Chapter 60: Mind Reading (1)

A classroom, desks, and noisy students.

Tong Ling opened her eyes to find herself seated, wearing a sleek and refined school uniform. Her pleated skirt neatly covered her knees, paired with white socks and black leather shoes tied with laces, exuding a youthful vibe throughout.

She glanced around the room. The male students wore uniform white shirts, black suits, and striped ties, each projecting an air of sophistication. The female students were dressed flamboyantly, with curled or dyed hair, and many had modified their uniforms to expose more than knee-length skirts - hardly resembling typical earnest pupils at first glance.

The classroom was large, spacious, and well-lit, equipped with various high-end modern facilities. Despite the scorching summer heat, the cool breeze from the air conditioning brought contentment to the students’ expressions.

Listening carefully, Tong Ling noticed that the topics of conversation among the students were rather unusual.

“Jin Yingyao won another fencing championship; no wonder he’s one of the founders of the HR Club. I submitted my application again just for him, but I’m not sure if I’ll get accepted this year…”

“Xiao Lingfei mentioned that due to too many applicants this year, they won’t be accepting new members from outside anymore.”

“Wahh… So we don’t even have a chance to interact with them now?”

“Well, speaking of those who can interact with them, isn’t there one in our class already?” As the male student spoke, he sneakily glanced at Tong Ling.

“How beautiful she is.” Admiration shone in the boys’ eyes. “We’re so lucky to have Yan Ling in our class.”

“I’m grateful I pushed myself to study hard back then; barely making the admission grades and having my dad donate two buildings helped. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have qualified for Saint Hieria…”

“The luckiest part is being assigned to this class. Seeing Yan Ling every day gives me extra motivation to study.”

“Speaking of studies, Gu Li-senpai secured first place again in the grade rankings. How can someone be so perfect? Among the S4 group, he seems the most approachable.”

Tong Ling swiftly extracted key information: Saint Hieria, HR Club, S4…

Setting aside what her classmates were discussing, she indeed found herself now as a student.

Tong Ling had no interest in attending school and unconsciously furrowed her brow. “Was this intentional? Making me a student?”

m577 responded obediently, [The female supporting character in this world absolutely meets your requirements. Please first absorb her memories and the plot.]

In this small world, the cannon fodder female supporting character was named Yan Ling, just as the system described—a healthy, wealthy, and beautiful young heiress.

Unlike the previous world, here, numerous young ladies of privilege were commonplace. Yan Ling attended the top-tier noble academy, Saint Hieria College, where every student hailed from affluent or influential backgrounds. Once upon a time, Saint Hieria admitted exceptional students from impoverished families, but due to their stark contrast with the elite environment and susceptibility to discrimination, the college quickly abolished this admission policy. Consequently, all subsequent entrants belonged to the upper class.

As a female supporting character, Yan Ling naturally came from a prominent family background. However, her privileged lineage did not guarantee good parents; Father Yan and Mother Yan’s marriage was purely for business interests, with little genuine affection between them. After Yan Ling’s birth, they each pursued their own pleasures, and on multiple occasions, Yan Ling witnessed them bringing different lovers home.

As Yan Ling was their only heir, Father and Mother Yan imposed extremely strict expectations on her.

From a very young age, she underwent rigorous education not just in business management but also in various arts such as floral arrangement, etiquette, musical instruments, dance… Anything that could make Yan Ling perfect, she was required to learn.

Consequently, Yan Ling had no real childhood or free time.

Under her parents’ meticulous grooming, Yan Ling indeed transformed into a poised and elegant young lady with exceptional grace. Even at Saint Hieria, one of the top colleges, she stood out as a remarkable student.

In everyone’s eyes, Yan Ling epitomized kindness and beauty, making her the ideal first love choice for countless boys.

Walking through the college, Yan Ling frequently received confessions of affection. Her rejections were always tactful, never causing embarrassment or hurting anyone’s self-esteem; she conducted herself with impeccable finesse.

This earned Yan Ling substantial popularity within the college, and before long, many privately referred to her as the “College Goddess.”

