attention; her eyes were only on Si Tingyan.
They gradually approached.
From behind, a rather bright “Si Tingyan” rang out, followed by a bump to Cheng Mi’s shoulder from behind.
Her shoulder tilted slightly, and a figure with a beautiful black ribbon tied in her hair passed by her.
The back of that head looked familiar, though it was the first time she had seen her with her hair tied up.
The two main characters, who had been hotly debated on the forum, suddenly appeared together here. More curious gazes gathered around.
Cheng Mi didn’t stop after being bumped; she naturally returned to her original pace.
Qi Yunmiao ran up to Si Tingyan: “Where did you go? I couldn’t find you in your classroom.”
Cheng Mi’s gaze only flickered to Qi Yunmiao for a second, then quickly returned to Si Tingyan.
Si Tingyan was also looking at her.
They were now face-to-face.
The class bell rang at this moment. The people loitering and chatting in the corridor had to return to their classrooms, and the sounds of footsteps and talking grew chaotic.
The corridor echoed with the urgent bell.
Cheng Mi and Si Tingyan looked at each other for a final second, then brushed past each other the next.
The third-year high school classrooms were on the floor below the second-year classrooms.
Cheng Mi went down the stairs. Across the long corridor, a few giggling girls were standing outside the girls’ restroom.
Their laughter was quite piercing, and their behavior was flamboyant.
Cheng Mi had been at Feng Gao for almost a month; it wasn’t long, but she had gotten to know all sorts of people.
The girls outside the girls’ restroom were Qi Yunmiao’s group of friends who were also in their second year of high school.
Cheng Mi could recognize them, but it didn’t mean she would pay attention.
She walked along the still bustling corridor back to her classroom.
Class 4’s atmosphere was always noisy. Usually, before class, the boys and girls would still be loud and joking, making a deafening ruckus. But today seemed different. Apart from Zheng Hongkai and his rowdy friends at the back of the classroom, and those who buried themselves in their studies oblivious to the outside world, the other students were unusually quiet, as if their mouths had been glued shut.
Cheng Mi walked in.
The ill-tempered girl at the back of the classroom pointed at Zheng Hongkai’s nose and cursed: “Zheng Hongkai, give me back my phone, you f***er!”
Zheng Hongkai sat haphazardly on the desk, dangling his legs, tossing a book and a phone in his hand, grinning mischievously: “Such a little girl, why so ill-tempered? What man would want a girl with such a bad temper?”
“Get lost,” the girl threw a book at him, “Give me back my phone.”
“What’s the big deal? What are you looking at that you can’t let me see? Why are you so nervous?”
“You motherf***er,” the girl stood up to grab it, “I think you want to die.”
Cheng Mi reached the vicinity of her seat at this moment. Zheng Hongkai saw her out of the corner of his eye, loosened his grip on the phone still held by the girl, and received two hard slaps on his arm from the girl.
Zheng Hongkai remained seated on the desk, asking Cheng Mi: “Where did you go?”
His concern was a bit forced.
When Cheng Mi used to hang out with Red Hair and his group, and before Zheng Hongkai and Li Zhiyu fell out, Cheng Mi also had a decent relationship with him.
They were among the first people she met here. When no one in the class was familiar with each other, it was Zheng Hongkai and his male friends who would chat with her.
Even though their relationship wasn’t as close as best friends, they would still often exchange a few words in class.
Cheng Mi wasn’t the kind of person with a clear line between love and hate, but ever since Zheng Hongkai did that thing to Si Tingyan on the playground, Cheng Mi’s relationship with Zheng Hongkai wasn’t as close as before.
She walked over: “Nowhere special.”
Zheng Hongkai glanced at her, saying nothing.
Cheng Mi pulled out her chair and sat down. She could feel many people looking at her.
Including Meng Yin.
Meng Yin, with her shy personality, rarely stared at Cheng Mi like this. Usually, when she looked at her like this, it meant she had something to say, and Meng Yin’s face seemed a bit...
