Chapter 64: The Haunted School, Sunshine Doll (2)

She was once again back in that slum that resembled an iron cage, a place with all the charm of a shipping container. Thousands of container homes were crammed together on a massive ship. The vessel, laden with all the people who called it home, drifted aimlessly on the tides.

Yet, with the rapid progress of technology, even those living in cramped quarters could use a variety of chip cards to travel through different virtual worlds and eras. For schooling, all anyone needed was one of these chip cards to be transported into a classroom styled after the late 20th century.

“Tang Mu! Do you know what time it is? Get out of bed already!”

A fierce-looking woman burst in without so much as a knock. She meant to rip off Tang Mu’s covers and force her up by chasing away the warmth of her bed.

But as she entered, she saw Tang Mu already standing before the full-length mirror, dressed in her school uniform and her braids neatly tied. The books and stationery she needed for the day were already packed tidily in her bag.

The woman’s scowl eased slightly. But in the next breath, she was chattering away like an irate parrot, relentless at Tang Mu’s ear, “It’s your mock exam today. If you don’t bring home an A, don’t even think about eating! We spent so much money to send you to school… Rose Elementary wasn’t easy for your parents to get you into, you know. The teachers and students here are miles above you and your folks! Build good relationships with your teachers and classmates—it’ll help you move up to middle school, high school, university! You have to work hard! The whole family’s hope is riding on you! If you don’t try, your mom and dad will have nothing left to live for…”

Tang Mu ignored the parrot’s ceaseless noise. She didn’t respond once.

She continued carefully fixing her appearance before the mirror. But seeing how long Tang Mu was taking to braid her hair, the woman started squawking louder, “Why does it take you so long just to do your hair? You could’ve memorized more English words or done a few more math problems in this time! When you get home tonight, I’ll cut off those braids of yours! Maybe then you’ll stop fussing over your looks and focus on your studies!”

Tang Mu said nothing.

She endured for a long moment, restraining herself from engaging with the NPC. After all, this NPC wasn’t her real mother, just a programmed character—not even worth arguing with.

Finishing her preparations, Tang Mu grabbed her school access card from the desk and, with a cold glance at the NPC, said, “I’m leaving.”

She pressed the raised button on her school card and was instantly transported to the gates of her elementary school. She didn’t spare a single glance for the woman left behind.

Rose Elementary.

Seeing those four bold characters, Tang Mu let out a silent, derisive laugh, her brows and eyes full of scorn and cold detachment.

—They say children aged zero to twelve are the most innocent and pure.

But in reality?

Who, at that age, was ever truly innocent?

They say human nature is originally good. But no—at birth, in the marrow of our bones, we already know the law of the jungle.

7:30 AM. Morning reading.

Entering the classroom, the teacher signaled for everyone to set down their books and listen.

“Today marks your first day of sixth grade. In three hundred sixty-five days, you’ll be taking your entrance exams for middle school. This is your most critical year! If you don’t get into a good middle school, you won’t get into a good high school. Without a good high school, forget about a good university. And if you don’t make it to a good university, you’re nothing but society’s refuse—walking garbage!”

“All of you here are exceptionally talented, with outstanding mental faculties. But that doesn’t mean you can squander your gifts! Remember, only one in ten students from Rose Elementary gets into a top middle school. That’s the highest ratio among all schools! Your parents have pinned all their hopes on you. Do you want to be one of the nine who get left behind?”

“You don’t want to!”

“So starting now, give it your all! Work hard! Strive every day! Do you understand?”

“Yes…”

“That’s hardly convincing. Louder! Do you understand?!”

“Yes!”

“Good.” Their homeroom teacher, Ms. Li, scanned the classroom, satisfied, then glanced at Tang Mu. “Tang Mu, come here. I need a word with you.”

Tang Mu hadn’t even settled into her seat before Ms. Li summoned her to the office.

Once there, the teacher made her stand at attention and tossed her a pink letter, the handwriting clumsy and awkward—the unmistakable scrawl of a child’s love note.

Seeing this note again, Tang Mu’s first thought was: if she’d kept it, it would be over a decade old by now—a minor antique.

“Read it out loud,” Ms. Li ordered.

Tang Mu was unfazed; her skin was thick these days.

Back then, as a child… what had she felt? Oh, she’d been terrified. All she could think was, If my mother—who only cared about grades—found out I was in puppy love, she’d break my legs. And how did the teacher get this letter? Did Ziyu Shu never receive it? Or… did a jealous rival hand it over?

Unfolding the page, Tang Mu was appalled by the crooked handwriting—her own from years ago. And the cloying, embarrassing words inside…

“The one I like, Ziyu Shu:

From the first moment I saw you, I was captivated by your strong brows and those deep, gentle eyes. Your every gesture and word draws me in. You’re like a black hole at the edge of the universe, endlessly pulling in all the light I send your way.

In school, your talents shine like the sun in the sky. So dazzling that everyone notices—but your brilliance can burn anyone who gets too close.

And I am like a moth in the night, longing for light. Even knowing it means flying into the flame, I can’t resist the pull of my own blood, moving toward you. Even if my wings are singed, I would not regret it.

So please, don’t be so cold to me.

If you’re willing, we could be the most perfect couple in Rose Elementary.

Yours, Tang Mu.”

Back then, Tang Mu had read these words aloud in front of others, burning with shame.

Now, all she felt was secondhand embarrassment and disgust.

After she finished, she could almost feel Ms. Li’s glare boring holes through her.

“Quite the little essayist, aren’t you? With writing like that, maybe you’ll win first prize in the elementary school essay contest?”

“Yes, I suppose so.” Having lived this scene again, Tang Mu replied with an indifferent, almost nonchalant air.