My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 10 - New Grudges and Old Scores

The next morning, after having breakfast with his sister, Tang Huaijin left home. Walking down the street, he felt light-footed, as if his body was brimming with endless energy. Upon waking up, he noticed his abs had become more defined, and two clear lines of the Adonis belt had appeared on his waist. It seemed to be the result of the reward that enhanced his physique to the human limit.

He wasn’t entirely sure what the concept of “human limit” entailed, but he trusted the system wouldn’t disappoint him. His current goal was to become deskmates with Bai Yuerou; having tasted the system’s rewards, the outline for a masterpiece-level book inspiration was something Tang Huaijin was eager for.

The changes in his body put him in a great mood, filling him with hope for the future. Unfortunately, this good mood vanished once he boarded the bus.

Seeing the poor girl squeezed into a corner by several aunts, Tang Huaijin’s brows furrowed in concern. He squeezed through the disapproving gazes of the aunts to stand in front of the girl, creating a small space by gently pushing back, causing the aunts to grumble under their breath.

Ignoring their complaints, Tang Huaijin frowned and asked the girl who was looking at him, “What are you doing here?”

Chengnan High School, true to its name, was located in the south, while Rose Elite High School was in the completely opposite direction.

“I’m going to school,” Lin Ruoxi replied, clutching her backpack to her chest, her deep eyes fixed on Tang Huaijin, her tone calm.

“You got on the wrong bus. This is Route 9.”

“I took Route 9 on purpose.”

“What do you mean?” Tang Huaijin’s eyelid twitched, a sense of foreboding creeping in. “Are you going to Rose Elite High School?”

“Yes, is there a problem?” Lin Ruoxi chuckled lightly.

Tang Huaijin was silent for a moment before asking, “Why?”

“What does it have to do with you?” Lin Ruoxi feigned surprise. “Are you trying to control where I go to school?”

“Why?” Tang Huaijin repeated.

Lin Ruoxi sighed, her tone indifferent. “I told you, it’s none of your business…”

Tang Huaijin took a deep breath, turned his head away, and stopped asking about a topic that was destined to remain unanswered.

Lin Ruoxi looked at Tang Huaijin’s furrowed brows, feeling a pang of sadness. “Well… my dad got a job transfer and is now the grade director for sophomores. Plus, only two students from the top three in the science subjects applied for the program, so he pulled some strings to send me as an alternate. The paperwork was completed yesterday.”

Tang Huaijin nodded, his expression improving significantly.

Lin Ruoxi’s expression was complicated, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Do you really hate me that much…”

Tang Huaijin’s breathing tightened, but his tone remained calm. “I have no choice.”

Hearing this response, Lin Ruoxi smiled bitterly and turned to look out the window.

Watching the once-proud ponytail of the girl droop, Tang Huaijin’s heart was filled with conflicting emotions.

…

Arriving in class, Bai Yuerou was already seated, quietly reading. Noticing Tang Huaijin’s arrival, she looked up and greeted him with a smile, “Good morning.”

Bai Yuerou was wearing a beige blouse with a butterfly bow at the front, paired with a light gray pleated skirt, looking graceful and artistic, quite pleasing to the eye.

Tang Huaijin smiled back, “Morning. What are you reading?”

Bai Yuerou raised the book in her hand, the title: “The Moon and Sixpence.”

“That’s my favorite book too. What’s your favorite line?” Tang Huaijin asked, intrigued.

Bai Yuerou tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, marked her place with a bookmark, and closed the book. Her eyes were bright as she softly recited, “I always feel that most people live their lives missing something. I acknowledge the social value of such a life, and I see its orderly happiness, but in my blood, there’s a strong desire for a more unrestrained journey. My heart longs for a more thrilling life.”

Her voice was light and melodious, tinged with admiration and longing.

Tang Huaijin nodded in agreement, softly praising, “Indeed, the moon has that magic, driving people to chase after its beauty recklessly.”

“Yes,” Bai Yuerou agreed, but then glanced at Tang Huaijin, her face inexplicably flushed.

“What’s wrong?” Tang Huaijin asked, noticing the girl’s expression.

“Nothing,” she shook her head, though a subtle hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.

Tang Huaijin chuckled and added, “The moonlight before me is beautiful too, intellectual and gentle.”

He winked at Bai Yuerou.

Her gaze met Tang Huaijin’s briefly before she quickly looked away, her face slightly flushed.

As the two chatted, a sneaky head peeked out from the back of the classroom, showing a dissatisfied expression upon seeing the lively conversation.

Xia Xinya entered through the back door, tossed her bag onto the desk, and pulled out a small cushion, placing it on the chair.

Bai Yuerou looked surprised and asked, “Xiaoya, why do you need a cushion?”

