Scumbag A's Plan to Save the Heroine - Chapter 13

The rain poured down in sheets as the two girls walked side by side, their striking appearance drawing glances from Noadon Academy students hurrying to class.

The girl holding the umbrella seemed to be an Omega, dressed in a worn school uniform with a high, jet-black ponytail that radiated youthful energy. She chattered incessantly to her companion, as if she had endless stories to share.

The girl beside her had recently cut her hair short, but the cropped style only accentuated her exquisitely refined features. Her delicate features made it difficult to immediately discern her gender.

The short-haired girl in the wheelchair turned and grasped the hand of the girl holding the umbrella, her clear, dark eyes filled with concern.

“Fu Jin Yan has regained consciousness. Since you’re both enrolled at Noadon, you’ll inevitably cross paths. How do you plan to handle the incident where he threatened you in the locker room?”

Zhi Qiu had already made up her mind.

But Ruan Ye was inherently kind-hearted, and Zhi Qiu worried she might soften and abandon her pursuit of justice.

If that happened, Fu Jin Yan’s character suggested he would never let the matter rest. A moment of leniency would only invite further humiliation and abuse.

What would have happened to Ruan Ye if she hadn’t been there?

Zhi Qiu couldn’t bear to imagine.

She closed her eyes.

The crimson figure, withering in the vast ocean, still pierced her heart with anguish.

Depression doesn’t strike suddenly.

It’s the gradual accumulation of countless grievances, erupting only when they reach a critical threshold.

She was terrified.

Terrified that the seemingly normal Ruan Ye would once again become extreme, treating her own life as a bargaining chip.

In the rain, Zhi Qiu received the most hopeless answer she had anticipated.

The girl, sheltering under her umbrella, seemed lost in thought. Her raven-black lashes lowered slightly, concealing the inexplicable emotions in her eyes. Her rosy lips parted and closed several times before she finally spoke: “If he never does this again, I… I’ll let it go.”

Zhi Qiu shook her head, gripping the girl’s hand tightly. “Do you think someone like that would feel grateful if you just let it go? Even if they one day weep and beg for mercy after facing consequences, it won’t be out of remorse for their victims, but out of self-pity for being exposed.”

“Just leave this to me,” Zhi Qiu said awkwardly. “We’re… friends, aren’t we? Isn’t it natural for friends to help each other?” She added, “I’ll make him apologize to you. He’ll also face legal consequences and disappear from your life forever.”

Perhaps it was the heavy rain and thick fog that day.

Or perhaps it was her preconceived first impression.

Whatever the reason, Zhi Qiu failed to notice the flash of malice in Ruan Ye’s eyes.

It wasn’t until many years later, when Zhi Qiu reflected on the past, that she realized her actions had actually saved Fu Jin Yan’s life.

The chapel at Noanton Academy was typically opened only for major school celebrations.

Today, however, it was unusually opened for a lecture, accessible to students of all grades—a clear sign of the school’s high regard for Ms. Laceyne, the visiting lecturer.

Most students at Noanton Academy were scions of prominent families, their backgrounds largely similar. Even the few scholarship students blended seamlessly into the sea of school uniforms, making them indistinguishable from their peers. After all, some well-mannered aristocratic families insisted their children adhere to school regulations and wear the uniform, viewing special privileges as a form of overindulgence that could spoil their children.

Because Zhi Qiu’s leg was injured, Ruan Ye accompanied her to the back row of the large lecture hall, a perfect spot to slack off where a teacher glancing over would only see a sea of heads.

The speaker was a renowned master in the design world, but Ruan Ye, who majored in design, felt little excitement. In contrast, Zhi Qiu, who was focused on the bullish stock market, was visibly thrilled.

Laceyne took the stage.

Amid thunderous applause, Zhi Qiu saw her face clearly for the first time across the dozen meters separating them.

What immediately caught the eye was her striking golden hair, followed by her piercing blue eyes, as sharp as a hawk’s. They seemed capable of piercing through superficial appearances to see the rot beneath.

After the applause subsided, time seemed to freeze, and different kinds of silence filled the air.

Some silence was expectant, some fearful, and some indifferent and lazy.

Laceyne was known for her approachable and humorous demeanor. Students who had attended her lectures abroad often praised her down-to-earth nature and witty remarks.

