Chapter Ten: Who Is the School Beauty?

“Good morning, dear students. This is your campus radio station at Innovation High School, and I am your old friend, Ranran Meng. It’s wonderful to be with you all again. To start, here’s a campus song for everyone: ‘Wish.’”

The melodious singing echoed through the campus: “The lake is your gaze, dreams are stars scattered across the sky…”

“Tsk, tsk. She really is the goddess of my dreams. What a beautiful voice. Ranran, I love you!” Yuan Weiye gazed at the classroom speaker, utterly entranced.

Wang Tao looked at Yuan Weiye with open disdain. “Come on, Old Yuan, can't you have a bit more self-control? Drooling over the loudspeaker, really?”

Xu Tong, grinning mischievously, leaned in and said, “Weiye, do you remember that poem you recited to Ranran Meng that one night?”

At once, Yuan Weiye’s face turned ashen. He said nothing, just picked up a book and glowered at it furiously.

Yuan Weiye and Wang Tao sat just behind Linlin Tan and Yuqing Wang. Overhearing their conversation, Yuqing’s curiosity was piqued.

“Linlin, who’s Ranran Meng? Does Yuan Weiye know her or something? What did Wang Tao mean just now?” Yuqing whispered.

Linlin burst into laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. “Let me tell you, Ranran Meng is the school beauty. Yuan Weiye’s been secretly in love with her forever. One day, he came up with a plan—he waited for her on the path back to the dorms at night. When she walked past, he suddenly belted out a line right at her: ‘A thousand times I search for you, then all at once, I turn and there you are, where the lantern lights are dimmest.’”

Yuqing blinked. “What’s wrong with that? That’s pretty romantic! Did Ranran accept him?”

Linlin laughed even harder. “Accept him? She was so startled by his sudden shout that she nearly fainted! She thought it was a mugging. Ever since, whenever she sees him, she takes a detour. And so, everyone gave him a nickname: ‘The Love Sage.’”

Yuqing couldn’t help but giggle at that.

While she was still laughing, Yuqing suddenly remembered the Chinese teacher had asked her to go to the broadcasting room. She let Linlin know and got up to head over.

Inside the broadcast station, a girl in a short-sleeved red jacket, a short skirt, and black boots was chatting with a slightly chubby boy. Her striking face was lightly made up, and her orange-red curled hair fell to her shoulders. She laughed now and then, covering her mouth delicately with her hand, looking both enchanting and alluring. The boy talking to her wore a fawning smile, clearly trying to please her. And this girl was none other than Ranran Meng, the school beauty.

Just as Ranran was enjoying her conversation, a voice sounded from the broadcast room: “Ranran, enough chatting. Get ready to read the article.”

“Got it, boss,” Ranran replied.

The “boss” was Minru Liu, head of the broadcast station—lively, bold, and efficient, never one to dawdle.

By this time, Yuqing Wang had arrived at the station. She pushed open the door and stepped inside.

“Excuse me, is the person in charge here?” Yuqing asked gently.

The chubby boy who’d been talking to Ranran turned around, his eyes lighting up instantly.

“Um, do you need something?” he asked, attempting a voice he probably thought was charming.

Yuqing noticed the way he stared at her, the sly look in his eyes, and frowned slightly. “Are you the person in charge?”

“Heh, no. Which class are you from?” He rubbed his hands together and gave a forced smile.

At that moment, a girl with short hair and medium build emerged from the studio. She shot the boy a look of disgust. “Guomin Li, what are you doing? Go on, get out of here.”

Guomin Li laughed awkwardly and scurried out as if he’d seen a cat.

The girl looked Yuqing up and down. “I’m Minru Liu, the current station manager. What brings you here?”

Yuqing smiled sweetly. “My name is Yuqing Wang. I’m a recent transfer to Class One. Mr. Wang asked me to come have a look at your station.”

Minru thought for a moment, then her face lit up with understanding. “Ah, I see. Mr. Wang’s been singing your praises. He rarely compliments anyone.”

“Oh, Mr. Wang flatters me,” Yuqing replied modestly.

“If he says so, it must be true. Great timing! How about reading a poem for us? Let’s see what you can do.” Minru grasped Yuqing’s hand and led her toward the broadcast booth. At that moment, Ranran had just finished reading her piece. She looked curiously at the pretty girl Minru had brought in. “Boss, who’s this?”

Minru waved her hand. “Recommended by Mr. Wang, from Class One. Get ready, Yuqing, you’ll sit here and read into the microphone. Here’s the script.” She explained patiently.

Yuqing nodded and asked, “May I read ‘You Are the April of This World’ by Wei Lin?”

Minru paused, then nodded. “Sure.” She assumed Yuqing was a little nervous and wanted to read something she was comfortable with.

Watching Yuqing, Ranran couldn’t help feeling secretly surprised. Rarely did she encounter someone whose looks rivaled her own. As she studied Yuqing’s graceful features, a trace of jealousy crept in.

“Alright, Yuqing, get ready. Fatty Wei, adjust the levels. Xiao Han, you handle the background music,” Minru directed the staff.

Everyone responded. Yuqing moved lightly to the broadcaster’s chair, cleared her throat, and thought silently, “Xiaolin, this poem is for you.”

Three, two, one—Minru gave the signal.

“Dear students, I am your new host, Yuqing Wang. Today is my first broadcast, and I hope you’ll support me. I’d like to share a hymn to love—‘You Are the April of This World.’ May this poem bring you warmth in the biting chill of winter.”

“I say you are the April of this world, your laughter brightens all around. Graceful, you dance amid the splendor of spring…”

Yuqing’s voice, as sweet as a lark’s, rang out across the campus.

Inside the studio, the others watched her, captivated by her earnest expression. Her slender hands moved gently, her bright eyes glimmered in their oval frames, her lovely chin tilted up, and her delicate lips shaped each word.

Several people sized up Yuqing, then glanced at Ranran standing off to the side. The two girls had completely different auras—Ranran was proud and elegant, like a swan, noble and aloof, while Yuqing resembled a quiet orchid, fresh and refined. If they were to judge, Yuqing stood out more; Ranran, for all her beauty, lacked a certain depth.

Minru, seeing the two outstanding girls, sighed softly. “So, who is the real school beauty?”