A Sudden Surprise! Everyone from MiHoYo is Here!

[Trigger Warning:

This chapter contains themes of bullying and thoughts of self-harm, including some content that may unsavory for some readers. Reader discretion is advised. ]

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The next day, not even six o'clock.

Li Chengcheng had already started packing her things.

First, she put on that set of school uniform, so washed out it had turned white, that she didn't even know how long she'd been wearing.

Because of her body shape, the uniform was especially tight and uncomfortable. Some parts had already come apart at the seams, and the faded patches could hardly be restored.

After getting dressed, she began to pack her school bag.

Other than textbooks, the only thing she needed to bring was a pencil case.

The stationery inside was all basic, cheap supplies. In one corner of the pencil case was a nearly used-up eraser.

Once she finished packing those, Li Chengcheng placed the old phone her grandmother had found and recharged into a corner of her school bag.

She usually relied on this old phone to follow Mihoyo and Blade's news and read text updates.

After doing all this, there was still some time.

Li Chengcheng naturally walked to the living room and started making breakfast, tidying up a bit while she was at it.

Just like every morning before.

Because her grandmother's health was poor, she always tried her best to help with some housework every day.

Only this time, everything she did was unusually meticulous.

"Chengcheng."

Her grandmother's coughing voice came from the cluttered room next door.

Amid the rustling sounds, her grandmother pushed open the door fully dressed and was greeted by the sight of Li Chengcheng, who had already tidied herself up neatly and obediently.

Her obedient and sensible demeanor made the old woman feel a pang of heartache.

"Why are you up so early? Didn't sleep well last night?"

Her grandmother walked over and reached out, wanting to stop Li Chengcheng from doing the chores.

But Li Chengcheng lowered her head in silence, not responding, quietly tidying up on her own.

What she planned to do today left her unable to face the person closest to her.

That silence left the old woman at a complete loss, standing there helplessly.

Last night's crying, and today's strange behavior, made her feel a growing sense of unease.

Her clouded eyes tried hard to think it over. Had she done something wrong or not done enough?

It wasn't just sensitivity.

From the beginning, she had carried a sense of guilt, for making Li Chengcheng live this kind of life by staying with her.

Her obedient granddaughter had always been so sensible, never like other children. She always cared for her, from reminding her to take medicine to helping with everyday tasks, never wanting to cause her any worry.

Even if sometimes she could tell that her granddaughter wasn't happy, she never asked for anything.

The old woman wasn't good at expressing herself, only using clumsy actions to try to give her granddaughter all the love she could offer.

Because she felt she owed her.

And this care, in turn, made Li Chengcheng feel even more indebted to her grandmother.

In the silence, Li Chengcheng finished tying up the cardboard and stood up.

Taller than her grandmother by a head, she now looked like a child who had done something wrong, head down, clutching the corner of her clothes, avoiding eye contact.

"I... I'm going to school now, Grandma."

Li Chengcheng said softly.

"Oh." Her grandmother replied.

Then, as usual, she straightened Li Chengcheng's clothes a bit and silently watched her shoulder her bag and leave the house.

"Come back early."

For some reason, a sense of unease rose in the old woman's heart. She blurted it out subconsciously.

The tone didn't sound like a normal, everyday remark.

It sounded more like a helpless plea from an elderly person.

"..."

"I... I might not come back for lunch, Grandma. You can just make something for yourself."

Li Chengcheng felt like her chest was blocked, but afraid of worrying her grandmother, she added,

"I'll eat at the cafeteria. A classmate is treating me."

After saying this, she fled the house as if escaping.

As if a classmate would treat her to a meal.

She only said that so her grandmother wouldn't worry.

But Li Chengcheng couldn't bear to think about how her grandmother would react after she truly took that leap.

Because she really couldn't take it anymore.

"Sigh..."

The old woman let out a sigh, turned around, and with great effort, lifted that bundle of recyclables onto her back and left the house too.

Of course she could tell her granddaughter was lying.

But she didn't know why.

For the grandmother, the most pressing reality now was to sell those scraps and buy something tasty for her little granddaughter.

