Sweet Kiss - Chapter 4.2

Chapter 4.2: “Bullying”

Classroom 5 was filled with a strong smell—a mix of various breakfasts that created an unpleasant odor.

As soon as Li Yansui entered, she frowned, covering her nose and sneezing.

“Are you okay?” Xiaoxi, her deskmate, asked with concern. Having been in Classroom 5 for a while, she was used to the smell.

Li Yansui turned her face towards the window, breathing in the fresh air and feeling better instantly. “I’m fine,” she said, placing the pastries she had hurriedly brought on Xiaoxi’s desk.

“Why are you giving these to me?” Xiaoxi asked, curious but warmed by the gesture.

Li Yansui looked at her seriously and explained, “I noticed you didn’t go to lunch yesterday, so I thought these pastries would still be good by noon. I brought them for you.”

Her response warmed Xiaoxi’s heart. “Thank you.” Xiaoxi indeed had no time to eat because she was determined to get into a good university to prove her choices to her parents.

However, since she started at Hengshan High School, the immense pressure she put on herself caused her grades to stagnate. Seeing the breakfast on her desk, she suddenly felt motivated to get stronger and excel.

She sneaked a glance at Li Yansui.

Li Yansui nodded. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.” With that, she took out her books and began to study.

She focused intently, turning the pages one by one and occasionally jotting down calculations. However, the constant murmuring around her made it hard to concentrate.

She clearly heard her name being mentioned in the whispers.

Turning to see Xiaoxi looking hesitant, she became more certain that they were discussing her.

She leaned closer and whispered, “Are they talking about me?”

Xiaoxi, surprised, nodded. She had overheard the students talking about Li Yansui that morning, mainly discussing two points: that she was a rich girl and would cause trouble, and that she was arrogant, aiming for Class One through connections.

A transfer student in the senior year was already unusual, let alone a pretty girl from a wealthy family. Naturally, rumors spread quickly, and many believed she couldn’t get into Class One through legitimate exams. This led to everyone staring at her, hoping to uncover some clues.

Xiaoxi didn’t know how to refute the rumors, even though she felt they were wrong. At one point, a boy even teased her, “Bookworm, how’s it feel to sit with a rich girl?” This caused an uproar of laughter.

After hearing Xiaoxi’s account, Li Yansui’s lips twitched.

Their imaginations were quite vivid.

But Li Yansui didn’t plan to explain. After all, she couldn’t control what others thought.

She picked up her pen and continued with her work.

However, the group didn’t stop, continuing to speak ill of her, making no effort to lower their voices, as if wanting her to hear.

Growing anxious, Xiaoxi tugged on Li Yansui’s sleeve, “Should we tell the teacher? They’re spreading lies!”

In high school, a single rumor could ruin someone, spreading and amplifying, causing harm to the subject.

Li Yansui looked up, scanned the room, and said calmly, “No need.”

Xiaoxi, seeing her resolve, remained silent.

In truth, Li Yansui didn’t intend to endure it silently. She put down her pen, leaned back in her chair, and expressionlessly called out, “No wonder it smells bad in here. The source is right there.” Reporting to the teacher would be too troublesome; silencing them herself was more efficient.

The gossiping students all turned to her, shocked.

Is she crazy, challenging us head-on?

Ignoring their stares, she continued, “But you got one thing right. I am a rich girl. Jealous?”

She spoke calmly, showing no fear of retaliation.

They were left speechless, faces filled with embarrassment.

Finally, a boy, humiliated and angry, glared at her and said, “So what if you’re a rich girl? Can you get into Class One on your own? You’re just a waste.”

“Oh? Who are you calling a waste?” Li Yansui raised an eyebrow, her cold gaze piercing the boy, her eyes like swords.

He felt a shiver down his spine under her stare.

Swallowing nervously, he stammered, “We, we…”

Before he could finish, there was a knock on the door. A boy in a white shirt walked in. Tall and slender, with a cold demeanor and sharp eyes, he exuded an aura of unapproachability.

Standing at the door, he scanned the room and said coolly, “Insulting classmates, breaking rules, eating in class—ten points off for each of you.”

At Hengshan High, an unspoken rule was that reaching a certain number of demerits would result in a parent-teacher meeting. If severe, a “friendly chat” with Director Wang would follow.

The Student Council usually handled the demerits, often turning a blind eye. Such strict enforcement was rare.

Everyone in the room was taken aback.

A crowd had gathered at the doorway of Classroom 5 to watch the commotion.

It all started when Xu Mu overheard Li Yansui arguing with other students and eagerly spread the news to everyone he met, causing the crowd to linger even after the bell rang.

Li Yansui leaned back in her chair, looking unconcerned, much to the frustration of the onlookers.

One of the boys pointed at her and yelled at Bai Tingshou, “Why isn’t she being punished?”

“Did she insult you?” Bai Tingshou asked coldly, narrowing his eyes.

“Yes!” the boy replied, though his tone lacked conviction. “Everyone knows Li Yansui is a rich girl who bullies others. Are you protecting her, President?”

The room fell silent, shocked by his audacity.

Talking openly about someone’s background was taboo, especially since Li Yansui had never mentioned it herself.

Bai Tingshou glanced at Li Yansui.

She looked up and smiled at him, mouthing the words, “Brother, he’s bullying me.”

“……”

“I didn’t hear her insult you, but you publicly slandered a classmate and a Student Council member. Another ten points off,” Bai Tingshou declared calmly.

“Why just me?” the boy fumed.

“You called Li Yansui waste and a rich girl and accused me of favoritism and bullying. How is that unfair?” Bai Tingshou retorted.

The boy fell silent, his face turning red.

Bai Tingshou added, “Since you said why just you, that means others were involved too. I’ll give you a chance—name the others who spoke ill of Li Yansui, and I’ll deduct points from them as well. How about that?”

His cold gaze swept the room.

His words, though not loud, were clear in the quiet classroom, silencing everyone else.

The other students glared at the boy.

Though it was summer, the boy broke into a sweat and stayed silent.

Li Yansui stood up and walked out without looking at the boys.

Bai Tingshou followed, saying, “If you have any objections, come to the Student Council office,” before leaving the classroom.