The group of female students began by fawning over those talented young women, plying them with inquiries and feigning a wide-eyed, provincial innocence. This was a calculated move to help the talented women regain a modicum of confidence. Naturally, the talented women were a proud and haughty bunch; having been outshone in terms of attire and jewelry, they felt a deep sense of resentment. They figured that since these women seemed so uncultured, they could surely regain the upper hand by exploiting that weakness.
Then, under the guidance of my mischievous female students, the idea of a poetry competition was brought up. If there is one thing my students excel at—beyond anything else—it is being far more cunning than the average person. Perhaps they simply possess a natural aptitude for such things.
They put on a convincing act, feigning fear of embarrassment. They lamented that they had only ever cared for their appearances and had neglected their studies, acting as though they were in a difficult spot now that they were expected to showcase their literary talents. They even cast subtle, pleading glances toward Sister Xiuer, hoping she would put an end to this.
Chapter 145