"Li Xiaozhong, don't get smug. Do you really think you're that popular? If it weren't for your awesome parents, who would even bother with you now!" Qian Xiaoyue knew after hearing Li Xiaozhong's words that she couldn't possibly get along with him, so she resorted to mocking: "Just a mere eternal runner-up..."
"Without his parents, he'd still be an outstanding student showered with awards. The trophies he's won would stack up higher than yours. If you're going to mock others, take a look at yourself first!" Xia Qingyu remembered how Li Xiaozhong had helped her and, seeing Qian Xiaoyue mocking him, spoke up in his defense.
Being retorted to so directly in front of everyone, Qian Xiaoyue's face immediately changed. She raised her hand to slap Xia Qingyu, but Xia Qingyu intercepted her midway.
Grabbing Qian Xiaoyue's wrist with one hand, Xia Qingyu raised her other hand and landed a swift, precise slap on Qian Xiaoyue's face.
"You! You dare hit me!" Qian Xiaoyue exclaimed in disbelief.
"My sister said no one can bully me! Whoever dares to hit me, I'll hit them back immediately!" Xia Qingyu said this with immense confidence. She, too, had someone who cared about her; if she were bullied, someone would be worried and angry for her. Even for the sake of the people who cared about her, she absolutely refused to be bullied again.
"Do you believe I..." Before Qian Xiaoyue could finish her sentence, Xia Qingyu interrupted her.
"If you want to report me, go ahead! I remember all the times you bullied me. When they check the surveillance, see if this slap is more serious, or if pushing me down the stairs and attempting to murder me is more serious!" Xia Qingyu wasn't entirely sure if Qian Xiaoyue was the one who pushed her down the stairs, but she needed to project confidence at this moment.
She had someone who doted on her, so she feared no one!
"What nonsense are you talking about! You! You just wait!" Qian Xiaoyue's eyes darted around nervously, and after issuing a warning, she fled with the Heiress Sisters group.
Watching Qian Xiaoyue's retreating back, the others showed expressions of disdain. They then surrounded Xia Qingyu, saying, "Actually, we've been unable to stand them for a long time."
"When they bullied you, we didn't dare to step in because we were scared. We hope you don't blame us."
"After all, we're just ordinary people. Qingyu, we still want to be friends with you."
...
As the people around chattered, Xia Qingyu managed a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Friends, she didn't need them.
She only needed her sister.
However, Xia Qingyu knew that for her loved ones to be more at ease, her school life had to appear tranquil and happy.
Therefore, Xia Qingyu wouldn't show her indifference at this moment, only smiling with exceptional shyness.
How much longer until the parent-teacher conference ended...
She missed her sister so much...
After the parent-teacher conference concluded, Teacher Jiang asked the students to return.
It was then that Xia Qingyu saw Xia Qingtian again, and Qian Xiaoyue had returned to Madam Qian's side.
"Yueyue, what happened to your face!" Madam Qian immediately asked upon noticing the redness on Qian Xiaoyue's face.
Qian Xiaoyue hadn't intended to complain. Just as Xia Qingyu had said, if things escalated, she would be the one to suffer.
"It's nothing, let's go home," Qian Xiaoyue turned her face away, preventing Madam Qian from getting a good look.
"What do you mean nothing! Our child has been beaten to this state! Who did it! This is school bullying! Call the police! We must call the police!" Madam Qian shrieked.
Xia Qingyu frowned upon hearing this. It was her first time slapping someone, and she hadn't controlled her strength well, accidentally hitting a bit too hard.
"I already said it's nothing! I bumped into it myself!" Qian Xiaoyue said, picking up her schoolbag as if to rush out.
"How could you bump into it like this?" a middle-aged man sitting in the back row said with a frown. "This is clearly the work of someone else. We martial artists can't stand bullies preying on the weak! Tell me, who hit you, and I'll have Shi Xingwu beat them back for you!"
"What are you talking about? Dad, if you don't know anything, don't join the fray," Shi Xingwu had witnessed the entire incident. "She was bullying someone, tried to slap them, dodged, and then... then she ran into the doorframe herself. Serves her right."
