Seeing this scene, Huo Guining was stunned for a moment.
Several youths dressed in a slovenly manner were eyeing Zeng Zhilin's body up and down with lustful gazes.
Huang Lu stood with her arms crossed next to her girlfriends, looking down at the disheveled Zeng Zhilin with mockery: "You didn't think your classmates would come to your rescue, did you?"
She spat on the ground, her arrogance on full display: "Why don't you call for help and see if any miracles happen at this moment?"
Zeng Zhilin had liquid splashed on her, her wet hair clinging to her scalp in strands.
She said in a panic: "Senior Huang Lu, I was wrong. I'll never dare to do it again."
With that, she reluctantly lowered her head in submission.
Zeng Zhilin's action pleased Huang Lu, greatly satisfying her vanity.
But this was far from enough.
Having her face ruined in front of her girlfriends by a junior like Huo Guining, this kind of situation couldn't be resolved just by Zeng Zhilin lowering her head.
Relying on the backing of the young thugs, Huang Lu walked forward and grabbed Zeng Zhilin's chin, snarling: "Don't think you can appease my anger with just an apology. Your classmate... understand?"
Forced to raise her face, Zeng Zhilin's pupils contracted when she heard Huang Lu mention Huo Guining.
"Senior, that classmate of mine is just an idiot. Please don't bother with her. I'll punish her for you!"
Hearing this, Huo Guining's eyes darkened.
Huo Yueze frowned and whispered in Huo Guining's ear: "Your classmate's character seems quite poor. Should we..."
Huo Guining remained silent.
Zeng Zhilin's fawning face and her gritted promise made Huang Lu's anger subside a bit more.
"At least you know your place. Don't disappoint me." Huang Lu flung Zeng Zhilin's head away, her eyes fixed on her as she spoke to the young thugs.
"Give her a chance. I want to see what she can do."
Zeng Zhilin's suspended heart fell back to the ground.
She raised her head, flashing a grin at Huang Lu, trying to please her: "Don't worry, I won't let you down!"
The young thug pushed Huang Lu aside, causing her to stumble before being caught by her girlfriends.
Zeng Zhilin's school uniform skirt was short, about 20cm above the knee. Due to the earlier pushing and shoving, the skirt had almost bunched up to the top of her thighs, leaving her tender white legs shivering in the cold wind.
Her features were delicate, with wet black bangs clinging to her forehead. Her anxious expression was pitiable.
The young thug reached out, his finger tracing her soft white face: "Little sister, some things don't need you to do them yourself. Why don't you let big brother help you..."
The metal skull earring on the thug's ear gleamed coldly, sending chills down one's spine.
Zeng Zhilin hurriedly covered her skirt, forcing a smile: "It's such a small matter, there's no need to trouble..."
"Ah!" A sudden sharp pain on her scalp interrupted her attempt at negotiation.
The thug's repulsive face suddenly came close, the stench from his mouth assaulting Zeng Zhilin's senses.
Zeng Zhilin couldn't help but make a retching sound.
Seeing this, the thug's buddies burst into laughter: "Brother Jing, you made the little girl sick, hahaha..."
The thug called Brother Jing's face darkened with anger: "You think I'm disgusting, huh? Today I'll show you what real disgust is!"
Saying this, he grabbed Zeng Zhilin's long hair, trying to drag her along.
"Let go of that girl!"
A clear female voice suddenly rang out.
The misbehaving young delinquents and thugs instinctively stopped what they were doing, turning to look at the source of the voice.
After shouting, Huo Guining belatedly felt a wave of embarrassment.
But seeing everyone staring at her, she had to swallow her shame and repeat coldly: "Let go of that girl."
Having their face ruined repeatedly on their own turf, both Huang Lu and the thugs were extremely annoyed.
The two walked forward in sync, arrogantly saying: "Huo Guining, you're asking for a beating."
"Who do you think you are?"
One question, one answer, like dogs biting each other.
Huo Guining smiled: "Your duet isn't bad, but I don't have time to listen to you sing. Get lost."
Her words were extremely arrogant. Though alone, she carried an overwhelming aura, looking down on everyone present.
The posturing was impressive.
'Skull' was thoroughly enraged. He waved to his brothers, and Huang Lu, not to be outdone, led her group as they all surged towards Huo Guining.
Zeng Zhilin came to her senses, nearly crying with anxiety: "Huo Guining, are you stupid? Run quickly!"
As she spoke, she looked around, trying to find something to use as a weapon.
Meanwhile, Huo Guining casually stepped back, revealing the person hidden around the corner.
"Brother, I'm counting on you."
Huo Yueze laughed in exasperation: "For such a small matter, you don't need me to personally intervene."
Huo Guining still had the mood to smile at him.
Huo Yueze waved his hand dismissively.
Just as the group was about to reach the two, suddenly a bunch of muscular men burst out, subduing the little chicks in no time.
Huo Guining thought: Still, my brother is the best.
She walked up to Zeng Zhilin, taking out a wet wipe and handing it to her: "How are you?"
Zeng Zhilin was still immersed in this sudden turn of events: "These people, did you bring them?"
Huo Guining said casually: "I suppose so."
She lifted her eyelids, looking at Zeng Zhilin: "Why are you so stupid? Huang Lu calls and you just come?"
Zeng Zhilin bit her lip: "She said if I didn't come, she'd directly find people to deal with you."
Huo Guining was stunned for a moment, then said mockingly: "Don't you have a brain? Huang Lu is clearly the type to push her luck. You actually believed her?"
"You're the first person to help me." After saying this, Zeng Zhilin felt as embarrassed as Huo Guining had earlier when she shouted.
"So..."
Huo Guining made a 'stop' gesture: "Don't say it. We have no chance."
Zeng Zhilin looked at her with a 'are you crazy' expression.
Huo Guining's goosebumps subsided a bit: "Zeng Zhilin, that day, no matter who encountered such a situation, I would have helped. So, I didn't save you specifically."
Zeng Zhilin hadn't expected her to say this.
Huo Guining said coldly: "After all, even as friends, I don't like people with your kind of personality."
After saying this, she revealed a smile, the epitome of elegance.
Huo Guining stood up, handing Zeng Zhilin the towel she had bought earlier at a roadside store: "Whether it's Huang Lu or the thugs, you don't need to worry about them hurting you anymore."
She pointed at the sky: "I have connections above. At least during your student years, you won't suffer bullying again."
Zeng Zhilin couldn't help but ask: "What about after student years?"
Huo Guining's lips curled slightly: "Society will teach everyone how to be a person."
"Whether it's you or Huang Lu, don't you agree?"
With that, she turned and left without hesitation. In the gloomy weather, her figure was the epitome of elegance.
