17 Years Later
Sound of footsteps echoing down a quiet street.
Rebecca: (panting) "Wait for me!"
She called out, running after her brother as they hurried to school.
When they finally arrived, Rebecca caught up, breathless.
Rebecca: "I told you to wait for me! Why didn't you?"
Gift: (grinning) "Look—your friends are waving at you."
Rebecca turned to see her friends—Esther, Rose, Loveth, and Lilly—calling her over. She smiled and ran to join them, and together they rushed into class.
Inside, the teacher stood at the front, ready to introduce the new students.
Teacher: "Class, please welcome our new students—daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Blessing, the President of Kaka Country."
Three elegant girls walked in, heads held high. Their names were Elena, Helen, and Christiana—also known as Christy. It was clear they were used to attention and expected admiration.
But before the teacher could continue, another student was introduced.
Teacher: "This is Wunang. He's from China, and despite being an orphan, he's achieved a lot at a young age."
The class buzzed with curiosity. Wunang gave a polite bow and took a seat beside Rebecca and her friends.
Rose: "Do you speak English?"
Wunang: (smiling) "Of course. Would you mind showing me around the city?"
Rose: "Why?"
Wunang: "I was born in China. I don't know my way around here."
Rose: "Alright, I will."
Rebecca: "Is it true you established a clan?"
Wunang: (chuckling) "No, I didn't. Where'd you hear that?"
Rebecca: "Just a rumor."
Lilly: "Are you really an orphan?"
Wunang: "Yes."
Rebecca: "Then who sponsors your education?"
Wunang: "The orphanage I grew up in."
Lilly: "But you're Chinese?"
Wunang: "Yes."
Esther: "Then how come you speak English so well?"
Wunang: "I taught myself, along with other languages."
Just then, the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Blessing approached, looking unimpressed.
Christy: (sneering) "Ew, don't tell me you're friends with these girls."
Lilly: "What if he is?"
Christy: "I wasn't talking to you."
Helen: "Why are you even hanging out with them?"
Wunang: "Is that a crime?"
Elena: (shrugging) "I told you—it doesn't matter who he befriends."
Esther: "It actually does. There's a saying: 'Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are.'"
The three sisters scowled and stormed off, choosing seats at the far end of the classroom.
Helen: (whispering) "I hate those girls already."
Christy: "They look so poor... and pathetic."
Elena: "Maybe the other students hate them too."
Christy: "Probably."
Just then, the teacher walked in.
Class: (rising) "Good morning, teacher!"
In the blink of an eye, classes began.