Chapter 1 - Sixteen and Afraid of School Violence
"You slut!"
The angry yell echoed throughout the classroom.
"Slap!" The crisp sound of a slap broke the originally quiet atmosphere.
In Ji Mu's line of sight.
The attacker didn't hesitate to kick the desk in front of them.
Books from the compartment scattered everywhere with a crash.
"Ruan Qingqing, you act so innocent every day, but who doesn't know the intentions of your heart?"
The other party sneered coldly, the delicate makeup on her face unable to hide her sharp and mean nature.
"Stay away from my crush. If I catch you running to him to complain again, next time it won't just be a slap!"
Her tone was full of warning.
The girl in front of her remained silent, her eyes slightly red.
There was a bright red mark on her porcelain-white face, making her already graceful figure look even more delicate.
Her pitiful appearance caused the surrounding boys to pity her.
If it weren't for the fear of the bully's tyranny, they would have surrounded her to comfort her.
Ji Mu watched the whole scene and shook his head.
So this is what they call school violence...
The coldness of human hearts can be seen shrinking from society into this small campus.
In an environment where bullies are exerting more and more pressure, bystanders, afraid to get involved, remain indifferent and coldly watch.
Sometimes they even unintentionally deepen the victim's hurt with careless words.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
Under the pressure of these many factors, it's clear how difficult the situation becomes for the vulnerable.
Terrifying, truly terrifying.
Clearing his mind of these thoughts, he looked away and stopped paying attention.
As an insignificant bystander, following the crowd is undoubtedly the best choice.
After all, this has nothing to do with me, so why bother playing the hero?
If I end up getting into trouble for interfering, it would be a loss.
Thinking this over, Ji Mu adjusted his glasses and continued to organize his textbooks casually.
"With that seductive face, flirting with men everywhere, it's really disgusting."
On the other side, the bully continued to verbally abuse the girl.
"Ruan Qingqing, if my crush finds out that you've been flirting with the four-eyes next to you, do you think he'll still help you like he did before?"
‘...the four-eyes next to her…’
Thinking about the glasses on his nose and his current position, a strange feeling arose in his heart.
It seemed as if all the conditions were right.
Could it be that they were talking about...
"I just wanted to ask Ji Mu a question. Don't make things up about our relationship!"
The girl explained with a soft and sweet voice.
Ji Mu: "..."
Oh no, they are really talking about me!
"Oh, really? Are you saying I'm making things up about your relationship?"
Before Ji Mu could defend herself, the bully's expression turned exaggeratedly sarcastic.
"Impressive, impressive. When it comes to acting innocent, no girl can beat you. I bet the boys in the class are all head over heels for your tricks, right?"
"You!!"
The baseless accusation made the girl's delicate body shake uncontrollably.
Her slender, beautiful fingers clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, and her clear, glassy eyes were tinged with a hint of color.
However, because her appearance was too sweet and gentle, even now that she was glaring at the other party angrily, it was hard to be intimidating.
"Chu Yashi, don't go too far!"
"What, getting angry out of shame? Did I really hit the mark?"
The girl named Chu Yashi clicked her tongue.
"I guess you find that four-eyed easy to seduce because he looks like a bookworm, so you deliberately flirt with him."
"Once you achieve your goal, you walk away as if it had nothing to do with you. Tsk, just thinking about it makes me feel so dirty."
With a series of soft insults, the surrounding boys seemed to somewhat agree, their eyes began to meet, and they began to whisper among themselves.
"I have a feeling that Chu Yashi might be right."
"Indeed, no wonder, every time I try to chat with Ruan Qingqing, she says she has something to do. So that's why."
"Yes, yes, I have the same experience."
"Wow, could she really be like Chu Yashi said..."
Ah, that...
Have you ever thought that maybe it's because you keep pestering her that she politely refuses?
Ji Mu didn't miss the content of the boys' discussion.
He was astonished and puzzled.
What could have caused them to develop such personalities?
He didn't understand, but he was deeply shocked!
Just as he was silently criticizing why these average boys were everywhere, he heard the bully's voice again.
"Ruan Qingqing, I advise you to control yourself in the future. Can't you see that Four Eyes is still heartbroken over your attempt to distance yourself from him just now?"
An innocent four-eyed dragged into this mess: ?
What does this have to do with me?
Don't drag me into this mess of unfounded accusations.
He looked up at the gloating culprit in front of him.
Although he considered himself a good-tempered person, he felt the urge to post about this rumor-spreading shrimp-head girl on a forum for others to criticize.
"Hmm?"
Perhaps sensing Ji Mu's gaze, Chu Yashi turned her head and replied with a malicious smile.
"Aren't you grateful that I stood up for you? If it weren't for me, you probably wouldn't have confessed your feelings to your goddess by the time you graduated."
"Isn't that right, Four-Eyes?"
The prolonged tone had a clear meaning.
Ji Mu recognized the underlying threat.
This was simply about confirming the other party's "assumptions" to better solidify the image of the pure and beautiful school beauty as a manipulative player.
When rumors turn into undeniable proof, the bullied will undoubtedly face even more tormenting days ahead.
The girl standing next to him realized this as well.
Her thick eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingers clutching the hems of her clothes had turned white, a thin layer of sweat forming on her palms.
Having endured more than six months of deliberate bullying and witnessed the coldness and selfishness of human hearts, she had already anticipated what was to come.
Chu Yashi's father was a school principal with a powerful background, and she herself had a vengeful personality.
Not to mention others, even the teachers didn't dare to provoke her.
So, no one would be stupid enough to insult this notorious school bully for a trivial classmate.
Thinking this, Ruan Qingqing's pale lips pursed and her eyes dimmed.
A feeling of helplessness surged in her heart, as if she was trapped in an endless whirlpool, unable to escape no matter what.
"Heh~"
Chu Yashi saw the girl's vulnerability and enjoyed her reaction, finding a twisted satisfaction in it.
"Why so quiet, four-eyes?"
Her gaze returned to the boy and she continued to press.
"Do you think I'm wrong?"
As she spoke, a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes, the malice and threat in them unmistakable.
If you dare to say no, don't expect to have a good time at school from now on!
A classic threat tactic.
Ji Mu immediately understood and felt a little scared.
He was just an ordinary student, weak and timid, who had never experienced such a threatening situation.
"Four-eyes, what are you dreaming about?"
The bully baring his fangs began to approach, not giving him time to think. "What is your answer?"
"I..."
In front of the bully's sharp eyes, Ji Mu shrank back.
School bullying, huh? Just thinking about it is scary.
"I want to say..."
After hesitating for a while, he slowly stood up.
He looked nervous and uncomfortable.
Like Lin Chong who was forced to go to Liangshan, he slowly replied under the watchful eyes of his classmates.
"None of your business."
Editor’s note: The mention of Lin Chong and Liangshan is in relation to a classic chinese novel called All Men Are Brothers (aka Water Margins).
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