Saving the Pitiful Villain (GL) - Chapter 32

The impatient tone, and the intense irritation and disgust in Zhao Changming’s eyes were visible even through his cold glasses.

This was completely different from the gentlemanly image he usually maintained.

Ye Mei was first startled by the test paper thrown at her, and then she heard Zhao Changming’s voice.

“Damn, you idiot, you’re back to being an ass.”

Ye Mei was about to continue cursing, but her sleeve was tugged.

Turning her head, Yun Wu stood up, picking up the answer sheets scattered on the floor one by one, then smoothing out the creases and neatly stacking them.

She didn’t look at Zhao Changming once throughout the process.

Zhao Changming saw this as provocation. Then he thought, perhaps this was Yun Wu’s way of trying to get his attention.

In the entire school, besides her and Ye Mei, which girl didn’t blush when speaking to him?

Thinking this, Zhao Changming let out a sneering giggle, scornfully curling his lips, waiting to see how Yun Wu would explain herself.

But after Yun Wu put the answer sheets into her drawer, she didn’t spare Zhao Changming an extra glance, quietly returning to her reading.

Ye Mei: ???

Other students watching the drama: ???

Ye Mei eyed Yun Wu a few times, then spat toward Zhao Changming.

“Some people have a face as big as a donkey’s backside. They’re begging to be kicked.”

Finished speaking, Ye Mei slowly sat down, seemingly not planning to bother with Zhao Changming anymore.

Zhao Changming was very popular with girls because of the gentlemanly aura he feigned. Seeing him being openly humiliated, a few girls in the class immediately became upset and started chattering angrily.

“It’s true that Ye Mei’s family is rich, but what is Yun Wu being so virtuous for?”

“Exactly. Doing such shameful things, yet pretending so well that no one could tell normally.”

“Zhao Changming talking to her is a compliment to her. She’s really ungrateful.”

“…”

Most of the boys in the class looked like they were watching a joke unfold. Girls might like Zhao Changming, but they certainly didn’t have that preference.

Most of the attention was focused on Yun Wu’s seat.

Zhao Changming gritted his teeth, seeing Yun Wu continuously ignore him. He was a little exasperated.

“Yun Wu, I am talking to you! Can’t you hear me?”

Yun Wu still ignored him. Xu Chacha had walked over at some point and tugged on Zhao Changming’s arm.

“Changming, I heard that Yun Wu’s grades were quite good in her previous ordinary school. Maybe she really solved it herself. Don’t wrongly accuse her. If there’s truly a problem, the teacher will handle it.”

As her voice fell, a few sighs of disdain rose in the class.

They considered themselves privileged darlings, a cut above ordinary people. It was ridiculous that someone from a common school could outscore them.

Xu Chacha listened to the sighs, rejoicing inwardly, but still maintaining her understanding appearance.

“Although Yun Wu has consistently been last place, she has been trying hard these past few days. Her grades are bound to improve.”

Xu Chacha successfully diffused the awkwardness. Zhao Changming’s expression looked slightly better. Then he said sarcastically.

“Review for a few days, then jump from last place to first place?”

Others sneered, seemingly convinced that Yun Wu had cheated.

Their malice seemed to come without reason. Because she was weak, she could be bullied at will.

Ye Mei was about to lash out, but Yun Wu grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

Yun Wu put down her pen and looked up, calmly facing Zhao Changming and Xu Chacha.

“Did I copy yours, or hers?”

The classroom immediately fell silent. Everyone stared at Yun Wu in astonishment.

It was widely known that Yun Wu had many nicknames: mute, deaf, and autistic weirdo… Before Ye Mei started attending school, Yun Wu was always a loner, and hardly anyone had heard her speak publicly.

Now, hearing her speak for the first time, her voice was surprisingly pleasant.

And was she mocking Zhao Changming and Xu Chacha?

Bold!

Ye Mei’s face lit up with joy. She turned back, beaming at Yun Wu, and subtly gave her a thumbs-up.

Xu Chacha and Zhao Changming’s expressions stiffened. They hadn’t expected Yun Wu to have the audacity to publicly challenge them.

