14: You’re Just an Orphan

The next day, Ning Shu rented a small apartment near the school. Although it was compact, it was enough for her to live in. After moving her things in, she meticulously cleaned every nook and cranny until the place sparkled. Standing with her hands on her hips, drenched in sweat, she felt a rush of satisfaction. In her previous life, her illness had ruined her body to the point that she couldn't walk and was confined to bed every day. Now, she reveled in the vitality of her new body.

Having found a place to stay, she headed to school the next day. All her task objectives were at Ace Academy; if she didn't go, how could she complete them?

However, the moment she stepped into the school, she noticed everyone staring at her oddly and pointing. As she approached, students scrambled away as if she carried the plague. Some even exaggeratedly covered their noses. Confused, Ning Shu lifted her hand to sniff; there didn't seem to be any odor.

When she walked into the classroom, the entire class burst out laughing at her, leaving her baffled.

An Rong walked over, towering above her with an expression full of disdain. "Lin Jiajia, you actually still dare to come to class? Your skin must be made of iron."

As An Rong spoke, she reached out to pinch Ning Shu's face. Ning Shu dodged and said coldly, "Keep your hands to yourself." It was clear this girl had no manners. Thankfully, etiquette was a required course at Ace Academy.

An Rong didn't expect that Ning Shu, whom she usually bullied, would dare to dodge. Her face twitched in frustration, and she swung the newspaper in her hand toward Ning Shu. Ning Shu avoided it and picked up the newspaper from the floor to read it.

The headline announced that Father Lin had severed all ties with his daughter. Lin Jiajia was no longer a part of the Lin family and had nothing to do with them—this was as final as it could be.

"You're now just an orphan, yet you still have the nerve to come to school? Ace Academy isn't a welfare agency," An Rong sneered.

Laughter erupted again from the class. As Ning Shu listened to their mocking, she felt as if her worldview was about to shatter. She had read that junior high students were often confused about emotions, but the feelings in high school were supposed to be purer, free from the self-interest that complicated college relationships.

But now she saw high school students using venomous words and malicious actions against someone weaker.

Ning Shu had forgotten that Ace Academy was like a miniature society, even crueler than the outside world. All the students here were at the top of the social hierarchy, far removed from the struggles of ordinary people.

Ning Shu's greatest mistake was her weakness. As an abandoned pawn cast aside by her family, she truly lacked the qualifications to remain among them.

Ning Shu folded the newspaper and placed it in her bag, then, ignoring all the disdainful gazes, she sat down at her desk.

When An Rong saw that Ning Shu didn't react, she felt as if she had punched cotton, leaving her unsatisfied. She glared at Ning Shu, sending a silent message: "You just wait!"

It was ironic that the original host's seat was right behind Ling Xue's. However, as Ning Shu looked at her desk, she noticed it was full of deep scars, the result of someone using a knife to slash at it. The desk was even missing a leg.

These little devils.