School Flower and School Tyrant - Chapter 1

Sakura International School

A co-ed, full-time boarding school nestled in Xijiang City. Covering over 500 acres, the school boasts modern teaching facilities, exceptional educational standards, and an elegant campus environment. True to its name, every spring, cherry blossoms bloom in abundance across the grounds, painting the school in shades of pink.

Though technically open to public enrollment, Sakura International imposes stringent requirements: wealth and talent. With an annual tuition fee of 100,000 yuan, the cost alone deters many families, not to mention the notoriously challenging entrance exam that outshines those of top public schools. This is a true aristocratic institution, molding elite students.

While other schools focus on teaching life skills and academics, Sakura goes a step further, imparting lessons in living with grace and elegance. For example, the school’s uniforms, designed by a renowned French fashion designer, are a testament to this ethos. Simply stepping onto Sakura’s campus immerses you in an atmosphere of refinement.

Under the shade of a cherry tree, two impeccably dressed young men were enjoying their afternoon tea.

“Did you see the new movie that came out yesterday?” one asked casually.

“I did. Honestly, its success is entirely due to the fact that the lead actress is good-looking,” the other replied.

“In terms of beauty, I’d say she can even compete with Lady Qianxue,” the first guy said with a grin.

Just then, a flash of golden hair swept past them.

“Look! It’s Lady Qianxue!”

“Oh my God, we were just talking about her, and now she’s here! I take it back, Lady Qianxue is definitely more stunning.”

Their conversation came to an abrupt halt as they turned their gazes toward the girl who had just walked by. She was a vision of beauty: long, golden hair cascading down her back, a slender figure, and a face more breathtaking than any pop idol.

“Good day, Lady Qianxue.”

Students passing by, regardless of gender, greeted her with polite admiration.

“Good day, everyone,” the golden-haired girl responded with equal grace, her voice soft but warm.

“Who’s that?” a newcomer to the scene asked his fellow student.

“You’re joking, right? How can you be at Sakura and not know Lady Qianxue?” came the astonished reply.

“Sorry, I just transferred here today.”

“That explains it. Lady Qianxue is the pride of our school. Since her enrollment, she’s consistently ranked second in her grade, excels in a variety of arts, and is a master of everything from painting to flower arranging and tea ceremonies. But her most extraordinary talent lies in music.”

“Music? How talented is she?”

“Every piano and violin competition since she joined has had her as our representative. And in every competition, without exception, she takes home the championship.”

“That good? Wait, don’t tell me she’s the ‘Golden-haired Piano Demon,’ Ouyang Qianxue! I’ve read about her in magazines. She dominates piano competitions with near-perfect scores! Isn’t she hailed as Xijiang City’s top female prodigy?”

“Exactly.”

“I’ve been a fan ever since I read that article. I can’t believe I’m attending the same school as her, what an honor!”

“If you think you’re lucky now, just wait. A new piano was delivered to the music room today, and the teacher invited her to test it out. That’s where she’s headed.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go listen!”

The two rushed to the music room, only to find its entrance already surrounded by a crowd of eager students.

Many had their phones out, ready to record, and one even brought a DSLR camera to capture the moment.

“She’s even more popular than the rumors suggest,” one student whispered to another.

“Shh, don’t talk. She’s about to start.”

All eyes were on Ouyang Qianxue as she gently placed her hands on the piano keys. Her movements began slow and deliberate, then gained speed and intensity.

“It’s Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Sonata!”

Students knowledgeable in classical music immediately recognized the piece.

“That’s a notoriously difficult piece, even for professional pianists. And she’s handling it effortlessly!”

Throughout her performance, Ouyang Qianxue’s playing was exquisite, each note rich with precision and emotion. Her mastery of rhythm and unparalleled musical intuition brought the complex nuances of Rachmaninoff’s composition to life, leaving the audience spellbound.

“To play this piece so perfectly, Qianxue, you’re truly amazing,” praised the music teacher, a graduate of a prestigious conservatory, as the final note of the song echoed through the room.

“You’re too kind, teacher,” Ouyang Qianxue replied with her signature grace. Politely acknowledging the praise, she turned and left the music room, her classmates’ admiring gazes following her every step.

Meanwhile, in the school’s rear garden

“Get lost, you idiot!”

A hulking figure sent a skinny boy sprawling to the ground with a single punch. The assailant was Ge Yunhao, the star of the karate club. Known for his arrogance and bullying tendencies, he had been terrorizing students since his first day at Sakura.

“You think you’re good enough to confess to Wang Qian from the karate club? Don’t you know our captain Ge Yunhao is pursuing her?”

As the skinny boy lay on the ground, Ge Yunhao’s cronies added insult to injury, stomping on him mercilessly.

“Look, it’s Ge Yunhao bullying someone again,” murmured a group of passing students, pointing at the scene.

“Mind your own damn business, or I’ll knock you out too!” Ge Yunhao snapped, turning to glare at the onlookers.

Though they wanted to intervene, the students hesitated. Ge Yunhao wasn’t just the karate club’s ace, he was also the son of a real estate tycoon. Against his fists and family background, they stood no chance.

“See that? In this school, I’m the king! If you dare to compete with me for a girl, you’re asking for death!”

Ge Yunhao grabbed the skinny boy by the collar and raised his fist, preparing to deliver another punch. But before his fist could land, a cold voice rang out from behind him.

“Who gave you permission to cause trouble on my turf?”

Ge Yunhao froze and turned around, instantly recognizing the speaker, a long-haired boy with a delicate yet striking face, his hair tied back in a small braid.

“Bai Yuxuan!”

Panic flickered across Ge Yunhao’s face as he identified the infamous figure.

“Boss, maybe we should back off,” one of his followers whispered nervously. “This guy’s the eldest son of the Bai family. He became Sakura’s student council president in his first year, and during a school order incident, he took down the former school tyrant in a one-on-one fight. He’s the current king of the campus.”

“So what? Those are just rumors! I don’t believe this pretty boy is as tough as they say.”

Shaking off his follower’s warning, Ge Yunhao swung his fist directly at Bai Yuxuan’s face.

But before the punch could connect, Bai Yuxuan’s fist struck first, sending Ge Yunhao flying backward. He landed flat on his back, unconscious.

“Looks like my Jeet Kune Do is still better than your karate,” Bai Yuxuan said with a smirk, dusting off his hands.

“Bai Yuxuan is amazing!” A group of girls passing by erupted into squeals, their eyes sparkling like stars.

“Not only is he handsome and ranked first in the grade academically, but even his martial arts are incredible!”

“What’s even more irresistible is his aloof attitude,” another girl chimed in, sighing dreamily.

“No wonder he’s the unanimous pick for ‘Most Desirable Boyfriend’ among all the girls.”

Bai Yuxuan glanced down at the unconscious Ge Yunhao and snorted coldly. “Remember whose turf Sakura really is.” With that, he walked back toward the main building, leaving a trail of ecstatic cheers in his wake.

At the same time, Ouyang Qianxue had just stepped out of the music room. The two crossed paths in the hallway, walking right past each other without sparing even a glance.

“Look! It’s our school’s Twin Stars, Lady Qianxue and Bai Yuxuan!” exclaimed one of two girls passing by.

“They look so perfect together! Do you think they might end up as a couple?” the other whispered conspiratorially.

“Maybe. After all, no one else in this school could match either of them,” the first replied with a knowing nod.

However, as the two stars brushed shoulders, neither seemed to acknowledge the other.

(Ridiculous. As if I’d ever be interested in girls… or boys.)

The exact same thought crossed both their minds, leaving the onlookers blissfully unaware of the truth.