CHAPTER 4

I sat alone in the canteen while the other students chatted around me. Our adviser had given us a free hour, so there were no classes at the moment.

I let out a quiet sigh.

Can I really survive in this place?

Gem University wasn’t an ordinary school. Everyone here seemed to belong to powerful families, talented circles, or elite groups.

And me?

I didn’t belong to any of those.

I hope I can survive…

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when something small struck my forehead.

Tap.

“Ow—!”

I blinked in surprise and looked down at the crumpled piece of paper that had landed on my tray.

Did someone just throw this at me?

I slowly lifted my head and scanned the room.

Then someone caught my attention.

My eyes narrowed.

Huh…? It’s him.

The same arrogant guy from earlier was staring directly at me. His expression was calm—almost bored.

Was he the one who threw this? Anger instantly rose inside my chest.

“How dare you hit me with this!” I shouted, standing up abruptly and pointing a finger at him.

Murmurs rippled through the canteen.

It was my first time being humiliated like this.

It’s not fair.

I glared at him, waiting for some kind of reaction. But he didn’t even look bothered. In fact, it seemed like he wasn’t listening to me at all.

I glanced around and noticed the shocked expressions on the other students’ faces.

Hmph. Why should I care?

“You!”

Someone suddenly shouted.

I turned toward the voice and saw a girl glaring at me with clear hostility. “Watch your mouth, new student,” she snapped. “You’re such an idiot!”

My brows furrowed.

“You don’t even know who he is!” she continued.

Why?

Was he some kind of VIP here in Gem University?

Why was everyone so concerned about him when his attitude clearly lacked basic respect?

Another girl crossed her arms and sneered at me. “I hope you get kicked out of this school. Someone like you doesn’t belong in such a prestigious place.”

Her words struck deeper than I expected.

Yeah… right.

I lowered my gaze.

I don’t belong in a place like this.

I belong somewhere normal.

Somewhere… ordinary.

PRINCIPAL’S POV

“Mr. Principal,” a staff member reported. “There seems to be a fight in the canteen between the new student and Mr. Yin.” The principal frowned.

“That girl…”

She had just arrived, yet she already caused trouble. How could she be so hot-tempered as a new student? She clearly lacked respect for others. Such behavior was unacceptable in Gem University. Especially considering her background. Among all the students here, she was the only one from an average family.

A pauper in a school full of elites.

“What’s her name?” the principal asked.

“Xi Xiaonian,” the Student President replied calmly. The principal leaned back in his chair.

“Call her here immediately.”

XIAONIAN’S POV

“Why are you all protecting someone like him?” I argued. “He’s rude! He doesn’t even know how to respect others!”

“How dare you say that?!” the girl shouted. “You’re just a new student, yet you judge Mr. Yin so easily! Do you even know who he—”

She suddenly stopped.

Someone had interrupted us.

A tall man was standing in front of the crowd.

The moment he appeared, the atmosphere instantly changed. Silence spread across the canteen.

Is he… a student too?