Chapter 140: Negative Rumors That Started Before It Began
Back in the dormitory.
At this time, Hong Chanyi had already been waiting in the living room for a while, seemingly apologizing for returning early.
“I’m sorry, Sister Xiao Han, I didn’t mean to leave you in the Meditation Room. That… I was also thinking… thinking…”
“Okay, I don’t mind. You’re so concerned about it that it makes things feel awkward between us,” I quickly waved my hand to show I had no objections. If we were going to dwell on this matter, it was unnecessary.
However, I looked at the table in the dining room not far from the living room, filled with dishes, and was a bit surprised. “Wait, who made the food on that table?”
“Huh? Ah? Oh! Those were made by Xiao Yu. She really likes cooking, but her dishes are a bit bland. Sister Xiao Han, you’ve been so busy every day, you haven’t seen Xiao Yu cook, have you?” Hong Chanyi glanced in the direction I was pointing and quickly explained.
But I had actually seen Yu Yatian cook several times; I just wasn’t used to having a cook in the villa.
“I saw her cook a few times in the morning, but what’s with all this food left over until now?”
“Um… let me tell you in a low voice, Sister Xiao Han, the dishes Yu Yatian made today are a bit… unique. None of us could eat them, so they were left behind. Xiao Yu plans to save them for tomorrow’s meal, but now she’s probably crying little pearls in her room because the food isn’t well-received.”
“Um… alright.” I sighed, rubbing my forehead, but I really couldn’t imagine the scene of Yu Yatian crying little pearls.
Still, my curiosity got the better of me, and I walked over to see what it was. After all, we were roommates in the same villa. Even if the food was ordinary, everyone would play along unless it was truly inedible.
When I entered, I saw there were indeed quite a few dishes on the table, but most of them were very bland vegetables, which didn’t look appetizing at all. Still, it shouldn’t be inedible, right?
“Sister Xiao Han, why not give it a try? It’s the kind without salt,” Hong Chanyi said as she leaned over to whisper to me.
“What?” I exclaimed, shocked by her words.
No salt?
Is this supposed to make me immortal?
In the end, I gave up the idea of trying it; I didn’t want to torture my taste buds. I’d rather rest today and think about it tomorrow.
“Hey, wait, Sister Xiao Han, are you just going back to sleep? Isn’t your schedule a bit too healthy? Aren’t you curious about your ranking?”
“Huh? What ranking? Is it the one you mentioned before?” I asked, taken aback. Yu Yatian had also mentioned a power ranking prediction about this class competition, which was a post published by the academy. I heard it was quite popular, but I didn’t have time to check it out.
And wasn’t it said there was no ranking for me on it?
Did it just come out today?
“Yes! That one! Someone has already done a detailed analysis based on your performance in today’s fight. You’ve been ranked outside the top one hundred! How unfair of them!”
Hong Chanyi’s tone was very excited and she was very indignant on my behalf.
“Alright, don’t get upset over someone’s subjective opinion; I don’t care,” I tried to calm her.
“But the comments on the post are really unfriendly towards you! They even compared you to Tan Han from Class One, belittling you completely. It makes me furious!” It was clear that Hong Chanyi was not giving up because of my words, which indicated that the evaluation on that post really wasn’t friendly towards me.
Sigh… I was a bit of a headache. Should I display my strength at the right time?
After all, I represent Class 14 as a whole. If I were humiliated, the whole class would be embarrassed.
But those who like to watch the excitement will never clear up; I know this all too well. Unless I could make them shut up completely in one go, they were like pests, disgusting and impossible to get rid of.
Forget it, I’ll just comfort my classmates in the group chat before going to sleep. Since Hong Chanyi saw it, the others in class must have seen it too. With a little guidance, it wouldn’t be long before everyone in class knew.
Before bed, I also made a few comments in the group chat, just greeting everyone, and soon I was encircled by complaints. I have to say, sometimes they get information faster than I do as the class leader, and they even occasionally send me screenshots to look at.
Originally, I thought I could catch up on sleep after meditating since I’d consumed a lot of mental power, but being forced to look at these screenshots and provocations was giving me a headache. I certainly had a temper, but now I couldn’t solve anything and could only lead the way in comforting others.
After this back and forth, I finally fell asleep in a daze.
Until the next morning, I woke up much later than usual and even felt a lingering desire to continue sleeping.
After getting up, I opened the class mutual assistance group to find the chat history they’d filled the night with; even now during the morning, there were still people chatting in the group.
However, I saw a message from Sister Bai, sent in the early hours. Had she not gone to sleep then?
A brief glance at the content revealed it was about the recent hot ranking predictions and information consolidation posts.
