Tang Xiaomin, ignoring the strange glances from others, couldn't stop smiling.
It was one thing for Zhang Guo'er to play coy and deceive others for a sense of superiority.
But to the point where she believed her own lies. This was a colossal joke.
Zhang Guo'er's face instantly turned grim, and her heart sank, a wave of nervousness washing over her.
Something was wrong.
How could Tang Xiaomin possibly know her background?
She must have been guessing wildly; it had to be that.
"Tang Xiaomin, you bumped into me, and everyone saw it. I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize!"
Zhang Guo'er issued her ultimatum.
Having suffered a loss at Tang Xiaomin's hands and then having the edited video of her being beaten released, Zhang Guo'er was utterly humiliated and unable to show her face.
Therefore, she desperately wanted Tang Xiaomin's apology to save face.
Tang Xiaomin retracted her smile, looking at Zhang Guo'er with a teasing gaze.
Since she enjoyed deceiving herself and basking in others' admiration.
What else could be done?
Naturally, one had to fulfill her wishes.
"I'm someone who won't shed tears until I see the coffin. If you want me to apologize, go call your capable boyfriend. I'll be waiting for you."
"You..."
Zhang Guo'er stamped her foot in anger.
Besides, where could she find a capable boyfriend to back her up?
Zhou Dan, not understanding the situation, was infuriated by Tang Xiaomin's arrogance and couldn't hold back.
"Tang Xiaomin, just keep being arrogant. When Guo'er's boyfriend gets here, you'll be crying."
"Guo'er, quickly call your boyfriend. He's your boyfriend, he'll definitely stand up for you if you're wronged."
"I..."
Zhang Guo'er hesitated, her mind a complete blank.
Tang Xiaomin, with a half-smile, also chimed in like Zhou Dan, egging Zhang Guo'er on.
"She's right. You bumped into me, and you were beaten by me before. With all the old and new grievances combined, you must show me what you've got. Hurry up and call your boyfriend, you can't keep being wronged like this."
Facing Tang Xiaomin's provocation, Zhou Dan was burning with rage.
"Guo'er! Look how utterly arrogant Tang Xiaomin is! Hurry up and make the call."
"Hurry up and call," Tang Xiaomin added.
Suddenly, a formidable opponent and a foolish teammate were both pressuring Zhang Guo'er to make the call.
At this moment, Zhang Guo'er wished she could die.
If she made this call, where would she find a capable boyfriend to deal with Tang Xiaomin?
One lie often required countless other lies to cover it up.
After hesitating for a long time, weighing the pros and cons, Zhang Guo'er sighed.
"My boyfriend's work is very busy every day, and he's currently abroad. I can't trouble him over such a small matter and make him delay his work."
"It wouldn't be right to delay his work for a small matter. I'll just consider myself bitten by a dog today."
Zhang Guo'er backed down, and Tang Xiaomin, finding her insufferable, no longer bothered with her.
However, Zhang Guo'er's remark about being bitten by a dog infuriated Tang Xiaomin.
Without a word, Tang Xiaomin kicked Zhang Guo'er over and then slapped her twice.
The sudden assault stunned everyone present.
Looking at Tang Xiaomin, their eyes were filled with fear.
Zhang Guo'er, on the ground, clutched her face and looked at Tang Xiaomin with tears welling up.
"You... you actually hit me!"
Tang Xiaomin's gaze was icy, exuding an invisible aura of deterrence.
She said coldly, "Falling down before was a small matter. Now that I've hit you, it's a big one."
"It wasn't worth bothering your capable boyfriend for a small matter, but now that it's big, it's time to trouble him."
Tang Xiaomin's lips curved into a teasing smile, her gaze seeming to see through everything.
Their eyes met, and Zhang Guo'er felt a profound sense of fear, unable to utter a single word.
Tang Xiaomin, tired of dealing with Zhang Guo'er, turned and returned to class.
After Tang Xiaomin left, Zhou Dan, who had been hiding, finally came to Zhang Guo'er's side and helped her up.
"Guo'er, how are you? Tang Xiaomin is too much! We can't let this go."
Seeing the onlookers' curious stares, Zhang Guo'er felt utterly humiliated.
She shoved Zhou Dan away, ran off into the distance, and her tears finally flowed uncontrollably.
Tang Xiaomin was just an abandoned daughter, disliked by her cousins. Why was she bullying her like this?
She would definitely retaliate doubly and make Tang Xiaomin recognize her place.
After school, she returned home.
Tang Xu's incident could no longer be kept a secret; Zhang Meiyu already knew.
Zhang Meiyu didn't cry or make a scene. Upon learning that Tang Xu was out of danger, she personally cooked soup and prepared to take it to the hospital.
With so many conflicts arising between the siblings, Zhang Meiyu's heart felt truly heavy.
Endless retaliation brought no peace.
Seeing Tang Xiaomin return, Zhang Meiyu proactively said, "I made soup for Tang Xu. Can you take me to the hospital to see him?"
Xianfu Group was located in the suburbs, making it difficult to get a taxi, so Tang Xiaomin agreed.
As the car drove smoothly, Zhang Meiyu, in the passenger seat, hesitated before finally asking.
"Tang Yu said you were planning to bring Tang Xu home that day, and he had an accident on the way back. Can you tell me what happened?"
Afraid Tang Xiaomin might misunderstand, she added, "Mom isn't suspecting you of harming him. I just want to understand him better."
She had been the one who suggested Tang Xu come home for dinner that day, and Tang Xiaomin had even ordered a grand meal from a restaurant. Zhang Meiyu trusted Tang Xiaomin unconditionally.
"I brought him back that day, and we were chatting in the car. He asked me if I was happy seeing him in pain, and I said yes. He suddenly jumped out of the car himself," Tang Xiaomin recounted.
"After he was injured, he still asked if I was happy. He was sick in the head."
Listening to Tang Xiaomin's account, Zhang Meiyu's expression grew solemn.
If what Tang Xiaomin said was true, then Tang Xu's mental state was worrying.
Even as a mother, Zhang Meiyu couldn't fully understand Tang Xu, one of her four sons.
He had been silent and withdrawn since childhood, with a reclusive personality. Sometimes, she felt as though Tang Xu had autism.
Only after he grew up safely and integrated into society with a successful career did she finally feel at ease.
"When Tang Xu was little, he had a hat that he particularly loved. Later, I thought it was old and threw it away without his permission."
"That day, he ran to the garbage dump and searched relentlessly. We couldn't stop him. Later, we had to send more people to help him find it before he would give up."
"He was extremely fixated on things he cared about. Even though the hat was found covered in sewage and smelled awful, he washed it himself, dried it, and wore it the next day."
Listening to Zhang Meiyu's words, Tang Xiaomin gained a new understanding of Tang Xu.
No wonder Tang Yiyi was despised and hated by the entire Tang family back then. Tang Xu, knowing Tang Yiyi's character, remained steadfastly loyal to her.
It was because Tang Xu himself had issues.