You said you hated men, why are your eyes now full of love?-Chapter 58 - The Light That Shines Through Cracks

Time moved swiftly as day turned to night. The second joint exam between the six schools was drawing near.

With just one day left on the countdown, the pressure among students surged. Everyone threw themselves into last-minute review, nerves taut with urgency. The atmosphere on campus thickened with tension. Cramming in the eleventh hour became a common sight.

Yet in the middle of this frenzy, Ji Mu was lying under the crooked tree near the school field, one leg crossed over the other, enjoying a lazy break. His attitude was a stark contrast to those desperate to glue themselves to textbooks for 24 hours a day.

That was the serenity of a top student!

[Host, why are you idling here again?]

The tone of the system was resentful, unable to bear his lazy attitude.

[The Prajna Instrument hasn't changed in a long time!]

Since the last fight with Situ Yan, Ruan Qingqing's favorability toward males had stayed locked at -25. Mission progress had completely stalled, like they'd hit a bottleneck.

[Can you feel some urgency, please? Procrastination isn't meant for situations like this!]

A little progress and Ji Mu would start coasting again. Could someone with this attitude really save the world?

The system, chin in hands, sulked dramatically.

At this rate, who knew how many years it would take to get their relationship to the next stage?

Sigh, it's really damn painful~.

"Why are you rushing? You look like a worried king," Ji Mu said, unfazed. He shifted positions, pulling the hand from behind his head and resting it on his stomach. "Transforming from good friends to soul mates isn't as easy as it sounds. In the cultivation novels, it takes hundreds of years to break through a realm. If friendship is to develop, it also needs time to settle and mature."

[That's true for slow-paced cultivation, but we don't have that kind of time to burn.]

Speed running is the way to go!

Wouldn't it be great to finish the task and leave early?

[I say, you should be extremely nice to Ruan Qingqing next—so nice that there's no bottom line, and agree to anything she asks.]

The strategist system began to offer advice.

[I refuse to believe that this won't speed up the progress!]

Ji Mu didn't agree right away like he normally might.

"Your method is not very suitable."

His brows furrowed under his lenses.

"Lately, the silly goose has been way clingier. Always wanting to cuddle and asking for hugs out of nowhere."

Ever since she’d come over last week to study, her attachment had doubled. Wherever he went, she could pick him out in seconds, even with his glasses and intentionally low-profile look.

This feeling of being constantly watched made Ji Mu very uncomfortable. Although the gaze was invisible, he always had the illusion of not being able to breathe.

[If she wants a hug, just let her hug you.]

The system was unconcerned.

[Girls, you know, it's normal for them to act spoiled. Besides, you're her only friend, so it's reasonable for her to be clingier. If it bothers you that much, just think of her like a daughter to spoil.]

...Wasn't raising a daughter the same age as you a bit too abstract?

Suppressing the urge to retort, Ji Mu voiced his inner concern. "That's what I'm saying, but I still feel that the silly goose has been acting strange lately..."

[The female lead acting strangely?]

The system rolled its eyes.

[Don’t be dramatic. She’s always been like this. She’s had it rough, so of course she clings to the one person she trusts. Look at yourself. Have you been ignoring her? Have you been doing your job properly?]

"Ah, that…"

Having never experienced the harsh realities of society, Ji Mu was clearly beginning to doubt himself after the system's barrage of questions.

"I mean... I guess not."

Could it be that his approach was the problem?

Rubbing his head, Ji Mu glanced around and realized it had been nearly an hour since he last saw her.

"Where did that silly goose go?"

[Didn't she just send you a message that the teacher called her?]

The system guessed.

[Maybe she's still with the teacher.]

"Oh?"

What were they talking about for so long?

…

Between classes, the hallway noise was muted by soundproofing. The office windows were shut tight, air heavy and stifling.

"Little Ruan."

The homeroom teacher broke the silence.

"Did you understand what I just explained?"

Ruan Qingqing didn’t answer. She stood there, gaze fixed on the floor.

The teacher was about to say something, but it turned into a sigh.

"Little Ruan, you know Ji Mu's character. He's not the type to intentionally cause trouble, but all the recent incidents at school are related to him."

If it weren’t for you, a model student like him wouldn’t be dealing with so many problems.

She didn’t say it aloud, but the implication hung in the air. Ruan Qingqing’s fingers curled inside her sleeves.

"Little Ruan, in a month, the provincial leaders will come to inspect our school, and other schools will also visit."

"In another month, provincial officials will visit, and the other schools too. Ji Mu is supposed to give a speech as our freshman representative."

"If there is any blemish on his record during this period, it won't just affect him. It will have a huge negative impact on our entire school."

If it weren't for the principal's quick action to suppress all online comments related to Ji Mu and Situ Yan, the news that "a top student from a certain school publicly injured someone to the point of disability" would have already made the headlines.

Accidents are always feared.

What if Ji Mu gets into another conflict with the nobles over the girl during the exposure conference and commits an act as serious as injuring Situ Yan?

