Chapter 28: The boy’s new deskmate

Inside the head teacher’s office.

Yuxiu was enduring the teacher’s wrath.

It clearly wasn’t her fault alone, but the teacher wouldn’t listen to her explanation at all.

The girl felt sad, wronged, and a surge of anger at the injustice.

“Yuxiu…”

Just as Yuxiu felt surrounded by darkness, a small, soft hand enveloped hers.

It was Lin You, comforting his friend in his own way.

“Zhong Yuxiu, have your parents call me. Also, if anything like this happens again, you will be severely punished.”

The head teacher spewed spittle as she criticized her for a full several minutes.

Throughout the process, she frequently glanced at Zhao Xixia, as if to confirm whether the other girl was satisfied.

Only when Zhao Xixia nodded her pale chin did the head teacher breathe a sigh of relief.

She was doing this for her job, and also for Zhong Yuxiu’s own good.

After all, Zhao Xixia’s background was terrifying. She was the descendant of a powerful and influential family. If the news of her being slapped reached her family, even if it was just a squabble between children, it could easily blow up into a major problem.

“Smack! Do you understand?”

Yuxiu was lost in the interaction of holding the boy’s hand, tracing his palm with her fingertip. Her distraction caused the head teacher to slam her hand on the desk.

“I know.”

Yuxiu lowered her head and responded absent-mindedly.

The head teacher’s unfair treatment on two separate occasions had left the girl completely disillusioned.

“Teacher, I don’t want to be her deskmate anymore.”

Zhao Xixia, who had been enjoying the show, no longer remained silent and took the initiative to request a seat change.

“I have no objection.”

Being able to get away from Zhao Xixia was exactly what Zhong Yuxiu wanted.

“Let him be my deskmate.”

However, Zhao Xixia’s next sentence made Yuxiu’s eyes practically shoot sparks.

“Huh? Me?”

The little wallflower Lin You foolishly pointed at himself, finding it hard to believe.

“That’s right.”

Zhao Xixia blinked, some unknown scheme brewing in her mind.

“Don’t even think about it! Teacher, you can’t let her be Youyou’s deskmate! Youyou will be bullied!”

When it came to the boy, Zhong Yuxiu’s demeanor instantly changed, and she protectively stood in front of him.

“We will change the seats according to Classmate Zhao Xixia’s suggestion. If Classmate Lin You is bullied, I will naturally stand up for him.”

From the head teacher’s perspective, her first priority was to cater to the feelings of the special student, Zhao Xixia. Second was a promising student like Zhong Yuxiu, and last was an ordinary student like Lin You.

“It’s no problem for me.”

Lin You could also accept this arrangement. This way, Yuxiu wouldn’t be bullied by Zhao Xixia.

The only price was that he himself would likely fall into Zhao Xixia’s clutches.

“Yuxiu, don’t worry, it’s fine. I can definitely get along with Classmate Zhao.”

For this seat change to happen, he had to be the one to persuade Yuxiu.

“…”

Under the repeated persuasion of the head teacher and Lin You, even though Yuxiu was a thousand times unwilling, she was out of options.

Finally, Yuxiu reluctantly nodded.

The matter was settled. The three children walked out of the teacher’s office.

“Zhao Xixia, if you dare to bully Youyou even a little, I will absolutely, absolutely not let you off.”

Yuxiu didn’t believe for a second that a malicious person like Zhao Xixia would treat Lin You kindly.

“Is that another threat? You just keep repeating the same old tricks.”

Zhao Xixia stuffed her hands in her pockets, completely unfazed by Yuxiu’s words.

“Alright, alright, Yuxiu, trust me. I can definitely get along with Classmate Zhao.”

In fact, Lin You felt Yuxiu’s reaction was a bit exaggerated and quickly tried to smooth things over.

“If anything happens, remember to tell me. I’ll help you.”

Yuxiu was still worried and reminded the boy a thousand times.

“Hehe…”

Watching the girl and boy’s intimate whispers, Zhao Xixia let out a cryptic laugh.

If she couldn’t have Zhong Yuxiu’s friendship, then no one could.

She would definitely tear these two friends apart.

Above Zhao Xixia’s head, a gray light flickered, mixed with purple.

She disliked Lin You, and at the same time, she was jealous that an ugly duckling like him could be with a little white swan.

Inside the classroom.

Lin You once again sat in the first row of the second group.

Yuxiu, on the other hand, had moved to the remote corner.

Many of their classmates were curious about this and gossiped behind their backs.

Ring ring ring.

Class began, and Lin You had to return to the seat that had originally belonged to Yuxiu.

His new deskmate was Zhao Xixia, a girl who was incredibly difficult to get along with.

Just from the light emanating from above her head, Lin You wanted to keep his distance.

To protect Yuxiu, the boy could only bite the bullet and accept this new deskmate.

This period was art class. The art teacher was a woman in her thirties, plump and always smiling. The atmosphere in her class was generally relaxed and cheerful.

“Class, does everyone have their watercolor pens and drawing pads? For those who haven’t bought them yet, please remember to do so for next time. The teacher will teach you…”

The teacher was talking animatedly at the front, but Lin You’s expression was a little off.

Because Zhao Xixia’s foot was not behaving. It had crossed the centerline under the desk and pushed the boy’s foot aside.

“I hear your name is Lin You?”

Zhao Xixia bullied the boy while asking him questions in a haughty tone.

“Yes. Um, Classmate Zhao, could you please move your foot back? You’re crowding me…”

Lin You looked down under the desk and could see a foot in a beautiful shoe, aggressively encroaching on his space.

“Are you telling me what to do?”

Not only did Zhao Xixia not pull back, but she became even more aggressive, pushing the boy’s foot all the way to the leg of the desk.

“Hey…”

Seeing how difficult she was to communicate with, Lin You simply stopped talking and silently endured it.

‘Was Yuxiu also treated like this? This time, it’s my turn.’

The thought of being able to endure this unpleasantness for his friend made the boy feel it was worth it.

Zhao Xixia was not satisfied with the boy’s forbearance.

She opened her drawing pad and began to draw something on a blank page.

Soon, a comical and ugly large red face appeared on the paper.

“Does this look like you?”

Zhao Xixia forcefully pushed the drawing pad onto Lin You’s desk, whispering mockingly.

“It does.”

As she wished, Lin You quickly gave her a response.

Being mocked to his face was nothing.

For his good friend Yuxiu, Lin You’s heart was filled with courage.

Even if he was bullied and laughed at… if it could bring his friend peace, then it was enough.

“It seems you have some self-awareness.”

Zhao Xixia wasn’t as happy as she had expected, because Lin You’s reaction was too calm.

She had thought he would be provoked until his face turned red, and hopefully, he would even cry.

“Yes, I am an ugly freak, not even worthy of a single strand of Classmate Zhao’s hair.”

Lin You took the initiative to belittle himself, which stunned Zhao Xixia for a moment.

“Hmph, well said.”

Zhao Xixia’s pretty little face lost its expression. It was unclear if she was angry or amused.