Screams of terror erupted everywhere as people abandoned their spectator positions, scattering in panic like rats.
Piercing screams echoed throughout the entire floor's corridor.
It clearly demonstrated just how devastating a poop-covered mop could be.
In less than a few minutes, all classmates had fled in chaos, leaving the once-noisy classroom completely empty.
That was easy.
But!
Though he appeared fierce, he had actually been carefully controlling his force and angles the whole time.
After all, a poop-covered mop only has 100% deterrent power before it actually touches anyone.
So with this intimidation-based fighting style,
He hadn't even touched anyone's clothes, and even the floor remained clean.
No exaggeration, his control over these details was frighteningly precise!
"How can one sweep the world without first sweeping one's own room?"
Casually tossing the mop back into the bucket in the corner, Ji Mu clasped his hands behind his back, gazing up at the ceiling at a 45-degree angle, suddenly feeling the loneliness of a master.
"Um..."
A soft, gentle voice suddenly sounded in his ears.
Ji Mu turned around to find the previously bullied girl standing behind him.
Her beautiful eyes, like autumn pools, looked at him timidly, resembling two clear waves.
Her face was both delicate and refined, her skin as tender as white jade, appearing even more radiant in the sunlight streaming through the windows.
She clearly had the personality of a pushover - introverted and unworldly.
No wonder she got bullied.
Ji Mu mused internally.
His gaze didn't linger long on the girl's world-class beauty.
After a quick glance, he looked away without attachment.
"Why haven't you left yet?"
"I..."
Even with such a casual question, Ruan Qingqing felt at a loss.
"I... I wanted to..."
She spoke softly, her voice barely audible, like a small animal.
Her hands fidgeted with her clothes, as if trying to calm her nerves.
"I wanted to thank you, Classmate Ji Mu..."
"No need."
"Huh?"
The gentle, sweet girl stared blankly.
Noticing her confusion, Ji Mu lazily explained, "They started it with me first, I was just defending myself."
"But..." Before Ruan Qingqing could finish, he continued.
"However, come to think of it."
Suddenly remembering something, the young man casually pulled out a chair and sat down, his knuckles making a moderate "knock knock" sound on the desk.
"This whole thing happened more or less because of you, so just saying thanks isn't enough. Payment is required."
"Payment..."
Ruan Qingqing froze momentarily.
It was a vague term.
One that could easily lead to unpleasant implications.
Due to her appearance, she had suffered many unfair treatments before.
Besides the malicious targeting from girls,
There were also boys who were overly nice to her.
But their kindness was transparently fake, hiding ulterior motives.
Especially the way they looked at her - it was really disgusting.
Ruan Qingqing curled her fingers, biting her tender lip.
Could it be that Classmate Ji Mu wanted to...
Ji Mu: "?"
Is it really that hard to understand? Wasn't he being direct enough?
Seeing the girl's uncertain expression and her whole body radiating anxiety,
He felt somewhat frustrated.
Why did it feel like he was forcing someone into prostitution? Had he become the villain?
Ji Mu remained silent.
Tired of waiting, he simply held out his palm, making his meaning clear.
"Money."
He paused halfway, feeling it wasn't precise enough, and added:
"Help requires payment, don't tell me you want to freeload."
Ruan Qingqing was stunned, only now realizing that his requested payment was literally just money.
"No, no."
She shook her head frantically.
Realizing she had completely misunderstood his intentions, the girl's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
Overwhelming shame washed over her, making her wish she could disappear into the ground.
"That... I have cash with me."
To divert from this awkwardness, Ruan Qingqing hurriedly took money from her schoolbag and held it out to him.
"Is this enough?"
"Hmm..." Ji Mu was about to nod, but his eyes inadvertently fell on her hands.
The crumpled bills were tightly clutched in her hands, showing obvious signs of wear.
They seemed to have passed through many hands, with clear signs of repeated folding and crumpling.
The denominations weren't large, the highest being fifty yuan, the rest were just five and ten yuan notes.
Even her clothes were modest, washed almost white.
Swallowing his words, Ji Mu discreetly withdrew his gaze.
Her family isn't well-off...
His thoughts didn't show on his face as he naturally stood up from his seat.
He casually took one 10$ and one 20$ note from her hand.
Watching his actions, Ruan Qingqing blinked in confusion.
Eh? Just two bills...
Completely unexpected, the girl was slightly stunned.
Seeing he didn't intend to take more, she softly reminded him, "Classmate Ji Mu, you can take more..."
"This is enough."
Ji Mu casually waved off her words.
The crumpled bills dangled in the air.
"Now we're even."
He looked away, ignoring her hesitant expression, then turned and walked towards the door.
Leaving Ruan Qingqing standing there in a daze.
Watching his tall, straight figure gradually disappear from view.
An unnamed emotion surged in her heart.
It wasn't negative, nor was it the embarrassment she felt when being ostracized before.
It was hard to describe.
But... it wasn't unpleasant.
In the empty classroom, the girl pressed her lips together.
Even as her thumb deeply creased the bills in her hand, she didn't notice.
"Classmate Ji Mu... is a good person."
————
"Sweet profit of 30 $, not bad."
Ji Mu stuffed the money in his pocket as he went to the rooftop for some air.
Leaning against a nice cool spot, thinking about what had just happened, he closed his eyes and yawned.
He didn't like owing favors.
Of course, he also didn't like others owing him favors.
So taking money was the perfect solution to the problem.
30 $ wasn't too much or too little; considering the girl's circumstances, it wouldn't burden her too much while also not seeming too casual, striking a perfect balance.
It would also save her from overthinking about today's events.
However...
While the favor issue was resolved, encountering school bullying right after transferring wasn't a good sign.
Especially that Chu Yashi woman, who seemed to have quite some influence in this school.
Being targeted by such a local snake would surely make future days chaotic.
"Tch."
Ji Mu clicked his tongue, running his fingers through his hair messily.
"What a hassle, maybe I should transfer schools again."
[Ding—]
Just as he was talking to himself, a cold electronic sound suddenly rang out.
"Hm?"
Noticing the anomaly, he suddenly opened his eyes.
This is...