Chapter 102: Mom and Dad Are Visiting My Cousin’s House

Shi Xuetong ran out, yet the classmates in the classroom still found it hard to digest the news.

For a moment, the entire class remained unusually quiet.

Huo Shuyue lowered her brows and silently stood up from her seat, preparing to return to her original spot.

Seeing Huo Shuyue’s rare expression of dejection, everyone wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how to begin.

Those who knew about Shi Xuetong’s confession to Xiao Yang that day pondered carefully on how to console her with subtlety and tact.

At that moment, Gu Ci spoke up, “Wait.”

Huo Shuyue forced a defiant smile, feigning disdain on her face. “What, even you want to comfort me? It’s just a little brother. Do you think I, Huo Shuyue, am short of little brothers?”

Gu Ci cast her a casual glance. “Who gave you that idea?”

Huo Shuyue was taken aback, instinctively responding, “Huh?”

Gu Ci pointed to the stack of study materials Huo Shuyue had just put back on her desk and said calmly, “Take these. Today, start with the first volume of the top book. Do every subject. I’ll tutor you tonight.”

The sadness that had engulfed Huo Shuyue instantly dissipated at Gu Ci’s words. She ground her teeth and hissed, “Gu Ci! I don’t need you to tutor me!”

Gu Ci replied indifferently, “Your uncle thinks I should tutor you.”

That single sentence sealed all the words Huo Shuyue wanted to say but hadn’t dared to voice.

Her face flushed a deep red. “Ahhh! Gu Ci, I’m going to fight you!”

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

The atmosphere in the classroom immediately returned to normal, now laced with laughter and cheer.

Gu Ziran happened to pass by Gu Ci’s classroom and heard such sounds.

She lowered the thoughtful look in her eyes, walked to the door of Class 12, and knocked gently.

In a soft voice, she addressed Gu Ci inside the classroom, “Cousin, I want to talk to you about something. Could you come out for a moment?”

Her demeanor was as delicate as a willow swaying in the breeze.

The entire Class 12 fell silent instantly.

Some classmates cast unfriendly glances at Gu Ziran.

She straightened her back and smiled, responding to each gaze courteously.

Xiao Yang, lounging with a leg crossed, said lazily, “If you have something to say, just say it. Why make her come out?”

Gu Ci lifted an eyelid. “Say it directly.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Ziran’s eyes darkened, and a faint smile curved her lips.

Gu Ci, you insisted I speak directly.

She bit her lip slightly, hesitating as she looked at Gu Ci. “Cousin, you and Uncle and Aunt just came back to Songdu from the countryside, and I…”

Gu Ziran’s words subtly reminded Gu Ci and the classmates that she had just returned from the countryside.

However, before she could finish, Yan Moyu ruthlessly interrupted, “Gu, if you’re going to talk, speak properly. That sarcastic tone is unbearable.”

Gu Ziran stiffened slightly, tightening her fists.

Still, she wore a polite and appropriate smile. “I don’t understand what you mean, Yan. I just wanted to tell my cousin that Mom is coming to pick us up tonight, and we’ll be going to her house.”

Xiao Yang, a scion of a venerable family in Songdu, came from a prestigious household whose influence in Songdu was beyond her current understanding.

Yan Moyu belonged to the top-tier Yan family, the adored and favored young lady of a wealthy and powerful clan.

Compared to the Gu family, which resembled a nouveau riche holding a second- or third-tier status among Songdu’s elite, the Yan family was an utterly unattainable presence.

Some classmates in Class 12 had even more mysterious backgrounds, so obscure that she didn’t even have the privilege to know which families they came from.

She had once tried to approach members of Class 12, but they were impervious to any advances.

Yet, paradoxically, these very people often spoke up for Gu Ci...

Thinking this, Gu Ziran’s nails dug into her palm.

“So, cousin, please wait for me after school today,” she said, drawing in a deep breath and then turning to leave Class 12.

Not long after she left, laughter and chatter erupted once more from Class 12.

Her gaze involuntarily glanced back at the classroom, then calmly retracted.

Gu Ci’s time to revel would not last long.

Just then, her phone rang.

Gu Ziran looked thoughtfully at the caller ID before answering.

Her voice retained its gentle tone. “Hello, what’s wrong, Jingyi? Are you feeling better now?”

“Classmate?”

“Classmates initially found it hard to accept, but I persuaded them. Everyone knows you have difficulties, so they’re willing to forgive you. But…”

“Actually, it’s nothing much, just that the rumors at school aren’t so nice, and people aren’t very friendly… Jingyi, maybe you should continue resting at home for a while?”

Gu Ziran’s brows furrowed slightly as she sighed softly, as if genuinely worried about the matter.

“If only the senior year counselor were still our teacher. He would never allow those rumors about you to spread in school. You just made a careless mistake and shouldn’t be subjected to such slander... But since the counselor is no longer our teacher, he probably won’t have time to deal with this for now... So, Jingyi, when you come back to school, sincerely apologize to everyone, okay?”

Gu Ziran spoke calmly as she walked.

“Why was the counselor changed?”

“Jingyi, don’t you remember? It was because of the bet you made before…”

“Right, it was Teacher Jin from Class 12.”

“Teacher Jin’s qualifications?”

A slight smile played on Gu Ziran’s lips as her tone turned earnest and advisory.

“Jingyi, although Teacher Jin has been the Class 12 teacher and hasn’t managed them well, she is still a responsible and conscientious teacher. I believe she will make greater improvements once she becomes the counselor.”

Listening to the agitated voice of Duan Jingyi through the phone, Gu Ziran’s smile deepened, yet worry lingered in her tone.

“That can’t be helped. Teacher Jin won’t just step down as soon as she takes office, right?”

…

…

Duan family.

Duan Jingyi hid beneath her blanket, struggling to believe the news she had just received from Gu Ziran.

Her mind was blank, only Gu Ziran’s words echoing repeatedly.

“If our teacher were still the counselor, she would never allow those rumors about you to spread in school…”

Suddenly, another sentence from Gu Ziran flashed through her mind.

“Teacher Jin won’t just step down as soon as she takes office, right?”

She suddenly became alert, leapt out of bed, and sat upright.

Why couldn’t she?

Jin Jiejiao... she’s the homeroom teacher who managed to raise such a rebellious group like Class 12!

With such a teacher as counselor, would the parents ever agree?