"Ouch!" Lina rubbed her forehead to get relief from the pain.
"Lina Tang!" The professor shrieked.
He had tolerated her enough.
"We are discussing a very important topic here. If it is not to your liking, you may excuse yourself from the class," the professor said in a sharp tone. He glared at her to send a warning.
The thing he hated the most was when someone is not attentive in the class and rich brats like Lina Tang who always think money can solve everything.
Lina was slightly taken aback.
"Professor, I was pondering on what that Red might be thinking. That is why I was lost in my thoughts." Lina aggrieved putting on a dejected face, adding sobs in her tone as if she had been wronged.
She lowered her head and continued to bit on her lower lip while shaking her shoulders up and down.
The other students present in the class took a pity on her. They all agreed that the Professor had done her wrong. After all, they were not high schoolers. It was a bit too much to throw the marker cap on her forehead.
The Professor was shocked. He did not expect this girl to be suddenly attentive today. Not wanting to admit his wrong, he asked Lina to speak out what she was thinking. He can not loose his reputation in front of his students.
"I.. I think she wants to make a name of herself and.. and the people who were killed may not be connected but they were present in the World Economy Conference last year. So, I think we can get more information if we check them from the Conference's point of view." Lina spoke softly, sobbing in between, afraid that if she said something wrong, the Professor might eat her up.
The eyes around her grew wider. Everyone started taking out their phones typing something as if they have found a clue.
Even the Professor was surprised that Lina Tang could connect a dot between the victims. She was the least he expected something from. He also wanted to go back and gather information on that.
He cleared his throat and said, "Everyone, you only have this week to complete the assignment and submit them by the end of the week." With that, he picked up his things and head out but as if he had forgotten something, he turned back and his eyes scanned the classroom until they found Lina.
"Lina Tang, I am looking forward to your assignment." after saying that, he rushed out.
The others present were shocked. Never in their wildest dreams did they think that any Professor would have high hopes for Lina. She was mostly the abandoned student of their department.
But some had already started to change their opinion for her. They were excited to know more and discuss the topic with Lina. They were very curious on how she had thought of that. Slowly, people started to gather around her and spoke out their queries one by one.
On the second row, someone clutched their pen so hard that, it broke into two parts. She was on the verge of bursting out if she did not grit her teeth.
She took few deep breaths before walking up to Lina.
"Everyone, do not gather around like this. You may stress her out." The girl slowly pushed away the crowd as she strode towards Lina.
Lina paused in between and smiled at her.
"Nora, my savior. Where have you been?" Lina stood up and reached out to held Nora's hand.
"You finally recognized me! I thought you already forgot about me." Nora pretended to shake off Lina's hand and harrumphed.
"Aiya, how can I forget you! Let's go, I will treat you to a meal today to compensate for my wrongdoings." Lina gently patted Nora's shoulder few times and pulled her along to have a meal.
"We will see." Nora said as she was dragged by her.
The students wanting to ask her more could not help but feel dejected as everyone went their way.
Lina had one hour break before the next period starts. So, she took Nora outside to eat.
They arrived at a small barbeque stall near the University gate.
"You want to treat me here?" Nora's face twisted looking at the stall.
But Lina did not notice. Well, she was not the one to blame.
To become bestfriends with Lina, Nora pretended to like these street side hotpot, barbeque dishes. But little did she knew that she will shot at her own foot one day.
"Aren't you bored from eating the blend dishes at home everyday? Let's spice things up today. Moreover, it is your favorite too." She forcefully dragged Nora to a table and made her sit then took a sit herself.
Nora's face turned red from blue to green. She always had a hard time digesting this greasy spicy things. She had been taking special care of herself the past week because, she had to attend to an important appointment tonight.
'Nora Xu, quiet the fooling, right! Let me give you a taste of your own medicine. You will come handy tonight.' Lina sneered inwardly. A sharp cold glint flashed in her her eyes but only for a split second before it was replaced by lost puppy eyes.
Seeing Lina's enthusiasm, Nora did not know how to reject her. She prepared herself for the worst. She can vomit the food later and take meds.
The owner of the stall recognized them and served their usual. Soon, their tables were filled with hot beef noodle soup, shrimp dumpling in chili oil, grilled skewers with coke.
"Enjoy." Lina split the chopsticks and cheered to Nora.
Nora faked a smile and nodded at her. She slowly picked up her chopsticks and stuffed some before running to the bathroom.
Lina watched her running with her life. Her eyes narrowed, turning colder.
That day, the reason she said she was lucky to Nora by her side is because Nora was a reminder to her of this world. How each and every one of them was a snake going around with a mask on their faces. Just like they were taught.
These people were the reason they have turned to this.