What kind of bad luck did I run into today?
Shen Mianmian was puzzled. The less she wanted to draw attention, the more she seemed to become the center of it.
Clutching her English book, her mind raced, and suddenly, her eyes lit up, and with both hands, she held the book up high. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
Without her face reddening or heart skipping, she bluffed, "This is a gift I’m giving Mr. He to thank him."
Before He Nan and the principal could speak up, she added, "I am still a student and cannot afford anything expensive, so all I can offer is this book, as a token of my gratitude. I hope you won’t disdain it."
Since everyone was focused on the book in her hands, she might as well use this opportunity to return the book to its rightful owner.
He Nan gazed at the English book in Shen Mianmian’s hands, with a flicker in his eyes. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the book he had lent her, wasn’t it?
She hadn’t returned any other books, only this one. Could it be because she couldn’t understand English?
The principal was taken aback by Shen Mianmian’s actions. Mouth agape, he stared at her in surprise.
"Principal," Chen Jie whispered.
The principal came back to his senses, "Well... Mr. He, this is the student’s kind intention. What do you think...?"
What hasn’t he seen in the city? The principal was worried that he would find the gift paltry and would not accept it, which would deeply hurt the child.
Before the principal finished speaking, He Nan let out a muffled chuckle, took a few steps towards Shen Mianmian, and reached out to take the book.
He lifted his other hand and gently patted her head, offering a word of encouragement, "Study hard."
Hmm... Li Yue seemed to pat me the same way that day. It was fluffy, admittedly, a nice feeling to the touch.
The two were standing very close. With He Nan’s tall stature, he completely obscured Shen Mianmian’s petite figure. Taking advantage of the moment, she whispered, "Big Brother He, there’s something inside the book."
"Hm?" He Nan raised an eyebrow slightly.
In her urgency, Shen Mianmian tip-toed and repeated, "There’s something in the book, it should be from the person who gave you the book, written for you."
He Nan’s brow furrowed. The English book was a gift from his aunt; what could be inside it?
"Meet me at the noodle shop after school."
With that, he turned and walked back to his earlier spot.
The principal saw He Nan accept the gift and even smiled while ruffling Shen Mianmian’s hair. He was delightfully pleased. He Nan had visited a couple of times, and this was the first time he had shown a smile.
This child really knew how to give him face. Despite her young age, she seemed even savvier than he was.
He should reward her again later.
Chen Jie also basked in the reflected glory. He had always thought of Shen Mianmian as a grateful student. Now he was even more convinced; even if she failed to get into high school, she wouldn’t do badly in whatever else she pursued.
Of course, there were those who disapproved, like Li Qiumei. She thought that Shen Mianmian, at such a young age, had learned to flatter and fawn, which boded ill for her character in the future. Instead of applying herself to her studies, she seemed interested in pursuing questionable shortcuts.
She couldn’t fathom why the principal had gone off the rails and added Shen Mianmian’s name to the list.
"It’s infuriating! Why is Shen Mianmian counted as a needy student? Just look at her obsequious face, it’s utterly revolting."
Wang Jingjing, who had witnessed the scene, was fuming with anger. She wouldn’t have been as angry if anyone else in the class had been designated a needy student, but why did it have to be Shen Mianmian?
Who in the class had warmer clothes than Shen Mianmian?
With that thick military coat, she wouldn’t feel cold even if the snow piled over her head. How could she be considered needy?
Lately, Shen Mianmian had been dining out every midday. Who else lived as comfortably as she did?