However, this alone wasn’t enough; Yan Ling had to strive for even greater perfection, aiming to be the absolute best.

Saint Hieria College had a stringent ranking system.

Based on both family background and individual talents, students were categorized from grade S to E. These personal rankings were determined by popularity votes among the college community.

The voting was restricted to college members only, conducted with real-name registration, making each vote precious.

To be acknowledged by fellow “elite” classmates truly signifies exceptional standing.

In this current academic year, four students achieved the S-level: Jin Yingyao, Xiao Lingfei, Gu Li, and Lu Yifan.

Privately, these four were referred to as the “S4.”

Unlike Yan Ling’s nominal title of “College Goddess,” the S4 represented the true privileged class.

S-level students enjoyed priority selection rights, whether it be for courses or classes, granting them maximum freedom. Additionally, professors could provide individualized instruction tailored to their needs.

Within the college, there were exclusive areas designated solely for their rest and relaxation. The provided meals and accommodations were of Saint Hieria’s highest standard.

Most importantly, they had the authority to participate in college governance and propose changes in any aspect needing reform.

The honor of being at the S-level is unparalleled.

To maintain her perfect image, meet her parents’ expectations, and achieve the coveted S-level status, Yan Ling set her sights high.

During the annual college popularity vote, she meticulously campaigned for votes.

Throughout that period, she would accept date invitations from her suitors, actively engage in various events to increase her visibility, and ensure her presence was felt across campus.

Despite her efforts, she never achieved S-level popularity and remained an A-ranked student at Saint Hieria College.

The more perfect Yan Ling’s outward appearance became, the more suppressed her inner self felt.

She detested these “admirers” and their love letters with accompanying gifts. In public, she would carefully acknowledge them, but behind closed doors, she promptly tossed everything into the trash bin. To her, clueless men were even more irritating than pests.

Yan Ling yearned for freedom and once secretly visited a bar. However, before she could take a sip of alcohol, she narrowly avoided being spotted by someone from the college. Her immediate reaction was to flee, leaving her torn between hating her own ineptitude or envying others’ carefree behavior.

This mental imbalance led Yan Ling to develop increasingly extreme thoughts.

The final straw came when her parents chose a marriage partner for her, demanding that she enter into a business alliance through marriage with Xiao Lingfei, the heir of the Xiao Group.

Yan Ling’s mind snapped completely.

She deeply despised arranged marriages and refused to become a sacrificial pawn in such a scheme. Under this pressure, the female supporting character’s consciousness awakened, prompting her escape from the small world.

Seeing Tong Ling complete the absorption of the female supporting character’s memories, m577 hastily chimed in, 【In the original plot, the character’s persona is absolutely perfect for you, Bell Sister! I think you can effortlessly play the role just as yourself!】

Tong Ling continued reading the original plot.

The storyline of the small world was straightforward.

Jin Yingyao, the darling of the heavens, gained the ability to read minds and discovered that his classmate Xu Jingjing was genuinely good, with her actions matching her words.

Xu Jingjing was the female leader at Saint Hieria College, known for smoking, drinking, and sporting trendy hairstyles. She was direct and outspoken, although impulsive and hot-tempered. Compared to other insincere and pretentious individuals, her genuine nature stood out significantly.

In stark contrast to Xu Jingjing was the female supporting character Yan Ling. As the college’s goddess, Yan Ling turned out to be the most hypocritical person Jin Yingyao had encountered.

She showed disdain for others’ admiration, harboring various malicious thoughts, and her private life seemed highly improper.

Surprisingly, such a woman was set to become engaged to his close friend Xiao Lingfei, who held a favorable opinion of Yan Ling. To prevent Xiao Lingfei from falling into what he perceived as a “pit of fire,” Jin Yingyao targeted Yan Ling, gathering evidence of her unsavory behavior. He then exposed it on the college’s public forum.

As a result, the female supporting character’s reputation plummeted overnight. From being revered as a college goddess, she became scorned as a manipulative gold-digger.

