After the incident at the boutique with both Cheng Ciao and Li Man, Lu Jingyan, Leng Yumo and Lu Xinyan went to the restaurant across the road to have some dessert
"Sister in law. How do you manage to talk to those kinds of people?" Leng Yumo asked as she looked at her sister in law
"I never talked to them. Infact we were enemies" Lu Jingyan said
"Enemies? How come?" Leng Yumo asked as Lu Jngyan as she sighed
Two years ago. Before Lu Jingyan's world crumbled, she was the name that carried weight untouchable in every sense. A whisper of her name could end a conversation, and her silence was more frightening than a teacher's scolding. Everyone respected her, or feared her.
It was a quiet Wednesday when she first clashed with Li Man and Cheng Ciao — two girls who clung to money and envy like lifelines.
Lu Jingyan had gone to the rooftop garden for peace, but what she heard instead was cruel laughter echoing from the stairwell. A shaky voice followed, muffled by tears.
"You think you can talk to Han Wei just because he smiled at you?" Cheng Ciao sneered.
"You wore makeup to school? Trying to seduce someone?" Li Man added, yanking the timid girl's bag and spilling its contents across the floor. Her name was Lin Shuwei — a quiet, bookish girl from a modest family.
She tried to explain, voice trembling. "I—I didn't do anything. He just said hi..." Lin Shuwei said stammering but instead she received something else
*Slap*
The sound was sharp.
And that was the moment Lu Jingyan stepped in.
Her voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Pick it up."
Li Man turned, startled. "W-What?"
"I said," Lu Jingyan repeated coldly, "Pick up her things. And apologize."
"You're taking her side?" Cheng Ciao blinked in disbelief. "She's no one. She is a poor pauper who just attended our school because of some stupid scholarship test she passed. She is nothing but a piece of trash, a garbage " Cheng Ciao said eyeing Lin Shuwei
Lu Jingyan's gaze didn't waver. "And you're nothing but entitled garbage if you think bullying makes you strong."
Li Man tried to scoff, but Jingyan walked forward, towering over them without raising her voice. "Touch her again, and I'll make sure your parents beg mine to keep you in school. Try me."
"Lu Jingyan you are threatening us because of this piece of trash?"
"At least this piece of trash is worth keeping than you entitled garbage" Lu Jingyan said making them disbelief
"And she has a name. Lin Shuwei" she said solid and firm
"Lu Jingyan. I can't believe this you are making us loose face in front if this useless..." Lu Man said
"Call her name. And I will make you regret it" Lu Jingyan said without batting an eye. Li Man knew if she say anything more she would regret it
Cameras were already out. Whispers traveled fast. The video exploded on the school's social app before the end of the day.
The next morning, Lu Jingyan sat calmly in the cafeteria, sipping tea while the principal summoned Li Man and Cheng Ciao. The evidence was undeniable.
Suspensions. Public apology. Reputation ruined.
Their former friends ghosted them. Boys who used to fawn over them mocked them behind their backs. The label stuck *"Slapped down by Lu Jingyan."*
And the best part? Lu Jingyan didn't say another word to them after that day.
She didn't need to.