Saving the Pitiful Villain (GL) - Chapter 7

The last evening self-study session had long ended.

Outside Dongshu High School, a few students trickled out sporadically.

Lowering the car window, the night breeze carried the faint scent of camphor trees.

Yun Wu said she needed to return to school, so Jiang Shangxue drove her there without asking further questions.

Dongshu High School was a nationally renowned elite institution, its architecture grand and classical, even the school gate exuding an imposing aura.

Its facilities surpassed even those of Nanzhou University.

Jiang Shangxue watched Yun Wu’s figure shrink into a small black dot under the gate before driving away.

In the Zhiyuan Building’s study room, a group of students sat together playing a game.

They were tackling high-difficulty Sudoku puzzles, competing to solve them first.

Xu Chacha leaned on the table, a design booklet beneath her hand. Her white silk dress and slightly curled dark hair cascading to her waist added a captivating charm to her pure yet alluring appearance.

She glanced at the wealthy young men around her, her gaze lingering on Zhao Changming for a few seconds.

Dongshu High was a hub for the children of the elite. Zhao Changming’s family wasn’t the most prominent, but his striking looks—sharp, handsome features with a scholarly air—set him apart.

He was also consistently the top student in his grade.

Dongshu High’s teaching methods were unique and distinctive.

Senior year included twelve classes daily: eight during the day focused on college entrance exam material, and four optional evening classes, ranging from advanced university courses to specialized activities like shooting, rock climbing, fencing, and diving.

The school’s exams were independently designed, with questions of significant depth and difficulty.

They prided themselves on cultivating true prodigies—future leaders in various fields. While the students carried the indulgent habits of the rich, their training in other areas was rigorous.

For students, Dongshu High was an ideal platform for networking with peers, teachers, school board members, and investors from their own or higher social strata.

Grades were the easiest stepping stone.

The more outstanding one was at Dongshu, the more likely they were to gain influential support in their future business or political endeavors, with boundless prospects.

Zhao Changming’s academic reputation outshone even his good looks.

The young elites were in the final stretch of their game.

As Xu Meng filled in the last number, the game ended.

Zhao Changming had chosen the hardest puzzle with the most blanks and lost.

Leaning back, he wasn’t upset, merely raising a casual brow. “Alright, what’s the penalty?”

He rarely lost, so Xu Meng grinned mischievously. “Of course, Young Master Zhao has to tease a girl until she blushes. No blush, no pass.”

The group erupted in cheers.

Among their close-knit circle, Xu Chacha was the prettiest, the class beauty of Class Two, her delicate, pitiful demeanor sparking protective instincts.

She was also the only one who occasionally outranked Zhao Changming for the top spot.

Many teasing glances turned to Xu Chacha.

In the lively atmosphere, Zhao Changming looked at her and smiled.

Though her family background didn’t quite meet his expectations, her beauty and gentle, sensible personality made her a valuable asset.

He was fairly satisfied with the idea of Xu Chacha as a girlfriend.

With that thought, he stood and took two steps toward her.

The cheers reached a crescendo.

Glancing out the window, Zhao Changming’s eyes caught a striking side profile.

It was her.

He abruptly changed direction, heading out of the classroom.

Moments later, he appeared downstairs, walking toward Yun Wu.

Wherever she went, he followed—left, right—until she had no choice but to stop and face him.

Onlookers at the windows watched, some whistling playfully.

Xu Chacha, used to being fawned over, felt a pang of discomfort but maintained her gentle, fairy-like facade.

Yun Wu’s expression was calm as she looked up. “Get lost.”

Not only did she not blush, she didn’t even give him a pleasant look.

Zhao Changming, accustomed to girls blushing in his presence, felt humiliated for the first time, especially with his friends watching. Annoyed but maintaining his composure, he smiled. “Classmate Yun Wu, I’m Zhao Changming. Can we get to know each other?”

Yun Wu’s expression grew colder. “I’ll say it again: get lost.”

For a moment, Zhao Changming sensed intense anger from her.

Before he could process it, she strode toward the library.

From upstairs, the scene looked far from romantic—more like Zhao Changming had been rejected.