Various rumors circulated on the forum, claiming she went on dates with eight different people each day or alleging she enjoyed seducing others’ boyfriends. These rumors escalated rapidly, eventually leading to instances where people would openly ask Yan Ling how much she charged per night.

Yan Ling, enraged, burst out with curses, only hastening her downfall in public perception.

Unable to endure for long, Yan Ling eventually dropped out of Saint Hieria. Her parents, feeling deeply ashamed, distanced themselves from her without any concern. One night, the female supporting character slit her wrists in the bathroom, and after that incident, she was never heard from again.

As for the male lead, he believed he had merely exposed someone’s true nature while inadvertently saving his good friend. The fate befalling the female character was seen as self-inflicted; who could blame her “inherently vicious” nature?

He later formed a playful yet affectionate relationship with Xu Jingjing, known for her straightforward personality, becoming a beloved couple at Saint Hieria College…

Tong Ling now understood why the system deemed this role suitable for her. “Do you think I’m filled with malicious thoughts and have problematic personal life issues?”

M577 dared not give a casual response: [It’s just…just so Bell Sister can effortlessly navigate through the plot, you see. With your presence alone, the male lead would instantly recognize your character upon getting close to you. Isn’t that making it quite simple?]

Tong Ling scoffed, “Thinking alone doesn’t make someone truly malicious. What outrageous actions has the female supporting character taken? Throwing away gifts and love letters, or privately socializing with different individuals to gain votes—how is that wrong?”

“She hasn’t visibly harmed anyone on the surface. Just because her thoughts were read, does it mean she’s no longer considered good?” In Tong Ling’s eyes, this person hardly deserved the label of “vicious.” “Hmph, mind reading, always eager to pry into others’ privacy—I’ll give him plenty to peek at!”

m577 shuddered, sensing once again that it might have erred…

The current plot had just reached the point where the Yan and Xiao families proposed an arranged marriage. To encourage Yan Ling and Xiao Lingfei to willingly enter an engagement, they began facilitating their interactions.

This was also why classmates mentioned Yan Ling would come into contact with S4.

Due to Xiao Lingfei’s connection, Yan Ling could visit the HR club after school, making it effortless for her to meet any member of S4.

The HR club was a frequent hangout spot for S4 members. Supposedly, HR stood for Honor Room, also known as the “Room of Honors,” but Tong Ling couldn’t help associating it with Human Resources instead. She felt as if everyone in the club must be involved in personnel management.

Saint Hieria’s academic schedule was not overly demanding, and with the system offering to provide various reference answers, Tong Ling’s resistance towards attending school slightly diminished.

“You possess the memories of the female supporting character; these courses should pose little difficulty for you…” m577 muttered, “Why insist on copying answers? It’s not ideal…”

Tong Ling asked, “Have you forgotten from which world I came?”

Having interacted with its host for so long, m577 nearly forgot that she hailed from the high-tech U-A78 galaxy. In her original world, theoretical knowledge could be effortlessly acquired through implanted chips, rendering traditional schooling unnecessary.

“Saint Hieria only has classes five days a week, with each day’s coursework limited to no more than five hours,” m577 explained. “There are also various extracurricular activities available, allowing you ample time to relax and enjoy yourself…” It couldn’t help but think how many people would envy studying here, considering some small-world students had nine-hour school days. The system truly felt it was being considerate by not placing the host in such ordinary schools…

“Five hours!” Tong Ling exclaimed angrily, “How many precious five-hour chunks can I afford to waste in my life!”

“In the previous world, you spent all day eating and sleeping - wasn’t that even more wasteful of time…” m577 muttered quietly.

“Is sleeping equivalent to attending school?” Tong Ling rolled her eyes internally at the system within her consciousness sea. “I have to maintain the ‘Academy Goddess’ image, sitting upright and attentive during lectures. This small world is truly exhausting…”

“I’ve decided,” Tong Ling suddenly found her goal. “I must find a way to become an S-grade student, gaining control over my own schedule.”

[?]

[Why would a female supporting character aim for S4?] m577 questioned.