In the silence, her sapphire-like eyes sparkled with amusement. But when she spoke, her voice crashed into the tranquil atmosphere like a meteorite into a still lake, sending ripples through the room.

“For today’s lecture, we’ll only keep thirty students. If anyone was forced to attend, you’re free to leave now. I guarantee on my honor that no one who leaves will receive a failing grade because of this lecture.”

“What…?”

This unconventional statement immediately caused a stir among the students. Several who had been forced to attend glanced around nervously, their bottoms fidgeting in their seats, their toes already pointed toward the door, clearly wanting to leave. After a long moment, however, no one dared to be the first to make a move.

Finally, a male Beta stood up.

He looked ordinary, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a clean school uniform. Apart from the English-language textbook on physical chemistry in his hand, there was nothing particularly memorable about him.

Chu Yuan politely nodded to the renowned design master on the podium, left his student ID number, and rose to leave the classroom.

Following the lead of the “pioneer bird,” some academically inept Alphas also mimicked the gesture, stiffly nodding at the teacher, leaving their student IDs, and hurrying out.

Omegas, by nature timid, were reluctant to draw attention to themselves in public, even with someone setting an example. They remained seated patiently with their classmates, waiting their turn.

In the classroom, which could accommodate over three thousand students, more than half had already left. The constant shuffling of feet roused Yuan Menglu, who had been dozing in a corner after staying up late the previous night.

Today was a rainy day, and the Omega stood out conspicuously among the sea of long sleeves and pants, wearing a leopard-print crop top and a short skirt. Even Zhi Ruan and Ren Yi, seated in the back row, couldn’t help but notice her.

Ren Yi, sitting directly behind her, was staring down at his lesson plan, but after more than ten minutes, he was still stuck on the first page.

The Omega in the front row rubbed her sleepy eyes, then suddenly stood up and walked to the podium.

Ren Yi, who had been staring down, reflexively looked up, his gaze following her languid figure.

Yuan Menglu, mimicking the student ahead of her, lazily recited her student ID number and added, “Is class over already? This lesson flew by! Teacher, you’re amazing…”

Had anyone else overheard this exchange, they might have immediately imagined a full-blown literary inquisition, startling Ren Yi, who was dressed in a black suit and tie, into standing up as well.

Seeing the figure on the podium about to continue speaking, he hurried over to interrupt their conversation.

As an Alpha, he first introduced himself, then gallantly took the other’s hand and pressed a light kiss to it—a customary greeting in the Republic of Lakein.

Ren Yi gently nudged the bewildered girl toward the door, positioning himself to block Laceyne’s view. “Ms. Lakein,” he urged, “the students have been waiting for quite some time.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Laceyne replied, her blue hawk-like eyes fixed on Ren Yi’s impeccable smile. She knew any further argument would be like throwing a punch into cotton.

Most of the students had already left the lecture hall.

The mature Omega, exuding regal elegance and dressed in opulent attire, seemed unfazed by the earlier commotion. She clapped her hands, and the teaching assistants immediately sprang into action.

One assistant stood at the back of the tiered seating, distributing exam papers from the rear forward.

As a result, Zhi Qiu and Ruan Ye were among the first to receive their exam papers.

“What’s this?” Zhi Qiu asked the girl beside her, frowning as she opened the envelope to find only a blank sheet of paper.

The girl, holding a pencil and deep in thought, gently tapped the corner of the paper with her finger as a reminder.

Only then did Zhi Qiu notice six black dots of varying sizes scattered haphazardly around the edges of the blank sheet.

There were six Teaching Assistants in the lecture hall, three standing on each side, positioned at the front, middle, and rear. After distributing the papers, they remained motionless in their places.

Suddenly, a metal partition rose between Zhi Qiu and Ruan Ye’s seats.

A timid Omega, startled by the metallic clank, let out a shriek.

One by one, more partitions rose, separating the small groups that had gathered.

The Omega who had been smiling warmly just moments ago, gently reminding students to watch their step on the stairs, now wore a stern expression.

Her sea-blue eyes swept critically over the crowd as she announced the test that would determine who could stay: “One hour. No theme restrictions. No tool restrictions. Using the contents of the paper, draw the utopia in your heart.”