Seeing Sister Bai’s comforting message early in the morning lifted my spirits quite a bit.
After a simple reply to reassure her that I was fine, I began planning my arrangements for the day.
Counting the time, the official start of the class competition was the day after tomorrow, meaning I had today and tomorrow to prepare.
Now, the academy had officially announced the competitors for the class competition, and I could check it on the academy’s system.
Only then did I realize there were 364 classes in the Witch Academy!
If each class had a similar number of students as ours in Class 14, that was indeed quite a number, but in comparison to the whole world, it wasn’t that many.
And let’s not forget the tireless efforts of the senior sisters; weren’t the quality new students they attracted also in numbers?
With over 300 classes, only a bit more than 300 people would end up on stage, and if they were to have rankings, how long would that take to determine?
However, the academy notice said that the class competition would take place in the largest outdoor arena, divided into areas for competition. I had never been there before.
So today, I planned to visit the senior sisters in the clubs, as I hadn’t been able to go recently since classes started. Afterwards, I’d head to that so-called arena to check the map and familiarize myself with the venue.
With the remaining time, I would study my Spirit Cat Summoning Spell and think about how this cute little cat could help me in battle.
Just as I was about to leave, my phone buzzed again; it was a message from Sister Bai. I had set special alerts for her messages, so I recognized the prompt immediately.
Bai Yu: Has Xiao Han gotten up already?
Yang Yuelan: I’m up now! Sister Bai, why are you contacting me so early?
Bai Yu: Oh, nothing. Did you sleep well last night?
Yang Yuelan: It’s alright. Just say what you want, Sister Bai.
Bai Yu: Okay, Xiao Han, you’re not affected by what the academy said, are you?
Yang Yuelan: Of course not. I’m not someone who gets influenced by a few words.
Bai Yu: Hmm, I believe in you. I’m coming to see you; I have something to give you.
Bai Yu: I should’ve given it to you earlier, but I got delayed. Where are you? I’ll come find you.
Yang Yuelan: I’m about to head to the bakery; I haven’t been there in a while. How about I wait for you there?
Bai Yu: Okay, I’ll hurry over.
I stared at the message on my phone, and after confirming Sister Bai had no further messages, I put my phone away.
The bakery wasn’t far from where I lived, just across the street, and I arrived quickly, not even needing to use my broom.
When I got to the bakery, it had already opened, and there seemed to be quite a few customers, indicating that the number of students living nearby had increased.
No more slacking off now.
“Sister Ying Shiqian, you’re so busy this morning?” I walked into the bakery, grabbed a bag of bread for my breakfast, and went to pay at the front counter, where Ying Shiqian was now standing.
“Huh? A total of… Ah? Xiao Han? You actually came?”
Ying Shiqian, who was mechanically repeating her tasks, was interrupted by my words and finally realized I was the one before her.
“Yes, did you not expect it, Sister? I came to visit you!” I quickly finished paying and moved aside to not hold up the line.
“Xiao Han! I thought you’d forgotten about me. You’re definitely here to rescue me from this place!” At this moment, Ying Shiqian looked at me like I was her savior and excitedly grabbed my hand.
After all, during the time before classes started, this was my personal spot. I hadn’t visited for some time, so during this busy period, it was quite painful for someone like Ying Shiqian who enjoyed slacking off.
It wasn’t that there were many customers; rather, the frequency had increased compared to before, making her free time fragmented and not as cohesive, creating a completely different experience.
“Alright, alright. Really.” I checked the time; Sister Bai would be here soon, and I guessed I wouldn’t be here for much longer. I might as well help out.
“Wait for me; I’ll go change in the back and come help!”
Just as I was preparing to head to the changing area at the back, a figure appeared in front of me, blocking my path.
“Huh? Sister Tang Yihan, long time no see.” A hint of surprise flashed in my eyes and I immediately greeted her.
“Xiao Han, don’t come here to mess around. Aren’t you already the class leader of Class 14? Don’t waste your time here.” Upon saying this, Tang Yihan’s gaze turned to Ying Shiqian. “Shiqian, what were you thinking inviting Xiao Han here? She has more important matters to attend to. I asked you before if you wanted help, and you said no, claiming it was too tiring. I could have helped at the front.”
“Uh… sorry, Xiao Han, I-I forgot. Ugh, I apologize, Sister; forget what I just said! What do you want to eat this morning? Just take what you want here!”
“Ying Shiqian, if you keep this up, the charges are on you!”
“Ah? Oh… wuwuwu, I barely have any money, and now deductions…”
At this moment, Ying Shiqian had transformed into a crying, noisy mess again. It seemed Tang Yihan really had a terrifying influence over Ying Shiqian.
