Chapter Thirty-Two: The Former Heroine

Unlike Lin Yuexin, who relied on her sweet looks and effortless social skills to charm everyone, earning her the title of class beauty. A trace of coldness flickered in the girl's eyes. Now, not only did she have to penetrate the inner circle of the class and become well-liked, she also needed to steal all of Lin Yuexin's shine and ruin her image in everyone’s mind...

A notification chimed—there was a new message in the group.

Xinxin – Hello everyone, I’m Lin Yuexin. I’m so happy to meet you all. Please take care of me in the future~

Ha, even adding a little tail to her greeting—so much like her...

– Wow, a pretty girl has appeared, everyone come quickly.
– Pretty girl, you haven’t posted your photo yet!
– Everyone who joins the group has already posted a photo, you have to do it too.

Another round of group messages flooded in until a photo with a bright, gentle smile appeared.

The girl in the photo was petite, with thick brows, large eyes, a cherry mouth, straight bangs, and slightly curled hair falling over her shoulders—she exuded an aura of youthful sweetness.

Perhaps feeling a bit shy, Lin Yuexin added a message below:

Xinxin – I wasn’t prepared at all, so I just took a quick photo. I might look a bit ugly, please don’t mind～

The girl lying down laughed to herself. “A quick photo?” With what she knew about Lin Yuexin, this was probably an old picture, carefully edited. She sure knew how to deceive people.

The girls in the group didn’t say much, perhaps sensing something insincere, but they didn’t voice it. The boys, however, were a different story. Their ability to discern was pitiful, and they replied enthusiastically.

– Wow, even a candid shot looks so good.
– *Stars in my eyes*
– I’m in love.
– Not ugly at all, right? If you agree, press 1.

Probably because the previous photos hadn’t lived up to everyone’s expectations, spirits had been low. But Lin Yuexin’s photo matched everyone’s taste, instantly reigniting the group’s energy.

Messages flooded in with “1,” praise pouring in, just short of calling her the most beautiful.

She imagined Lin Yuexin must be grinning from ear to ear.

The system, not wanting the girl to feel unhappy, chimed in directly: [Jiujiu, you’re the most beautiful, much prettier than her. Hurry and post a photo—show her up so everyone can see.]

Her gloomy mood finally eased a little. She smiled at the system in relief.

[System, I love you more and more. What would I do without you?]
[Don’t worry, I’ll always be with you.]
[Love you.]

At that moment, Lin Yuexin was standing in a narrow alley. Outside, the clamor of cars, shouting, and hawking rose and fell chaotically, jarring to the nerves, but she paid no attention, or rather, had long since grown used to it.

She looked around with disgust, covering her ears, unwilling to hear her parents’ loud argument inside the house.

“Give me the money, you give it to me, you wretched woman.”
“No, no, I beg you, don’t take it. This is Xinxin’s college fund.”
“What’s college good for? Useless! Better I use it for gambling. If I win a million, the two of you will live the high life.”
“For our daughter’s sake, please—”
“Let go, let go—you damn woman!”

After a while, Lin’s father came out holding a dingy bag, evidently something her mother had hidden for a long time, only to be discovered by her gambling-addict husband.

His eyes were white-rimmed, sunken, small and narrow—his face radiated viciousness. One glance told you he was suspicious, addicted to gambling, treating it as a way to make money, only to lose more with each bet.

This was not a good man, not someone to associate with.

Lin Yuexin knew this, and she hated it!

She hated her father’s weakness, his arbitrary abuse of his wife and daughter! She hated her own birth—why were some born with silver spoons while she had to endure inhuman torment from the very start?

Heaven and hell were but a thought apart. What had she done to deserve such a fate?

It was unfair, so unfair, and she refused to accept it!

She’d had enough, she didn’t want to live this way anymore. She so envied those heiresses, with lives arranged for them, wanted for nothing, surrounded by people eager to please at the wave of a hand or a coy smile...

Why? Everyone was the same, and she was no less attractive than them. Why did all eyes fall on those girls and not her? Was it just because of family background? If so, she could change that—after all, she’d gotten into the top university in City B, full of outstanding people, hadn’t she?

If luck was not on her side, she would fight for what she wanted, no matter how slim the chance. Only by trying would she know the result.

Feeling the phone vibrate, she opened it to see the endless stream of praise in the group. She smiled happily.

She couldn’t help but think, this was how it should be—she deserved everyone’s admiration, a comfortable life, not to be standing in this cramped, dirty room, listening to her mother weeping in regret.

Numbly, she turned her head, picked up her battered phone, and started typing.

Xinxin – Thank you all for your compliments. You’re making me blush, playful emoji.

Just as Lin Yuexin sent her message, the girl knew her chance had come. Without hesitation, she sent a message before anyone else could react.

Jiu Bao – Wow, I didn’t expect to see a beautiful girl as soon as I opened the group chat. How lucky!

Her words immediately drew everyone’s attention, because until now, this girl hadn’t spoken or posted a photo, and no one was about to let her off the hook.

– Hey, this pretty girl finally spoke up.
– Everyone, she hasn’t posted her photo yet.
– Don’t let her off this time.
– Since she’s here, quick, make her post a photo.

One message after another, everyone’s attention shifted away from Lin Yuexin.

On the other end, Lin Yuexin gritted her teeth in frustration. Who was this, suddenly stealing all the attention that belonged to her?

Jiu Bao – Sorry, after I joined the group last time, someone called me away and I forgot to reply. I’m really sorry.

She added an adorable cat-emoji apology, so sincere and cute that no one could bear to press further, except to chase her for the required photo.

– It’s fine, we didn’t mind.
– As long as you post a photo this time, all is forgiven!
– I have a feeling she’s beautiful, too!
– Wow, really? Pretty girl, please post a photo so we can see.

Complying with their requests, the girl chose a selfie with her Alaskan Malamute and sent it to the group.