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Chapter 376: 173 Courage (First Update)

Zhu Xiangxiang was indignant, finding herself now labeled as ordinary people.

“Shaodan is my brother too. He’s a grown man, how could you just hit him like that?” Zhu Xiangxiang hurriedly turned and twisted Zhu Shaodan’s face, looking at it left and right, and said with pity, “Does it hurt?”

Zhu Shaodan’s temporarily short-circuited brain finally reconnected, and he stared fiercely at Ming Jing, his eyes full of viciousness, startling even Zhu Xiangxiang, who was most familiar with him.

She had never seen Zhu Shaodan like this before.

“Don’t look at me with those eyes, Zhu Shaodan. This is school, not the Qinglong Association. Your fists can’t solve any problems here. People who only show off their bravery won’t get far. If this continues, you’ll only become a tool in the hands of others, without thoughts and personality. Once you lose your usefulness, you’ll be ruthlessly discarded.”

Ming Jing shook her head gently, her eyes filled with sadness.

“Uneducated minds really can’t hear any reason. No one is obligated to be responsible for your life. If you want to sink and degrade yourself, then go ahead.”

Without the slightest hesitation, Ming Jing turned and walked away, her slender figure gradually fading into the distance.

Zhu Shaodan clenched his fists tightly and stared intently at her retreating figure.

Zhu Xiangxiang was still chattering in his ear, defending Ming Jing. For the first time, Zhu Shaodan felt annoyed and yelled, “Stop talking!”

Zhu Xiangxiang was startled and stared blankly at the irritable boy before her.

“Shaodan… what’s wrong with you?” Zhu Xiangxiang asked cautiously.

Zhu Shaodan touched his cheek. Ming Jing’s slap had been fierce, and half of his face was already swollen.

Zhu Shaodan hissed softly, gritting his teeth, which sent shivers down Zhu Xiangxiang’s spine.

“Pah.” Spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva, Zhu Shaodan sneered and walked away.

Zhu Xiangxiang hurriedly followed him, “Shaodan, don’t blame Ming Jing, maybe she was trying to help you.”

Zhu Shaodan glanced at her, and Zhu Xiangxiang felt goosebumps rise to the surface from his gaze, tremblingly she said, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Zhu Shaodan shook his head, “It’s nothing.”

In the end, the matter was resolved by Lin Qing paying some money. In consideration of the face of the library building, the school decided to give Zhu Shaodan the punishment of being criticized in a report. Li Rengui stormed the principal’s office, demanding expulsion as Zhu Shaodan’s behavior tarnished Shengde High School’s century-old reputation.

Eventually, Zhu Shaodan was given a week of suspension to reflect on his actions, required to write a 10,000-word self-criticism letter, and ordered to dye his hair, put on school uniform, and read his self-criticism letter in front of the whole school during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony. A second offense would result in immediate expulsion.

“Mom, it’s all my fault. If Shaodan hadn’t stood up for me, he wouldn’t have got into this mess.” Zhu Xiangxiang’s eyes were red-rimmed and her voice was tearful.

Lin Qing had given up on saving Zhu Shaodan. Anything that could be resolved with money wasn’t really a problem. What she was more concerned about was Zhu Xiangxiang being bullied at school.

“Xiangxiang, tell mom the truth. Has anyone been bullying you at school?”

Zhu Xiangxiang’s expression showed a moment of panic, and she quickly shook her head, “No, no, mom, you’re overthinking it. Everyone at school is very friendly…”

Lin Qing could see from her expression that something was wrong and gently patted her hand, “Don’t be afraid, tell mom.”

Zhu Xiangxiang finally broke down and threw herself into Lin Qing’s arms, “Mom, I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. All the students like Ming Jing and not me…”

“I know I’m not as pretty as Ming Jing and I don’t have her good grades, but I’ve been trying so hard. Everyone still doesn’t like me. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve already returned what I owed Ming Jing. Does she want to hound me to death to be satisfied?”

Zhu Xiangxiang cried like the rain, pitiful and delicate, and with every word she said, Lin Qing’s expression grew darker until it was almost dripping with water.

She patted Zhu Xiangxiang’s back gently, “Alright, don’t cry. How about mom helps you transfer schools? A change of environment might be better.”

Zhu Xiangxiang’s face stiffened and she quickly lowered her head to hide the panic in her eyes.

“Let’s not bother. With Shaodan causing such a huge mess on his first day of school, I can only feel at ease if I keep an eye on him.”

Lin Qing said with a pleased expression, “You really do care about Shaodan.”

“Actually, Ming Jing cares about Shaodan too. She slapped him in a fit of anger earlier, afraid that Shaodan might get into trouble…”

“What? She slapped Shaodan?” No wonder she saw Shaodan’s half-swollen face at the time, she had thought it was from fighting.