Yulan High couldn’t afford that kind of damage.

"Little Ruan," the teacher said, voice lowering. "Please... as a favor to your teacher. Stay away from Ji Mu."

Ruan Qingqing's eyelids trembled. Each word hit like a hammer.

But she only murmured, "Teacher, if there's nothing else, I'll go back now."

She turned, not daring to meet the teacher’s eyes.

Suddenly, there was a loud bang as the vice principal slammed a hand on the table.

"Ruan Qingqing, do you have a conscience?!"

He stood up sharply.

"Ji Mu has helped you how many times? And this is how you repay him? The second exam is around the corner, and you're still wandering around like you don't care. Is this the way a student should behave?!"

"Mr. Zhang—" the homeroom teacher tried to interject.

"Am I wrong?"

He turned around, pointed at Ruan Qingqing, and began to bluntly criticize her.

"Since you joined Yulan High School, has there been a single day of peace?"

"Don't talk to me about bullying or not. If you behaved, would trouble be looking for you? What makes you so special? There are plenty of other public school girls here. Are they all getting targeted?"

"That..." The homeroom teacher faltered, her expression showing that she was almost convinced.

Seeing this, the dean intensified his criticism.

"Grades aren't everything. Character matters. This student of yours is always causing trouble, and now she wants to drag Ji Mu down with her. A student like you will only become a burden on society."

He sneered.

"Ruan Qingqing, if you have any sense of gratitude, transfer to another class immediately and stay as far away from Ji Mu as possible."

With a righteous stance, he placed himself on the moral high ground.

Ruan Qingqing looked up and met the homeroom teacher’s eyes.

What she saw was disappointment.

She pressed her lips together, tasting a hint of bitterness.

Once again... it was like that.

How similar the experiences were.

In her childhood, she fought back against a boy who tried to touch her.

In middle school, she reported a teacher for trying to assault her.

But in every case, the school chose silence. Blamed her for being dramatic, immature, and ungrateful. In each incident, she, the victim, became the perpetrator.

The teachers scolded her for her shamelessness. The boys made crude jokes and commented on her behind her back. The girls didn't believe her and were afraid that being around her would make them bad girls, too.

Those avoiding looks and strange glances seemed to nail her to the pillar of shame labeled "promiscuous" forever.

Ruan Qingqing's lips curled into a mocking smile.

How… ridiculous.

"What kind of expression is that?! Do you still think you're in the right?"

Feeling his authority being challenged, the vice principal suddenly became furious. He angrily grabbed a book on the table and hurled it at her.

"If you don't want to study, then leave. Yulan High School doesn't welcome unrepentant students like you!"

The book grazed her cheek, leaving a few shallow red marks.

Ruan Qingqing remained silent, her expression as calm as ever.

"Little Ruan..." the homeroom teacher murmured, her voice heavy with disappointment.

"I'll print out the class transfer application form. You go and sign it..."

"No."

After a long silence, Ruan Qingqing finally spoke her first words since entering the office.

"Teacher, I don't want to."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

She’d always been timid. Always ran from conflict. Took whatever life threw at her.

It was like this when she was bullied by girls at school. When she was bullied by Chu Yashi. When Fu Rongjing tried to manipulate and control her.

But this time, she didn't want to run away anymore.

Under the teacher's gaze, her thin and frail back was straighter than ever.

"I won't leave Mu Mu. Even if you transfer me to another class, I won't change my mind."

"Little Ruan..." The homeroom teacher was stunned.

"Nonsense! Transfer her immediately!"

The vice principal slammed the table desk again. "You don't even respect your homeroom teacher anymore. This is outrageous! Once you're in another class, I'll make sure the teachers there teach you how to behave!"

The homeroom teacher hesitated for a few seconds before slowly turning her head away, unable to meet her eyes.

"...Just go sign the class transfer application."

Ruan Qingqing didn't move, but the light in her eyes gradually faded.

"What are you waiting for?!"

Seeing the girl standing still, the Dean raised another book.

"Hurry up and pack your things!"

He continued to push her relentlessly.

Even the homeroom teacher, who usually protected her, chose to remain silent this time.

Ruan Qingqing tiredly closed her eyes.

It seemed... she had never been chosen by anyone.

Knock, knock

There was a soft knock at the door.

The impact never came. The yelling stopped.

Confused, she opened her eyes to see both teachers staring in surprise.

Following their gaze, she slowly turned her head.

A boy stood in the doorway, framed in the corridor light, glasses catching a subtle gleam.

The breeze tousled his fringe.

Everything else blurred out.

He was the only thing in focus.

It was as if a thousand rays of light had dispersed the mist lingering in the mountains, revealing the gaps in the forest canopy draped with layers of light gauze, making the scene of birds pecking at insects brilliantly visible.

The world she saw was no longer dark and gloomy.

"Silly goose."

The wind outside and the rustling trees faded to a hush.

All she could hear was his voice.

"It's time to study together."

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