Peng Huahua, Xu Chacha’s lackey, wore an incredulous expression. “How dare Yun Wu? Making Zhao look bad, strutting around in that shabby uniform, acting all high and mighty.”

Xu Chacha stayed silent, surprised and irritated by Yun Wu’s attitude.

Zhao Changming was her target. Was Yun Wu implying she was above him?

A trash picker’s granddaughter—where did she get the nerve?

Clueless.

Someone chimed in, “What’s her deal? Just a grandpa who collects trash, dressed like a pauper, silent as if she’s autistic. How did she even get into Dongshu?”

“Yeah, she’s an embarrassment to Dongshu. How did a lowlife like her sneak in?”

“Who knows? Does she really think she can climb the social ladder here?”

The young elites voiced their disdain, seeing Yun Wu as beneath them—a mere plaything at best.

Peng Huahua, with the weakest background in the group, was usually ignored. This was the first time so many agreed with her, fueling her enthusiasm.

She had to grovel to these rich kids, so why didn’t Yun Wu? Everything about her was infuriating.

Maliciously, she suggested, “Bet she slept her way in. Heard she lives in the library’s private study room. Should we teach her a lesson for Zhao?”

Lack of propriety was a shameful topic for girls her age, especially for refined young ladies. Xu Chacha lightly tapped Peng Huahua. “Huahua, don’t say such vulgar things.”

“Only you’re kind, Chacha. She doesn’t deserve your defense.”

Peng Huahua brushed it off, spotting Zhao Changming’s cold expression as he returned. She loudly declared her intent to confront Yun Wu.

Zhao Changming neither agreed nor objected—tacit approval.

The group soon gathered at the library entrance.

Yun Wu emerged from a side corridor, and Peng Huahua led the charge to block her.

“Hey!”

“Hey, you! I’m talking to you. Got any manners?”

“Kneel and apologize to us and Zhao!”

They dragged Yun Wu to the bathroom at the corridor’s end. Zhao Changming and Xu Chacha stayed back, watching coldly from a distance.

Zhao Changming thought a lesson would teach this insolent girl to behave.

Xu Chacha noticed a difference in how Zhao Changming looked at Yun Wu, intensifying her unease.

Yun Wu stayed silent, shoved into a corner, her back against the cold wall.

Freshly cleaned, the chill seeped into her bones.

Her dark eyes locked onto them wordlessly.

Peng Huahua, unnerved by her stare, grew angrier. “What are you looking at? Keep staring, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

She swung a slap, but Yun Wu dodged, causing Peng Huahua’s hand to hit the sink. She yelped in pain, humiliated and furious.

“Dumb mute, kneel and apologize. Heard you live in the library’s study room. Believe me, I’ll trash it—it’s not a place you deserve.”

Backed by her bulk and proximity to Zhao Changming and Xu Chacha, Peng Huahua bullied those of lesser status without fear of retaliation.

Yun Wu glimpsed Zhao Changming and Xu Chacha watching coldly through the crowd.

In this life, she hadn’t provoked them at all. Why wouldn’t they leave her alone?

With a scornful laugh, fury surged within her. She shoved past the person blocking her, intent on leaving.

Peng Huahua wouldn’t let her. “Hold her down!”

The group swarmed. Yun Wu fought fiercely, but one against many was no match.

Her arms were twisted behind her, her face pressed to the filthy floor, the stench of mud and urine filling her nose.

Someone grabbed a container from the sink, filled it with water, and slowly poured it over her face.

Choking and coughing, unable to move, Yun Wu’s anger flared. Her eyes reddened, and she thrashed wildly, screaming, “Get off me!”

“Get lost!”

Startled by her reaction and fearing the librarian might hear, Peng Huahua kicked Yun Wu’s stomach hard.

“Mute, apologize!”

Yun Wu let out a pained groan, her face paling instantly.

Students passing by for study, borrowing books, or using the bathroom glanced at her from afar.

Some gossips lingered, pointing and whispering with their friends.

Yun Wu could hear their words: “Lowly, pathetic, out of place, sick…”

Why didn’t these self-righteous, lofty people just die? They all deserved to die.

Her chest heaved, her fingers digging into the floor’s crevices, some nails snapping, blood seeping out.

Still, she refused to speak or yield.