The school beauty is aloof? Whatever, she has a younger sister.

Chapter 23: Crossing Class Barriers – Through Physical Intent or Through Learning?
Chu Jiuli and Chu Youting strolled leisurely towards the restaurant.

Since the last class was physical education, the two of them strolled to the cafeteria ten minutes early.

The winter sun shone on them, and a gentle breeze swept by, carrying a chill but not biting.

Chu Jiuli glanced at Chu Youting and said, "Youting, Dad has already transferred this month's allowance. Don't eat anything too simple for lunch, have something good. Aren't you still growing? You need to eat more nourishing food."

"what……"

Chu Youting was taken aback by her sister's words, then looked down at her chest.

Although he was wearing a thick down jacket, his bulging silhouette was still impossible to hide.

She suddenly felt a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she muttered softly, "I... I think enough to eat is fine, there's no need to eat too much."

She lowered her head, pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Sister, let's save the money. Dad works very hard away from home. New Year's Day is coming soon, maybe he can come back. Let's save some money to buy him some things."

Chu Jiuli raised her hand and ruffled Chu Youting's soft hair: "You are always so sensible."

Chu Youting looked up at her sister and said, "Isn't our rent due soon? We have to pay two thousand yuan a month for rent. Why don't we tell Dad that we should move to the school dormitory?"

Chu Jiuli gently shook her head.

“I’ve mentioned this to my dad. But he said the dormitory conditions are terrible. The eight-person room is noisy and crowded, making it impossible to study or rest properly.”

"And I also think Dad has a point. Eight-person dorm rooms are prone to conflict. We shouldn't let those complicated relationships affect us,"

"Our most important thing right now is studying. It's definitely more comfortable living outside, and I can get a good night's sleep."

"Mmm." Chu Youting nodded obediently. "It would be even better if Dad could live with us all the time."

"Yes, we will. Once we get into a good university, find a job after graduation, and work hard to earn money, Dad won't have to worry about us anymore."

"Hmm."

The first period in the afternoon was English class.

Chu Jiuli sat quietly in her seat. English teacher Li Cuilan stood at the front of the class, expertly explaining the exam questions.

However, Chu Jiuli's attention was not on the blackboard, but rather she glanced at the empty seat next to her.

Zhang Muchen skipped class.

Before class, Zhang Muchen asked Li Cuilan for leave, saying he was feeling unwell and needed to go to the school hospital.

But Chu Jiuli knew in her heart that Zhang Muchen had probably made up an excuse to slip away.

She glanced down at her textbook on the table, remembering what happened during PE class that morning. She had hit Zhang Muchen with a basketball, and Wang Shishi had told her that he had a big bump on his forehead.

She had originally planned to find an opportunity to apologize, but it seems she'll have to wait until next week.

After all, tomorrow is Saturday, and the second-year high school students can enjoy a normal holiday. The third-year high school students, on the other hand, will have to continue to go to school to study.

Although the school encourages second-year high school students to come to school for self-study, it's unlikely that someone like Zhang Muchen would voluntarily come on Saturdays.

Chu Jiuli shook her head, putting away these distracting thoughts, and refocused her attention on Li Cuilan's explanation.

She never allows herself to be distracted from her studies for too long.

After English class ended, the classroom became lively during the break.

Wang Shishi turned around and glanced at the empty seat, pouting with a displeased expression.

"My buddy skipped class and didn't even take me with him."

She muttered, her tone full of resentment at being abandoned.

Chu Jiuli was rummaging through her desk for the biology test paper for the next class when she heard Wang Shishi's complaint. She said calmly, "He can get 149 points in English. Can you?"

"Ugh, you're so annoying!"

Wang Shishi clutched her chest, looking heartbroken, and pouted even more.

"No, I need to use my buddies' snacks to soothe my wounded heart."

Wang Shishi stood up and reached into Zhang Muchen's desk drawer. She quickly pulled out several packets of snacks, but wasn't quite satisfied.

