บท 40: The Vote
Before long, the morning had flown by. Qin Sheng spent the afternoon at the school, sharing a dormitory with Huang Xiaoyan.
H City High School boasted excellent living conditions, with each room accommodating two students. Although not spacious, the rooms were more than sufficient for their needs.
At noon, Huang Xiaoyan eagerly took Qin Sheng to the cafeteria for lunch.
In the bustling cafeteria on the second floor, Qin Sheng and Huang Xiaoyan stood in line to get their meals.
Approaching them was Qin Churou, surrounded by a cluster of female students who were chatting and laughing animatedly.
Zhao Jia, catching sight of Qin Sheng, leaned in and whispered to Qin Churou, "Churou, that Qin Sheng is rumored to be kept by an old man. At such a young age, she's already learned the art of seeking wealthy patrons. Just a few days ago, people were saying she's prettier than you, but honestly, Qin Sheng isn't even worthy of polishing your shoes."
Qin Churou was a blend of beauty, talent, and affluence, often hailed as the school's beauty queen by her peers.
However, since Qin Sheng's arrival at the school, many students began to compare her with Qin Churou. The absence of comparison had made the difference stark. Where Qin Churou had once been considered beautiful, she now seemed rather ordinary beside Qin Sheng.
Some students even initiated a poll, and given the students' penchant for appearances and the anonymity of the poll, many votes were cast in favor of Qin Sheng as the new school beauty.
At one point, Qin Sheng's vote count even surpassed Qin Churou's. It was only with the spread of the morning's rumors that Qin Sheng's lead was lost.
Qin Churou was acutely aware of Qin Sheng. From the moment she entered, she noticed Qin Sheng in line, and she saw the way the boys' gazes repeatedly fell upon her.
A pang of jealousy pierced Qin Churou's heart.
Even she could not deny Qin Sheng's extraordinary beauty. She was the kind of person who, once seen, left an indelible impression—a beauty that was not only striking but also captivating in its enduring appeal.
Hearing Zhao Jia's comment, Qin Churou offered a gentle smile. "Let's not be so harsh. She is indeed very beautiful."
Pausing, she added, "It's just a pity that she's involved with an old man."
Though she spoke lightly, she clenched her fists tightly.
She knew the rumor she had spread was false. There was no old man, but Qin Sheng did have a close relationship with a remarkably handsome man, whose demeanor was as refined as a clear, bright moon.
Later, when Qin Churou looked into it, she found that the man drove a car worth over a hundred million. His attire, adorned with top-tier designer brands and a high-end watch, spoke of immense wealth.
He matched the ideal standard for Qin Churou's future husband.
Yet, he maintained a close relationship with Qin Sheng and had even gone so far as to mock her in support of Qin Sheng.
Fueled by frustration, Qin Churou arrived at school and discreetly instructed a senior student to spread the rumor that Qin Sheng was not only from the countryside but also being kept by an old man.
Though the senior class was small, within twenty minutes, nearly every student present at school had heard the rumor.
"Churou, you're truly kind-hearted, both beautiful and gracious," Zhao Jia remarked with admiration.
"Let's go and get in line," Qin Churou said with a smile.
Huang Xiaoyan continued her chatter while Qin Sheng listened. Before they realized it, it was their turn to get their food.
Huang Xiaoyan's eyes were riveted on the dishes, unable to look away, her gaze fixed on the array of plates.
The cafeteria at H City High School offered superb food, prepared by five-star chefs, with a wide variety of dishes. Huang Xiaoyan, a self-proclaimed foodie, always ordered three dishes, all rich in meat.
As Qin Sheng filled her plate, Huang Xiaoyan stood behind her, her eyes darting from dish to dish, quickly determining which ones she wanted.
When it was her turn, she pointed eagerly at each dish, saying, "Auntie, I'd like this one, and this one, and this one, and this one as well."
(End of Chapter)
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