Several parents were weighing the pros and cons at this moment.
It was merely a scuffle between children, with only minor injuries. Nothing too serious.
If things were escalated to court over such a trivial matter, it would surely affect various aspects.
Lin Keke had been knocked unconscious that day, and being a girl, she was extremely terrified of Tang Xiaomin now.
"Dad, the doctor said I'm fine, let's just drop it."
Several boys also chimed in, "The teacher is right, it's often said that acquaintance comes through conflict. We don't need to fight anymore."
"Yeah, as long as we don't fight when we meet again, what happened before is in the past."
...
These individuals were clearly eager to survive.
Seeing this, the dean of students immediately stated, "That's more like it. Young people's matters should be resolved by themselves."
"Parents, please don't worry too much. This will absolutely not happen again. I guarantee it."
Since those who were beaten didn't press the issue, the parents naturally opted for the path of least resistance.
"Forget it, forget it. She's just a foolish little girl, I won't bother with you. Lest people say we're bullying the young."
"Teacher, please discipline her well and stop her from acting atrociously and bullying classmates."
...
The dean of students replied, "Of course, of course. I will educate student Tang Xiaomin thoroughly. Please rest assured, everyone."
The whole farce was resolved so simply, thanks to Tang Xiaomin's defiance and implicit threats.
Word of Tang Xiaomin challenging the authority of "Red Card" spread throughout the school.
As she walked out of the academic affairs office and down the corridor back to her classroom, the gazes of those around her changed.
Some were filled with fear, others with shock, and some with admiration...
The f2 clique's tyranny had long drawn dissatisfaction from many.
However, due to fear, everyone dared not speak their minds.
Now that Tang Xiaomin had appeared, she had broken the f2 clique's monopoly.
"I heard she's very skilled, that she beat up more than ten people by herself and walked out of the abandoned factory alone."
"That's amazing! Usually, people were carried out."
"Yeah, and she's so beautiful too! It would be great to be friends with her, then f2 wouldn't dare bully me anymore."
...
When Tang Xiaomin returned to the classroom, people in the aisle automatically made way for her.
She smoothly walked to her seat and, unfortunately, found a half-empty bottle of mineral water left there by someone.
Without a word, Tang Xiaomin accurately tossed the bottle into the trash can in the corner, making a "thump" sound.
Startled, everyone around exchanged glances, not daring to breathe, and kept their distance.
During this class, the homeroom teacher excitedly announced some good news.
"I have great news for everyone! Tang Xiaomin's performance of breaking bricks with her bare hands has been selected. Let's give her a round of applause!"
Clap!
Clap!
...
The sparse applause stunned Tang Xiaomin.
"Teacher, are you sure?"
"Absolutely sure. Student council president Ye Lingyun told me. He also said if you have any questions, you can go and discuss them with him personally."
It was Ye Lingyun's doing. No wonder.
It seemed that guy still wasn't convinced.
After class, Ye Lingyun and Liu Feng swaggered into the corridor outside the classroom, their target being Tang Xiaomin.
Liu Feng said, "Tang Xiaomin, you're quite the hotshot. You think you can disregard me and Young Master Ye just because you've learned a bit of parlor trick kung fu."
Tang Xiaomin looked at Liu Feng, then at Ye Lingyun, and remained silent.
She took out the red card with the 'y' letter on it and, in front of them, slowly tore it into pieces, then crumpled it into a ball and threw it on the ground, stomping on it and grinding it with her foot.
A naked, blatant provocation.
Liu Feng was so enraged he was about to charge forward.
Ye Lingyun held Liu Feng back, preventing his rash action.
Ye Lingyun said to Tang Xiaomin, "I'm here to inform you that your performance has been selected, but you must perform something else to appear on stage."
"And one more thing, do you dare to fight me on the martial arts arena?"
Two men, looking for a fight with one woman.
They certainly had thick skin; anyone with thinner skin wouldn't dare do this.
Liu Feng said indignantly, "Tang Xiaomin, what kind of skill is it to bully Yiyi in the Tang family? If you have the guts, come out and fight me one-on-one. Even though you're a woman, I'll teach you a lesson on Yiyi's behalf!"
Tang Xiaomin would have normally ignored such a baseless challenge.
However, Liu Feng mentioning Tang Yiyi made her uncomfortable.
Tang Xiaomin immediately accepted and said,
"Whoever loses, must sever one of their own hands. Do you dare?"
Damn.
So ruthless.
Liu Feng looked at Tang Xiaomin's confident expression, wishing he could beat her up right now, and said through gritted teeth,
"Alright! Not only will you sever one of your hands, but you'll also have to kneel down and apologize to Yiyi!"
"Tang Xiaomin, you just wait for me!"
Liu Feng and Ye Lingyun left.
Tang Xiaomin watched them go, finding Liu Feng utterly foolish.
Tang Yiyi wanted to marry Ye Fengxing while stringing him along. Liu Feng, a foolish fish, was recklessly risking himself for her.
Later, she would make everyone see what kind of person Tang Yiyi truly was.
At the Tang residence, Steward Wang recounted to Zhang Meiyu what he had heard and seen outside the dean's office.
"Madam, Miss Xiaomin resolved the matter just like that."
Although Tang Xiaomin's handling of the situation was not ideal, such minor issues would fade with time. Who would persistently dwell on a small matter?
Zhang Meiyu's thoughts were occupied by what Tang Xiaomin had told her at the time, that she didn't need her intervention.
She had offered to stand up for her and protect her, but Tang Xiaomin had refused.
She preferred to face things alone rather than accept her help.
Did she truly hate her that much?
Steward Wang, sensing Zhang Meiyu's distress, reminded her, "Madam, Miss Xiaomin is back. You can give her the necklace you bought for her. Girls certainly like these things."
Zhang Meiyu awoke as if from a dream.
"That's right. She would definitely like these. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been angry with Tang Ye back then."
After the family had dinner, just as Tang Xiaomin was about to go upstairs, Zhang Meiyu presented the gift she had chosen for her.
"Xiaomin, I bought you a necklace. See if you like it?"
A necklace?
Zhang Meiyu was suddenly being so kind?
Tang Xiaomin initially intended to ignore her. However, catching a glimpse of Tang Yiyi's jealous expression out of the corner of her eye, Tang Xiaomin changed her mind.
She took the box from Zhang Meiyu and, as Tang Yiyi had done before, opened it in front of them and took out the necklace to examine it.
Admittedly, Zhang Meiyu had excellent taste; the necklace was indeed very beautiful.
Tang Xiaomin nodded.
"It's not bad. I just don't know if it suits me."
Zhang Meiyu was overjoyed that she accepted it.
"Let me put it on you, and we'll see if it suits you."
Tang Xiaomin nodded.
She allowed Zhang Meiyu to place the necklace around her neck.
It felt cool to the touch, the embedded gemstones were quite large, and it felt somewhat heavy when worn.