Chapter 29: The Unyielding Gaze

“If my own eyes aren’t enough, then let’s ask the other students! What exactly happened here?”

Wu Gang’s brow furrowed at Li Weiqiang’s evasiveness. He immediately called out, seeking eyewitnesses.

Though Wu Gang could have forced Li Weiqiang into submission, he knew such an approach would only lead the boy to accuse him of abusing his authority and twisting facts.

That would undoubtedly attract difficult parents, creating an even greater nuisance.

Therefore, Li Weiqiang had to admit his wrongdoing willingly. Only then could future troubles be averted.

However…

Li Weiqiang was notorious for his bullying and aggressive behavior; his reputation at school was dreadful. As he deliberately scanned his surroundings, students instinctively turned their heads away, unwilling to meet his gaze.

No student dared to testify against him.

Not unless they wished to leave the high school for good.

After all, even if Li Weiqiang admitted to bullying, it wasn’t considered a major offense.

He was a minor.

At most, he would receive a reprimand, be sent home for a few days of reflection, and then return to school, resuming his reign of terror.

Such was the brutal reality of a school where the strong preyed on the weak.

As everyone avoided Li Weiqiang’s gaze, Lin Qing, who had been searching for Su Yao, finally spotted his target.

Unlike Lin Qing, who had been under constant scrutiny, Su Yao remained hidden within the crowd, subtly observing him.

Much like a predator before a hunt, she first needed to ascertain her prey’s capabilities.

Observation.

By studying the prey’s fundamental movements, she could deduce its reactions.

The process was far from tedious.

For after careful observation, came the exhilarating thrill of the chase.

All this groundwork was for what was to come; there was no need to rush.

As Su Yao quietly observed Lin Qing, she realized he constantly surprised her.

When the football had flown toward them moments ago, Lin Qing hadn’t been hit.

Other students attributed it to Lin Qing’s good luck, but Su Yao, whose attention had never left him, had witnessed his precise footwork and body movements.

It wasn’t luck.

It was skill!

Without even glancing back, relying solely on instinct, Lin Qing had anticipated the football’s trajectory and effortlessly dodged it.

There was no difficulty whatsoever.

‘Honestly.’

He told her not to get close, yet his actions constantly captivated her attention.

‘Lin Qing, that naughty man~’

‘He truly had her wrapped around his finger!’

Su Yao’s dark eyes sparkled, and a faint curve graced her lips.

Unable to resist, she raised her index finger to her lips, toying with their rosy fullness with careless abandon. Slowly, she bit her fingertip, her gaze fixed on Lin Qing, brimming with intense desire.

‘She wanted to know more about him!’

‘Therefore, she couldn’t hide any longer; she needed to step forward now.’

Observation complete.

‘Now, she would draw Lin Qing’s gaze, making him see only her.’

‘No one else would steal his attention.’

Yet, this alone wasn’t enough.

‘She wanted more.’

“Does any student know the details?”

While Lin Qing and Su Yao exchanged a distant glance, Wu Gang found himself facing a predicament.

He had long known Li Weiqiang was a tough nut to crack at school, but he hadn’t anticipated that not a single person would dare to report him.

The situation had now devolved into a stalemate.

He was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Truly frustrating.

Nevertheless, Wu Gang refused to give up.

If, in the end, no student came forward, he would leverage his authority as a teacher.

Regardless, Li Weiqiang had to be severely punished. He couldn’t be allowed to continue his antics.

Otherwise, who knew what further damage he might inflict upon the school environment…

“Teacher, I saw it. Li Weiqiang was bullying a classmate.”

Just as Wu Gang contemplated taking matters into his own hands, a voice, sweet as an oriole’s song, suddenly rang out.

A look of delight spread across Wu Gang’s face. He turned his head and saw Su Yao, smiling as she raised her hand.

Upon hearing her, those standing around her instinctively took a few steps back, creating a deliberate distance.

Their gazes, directed at her, were filled with utter shock.

It seemed no one had expected Su Yao to be the one to speak up.

However, it was precisely because she was Su Yao that she didn’t need to fear Li Weiqiang’s retaliation.

She dared to speak the truth.

Not only was Su Yao beautiful, but her character was also exemplary; the more they looked, the more impressed they became!

In that moment, students who harbored a favorable impression of Su Yao were practically singing her praises to the heavens.

Meanwhile, some girls who resented Su Yao thought she was merely putting on a show.

‘To choose this moment to curry favor!’

‘What a cunning and treacherous woman!’

‘If Su Yao truly detested evil, she could have intervened and stopped Li Weiqiang long before he bullied a classmate…’

‘After all, with Su Yao’s family background, ordinary people wouldn’t dare provoke her.’

‘With her capabilities, wasn’t it only natural for her to stop a school bully?’

‘Yet, she had waited until now.’

‘If they had Su Yao’s advantages, they would have stopped the bullying from the very beginning.’

The jealous girls felt a bitter envy, not only calling Su Yao cunning but also adding a layer of moral judgment.

They were practically dragging Su Yao’s name through the mud.

However, these were merely thoughts; voicing them was entirely out of the question.

On the surface, they would even feign closeness with Su Yao to gain more benefits.

Still, Su Yao paid no mind to the myriad of gazes fixed upon her.

Her attention was solely on one person.

Meeting Lin Qing’s returning gaze, Su Yao felt a profound sense of satisfaction rapidly surge within her.

‘That’s right!’

‘Just like this.’

‘Look at her!’

‘Don’t avert your gaze; look at her with fervent eyes, let those eyes hidden beneath his dark hair be filled solely with her reflection.’

‘Allow no one else.’

Realizing Lin Qing was indeed watching her, Su Yao’s heart pounded faster, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.

Her black, jewel-like eyes sparkled with an astonishing brilliance.

However…

‘It still wasn’t quite enough.’

‘This level of excitement hadn’t reached its peak yet!’

With that thought, Su Yao didn’t remain still but took a step, walking toward Wu Gang.

Her long legs, encased in white stockings, drew everyone’s gaze.

As she moved, her curvaceous figure swayed, and her skirt hem fluttered from side to side.

It was as if she were playfully tugging at their heartstrings.

Arousing a tantalizing itch.

As gazes drifted upward, they met Su Yao’s exquisitely beautiful face, radiant as peach blossoms. Her charming smile made one feel as if a gentle spring breeze had caressed their cheeks, bringing warmth and comfort.

‘Truly worthy of being Campus Belle Su.’

‘She was captivatingly beautiful, always.’

‘A woman of such perfection should be enshrined in a glass display, admired from afar. Even a single glance felt like a divine blessing, enough to fill one with contentment.’

‘As for the man who could ever possess her?’

‘Perhaps in the next lifetime!’

‘A goddess would always remain a goddess, never to be defiled by a man!’

As Su Yao, revered as a goddess by the male students, passed by Lin Qing, her arm brushed against his in a seemingly unintentional touch. Yet, her index finger subtly hooked his pinky.

A fleeting touch.

The lingering warmth proved her deliberate intent.