Tong Ling responded, “The original plot never stated that a female supporting character can’t strive higher. It aligns perfectly with Yan Ling’s ambition.”

She searched through her memories for the next scheduled popularity vote timing, “Two months… I still have to endure two more months of school…”

[“Are you already certain you’ll be elected?”] As soon as m577 uttered these words, it realized how foolish the question was. Forget it… Just take it easy; we still need to follow the storyline.

Tong Ling endured until the end-of-school bell, then leisurely walked out of the classroom amidst numerous admiring gazes.

In the corridor, two boys intercepted Tong Ling to hand her love letters. As she gracefully accepted them like the original female supporting character, she internally complained to the system, “The students here seem more focused on chasing girls than their studies.”

[?] m577 once again marveled at the host’s shamelessness. [“Are you really comfortable criticizing others’ lack of academic focus?”]

“This female supporting character clearly had many resources but failed to utilize them.” Tong Ling glanced down at the love letters in her hands. “Only agreeing to dates during election periods for votes—it’s blatantly opportunistic and too obvious. That won’t do.”

m577 sensed that the host was up to no good again, but it said nothing. In this small world, the female supporting character needed such ulterior motives, aligning perfectly with the plot’s direction.

Tong Ling tucked the love letters into her backpack and headed towards the HR club’s meeting place.

Saint Hieria Academy was vast, with lush greenery lining its main pathways. After school hours were dedicated to club activities. Tong Ling observed students sketching by the lake, teams in sports uniforms playing football on the lawn, and even a boat race being held in the middle of the lake. The entire academy exuded an energetic and vibrant atmosphere.

Tong Ling pondered what club the original female supporting character belonged to - the flower arranging club… It was a niche, non-competitive, and quintessentially ladylike group.

This realization made Tong Ling sigh; no wonder the female supporting character couldn’t climb to S-grade, her chosen path was fundamentally misguided.

Simply focusing on self-improvement wasn’t enough; one must also find ways to undermine others’ standing.

No matter how perfect she tried to be, there would always be someone more flawless. However, making others less perfect seemed far easier.

The walk from the classroom to the HR Club took Tong Ling half an hour, leaving her somewhat impatient due to the lengthy journey. Upon arrival, finding a crowd blocking the entrance further dampened her mood.

“Is the club open yet?”

“Yes, it’s open! I just saw Gu Li go inside. Woe, I wish I could join too…”

“Gu Li is always the first to arrive. Let’s wait here; maybe we’ll soon see Jin Yingyao, Xiao Lingfei, and the others!”

Not only were there chattering girls at the entrance, but also a group of curious boys peering around, showcasing the significant influence of S4 within the school.

Members of the HR Club received exclusive membership cards, and anyone holding one garnered envious glances from those around them.

As Tong Ling was considered a campus goddess, her approach immediately drew attention from both male and female students nearby. The crowd gathered by the club’s door instinctively parted, creating a clear path for her. Feeling the spotlight on her, Tong Ling couldn’t help but flash a smile to the admiring crowd.

Without a membership card, she relied on the club members nearby who automatically let her inside.

Once through the door, Tong Ling could still faintly hear whispers behind her.

“Whew—so this is Goddess Yan Ling? I’ve never seen her up close before; today, it really…she truly has such an elegant presence!”

“Her uniform skirt hasn’t been altered at all, reaching well below the knee—a bit unfortunate.”

“Ew… what disgusting thoughts must that creepy guy ahead be having? Dream on if you think about desiring our goddess!”

Tong Ling entered the HR club.

Rather than resembling an ordinary activity club, it felt more like a lavishly decorated small “palace”. The ceiling featured a domed design adorned with Renaissance-era oil paintings, crystal chandeliers hung from above, golden sofas lined the walls, and intricately embroidered rugs covered the floor. The overall architectural style was opulent and grandiose, almost overwhelming to the eyes…

Within the club, there stood a redwood desk that contrasted slightly with the rest of the decor. Behind this desk sat a youth dressed in Saint Hieria’s standard uniform, distinguished by silver buttons—a mark denoting his S-level status, unlike typical school uniforms.

