Huo Guining completely ignored Zeng Zhilin.
After school, Chen Xi linked arms with Huo Guining, frequently glancing back at Zeng Zhilin, who was fuming like a pufferfish.
"Ning-ning, be careful these days. She's the type to seek revenge for the slightest offense," Chen Xi whispered to Huo Guining.
Huo Guining smiled without speaking. When it came to seeking revenge, Zeng Zhilin was probably just a baby compared to her.
...
The next day, Huo Guining arrived at school as usual.
Because Huo Xiaozheng needed to go to the company early in the morning, Huo Guining, like a little shadow, left with him.
So when she arrived at school, it was still early.
The campus was empty, with only a few students visible here and there.
The sun was just rising, painting half the blue sky red, resembling autumn maple leaves. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
Huo Guining, who had originally planned to go straight to the classroom, had a sudden impulse and walked towards the small park next to the playground.
In winter, only the pines and cypresses stood tall in the small park, while the grass had turned yellow and withered.
This didn't affect Huo Guining's good mood.
She sat down under the wisteria trellis, opened her sketchbook, and habitually started doodling.
"Hey, did you give that thing to Fan Xingzhou or not?" An arrogant female voice rang out.
"Of course I did."
The wisteria trellis was located in a corner of the playground, with pines and cypresses growing somewhat densely. Given the cold winter weather, few students would come here at this time.
Huo Guining's position happened to be obscured by the trees, so this group of girls probably hadn't noticed her presence.
"Are you sure?" The arrogant girl's tone was cold.
"Yes, I wouldn't dare lie..."
A crisp slap broke the morning stillness, interrupting the girl's words.
"You're very bold, aren't you? Lying without even blinking. Tiantian saw you throw my letter in the trash."
Along with these words came a thin gasp of pain.
It seemed the girl who slapped had used quite a bit of force.
Huo Guining couldn't sit still anymore. She stood up and walked out from behind the pines and cypresses.
"Classmate, hitting people is wrong."
"Who do you think you are?" The owner of the arrogant voice had a high ponytail, and her winter uniform skirt had been shortened considerably.
As she spoke, she lifted her chin slightly. Her not-so-clear features became even more blurred, but she exuded an extremely domineering aura.
"Just someone who can't stand by when seeing injustice," Huo Guining glanced at the bullied girl, her eyes showing a moment of surprise.
But her expression remained unchanged: "I've already recorded what just happened on video..."
Huo Guining raised her phone, calmly threatening, "It's still recording now, if you're not afraid..."
At this, Huo Guining raised a playful smile, mimicking the arrogant girl's domineering expression: "Why don't you try me?"
The arrogant girl was furious and lunged forward.
She was held back by those around her: "Lu-lu, don't! Don't! Where there's life, there's hope..."
The group pushed and shoved, retreating under Huo Guining's fearless gaze, cursing as they left.
"You just wait!" the arrogant girl snarled viciously.
Huo Guining's eyes narrowed: "Who do you think you are to make me wait?"
The bullied girl's outstretched hand trembled and withdrew.
On the other side, the arrogant girl's companions used all their strength to barely restrain her.
But they couldn't stop her foul-mouthed curses.
The language was filthy, and Huo Guining automatically tuned it out.
When her ears finally had peace, she turned to look at the bullied girl.
"Hey, aren't you quite arrogant in class?" Huo Guining sneered, curling her lip: "What's this? Only tough at home?"
Zeng Zhilin covered her cheek with one hand, her expression awkward: "You're really a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. They're senior students from the third year, with close ties to some thugs outside school. If they're upset, they'll just have those thugs deal with people directly."
Huo Guining frowned: "Why hasn't this been reported to the school?"
Zeng Zhilin pouted: "Guess why she's still comfortably in this school even though she's in her third year?"
"You mean she's been bullying people for a long time, but no one's done anything about it?"
Zeng Zhilin snapped: "Why else would I listen to them? I'm not an idiot!"
Huo Guining pondered for a moment: "But that's not right. You're a first-year, they're third-years. You're in completely different grades. How did they target you?"
At this, Zeng Zhilin began to stammer.
Huo Guining recalled the earlier conversation, and a name popped out of her mouth: "Fan Xingzhou?"
"How did you know?" Zeng Zhilin's tone was surprised.
Huo Guining wore an expression that said 'just as I thought': "So what's really going on? I've taken on a load of enmity for your sake, you know."
"The girl who hit me is called Huang Lu. She likes Fan Xingzhou. By chance, she discovered that I... After that, she started targeting me."
Huo Guining understood: "You confessed to Fan Xingzhou, and she caught you in the act, right?"
Her words were too blunt, and Zeng Zhilin couldn't help but snap angrily: "You still have the mind to worry about this? Huang Lu has already threatened you!"
Huo Guining waved her hand dismissively.
With her father around, no one could do anything to her.
"As for you, be careful," Huo Guining said coldly. "You won't always be lucky enough to meet someone who can help you."
With that, Huo Guining pocketed her sketchbook and left the trellis.
Zeng Zhilin watched her figure disappear into the distance, murmuring, "Just this one stroke of luck..."
Huo Guining wasn't acting out of kindness. It was just that when malicious incidents happen on campus, it's only a matter of probability who becomes the victim.
As long as the source of the problem remains.
Having decided to intervene in this matter, Huo Guining's first action was to contact Huo Xiaozheng.
Considering that Huo Xiaozheng had important business to attend to, Huo Guining chose to send him a message.
She briefly explained the morning's events to Huo Xiaozheng, stating that she might face retaliation today and needed him to send someone to help.
After sending it, Huo Guining focused on her studies with peace of mind.
She didn't tell anyone else about this incident.
Although Zeng Zhilin was annoying, Huo Guining didn't want anyone to be hurt by rumors.
After lunch, Huo Guining took a short nap at her desk.
The cafeteria had served her favorite potato and beef stew for lunch, and she had eaten a bit too much, so her sleep was not very peaceful.
She stretched and rotated her sore neck.
Suddenly, her movements froze.
She saw that Zeng Zhilin's seat was empty.
An ominous feeling spread in Huo Guining's heart.
Huo Guining looked around. Only Fan Xingzhou was still sitting upright, as if he hadn't slept at all.
She walked over and asked softly, "Class monitor, have you seen Zeng Zhilin?"
Afraid of waking other classmates, Huo Guining leaned in quite close.
Fan Xingzhou subtly leaned back a bit, and mimicking her soft tone, said: "She left with her phone about 10 minutes ago..."
Huo Guining inwardly cursed, "Oh no."