Disguised as a Heartthrob [Transmigration] - Chapter 2

Her delicate brows furrowed, as if troubled by this particular goal.

【I will definitely talk to my classmates this month!】

Immediately after, Hua Lian added another line in her notebook, even punctuating the end with three exclamation marks. But then, as if struck by another thought, she crossed out that sentence and replaced it with new content.

【I will definitely talk to my classmates this year.】

Seeing this, the pressure weighing on her seemed to lighten a little. After all, there were still six months until the New Year surely something would come up that would allow her to chat with her classmates.

Having settled on this, the burden in her heart eased further. Hua Lian once again pulled out the book wrapped in its protective cover and began reading it carefully, completely immersed in her own world.

“Huh? Luo Xizhi is here again?”

At that moment, the quiet classroom stirred once more. Even though Class A was filled with diligent, high-achieving students, everyone knew that Class S had a true genius Luo Xizhi.

She was like a female lead straight out of a novel or manga, impossibly perfect. But if one had to find a flaw, it would be that this girl, who resembled a protagonist, was actually childhood friends with Hua Lian.

In everyone’s impression, Hua Lian was a flirt and a hopeless romantic who felt uneasy if she wasn’t dating someone every day. Because of this, anyone at Paradise High School knew about her to some extent. Yet, she was incredibly beautiful, and people lined up just to become her boyfriend or girlfriend.

As for Luo Xizhi, she had lost both her parents and had been the top student in her grade from elementary school all the way to now. She excelled in every aspect morality, intelligence, physical fitness, and aesthetics and had brought countless honors to the school. Rumor had it that Luo Xizhi’s parents had once been friends with the head of the Hua family, which was why Luo Xizhi lived with the Huas and had no choice but to interact with Hua Lian.

“Excuse me, could you please call Hua Lian for me?” Luo Xizhi didn’t enter the classroom and instead politely asked someone nearby. Her entire demeanor was cool and reserved, never smiling easily. Yet, she wasn’t like an icy beauty who would prick others with her coldness; instead, when chatting with someone, she gave off a refreshing feeling, like a gentle breeze.

The girl who was spoken to felt lightheaded, even forgetting her usual aversion to Hua Lian. It wasn’t until she reached the corner where Hua Lian was hidden behind some plants that she realized she had been dazzled by Luo Xizhi’s beauty.

But strangely, Hua Lian, who had clearly been awake just moments ago, was now slumped over her desk as if asleep. The girl didn’t dare to call out to Hua Lian and could only look pleadingly at Xiao Lin, who sat behind Hua Lian.

“Xiao Lin, save me.”

Xiao Lin made exaggerated facial expressions, as if warning the girl not to touch Hua Lian under any circumstances. Among the many rumors about Hua Lian, there was one as childish as a grade-schooler’s tale. For example, touching Hua Lian would make you pregnant, and making eye contact with her would make you willing to die for her. No matter how absurd or contrary to biological laws these rumors were, those who feared Hua Lian fully believed them.

The girl’s breathing unconsciously slowed as she weighed her options between Hua Lian and Luo Xizhi. In the end, she chose to avoid Hua Lian and give Luo Xizhi a vague response.

“Sorry, Luo Xizhi, Hua Lian is asleep… If you don’t mind, you could come in and call her yourself.” The girl stammered, pushing all the trouble onto Luo Xizhi.

Luo Xizhi showed no particular expression, merely offering a polite thank you before glancing at Hualian in the classroom and leaving.

The room fell quiet again, but unlike the excessive gossip in other classes, only a few people were interested in the matter between Hualian and Luo Xizhi.

“It’s been five days since school started this week, and Luo Xizhi has been here all five days. They don’t seem to be living together as the rumors say.”

“Of course not. If they really lived together, Hualian’s grades wouldn’t be this bad. So annoying. If it weren’t for her, I’d be in Class A with my friends right now.”

Various voices continued to emerge, and the students curiously noticed that Hualian had woken up at some point, as if her earlier actions were just a feigned sleep to avoid social interaction.

“By the way, what kind of person is Hualian?”

“I don’t know. I never knew anyone from Class E before.”

“Who cares what kind of person she is? We’re not like Hualian we don’t get to eat without studying. Let’s just focus on our books.”

It was only the beginning of their second year of high school, but the academic pressure in Class A was already immense. Most of the students in this class were top performers relying on scholarships. Falling out of this class meant losing their scholarships. This was precisely why someone like Hualian, who seemed to exist like a parasite, was placed in Class A. No one would sacrifice their future for immediate gains.

The commotion finally subsided at this moment, and unbeknownst to everyone, Hualian quietly let out a sigh of relief. She pushed aside the plants and glanced to the side, making sure the intimidating female lead hadn’t appeared before finally reopening her notebook.

【Female lead visit +1. Today marks the fifth time she’s come looking for me. I don’t know why she’s seeking me out, but I’m terrified of being discovered as not the original owner.】

After writing down her thoughts, Hualian felt it was too obvious and crossed out the words “original owner” with a ballpoint pen. Only when she was certain the two words were completely illegible did she look back at the notebook containing all her records, sighing inwardly.

