LRAB Chapter 17 Jealousy
Chapter 17 Jealousy
Standing on the podium, Lü Yun's gaze swept over the entire class, and he said in a deep voice, "This morning at 10:30 during the long break, the school will announce the winners of the Senior Three Outstanding Student Award. All Senior Three students must be present."
These words caused a low commotion in the classroom.
The title of "Most Outstanding Senior Student" is awarded to only one person per year across the entire school, and it has always been reserved for the top geniuses from the Yuanpei Class.
This year, without a doubt, it will be Bai Lingxue, the girl from the Yuanpei Class whose looks and abilities surpass the entire school.
Sun Donglai's eyes lit up as well.
Seeing Bai Lingxue on the awards stage was something he was really looking forward to.
But the next second, Lü Yun's voice completely shook the entire classroom:
"On behalf of the class, I would like to congratulate Wang Xing from our class. He and Bai Lingxue from the Yuanpei Class have been jointly awarded the title of 'Outstanding Senior Students' of this year!"
The classroom fell silent for three seconds, then erupted into chaos.
"What?!"
"Two? Isn't there only one Person of the Year each year?"
"Holy crap, Xing-ge got the Person of the Year award? Tied with Bai Lingxue?"
"How come Xing-ge, who's in the same class, can be on par with Bai Lingxue?"
"Brother Xing defeated a level six abyss monster yesterday, I think he deserves this award..."
"Brother Xing is like a cow flying in an airplane, he's incredibly awesome!"
Some were shocked, but many more suddenly realized what was going on.
Lu Yun raised his hand to signal for silence, his tone solemn: "Wang Xing has consistently ranked first in his parallel class, serving as a benchmark for all students in the parallel classes. In addition, yesterday he single-handedly fought a Level 6 Bone-Cracking Dog on the street, protecting the safety of the public. The school's decision to grant him an additional spot is well-deserved."
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the classroom.
Even the usually boisterous boys clapped their hands with genuine enthusiasm.
Everyone looked at Wang Xing with admiration.
…… ...
10:30 a.m.
The entire student body gathered on the playground, the spring sunshine shining on the faces of the young people, exuding the unique restlessness and anticipation of youth.
As the school bell rang for recess and was replaced by the assembly call, nearly three thousand students from three grades lined up by class, their rows straight and orderly, like neat rows of square bricks.
The stage was covered with red velvet cloth, and the backdrop was changed to read "Chengdu No. 2 High School Senior Three Outstanding Figures Award Ceremony". Two large speakers stood on both sides, and the school flag fluttered in the wind.
The principal walked onto the stage, and his voice, amplified by the loudspeaker, resounded throughout the entire playground: "Students, I have gathered you all here today to announce this year's outstanding senior students."
"The Senior Three Outstanding Student Award is one of the most important honors at Rongcheng No. 2 High School every year. It represents ability, character, and, more importantly, the brilliance of our school's most outstanding students."
"In previous years, only one student received this award. But this year, after careful consideration, the school has decided to award this honor to two students."
"Bai Lingxue, Class 1, Grade 3, Yuanpei School!"
"Wang Xing, Class 13, Grade 3!"
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the Yuanpei Class turned their gaze forward, and a pair of brown horseshoe-patterned knee-high boots stepped out from the ranks.
The owner of the tall boots was Bai Lingxue. She was wearing a pleated skirt and a school uniform, which accentuated her long, beautiful legs. Her hair reached her waist, and she had a classic oval face. Her temperament was as cool as the moonlight, and her eyes exuded the arrogance of a genius.
Wang Xing came up from the other side. He was tall and straight, with sharp eyes and a slender figure. Standing under the spotlight, he did not appear the slightest bit flustered.
Two figures stepped onto the stage from the left and right sides.
They then stood side by side, one on the left and one on the right, in front of the principal to receive the award and the school badge and medal.
A murmur of discussion arose from the audience:
"It's unbelievable that someone from a regular class can be named a 'Person of the Year'."
"Is this Wang Xing?"
"Yes, that's him, the one in the Tiger-type mech who took down the level six Abyss Monster."
"Ranked first in the regular class, among the top three in the whole school in terms of raw score, and even killed a level 6 Abyss Monster, this level of strength is worthy of being called a star."
"He's quite handsome... and he actually looks kind of good with Bai Lingxue."
"What a load of rubbish! Bai Lingxue is in our Yuanpei Class, what right does he, from a regular class, have?"
"It's all about skill. If you're so good, why don't you do it yourself?"
The whispers came in waves, like the wind blowing through a wheat field.
Sun Donglai stood in the crowd, looking up at the two people on the stage...
On one side is the girl he secretly admires, radiant and dazzling. On the other side is his best friend, as radiant as the sun.
A trace of envy lingered in his heart like vines.
It's not just that I envy Wang Xing for being able to stand in the spotlight, but also that he can stand shoulder to shoulder with Bai Lingxue.
