"What's the matter?"
Upon receiving a response from Song Shi, the boy eagerly dragged his chair over to her desk, crossing his arms in a typical elementary school seated posture.
"Song Jie, I'm calling you 'sister'—from now on, you'll protect me, right?"
The exchange between the two notorious students captured considerable attention, especially since the transfer student spoke without lowering his voice, ensuring all could hear.
The boy seated in front of Song Shi whispered to the boy ahead of him, "He must have heard about... umm... those incidents and realizes he's met his match. Now he's desperate to latch onto someone stronger."
The boy in front of them dared not discuss Song Shi, especially given their close proximity. He thought she might overhear him.
He subtly nodded in agreement, hastily signaling his stance.
"Why are you still afraid of her? I think she's quite principled. If others don't offend her, she won't provoke them either, much better than the thugs like Tong Jun."
The boy in front pressed his lips together, reluctant to speak further.
"Scram." Song Shi was already irritated enough without being called an older brother. "If you don't leave, I'll turn you into a punching bag."
The boy in front made an exasperated face.
"I told you, see? She's so intimidating."
Yet, the boy with the wolf cut wasn't dissuaded by Song Shi's bluntness.
"I've researched what happened to you after arriving here, and I'm really impressed. I want to be your friend, Song Jie."
Song Shi gradually tightened her fist on her thigh.
"My name is Liu Shuilin; you can just call me Xiao Liu. My dad is the assistant to the city's security team leader and an awakened Beyond Mind user. I hear you're also a high-probability Awakener. It's quite a coincidence that we've met here."
Upon hearing about his father's position, Song Shi relaxed her fist slightly.
Feigning nonchalance, she looked up and said in a gentle tone, "Didn't you come here for breaking someone's bones? With your strength, do you really need my protection?"
Liu Shuilin instantly became animated, spewing words as he explained, "I was set up! My sworn enemy is the one who fractured that guy's bones. I was merely passing through when he pinned the blame on me. There were no cameras on that street, and all the witnesses were his people—no one believes what I say."
The boy seated in front of Liu Shuilin suddenly chimed in, "Your dad is the team leader's assistant, yet no one believes you?"
He asked the very question Song Shi was contemplating.
Leaning back in her chair, Song Shi eyed Liu Shuilin, awaiting his response.
Liu Shuilin shrugged, letting out a sigh. "It's because my dad is an upright man; he never uses his position for personal gain. Even at Yanming High School, my treatment is the same as an ordinary student's."
His sincerity seemed to resonate with those secretly eavesdropping, each imagining his plight in a world where privilege often ruled. Having a father like that could certainly be a burden.
After finishing his tale, Liu Shuilin wiped away a few tears.
The boy seated in front of him commented thoughtfully, "If only Song Shi had encountered Liu Shuilin's family, it might have been the Wei family's young master ending up in the controlled school instead."
The boy in front quickly covered his ears, unwilling to hear any more.
Song Shi, Liu Shuilin, and the Wei family's young master—these were not names to be tossed around lightly, especially not in the presence of those involved.
Song Shi heard the remark but chose to say nothing.
However, Liu Shuilin spoke up, "Song Jie, I've actually heard about this! The Wei family just bullies others because of their overwhelming power. I really can't stand people like that!"
He grasped Song Shi's hand resting on the desk, patting it earnestly, "Song Jie, let me help you out. My dad talks to the city security chief. Wei Yuyu's father is just a deputy captain; how dare he act so arrogantly? I'll make sure they pay for it!"
Song Shi subtly withdrew her hand.
"Is your dad truly the assistant to the city security captain?"
"Of course!" Liu Shuilin held up three fingers, sincerity etched on his face. "I swear on my life."
"Then Wei Yuyu? I used to play with him a few times as a kid. He seemed so well-mannered, but who knew he was such scum? Why should I have to stay here for six months under similar circumstances, while he gets off scot-free? I should drag him into this and make him experience a few months here alongside me."
Ah, it turns out it was a matter of fairness. The surrounding listeners chuckled.
Song Shi also smiled lightly, "Sounds good, but how exactly do you plan to help me?"
"Tomorrow's a holiday, right? My mom will drive me to pick me up. We'll head straight to my dad's office, explain the situation, and let him inform the chief. It'll be an easy fix!" He clapped his hands enthusiastically, as if genuinely considering her interests.
Song Shi lowered her gaze, seemingly speaking to herself, "Who knew you could be useful in this way."
"Will we not see Song Shi next week?" the boy in front chimed in again.
Liu Shuilin snapped his fingers, "Exactly! Song Jie shouldn't be here in the first place, simply wronged. I'm here to rescue you!"
"Then will we finally see the Wei family's young master next week?" Liu Shuilin glanced at Song Shi.
"Of course!"
The boy wedged between them tried hard to diminish his presence, burying his head in the books stacked before him.
As the dismissal bell for evening study rang, everyone began packing their belongings and departing.
Song Shi had little to collect and thus walked straight out.
Liu Shuilin quickly followed, repeatedly chattering in her ear about "walking together in the morning," "my mom's car waiting at the school gate," "you'll be leaving here soon," and more.
As Song Shi regarded the dozen or so steps before her, her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the incessantly chattering boy beside her.
They descended the first and second steps in succession…
Song Shi swiftly extended her foot.
Lost in his thoughts, Liu Shuilin failed to notice and tripped over her foot, tumbling down the stairs, rolling twice before coming to a stop on the second-floor landing.
"Damn it!" he cursed, rubbing his head as he staggered back to his feet.
Meanwhile, Song Shi remained stationed on the third step, her eyes fixed on the void ahead.
The system offered no alerts.
She had intentionally tripped Liu Shuilin, causing him to tumble down the stairs, yet there were no notifications about deductions in her progress.
Earlier, when Liu Shuilin had insulted her, she smashed an object on his head, resulting in a 1% deduction in her progress.
Now, however, there was no penalty.
During this interval, Liu Shuilin had done things deemed harmful to her by the system.
As more students streamed downstairs, the environment grew increasingly crowded.
(End of Chapter)