Although Shi Xingwu wanted to publicize how formidable his goddess was, he temporarily changed his story when he realized that revealing it might cause trouble for Xia Qingyu.
After all, Qian Xiaoyue's mother didn't seem like an honest person. Even without a valid reason, she was already so noisy. If she gained even a shred of justification, wouldn't she tear the roof off?
Hearing Shi Xingwu's words, Qian Xiaoyue's expression turned even uglier. She glared fiercely at Shi Xingwu before unwillingly looking away.
"So it turns out she's the school bully? Then I won't interfere. Those who hit others will be hit in return," Shi's father chuckled, flexing his muscles. "We martial artists always advocate for fairness and justice!"
"She was making such a fuss earlier, and it turns out her daughter is the real school bully..."
"Truly, dressed so presentably, yet unable to teach their child properly. I wonder if she bullied my child too... I'll have to ask her properly when we get home."
"Exactly! Teacher Jiang, you must be responsible and investigate this thoroughly! Don't think you can settle things with money when problems arise. We value our children far more than money!"
"Yes! Teacher Jiang, you must be responsible!"
Listening to the parents with their poor appearances and unyielding attitude, Madam Qian's face grew increasingly grim. She grabbed Qian Xiaoyue's arm and asked with a frown, "What exactly happened! Is what he said true? Don't be afraid, tell Mom everything. With me here, no one can bully you!"
She refused to believe her daughter could be that foolish.
Even if Qian Xiaoyue had indeed been foolish, she absolutely couldn't admit it at this moment. The blame had to be shifted to someone else.
"It... it's just like he said..." Qian Xiaoyue's face was full of unwillingness, but she still pursed her lips and said, "Mom, let's go home, I want to go home."
Seeing Qian Xiaoyue say this, Madam Qian was both furious and resentful. She raised her hand and smacked the back of Qian Xiaoyue's head, "Useless! You might as well not come home from now on!"
After saying this, Madam Qian stood up and left. Qian Xiaoyue's grievance reached its peak, and she burst into tears, chasing after Madam Qian.
As much as Qian Xiaoyue was arrogant and domineering usually, she was now utterly pathetic.
Watching Madam Qian and Qian Xiaoyue run off like that, the members of the Heiress Sisters group also followed their parents, lowering their heads as they left the classroom, no longer daring to be so brazen.
Those students who had been bullied by the Heiress Sisters group also curled their lips in disdain, realizing that the Heiress Sisters group wasn't so formidable after all.
Seeing that the matter had concluded, Xia Qingyu breathed a silent sigh of relief. Li Xiaozhong shrugged indifferently. Such a farce should have ended long ago.
"Let's go too," Xia Qingtian retracted her gaze from the spectacle, pulling Xia Qingyu as they walked out. She turned back to call out to Li Xiaozhong, "The meal you ordered last night was quite good. Could you order it again today?"
"My sister said broccoli isn't tasty," Li Xiaozhong had planned to choose a different restaurant.
"Don't listen to her, she's just picky. Picky eaters don't grow tall," Xia Qingtian said, leading Xia Qingyu and Li Xiaozhong out. "Don't spoil her too much. Balanced nutrition is most important for her. Let's just go to last night's place."
Li Xiaozhong felt that what Xia Qingtian said made some sense, so he agreed, "Okay."
Watching the backs of the three, those remaining in the classroom looked on with envy, but they also knew that their own prejudice had cost them the opportunity to connect, and it was their own fault.
"Li Xiaozhong! What delicious food are you guys having? Bring me along!" Shi Xingwu ran and skipped after them. "You can't possibly eat with the school beauty without me! I want in too!"
Halfway through his run, he still remembered to turn back and shout, "Dad, I'm not eating at home, you don't need to bring me food!"
"You brat, so impatient. You don't resemble us martial artists at all," Shi's father crossed his arms, shaking his head helplessly, his sturdy muscles rippling.
Everyone: "..."