Chapter 68
“Who are you referring to when you say someone of such a young age isn’t learning well? It can’t be about the top student in our grade, right?”
“Also, you keep insisting that we’re in a relationship. Can I ask what’s behind that statement? Did you see us together? Or are you just being shameless and trying to stir up trouble?”
“I’m spending my own money on her, and I want to take her out to eat. What’s it to you? Am I spending your money or eating your food? Even if we were dating, what business is it of yours?”
“Do you even know what shame is? Do you understand what it means to have class? What does it mean when they say ‘old but not dead is a thief’?”
Long Ao Tian’s words turned Ye Mu’s face a deep shade of anger, her finger trembling as she pointed at him, unable to utter a single word.
“What? What are you stammering about?”
Ye Mu clutched her chest, feeling for the first time that she was up against someone with a sharper tongue than her own. “I’m older than you; you should respect your elders!”
“What does being older mean? Is a tumor older than me?”
“Don’t try to pull the age card on me; I’m not buying it. Just because you’re an elder doesn’t mean I have to respect you. In my eyes, you’re just a person. If you don’t earn my respect, what are you?”
“We’re all new to this, and if your mouth isn’t clean, I won’t let you off the hook!”
Hu Yu Ying slightly raised her face, and the pallor that had clouded her features began to fade, thanks to Long Ao Tian’s words.
Brother Long was standing up for her.
As she looked at his tall, strong figure, tears began to well up in her eyes.
Hu Yu Ying had always considered herself strong; she hadn’t cried when misunderstood or when harsh words were thrown at her.
But now, seeing Brother Long standing in front of her, she couldn’t hold back the tears of grievance any longer.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, stubbornly refusing to let herself cry.
Because—Brother Long was protecting her!
So—she had to become even stronger!
Ye Mu was panting, her eyes wide with rage, her features twisted in fury, her face turning a deep shade of purple.
Seeing this, the homeroom teacher tugged at Long Ao Tian’s sleeve.
“It’s fine, teacher. I can handle this myself.”
The teacher forced a smile; this was no longer just about scolding. It felt like if Long Ao Tian kept going, Ye Mu might just explode.
Ye Liang Chen clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with anger.
His mother had indeed gone too far in scolding Hu Yu Ying.
But that didn’t give Long Ao Tian the right to insult his mother. He had clearly crossed a line.
If only he had acted like a man and let himself be insulted a little, this whole situation could have been resolved long ago.
For him, being insulted wouldn’t cost him anything, yet he insisted on escalating things to this level.
Now, everyone was stuck in an awkward position!
Very well, Long Ao Tian, I’ll remember the humiliation you’ve brought upon me and my mother today. I, Ye Liang Chen, will repay this humiliation a hundredfold!
“Enough!” Ye Liang Chen stepped forward, feeling that with great power comes great responsibility. It was time for him to take a stand.
“We...” He paused, his neck stiffening, eyes closed as if battling with his thoughts.
After a long moment, he slowly opened his eyes. “Fine, let’s say it’s our fault. Will that work?”
“You little mudfish, just because you got a bit of water on you, you think you’re seafood now?” Long Ao Tian scoffed. “I almost forgot about you. Come on, tell me, what have I done to you? Say it again in front of me.”
As he gestured for Ye Liang Chen to come closer, Ye Liang Chen took two steps back, returning to his mother’s side, his eyes red as he bitterly said, “I already said it’s our fault. What more do you want?”
“An apology. I want you to apologize to Hu Yu Ying!”
“Long Ao Tian, don’t push your luck. What if I refuse to apologize? I’m not some pushover, and I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
In fact, it was Long Ao Tian who was being overly petty!
Upon hearing this, a mocking smile crept onto Long Ao Tian’s face, his gaze toward Ye Liang Chen filled with disdain.
What a despicable person!
It was one thing to slander him, but to drag Hu Yu Ying into it and try to tarnish her reputation with just a few words? That was downright low!
