Soul Returns to Hong Kong: From Tailor Shop to Richest Woman

A class schedule flashed through Lin Ying's mind: "What about extracurricular classes like dance and swimming?"

Mr. Luo paused for a moment, then smiled: "That won't affect anything. The extracurricular classes aren't divided by grade; they're just grouped by ability."

Principal Liang chuckled and said, "You little girl, you ask quite a few detailed questions."

Lin Ying said seriously, "This change is not a small matter. If all the courses conflict, I will have to miss one class. I don't want to give up these extracurricular classes right now."

Principal Liang looked again at the paper on the table with the timeline of the school system drawn on it.

"Don't worry about the time. The reason your Uncle Lin called is that he wants me to ask you a question personally."

Lin Ying looked directly at Liang Zhaowen: "Principal, please ask."

Principal Liang: "Do you plan to pursue a master's degree or a doctorate in the future?"

These words, spoken by a prestigious school principal, seem somewhat... inappropriate, especially since they were directed at a ten-year-old elementary school student.

Lin Ying remained silent for a moment.

In my previous life, I lay on a sterile hospital bed, spending my days with medical equipment. I read many books and was fluent in several foreign languages, but I never actually earned a degree or diploma.

In this life, in Hong Kong in the 1980s, a higher education would allow her to enter high society, acquire more resources, and broaden her horizons.

Lin Ying looked at Principal Liang and said, "If I say that it's not certain I'll die, will the principal think I lack ambition?"

Principal Liang shook his head: "No. It's not smart to think that you're set in one fixed box for your whole life when you're only nine years old."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Ying finally spoke up: "I will do my best to pursue the highest level of education. Whether it's a master's degree or a doctorate, I want to have a bigger table of options and more choices in my future life than others."

Inspector Luo breathed a sigh of relief and nodded approvingly: "It's good that you know that education is a tool for crossing social classes, not an ornament for life."

Principal Liang slammed the blue folder shut.

"Since you know this so clearly, my advice is very clear. You should skip to fifth grade now."

Lin Ying remained silent, waiting for what was to come.

Principal Liang tapped the table with his finger: "There are still two months until the final exams. Starting next Monday morning, you will go directly to Class 1 of Grade 5 and follow their pace to review for these two months. If you achieve the required grades in all subjects on the final exams, you will not have to repeat Grade 5 in September; you will go directly into Grade 6."

Inspector Law added details: "In other words, you must complete the entire knowledge transition from fourth to fifth grade within these two months this year, and then directly enter sixth grade in the second half of the year. At this time next year, you will participate in the Hong Kong-wide secondary school placement arrangement along with the sixth graders."

Principal Liang looked at Lin Ying and said the final, poignant sentence: "This will be the last time you skip a grade in your life."

This statement carries significant weight.

When Lin Ying heard the last four words, she clearly understood the meaning behind them.

Principal Liang didn't rush her; instead, he laid out the unpleasant truths upfront.

"I won't pressure you, and I'll explain the difficulties to you clearly. Fifth grade is completely different from fourth grade; the amount of homework and reading will increase significantly. Right now, you also have computer class, math olympiad, dance, and swimming classes on your plate. And I heard that you also seem to be dealing with screenwriting-related matters outside of school, which is taking up your time."

Inspector Luo coughed dryly beside him: "The principal also read the newspaper? He knows about the box office of 'Death in the Light'."

Principal Liang glanced at him: "All the entertainment tabloids in Hong Kong are writing about Su Zhihao's good fortune every day. I'm not blind, how could I not read the newspapers?"

Lin Ying: "..."

Principal Liang withdrew his gaze and continued to stare at Lin Ying: "I don't object to students having money-making skills outside of books; being quick-witted is a good thing. But if you choose to skip a grade, you absolutely cannot let these messy things outside affect your serious grades at school. St. Paul's might open special doors for a genius, but it will never endorse a distracted, misguided child. Do you understand?"

Lin Ying nodded vigorously: "I understand. I won't cross the school's bottom line."

Inspector Luo's tone was much gentler than Principal Liang's, reminding him, "And the most practical point is that you're going to Class 1 of Grade 5, where you'll be the youngest student. Fifth-grade students are already quite mature; they have their own established cliques and circles. If a nine-year-old girl suddenly appears and steals the spotlight, not everyone will be convinced. You'll have to adapt to interpersonal relationships on your own."

"I don't need them to be convinced," Lin Ying said indifferently.

"Huh?" Inspector Luo was taken aback.

Lin Ying replied, "As long as it doesn't affect my concentration in class, it's fine. I'm ostracized by others, and I can't write their final exams for them."

This time, Inspector Luo couldn't help but laugh out loud, saying, "With your personality, you're not afraid of being isolated or ostracized at all."

Lin Ying said, "Instead of worrying about whether others ostracize you, you should memorize a few more pages of the original English text."

Mr. Luo burst into laughter. Principal Liang raised his hand to gesture for him to tone down his teacherly demeanor. But a hint of amusement also flickered in Principal Liang's own eyes.

"It may sound harsh, but the fundamental principles of survival are absolutely true." Principal Liang pulled a class transfer application form stamped with a red seal from his drawer and pushed it to the corner of the table. "I won't force you to answer this today. Take the watch home and discuss it with your family; you should also consider the costs and benefits yourself."

Lin Ying lowered her head, her gaze falling on the paper.

Her information has already been filled in with a pen.

Name: Lin Ying

[Original Class: Grade 4, Class 1]

[Proposed transfer destination: Grade 5, Class 1]

At the bottom of the form, only the parent's signature and the student's confirmation are missing.

Principal Leung leaned back in his chair: "If you've thought it through, come to my office next Monday morning before reading time to hand in your application. If you decide to jump, Inspector Law will personally take you to register at Grade 5, Class 1. If you decide not to jump, no one will say you're cowardly. If you finish primary school in Grade 4, Class 1 as usual, we can still guarantee you admission to the best secondary school."

Inspector Luo looked at her, his tone serious: "Lin Ying, skipping a grade isn't an award to show off. It's not about how fast you progress, but whether you can withstand the pressure behind this shortcut."

Lin Ying listened quietly and then hummed in agreement.

She bent down and picked up her schoolbag from the ground. "Thank you, Principal. Thank you, Mr. Law, for helping me with this."

Principal Liang waved his hand: "No need to thank me. This is a privilege you earned through your own hard work and passing the exams. Your Uncle Lin is just worried that you're too quick-witted and that the rigid system will waste your time."

Lin Ying nodded solemnly, "I've got it."

She opened the door and walked out of the principal's office.

The students in the corridor had mostly left, and the school buses on the playground downstairs had long since departed. The surroundings became quiet.

Inspector Luo followed her out and escorted her downstairs.

At the corner of the stairs, Officer Luo stopped and handed her the application form. "Keep it safe, don't lose it. Show it to your mom and dad tonight."

Lin Ying took it, unzipped the backpack, and put the textbook into the innermost layer.

Inspector Luo looked down at her: "Are you really not afraid?"

Lin Ying thought about her usual homework speed: "I'm not afraid."

Inspector Luo didn't say anything more. He stood at the top of the stairs and watched the girl with the schoolbag walk down the stairs step by step.

When Lin Ying arrived at the school gate, all of St. Paul's school buses had indeed left.

She turned and walked along the tree-lined path toward the tram station.

In the innermost part of her schoolbag was a thin application form for changing classes. Just that one piece of paper was enough for her to bypass the rigid school system and enter a higher grade level ahead of schedule.