Her stunning beauty, combined with her outstanding academic aptitude, gave this new transfer student, Helen Carter, not only the aura of a beauty but also that of a talented scholar, and she was immediately crowned as Huaming’s number one beauty.

Almost every boy in the high school was eager to win over this new campus belle. Even though they were still in the learning phase of high school, they tried every possible method to pursue her, coming up with endless new tricks, making it a classic spectacle.

There was only one boy who didn’t join this army of beauty-chasers, and that was William Thompson. No one found it strange, and William Thompson himself was well aware of it. It seemed that, apart from studying, nothing else had anything to do with him. He also knew exactly what kind of person he was: though not short—almost 1.7 meters tall—his weight, due to long hours of reading and lack of exercise, had reached over 200 jin, making him a chubby boy. He had no dazzling athletic skills to attract the fiery gazes of girls. Even with a beauty before him, William Thompson remained indifferent.

Perhaps it was precisely because William Thompson was the only one not joining the pursuit, coupled with his reclusive and uniquely melancholic honesty, that this new girl, Helen Carter, became very interested in this special boy. Although his appearance was unremarkable and he was covered in fat, often bullied by classmates, he had a pair of surprisingly clear eyes, completely lacking the snobbery and slickness of ordinary people.

Section Two

Teenagers in their blossoming years always have a vague sense of romance, and early relationships among students are common in high school, even in middle school.

While all the boys were eager to try their luck, no one noticed that the usually ice-cold beauty, Helen Carter, would take the initiative to approach William Thompson when no one was around, using study questions as an excuse to satisfy her curiosity about why this boy was so weak that he didn’t seem like a man at all. William Thompson, however, didn’t think much of it, simply treating it as normal academic interaction, and didn’t read anything more into her actions. Naturally, the two became familiar with each other.

Gradually, Helen Carter was deeply attracted by William Thompson’s erudition and kindness. His chubby appearance didn’t affect her fondness for him. It wasn’t just the usual school knowledge—physics, chemistry, medicine, foreign languages, electronics, mechanics—these were already beyond high school level, even approaching university standards. This was the only thing William Thompson felt proud of. Only by immersing himself in study could he escape the humiliation of real life and find his own peace. Unconsciously, Helen Carter became intoxicated by this as well. Neither of them realized they were getting closer and closer, developing secret feelings for each other.

But paper can’t wrap fire. At first, no one thought anything would happen between William Thompson and Helen Carter. On the contrary, many were certain it was impossible. There were plenty of boys in school better than William Thompson; if anyone could win over this ice-cold beauty, it certainly wouldn’t be William Thompson.

Yet the close relationship between Helen Carter and William Thompson still aroused the jealousy of many boys. Almost all of them, whether older or younger than William Thompson, challenged him. Even boys from the middle school division threatened to break both his legs if he didn’t immediately give up Helen Carter. Among the many pursuers, Brian Clark was especially relentless, tormenting William Thompson in various ways, even challenging him to duels, turning Helen Carter into a prize for the winner. In reality, it was just Brian Clark leading a gang to beat up William Thompson again and again.

Although William Thompson was experienced in being beaten and desperately tried to protect his face, he still couldn’t avoid being covered in bruises. Yet afterwards, he showed no sign of giving up on Helen Carter, continuing to interact with her as he pleased. To have a true confidant in life is rare, and even someone like William Thompson, who was always bullied, refused to give up his beliefs.

Helen Carter also vaguely knew what was happening to William Thompson and began to report to the teachers frequently. But the teachers, wanting to keep the peace, suppressed the incidents. After all, William Thompson had neither looks nor family background, and was timid as a mouse—how could someone like him win over a beauty like Helen Carter? Even the teachers were displeased, thinking it was like a flower stuck in a pile of manure, a complete waste.

The school didn’t dare make William Thompson’s situation public. Some of the student violence could even be prosecuted by law. The teachers could only maintain a united front, pretending everything was fine to protect the school’s reputation. Helen Carter could only hold back tears as she gently applied medicine to William Thompson again and again, while William Thompson just grinned foolishly. It was hard to find a true friend; ever since elementary school, he had always been bullied, and no one had ever cared for him like this. Now, with his first stirrings of love, let alone a soulmate, seeing Helen Carter’s caring expression made these little pains and injuries seem like nothing, leaving only a sweet feeling in his heart.

But fate is unpredictable. Heaven cannot bear to see a talented couple together and always finds a way to break them apart. Misfortune struck, and it changed William Thompson’s life forever.

Once, the school organized an autumn outing to the nationally famous scenic spot, Yandang Mountain.

After the large group arrived at the scenic area in more than a dozen buses, the teachers announced that everyone could split up and explore on their own. The students cheered and scattered in all directions.