The young man had a refined and handsome appearance, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Upon seeing Tong Ling, he gave a slight nod. His voice was soothing, and the smile at the corner of his lips exuded warmth, akin to a gentle spring breeze. “Yan-san, are you here for Xiao Lingfei? He hasn’t arrived yet, but please feel free to wait on the sofa.”

Tong Ling retrieved the young man’s profile and glanced through it.

Gu Li, President of the Student Council at Saint Hieria High School Division, excelled academically, consistently ranking first in cultural theory among his grade. Known for his mild temperament and charismatic leadership, his agreeable personality made him the most popular student within S4.

It was rumored that Gu Li’s father served as the Secretary-General to Olay’s royal family, and his mother was a renowned singer. His social skills likely stemmed from his father’s influence, given their prestigious background.

Saint Hieria belonged to the country of Olay, which had a monarchical system with the highest authority vested in Queen Olay herself. Saint Hieria also offered the Queen’s Scholarship, which Gu Li consistently received each year.

Tong Ling didn’t rush to engage with Gu Li immediately. Instead, she calmly walked over and sat down on one of the golden sofas. Shortly after, a club member brought her a meticulously prepared cup of coffee, placing it on the table before the sofa.

The boy delivering the coffee had a delicate appearance with slight freckles on his face. Upon seeing Tong Ling, he blushed and stuttered slightly, “Please enjoy.”

Smiling, Tong Ling thanked him and took a sip right away. “It’s delicious,” she praised.

This made the boy’s cheeks turn even redder, and he clutched his hands happily, exclaiming, “Wonderful!”

The boy seemed eager to converse more with Tong Ling, but considering the presence of other club members and Gu Li himself, he hesitated briefly near the sofa. Ultimately, he obediently returned to his designated work area to continue his tasks.

Due to the boy’s actions, Gu Li couldn’t help but steal several glances at the young girl.

Gu Li had heard of Yan Ling before; given her fame, it was actually quite late for him to finally meet her. This delay might be due to minimal overlap between their social circles.

If not for Xiao Lingfei’s connection with Yan Ling, Gu Li likely wouldn’t have taken notice of her at all.

This was Yan Ling’s second visit to the HR club. During her previous visit, she had briefly spoken with Xiao Lingfei before leaving hastily. Gu Li’s impression of her had solely been that she was a strikingly beautiful girl. He hadn’t felt anything particularly special about this so-called “campus goddess.”

However, witnessing her impeccable etiquette and graceful mannerisms just now, he suddenly understood why she had earned such a title.

From the moment she entered the club, she carried herself with poise and confidence. Most people, even after multiple visits, couldn’t resist glancing around curiously. Lu Yifan’s extravagant decoration style still caught Gu Li off guard each time.

Yet, Yan Ling showed no signs of surprise. After his greeting, she politely took a seat to the side without intruding or displaying any inappropriate behavior. Her elegant demeanor made every movement seem like a scene from a painting. Having visited royal courts, Gu Li thought even princesses might not match her gracefulness.

Such poise could not be cultivated overnight; the Yan family’s successor was far more exceptional than he had anticipated. Gu Li thought that with this encounter, Xiao Lingfei should finally settle down.

Out of consideration for his friend’s future fiancée, Gu Li didn’t leave her unattended. Setting aside his work, he proactively engaged the young woman in conversation.

“Xiao Lingfei is usually the last one to arrive here. Apart from the HR club, he’s also part of the basketball team. When he has free time, he often goes to play basketball. You might find him there as well.” Gu Li wasn’t sure if Yan Ling already knew these details; information about S4 members tends to be semi-public within the school, with their activities closely observed by others.

However, it became clear that the young woman did not have much prior knowledge. Upon hearing his explanation, she immediately showed a look of realization and asked, “I apologize for not being better informed. Am I disturbing you here?”

Gu Li promptly shook his head, “Not at all, feel free to come anytime.”