Cheng Mi glanced at her.
Yes, nervous.
Meng Yin looked a bit uneasy, her hands clenched on her legs under the desk.
Cheng Mi felt her hands must be sweating now.
She looked at Meng Yin: “What’s wrong?”
Meng Yin also looked at her: “Cheng Mi, that...”
She glanced at a certain spot on the table.
Cheng Mi followed her gaze.
The classroom seemed to hold its breath; everyone was silent. Although they weren’t looking directly, the entire class’s focus was clearly on this spot.
Meng Yin’s eyes, nose, and face were all a bit round, without any sharp angles or edges.
Someone with such a gentle appearance, though a bit nervous, spoke with a firm tone: “Don’t drink the water in your cup. They put toilet mop water in it.”
Who “they” were was obvious.
Cheng Mi looked at the milky-white frosted water cup at the corner of her desk.
There was a small water stain under the cup on the brown-yellow tabletop.
Meng Yin saw her reaction and tried to say something else: “It was Fu...”
Before she finished speaking, Cheng Mi stopped her: “Meng Yin, don’t say it.”
Meng Yin’s words caught in her throat.
The girl who was initially fighting Zheng Hongkai for the phone then said to Meng Yin from the back: “Are you crazy? Those gossips said not to say anything. Are you trying to get them to slap your face?”
Someone had already said it, so there was nothing left to hide.
Zheng Hongkai then said to Cheng Mi from the back: “They’ve really started a feud with you. Now online, everywhere, they’re talking about Qi Yunmiao and you together.”
Although the incident of Cheng Mi “snatching” from Qi Yunmiao was a misunderstanding, the current animosity between the two sides went beyond that. Since this issue of GR magazine was published, the internet had been fanning the flames everywhere, comparing their faces and personalities.
Where there’s comparison, there’s belittling. Coupled with the public opinion clearly leaning towards Cheng Mi, Qi Yunmiao’s name online was already unmentionable.
Though Cheng Mi wasn’t in a much better position, as Qi Yunmiao’s personality was more active online than Cheng Mi’s, and she had significantly more fans.
With Qi Yunmiao’s personality, it was impossible for her to be magnanimous and pretend to be unfazed.
Students in the classroom gradually turned their heads to look in this direction, but no one dared to speak.
Especially when sharp laughter and talking sounds from outside approached the classroom window.
Cheng Mi sat in her seat without moving. As those footsteps neared the back door of the classroom, she picked up the water cup from the corner of her desk and rose from her chair.
The movement wasn’t loud, just like any other time she got up.
Their homeroom teacher, Wei Xiangdong, walked into the classroom at this moment.
Cheng Mi, however, acted as if she hadn’t seen him, walking towards the back door of the classroom.
The laughter and voices outside were somewhat affected and obviously meant to attract attention, approaching as if to see some ridiculous prey.
Cheng Mi held the water cup loosely in her dangling fingers, walking towards the source of the sound.
Zheng Hongkai, Meng Yin, and the other girl all watched Cheng Mi, including the other classmates in the room.
Wei Xiangdong, seeing Cheng Mi walk towards the back, called out to her: “Cheng Mi, class is starting, why are you leaving your seat?”
As Cheng Mi walked towards the back door of the classroom, the zipper pull of her school uniform hit the side of the water cup, making a crisp clinking sound, especially jarring in the quiet classroom at that moment.
The laughter outside the classroom was equally grating on the eardrums.
As Cheng Mi neared the back door, Fu Xinyi and her group of girls also appeared at the classroom’s back doorway.
Their faces wore smiles, devoid of any youthful innocence, filled instead with ugly malice.
They hadn’t expected Cheng Mi to appear at the back door, and clearly coming for them. The smiles on their faces instantly froze.
But they quickly reacted, and the smiles that hadn’t yet vanished from their faces immediately turned into indignation.
Due to Cheng Mi’s bright features, she sometimes looked a bit serious when she wasn’t smiling.
Just like now, her eyebrows, eyes, and lips weren’t smiling as usual.