After all, that was the only thing she could still do.

...

By the time she arrived at school, it was already past seven in the morning.

Something was different at school today.

The teachers were all whispering to each other with expressions of shock and delight, as if discussing something unbelievable.

Even many of the janitors and staff were moving around in a flustered state.

But none of that had anything to do with Li Chengcheng.

She kept her head down and walked into the classroom.

More than half the students had already arrived.

Looking at these familiar yet distant faces, Li Chengcheng felt nothing, as though a still pool of water lay within her, no ripples, no emotion.

She sat at her seat: the most isolated one, last row, next to the trash can.

The only good thing was that there was a window next to it, allowing her to see the scenery outside the school.

Li Chengcheng put down her bag, turned her head, and began to stare blankly out the window.

Through the window, she could see groups of students in uniform laughing and walking through the school gates.

The boys gathered in small clusters, pushing and chasing each other.

The girls were more reserved, whispering to one another about topics that sometimes made them excited, sometimes blushed.

They were all so young and vibrant.

It perfectly matched everything people longed for in campus life.

But none of it had anything to do with her.

Just as she was thinking this, her head was suddenly pushed hard by someone, causing her to stumble into the wall.

"Haha!"

A boy's playful laughter followed.

The grinning boy walked past her with a backpack , the push just now was done in passing.

Just like every day before.

"Hey, did you hear? miHoYo is releasing a new game, Aetherium Wars!"

A familiar voice came from behind.

It was a group of girls.

Several girls walked past her, surrounding an obviously very beautiful girl.

Li Chengcheng kept her head down, still gripping her book.

Because this was her nightmare.

That beautiful girl had a lovely name: Zhao Xinyue. (Zhao: to surpass, to excel; Xinyue: 'joyful heart,' signifying a person full of happiness and positivity)

She never physically bullied her, but Li Chengcheng knew that many instances of bullying, especially the most frightening ones, were all connected to this beautiful girl.

"I'm not interested in games, but I heard Firefly's Short Story is about to be released."

"Can't wait!" Zhao Xinyue said with a laugh, covering her mouth.

"I think you really resemble Firefly," One of the girls said flatteringly beside her.

"Huh? Really?"

Zhao Xinyue's lips curled slightly; though she wore an expression of natural modesty, she said humbly:

"It's not that similar, she's a big star! How could I compare to Firefly?"

"Isn't it true, though?"

"Firefly is beautiful, and so are you, Xinyue."

"And Xinyue has an impressive background that's very well hidden."

"You're both so gentle, too."

Another girl chimed in with more flattery:

"Xinyue, if you hadn't told us, we wouldn't have known your family was so rich."

"If you weren't still in school, and your family got you into miHoYo, you'd definitely be more popular than Firefly!"

More compliments followed, making Zhao Xinyue glow with satisfaction.

This kind of praise greatly fed her vanity.

As if she really was the most beloved girl in a drama.

"Alright, alright, I'll treat you all to dessert later."

Satisfied, Zhao Xinyue decided to reward her "besties" with a little favor.

"Firefly…"

"Isn't that kind of person…"

Hearing her bully being compared to Firefly, Li Chengcheng whispered quietly to herself.

Because Firefly would never be a bully.

Would never use her power to oppress the weak.

Never!

The three girls, who had been chatting excitedly, suddenly fell silent.

The always-smiling Zhao Xinyue immediately rolled her eyes in extreme disgust when she saw the voice had come from Li Chengcheng.

"What a jinx."

Zhao Xinyue took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing her anger, then shoved past her two friends and walked to her seat in the front row, slamming her backpack onto the desk.

The two girls left behind exchanged an awkward glance.

Then, they turned their anger onto Li Chengcheng.

One of them grabbed Li Chengcheng's hair without mercy, forcing her to raise her head, her chubby face distorted in pain.

"Firefly isn't some big beauty like Xinyue, are you saying it's you, you fat pig?"

"Stupid mutt, don't you know not to ruin people's mood?"

"Can't even read the room , you really are worthless trash!"

"Why don't you just go die, you filthy thing?"

The verbal abuse wasn't enough.