The girl smiled slightly, pursing her lips before inquiring, “Everyone seems quite busy. I’m curious, what exactly does the HR club entail? Is it related to human resources management?”

Gu Li couldn’t help but smile; it was his first time encountering someone so straightforward with such a question. “Actually, I brought some student council work to handle here. The HR club operates with great flexibility. Each week, members propose specific activity plans, and if most agree, the event proceeds.”

“Activities like watching films, appreciating music, or even going on trips are allowed?” Tong Ling asked curiously.

“Yes,” Gu Li confirmed.

“That sounds fantastic.” Envy showed on Tong Ling’s face. “And you don’t have mandatory club assignments either, right? Like weekly reports?”

Gu Li’s lips curved upwards. “That’s correct.”

While others focused on joining the club to interact with S4 students and gain prestigious recognition, this girl’s perspective was refreshingly unique.

“Oh…” Tong Ling lamented, “I regret not joining the HR club now. When I first heard the name, I thought it involved human resources management, which sounded incredibly tedious. Without much thought, I skipped over that option. Who knew it would be so laid-back…”

This time, Gu Li chuckled aloud. He had initially assumed, given her impeccable manners, that she must be poised and reserved. Yet… pfft, she turned out to be quite adorable.

“You want to join the club?” Gu Li’s good mood prompted him to ask.

Tong Ling sighed lightly, “Never mind, I heard from classmates that HR isn’t accepting new members this year…”

“Rules are meant to be broken,” Gu Li said with a composed and confident demeanor. “HR stands for freedom; thus, it won’t be bound by these rigid constraints.”

“If you’re willing to join, I would welcome you greatly.” A warm smile lit up Gu Li’s eyes.

Tong Ling blinked lightly. “Then I’ll consider it.”

When Jin Yingyao arrived at the HR club, this was the scene he witnessed:

A beautiful girl and a handsome boy engaged in cheerful conversation, their smiles evident. Anyone could see they were deeply engrossed in their talk, creating a remarkably harmonious atmosphere between them.

However, as someone who could hear others’ inner thoughts, Jin Yingyao’s ears were filled with utterly inappropriate musings…

[The aloof type, simply fantastic! With his buttons so tightly fastened, it’s perfect for ripping open his collar, tearing off his clothes, exposing that sensual Adam’s apple, and watching him blush while panting softly towards me…]

[His fingers are gorgeous too, wasted on holding a pen. These hands should be placed all over my body…]

[Ah—so want him, want, want, want… I desire him to belong only to me, to have his eyes focused solely on me. Should I hide him away? Can I use sleeping pills? Then he’d obediently listen to me…]

Jin Yingyao shuddered violently and exclaimed loudly, “Enough!”

The two conversing individuals turned to Jin Yingyao with surprise, Gu Li’s brows furrowing discontentedly. “What are you shouting about? It’s incredibly rude.”

Jin Yingyao trembled as he pointed at the girl, “You…”

What kind of filthy thoughts does she harbor? And aren’t they dangerously suggestive? What exactly is she planning to do to Gu Li?!

Tong Ling tilted her head, puzzled and bewildered. “What’s wrong?”

Gu Li rebuked gently, “Don’t point fingers at people; it’s impolite.”

Tong Ling thought, So annoying, this guy. Why is he interrupting my time with Gu Li? Get lost, just go away…

Gu Li wondered, What’s gotten into Jin Yingyao?

Feeling rejected by both, Jin Yingyao remained silent.

Tong Ling mused, He’s not bad-looking, broad shoulders, slim waist, long legs, and quite a prominent nose. I wonder if his performance matches up in other aspects, heh heh. Just hope he’s more than just a pretty face, or it’d be such a waste.

Jin Yingyao was left speechless.

Tong Ling continued, Feels a bit dim-witted though. No matter, Gu Li is still better. How tempting to lock him in a cage and keep close watch over him at night. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to safely escort him home afterward.

Jin Yingyao gasped internally!

Escort him home? What does she intend?!

M577 felt utterly despairing: [The female supporting character may have malicious intentions, but she isn’t a pervert!]