Chapter Thirty-Five: Vanity

  "This time, the first place in the city's quality inspection is... Fang Zixuan." Zheng teacher's expression was somewhat complex, and after so many times, he still couldn't get used to it. Could this prodigal daughter who had returned really be a good student?

  Logically speaking, teachers all like students with good grades, but for Fang Zi Xuan, he just can't seem to like him no matter what.

  The commotion under the podium was not great, her classmates all had an expression of "I knew it would be like this", compared to when she first took the first place, it's already calm, her progress has also been gradual, from being ranked last in the grade to becoming the top student in the grade, it took almost a year, from being ranked 50th or so in the class to 30th or so, then to 20th or so, and finally to the top 10 in the grade, after sitting on the throne of first place in the grade since last semester, she never fell again.

  To know that Yizhong is the best school in the city, let alone the high school department where talents emerge in large numbers, the junior high school department is not lacking in top students of various competitions. In such a strong school, being able to take the first place in the grade is probably rare in the whole city.

  Fang Zixuan is not good at socializing and is not a genius, but her diligence is evident to all. Her life seems to be just eating, sleeping, and reading books. She has never been interested in class activities, and even the spring and autumn outings that students look forward to the most are always excused. In short, she is a bookworm who can't put down her books.

  From a fallen aristocratic young lady to a bookworm, she seems to enjoy such a dull life, but the people around her can't get used to it. Her classmates still can't figure out why Fang Zixuan, who is as dull as a nun in speech and behavior, doesn't have any trace of that little rich girl from back then. She clearly has the same face, but her personality is completely different.

  That face never had any expression, no matter where or when her waist was always straight, no matter how teachers and classmates discussed her, even those old partners teased and ridiculed her, she would not have any normal reaction, just buried her head in reading books, textbooks, notebooks were all written by her small characters densely, but also clear and logical, once a classmate had the courage to borrow her notebook, was shocked by the content at that time, every word the teacher said in class, even every single word could be remembered by her, what kind of terrifying speed and memory is this!

  The title of "academic tyrant" is indeed well-deserved for her, yet despite this, she remains an unpopular figure in school. Everyone's impression of her is one of sternness and coldness, and when they think about her unsavory past, everyone keeps their distance from her. However, other people's attitudes have never been within the scope of her consideration.

  However, everyone, except Lin Shengcai, didn't know when this introverted boy had become her little follower. Since speaking the first word to his heart's goddess, he gradually overcame his past shyness.

  "Zi Xuan, you're amazing! You're first in the whole grade again this time." Lin Shengcai gazed at her eagerly.

  "Thank you, it's what I should do." She nodded slightly.

  "Uh," he rubbed his head and smiled, "you're really not polite."

  "You did pretty well this time and moved up three places."

  She said it calmly, but a wave of emotion flashed in his eyes. "Compared to you, I'm far behind. If not for your notes, I wouldn't have even made it into the top twenty."

  She nodded to him and immediately buried her head in the book, she was not used to small talk, almost every time they chatted, it couldn't exceed three sentences. Lin Sheng could be considered her only friend, if he hadn't insisted on chatting with her, this friendship wouldn't have been possible either.

  At that moment, she suddenly remembered a few old friends deep in her memory. She had always been a passive person, and even friendships relied on others to maintain them unilaterally. Since they got married and had children, their contacts became less and less frequent, and finally faded away. At that time, she was busy with work and never felt sorry. Now thinking about it, there is a hint of sadness.

  But Fang Zixuan is after all a serious and dedicated person, now that she's a student, she must fulfill her duties as one, nothing can distract her attention or affect her emotions, even the slightest emotional fluctuation can be controlled by her immediately.

  Even if her adoptive parents died suddenly, leaving behind a seriously ill grandfather in bed, she had to take care of her grandfather and rush about for a living, but still wouldn't fall behind in her studies, because she was someone who was absolutely controlled by reason, wouldn't waste time on emotions like sorrow, distress or melancholy. Only those not controlled by their emotions can make the most effective use of their time.

  However, at that time, she was still taking care of the elderly and working part-time, which took up some of her time and energy. In the end, although she was admitted to a key university, it was not one of the best universities in the country, which was also a regret for someone who always strives to do her best.

  She doesn't have to worry about family trivialities in this life, the power and interests of the big family are just a fleeting cloud to her, so she can naturally devote herself wholeheartedly to her studies. With her diligence and focus, it would be strange if she didn't rank first.

  Although Zhang Yun was not concerned about her daughter and didn't even bother to look at her report card, she would occasionally attend a parent-teacher conference when she had nothing better to do. When she first heard from the teacher that her daughter had ranked first in the exam, her excitement far exceeded her shock. What came to her mind naturally was not the reason for her daughter's transformation, but rather the pride this brought her, which completely occupied her mind.

  Those parents' admiring glances made her feel so flattered that she lost track of where she was at the time.

  Zhang Yun is a very vain woman, and the girls in Zhang's family are almost all like her. From a young age, they liked to compare themselves with others, comparing beauty, talent, and favoritism. After getting married, they started comparing husbands and children. However, Zhang Yun's husband was really not capable, and their children were all spoiled brats. In social circles, they didn't have anything worth comparing, and instead became the laughing stock of others. Over time, she almost forgot what it felt like to be proud of her victories.

  This feeling is simply too wonderful, it's like a long-awaited rain after a drought, and even better than buying someone else's unattainable treasure at an auction, making her feel comfortable from head to toe, inside and out.

  Fang Ziqian has always claimed to be a famous and talented woman in S province, hasn't she? In what way is our Xiaoxuan inferior to her? And that Fang Ziyin has always boasted about being an excellent student, but in the end, she didn't even get into a good university and slunk away to study abroad. In their opinion, all these boasts are just hot air, and since their own daughter is introverted and not as eloquent as her sisters, Xiaoxuan is far inferior to her two sisters in the eyes of Fang's parents.

  At this time, Zhang Yun had completely accepted the rigid and wooden Fang Zixuan, not feeling anything wrong with it, as if the rebellious and stubborn Fang Zixuan had never existed.