The girls outside suddenly lost some of their momentum, though they were still fierce.
But their aura was instantly suppressed by Cheng Mi.
One against five.
They just watched Cheng Mi approach.
Cheng Mi walked to the doorway and stopped.
Leading them was Fu Xinyi, who stood her ground, not retreating an inch, to maintain her composure.
Cheng Mi also looked at her, then raised the hand holding the water cup. Her movements were unhurried.
Fu Xinyi’s throat swallowed: “What are you doing?”
Quite successful, her voice didn’t tremble.
The girls behind her were also stunned, momentarily unable to react.
Cheng Mi looked at Fu Xinyi, then curved her other wrist, her five fingertips resting on the cup lid, as if to twist it open.
Fu Xinyi couldn’t help but pay attention to her movements, her eyelashes finally fluttering slightly.
Cheng Mi’s hand, which was twisting the cup lid, suddenly stopped. Her eyes looked at her, her expression slightly unhurried, and her tone matched.
“What did you think I was going to do?”
After speaking, she extended her hand above the trash can next to the back door, and let go.
The water cup plopped into the trash can, making the can’s walls shake.
Fu Xinyi then came to her senses, realizing she had been fooled. Her face darkened: “Cheng Mi, are you f***ing sick?!”
“I am sick,” Cheng Mi said, “but I think you’re probably not far off either, so why don’t we both stop provoking each other, okay?”
“What are you all doing?” Wei Xiangdong walked to the back at this moment. “Class has started, what are you doing here? Which class are you from?”
“Cheng Mi, go back to your seat.”
Cheng Mi, having said what she wanted to say to Fu Xinyi, couldn’t be bothered to say anything more. She turned and walked back into the classroom.
Although Feng Gao had many problematic students, teachers still held some authority. Fu Xinyi and her group, after being reprimanded by Wei Xiangdong, didn’t talk back, but their attitude wasn’t much better. They almost rolled their eyes at the teacher, then left with dark faces.
Cheng Mi walked over and sat down. Wei Xiangdong, passing her seat, told her: “Cheng Mi, come to my office after class.”
Then, in class, he moved on from the subject: “Class is starting. Take out your physics books and turn to page forty-five. Today, we’ll review the content you covered in your second year of high school.”
The sound of pages turning echoed in the classroom. Everyone’s attention was no longer on Cheng Mi.
Zheng Hongkai said to Cheng Mi from the back: “You should stay away from them in the future. Those few are all crazy.”
Although Zheng Hongkai actually liked people like that; Qi Yunmiao was his type.
Meng Yin’s physics book was already open on her desk, and she was turning pages.
Cheng Mi also took out her book from under the desk: “Don’t go to the restroom alone recently. Stick with me.”
Meng Yin turned her head to look at her. After a few seconds, she reacted and nodded: “Oh, okay.”
Cheng Mi turned to look at her and smiled: “Thanks.”
Meng Yin shook her head: “No problem, it’s nothing.”
________________________________________
Wei Xiangdong was temporarily called away by a phone call from the head of the third-year physics group after the morning class. His planned talk with Cheng Mi didn’t happen. He only called her over before the last physical education class in the afternoon.
As soon as Cheng Mi entered the office, Wei Xiangdong pulled out the chair next to his desk: “You’re here? Come, sit down.”
This was Cheng Mi’s second time in this office. The first time was nearly a month ago when she completed her enrollment procedures and was brought here by Wei Xiangdong.
That time, Wei Xiangdong mainly talked to her about her studies in her third year of high school. This time, the opening was the same.
“How are your studies going lately? Are you managing well?”
He was very kind.
Cheng Mi nodded, speaking truthfully: “It’s alright.”
“Are there any areas you’re falling behind in? The three main subjects and elective subjects?” Wei Xiangdong tidied the documents on his desk and placed them aside.
Indeed, there were.
“Math,” Cheng Mi said.
