Chapter 10: School Bully 10

Steady, steady. The Great Wall wasn't built in a day, nor was the canal dug with a single scoop. Constant dripping wears away the stone; one cannot expect these infatuated heartthrobs to break free from the world-shattering aura of the "Black Lotus" in a mere three days.

Moreover, rushing over to drag Wang Zilong away right now would not be a rational move.

Then, the bickering started up again behind her:
"Why did you come over? Didn't you tell me to stay away from you?"
"That's not what I meant, just listen to me."
"I won't listen, I won't listen!"
"Stop making a scene."
"So you're saying I'm being unreasonable? You're the one being unreasonable!"
"Where am I being unreasonable?"
"Where are you *not* being unreasonable!"
"Fine, I'm unreasonable, and you're unreasonable too."

Spare me... How is this cliché playing out again? And in an infinite loop, no less? Don't they ever get hungry?

Let them argue. At least she could eat her lunch in peace.

The dessert was a banana. Xi Ning sat on a stone bench in the small garden, enjoying it leisurely. It was a beautiful day, bright and sunny, and everything she saw felt pleasant—even the icy, cold-faced Leng Heming seemed a bit more tolerable... Wait, why is Leng Heming here again?

Leng Heming walked over, placed a banana beside her, then strolled to the other side to lean against a pillar and close his eyes to rest.

My good man, didn't I say there was no need to keep bringing them? Plus, it’s bananas today; they’re quite filling.

Then, Wang Zilong arrived, looking grumpy. He dropped a banana next to her and sat down, fuming.

Great, that’s two bananas.

"I can't eat any more, you have it." Xi Ning firmly pushed the banana toward him. Men have good appetites; eating a bit more is fine. Besides, fruit is the perfect way to clear the plate after a meal.

Wang Zilong peeled the banana, took a huge bite, and chewed fiercely, as if he were gnawing on sugarcane. After swallowing, he turned to her, about to say something.

"Don't speak, I know what you want to say." Xi Ning immediately interrupted. She didn't want to hear another "you girls are like this, you girls are like that"—she is herself, and the Black Lotus is the Black Lotus.

Mimicking An Xiyan's tone, she said with exaggerated, syrupy sweetness: "Brother Zilong, I never thought you were that kind of person. I won't listen, I won't listen! You're the one being unreasonable!"

The imitation was spot-on. Leng Heming, leaning against the pillar nearby, had his shoulders twitch slightly, a faint arc forming at the corner of his mouth.

Wang Zilong couldn't save face. "If you say that again, I'm leaving!"

"Don't go, I apologize, I was wrong." Xi Ning shoved the banana Leng Heming had brought toward him. "Take this as an apology. You have club activities this afternoon, right? Eat up!"

Wang Zilong peeled it irritably and started eating. Xi Ning watched with delight; if he didn't finish the bananas, he’d have to take them away, saving her the trouble of carrying them back.

Xi Ning smiled at Wang Zilong. "Eating bananas is good for you—it keeps things moving."

Wang Zilong, already full of pent-up frustration, rolled his eyes. Leng Heming couldn't help but chuckle. Honestly, is it really that hard to just laugh out loud?

On Friday afternoons, there was only one class. The original owner had joined the modeling class; while she didn't intend to pursue it as a career, it helped with posture and walking form. With her arm injured, she naturally couldn't participate.

Wearing her triangular sling, Xi Ning sauntered into the school's Taekwondo club dojo.

This drew a lot of attention. In particular, Wang Zilong's female fans were displeased. They already knew the two were commuting to and from school together, but now she was even following him to club activities.

A female member with a third-degree black belt said with a hint of gloom, "We don't welcome outsiders here, unless you're here to challenge the dojo."

Xi Ning looked down at her sling. "Do I look like I'm here to challenge the dojo? I'm just here to watch. If I'm interested, I might join later."

The girl gave a scornful laugh. "We graduate in a semester. You want to join now? Have you ever practiced before?"

Wang Zilong, wearing his Taekwondo uniform with a seventh-degree black belt, looked surprised as he walked over. "What are you doing here?"

Xi Ning said quite earnestly, "For my own safety, I think it's better if I stay here. I'll just sit on the sidelines; just pretend I don't exist."

Wang Zilong rolled his eyes. "I already made it clear to her; she definitely won't come looking for you."

Xi Ning didn't think so—it would be a miracle if she didn't. "Oh, I'm just worried when I'm alone. I'd better stay here."

Wang Zilong was at his wit's end. Why were all these girls so difficult to handle?

He Yuxuan walked in, his entire being radiating like the winter sun, illuminating every corner of the world. One could always feel that he wore the school uniform with a unique flair; he could basically be the brand ambassador for it.

Seeing Li Qingyu there was a slight surprise, but he walked over to Wang Zilong regardless. "Does the student council need to do anything for the city-wide university Taekwondo competition next month?"

Wang Zilong's eyes lit up. "Yes, don't send her home. I need to train; I don't have time today."

"About that..." He Yuxuan looked a bit troubled. "I haven't finished the student council work for today."

Not wanting Wang Zilong to dislike her, Xi Ning immediately spoke up: "I'll just follow along while you work. I won't interfere with Wang Zilong's training—he needs to win glory for the school. I have no demands, as long as An Xiyan stays at least five meters away from me."

He Yuxuan's expression was odd. Could it be that the young lady of the Zhao enterprise was really avoiding An Xiyan?

Wang Zilong was more than happy to oblige. Having an outsider in the dojo felt awkward. "President He, just let her follow you. If you happen to run into An Xiyan, you can talk some sense into her. I, for one, never want to see her again."

*Pfft.* If he really saw her, his eyes would light up, and his feet would drift toward the Black Lotus as if he were sleepwalking.

He Yuxuan was a genuinely good person whose habit was never to refuse anyone. Though not thrilled, he agreed out of habit.

He Yuxuan walked in front, and Xi Ning followed at a distance of about five paces. She watched him visit each club to coordinate, provide materials, and ask if they needed anything—all standard student council business.

This handsome guy really had a great build. He was as tall as Wang Zilong, but he wasn't the muscular, "chestnut-meat" type like Wang Zilong, nor the slender type like Leng Heming. He was, in a word, handsome; in two words, comfortable.

He didn't make people feel any pressure; he was very easy to be around. He was also very thoughtful—if a female student had cramps, he would probably be the type to pour her a cup of hot water. No wonder they called him the "Gentle People's Heartthrob."

No wonder An Xiyan had sunk her claws into him and refused to let go.

After handling some matters, He Yuxuan turned around and saw Li Qingyu standing to the side with her arm in a sling.

He sighed slightly and walked over. "Are you bored?"

"Not at all!" Xi Ning replied. "Moving around is good for my injury."

It was her hand that was injured, not her feet, but it was good for her, so what?