Upon hearing the cold voice, everyone turned in astonishment to see a group of people standing by, watching.
The voice belonged to a tall, pretty girl at the forefront, exuding youth and vitality. She wore light-colored jeans, a black knit sweater with holes that revealed a white T-shirt underneath, and a long plaid scarf loosely wrapped around her neck.
Her outfit wasn't particularly extravagant, just a typical student look that was a bit more fashionable than most freshmen. However, her angry expression, with its cold and haughty demeanor, hinted at an upbringing in a wealthy family.
Tang Guo? Why would she speak up for me?
From Ye Qiu's vantage point, he had already seen Tang Guo and a group of people walking from the school gate. Based on his understanding of her, he expected her to stand by and watch him get humiliated. He never anticipated she would intervene, much less do it so assertively.
Ye Qiu was surprised by Tang Guo's sudden involvement, wondering if she had lost her composure too quickly.
While Ye Qiu was surprised by Tang Guo standing up for him, the others were equally shocked by her beauty.
Zeng Wenlong couldn't believe such a beautiful girl would speak up for Ye Qiu. Recalling his awkward attempt to chat up Lan Kexin on the train, only to be rebuffed by Ye Qiu's antics, he felt a deep sense of defeat. It seemed every beautiful woman knew Ye Qiu.
"Let's drop it, cousin," Zeng Wenlong said quietly.
Pi Libing felt annoyed. He had already started this troublemaking act, and now his cousin wanted to back out because of a pretty girl. How would he save face? If he backed down now, with his school buddies watching, they'd think he was weak.
Impatiently, he told Zeng Wenlong, "What's there to be afraid of? She's just a girl. I'm here to help you regain your dignity, don't embarrass me."
Seeing Pi Libing and his crew still surrounding Ye Qiu, Tang Guo stepped forward and coldly said, "You, apologize to him."
What?
Everyone's eyes widened. Just moments ago, Pi Libing had been demanding Ye Qiu apologize to his cousin. Now, a fiercer challenger appeared, demanding Pi Libing apologize to Ye Qiu. The roles had dramatically reversed.
Tang Guo's sudden and authoritative command left everyone stunned.
"What the hell are you saying? I don't hit women, but you're pushing it," Pi Libing, feeling the pressure from the onlookers' scornful eyes, threatened Tang Guo. Despite his anger, he couldn't bring himself to hit her because of her beauty.
"I told you to apologize. Didn't you hear me? Hurry up, don't waste my time," Tang Guo's face turned even colder as she urged Pi Libing, clearly annoyed by his hesitation.
"You bitch! Don't think you can... ahhh—" Before Pi Libing could finish his threat, he screamed in pain, clutching his groin and dropping to the ground, tears streaming down his face.
Tang Guo, satisfied with her precise kick, felt a sense of triumph. She remembered Ye Qiu using a similar move on Wang Bo during their first meeting. Although it hadn't worked on Ye Qiu, it had now effectively incapacitated Pi Libing. Tang Guo mused that perhaps the original creator of a move also knew its counter; hence, it was ineffective on Ye Qiu but perfect for others.
"Cousin, are you okay?" Zeng Wenlong, panicked, squatted beside his cousin.
"Don't... touch me," Pi Libing wheezed, his voice strained from the intense pain.
"I'll take you to the hospital," Zeng Wenlong said, looking around for help.
"Stop," Tang Guo commanded. "Since you're his cousin, you can finish what he started. You, apologize to him. Just like he demanded earlier. On your knees."
"You've gone too far!" Zeng Wenlong, gritting his teeth, looked up at Tang Guo.
"Too far? I'm just teaching you a lesson," Tang Guo said nonchalantly. "Hurry up."
Tang Guo had little regard for ancient wisdom about mercy or repaying malice with kindness. She believed in responding to people's actions appropriately. Being lenient would only make them think she was easy to bully. Next time they needed a target for their frustrations or to show off in front of friends, they'd pick her.
But if she dealt with them harshly once, they'd avoid her in the future. Having managed her father's business successfully, Tang Guo understood these dynamics well. Outsiders might wonder why the previously moderate Tang family had suddenly become so aggressive in recent years. If they knew Tang Buyi's under-twenty daughter was behind its success, they'd be astounded.
Seeing Tang Guo use the same "deadly crotch kick" she had attempted on him made Ye Qiu break into a cold sweat. He remembered her fierce temper, even when faced with a gun-toting thug, and today's display of ferocity left him in awe.
Meanwhile, the others stood in awe of Tang Guo's boldness. Yang Le, Li Dazhuang, and Han Shuang looked at Ye Qiu with expressions full of admiration and excitement.
"My people are not for you to bully," Tang Guo's words echoed, asserting her dominance over the situation.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/Jw-q2euGywY