Yue Ling opened her book and placed it on the desk.
Although it looked like she was studying, in reality she wasn't reading a single word. Instead, she quietly observed the students around her while sorting through the memories of the original owner.
Right in front of her sat the class topper, Lu Wenhao.
He suddenly turned around politely.
"Yue Ling," he said in a calm voice, "you have been absent for almost a week. You should submit an absence letter and ask the teacher for permission."
He adjusted his glasses slightly before continuing.
"If you have any doubts about the schedule or lessons you missed, you can ask me."
"I hope you're doing well."
His tone was polite but distant.
Yue Ling looked at him for a moment before replying casually.
"It's okay. I'm fine."
"I'll submit the letter."
Lu Wenhao nodded slightly.
"Good."
With that, he turned back and returned to his seat in the first bench.
Yue Ling recalled his background from memory.
His father was a university professor, and his mother was a research scientist.
Yue Ling sighed inwardly.
Both parents are academic maniacs…
No wonder he's the class topper.
Then her gaze moved to another group of students.
Lin Xiayue and Tang Meilin were chatting together while laughing with a few classmates.
Lin Xiayue was a cheerful and talkative girl who easily attracted attention wherever she went. She was known as a social butterfly in the class.
Her father owned a chain of luxury hotels, and her mother was a famous fashion designer.
Sometimes she talked to the original Yue Ling about gossip or funny things happening around school.
Yue Ling watched her for a moment.
Energetic girl.
Next to her was Tang Meilin.
Unlike Xiayue, Meilin had a proud personality and always liked competing with the original Yue Ling in studies and school activities.
Still, she wasn't a bad person.
Her father was a famous lawyer, and her mother owned an art gallery.
Tang Meilin was smiling while talking with her friends, but there was always a sharp confidence in her eyes.
Yue Ling raised an eyebrow slightly.
I like this one.
Bold and passionate.
Just then the classroom door opened.
Teacher Zhang walked into the class.
The students immediately returned to their seats.
"Class, settle down," he said before starting the science lesson.
Teacher Zhang briefly glanced at Yue Ling when he noticed her.
But he didn't say anything and continued teaching.
Yue Ling listened quietly.
Hmm…
Science class.
Not that difficult.
I can manage.
After the class ended, Teacher Zhang suddenly spoke.
"Yue Ling."
"Come outside for a minute."
The class became quiet instantly.
Yue Ling stood up and followed him outside the classroom.
Teacher Zhang looked at her with concern.
"You have been absent for almost a week."
"Is everything alright?"
Yue Ling answered calmly, even though she didn't like explaining herself.
"My health wasn't good."
Teacher Zhang nodded slowly.
"I see."
Then he said seriously,
"You are a brilliant student, Yue Ling."
"If you face any difficulties, you can always come to me or the faculty."
"We will try our best to help you."
It seemed the rumors circulating around the school had made the teacher worried about her.
For a moment, Yue Ling felt a small warmth in her heart.
"Don't worry, teacher," she said.
"I'm fine."
"And I will continue my studies."
Teacher Zhang nodded.
"Good. You can go back to class."
When Yue Ling returned to her seat, Qingqing leaned closer immediately.
"What happened?"
"Teacher Zhang didn't scold you, right?"
Yue Ling shook her head.
"No."
"He just asked a few questions."
Qingqing sighed in relief.
"Oh, okay."
Yue Ling then lazily rested her head on the desk.
She stared out the window while daydreaming.
I really don't want to study…
All I want right now is sleep.
She sighed inwardly.
And why is everyone suddenly being so kind to me today…
I can't bear it.
—
Meanwhile, in another unknown location…
A man knelt respectfully before a shadowy figure.
"Master," he reported, "the Shen family has discovered that the girl is not their biological daughter."
"Oh?" the figure said calmly.
"What was their reaction?"
"They sent people to search for their real daughter."
"But they did not throw that girl out."
"It seems they don't really care whether she is real or fake."
The figure chuckled softly.
"How boring."
"Then what about that girl?"
"She was absent for a week."
"But today she went to school as usual."
The man hesitated before continuing.
"However… she doesn't seem sad at all."
"In fact, she acts as if she doesn't care about anything."
The shadowy figure snorted coldly.
"Hmph."
"As expected of that woman's daughter."
"How could she fall so easily?"
Hatred flickered in the voice.
—
Back in the academy…
Yue Ling continued attending classes.
Or rather…
She slept through most of them.
Finally, school ended.
Students began packing their bags and preparing to go home.
Just as Yue Ling stood up from her seat—
A sudden sharp pain spread through her body.
It was deep.
Bone-deep pain.
As if something inside her body was tearing apart.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Then the system's warning sounded urgently in her mind.
"Warning, host."
"Physical condition unstable."