Encounter
The September sun was still blazing, scorching every inch of Qinghe Middle School. The chirping of cicadas echoed through the sycamore trees on campus, and the sweltering air was thick with the restlessness of youth.
Gu Hanzhi zipped up her school uniform as high as she could, huddled in the shadows, and hurried out of the school with her head lowered. Her hair was a mess, the cuffs of her school uniform were stained from somewhere, and the edges of her canvas shoes were worn white. In this vibrant campus, she felt like an ugly duckling that had strayed into the school, completely out of place.
"Look, it's her!" A sharp female voice pierced Gu Hanzhi's fantasy of a quiet escape like a sword. Her steps paused, her body stiffening uncontrollably. Without even looking up, she knew it was Lin Yue and her followers.
Lin Yue is the famous "big sister" of Qinghe Middle School. She is beautiful and has always had poor grades, but she was able to attend a good high school and even a good university thanks to her family connections. Most importantly, she is one of the most ardent pursuers of the school idol Ji Mingyuan.
Gu Hanzhi was just accidentally glanced at by Ji Mingyuan during a flag-raising ceremony, and since then she has become a "thorn in Lin Yue's eyes".
Several girls gathered around. They were wearing carefully coordinated casual clothes and exquisite makeup. They didn't look like students at all, forming a sharp contrast with Gu Hanzhi. "Hey, still want to leave?" Lin Yue stretched out his hand to block Gu Hanzhi's way, a mocking smile on his face. "Senior Ji, look at you. Do you really think you can fly up to the tree and become a phoenix?"
Gu Hanzhi bit her lip, saying nothing. She knew that no matter what she said, these people would not let her go. From the first time she was bullied, she understood that in this school world where the strong prey on the weak, explanations were the weakest form of resistance.
"Sisters, take good care of her." Lin Yue commanded, and several girls immediately surrounded her. Pushing, insulting, and tugging, Gu Hanzhi was cornered, her school uniform ripped and tangled, her hair a mess. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears welling in them, her heart filled with fear and despair.
Just when Gu Hanzhi felt like she was about to give up, a loud brake screech broke the suffocating atmosphere. "What are you doing?" The cold male voice, tinged with anger, was like a cool breeze on a summer day, blowing away the haze that had enveloped Gu Hanzhi's head.
Gu Hanzhi slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw was a young man on a bicycle. He wore a white short-sleeved T-shirt and dark blue school pants. The sunlight bathed him, emphasizing his tall figure. It was Shen Zhihe, the equally dazzling figure at school. He had excellent grades and came from a well-off family. While he didn't have the legions of followers that Ji Mingyuan had, in the eyes of his teachers and classmates, he was a shining star, unattainable.
Lin Yue and the others obviously hadn't expected someone to show up, and a hint of panic appeared on their faces. But soon, Lin Yue regained his arrogant demeanor, "Shen Zhihe, this is between us and her, stay out of our business."
Shen Zhihe parked his bike and strode over. He glanced at Lin Yue and the others with a cold gaze. "School bullying, do you think it's fun?" His voice was not loud, but it carried a deterrent that was impossible to ignore.
"We just don't like her, what's wrong?" Lin Yue said with her neck stiff, but she felt a little scared. She knew Shen Zhihe was not someone to be trifled with. Although they didn't interact much, Shen Zhihe's prestige in school was no less than Ji Mingyuan's.
"I've recorded this video. If you don't want the whole school to know, get out of here right now." Shen Zhihe held up his phone, and the screen displayed the bullying scene. Lin Yue's face fell; she hadn't expected Shen Zhihe to pull this trick. "Just wait!" She pointed at Gu Hanzhi and left in disgrace with her followers.
Watching them walk away, Gu Hanzhi's tense body finally relaxed, her legs giving way as she fell to the ground. Shen Zhihe put away his phone, walked over to her, and reached out to pull her up. But Gu Hanzhi shrank back hastily like a frightened little rabbit.
Shen Zhihe's hand froze in mid-air, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He looked at Gu Hanzhi's miserable state, and suddenly an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart. This girl, clearly being bullied so badly, was so resistant to his help.