The sunlight was blinding, and he looked down at the tips of his Xtep brand sneakers.
…………
School ends in the evening.
Wang Xing and Sun Donglai boarded bus number 182 together.
The train swayed and the noise was deafening throughout the journey, but Sun Donglai kept his head down the whole time. He didn't say a word, and he didn't even eat any snacks.
Wang Xing glanced at him, knowing that yesterday's bone-cracking dog incident had dealt a significant blow to the chubby boy. The more the video circulated, the louder the outside world's calls for him, and the more ruthlessly they would retaliate against him.
Can be imagined.
Behind those exclamations of amazement, how many whispered taunts fell upon Sun Donglai?
But Wang Xing didn't say much; some emotions are better left uncomforted by words.
……
Today, Sun Donglai went to his grandfather's house.
After getting off the bus, he passed by the Fengrui Mecha Modification Shop on his way.
"Brother Sun, what a coincidence!"
As the owner, Meng Rui, was packing up his tools to close the door, he saw Sun Donglai and greeted him with a smile.
"Boss Meng." Sun Donglai stopped and forced a smile.
"What's wrong? You don't seem to be in a good mood."
Meng Rui glanced at him, leaned against the doorframe, and said casually, "Don't take the Bone-Splitting Dog thing to heart. When I was your age, I also encountered an Abyss Monster and was so scared I peed my pants. Seriously, I'm not kidding. You're much stronger than me; at least you didn't pee."
Meng Rui also saw the video and naturally knew that the dejected chubby boy in front of him was the "supporting actor" who had recently been trending on social media.
Sun Donglai's lips twitched, but he didn't laugh.
If it were just the bone-splitting dog incident, it wouldn't be so bad, but the sight of Bai Lingxue and Wang Xing going on stage together to receive an award was the real reason why he felt so bitter.
"I'm fine... just a little..." He paused, then abruptly changed the subject, "You closed so early?"
"I've had a busy day, take a break." Meng Rui suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, about your Xuan Turtle Mech, I specifically asked a friend to inquire about a custom modification plan."
"This project wasn't on the list you looked at yesterday, but I think it's a good fit for you. Feel free to contact me anytime if you want to make changes."
Sun Donglai's eyes lit up.
But it quickly faded away.
Yesterday he went to a car modification shop, got a list of modifications, but hasn't decided what to modify yet...
As for the modifications not on the list, without a doubt, they would be very expensive... Although his father said the construction site would settle the payment in the middle of the month, Sun Donglai knew in his heart that the amount would not be much and would not be enough to support a proper upgrade plan.
"Okay, I'll come another day."
Sun Donglai said in a muffled voice.
"Okay, I'm available anytime." Meng Rui patted him on the shoulder.
…………
Meng Rui stood at the door, watching Sun Donglai's figure disappear into the alley, then turned and went into the shop.
The roller shutter door was pulled down with a whoosh, and the lights in the shop went out one by one, leaving only a sliver of light shining from the second-floor window.
He changed out of his work clothes and, as usual, left through the back door on the second floor.
Just as I was about to put on my coat, I heard a dull thud from behind as my cane struck the ground.
"Thump—!"
A cane emerged from the shadows behind the mecha display window, and a short, hunched figure slowly stepped out from behind it.
The shadowy figure's entire face was hidden in the darkness, and it emitted an old, hoarse voice:
"Is that the Xuan Turtle Mech you mentioned?"
"You're not satisfied?"
Meng Rui paused, not surprised by the appearance of the shadowy figure: "The Xuan Turtle model is rare, with top-notch defense and great potential for modification. He's a good candidate, and I can showcase my art of modification."
I will not interfere with your actions.
The old man in the shadows spoke slowly: "But compared to him, I prefer his friend."
"That Tiger-type mech is extraordinary, but the kid, influenced by the mech education in this country, is absolutely devoted to mech university and even more opposed to us. If we act rashly, he will definitely refuse."
Meng Rui's lips curled up slightly: "But this fat guy is different."
"He comes from a poor family, has mediocre abilities, and is insecure and sensitive. He witnessed his friend turn the tide and then watched his friend and the girl he secretly admires accept an award side by side... I estimate that he has now moved from envy to the next level, and is only one step away from entering the level of jealousy."
"It seems that the appearance of that level six bone-cracking dog on the street was your doing."
The old man in the shadows spoke slowly, like sand rubbing against a wall: "I won't interfere with what you do, but your progress has been stagnant for a long time. The Alliance will inevitably have opinions about you. If you want to become a Sixth-Rank Apprentice, this level of performance is far from enough."
"I have no interest in the Six Jia disciples," Meng Rui replied calmly.
"What I pursue is art."
"hehe……"
The shadowy figure chuckled softly, emitting an aged and eerie sound:
"In the face of true power, so-called art is less than dust."
As soon as he finished speaking, he flicked his cane upwards, and the roller shutter door that had just been locked was flung open with a "whoosh".
His figure also disappeared.