Chapter 45: Old Xie’s Spiritual Lecture

The girl arrived bathed in the morning light, her loosely worn school uniform somehow looking effortlessly stylish on her. Liu Yichen stood frozen, still echoing that bold declaration in his mind: "I've got your back!" Damn! Sister Qing is fierce!

Shen Qing's reputation at school far surpassed Nie Huan’s; at her approach, the students immediately parted to form a clear path, a full meter of empty space on either side—a veritable no-man’s land. Nie Huan hadn’t expected Shen Qing to show up; it was still quite early, around six-thirty.

“I bought some steamed buns. Want one?” Without hesitation, Nie Huan reached out and offered Shen Qing a custard bun, its surface decorated with a tiny pig’s snout.

Everyone around was stunned. Wasn’t the conversation between the two school tyrants supposed to be about where to stir up trouble next? What on earth was this piggy custard bun?

Shen Qing glanced at it. “Set it aside for now. I’ll eat it during morning reading.” Then, she sauntered over to Nie Huan’s father, both hands shoved deep in her pockets, head tilted slightly to the side, her posture exuding a rebellious, cool air.

“Who are you? Get out of my way.” Nie Huan’s father squirmed under Shen Qing’s gaze, visibly unsettled.

“Lost your money gambling and now you’re taking it out on your daughter? Impressive.”

“You little brat, I told you to back off!” he barked.

Shen Qing’s lips curled into a faint, wicked smile. Chu Yu, watching from the side, felt his scalp tingle. That smile was pure mischief.

“Your right hand seems pretty unlucky. Shall I chop it off for you?” she said languidly.

Chu Yu was startled—was she really about to assault someone in broad daylight? He glanced at Nie Huan and found her face expressionless. This was bad; with so many witnesses, would Sister Qing end up in jail?

Even the security guard was taken aback. “No, no, you mustn’t!” He’d lived a long life, and this girl just arriving was radiating such menace that she might actually do it.

Nie Huan’s father was frightened too; this girl clearly wasn’t to be trifled with. “Hey! What are you all standing around for? Shouldn’t you be heading to morning study? Want to be late as a group?” A stern shout rang out—the captain of the school’s security team had finally arrived, albeit late.

As soon as the students saw the captain, they scattered to either side. Nie Huan’s father, flustered, shot them all a vicious glare before reluctantly leaving the school grounds.

“Aren’t you all supposed to be in class?” The captain approached, eyeing Chu Yu and Liu Yichen, his gaze sharpening. “Hey! How much longer are you two going to keep hugging?”

Following his gaze, Shen Qing and Nie Huan saw Liu Yichen still clutching Chu Yu tightly around the waist from behind.

“Qing, let’s go,” Nie Huan said, linking arms with Shen Qing and strolling past them.

“Hey! Let go,” Chu Yu barked, swatting away Liu Yichen’s piggy paw.

“Ow, damn! Why so rough?” Liu Yichen quickly massaged his aching hand.

“Ugh!” Chu Yu shuddered in disgust, rubbing his own hand vigorously before hurrying after the girls. “Wait up, Sister Huan! I’ll carry your buns!”

*

The incident of Nie Huan’s father causing a scene at school quickly made its way onto the school forum.

#Second-in-command’s father makes a scene at school, Boss Shen steps in!#
#Boss threatens to break his hand#
#Who’d have thought Nie Huan would…#

Little Fatty scrolled through the posts, nearly smashing his phone in anger. Too scared to criticize Shen Qing, everyone turned their attacks on Nie Huan, slinging insults about her background and throwing around old proverbs.

They knew nothing! “At least Sister Huan’s been called to the office by Old Xie and doesn’t have time to check her phone,” Yao Panpan muttered, having just posted a few comments herself—only to be promptly cursed out by several people.

What the hell, did they all have a grudge against Sister Huan? If they had guts, they should confront her face-to-face!

Shen Qing shot them a glance before getting up lazily. “Sister Qing, where are you going?” someone asked.

“Bathroom,” she replied, stepping out the back door.

*

Xie Mingming beamed at Nie Huan. “How’s your left hand recovering?”

“It’s okay,” Nie Huan replied, her tone formal and reserved.

The morning’s events had already spread throughout the school. With such an unreasonable father, Xie Mingming truly felt for Nie Huan. “Nie Huan, I won’t beat around the bush. I’ve heard a bit about what happened today. You can’t change your birth or choose your parents, but the road ahead is in your own hands.

“We can’t live trapped in the past. Eating, drinking, sleeping—every person, every animal can do that. What sets humans apart is our ability to think and reflect. That’s the difference between simply existing and truly living.

“You’re young and beautiful, and your future is bright. There’s still some time before the college entrance exam—make the most of it. I believe in you. You’ll achieve something remarkable.”

Nie Huan nodded. “I understand. Thank you, teacher.”

Xie Mingming was deeply gratified. “Nie Huan, keep going! I believe in you! Our Class Three’s Sister Huan is invincible!” With that, she suddenly raised both hands above her head, forming a heart toward Nie Huan.

Nie Huan couldn’t help but laugh, genuinely moved. “I’ll do my best.”

“Yes, aim high and get into a top university!”

“Someone who’s never even cracked the top five hundred in the exams wants to aim for a top university?” A discordant voice cut in.