"Ah!" Feng Shao'an's outcry, like that of a slaughtered pig, echoed across the court. Even though he clearly saw her movements, he just couldn't dodge in time. Feng Shao'an lay sprawled on the ground, his originally pale face now even whiter. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"You dare hit my brother, you despicable woman! I'll have the principal expel you," Feng Shaomei charged forward, about to grab Shangguan You's hair.
SLAP! SLAP! Feng Shaomei's cheeks, white with makeup, received two more solid slaps, followed by a perfect shoulder throw that sent her to the ground, crying out in pain.
"So what if I hit you? Idiot." Shangguan You coldly swept her gaze over the two writhing in pain on the ground, then her frosty eyes moved over the surrounding classmates. Amidst their disbelieving stares, she strode away, leaving behind a cold and merciless silhouette.
Zhu Li watched the scene in a daze, only starting to pursue Shangguan You when her figure had almost disappeared from the court. Her Youyou seemed like a different person after getting hit by the ball, now exuding an aura of cold nobility. It was truly strange.
Moreover, her gaze seemed to carry a hatred for men. She didn't even spare her usually beloved Han Yachu a glance. It was odd. And her Youyou seemed more talkative than before?
"Youyou, you were amazing! Let me help you clean up," Zhu Li kindly suggested, noticing the blood on her hands.
"Are you Shangguan You?"
A tall figure appeared in the sunlight—handsome, with a high nose bridge and alluring lips. Standing at 1.85 meters, he held out a tissue in his long-fingered hand toward her. The man stood before them, blocking their path.
"Yes," she raised her eyebrows impatiently, her cold eyes filled with disdain. She had just woken up, and there were many things she didn't yet understand. What she needed now was rest, to slowly absorb everything that belonged to Shangguan You's life. Besides, to her, men were all a loss, all scoundrels.
And she didn't need this man's feigned kindness. She didn't need it.
She would rather believe in ghosts than a man's so-called sincerity. Thus, all men were on her blacklist.
Seeing the man before her remain silent, she completely ignored the tissue he offered, bypassed him, and walked straight out.
The man watched her retreating figure and touched his nose. Interesting. Interesting. I never thought a basketball could change someone's personality so much. Truly fascinating.
The man's lips curled into an amused smile, and he turned to enter the court.
"Youyou, that guy just now was Lan Xuan, the Crown Prince of the senior year! He's so gentle and elegant. His popularity in school is even higher than Han Yachu's! I can't believe Lan Xuan would talk to you. He even offered you a tissue! AAAHHH! But why didn't you take it? Lan Xuan is the Crown Prince, handsome and wealthy; plus, his dad is the mayor, and his mom is the CEO of the Xuan Family! I heard he's very amiable, but he's never taken the initiative to talk to anyone. You're the first one! I can't believe he took the initiative to talk to you! Youyou, do you think Lan Xuan has taken a liking to you? If he really likes you, that would be so great! Lan Xuan's warm nature compared to Han Yachu's icy demeanor is like heaven and earth. Maybe you should choose Lan Xuan; Han Yachu is too cold, forget about him," Zhu Li rambled on excitedly. She felt sorry for Shangguan You, so she talked up all of Lan Xuan's good qualities while dismissing Han Yachu as worthless. Originally, Shangguan You had been enchanted by Han Yachu's charisma, having eyes and heart for no one else, but Han Yachu never gave her a second look. Zhu Li deeply felt Shangguan You deserved better.
Shangguan You had humiliatingly pursued Han Yachu for half a year, but Han Yachu had never deigned to give her a proper look.
"What's so great about that scoundrel Han Yachu, just because he's the principal's son? Lan Xuan's status is much more noble than Han Yachu's. If Lan Xuan really takes a shine to you, then let's see how those people dare to bully you again! AAAHHH! That would be wonderful, wonderful!"
Zhu Li surely suffered from a severe case of fantasy; she could imagine such scenarios out of nothing.
Shangguan You massaged her aching temples. Why does Zhu Li talk so much? she thought, exasperated. "Zhu Li, that's enough," she said. "I need to go home and rest now. You should go back to class."
"You're injured now, how can I let you go home alone? I'll take you back myself," Zhu Li insisted, without a second word, directly supporting Shangguan You towards the school exit.
No matter what Shangguan You said, Zhu Li was adamant about not letting her go home alone, determined to escort her back.
Shangguan You let out a long sigh, her headache intensifying. In her memory, although she had a good relationship with Zhu Li, Zhu Li had never been to her home. She didn't want anyone to know her identity—a mystifying and daunting identity.
「Lotus Villa」
Zhu Li stood with her mouth agape, incredulously staring at the stunningly beautiful villa before her. The Shangguan You she considered ordinary lived in such a luxurious mansion?
"Come in," Shangguan You said, somewhat speechless at Zhu Li's reaction, as she pulled the dazed girl into the villa.
Mrs. Zhang seemed pleased to see Shangguan You, especially since this was the first time she had brought a classmate home. "Miss is back home!" she exclaimed. "I've prepared soup. You can rest a bit before having some." But her expression quickly changed to worry when she noticed the blood on Shangguan You's hands. "Miss, how did you get injured?" she cried out. "Call Doctor Li immediately! Tell him to come over right away!"
"Mrs. Zhang, I'm fine, it's just a nosebleed. I'm going to wash up. Please look after Zhu Li for me."
"Miss, it's better to have Doctor Li check on you."
Mrs. Zhang was an old servant responsible for taking care of Shangguan You; she was in charge of everything for her. Mrs. Zhang had watched Shangguan You grow up and cared for her like her own granddaughter. Shangguan You's current status was that of a pawn abandoned by her family and her so-called father, an exiled young lady from a prestigious family.
"Mrs. Zhang, I really am okay."
Shangguan You ascended the stairs, leaving Mrs. Zhang watching her retreating back.
The room was dreamy, fit for a princess, with a pink princess bed, a white gauze canopy, pink dolls, a white computer, and a pink desk. A closet was full of cute, innocent clothes. Purple crystal bead strings hung in the room, and purple wind chimes dangled by the window. When the breeze blew, they made a clear, crisp tinkling sound.