The class advisor turned his gaze coolly toward Zhao Ling, his voice infuriatingly calm.
"Wanting fairness isn’t wrong, Zhao Ling," he said. "But if all you expect from life is fairness, then you’re terribly mistaken. Out there in the real world, no one will throw aside necessary standards just to be fair to you. Survival of the fittest, merit before mercy—this is the most important lesson you must learn in university."
He sincerely hoped Zhao Ling would take his words to heart. She was, after all, a diligent student, and if she could just broaden her mind a little, her future prospects could be dazzling.
Unfortunately, Zhao Ling was having none of it. In her mind, the advisor was simply playing favorites again. Just because Gu Zi had aced the entrance exams didn’t mean she was automatically better at everything else too, did it?
This opportunity was far too good to pass up, and Zhao Ling wasn’t about to sit idly by. She lifted her chin and said, "Sir, I just feel that this opportunity is crucial for all of us. How can you be so certain that Gu Zi will outperform everyone else?"
The advisor regarded her for a long, silent moment. Then, he decided he wouldn’t waste another breath indulging her stubbornness.
"Zhao Ling," he said flatly, "are you suggesting that you could do a better job than Gu Zi? Let me tell you right now—you can’t. Not you, not anyone else in this room, including myself, can match her proficiency."
The class collectively stiffened at the bluntness of his words.
"I didn’t intend to spell it out so harshly," he continued, "because I didn’t want to crush your pride. But since someone insists on overestimating themselves, I won’t bother being polite. This is final—the assignment goes to Gu Zi."
Years of teaching had honed his ability to judge people quickly and accurately. In fact, he had already heard from the foreign language professors that Gu Zi’s skills were so exceptional that she barely needed to attend classes. If she chose to walk straight into the workforce tomorrow, she would easily dominate the field. She was only here at university for the diploma, nothing more. With credentials like that, who else could possibly handle the translation assignment better?
Zhao Ling’s face flushed deep crimson. Being humiliated in front of the entire class was worse than a slap across the face. And it was all Gu Zi’s fault. If she was really that brilliant—already married, already living her fairy-tale life—why even bother coming back to school to flaunt it?
Humiliated but still burning with unwillingness, Zhao Ling rose to her feet again and, summoning all her courage, said, "Sir, please give me a chance to prove myself!"
The advisor gave her a cool once-over. Clearly, she wasn’t about to back down without dragging herself through more public embarrassment. Very well, he thought. Let her see for herself.
"Fine," he said. "Come to my office tomorrow. I’ll give you a copy of the assignment as well."
Zhao Ling gave a short, scornful laugh and shot Li Juan a contemptuous look.
"I’m here to study," she said icily. "Not to make friends."
And with that, she marched out of the classroom, head held high.
Tang Xue, who had been watching the entire exchange with great interest, sidled up to Li Juan and whispered, "I was wondering why Gu Zi stopped coming back for lunch naps... so it really was because of Zhao Ling. Honestly, it makes sense—Zhao Ling’s obviously jealous. I mean, Gu Zi’s top of the province in the exams, and now even the class advisor favors her."
Li Juan nodded. "Exactly. But honestly, I don’t get why Gu Zi even bothers. Her husband’s loaded, she doesn’t need the money. Why take on a headache of a translation job? Didn’t you see the way all the top students were glaring daggers at her? She’s asking for enemies."
It wasn’t just Zhao Ling either. Everyone in class who thought they had a shot at that opportunity was feeling the sting of resentment.
Hearing Li Juan’s words, Tang Xue suddenly remembered the luxury car she’d seen earlier. She lowered her voice and said conspiratorially, "Maybe Gu Zi’s marriage isn’t as picture-perfect as it looks. I mean, if they were really so happy, why would she be getting into someone else’s car?"
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