They slapped Li Chengcheng hard, twice.

The sharp sound echoed through the classroom.

Many people turned their heads, but then quickly looked away as if nothing had happened.

Li Chengcheng being bullied was no longer news , it didn't even draw attention anymore.

Some might think it was wrong.

But no one dared to intervene.

Because they were afraid of becoming the next target.

Or perhaps they thought someone like Li Chengcheng wasn't worth standing up for.

At the front of the classroom, Zhao Xinyue heard the slaps from behind and finally felt satisfied, her lips moving slightly, as if she were cursing under her breath.

Of course, she would never say those things aloud.

After all, how could she curse? How could she be a bully?

And just like that, Li Chengcheng endured the humiliation in silence.

This time, her eyes were red, but she didn't beg. She just stared at the two girls, as if trying to memorize their faces.

Stared at by the abnormal Li Chengcheng, they felt a little creeped out.

And they had already vented her anger.

The two girls exchanged a glance, then each spat on Li Chengcheng's face before finally giving up and returning to their seats.

"…"

Li Chengcheng hung her head with disheveled hair, not even bothering to wipe her face clean.

She knew she would be bullied even more viciously.

But she had to speak out.

Because those beautiful stories that carried her hopes and dreams, and those who shone just like torch in her dark life, were absolutely not like this despicable bunch.

She was more certain than ever.

Only death was the one thing she could do, as a coward, the lowest of the low, a complete and utter outcast.

In Li Chengcheng's eyes appeared a resoluteness she had never shown before.

Time ticked by.

More and more people filled the classroom.

Until the bell for morning reading rang.

"Students!"

"Today's morning reading is temporarily canceled!"

"I have an exciting piece of news to share with everyone!"

The homeroom teacher walked into the classroom with an excited expression.

No morning reading?

And good news?

At such a curious age, the students all looked over with curiosity.

The homeroom teacher stepped up to the podium, still finding it hard to believe himself.

After all, not only students liked watching dramas, many teachers were also fans.

He took a deep breath and said slowly, "People from MiHoYo are coming to our school!"

A simple sentence plunged the classroom into silence.

Li Chengcheng instinctively looked up, staring in disbelief at the podium.

She wasn't the only one, the whole room was stunned.

A few seconds later, the class exploded.

"MiHoYo?"

"Which MiHoYo?!"

"Holy crap!"

"Really?"

"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!"

"Who? Who from MiHoYo is coming?!"

The entire classroom was filled with excited shouting.

Whether boy or girl, none of them could believe it, it was like they were dreaming.

"It's true. This came up very suddenly, but it's already confirmed!"

"And they'll be here very soon."

The teacher couldn't hide his excitement either, explaining: "It's said to be a public welfare event, and they'll also be investing in the school. While they're at it, they'll do something meaningful on campus."

After saying that, before the students could react, the teacher continued: " Many people are coming this time , March 7th, Xing, Dan Heng, and Blade! And supposedly others as well!"

MiHoYo rarely participates in any external activities.

This time, for so many to come together for a public service event was practically a miracle.

The teacher could already imagine the sensation it would cause, and the benefits it would bring to the school.

The students were so shocked that all they could do was keep shouting "Holy crap."

And sitting in the back row, Li Chengcheng, her eyes widened even further, her mind echoing with a single voice.

Her Idol Blade is coming.

To think that the one who once gave her encouragement would actually come to her school.

A sense of absurdity and delight rose from her heart.

Could this… have anything to do with the letter she sent?

Just as the thought crossed her mind, she quickly denied it.

Impossible.

How could MiHoYo possibly come to this school because of someone as ordinary as her?

Maybe… it was just an unbelievably beautiful coincidence.

Then she heard the teacher announce from the podium:

"Each class will select one student who is outstanding in both character and academics, and also has good appearance, to participate in this public service event."

The joy that had just risen in her heart was suddenly extinguished.

Of course…

Outstanding character and academics, good appearance.

Someone like her could never have that kind of chance…

And in the front row, Zhao Xinyue, upon hearing those words, instinctively sat up straight, her heartbeat quickening…