"Dude, why is this all spicy snacks and potato chips? Didn't you order any high-end snacks?"

She continued to reach out and touch things randomly, as if she were opening a blind box. "What's this?"

When Wang Shishi's fingers touched something hard, her curiosity was immediately piqued. She muttered something under her breath and took the object out of the desk drawer.

Wang Shishi looked at the pink envelope in her hand, on which was written in beautiful handwriting "For Zhang Muchen".

"Holy crap, a love letter?"

Wang Shishi covered her mouth, then looked down at the letter in her hand, her face full of disbelief.

"No way, buddy got another love letter? He's so popular... Who has such good taste?"

Wang Shishi stared at the pink envelope, her eyes gleaming with a strong desire for gossip. Her fingers traced the edge of the envelope, her whole being restless with anticipation.

"Jiuli, I really want to open it and see."

Chu Jiuli looked up at her, her gaze slightly thoughtful: "Shishi, do you like Zhang Muchen?"

Wang Shishi paused for a moment, then chuckled, "I used to, I used to like it."

After saying that, she slammed the envelope on the table and crossed her arms: "Right now, I just want to be friends with him. If we can't be lovers, then we can be good friends."

Chu Jiuli raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze sweeping over Wang Shishi's face, her tone tinged with confusion: "Why have I never heard you mention being rejected?"

"What's so great about that? Being rejected isn't something to be proud of," Wang Shishi said, pouting.

Wang Shishi suddenly chuckled, reached out and patted Chu Jiuli's shoulder, her tone mysterious: "Do you think I'll accept the confession from the person who wrote this letter?"

Chu Jiuli glanced down at the pink envelope and replied indifferently, "I don't know."

Wang Shishi shook the envelope: "Hehe, although I don't know either. But I do know there's someone in this world who can make a guy not refuse."

Chu Jiuli said "oh" and continued searching for the test papers.

Seeing Chu Jiuli's indifferent attitude, Wang Shishi deliberately pouted and complained, "Hey, why don't you ask? You're making me feel like I'm so clueless by not responding to my questions."

Chu Jiuli sighed helplessly: "Who is it?"

Wang Shishi's eyes lit up, and she leaned close to Chu Jiuli's ear and said mysteriously, "That person's name is... Franklin."

"Franklin?"

Chu Jiuli was stunned for a moment, clearly not understanding.

"It's the guy printed on the $100 bill! To put it bluntly, Zhang Muchen's favorite thing is money, money he earned himself! He doesn't even want me, a little rich girl."

Wang Shishi crossed her arms and let out a soft hum.

Wang Shishi is indeed a young woman with considerable wealth. Her family owns a music store, but it's not their main business; rather, it was a shop that her father specifically acquired for her mother.

This way, Wang Shishi's mother could teach students and sell musical instruments to pass the time.

Her father is a relatively low-profile businessman, but his wealth is enough for Wang Shishi to live a comfortable life.

Chu Jiuli looked up at Wang Shishi, then lowered her eyes slightly.

They were good friends. But undeniably, an invisible class divide existed between them.

Wang Shishi's life is like another world altogether. She always uses the latest iPhone and wears clothes from brands that Chu Jiuli can't even name.

Chu Jiuli is very frugal with her daily expenses. She only buys clothes when they're on sale, and even when eating in the cafeteria, she often chooses the cheapest set meal.

Although Wang Shishi never deliberately flaunts her wealth, Chu Jiuli inevitably feels a strange sense of unease whenever the topic of "money" comes up.

That kind of gap is the poor people's envy of a wealthy life, their powerlessness in the face of reality, and even more so, a deep-seated inferiority complex.

Chu Jiuli gripped the pen tightly, her fingertips exerting slight pressure.

There are only two ways to cross this class divide: either rely on your own physical abilities or change your destiny through the college entrance examination.

In Chu Jiuli's mind, this has always been a multiple-choice question with a clear answer.

……

(End of this chapter)