Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: 3rd Grade Class One

Luo Qianqian hadn’t taken the skip-level exam when Principal Sun brought her to the door of Class One of the third grade, ”Geng Zhi is in charge of your math class, we’ll discuss the issue of class teacher when you move up to the fourth grade next year.”

The door to the classroom of Class One opened, and the teacher looked at the principal at the door with two kids who seemed to have just started school, ”Principal, these are...?”

”These are two kids who have skipped a grade, and they have been placed in your class. You can arrange them as you see fit. I have a meeting to attend,” Principal Sun then turned to Luo Qianqian and the other student, ”This is Teacher Wang, your new teacher. If you have any problems, talk to the teacher. If you can’t solve them, come find me.” Then he turned and left.

Teacher Wang then led Luo Qianqian and He Wenyu into the classroom.

Luo Qianqian stood on the podium and scanned the class. There wasn’t much change, still two students per desk separated by a line drawn with either pencil or crayon, but the kids at the back of the desks had clearly aged a few years.

”Everyone quiet down, these are two new classmates joining us, let’s welcome them with a round of applause,” Teacher Wang said, and the students clapped half-heartedly, ”Introduce yourselves.”

”My name is He Wenyu, I’m seven years old, I like puppies and various delicious foods, I hope we can become good friends,” He Wenyu said.

”Luo Qianqian,” Luo Qianqian said, looking at the people sitting below, her tone indifferent.

”He Wenyu, you’re tall, take the third row; Liu Hang, move to the empty seat in the fourth row. Luo Qianqian... you sit in the first row, Zhang Lu, move to the fourth row,” Teacher Wang instructed, ”You don’t have books yet, share with your deskmate for today. Register at the administration office tomorrow.”

He Wenyu gave Luo Qianqian a mournful look before moving to the third row, while Luo Qianqian, with her backpack, took her assigned middle seat in the first row. Her deskmate was a neat little boy wearing glasses, who smiled at her and didn’t look her way again. Luo Qianqian thought to herself: This is better, less of a hassle.

That morning, as school had just started, Class One in the third grade hadn’t been assigned any new teachers and had classes in Chinese, Mathematics, Morality and Society, and Music. After the class bell rang, He Wenyu rushed to Luo Qianqian’s side as fast as possible, worried that she might be bullied.

”Deskmate, let’s go to the corridor to queue for food, and then bring it back to the classroom to eat,” said Luo Qianqian’s deskmate, who had been called on in every class that morning. Luo Qianqian already knew his name was Jiang An, a genuinely good student.

”Thank you,” Luo Qianqian said, who spoke very little in school, except with He Wenyu. He Wenyu had gotten to know all the neighboring classmates that morning, while Luo Qianqian had finished reading all the books Jiang An had for class.

The meal still consisted of the familiar metal trays, three dishes without soup. Luo Qianqian skipped the celery and potatoes, only getting a portion of fried chicken leg and cabbage with potatoes. He Wenyu only took the fried chicken leg.

”Qianqian, why do I feel that person looks like your brother?” After eating and washing their hands, He Wenyu had just walked out of the restroom when he noticed a familiar figure peeking into another classroom’s door; he peered for a while and then moved to the next.

”Brother,” Luo Qianqian called out confusedly to Luo Shufan.

”Qianqian, I finally found you. What are you doing here?” Luo Shufan handed over a bag to his sister, his face showing concern as he asked.

Luo Qianqian took the bag, looked inside and saw her favorite cupcakes, and asked with a puzzled face, ”Brother, how come you’re here?”

”It’s noon recess, and I was a bit worried, so I came to check on you. How has it been, anyone bullying you? Tell Brother, and I’ll seek revenge for you,” Luo Shufan patted Luo Qianqian’s head, ”Didn’t get enough to eat at lunch, huh? The school food is not tasty, but it’s nutritious. Brother bought you some cupcakes and sausages, eat them if you’re hungry.”

Ever since Luo Qianqian had started earning money, Luo Shufan’s monthly allowance had been kept by his sister. Luo Qianqian had secretly given Luo Shufan twenty yuan today, fearing she might need to buy something as school started. Luo’s Mom didn’t give them much pocket money every month, afraid the kids would spend frivolously, but usually agreed if they wanted to buy something. Today, Luo’s Mom had also given Luo Shufan ten yuan, just in case something happened, unaware that Luo Shufan had ended up buying food for Luo Qianqian.

