When the Tsundere Rival Turns Into a Cat - Chapter 19

That afternoon, the classroom was unusually restless. Even Jiang Qingyue, who typically kept to her studies and ignored outside matters, could sense it. Her classmates seemed to be discussing something, and though she didn’t intentionally listen, fragments of conversation reached her—words like “training camp,” “art exams,” and “studying abroad.”

By evening study hall, their homeroom teacher, Old Yang, took ten minutes to address the matter.

“I know many of you have already started preparing for what comes next. These are the paths your families have carefully chosen for you. This week, several classmates will be leaving for specialized training, so I’ll explain everything now.”

Yang Liusong looked at the now-quiet class. He understood the uniqueness of this group—for them, goodbyes would come sooner than for others.

“Wherever you go to study, whatever challenges you face, I hope you’ll give it your all. Don’t lose yourselves in a world of superficial glamour. Beyond material comforts, never forget to protect your inner world. Mental clarity and independence are the most precious things—they’re the foundation for truly experiencing life. Stay passionate, not numb. Learn to see the world from different perspectives. Always maintain curiosity and respect for it…”

“This might be the last time our class is gathered like this. There’s so much more I want to say, but I don’t want to bore you. So, I’ll keep it short: Classmates, go boldly and enjoy your life’s journey. Embrace the world. I know you’ll all have bright futures—just remember to stay on the right side of the law!”

The last line drew laughter from the class. Yang Liusong chuckled and waved his hand. “Alright, everyone, come to the back. Let’s take a class photo in advance—I even brought my camera!”

Jiang Qingyue didn’t quite understand why they were taking a group photo now, but she stood up anyway. It was only then that she noticed her deskmate’s belongings were already packed into their bag, their eyes slightly red.

Suddenly realizing, Jiang Qingyue spoke to them for the first time since their seating arrangement changed. “Are you leaving?”

Her deskmate seemed surprised but nodded, pulling out a tissue to dab their eyes. “I’m heading to training camp tomorrow, then intensive prep, supplementary courses, portfolio work, interviews… I probably won’t be back.”

“You’re not taking the college entrance exam?” Jiang Qingyue had never heard of this before.

Her deskmate laughed softly at the question and shook their head. “Most of our class won’t. We just need to meet the requirements and pass the assessments for our target schools. Some might still take it, but the bar isn’t high.”

“You all already have your dream schools picked out? Are they all abroad?” Jiang Qingyue had assumed “international class” was just a name.

“Of course. Our families planned it all long ago—though not everyone’s going overseas. Some parents actually prefer keeping their kids in the country. Otherwise, they’d have just sent us to international high schools. Why suffer here?”

By the time they finished talking, the rest of the class had already moved to the back. Jiang Qingyue stood and followed.

Turning around, her gaze naturally fell on the back row near the wall where Li Xingcan had just stood up, chatting with Lin Xie as they walked backward.

Would Li Xingcan also suddenly leave one day and never return?

The thought made Jiang Qingyue feel a tightness in her chest.

Li Xingcan stood in a corner, her eyes lingering on Jiang Qingyue, who was moving sluggishly, lost in thought—so much so that she didn’t even notice the chair in front of her.

Li Xingcan pulled the chair away, its legs scraping against the floor with a sharp screech, finally snapping Jiang Qingyue out of her daze.

She looked up at Li Xingcan, but the latter didn’t meet her gaze, casually pushing the chair aside and striking up a conversation with someone else as if nothing had happened.

In their school days, everyone poured boundless enthusiasm into everything except studying. The group chattered noisily, still arguing about where to stand.

With only about twenty people, they didn’t need much arranging—even crowding together would work for the photo. Yang Liusong stood in the middle of the classroom, camera in hand, directing the noisy bunch like a conductor.

“Move that way a bit—show your face! Li Xingcan, step further in. Jiang Qingyue, hurry up and find a spot—anywhere’s fine! Front row, squat down halfway, everyone look here!”

Li Xingcan was already at the far edge of the back row. Hearing this, she took a step inward. Jiang Qingyue hesitated but eventually stood beside her.

With a click, the photo was taken. Yang Liusong glanced at it—among the haphazardly posed group, only Li Xingcan and Jiang Qingyue at the edge stood straight as pines.

“Let’s take another one! Front row, grab a book to sit on. Back row, squat down in a semi-circle, all eyes on me!”

As Yang Liusong directed, the others scrambled into position. Li Xingcan stayed still, and so did Jiang Qingyue.

Once everyone else was ready, Li Xingcan crouched, resting her hands on her knees. Jiang Qingyue followed suit beside her.

Li Xingcan’s gaze was fixed ahead, but her peripheral vision inevitably caught Jiang Qingyue wobbling slightly, unsteady in her crouch. Her hand moved faster than her thoughts, steadying Jiang Qingyue’s shoulder. Their eyes met, and both froze for a moment.

“Hey, look this way!”

Just then, Yang Liusong called out. They turned forward as the shutter clicked, capturing the moment.

Li Xingcan quickly withdrew her hand and stood up. The others crowded around Yang Liusong, eager to see the photo.

“What can you even see like this? I’ll develop copies for everyone later. Class is about to start—back to your seats!”

Yang Liusong shooed them away. The group dispersed, still chatting, except for Li Xingcan, who walked past Jiang Qingyue and slipped out the back door.

Jiang Qingyue’s eyes followed her out. Right—it was the last period. Li Xingcan was going home.

During the final evening self-study session, the classroom buzzed with restless energy. Those leaving tomorrow seized every second to talk with friends. The teacher, Zheng Wenbai, didn’t stop them, letting them chatter freely. Her eyes landed on Jiang Qingyue, the only one quietly working on a test paper, and she tapped her pen lightly.

When the bell finally rang, the class scattered in an instant. Jiang Qingyue packed her things and left with Zheng Wenbai.

On the way back to the faculty apartments, Zheng Wenbai spoke first, “Qingyue, I don’t think you’re quite suited for this class. The students here are all spoiled rich kids who don’t take their studies seriously. They face no academic pressure since their families have already paved their way with money. But you’re different—you’re someone who needs to focus on your studies. If this continues, you’ll be influenced by them.”

Jiang Qingyue didn’t agree with this assessment. For one, she wasn’t so easily influenced. Secondly, they were simply pursuing different paths—it wasn’t fair to label them as lazy or unambitious. But meeting Zheng Wenbai’s gaze, she swallowed her words and continued walking in silence.

“Here’s what we’ll do,” Zheng Wenbai suggested. “Focus on your cultivation during this period. After you pass the first stage, I’ll speak to the principal about transferring you to the advanced class where you can concentrate on your studies. What do you think?”

“There’s no need for the trouble,” Jiang Qingyue declined. “Didn’t they say the advanced class doesn’t accept transfer students?”

“Whether they accept transfers or not depends entirely on the principal’s word. Don’t worry about that. Since your mother entrusted you to my care, I’ll make sure everything is properly arranged.”

Zheng Wenbai smiled at Jiang Qingyue, settling the matter with finality.