【Today was as unbearable as ever. When will the holidays come? No, the holidays mean the New Year. I don’t know anyone here, so that would be even more dangerous.】

【Why did I end up in this book, and of all things, this one the one dubbed the most disgusting book in history】

【What am I even supposed to do here?】

【System, even if this book is simplistic, you should at least give me some guidance!】

Hualian wrote faster and faster, venting the negative emotions brought on by her inexplicable transmigration into the book. But these thoughts couldn’t remain. After finishing, she used the small shredder she had specifically brought in her drawer to destroy the pages, ensuring her secret wouldn’t be discovered.

A few hours later, the long Friday finally came to an end. As the bell rang, Hualian, who had already packed her things, left the classroom right on cue, avoiding any possibility of social interaction.

Xiao Lin, sitting behind Hualian, was startled by her sudden departure and watched her leave, muttering to herself, “Looks like we can have Hualian try out for this year’s sports day.”

Completely unaware that she had been assigned a new label, Hualian continued on her way. She skillfully avoided the S class where the female lead was, opting not to take the elevator just to avoid any chance of seeing her.

Over the course of this week, although Hua Lian made no progress in her social interactions, she became familiar with the entire campus, learning where shortcuts were and how to avoid the crowds of students after school.

“Miss Hua Lian, you’re here again,” the old man guarding the back gate looked at Hua Lian in surprise, as if unable to comprehend this young lady’s peculiar hobby.

Hua Lian seemed to want to say something, but held back out of timidity and ultimately just nodded. That gesture carried a hint of shy hesitation, reminding the old man of his own shy and introverted granddaughter, which made him especially warm toward Hua Lian.

Just then, a horn sounded from outside, signaling that the driver had arrived. Hua Lian pointed outside, and the old man smiled as he opened the gate.

“Hurry along now. Being popular sure isn’t easy.”

Hua Lian paused for a moment, as if wanting to refute something. But in the end, she only gave a slight nod, tacitly acknowledging that this escape was indeed a result of her popularity. The thought of hiding in her room over the weekend to avoid social interactions made Hua Lian’s steps lighten a little.

Once in the car, the driver who always picked Hua Lian up didn’t say a word. He was an extremely quiet person himself, which put Hua Lian at ease. She relaxed into her seat, easing the tension that had built up over the day. But it was precisely because of this silence that Hua Lian watched helplessly as the driver turned a corner and headed toward a place they never usually went.

Hua Lian wanted to ask, but always felt too embarrassed. Even now, she didn’t dare ask his name, afraid of breaking the original owner’s persona. The original owner had been outgoing, even excessively so a complete social butterfly. Most impressively, the original owner could remember the face of every person she met, so aside from school, everyone who encountered Hua Lian adored her. Of course, in a romantic way.

Fortunately, the original owner knew her body was her greatest asset and had remained chaste until that incident occurred. Thinking of that dark event, Hua Lian couldn’t help but shiver. She began to feel uneasy, because this life-altering incident had happened during her second year of high school, though the exact day wasn’t specified.

A sense of fear grew in her heart, and Hua Lian couldn’t help but look at the scenery outside. It was completely unfamiliar definitely not the route back to the Hua family home.

‘Could it be that this terrible incident is happening today?’

Unease began to swell, and fear spread, making Hua Lian feel restless even in the luxurious sedan. She pretended to look out the window, but was actually calculating her chances of survival if she jumped out. If she encountered that terrible event, death might be preferable.

But Hua Lian didn’t want to die.

Her thoughts grew more chaotic, but just then, the car suddenly stopped. Hua Lian looked sharply at the person outside, only to find it was the female lead, Luo Xizhi.

“Miss, why do you look so pale?”

Luo Xizhi entered the car with natural ease, sitting beside Hua Lian. Her voice was cool and clear, and as she drew closer, Hua Lian could catch a faint, cold fragrance, much like Luo Xizhi herself impossible to ignore. But compared to that dark event, being in the same space as the female lead now felt even more unbearable than death.

Her lips parted, trying to say something to brush it off. But aside from her breathing quickening and her face growing paler, nothing happened.

“Uncle Jin, could you please drive a little slower? Miss isn’t feeling well,” Luo Xizhi said considerately. She tried to move closer to Hua Lian, startling her into retreating.

“Miss?”

Luo Xizhi looked at Hua Lian with a puzzled expression, as if she couldn’t understand why Hua Lian was acting so strangely.

“Stay away from me,” Hua Lian finally managed to utter. Feeling the words might have been too harsh, she added unnecessarily, “I don’t like the scent on you.”

This was Hua Lian’s first interaction with Luo Xizhi since arriving in this world five days ago. Although Luo Xizhi was supposed to be the aloof female lead, Hua Lian felt that her demeanor and gaze resembled that of a highly venomous snake. Her instincts warned her of Luo Xizhi’s danger, compelling her to protect herself at all costs.