Chapter 100: Beneath the Examination Lights
Bai Xia and Bai Gin entered the building together with the stream of students. The entrance exam hall was large and solemn, filled with rows and rows of wooden desks arranged in perfect order. At the front hung a massive blackboard, freshly cleaned, with the subject code written in bold white chalk. Large ceiling fans turned slowly above, stirring warm air around the room. Wide windows lined both sides of the hall, letting in bright morning sunlight that fell across nervous faces and trembling hands. Invigilators stood at the front and corners, their expressions strict as they checked documents and maintained order.
The atmosphere was heavy, silent, and tense.
After settling into their assigned seats, Bai Xia quickly noticed that Bai Gin was seated right in front of her. Bai Gin's back was straight, her posture confident, her head slightly raised as if she already saw victory ahead. Bai Xia knew Bai Gin was smart—there was no doubt about that—but she was also scheming. That was the part Bai Xia couldn't ignore.
Bai Xia snorted softly and looked away, no longer bothering to observe her.
She slowly turned her gaze around the room, studying the other students. Some had their heads lowered, already flipping through notes nervously. Others stared frozen at their desks, lips pale from anxiety. Then, unexpectedly, Bai Xia's eyes landed on a familiar figure.
Shang Shan.
Shang Shan looked haggard and exhausted, dark shadows sitting heavily beneath her eyes. She kept glancing around from time to time, as if afraid or haunted. From her nervous behavior alone, it was clear—she had suffered a lot in the hands of Li Guyan and Su Yin.
Su Yin had completely destroyed her reputation in school. Rumors, whispers, accusations—things Shang Shan had done and even things she had never done were all pushed onto her. Worse still, Li Guyan had made her life a living hell. He had even caused her father to lose his job. The entire family knew that her misfortune was connected to her mistakes.
Shang Shan had even seen an article published in the newspaper about herself. The article exposed everything—some true, some exaggerated, some completely false. Fortunately, her name had not been written directly in it. Even so, neighbors whispered behind her back, cursing the mysterious person involved, completely unaware that it was Shang Shan herself.
She knew clearly—this was Su Yin's doing.
Because of everything she had lost—her reputation, her peace, her family's stability—Shang Shan had resolved to use this exam as her last chance to redeem herself, to make her parents proud again and erase the shame she had brought upon them.
As if sensing Bai Xia's gaze, Shang Shan slowly turned her head. Their eyes met.
For a brief second, Shang Shan froze. Then, she forced a smile—one that didn't reach her eyes at all. Beneath that unwilling smile was deep resentment, hatred, and calculation. She still had plans for Bai Xia. No matter what, she would never let her off easily.
Bai Xia felt disgusted by that forced smile. Still, she returned a brief polite smile and turned her attention elsewhere. She leaned back lightly in her seat, intending to rest her eyes for a moment before the exam began.
Just then, a shadow hovered over her desk.
Bai Xia lifted her head and saw a girl standing in front of her, wearing the same uniform. The student looked familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. The atmosphere between them instantly became awkward.
The girl cleared her throat.
"Bai Xia, long time no see."
Bai Xia blinked, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Yeah… I remember you from the library. It's been a long time."
Qing Lan's face darkened instantly. "Don't you remember me? I'm Qing Lan—your love rival."
Bai Xia finally reacted. So this was the foolish girl from before.
"Classmate Qing Lan, I'm sorry," Bai Xia said calmly. "I mistook you for someone else just now."
Qing Lan snorted lightly. "Anyways, how have you been? I haven't been in school lately. I heard you gave everyone cupcakes and jewelry."
Bai Xia was slightly confused. Qing Lan was clearly from a wealthy family—why did she care about such things?
"Yes, I did," Bai Xia answered simply.
Qing Lan snorted again. "Since you didn't give me any, you owe me a favor."
Bai Xia was about to protest when Qing Lan suddenly pulled out a card and placed it on her desk.
"My elder sister just opened a skincare and beauty shop. Please stop by sometime—and also bring your friends."
Bai Xia looked at Qing Lan's faintly reddened face and couldn't help laughing inwardly. What a strange way to ask for a favor. Still, she accepted the card.
"Yes, I'll definitely go over."
Satisfied, Qing Lan nodded. She was about to leave when she suddenly stopped and turned back.
"I know you like Zhou Liang," she said slowly, lowering her voice, "but he's not a good person. I heard he raped a girl and was sent to jail. He's such a pervert—and a gold digger. That girl's family was rich. Maybe he wanted to marry into wealth."
Bai Xia almost choked on air.
Since when did she ever like that senior?
At the same time, confusion filled her heart. This hadn't happened in her past life. Or was it because she had intervened this time and changed things?
Her mind suddenly jumped to Fu Jian. Had he done something?
She quickly dismissed the thought and looked at Qing Lan coldly.
"I never liked Zhou Liang," Bai Xia said flatly. "It was him bothering me. And I already have a fiancé. Don't spread rubbish."
Qing Lan was stunned.
So that so-called mystery boyfriend had already become a fiancé?
Embarrassed and flustered, Qing Lan quickly returned to her seat.
At exactly 8:00 a.m., the exam finally began.
The sound of papers being distributed filled the quiet hall. The exam would last for two days. The first day consisted of art subjects.
As soon as Bai Xia saw the questions, she relaxed slightly. Some of them were difficult, yes—but they were still within her ability. Her pen moved smoothly across the paper. Her posture was steady, her breathing calm.
Before long, she finished before anyone else.
Even so, she didn't immediately submit. She sat quietly, reviewing her answers carefully until a few students stood up to hand in their papers.
Only then did Bai Xia rise.
Unexpectedly, Bai Gin also stood up at the same time.
Bai Xia was shocked for a brief moment—but she quickly calmed down. To be honest, she had always looked down on Bai Gin just a little. Bai Gin was clearly smart, yet she always did foolish things.
Without another glance at her, Bai Xia submitted her paper.
They continued like this until all the art subjects for the day were finally finished.
When Bai Xia came out of the hall, she immediately spotted her mother and Mu Yen waiting not far away. She walked toward them calmly. Bai Gin followed behind her.
Chu Sun and Mu Yen eagerly asked about the exam.
Bai Xia answered honestly, "I think I did well."
Bai Gin, however, proudly lifted her chin and said, "I will definitely get into a good college."
Bai Xia felt annoyed.
In her past life, Bai Gin had indeed gotten into a good college—while she herself had been forced to stay behind at home and farm. That humiliating memory was still fresh in her mind.
She didn't blame Bai Gin, though. Instead, she calmed her own heart. After all, Bai Gin was fighting for her own future. There was nothing wrong with ambition.
Bai Xia quickly adjusted her emotions and turned to them. "A friend of mine just opened a new shop. Let's go take a look."
Chu Sun and Mu Yen agreed immediately. They got into the car.
However, just before Bai Xia entered, she caught something from the corner of her eye.
Bai Gin had slipped away.
She was standing near Shang Shan.
The two were talking quietly. Their expressions were dark and uneasy. It was impossible to tell whether they were arguing—or making some kind of agreement.
Bai Xia's eyes instantly darkened.
Earlier today, she had treated Bai Gin differently because she thought Bai Gin had changed.
But now…
It seemed that some people would never change.
No matter how many chances they were given.