"Bitch!"

The angry shout echoed throughout the classroom.

A sharp "slap" broke the previously quiet atmosphere.

In Ji Mu's view.

The bully ruthlessly kicked the desk in front of her.

Books scattered across the floor from the desk compartment with a rustling sound.

"Ruan Qingqing, you're quite good at pretending, but everyone knows what you're really up to."

The other girl sneered, her carefully applied makeup unable to hide her cruel nature.

"Stay away from my beloved. If I catch you complaining to him again, a slap will be the least of your worries!"

Her tone was full of warning.

The girl standing before her remained silent, her eyes reddening.

A bright red mark appeared on her porcelain-like cheek, making her already delicate figure seem even more fragile.

Her pitiful appearance drew sympathetic looks from the male students.

If not for their fear of the bully's influence, they would have surely gathered around to comfort her.

Ji Mu, who had witnessed everything, shook his head.

So this is what they call school bullying...

The coldness of human nature could be seen condensed from society into this small campus.

Under increasing pressure from bullies, bystanders afraid of becoming targets themselves remained indifferent, watching coldly.

Sometimes they even added to the victim's pain with thoughtless remarks.

It was clear how difficult life would become for these vulnerable individuals under such oppressive circumstances.

Frightening, truly frightening.

Pushing aside these thoughts, he withdrew his gaze, no longer paying attention.

As an insignificant bystander, following the crowd was undoubtedly the best choice.

After all, it had nothing to do with him, so why play the hero?

Getting involved would only bring trouble.

With this in mind, Ji Mu adjusted his glasses and continued organizing his textbooks as if nothing was happening.

"Going around seducing men with that fox-like face of yours, it's disgusting."

On the other side, the bully continued her verbal assault.

"Ruan Qingqing, should we guess if my beloved would still help you like before if he knew you were making eyes at that four-eyes next to you?"

'...four-eyes next door'

Catching these key words, Ji Mu paused his movements.

Considering the glasses on his nose and his current position, he felt a strange sensation.

The conditions seemed to match perfectly.

Could they be talking about...

"I was just asking Ji Mu about a question, don't make up things about our relationship!"

The girl explained in her soft voice.

Ji Mu: "..."

Oh no, they really are talking about me!

"Oh, really? You're saying I'm making things up?"

Before Ji Mu could defend himself, the female bully responded with exaggerated sarcasm.

"Impressive, truly impressive. When it comes to playing innocent, no other girl can compare. I bet that's how you've got all the boys in class wrapped around your finger?"

"You...!"

The baseless accusations made the delicate girl's body tremble.

Her slender, beautiful fingers clutched tightly at her clothes, her crystal-clear eyes taking on a hint of suppressed anger.

But because her appearance was too gentle and soft, even when she tried to glare angrily at her opponent, it failed to have any intimidating effect.

"Chu Yashi, don't go too far!"

"Oh? Getting angry now? Did I hit a nerve?"

The girl named Chu Yashi clicked her tongue.

"I bet you targeted this four-eyes because he looks like such a bookworm, easy to seduce."

"Planning to just walk away once you've achieved your goal? Tsk, how despicable."

After this smooth series of accusations, the surrounding male students seemed to agree somewhat, exchanging glances and starting to whisper among themselves.

"You know, I think Chu Yashi might have a point."

"Yeah, no wonder Ruan Qingqing always says she's busy whenever I try to talk to her."

"Same here, that's exactly what happened to me."

"Wow, could she really be like what Chu Yashi says..."

Ah, this...

So it never occurred to them that maybe the girl rejected them because of their persistent harassment?

Ji Mu hadn't missed the content of the boys' discussion.

He was amazed and confused.

What could have shaped them into having such personalities?

He couldn't understand it, but it was truly shocking!

While he was still silently criticizing these overconfident boys, the bully's voice reached his ears again.

"Miss Campus Belle, I suggest you tone it down. Can't you see how four-eyes is heartbroken by how quickly you denied any connection with him?"

The aforementioned four-eyes: ?

...How did this become about me?

Don't randomly drag me into this mess.

Looking up at the troublemaker who was taking pleasure in others' misfortune.

Even he, who prided himself on his good temper, wanted to expose this rumor-spreading shrimp head on some forum for others to criticize.

"Hmm?"

Perhaps noticing Ji Mu's gaze, Chu Yashi turned her head and returned a malicious smile.

"Are you grateful that I'm standing up for you? Without me, you probably wouldn't have been able to express your feelings to your goddess until graduation."

"Isn't that right, Four-Eyes?"

The drawn-out tone carried an obvious threat.

Ji Mu caught the threat in her words.

It was obvious - either confirm her "speculation" and help establish the beautiful class belle as someone who toyed with people's hearts.

Once rumors evolved into "facts," the bullying victim's life would become increasingly unbearable.

The girl standing nearby clearly realized this too.

Her thick eyelashes trembled, and her fingers, still gripping her clothes, had turned white, her palms becoming damp with sweat.

Having endured targeted bullying for over half a year and witnessed human coldness and selfishness, she could already predict what lay ahead.

Chu Yashi's father was a school board member with powerful connections, and she herself was known for her vindictive nature.

Even teachers dared not cross her.

Therefore.

No one would be foolish enough to risk offending this notorious school bully for the sake of an insignificant classmate.

Thinking of this, Ruan Qingqing pressed her pale lips together, her eyes growing dim.

A sense of helplessness washed over her, as if trapped in an endless whirlpool with no escape.

"Heh~"

Chu Yashi noticed the girl's vulnerability and relished it, deriving twisted pleasure from this satisfaction.

"Four-eyes, why so quiet?"

Turning her attention back to the boy, she pressed on.

"Could it be... you disagree with what I said?"

As she spoke, a dangerous light flickered in her eyes, the implied threat crystal clear.

If you dare say no, your life at school will become hell!

A classic intimidation tactic.

Ji Mu, immediately understanding, felt somewhat scared.

He was just an ordinary student, fragile and timid - how could he handle such threatening situations?

"Four-eyes, why are you spacing out?"

The predatory bully continued pressing, allowing no time for thought. "Where's your answer?"

"I..."

Meeting the bully's sharp eyes, Ji Mu shrank back slightly.

School bullying - even the thought was frightening.

"I want to say..."

After hesitating for a moment, he slowly stood up.

Looking nervous and awkward.

Like a cornered man, under the watchful eyes of his classmates, he slowly replied:

"None of your damn business."