“Nothing, just had a little fall,” Xia Xinya grumbled as she sat down, shooting a fierce glare at Tang Huaijin.

The embarrassing fact that her backside was bruised and too painful to sit was something she couldn’t let Bai Yuerou know.

Tang Huaijin found it amusing, though he had intended to tease her a bit. Unfortunately, Xia Xinya had timed her entrance perfectly, as Counselor Shen Yiqiu soon entered through the front door, starting the first self-study class of the morning.

The class was quietly studying when a commotion erupted from the neighboring class, accompanied by loud applause.

Someone whispered in the class.

“What’s going on?”

“Seems like someone transferred to the second class.”

“Apparently, it’s a beauty; otherwise, why the big fuss? Those guys in Class Two are beasts.”

“Too bad we got a guy. There’s already too many wolves and not enough meat.” The sports representative’s deskmate, a tall and handsome fellow, ran a hand through his hair, looking suave.

Fang Ming, who had a good impression of Tang Huaijin, looked at his deskmate with disdain, “Have some decency. Even if Tang Huaijin wasn’t here, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”

This elicited a round of laughter from those nearby.

Shen Yiqiu cleared her throat, stood up, and scanned the class, which immediately fell silent.

Tang Huaijin sat quietly, not surprised by the commotion caused by Lin Ruoxi’s arrival, given her beauty.

After class, Shen Yiqiu called Tang Huaijin over and handed him his newly made student card, making it easier to enter and exit the school.

Her voice remained as calm as ever, like a flatline on a heart monitor, devoid of any emotional fluctuations, as if no one could stir her emotions. “Are you settling in at school?”

“It’s alright.”

“That’s good. If you have any issues, feel free to tell me.” Shen Yiqiu nodded and prepared to leave.

“Wait, Counselor Shen, there’s actually something.” Tang Huaijin stopped her.

“What is it?”

“Can I apply to change seats? I’d like to sit with Bai Yuerou.” Tang Huaijin smiled.

“Reason?” Shen Yiqiu looked into Tang Huaijin’s eyes, her tone still devoid of emotion.

“We both have a keen interest in reading and can often exchange insights. Does that count?” Tang Huaijin had already thought of a reason.

“Reading is a good thing.” Shen Yiqiu nodded again and added, “You can change seats if you score higher than Bai Yuerou in the next test.”

“Alright, don’t worry, teacher.” Tang Huaijin nodded with a smile.

Returning to the classroom, Xia Xinya was chatting with Bai Yuerou about something on her phone.

Seeing Tang Huaijin enter, Xia Xinya continued, “Look at this news about a domestic abuser named Tang. Do you think all Tangs have violent tendencies?”

“What are you talking about?” Bai Yuerou glanced awkwardly at Tang Huaijin, a hint of apology on her face.

Tang Huaijin ignored Xia Xinya, stretched lazily on the desk, seemingly talking to himself, “Enjoy your last few days sitting next to Bai Yuerou.”

“What did you say?” Though the words were small, they packed a punch, and Xia Xinya immediately flared up, “Do you think you’ll definitely score higher than me?”

Coincidentally, the study representative was handing out yesterday’s physics test papers. Tang Huaijin took his paper, sighed, “Yeah, who knows.” He then showed the page with his score to Xia Xinya.

A bright red 100.

Xia Xinya’s face fell as she quickly hid her own paper with a score of 93 in the desk, feigning composure, “Just one subject doesn’t mean anything.”

Tang Huaijin smirked, saying nothing.

Though Tang Huaijin hadn’t said anything threatening, Xia Xinya felt anxious, her mind in turmoil.

Physics was one of her best subjects, besides English, yet she had been outdone.

The thought of that rascal sitting next to Bai Yuerou annoyed her immensely, leaving her cursing Tang Huaijin inwardly.

She tugged at Bai Yuerou’s sleeve, whispering, “Yuerou, you absolutely can’t sit with him. Don’t be fooled by his decent appearance; he’s a total pervert.”

“Don’t say that, Xiaoya,” Bai Yuerou looked at her best friend, feeling a headache coming on.

Xia Xinya grew anxious, her voice rising, “You won’t just let us be separated, will you?”

“If he scores better than me, what can I do?” Bai Yuerou smiled helplessly.

Xia Xinya’s gaze at Tang Huaijin was filled with hostility, her tone resolute, “Don’t worry, I won’t let that happen.”

Bai Yuerou, who was usually soft-spoken, had little means to deal with Xia Xinya, simply advising, “Just don’t do anything rash.”

“Hmph…” Xia Xinya snorted coldly.

Yesterday was old scores, today is new grudges.

New grudges and old scores will be settled together!