The next morning, the school grounds buzzed with chatter as students gathered in small groups, some just arriving in their luxurious cars.
A sleek black car stopped at the gate, the driver stepping out quickly to open the door. Heads turned instantly.
From within, Su Ning emerged—dressed in nothing more than her neatly ironed school uniform. No jewelry. No designer bag. Nothing extravagant. And yet… there was something different.
Her steps were calm, her posture straight, her eyes sharp and clear. An aura of quiet authority surrounded her, as if the very air parted to make way.
"Is that… Su Ning?" someone whispered.
"She looks… beautiful today."
"Tch, beautiful? She's just pretending. Probably borrowed money again."
"Still… doesn't she look… different?"
The whispers spread like wildfire. Some admired her. Most glared with envy. But Su Ning didn't even spare them a glance. She walked past, her every step steady, as if their opinions were nothing but meaningless noise.
When she entered her classroom, her gaze softened. On her seat sat Chen Anya, head bowed as she arranged her books.
Su Ning walked over, her tone gentle. "Anya, good morning. Why didn't you come to school yesterday? Is everything alright at home?"
Anya looked up, startled. "Ning… my father's stall wasn't doing well. I had to help him. Mother's been sick too, so—"
But before she could finish, the sound of sharp heels clicking against the floor cut her off.
"Su Ning!"
The classroom door slammed open. Shen Luoluo strode in, her face twisted with fury, Shen Mixi and two other girls trailing behind her like shadows.
The room fell silent.
Everyone knew what this meant.
Shen Luoluo stopped in front of Su Ning's desk, her eyes narrowed. "Why aren't you living in that rat hole of a house anymore? Where did you move to? Hiding, are you?"
Her voice dripped with venom, and students leaned closer, hungry for drama.
Su Ning lifted her eyes slowly, the faintest of smirks curving her lips. She scoffed. "Oh? And since when did my residence become your concern? Or do you send tax collectors now?"
The class gasped.
Whispers exploded immediately.
"Did she just—talk back?"
"To Shen Luoluo?!"
"She's lost her mind…"
Shen Luoluo's face darkened, her nails digging into her palm. "You—! Do you think a stray dog like you can bark at me? Believe me, I only need to say one word, and my parents will have you expelled from this school!"
But Su Ning didn't even flinch. She leaned back in her chair, her voice calm and cutting. "Expelled? Go ahead. But tell me, Shen Luoluo… without me here, who will you have left to bully? Who will entertain your pathetic little tantrums?"
Her words were soft, but the scorn in them struck harder than any shout.
Shen Luoluo trembled with rage, her pride ripped apart in front of everyone. Unable to think of a retort, she spun on her heels. "Let's go!"
Her clique sneered as they followed, tossing insults at Su Ning on their way out. "Ugly rat!"
"Don't get cocky, you'll regret it!"
But Su Ning didn't so much as blink.
When the room finally quieted, Chen Anya turned to her, panic in her eyes. "Ning… why did you do that? What if she really gets you expelled? Maybe… maybe you should apologize before it gets worse, I'll go with you."
Su Ning turned to her, her gaze firm yet gentle. "Anya. Do you know why people like Shen Luoluo never stop bullying people like us?"
Anya shook her head timidly.
"It's because we let them. We cower. We beg. We stay silent. And the more we bow, the harder they step on us. If you want to break free, you can't hide anymore—you have to fight back. Look them in the eyes and show them you won't break."
Her words carried weight, each one sinking into Anya's heart.
Anya bit her lip, her eyes glistening with hesitation. "…I… I understand. I'll try. But I'm still scared."
Su Ning reached out and patted her hand lightly. "Fear is natural. But courage isn't about not being afraid—it's about standing even when you are. Don't worry, Anya. From now on, you're not alone."
Anya's chest tightened, her heart swelling with warmth and determination she never knew she had.
Su Ning smiled faintly, her eyes glinting with a calm fierceness. "Come. After school, I'll take you home with me. There are things I want to tell you.
And in that moment, Chen Anya realized her friend was no longer the same girl she once knew.