Chapter 260 - Yeo Ri’s Party (1/2)

At a certain private high school.

”—And that is all for today's lesson. Any questions?”

”””No, ma'am.”””

The teacher gathered her scattered notes, ready to leave the podium after dismissing the class.

”Ah~ finally over!”

”Weekend classes are such a bore, ugh.”

Amongst the murmurs of complaints, one girl remained quiet as she packed up her things.

Lim Jang Mi focused on speed as she shoved all of her books into her bag. She glanced at her watch briefly with a slightly frustrated frown.

As soon as she closed her bag, she quickly walked out of the classroom.

”Hey, Lim Jang Mi! Aren't you going to the library today?” A girl called out from behind her. It was the norm for the more diligent students to spend an hour or two at the library after their classes to compare notes and review their lessons together.

Jang Mi spared her classmate a side glance. ”No. I'm going back early today,” she dryly said, her frown deepening as if simply stopping to talk was a waste of her time.

”Geez, alright then. Go, you snobby girl! You didn't have to glare at me like that!” the classmate harrumphed. ”It's not like there's a difference if you come or not!”

Jang Mi ignored her classmate as she rushed down the hallways.

Today was Yeo Ri's birthday, yet she was stuck at school for the annoying summer programme, causing her to be late to her friend's birthday party. On top of that, her cruel mother even went so far as signing her up for an additional intensive cram school programme in preparation for her college exams... which she wouldn't be sitting for until she was a third year.

She inwardly grumbled about how excessive her mother was being even though she had just started high school, but she understood the pressure somewhat. The high school she had chosen to attend was one of the best in the country, and the competition was fierce. Even in the last term examination, she had only managed to snatch the 13th place despite all her hard work and extra lessons. It was a far cry compared to her constant top three placements during middle school.

However, she had another reason for working so hard and accepting her mother's gruelling education plan.

As she passed by a certain corridor, Lim Jang Mi allowed herself to stall her feet, a small smile gracing her lips as her eyes wandered to a certain poster.

[Lee Gun, Valedictorian, Class of 20XX. Accepted into S University's Faculty of Law]

Among a series of notable alumnis, Gun's face was displayed proudly on a large life-sized poster. With a record of straight number ones from the moment he stepped foot into the campus, and a long list of achievements in academic contests and competitions of various levels, Lee Gun truly belonged in the school's hall of fame.

Jang Mi felt that it was a pity that she didn't have a chance to experience school life with her long-time crush. However, it felt good enough to be able to see traces of him all around the school. It was a shame that Yeo Ri, too, didn't attend the same school as her. Imagine how much fun they would have had together!

Jang Mi sighed as she took her eyes off the poster and picked up her pace.

Outside of the school gates, her mother's familiar grey-coloured car was parked across the road so as to not block the traffic.

”Mom, let's go, hurry,” she rushed as soon as she slipped into the passenger seat.

”What, no 'hello, how are you, class was so-and-so'?” her mother clicked her tongue at the girl's lack of proper manners.

Jang Mi sighed again as she fastened her seatbelt. ”...Hello, mom. How was your day? Class was as usual today.”

”Is that so? Well.”

Mrs. Lim nodded gingerly at her daughter's half-hearted greeting, barely accepting it.

”Can we go now? Yeo Ri's party started ages ago and I don't want to be late.” Jang Mi fell into her seat sulkily as she pulled out her phone, ready to inform her friend of her impending arrival.

”Fine. I'll let you off since it's the weekends and you need to wind down anyways.” With her daughter secured in her seat, she pulled out of her parking spot and drove away, with the mechanical voice of the navigation system leading her.

”I heard from Yoo Na's mom that over-studying will be more harmful than helpful for a student your age. Not good to be too stressed and all that. Did you know her eldest scored an internship at NASA?” her mother clicked her tongue again, both in awe and envy.

Jang Mi raised her head with another sigh. She rolled her eyes, ”Are you telling me to become a scientist now?”

”Well.” Mrs. Lim shrugged. ”I just want you to pick the best path for you. Of course, science is good, and aiming for law school as you are now is good too. It's also okay if you decide to aim for medical school. In any case, there's still one more year for you to make your choice.”

Jang Mi turned away from her mother. All the 'choices' her mother gave her was the kind of options that would lead to a cushy high-paying, high-status type of job. She wasn't in the least bit interested in any of them, but what could she do? What her mother wants, she gets. At least Gun, too, was aiming to become a practitioner of law. To be able to stand beside him as a peer was enough motivation for the young love-stricken girl to strive for excellence as her mother had so often wished for.

”Is this the right place?”

Jang Mi snapped out of her train of thoughts at her mother's inquiry. She looked up, and seeing the familiar name of the apartment building, she nodded. ”Yeah, this should be it.”

”Don't stay out for too long. Come home by seven,” her mother cautioned.

”I know. Bye, mom.” Jang Mi eagerly got out of the car, ignoring her mother's nagging.

”Jang Mi—”

Jang Mi closed the door quickly, not allowing her mother to finish her long ramblings.

After jotting down her name in the visitor's logbook, Jang Mi immediately headed for the Lee sibling's house.