“Then I’ll talk to your math teacher and ask him to give you more attention. If you have any problems, remember to go to the office and find Teacher Chen.”
Cheng Mi still nodded, then smiled at the teacher: “Thank you, Teacher.”
Wei Xiangdong stood up, took a disposable cup from under the cabinet to the water dispenser, poured Cheng Mi a cup of water, and handed it to her: “Alright, if there are no problems with your studies, then let’s talk about something else.”
Cheng Mi took the cup and placed it in front of her: “Teacher wants to talk about what happened this morning?”
“You know about it too?” Wei Xiangdong sat down in his chair, the wood creaking. “Do you know how big of an impact it would have if you guys caused a scene this morning?”
Cheng Mi didn’t refute: “I know.”
Wei Xiangdong had a lot of mischievous students in his class and often disciplined them. Students at this age were difficult to manage, incredibly rebellious, and would explode at a word or two.
Cheng Mi’s quick admission of fault made Wei Xiangdong a bit uncomfortable, and his tone suddenly became earnest: “You’re a very sensible child, and you’ve been well-behaved since you came to Feng Gao. You don’t need me to worry at all. But, those few girls who caused trouble with you this morning, even the dean of students has a headache dealing with them. You should understand what I mean by that.”
Of course she understood. Cheng Mi nodded.
Wei Xiangdong was still worried and reiterated his meaning: “Even the dean of students can’t handle them. You should stay away from them.”
“Also, about your part-time job, is it because you don’t have enough money, or what?”
Cheng Mi had a faint bad premonition, and smiled: “No, I have enough.”
“Then why are you still working? You’re in your third year of high school. Everything should be focused on your studies. How can this not affect your studies?”
Just then, someone walked in from outside the office.
Wei Xiangdong was still talking: “One of these days, I’ll call your parents, or visit your home, and talk to them about your situation.”
Another teacher’s voice suddenly rang out in the office: “Si Tingyan, why are you here? I told you that you could go to class first and come find me after school.”
Although Cheng Mi was listening to Wei Xiangdong’s lecture, her ears precisely caught three specific words, and her eyes looked in that direction.
Across an aisle, Si Tingyan was walking towards the office desk in the opposite corner, replying to the teacher: “Next is physical education class.”
“Ah, PE class,” their teacher waved, “Take this problem set and do it, then bring it back to me.”
Wei Xiangdong had been looking at Cheng Mi the whole time. Seeing her gaze shift, he subconsciously followed her line of sight.
He had taught Si Tingyan when he was in his first year of high school, knew the boy, and their conversation with Cheng Mi had been quite relaxed, so he casually asked: “You know Si Tingyan? You’ve made a good friend.”
Friend?
Cheng Mi again remembered Wei Xiangdong’s earlier remark about contacting her parents.
She withdrew her gaze and looked at Wei Xiangdong: “Teacher, Si Tingyan is my younger brother.”
“Your younger brother?” Wei Xiangdong was surprised.
“Yes, a family member,” Cheng Mi said without batting an eyelid.
Hearing her say this, Wei Xiangdong went to get the student information book, flipped to Cheng Mi’s page, and indeed, the emergency contact was a familiar name: Si Huiru.
“Oh, really, how did I not notice?”
“Well, this is perfect then. With a top student like him at home, you won’t have to worry about not understanding things in your studies.”
Cheng Mi said yes, then began to set up Si Tingyan: “Our parents are busy, Teacher. If you’re worried I won’t tell them about something, you can have my brother relay the message.”
Si Tingyan, who had just picked up his test paper and was about to leave the office, was called back by Wei Xiangdong: “Si Tingyan.”
“Cheng Mi is your older sister, right? Why didn’t you greet your sister when you came in? Come here for a moment, I’ll tell you about your sister’s situation, and it’ll be good for you to help her with her studies sometimes.”
Wei Xiangdong hadn’t even finished speaking when Si Tingyan’s gaze landed on Cheng Mi.
Cheng Mi, listening from the side, looked into his eyes and couldn’t help but smile.
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