Long Ao Tian didn’t consider himself a good person. Growing up in an orphanage and struggling at the bottom of society, he had no wild instincts left. How could he grow up steadily?
Even if life had dulled his edges, he could still easily tear apart a pampered lapdog.
Seeing the insincere smile on Long Ao Tian’s face, Ye Liang Chen was momentarily transported back to his past life, where he dreamt of Long Ao Tian leading a group to corner him.
He had smiled just like that back then. If it hadn’t been for Gao Quan, he would have been the one beaten to death...
Swallowing hard, he took a deep breath. He had already endured so much; what was one more time?
With that thought, Ye Liang Chen turned to Long Ao Tian and Hu Yu Ying and said, “I’m sorry.”
Seeing that Ye Mu was about to say something, Ye Liang Chen quickly pulled her away.
He felt incredibly frustrated. At home, he could talk back easily, but in front of Long Ao Tian, he couldn’t find the words.
“If there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving now,” Long Ao Tian said, looking at the homeroom teacher.
“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t hit anyone. If I insulted someone, it just means I need to work on my moral character...”
The two homeroom teachers had already seen through the situation; it was indeed not Long Ao Tian’s fault. They waved their hands dismissively. “Alright, everyone’s gone. Stop talking.”
The first homeroom teacher added, “We’ll give you an explanation about this matter.”
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Chapter 82: Unshakeable
As they stepped out of the teacher’s office, Long Ao Tian turned to Hu Yu Ying, his tone softening unconsciously. “It’s not a big deal. With your Brother Long here, you don’t have to be afraid of anything.”
Hu Yu Ying lowered her gaze, a sense of dejection radiating from her.
“N-no, I’m not scared.” She forced a smile, trying to reassure him, even though her heart was still heavy.
Brother Long was spending money on clothes and meals for her, and those were undeniable facts...
No matter how she explained, it might seem to others that she was truly shameless...
With that thought, Hu Yu Ying averted her gaze, unwilling to meet anyone’s eyes, just wanting to retreat into her own world.
“Still saying you’re fine? Let me see whose eyes are really red.”
Long Ao Tian bent down, looking earnestly at Hu Yu Ying. “Lift your head.”
She would obediently listen to Brother Long.
As she raised her eyes, they sparkled with moisture, like they were covered in a thin layer of mist, evoking a sense of tenderness and a desire to protect her...
“Look at those beautiful eyes. If they could curve into crescent shapes, they’d be even prettier.”
Hu Yu Ying realized Brother Long was trying to make her smile.
She wanted to say: Thank you, Brother Long, for standing in front of me, for having my back, for making me brave...
But those words were stuck in her throat, replaced by a lump of emotion.
“Look at my little sidekick, all upset. Don’t cry, okay? Your Brother Long can’t stand it when girls cry in front of me.”
Hu Yu Ying sniffled. “So if I cry, will you hit me, Brother Long?”
“Of course I will,” he said, lightly tapping her on the head.
This only made Hu Yu Ying feel more aggrieved.
Seeing her even more upset, Long Ao Tian didn’t know how to respond. He reached out and ruffled her hair. “Let’s go.”
Noticing that Long Ao Tian wasn’t heading back to the classroom, Hu Yu Ying hurried to catch up. “Brother Long, you’re going the wrong way. This isn’t the path back to class.”
---
“W-wait a minute, Brother Long. Are we really doing this?”
“Someone’s going to find out, right?”
“Who’s going to find out? It’s pitch dark, and they’re all in the classroom studying. No one will notice. Come on, relax. Don’t be so stiff, okay?”
Hu Yu Ying slowly lay down on the grass of the playground, her bright eyes filled with a mix of nervousness, curiosity, confusion, and a hint of anticipation.
It was her first time doing something like this, and she was really nervous, a bit scared, just letting Long Ao Tian lead her.
“How does it feel? Comfortable?” Hearing his gentle voice, Hu Yu Ying instinctively nodded and replied, “Comfortable.”
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