Chapter 6

As soon as the words fell, Chen Zhixin’s pupils shook. He stared wide-eyed at Xu Zhilu, unable to believe what he had just heard.

In the memory of everyone present, Xu Zhilu was considered a kind and beautiful girl.

She excelled in her studies and was attractive. Apart from occasionally being annoyingly chatty next to Shen Siyan, most of the time she was quiet and reserved, not fond of talking.

Gradually, people tended to overlook her.

But the words she just spoke were completely contrary to everyone’s understanding of her personality.

Cheng Song couldn’t help but burst out laughing: “Did you hear that, Brother Yan? Let go quickly, this trash isn’t worth it.”

Chen Zhixin: “…”

Shen Siyan raised an eyebrow slightly and glanced at her somewhat unexpectedly.

The two silently locked eyes for a moment. Under Xu Zhilu’s gaze, he pushed Chen Zhixin away abruptly, his tone full of hostility. “Watch your mouth. If there’s a next time, get lost.”

Chen Zhixin got up from the ground tremblingly and said, “It won’t happen again, it won’t happen again.”

Afterward, he clutched his stomach and kept running, anxious that any further delay would provoke Shen Siyan’s anger.

The classmates who were watching the scene dispersed after Cheng Song shouted at them.

The afternoon sun on the playground was dazzling. Xu Zhilu looked at the person in front of her and suddenly felt a strange sensation of not quite recognizing him.

It was as if he were familiar yet unfamiliar.

Shen Siyan scratched his head uneasily and looked down at her. “Why did you come?”

Xu Zhilu pursed her lips and said coldly, “To make sure you don’t put someone in the hospital again.”

Shen Siyan: “…”

Xu Zhilu stared at him and reminded him, “Aunt Shen asked me to keep an eye on you, otherwise, I wouldn’t have come.”

The latter sentence sounds a bit like a cover-up.

Shen Siyan paused and said, “Uh, I understand.”

Xu Zhilu couldn’t help but expose him bluntly, “With your recent actions, does it seem like you understand?”

…

Cheng Song that just driven away the classmates when he returned and heard this-for-tat conversation.

He coughed and cleared his throat, “Hey, Xu Zhilu, don’t say that. Brother Yan was just…”

Before he could finish, Cheng Song received Shen Siyan’s gaze. He moved his lips slightly and then closed them silently.

Alright, he’s reserved.

“What was he just doing?” Xu Zhilu looked at both of them.

Shen Siyan remained silent.

Cheng Song didn’t dare to speak.

Xu Zhilu glanced at both of them indifferently and said coldly, “Even if there’s a reason, hitting someone is not right.”

She pursed her lips, glanced at the tall figure, and paused. “You should think about how to explain it to the teacher later.”

Watching Xu Zhilu’s back walk away, Cheng Song asked in confusion, “Brother Yan, why don’t you let me explain to Xu Zhilu?”

He shouted, “You clearly fought because of her.”

Shen Siyan didn’t respond. As soon as he saw Cheng Song’s face, a phrase popped into his mind.

Xu Zhilu wants to throw herself at him.

Thinking about it, Shen Siyan glanced at him coldly. That look… Cheng Song thought about it, as if he were disdainful and a little disgusted, feeling that he was not worthy.

As for why he was despised, he didn’t dare to ask.

–

Shen Siyan didn’t attend the afternoon classes.

Xu Zhilu didn’t bother to check on him either. She could guess, with her toes, where he was.

Besides the teacher’s office, there was nowhere else he would stay for such a long time.

The schoolmates were all talking about it, speculating on what Chen Zhixin did to offend Shen Siyan and why Shen Siyan beat him up so badly.

Some spoke up for Shen Siyan, while others dissed him behind his back.

Although Shen Siyan wasn’t ostentatious at school, he was domineering.

His temper was too bad, and he had offended many classmates.

Xu Zhilu took the phone from Xin An’an, and the school’s forum was already buzzing.

Everyone was discussing the incident of Shen Siyan beating someone up.

She opened it and saw that most of the comments were—

【Someone actually asked why Shen Siyan beat someone up! Does he need a reason to hit people? He thinks he can do whatever he wants at school because his family is rich. In my opinion, students like him should be expelled.】

【I agree. Shen Siyan is really too arrogant. It’s bad enough that his poor grades drag everyone down, but he’s always late, skipping classes, and fighting. Students like him should just get out into society sooner.】

【Tsk, as far as I know, Chen Zhixin didn’t offend him at all. He was just in a bad mood. Didn’t you see his face this morning? It was as black as coal.】

【I suggest everyone write to the principal’s mailbox and get rid of such a toxic student.】

…

Xu Zhilu skimmed through the comments. The forum posts seemed organized, all negative.

Occasionally, one or two questioning posts would appear, but they were quickly deleted. If not deleted, they would be attacked and insulted.

Xin An’an, looking at her expression, whispered, “Shen Siyan seems to have seriously injured Chen Zhixin this time.”

Xu Zhilu’s eyelids moved slightly, and she responded with a soft “Hmm.”

Xin An’an frowned. “But it seems Chen Zhixin really didn’t have any conflict with Shen Siyan. Why did they suddenly start fighting?”

Xu Zhilu shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Xin An’an sighed, “I wonder how the school will handle this.”

Xu Zhilu didn’t say anything.

–

In a flash, it was already time for school to be dismissed in the afternoon.

Xu Zhilu and Xin An’an went downstairs together and, unsurprisingly, heard people discussing.

Of course, everyone was talking about how Shen Siyan’s parents were called and he was taken home.

Xu Zhilu lowered her head and went to the bicycle parking area.

She glanced over and saw Shen Siyan’s bicycle still next to her white one. They had gone to buy their bicycles together.

It was she who had insisted Shen Siyan go with her.

After much deliberation, she chose a white one.

Originally, Shen Siyan didn’t need a bicycle. But the shop owner said that if they bought two, they could get a discount and asked if he wanted one.

Shen Siyan, probably because he had plenty of money, decided to get one.

It was the same model as hers, just a different color—black.

When they got back, they ran into Xu Zhilu’s sister, Xu Zhijia, who was returning from piano practice. The moment she saw the bicycles they were pushing, her expression changed.

She argued with Xu Zhilu, questioning why Shen Siyan had bought the same model as her.

Shen Siyan, full of impatience, gave her a cold look but didn’t respond.

Xu Zhijia cried on the spot. When they got home, she complained to their mother about Xu Zhilu. The next day, Xu’s mother bought her a pink bicycle of the same model.

Xu Zhilu stared at the bicycle next to hers for a long time before riding off.

What was the point of thinking so much? Even if Shen Siyan caused trouble, he knew his limits. Aunt Shen and the others would handle it.

The next day, Xu Zhilu found out at school that Shen Siyan had been given a major demerit. Not only that, but the school also suggested he take a week off to reflect on his actions.

There were discussions about this matter everywhere.

“See, I knew it was Shen Siyan’s fault. He beat someone up for no reason, and now he’s in trouble.”

“Tsk, I heard that when his parents came yesterday, he refused to say why he fought. His parents got so mad they didn’t want to deal with him anymore, which is why this happened.”

“If you ask me, why bother with a major demerit? Just expel him.”

“His family is rich. The school can’t afford to expel such a benefactor.”

“But to be honest, Shen Siyan does look kind of cool when he fights.”

…