”Bro, you came all this way. Have you eaten yet?” Luo Qianqian looked at the fine beads of sweat on her brother’s face and was moved. He really was her brother, always caring about her the most, no matter what.

”Not yet. I didn’t see anything good to eat today, so I’ll just buy some bread on my way back. I got assigned to the honors class. What time do you get out of school? I’ll come pick you up?” Luo Shufan immediately took his sister to a meeting room that was empty during lunch time. After all, he had been at the school for five years and was much more familiar with it than his sister.

”Bro, middle school gets out late, right? Xiao Yu and I can walk together.” Luo Qianqian opened the bag Luo Shufan brought, took out two sausages, and then handed the bag to He Wenyu. ”Brother, eat something quickly, don’t starve yourself.”

”Why are you guys on the third floor? I thought you said you weren’t coming to school?” Luo Shufan didn’t stand on ceremony and started eating. ”Our class has a test tomorrow. The results will determine our seats and class positions.”

”Ugh, don’t mention it. We’re in third grade. So, what do you want to do, bro?” Luo Qianqian leaned on the table, watching her brother wolf down his food.

”Hmm, what do I want to do? I don’t really want to do anything...” Luo Shufan was taken aback, ”I haven’t really done anything before.”

”So what do you want to do in the future, bro? Like what kind of job, or what kind of person do you want to become?” Luo Qianqian was a person who avoided hassle, so doing nothing was fine, but her brother was a boy, and it would be good if he had the time and energy to do something. ”Now that you are in middle school, you don’t need to skip grades anymore. Just enjoy your youth, it’s okay to have a bit of power, as long as your grades don’t drop.”

”You little rascal, talking about puppy love...” Luo Shufan playfully tapped his sister on the head. ”I feel the same way; I don’t want to skip grades anymore. I don’t know anyone around me; it’s too lonely. Maybe I should try being a class officer?”

”Hmph, still hitting me. I won’t care if you end up needing money to support your puppy love. I won’t give you a single dime.” Luo Qianqian glared at her brother, puffing her cheeks, showing that she was still upset with him.

”You little troublemaker. If someone bullies you, just tell me, and I’ll avenge you.” Luo Shufan tousled Luo Qianqian’s hair, his face full of helplessness. His sister was great in every other way, just with a bit of a temper, but a little food always soothed her.

”Hmph, class president isn’t bad, you get a lot of power, but there’s a lot to do too. Maybe class representative; the committee for student life is exhausting, and you’re not cut out for the arts committee. Just being the class representative is fine as long as your studies are good, although I do lean towards you being the class president, but it’s tiring and I’m afraid it might affect you.” Luo Qianqian said, still pouting.

”Class president, huh? I feel like I can’t really manage people. I can’t even manage you, let alone others.” Luo Shufan sighed. ”Class representative is also good, not much work, and a bit of power too.”

”Whatever you say. It’s just middle school. Exercise more, so you can grow taller. You’ll have more girls liking you in high school.” Luo Qianqian looked disdainfully at Luo Shufan’s height of just over 1.4 meters. He didn’t love to exercise — just morning jogging and a weekly Taekwondo class. How could he surpass his height from his past life?

”You, always a handful. Okay then, tell me if anything comes up. I’m heading back to school.” Luo Shufan wiped his mouth after finishing his food and left. He Wenyu holding her newfound favorite red bean bun and milk candy returned to her seat.

Luo Qianqian looked at a small piece of mousse and a few yogurt-flavored lollipops, grinning from ear to ear.

”What are you giggling about there?” Jiang An, seeing Luo Qianqian laughing with her eyes nearly closed, couldn’t help being curious.

Luo Qianqian was startled by the voice and looked towards her desk mate; she thought for a moment and then offered a lollipop. ”My brother was afraid I wouldn’t have enough to eat. He came over during lunch to bring this. Here, you can have one.”

”It’s from your brother, I don’t want it.” Jiang An said, ”You have a brother?”

”Yeah, my brother is in the first year of middle school. He graduated from our school last semester,” Luo Qianqian replied. ”You eat it, my brother brought a lot. I don’t really like candy much, but this yogurt-flavored one is quite good and I can eat it.”

”That’s so nice, having a brother.” Jiang An took the lollipop, looking envious.