What did she mean? Did she think getting first place from copying meant she could suddenly rise above them?

Zhao Changming’s lips trembled. He blatantly threatened, “Yun Wu, I am advising you out of kindness. Go confess to the teacher that you cheated and withdraw your score. Otherwise, it will only end badly for you and be utterly shameful.”

Even if Yun Wu hadn’t cheated, Zhao Changming had ways to make it look like she had. No one was going to ruin his plans.

Yun Wu lowered her eyes, concealing her emotions. She didn’t engage with them further, turning away as if she didn’t care at all.

“You…” Seeing her unrepentant demeanor, Zhao Changming looked furious and somewhat doubtful.

The look Yun Wu gave him just now—Zhao Changming actually felt like she was looking down at him, as if he were an ant.

Xu Chacha felt it too. She gave Yun Wu a deep, scrutinizing look, then said to Zhao Changming. “It’s almost time for class. Go back to your seat. Teacher Fang will handle it.”

His expression marginally better, Zhao Changming huffed loudly and walked back to his seat.

Ye Mei, for the first time, saw someone other than herself make Zhao Changming and Xu Chacha eat humble pie. She put her face on the desk and draped her arm around Yun Wu’s.

“So you can be annoying. Why did you always hold back before? You should fight back fiercely.”

Yun Wu’s words were as scarce as ever. She gave Ye Mei a slightly softened look and continued practicing questions.

Ye Mei rubbed her nose, becoming quiet as a mouse, and stopped talking.

Yun Wu had been like a ruthless practice-question machine during this time. At school, all she did was study, practice, and study. Nothing happening around her could shake her determination to study, as if stopping would lead to a fatal urgency.

Ye Mei knew she was preparing for the Nanda independent admissions exam, but she didn’t know why she was so desperate.

When school ended, Ye Mei specifically asked her minion to follow Yun Wu from a distance until she entered the East Villa community alone. The other minions remained at school, staking out to catch the person who posted the photos.

Ye Mei herself was dragged by Mr. Ye and Mrs. Lin to attend a banquet.

Mrs. Lin threatened her with disownment. If she didn’t attend today and learn how to dress like a ladylike daughter from other families, she would no longer be considered her mother.

Mrs. Lin’s tone was very aggressive. Ye Mei knew that if she didn’t go, her “steel backside skill” would surely advance another level.

Putting on a wig, slathering on makeup, and changing into a formal gown she would never usually wear, Ye Mei arrived at the banquet location full of reluctance.

The Winston Manor.

Small lights dotted the garden. Sparkling crystal chandeliers hung high in the hall. Men and women held champagne flutes, moving through the crowd. Ye Mei knew her parents were there for business. She wisely found a corner to eat something.

Glancing around, Ye Mei saw a familiar face.

Auntie Jiang.

She was wearing a vintage-style, knee-length suit dress with light makeup. She was tall and slender. At first glance, she wasn’t as eye-catching as the glamorous, red-lipped female boss next to her, but she didn’t lose out in presence at all.

Like a sunset reflecting on a calm lake, her gentle demeanor momentarily stunned Ye Mei.

Mrs. Lin glanced and saw Ye Mei staring blankly while holding a piece of pastry. Following her gaze, she immediately spotted Jiang Shangxue in the crowd.

Mrs. Lin, knowing her daughter’s sexual orientation, quickly frowned. She strode over and fiercely poked Ye Mei’s head.

“What are you looking at? Don’t you dare set your sights on someone as far out of your league as the wife of the late Chairman of the Yun Group. She is an elder.”

“What? I was just staring blankly at someone pretty,” Ye Mei recovered and suddenly, as if realizing something, grabbed Mrs. Lin’s hand.

“Mom, what did you just say? That is Jiang Shangxue?”

“Yes.”

Because the age difference between Jiang Shangxue and Yun Yuandao was significant, there was a huge uproar online when their marriage was announced. The Jiang family even published an announcement in the newspaper. All the major families paid attention to the news.

After all, the Yun Group had a massive market capitalization.

Ye Mei was slightly stunned. She mumbled quickly, “So Auntie Jiang is Jiang Shangxue, and she’s Yun Wu’s stepmother?”

