Dawn

She picked up the clothes she had prepared the night before and walked into the washroom. After washing up, Xiao tidied her hair in front of the mirror. Once she was sure everything was in order, she turned and left the washroom.

Grabbing her schoolbag, she stepped out of her room. Sunshine poured over the entire villa as Xiao made her way into the dining room. The butler was already standing there and smiled as he saw her approach.

He pulled out her chair with a courteous smile. "You're awake! Breakfast is ready. Please have a seat, I'll bring it right over." After Xiao sat down, the butler turned and headed into the kitchen.

The kitchen in Xiao's home was spacious, with every utensil neatly arranged. The food prep area was separate from the cooking area, and at a glance, it felt as if one had entered the imperial kitchens of a palace.

The butler skillfully took breakfast from the refrigerator, placed it on a tray, and after closing the cabinet, added freshly boiled milk to the tray as well.

He walked out. Xiao sat quietly in her chair, idly swinging her feet. "Sorry to keep you waiting!" The butler set the breakfast before her, then stepped back to stand by for any further instructions.

Xiao glanced at her breakfast, then looked upstairs. Turning to the butler, she asked, "Butler, is my brother still not up?"

"Young Master is still resting. Would you like me to wake him?"

Hearing that her brother was still sleeping, Xiao felt a bit disappointed. It seemed she would be having breakfast alone today—a small letdown, but she couldn’t insist her brother wake up just to accompany her. He was always busy late into the night; it was best not to disturb him.

"No need to wake him! Let him rest a little longer," she said, picking up her breakfast and quietly finishing her meal.

After a while, Xiao stood and addressed the butler. "I'm full. When my brother wakes up, please let him know I’ve gone to class." With that, she walked out alone.

The car was already waiting. Xiao got in and closed the door behind her. She instructed the driver, "Let's go." Propping her chin on one hand, she gazed out the window in a daze as the car drove through the emerald shade of the trees.

The scenery along the way was beautiful, but unfortunately, Xiao was in no mood to appreciate it. Soon, the car arrived at the school gate. After getting out, Xiao walked into the school.

She stretched a little before slowly making her way inside. After her car left, several other cars arrived, forming a line that clogged the school entrance.

Xiao looked at the scene in exasperation. It was truly bustling! Aside from the student monitors on duty at the gate, groups of boys and girls made their way in together.

Wasn’t this just a crowd flaunting their wealth? What was there to be so excited about?

[Note: Bowstring: Hey! Just because you’re rich doesn’t mean everyone is like this, okay?]

Xiao raised an eyebrow and drifted past Bowstring with a cold air. "You’ve recovered," she remarked.

Bowstring trembled slightly, pointing at her, "You just wait! I’ll make you pay for this!"

Xiao glanced at her coolly. "Go ahead," she said, grabbing Bowstring, spinning her in the air for a moment, and then letting go.

Bowstring: "Ahhhh... I’ll be back!"

"I think I’d better hurry to my classroom," Xiao thought as she tucked her bookbag under one arm and touched her head with the other, making her way forward.

But things never go as planned.

"Shangguan!"

She had intended to head straight to the classroom, but someone was calling her. Turning around, she saw Xiuxiu running over, waving energetically.

Such enthusiasm! Xiao waited where she was. Xiuxiu approached cheerfully. "Good morning, Shangguan!"

Xiao was at a loss for words. So she had run all this way just to say good morning? Truly, words failed her.

－－－－－－Author’s Note－－－－－－

Thank you for reading! I won’t bore you with any more chatter—please remember to bookmark the story! Typing away with all my energy... Bowstring sneaks in a little break, waves, and says "hello!"