Human nature is inherently prone to being unappreciative.

Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man with thick, jet-black hair wearing a polo shirt, the Seven Wolves brand belt around his waist vividly displayed.

Just from the appearance, Lin Mo already recognized who he was.

"Director Huang, is something the matter?"

Lin Mo looked calmly at the middle-aged man before him.

This was Director Huang from the general affairs office. Lin Mo didn’t know his full name, but the director had quite a few responsibilities, though he rarely interacted with students.

However, security matters were mostly under his jurisdiction.

This incident was clearly closely tied to his future prospects.

Huang Zhirong was momentarily stunned—this should be a freshman, so how did he know his surname?

But following the young man’s gaze, he noticed the faculty introduction board nearby, where his name was indeed listed.

This kid has sharp eyes?

Clearing his throat in slight confusion, he spoke.

"May I ask your name, student? You must be a first-year high school student starting today."

His eyes flickered toward Jiang Yunlu, but ultimately settled on Lin Mo.

"Hello, Director Huang. My name is Lin Mo, a new student," Lin Mo replied, neither submissive nor arrogant.

Behind him, Jiang Yunlu glanced at Lin Mo’s back but remained silent.

"Student, here’s the thing—this was actually a drill. The school won’t hold it against you for acting against the drill personnel, but if anyone asks about it..."

Lin Mo frowned. Was this director planning to let that guy go? But he didn’t recall any subsequent injury incidents.

"Teacher, you might want to take a look at what the security guards are doing. If you haven’t coordinated your stories beforehand, giving false testimony could land you in jail."

Director Huang quickly turned to look.

Sure enough, the security guards were kicking and punching the assailant, cursing under their breaths.

His face darkened, but before he could say anything—

"Don’t worry, Director Huang. Of course, I won’t say anything reckless. After all, Guangba is the school I’ll be attending. I hope you’ll look out for me in the future."

Huang Zhirong hadn’t expected this kid to speak like this.

"Will be attending" meant he hadn’t officially enrolled yet—the underlying implication was clear. Students who could attend Guangba were undoubtedly capable.

Recalling that kick he’d witnessed earlier and Lin Mo’s unshakable composure, Huang Zhirong felt this kid was anything but ordinary.

Moreover, Lin Mo wasn’t outright threatening him—he clearly didn’t want to make trouble.

With that in mind, Huang Zhirong smiled and nodded.

"Very well, very well. A student as outstanding as you, Lin, will surely become a pillar of society."

Director Huang checked his watch and said gently,

"It’s about time. You two should head to your classroom. I’ll handle the rest."

Lin Mo nodded earnestly. "Then we’ll leave it to you, Director Huang. We’ll be going now."

With that, he turned to leave, briefly glancing at Jiang Yunlu beside him.

"Let’s go."

Lin Mo tossed the words over his shoulder as he headed upstairs.

The first floor of the teaching building had no classrooms, so the first-year classes were all on the second floor.

Second-years were on the third floor, third-years on the fourth, and so on.

In theory, the class assignment list for freshmen should have been posted near the main entrance.

There were twenty first-year classes, but specialized advanced classes and experimental classes would only be formed during the second-year reshuffling.

The list displayed all the new students’ names.

Yet Lin Mo didn’t even glance at it as he walked upstairs.

He already remembered which class he was in—no need to check.

Jiang Yunlu, trailing behind him, was about to call out and remind him to check the list, but before she could speak, Lin Mo had already disappeared around the stairwell corner.

"Hmph, suit yourself. But I can check for you."

With that, Jiang Yunlu didn’t immediately search for her own name—instead, she scanned the list for Lin Mo’s.

Not in Class 1. Nor was she.

Not in Class 2 either.

Class 3.

Class 4.

...

Class 8.

"Ah! Found it! Fourth on the list. Well, you’ll have to thank me later."

She continued scanning and soon spotted her own name.

"What?! I’m in the same class as him?"

Her gaze flicked back toward the stairwell.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo entered the classroom. Most students had already arrived—some faces unfamiliar, others familiar.

Unfamiliar because many would leave after the second-year reshuffling, never crossing paths again.

Familiar because quite a few would remain in the same class as him afterward.

Their features gradually overlapped with the memories in his mind.

The classroom buzzed with chatter—those who’d known each other in middle school sat together, talking.

But most were strangers.

Some exchanged pleasantries with those nearby, while others kept to themselves.

Yet the majority were silent, saying nothing at all.

Only a few seats remained.

The "King’s Corner" and "Throne Seats" were already taken.

The only vacancies were in the middle-back rows—the spots teachers could see most easily from the podium.

Most students actively avoided these seats.

Meanwhile, the studious types had already claimed the prime front-row spots.

So the remaining seats were… mediocre at best.

Lin Mo picked one and sat down.

After hanging his backpack on the side, he pulled out his phone—a Nokia.

Previously, it hadn’t had a SIM card, but it was loaded with mobile games that allowed in-game upgrades via text message purchases.

Even without the card, unable to send texts, the upgrades still worked.

Back then, Lin Mo had played these games often.

But now, he no longer bothered, so he’d simply bought a SIM card.

According to the timeline, smartphones would begin advancing at breakneck speed a year later.

Of course, at this point, Apple was the undisputed leader.

But the latest iPhone 5 hadn’t been released yet.

He’d have to wait a while longer.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached, followed by a voice.

"You didn’t even check the class list—how did you know which class you’re in?"

Lin Mo looked up.

As expected—Jiang Yunlu.

"That’s a secret. So you’re in this class too?" Lin Mo feigned ignorance about her.

The girl’s cheeks were slightly flushed—whether from climbing the stairs or rushing into the classroom, her breathing was uneven.

Jiang Yunlu lifted her chin proudly and promptly took the empty seat beside him.

"Who’d have thought we’d be in the same class? Well, let’s get along from now on. I’m Jiang Yunlu."

Lin Mo nodded. "Lin Mo. Likewise."

Truthfully, Lin Mo had once harbored a secret crush on Jiang Yunlu—nothing more than youthful infatuation.

Or, to put it bluntly, he’d been drawn to a pretty girl.

But Jiang Yunlu had admirers as countless as fish in a river—someone like Lin Mo had no business getting involved.

Besides, when the second-year reshuffling came, Jiang Yunlu moved to another class.

By graduation, Lin Mo had only watched her take class photos from afar.

Now, though, Lin Mo just wanted to enjoy his high school years properly.

Seeing that Lin Mo didn’t seem particularly interested in her, Jiang Yunlu grew even more intrigued by him.

In her experience, no man had ever been unwilling to engage with her.

Most men buzzed around her like flies.

But someone like Lin Mo, who treated her with detached indifference, was exactly the kind of relationship Jiang Yunlu had always wanted.

Human nature, after all, is inherently perverse.