Chapter 78: Mocked

At this moment, Xue Jiayi’s weight—just a few dozen kilograms—felt lighter than a feather to Tang Shen.

“Aah! No! Put me down, put me down!”

Xue Jiayi hadn’t expected Tang Shen to just pick her up and walk off, her clothes all bunched up, and no matter how much she struggled, it was useless.

Tang Shen, however, was completely unmoved.

“Let me down, I’ll walk on my own,” Xue Jiayi finally cried out.

She couldn’t help but feel deeply embarrassed by this position. She might look like a little girl on the outside, but she wasn’t actually one!

Only then did Tang Shen set her down, a casual motion. He was already feeling annoyed.

Somehow, he’d been roped into an agreement out of nowhere—damn it, he hadn’t even agreed to anything!

How had things turned out like this?

It wouldn’t be long before the whole school heard about it, and he’d wanted to keep a low profile—really, a low profile! But now, in an instant, he’d become a school celebrity, sure to attract the attention of the Bai family.

Damn! There was no getting out of this, no matter how he tried.

Given Bai Xue’s family background—and her own striking beauty—he could only imagine how much trouble lay ahead.

And, crucially, who knew how many genetic warriors were involved here? The mere thought made his head ache.

He’d wanted nothing more than to quietly bide his time, gradually growing stronger.

Now, instead, he’d become the target of everyone’s attention.

Just thinking about it soured his mood, leaving him unaccountably irritable.

Xue Jiayi fixed the tall figure before her with a fierce glare. She hadn’t wanted to come, didn’t want to face such a cruel reality, but this infuriating deskmate had dragged her along anyway.

So despicable! How could anyone be this bad?

He’d even wrinkled her clothes. That posture just now was so mortifying!

But Tang Shen paid her no mind. As long as she followed along obediently, he didn’t even spare her a glance, already preoccupied with what was to come.

Xue Jiayi, after fuming for a while, quickly deflated like a punctured balloon. The closer she got to the gymnasium, the more her spirits sank, the more insecure she felt.

No matter what the future held, the gap between her and that tall figure ahead would only grow wider, so wide as to belong to separate worlds.

When Tang Shen arrived at the gym, thanks to that last little incident, Class 4 of Senior Year 3 was the last to arrive—and he was the last of them all.

The moment he stepped inside, every gaze in the hall instantly turned his way.

Even those delivering the Awakening Serum from the Gene Martial Hall looked over.

Many eyes were complicated, some sizing Tang Shen up and down, but most were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Of course, some of the genetic warriors looked on with open disdain or envy.

Only those who were themselves genetic warriors truly understood the Bai family’s status.

Most people’s thoughts could be summed up as: “So it really is just a pretty boy.”

Tang Shen’s mouth twitched. He had underestimated this world’s appetite for gossip—or perhaps more accurately, Bai Xue’s influence. In such a short time, everyone here already knew.

It was obvious from their looks.

Damn it, he’d been set up badly this time.

And what was with those looks? They all seemed to say: “There’s the guy living off a woman’s favor.” He’d clearly refused, hadn’t he?

Damn it—he didn’t even know whether he should feel angry or laugh!

Especially when he noticed that little Bai Xue glancing at him too; he shot her a glare and turned away, not wanting to look at her at all. Just seeing her annoyed him.

He silently moved to the end of Class 4’s line, with Xue Jiayi following behind, head bowed, her mood unusually low.

“Ahem!”

On the raised platform, a spirited old man—none other than the principal—took the microphone and announced, “Good, now that everyone is here, I’ll begin calling out the names of those who will receive the Level One Awakening Serum.”

“Tang Shen.”

His name was called first. Instantly, all eyes focused on him once again.

Tang Shen: “…”

“Bai Xue.”

But soon, all attention shifted to Bai Xue, seated in the front row.

“Li Jun.”

“Zhang Qiang.”

“Zeng Xiaoxian.”

…

Ten names in all—seven men and three women. Aside from Tang Shen, who received his dose for free, the other nine had paid for theirs. Of those nine, five were from genetic families, and the remaining four came from wealthy backgrounds—otherwise, they couldn’t have afforded it.

Although ten people stepped up to the stage, Tang Shen could clearly feel countless eyes locked onto him, filled with envy, jealousy, disdain, and contempt.

Who knew what kind of twisted version of the story was spreading through the rumor mill?

From experience in his previous life, he knew that even the most innocent event, once passed through ten mouths, could become utterly unrecognizable.

With 500 senior students here, there were surely a hundred different tales already circulating.

What a pain in the neck! This situation was excruciating!

Despite this, Tang Shen’s face remained composed, though his heart was heavy with resignation.

Among the ten on stage, only Tang Shen appeared truly calm; Bai Xue was not far behind, while the other eight were visibly excited.

Awakening was never a certainty, not even for those from genetic families. If one parent was a genetic warrior, the chance for inheritance was higher; if both were, the odds increased even more. Studies had shown that if one parent was a genetic warrior, the success rate was about seventy percent; with both, it rose above ninety percent.

Adding the Level One Awakening Serum would only boost these chances.

That’s why Bai Xue wasn’t as nervous as the others—both her parents were genetic warriors.

But Tang Shen’s unusual calmness piqued some people’s curiosity.

At such a pivotal moment, even the most confident would still feel a measure of anxiety, as Bai Xue did.

Tang Shen’s utter composure, in contrast, made him seem out of place.

Soon, a genetic warrior came forward with a super-secure lockbox holding a neat row of ten vials.

The students below gazed at the Awakening Serum with undisguised longing and envy.

That was Level One Awakening Serum—they wanted it, too, but lacked the money.

All they could do was envy and resent.

One by one, the vials were handed out, with Tang Shen receiving his last.

Tang Shen noticed that the genetic warrior who handed his vial over did so with obvious disdain, even envy and contempt.

Standing right in front of him, the man let out a cold snort and muttered, “Pretty boy.”

The words were clear and the scorn unmistakable—while the students below may not have heard, everyone on the stage did. Immediately, the others looked at Tang Shen with mocking expressions.

Bai Xue’s face also changed, clearly displeased—after all, she knew she’d set this whole thing in motion.

Damn it! Tang Shen was indignant. When had he ever lived off a woman?

And what was this guy’s problem? Was he jealous just because he wasn’t as good looking?