"Are you okay?" Shen Zhihe extended a helping hand to Gu Hanzhi like sunshine. "With me here, they won't bully you anymore. You look seriously injured, do you need to go to the hospital?" Shen Zhihe's concerned voice was not loud, but to Gu Hanzhi it sounded like thunder.
"None of your business," Gu Hanzhi whispered, her voice filled with stubbornness. She struggled to her feet and dusted herself off. In her mind, getting involved with someone as dazzling as Shen Zhihe would only make her situation worse.
Shen Zhihe was like the sun hanging high in the sky, radiant and brilliant, while I was just moss in the gutter, unable to see the light. The closer I got to him, the more jealous I became and the more I was bullied.
"I just can't stand them bullying others." Shen Zhihe withdrew his hand and said calmly. He looked at Gu Hanzhi's stubborn profile and suddenly felt that this girl was different from before.
They were clearly the same person, but when she spoke as a representative of the freshmen, she was as warm and considerate as a little sun. Ever since she entered the second year of junior high, she had lost her former liveliness, only a tenacity that persevered through adversity.
Gu Hanzhi said nothing and turned to leave. She didn't want to get entangled with Shen Zhihe any more; today's events were already troublesome enough. But after taking just two steps, she stumbled due to the ankle she had twisted when she was pushed. Shen Zhihe was quick to step forward and support her.
"Be careful." His voice was filled with a subtle concern. Gu Hanzhi, however, felt as if she had been burned and suddenly shook his hand away. "I told you not to worry about it!" Her voice was tearful, and her eyes were full of vigilance and precaution.
Shen Zhihe frowned and looked at her helplessly. "You sprained your ankle. I'll take you home." He pointed to his bicycle. "How else are you going to get home?"
Gu Hanzhi bit her lip, feeling a little hesitant. She really didn't know how to get home. The pain in her feet made every step difficult. But she didn't want to owe Shen Zhihe a favor, and she didn't want to cause more trouble by being with him.
"No, I can walk by myself." Gu Hanzhi said stubbornly, and took another step. But after a few steps, her face turned pale with pain, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Shen Zhihe sighed, walked forward, and picked her up. Gu Hanzhi screamed, "Ah!" and subconsciously grabbed his shoulders with both hands, "What are you doing! Let me go!" She struggled, feeling ashamed and angry, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Don't move, or I won't be responsible if you fall," Shen Zhihe said expressionlessly, placing her on the back seat of the bicycle. Gu Hanzhi wanted to resist, but Shen Zhihe's stern gaze stopped her. She could only sit on the back seat, her hands tightly gripping the seat, feeling uneasy.
Along the way, neither of them spoke. Shen Zhihe rode his bike intently, the wind whistling past his ears. Gu Hanzhi looked at Shen Zhihe's back, feeling a mixture of emotions.
She admitted that when Shen Zhihe chased away the bullies, she felt joy in her heart. The feeling of being protected made her forget all the pain for a moment. But when she saw that it was Shen Zhihe, hatred surged in her heart. Why was he always so dazzling? It would be better if he wasn't so dazzling.
Soon, the bicycle stopped in front of an old villa, the Gu family's residence. Gu Hanzhi got off the bicycle, whispered "thank you", turned around and wanted to walk into the residence. "Wait a minute." Shen Zhihe called her. Gu Hanzhi stopped, but did not look back.
"If anyone bullies you again, tell me." Shen Zhihe's voice was firm and powerful. Gu Hanzhi's body trembled slightly. She didn't respond, but simply quickened her pace and walked into the corridor. Only after closing the door did she lean against it and slowly slide down to the ground. Everything that happened today was like a nightmare, and Shen Zhihe's appearance was like the only ray of light in this nightmare.
Gu Hanzhi looked out the window and secretly vowed in her heart that she must become strong and never be bullied by anyone again. And Shen Zhihe, the boy who unexpectedly appeared in her life, was destined to leave a strong mark in her youth. However, at this moment, she did not know what kind of story and ending this encounter would bring.
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