Group Pet Qingcheng

Inside the principal's office, the air conditioner blew toward the corner, emitting a dull humming sound.

Su Lin's temples throbbed with pain.

The cause was that the school was forcing a new student into her class.

This didn't happen often, but every time it did, it meant trouble.

Class Four of the eighth grade, which she taught, wasn't a top-tier class, but its saving grace was that it was worry-free. It was the most well-behaved class in the grade, and the roving red banner of excellence in the office had never left their wall.

So, stuffing someone in there seemed quite normal.

"Bedridden since childhood, only recently cured..."

Su Lin rubbed the space between her eyebrows, repeatedly mulling over these words. She wasn't afraid of underachievers; she had plenty of ways to discipline them.

But she was truly terrified of this kind of frail medicine jar who sounded like they could be blown over by a breeze.

What if the student bumped into something, got hurt, or even had a medical emergency at school?

She would not be able to escape the blame.

Principal Zhang saw through her concerns. Holding his thermos, he took a sip of goji berry tea and slowly upped the stakes:

"Teacher Su, I know you have your difficulties, but this student's situation is special. The city officials have even put in a word for her.

Don't worry, the school will fully support you. For the city-level outstanding teacher evaluation at the end of the year, I will submit your name. I assume Teacher Su wouldn't want to pass up this opportunity for advancement."

City-level outstanding evaluation.

The reluctance in Su Lin's heart was instantly suppressed by more than half.

The risks and rewards were now barely balanced.

Afterward, the two of them walked out of the office. In the corridor, several school directors and Ning Qingcheng stood to the side.

Su Lin raised her eyes and once again evaluated the girl standing opposite her.

The girl was wearing a brand new uniform of the Forty-Fifth Middle School, but it was slightly loose, making her figure appear even more slender.

Her skin didn't look pale. She stood there quietly, her hands politely resting at her sides, and her gaze wandered a bit, like a frightened little fawn.

Su Lin sighed and softened her voice: "Student Ning, our Class Four of the eighth grade is a very united group. Are you willing to join our class?"

The girl seemed to freeze for a moment before looking up at her, a hint of confusion in her clear black and white eyes.

After a few seconds, she nodded gently.

"Okay."

Her voice was very light and very clean.

"Then it's settled!"

Principal Zhang slapped his thigh, the wrinkles on his face blooming into a smile. "Teacher Su, I'll leave this child in your care. I've already spoken to the Dean's Office; she doesn't have to participate in P.E. classes or recess exercises. Her health comes first."

This was a privilege, and it also gave Su Lin peace of mind.

Coming out of the principal's office, Su Lin led Ning Qingcheng toward the teaching building.

Along the way, the girl just silently followed half a step behind her, neither too far nor too close, completely quiet.

The classroom for Class Four of the eighth grade was at the end of the corridor on the third floor.

Before they even reached the door, the noisy voices from inside rushed out, mixed with the smell of various snacks and the unique vitality of teenagers, almost lifting the ceiling.

"I'm telling you, I went straight to Didiney for a few days during the summer vacation."

"Ha, that's nothing, I went to see my idol's concert!"

Ning Qingcheng stood outside the door, looking helplessly at the doorframe. The world inside seemed to be another dimension to her.

Although precocious, it was her first time experiencing such a scene. The feeling was very fresh, but it also made her somewhat reserved.

A sharp-eyed boy by the window in the class was the first to spot the figure at the door. He violently nudged his desk-mate with his elbow:

"Hey, look, who did Sister Lin bring with her? So pretty!"

His voice was neither high nor low, but the word "pretty" seemed to have magic, instantly attracting several gazes.

Su Lin pushed the door open and entered, tossing the files in her hand onto the podium with a crisp smack.

The noisy classroom instantly fell silent. Dozens of pairs of eyes looked at her in unison, as well as the faintly visible figure behind her.

"Class, quiet down."

Su Lin scanned the room, very satisfied with this immediate effect.

"For the new semester, our class is welcoming a new student. For the next two years, she will study and live together with us."

Ning Qingcheng stood outside the door, but she had already been observed by the students sitting by the window.

She paused and raised her voice.

"Let's welcome her with a round of applause!"

After her words fell, the class was quiet for two seconds.

The sports committee member sitting in the first row suddenly clapped his hands, the sound as loud as a firecracker.

The group immediately followed suit!

The next second, thunderous applause erupted, enthusiastically exaggerated, even mixed with a few excited whistles.

Amidst this passionate wave of sound, Ning Qingcheng walked in from the door and stood beside Su Lin.

In an instant, almost all the boys in the class looked over together.

The movement was uniform.

Ning Qingcheng was a very beautiful girl, and this appearance stunned the entire audience.

The girls in the class were also dumbfounded. Some were envious, some were curious, but mostly they felt an inexplicable pressure.

Su Lin looked at the dumbstruck appearance of the little brats below the stage, feeling both annoyed and amused in her heart.

She cleared her throat and signaled to Ning Qingcheng.

"Student Ning, please introduce yourself to everyone."

Ning Qingcheng nodded and said softly, "My name is Ning Qingcheng. I used to stay in the hospital, and now I'm back to school. I hope I can get along well with everyone."

Su Lin wrote Ning Qingcheng's name on the blackboard.

Then she turned to look at the students below.

"Student Ning Qingcheng has just recovered from an illness, so you must take care of her and show a friendly spirit. Boys, don't bully the girls. If anyone reports it, I won't show any mercy."

This warning was quite adequate.

Afterward, Su Lin arranged for Ning Qingcheng to sit next to a relatively warm-hearted girl in the class.

At the very least, this introverted girl needed someone to look after her.

After sitting down, Su Lin began to talk about the start of the school year, and the class schedules were handed out.

Ning Qingcheng carefully observed her surroundings, very curious about everything here.

She had never expected that she would come to school one day.

After Su Lin finished speaking, there was a break, and most of everyone's attention was on Ning Qingcheng.

Ning Qingcheng's desk-mate, Xue Sijia, looked at Ning Qingcheng carefully.

"Ning... Qingcheng, can I call you Qingcheng? My name is Xue Sijia, you can call me Sijia."

A very simple self-introduction.

Ning Qingcheng nodded and smiled gently. "Hello Sijia, just call me Qingcheng. I might have to bother you a lot in the future."

Xue Sijia breathed a sigh of relief. At least this new desk-mate seemed easy to get along with.

She asked cautiously, "That's fine. But can I ask what illness prevented you from going to school before? Can you talk about it?"

Very cautious, but also very direct.

Ning Qingcheng nodded, maintaining her gentle demeanor. "Don't worry, I had leukemia. I'm cured now, and it's not contagious. I just need time to recover."

Leukemia was a very good excuse. It was the medical history that Xia Zhi had prepared in advance for Ning Qingcheng.

When Ning Qingcheng said this, she didn't lower her voice, so everyone in the class heard it clearly.

The classic Korean drama terminal illness made many of the girls who loved watching K-dramas feel absolutely heartbroken for Ning Qingcheng.

As for the boys, their pity quickly blossomed into affection.

In the blink of an eye, Ning Qingcheng had become the beloved darling of Grade 8, Class 4.