Chapter 65: Terrifying Campus, Sunshine Doll (3)

Then came the heavy thump of Teacher Li’s hand slamming against the desk.

“Bang!”

Teacher Li was nearly driven to the brink by Tang Mu’s infuriating behavior.

“Tang Mu! Are you aware you’re about to move up to middle school? At such a crucial stage in your studies, you tell me you’re involved in puppy love? Who permitted you to do this? If Zi Yushu hadn’t handed me your love letter, I’d never have imagined a student like you—one of my best—could have your mind so consumed by romance!”

“After school today, bring your parents. Tomorrow during morning reading, I want you to read out this nauseating love letter and your written apology to the whole class! I’m going to make an example of you so everyone takes heed. Let it be known: whoever dares cross this red line will be dragged out and exposed!”

...

Oh.

At that moment, Tang Mu felt utterly fearless.

As for her younger self, more than a decade ago, she had spent an entire day in terror because of “bringing parents” and “public humiliation.”

She returned to the classroom.

Morning reading was long over.

Students milled about, making noise and roughhousing.

Only Liu Qiongying and Li Meiqi walked over, arms linked, giggling.

“So it’s because her ‘love letter’ got caught by the teacher, right? Haha. But Meiqi, I don’t think that’s the funniest part. The real joke is her love letter was handed to the teacher by the very person she likes, which got her parents called in.”

“I told you. Handsome, outstanding Zi Yushu would never fall for her.”

“Zi Yushu’s mental aptitude is ranked S; hers is only A. Sure, A is decent in ordinary schools, but here at Rose Primary, A is just average. You could pick any random nobody and they’d be at that level. Besides, S isn’t even Zi Yushu’s final potential. His future should shine like the brightest star in the world, illuminating everyone. He’d never end up with someone as inferior as Tang Mu.”

Tang Mu looked at the two girls flaunting their superiority and felt speechless.

She wanted to curse them out.

But unexpectedly, the words she tried to utter came out as:

“There’s no proof that Zi Yushu personally gave my love letter to the teacher! You can’t slander him!”

Tang Mu, “???”

What was that?

Wasn’t she supposed to confront her obsession and inner demons?

She couldn’t even control her own body, let alone fight back.

...

And the story went on.

Liu Qiongying and Li Meiqi were nearly hysterical with laughter at Tang Mu’s naïve response.

“Hahaha!”

“What is she even saying? Does she still have hope for Zi Yushu? Everyone knows his only concern is academics. Anything that could hinder his progress gets eliminated by him and his parents.”

“Do you know how the last girl who tried to date Zi Yushu was treated by his mother? She stormed into the school and tore into that girl so viciously that she was forced to transfer out from shame.”

“Tang Mu, do you want to be treated like that? Your parents are desperate to escape the slums! Nowadays, only by getting into a good university and improving your mental aptitude can you earn enough points for a decent future.”

“If you won’t look out for yourself, don’t expect us to care either.”

Young Tang Mu frowned, anxiously eyeing them.

“What are you planning?”

“Strip you, take naked photos, and post them on the Galactic Net,” Liu Qiongying grinned maliciously, gesturing with her old camera. “Zi Yushu might not like you, but we’re more than happy to drag your dignity through the mud. Because—Zi Yushu belongs to us. People like you aren’t worthy of dreaming about him!”

...

Now, Tang Mu could only watch as her younger self burst into tears and rushed to grapple with the girls.

Her later-acquired combat and archery skills, honed under Yan Xingwen’s training, were wholly inaccessible.

She could do nothing but observe the unfolding drama, like a spectator with sunflower seeds.

—She now existed as a kind of “spirit,” unable to alter or steer the story.

Besides, she knew these girls never managed to beat her, so Tang Mu couldn’t be bothered.

Indeed.

After a short scuffle,

Liu Qiongying and Li Meiqi were left cursing.

“Damn, she’s a lunatic... What did she eat to get so strong? She ripped my clothes!”

“No way to take photos now... Try another method! I refuse to believe Tang Mu can’t be forced to transfer like the last girl!”

“Yes!”

Liu Qiongying glared at Tang Mu with venom, “Just wait! Someday, you’ll kneel on the ground, crying and begging us for mercy!”

Young Tang Mu kept sobbing, “Boo hoo hoo…”

Tang Mu herself felt utterly exasperated.

She remembered everything that had happened, clear as day. There was no need to relive it.

It was honestly boring.

Zheng Lu came over to comfort Tang Mu, “Don’t be sad. Liu Qiongying and Li Meiqi are always like this. They can’t stand seeing the boys they like get close to other girls.”

But young Tang Mu wiped her tears and stared at Zheng Lu.

“But aside from Zi Yushu himself, you’re the only one who knew I gave him the love letter. Was it you who reported me, or was it Zi Yushu?”

Zheng Lu’s gaze flickered.

“Of course it was Zi Yushu.” She raised her voice, “We’re at a critical stage in our studies. Zi Yushu wouldn’t waste time on anything but academics. Even if you gave him a love letter, he wouldn’t pay attention.”

“Really?” Young Tang Mu, eyes swollen and wrinkled, stared intensely at Zheng Lu. “You’re my best friend. You wouldn’t betray me, right?”

Zheng Lu was silent for a moment.

Then, with righteous conviction, “I wouldn’t.”

After the exam that day, young Tang Mu sobbed to Wu Yuemei about being bullied by classmates at school.

But Wu Yuemei cared only about Tang Mu’s grades.

She had no concern for anything Tang Mu endured at school.

“If they’re bullying you, why aren’t they bullying others? It’s obviously your own fault! The teacher called me today, said you’re having a romance—what’s going on? How can you be so shameless, so cheap? Throwing yourself at him?”

The sound of Wu Yuemei grabbing a hanger and beating young Tang Mu echoed in her ears.

Every blow was sharp.

Tang Mu herself remained utterly bored.

Her “spirit” drifted in the air, powerless, feeling nothing but tenfold tedium.