"Our school absolutely will not admit such students; students like these are a disgrace to the school's ethos. We cannot condone such poor behavior," the Head of Discipline said, his righteous expression somewhat twisted.
A ringtone sounded opportunely; Shangguan You's phone was ringing.
"Hello, Uncle," Shangguan You answered casually.
"Youyou, are you alright?" A concerned voice, deep and magnetic, came through the phone, much like the man himself—dangerous, yet he genuinely doted on Youyou. However, one couldn't be sure just how deep that affection ran.
"Uncle, I'm fine. The Head of Discipline seems ready to go home and farm," she stated coldly, her words sealing the Head of Discipline's pitiable fate.
"Good, good, that's my girl! If you're bullied, hit back twice as hard. Anyone who dares to bully you, I'll make them disappear from this world. Hahaha, well said, Youyou, let him go home and farm," hearty laughter boomed from the other end.
Shangguan You's forehead creased with annoyance. She wasn't even his daughter, for goodness' sake! What a narcissistic man. If he wanted a daughter so badly, he should go have one himself.
"Such arrogance! Thinking you can send me back to farm? Who do you think you are? Overestimating your own abilities! Just you wait for the school's expulsion notice," the Head of Discipline scoffed. Send *him* back to farming? Who did *she* think *she* was? This school is *my* territory.
"Heh, who I am doesn't matter, but my uncle is quite formidable. He says you're going back to farming, and I believe it won't take ten minutes before you truly can. I'm afraid if you're too late, you won't even have land left to farm on," Shangguan You said coldly, then turned and walked away, ignoring the Head of Discipline's livid curses behind her.
Within a mere ten minutes, evidence of the Head of Discipline's corruption and bribery was furiously slapped onto his face by the Director of Education and handed over to the Discipline Inspection Department. He was dismissed from his post and placed under investigation.
"How could you possibly be fine?" Feng Shaomei shrieked in the classroom, staring in disbelief at Shangguan You, who stood unharmed and indifferent.
"Idiot," Shangguan You uttered two cold words, casually sitting in a corner and flipping through a book, her thoughts drifting to her so-called uncle.
"You hit students! The Head of Discipline will definitely expel you. Don't get too smug. Just you wait!"
"The Head of Discipline? I heard he was dismissed for corruption and bribery, and the principal handed him over to the Discipline Inspection Department." Shangguan You's words were like a stone dropped into a calm pond, shocking everyone, especially Feng Shaomei—the Head of Discipline was their uncle. How could this be? Their father was the Deputy Director. Why hadn't they received any news?
Gui Mo's smile deepened, his peach blossom eyes fixed on her face.
"Youyou, I'm so glad you're alright!" Zhu Li exclaimed, hugging Shangguan You tightly, her face alight with excitement. The knot of anxiety in her chest finally loosened.
"Silly girl, what could happen to me? Only fools overestimate themselves," Shangguan You's clear voice reached everyone's ears.
"Stupid Youyou, wipe that smug look off your face! Just you wait!" Feng Shaomei charged forward, pointing at Shangguan You's forehead, her voice laced with venom.
"Sis, don't be rash," Feng Shao'an, who had appeared in their classroom at some point, grabbed her hand and whispered in her ear, advising her not to act impulsively until things were clearer.
"Hasn't anyone ever told you not to point your finger at others?" A chill voice sent an inexplicable shiver down everyone's spines as a powerful wave of anger emanated from her.
"What are you going to do about it? I'm not afraid of you!" Feng Shaomei's face paled; Shangguan You's imposing aura was terrifying. She involuntarily retreated a few steps.
"Shangguan You, don't go too far!" Feng Shao'an stepped in front of Feng Shaomei, glaring resentfully at the formidable Shangguan You. If their father hadn't called just moments ago telling them not to be impulsive, he would have slapped her several times by now.
"Youyou, let it go. She's already scared," Zhu Li said, grasping Shangguan You's hand. She worried that Shangguan You would get physical in the classroom again, which would mean another lecture from Old Man Chen, and the Head of Discipline certainly wouldn't let her off the hook.
"Youyou, no matter what, they are the Deputy Director's children. Hold back for now, and take action in the shadows later," Gui Mo advised, his peach blossom eyes glinting as he spoke softly in her ear. His warm breath brushed her face. Shangguan You shot a fierce glare at Gui Mo. Why was this guy, who just transferred today, so interested in her affairs?
"Fool," Shangguan You muttered under her breath, her dark eyes full of loathing as she ignored Gui Mo and walked past him. Feng Shao'an and his sister, is it? I'll make sure you learn what the word 'fear' truly means.
Gui Mo touched his nose. Fool, huh? She was indirectly cursing him. No one had ever dared to insult *him* like that. Despite her stand-offish demeanor, she was rather interesting. I'll have to play along with her more.
"Sigh, Youyou, there's a basketball game between Lan and Han after school today. Are you going?"
With a gossipy grin, Zhu Li asked excitedly, "Youyou, Lan and Han are both so handsome! Should we go?"
"Not interested," Shangguan You tossed out three cold words and turned to leave the classroom. Zhu Li, looking a bit dejected, hurried after her. How could she lose interest in basketball, her favorite sport, especially a game between Lan and Han? "Youyou, it's Lan! How can you not even give Lan face? You've always liked him, and yesterday, Lan even took the initiative to talk to you. You should have seen how jealous the other students were; they practically wanted to eat you alive!" Zhu Li pointed forward where a group of girls had already surrounded them, hemming them in.
"What do you want?" Zhu Li asked, a little scared. The predatory glint in their eyes was unnerving, as if they were ready to devour them.
"Hmph, so ugly and still daring to show your face and embarrass yourself. Tsk tsk, what a disgrace," sneered the girl in the lead, Shen Jia from the second-year class. She was fair-skinned and vibrant, a true beauty, but the way she spoke twisted her pretty features into an ugly sneer, marring her looks.
"Shen Jia, I told you I was right. With looks like hers, trying to attract Lan's attention is simply delusional," another voice chimed in.