"Apologize right now! What nonsense are you spouting outside?" The two parents yelled at their son, their expressions grim. No matter how angry they were, they dared not say anything more.

After all, if things really escalate, it won't affect these three orphans at all, but it's a different story for them. They have families and jobs. With the internet so developed and cyberbullying so rampant these days, they won't let a conflict between children ruin their lives. It's really unexpected that such a little girl is so capable, refusing to suffer even the slightest loss.

When the two male students saw that the principal had arrived, and especially after seeing how badly Song Xia had acted, they felt a little guilty and stepped forward timidly, saying, "Song Jun, I'm sorry."

The principal sternly educated them: "You are classmates and should help each other. You must never say such things again, understand? If you do it again, you will admit your mistake in front of the whole school in front of the flagpole and then write a ten-point self-criticism."

The two male classmates' expressions changed, and they apologized even faster: "Song Jun, we're sorry, please forgive us this time, we'll never say anything to you again."

"Principal, we know we were wrong."

Song Xia looked at their parents and said, "I also want them to apologize. If they hadn't spread rumors behind my back, I believe the two of them wouldn't have said such things to Song Jun."

The two parents' expressions immediately turned extremely ugly. After all, they were adults, and asking them to apologize to a child was...

But seeing the fierce look in Song Xia's eyes, they realized that if they didn't apologize, she probably wouldn't let it go easily.

So he gritted his teeth and said with a dark face, "Song Jun, this time it was our parents' fault for not disciplining you properly. We will definitely discipline you properly when we get back."

"Song Jun, I hope you will not take this matter to heart anymore."

The principal's expression softened considerably: "It was originally just a conflict between children, but if parents get involved, things get much bigger. Don't let this happen again in the future."

Although there was no direct apology, Song Xia knew that even the principal had said so. If she continued to pester him, it would be seen as her being unreasonable. So she nodded slightly, and the adults finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The two parents shoved their children out of the office, cursing them as they did so, accusing them of being disobedient and causing trouble for their parents.

Song Xia didn't rush to leave with Song Jun and Song Jiao. Instead, she bowed deeply to Xiao Zhang and Teacher Liu, and said in a tearful voice, "Thank you, Principal and Teacher Liu, for standing up for us. I apologize for my overreaction just now, but I really have no choice. There are no adults left in our family. Since our father passed away, many people have tried to bully us. If I don't stand up for myself, I'm afraid the three of us siblings won't be able to survive. We are really helpless now."

The principal and teacher Liu, who were initially angry because she said she would make a scene in front of the education bureau and reporters, all their dissatisfaction dissipated when they saw her like this.

It's true that it wasn't easy for the three children to depend on each other. That's just how the world is; most people bully the weak and fear the strong. I'm afraid Song Xia and the others have been living on tenterhooks lately.

Song Jiao covered her face and shrugged again, looking heartbroken and aggrieved. Teacher Liu quickly handed her some tissues: "Don't cry. This was an accident. In the future, the teachers will definitely strengthen their management of school affairs and not let you suffer any grievances."

"Thank you, Teacher Liu. I am truly grateful to you."

"Principal, thank you for standing up for us this time. If you hadn't come, they might have hit me."

"You are all students, and protecting you is what the school should do." The principal was increasingly displeased with the two parents. Just as Song Xia said, if the adults hadn't said something at home, how could the elementary school students have learned those kinds of remarks? And they still had the nerve to cause trouble for a child.

"Teacher Liu, in the future, we should not let things escalate like this. Whoever makes the first mistake should apologize first."

Teacher Liu replied stiffly, "Principal, I understand."

Song Xia knew when to stop: "Then Principal, Teacher Liu, we'll head back if there's nothing else. Thank you for sticking up for us even after work."

"Be careful on the road, and don't take their words to heart."

"Goodbye, Principal; goodbye, Teacher Liu."

Once outside the school gate, Song Xia composed herself, and seeing Song Jun and Song Jiao looking at them with joy and relief, she realized they were genuinely happy.

"Sister, thank you for what you just said." Song Jun rarely spoke so sincerely to Song Xia. "Thank you for trusting me and standing up for me."

Song Xia replied matter-of-factly, "We're family. You're my brother. If I don't help you, am I supposed to help outsiders? Besides, it was their fault to begin with."

Upon hearing this, Song Jun's eyes softened considerably, no longer as rebellious and disobedient as before: "Anyway, thank you for protecting me like this. Before you came, I was still very scared. After all, my father is gone, and I was afraid that no one would support us."

"Don't be afraid if it's not our fault. We're already in this situation, how much worse can it get? But you can't take advantage of this to bully others, you know? You're both very smart and have excellent grades. Don't deliberately make mistakes and ruin your future."

Song Jiao looked at her with some admiration: "Sister, you were so amazing just now, you acted so convincingly."

"You did a good job too, crying perfectly both times. We worked together very well today."

Song Jiao smiled and said, "I'm glad my sister doesn't think I'm causing trouble."

"Song Jiao, have you ever thought about studying acting in the future?" Song Xia sincerely suggested, "You are good-looking and have been a good actor since you were young. If you develop in the entertainment industry, you might become a big star."

She wasn't being sarcastic; in her past life, Song Jiao genuinely had that desire. However, after starting university, she found a boyfriend from a well-off family, and his family disapproved of her appearing in public. So, even when talent scouts approached them, they didn't dare to agree.

As for how Song Jiao fared after getting married in her previous life, one can only say that she was doing well on the surface. At least she had a house and a good job. As for the rest, opinions vary. After all, if she could really spend money as she pleased, she wouldn't have heard of people asking for compensation after their houses were demolished in her previous life.

Becoming a star in this lifetime not only fulfills one's dream, but also brings in a lot of money once one becomes famous.

Song Jiao asked with some concern: "A star? Me?"

"I just thought you were pretty and your emotions changed quickly, so I just said it casually. How you walk in the future is up to you."

Song Jiao nodded absentmindedly, looking at the lit billboards on the roadside. She was really a little envious. She had known for a long time that she was pretty, otherwise so many male classmates would not have bought her snacks so often. But would it be difficult to become a star?

Song Xia thought to herself, if Song Jiao really became a star, then everything would be exposed to the camera. Even if she didn't want to, she would have to restrain herself!