Silent protection and undercurrents

After the commotion during self-study, the air in the classroom remained heavy. Wen Zike, her eyes red-rimmed, sat back down in her seat, her fingertips still trembling slightly. She buried her face in her arms, not daring to look up at anyone. Mu Qiuling stayed by her side without leaving for a moment, one hand on her shoulder, the other secretly clenching into a fist—Hu Lilian's distorted and contradictory behavior had almost ignited her anger, but she knew that she had to remain calm to protect her timid younger sister.

Hu Lilian was called to Teacher Wang's office. Before leaving, she cast a venomous glance at him, like a needle chilled to the bone. The chatter in the classroom subsided considerably, but some whispers still reached Wen Zike's ears.

"Did she really steal it? Sisi and the others are all speaking up for her..."

"Who knows? Wenxi's sister might have a bad heart at heart."

"But she looks so pitiful, she keeps crying..."

The voices came like a tidal wave, and Wen Zi buried her head even deeper, her shoulders trembling slightly. She didn't like this attention, didn't like being pointed at, and especially didn't like being associated with the label "Wen Qian's sister." She just wanted to be Wen Zixi, an ordinary Wen Zixi, undisturbed by anyone.

Just then, a tissue was gently handed to her.

Wen Zixi was stunned for a moment, then slowly raised her head and met a pair of clear and gentle eyes. It was Wang Mo, who was holding a bottle of strawberry-flavored milk in her hand, her face filled with careful concern: "Wen Zixi, don't be sad, we all believe you are innocent. Here, take this milk, it's sweet, it will make you feel better."

Wen Zike's eyelashes trembled. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the tissue and milk, her voice barely audible, "Th...thank you."

"You're welcome." Wang Mo smiled, then pointed to Chen Sisi and Shu Yan beside her, "We all think you're not that kind of person. Hu Lilian looks very strange."

Chen Sisi pushed up her glasses and said firmly, "The engraving on the pen was added later. I looked at it carefully just now, and the ink wasn't completely dry yet. Once the teacher investigates, he will definitely clear your name."

Shu Yan nodded: "Don't be afraid. If anyone bullies you again, you can tell us."

The Ye Luoli warriors gathered around, offering their comfort. Jianpeng even patted his chest and declared, "If anyone dares to wrong you again, I, Jianpeng, will be the first to object!"

Looking at the sincere faces before her, Wen Zike felt the chill in her heart gradually dissipate. She had never been protected by so many people before. Her nose tingled, and tears welled up in her eyes again, but she still managed to force a faint smile.

Seeing this, Mu Qiuling's tense lips finally softened a little. She knew that these Ye Luoli warriors were genuinely helping Zike.

In the office, Teacher Wang was frowning at Hu Lilian. He pulled up the surveillance footage from the classroom corridor, which clearly showed Hu Lilian taking advantage of bending down to pick up a pen to slip a fountain pen with initials engraved on it into the inner pocket of Wen Zike's schoolbag, and then deliberately smearing ink on her cuff.

"Hu Lilian, the surveillance footage is very clear. Do you have anything else to say?" Teacher Wang's tone was stern.

Hu Lilian's face was deathly pale, but she still refused to bow her head. Instead, she bit her lip and, with tears welling in her eyes, she tried to argue, "Teacher, I... I didn't mean to. I just really liked that pen. When I saw that Wen Zixi had the same one, I got confused..."

"Foolish?" Teacher Wang sighed. "This is slander, this is bullying a classmate. I will inform your parents about this."

Hu Lilian's heart skipped a beat, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes, but she still forced herself to remain composed, her hatred growing even stronger—Wen Zixi, it's all your fault! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been scolded by the teacher! I'll get my revenge sooner or later!

When the school bell rang, Wen Zike still kept her head down, slowly packing her schoolbag. Mu Qiuling waited patiently for her until she put the last book into her bag before taking her hand: "Let's go, I'll take you to eat your favorite strawberry cake."

Wen Zike nodded, letting her sister lead her outside. Just as they stepped out of the classroom, they saw Hu Lilian standing not far away, accompanied by several girls dressed in a flamboyant manner.

"Oh, isn't this 'thief' Wen Zixi?" Hu Lilian crossed her arms, her tone full of sarcasm. "What? Hiding behind someone like a coward?"

The girls joined in the laughter, their voices sharp and shrill.

Mu Qiuling shielded Wen Zike behind him, his eyes as cold as ice: "Hu Lilian, don't go too far. The surveillance footage has already proven Zike's innocence. What more do you want?"

"How about that?" Hu Lilian sneered, taking a step forward. "I just can't stand her acting pitiful! Wen Qian's sister, she really is hopeless!"

These words were like a sharp knife, piercing Wen Zike's sore spot. Her body trembled violently, and she raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed, looking at Hu Lilian. Her lips moved, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Just as Hu Lilian reached out to shove Wen Zike, a clear voice suddenly rang out: "Stop!"

It was Qi Na, holding tarot cards in her hand, looking sharply at Hu Lilian: "Bullying the weak is not something to be proud of."

Immediately afterward, Jianpeng, Shuyan, Chen Sisi, and Wang Mo arrived and shielded Wen Zike and Mu Qiuling in the middle. Jianpeng rolled up his sleeves, his face fierce: "Hu Lilian, if you dare to cause trouble again, we'll tell the whole school what you've done!"

Hu Lilian felt a little scared as she looked at the Ye Luoli warriors surrounding her, but she still stubbornly said, "You...you should mind your own business!"

"Seeing injustice on the road and drawing your sword to help is no trivial matter." Chen Sisi's tone carried a hint of coldness.

Knowing she wouldn't get away with it, Hu Lilian glared at Wen Zike, said "We'll see," and then slunk away with the other girls.

With the crisis averted, Wen Zike looked at the Ye Luoli warriors around her, a warm feeling welling up inside her. She mustered her courage, raised her head, looked at them, and said with all her might, "Thank you...you."

The setting sun cast its golden rays upon them, gilding their features. Mu Qiuling watched as the timidity faded from his sister's face, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes were coldly watching everything from the shadows. Hu Lilian hid behind a tree, took out her phone, quickly typed a message, and sent it to a number saved as "Master".

The prey has taken the bait; the plan can proceed.

The moment she pressed the send button, a sinister smile crept onto Hu Lilian's lips.

At this moment, Wen Zike was still immersed in the warmth of being protected, completely unaware that a larger conspiracy was quietly approaching her.