C17 17

"Yes, she works through problems quite quickly. I just handed her a test paper to keep her busy while I was grading, and she scored perfectly. No one on last year's competition team managed that. She absolutely must join my team. Principal Faang, you've got to back me up here. She needs to listen to you."

"Han Shuangjiang, mind your language."

Principal Faang rubbed his temples, clearly uncomfortable. With parents and upperclassmen present, such coarse talk was highly inappropriate.

"Fine. Transfer her to my class first, and we'll sort out the rest later."

He had managed to convince them, so that should settle it.

Subsequently, Jiang Yining's class placement was confirmed. She was assigned to Han Shuangjiang's class and went straight to him to check in. Ye Tang's complexion had long since turned ashen. Recalling Principal Faang's earlier remarks that Han Shuangjiang taught the Major Work Class, she now wanted nothing more than to leave this mortifying scene. After briefly instructing Yining to obey her teachers at school, Ye Tang hurriedly left Jiangde with her bag in tow.

"Come with me to the classroom," Han Shuangjiang said, giving the girl a look.

Jiang Yining hesitated, then said, "Oh," and quietly followed him.

In the senior Major Work Class, a booming voice echoed from outside the classroom.

"Holy smokes. Mr. Han is bringing someone in. Looks like we've got a new student."

That morning, many had seen Ming Qingcheng's mother leading the Ming family's adopted daughter in for the placement test. Instantly, all eyes in the classroom turned to Ming Qingcheng. Zhao Xuexian approached Ming Qingcheng and blurted out without any reservation, "Qingcheng, do you think that country girl made a scene to get her aunt to place her in the Major Work Class?"

Ming Qingcheng leafed through a book on her desk, paused at the comment, and smiled. "Perhaps her test scores were impressive."

Zhao Xuexian scoffed. "Qingcheng, stop kidding around. She's never been to school in the countryside. How could her scores be any good? I bet Aunt got confused by her fussing and begged the principal to let her into the Major Work Class. Geez, I wonder how much wasted money that's going to cost."

The news about the Ming family's adopted daughter had spread far and wide following the adoption banquet. Jiang Yining's origins were the subject of various rumors, and the gossip was creating quite a stir. Everyone felt it was unfair to Ming Qingcheng, and dissatisfaction was quickly voiced. "What's Mr. Han thinking? Bringing her into our class will drag down our average score!" Others around him chuckled. "Actually, it's a good thing for you. You won't be at the bottom of the class anymore." Laughter rippled through the group, but Zhou Minghai, the class president, spoke sternly. "Enough, stop laughing. This affects our class average. If the Major Work Class's grades drop because of the regular class, will you still be laughing?" The joking ceased, and everyone exchanged uneasy glances. "It is embarrassing, but what can we do?" The Ming family, with their wealth and influence, could place people wherever they wished. After all, they were just students without any say in the matter. "We can find a way to get her out of the Major Work Class if we stand united." Someone asked, "Zhou, are you going to take the lead?" "I will." No sooner had Zhou Minghai spoken than the bell rang, and all the students swiftly took their seats. Han Shuangjiang entered the classroom as the bell tolled, and a tall, slender figure followed him. Her face was strikingly beautiful, with captivating peach blossom eyes, and the classroom fell into a hushed silence. Despite the rumors, seeing her in person made many abandon their previous disdain. One thought prevailed among most. "Wow, she's incredibly beautiful." Han Shuangjiang set down the teaching materials on the lectern and scanned the room. "This is Jiang Yining, our new classmate starting today. Ms. Jiang, please introduce yourself to everyone."