22. Won't back down a fight

''Wow... They are of similar height.''

''But their body shape is different. Both are slim but Shen Chuhua in her dress can't match up to Orchid in her 'ordinary' clothes, if you know what I'm saying.''

''Yeah. I also noticed that when compared to Orchid, Shen Chuhua looks quite ordinary. What I'm saying is that I get the feeling that Orchid is of higher birth and Shen Chuhua is of lower. Uh... what am I saying?'' The person who said this felt confused himself as he started scratching his head.

''I know right? And the voice. It's so different. Shen Chuhua's voice is soft and sweet but I like Orchids confident and... and... uh.. I give up. I don't know how to describe her voice. I just know that it's magical and makes me feel like listening more to her.''

''It's ok. I understand. After all that's what I'm feeling, and it doesn't make sense.''

''Me too. My mind says that I should like that soft, sweet voice but I just can help being attracted to that somewhat cold and confident unique voice.''

''Same here.''

''Count me in as well.''

When Shen Chuhua heard the discussion going on, she felt anger boiling inside her. She had never met Orchid before so when she looked at the pictures on the forum, she just thought it was due to the camera effects. When it was announced it to come to the auditorium, she knew she might bump onto her here so she made sure to fix her hair and makeup before coming because of which she was among the last to reach.

Even when she came here, she just saw her back and was even surprised by what she saw though it was only the back. She comforted herself that her face might not be as stunning as her back but to her dissapointment, it was just levels above what she could imagine.

She lost her confidence so much that she wanted to just turn and leave but a friend by her side said though she looked stunning, her bearing might necessarily not be as good as hers as she was born in a lower class then her.

So she gritted her teeth and walked forward to greet Orchid but Orchid's posture and attitude as well as manners were way above her own.

The discussions and comparisons the others were making added to her own embarrassment so at last when she didn't know what to say, she just spoke the words that came to her mind.

''Well, are you eating with the other scholarship students behind the building? I could treat you since you are Longwei's seat partner.''

''Thanks for the offer but I would rather eat the one I bring.''

''Are you trying to insult me by rejecting me?'' all of the embarrassment Shen Chuhua felt burst out in the form of anger.

''If that's how you think then it's fine with me.''

''I just wanted to offer you some food considering your condition but you-''

''Oh... consider my condition? Why didn't you consider our feelings when you looked down on us? We don't need your sympathy, we ain't beggers. Even though we can't afford the food from the canteen, we haven't reached the point where we can't have our lunch by our own. Even if we were beggers, there is a way to give your help instead of being snobbish. And be honest, didn't you bring up the lunch topic just to embarrasse me? Well you better learn to protect yourself before attacking me cause I won't back down a fight.'' Li Zhilan's calm, cold and indifferent voice said as she brought her friends along to leave.

The girl with her back straight and head high left a strong imprint on the hearts of those who were there.