Mrs. Lin hadn’t heard clearly what she was saying. She casually replied.

“I just toasted with Madam Jiang. She’s completely different from the rumors. Not to be underestimated.”

Mrs. Lin was notoriously arrogant, and few people earned her praise, especially such high praise on the first meeting.

Putting down the pastry in her hand, Ye Mei’s eyes kept darting around. She urged Mrs. Lin to quickly go back to her business.

Auntie Jiang and Yun Wu seemed to have a very close relationship. Could she tell her about Yun Wu’s situation?

But the relationship between a stepmother and stepdaughter was inherently delicate. If not handled well, wouldn’t she be making things worse with good intentions?

Ye Mei frequently cast glances toward Jiang Shangxue’s location.

Jiang Shangxue noticed. She turned her head and, without warning, locked eyes with Ye Mei.

Raising an eyebrow, she put down the champagne glass in her hand and walked toward Ye Mei.

“Heh heh heh, Auntie Jiang,” Ye Mei shuffled aside, making room for Jiang Shangxue.

“Ye Mei, you look exceptionally well-behaved tonight. Are you accompanying your parents to the banquet?” Jiang Shangxue nodded at her, smiling faintly.

Ye Mei was huddled in the corner, her entire body showing rejection. It wasn’t hard to guess she had been dragged out by her elders.

Ye Mei nodded, pointing toward her parents.

Ye Jianwei, Chairman of Sanlin Company.

Lin Mei, Operations Director of Sanlin Company.

The Yun Group and Sanlin Company had a partnership in the real estate sector. Jiang Shangxue had an impression of them.

Judging by Ye Mei’s reaction, Jiang Shangxue guessed she knew her identity now.

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Shangxue proactively said, “Ye Mei, Wu Wu still doesn’t know I’m her stepmother. I hope you can keep it a secret for now.”

Ye Mei was surprised. She instinctively asked in return, “Yun Wu doesn’t know?”

Jiang Shangxue nodded.

“But why are you hiding it from her? Don’t you know she’s being bullied at school…”

Before she could finish, Ye Mei stopped talking. She hadn’t figured out why Jiang Shangxue was hiding her identity from Yun Wu. Thinking of the many sordid affairs in wealthy families, and that Jiang Shangxue might have another purpose, she decided to ask for clarification first.

Noticing the flicker of caution in Ye Mei’s eyes, Jiang Shangxue knew what she was thinking. She softened her expression.

“The reasons are complicated, but I genuinely treat her as my own daughter. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

Since she had said so much, Ye Mei wasn’t going to hide anything either. She spilled everything at once.

In fact, after Ye Mei returned to school, no one dared to seriously bully Yun Wu. At most, they just took advantage of her with their words.

But Ye Mei added vivid details to the rumors she had heard before, telling them to Jiang Shangxue. The more she talked, the more intense the rumors became. To lend credibility, Ye Mei even took out her phone and confidently showed Jiang Shangxue the photos she took that morning.

Jiang Shangxue flipped through the photos one by one. The words on the photos were utterly vile. It was hard to imagine high school students saying such things.

She returned the phone to Ye Mei, her expression slightly stunned, feeling uneasy.

However, she was accustomed to restraining herself in any setting. Even though she was increasingly worried about Yun Wu at this moment, her face remained composed. She calmly said to Ye Mei, “I understand. I will handle it.”

Author’s Note:

I had a very bad dream last night. In the dream, a very good friend of mine suffered from depression due to others’ slander and discrimination. I stayed by his side, wanting to help him recover. Then, one day, we went out together cheerfully. I thought he was well, but he gently told me thank you and then jumped off a cliff to commit suicide. I ran down to save him but couldn’t. After waking up, I felt heartbroken for a long time. Seeing today’s news made my emotions even worse. To be dramatic, I cried for a long time.

I didn’t originally want to share these bad things with you, but I don’t know if any of you have had similar experiences to Liu Xuezhou. Please, please, please save yourselves. Everyone will eventually die, but don’t give up your life easily. Keep holding on. There will be light ahead. You can do it!