In the crowd, some busybodies whispered to their companions, "Tang Xiye is also a concubine's daughter. She suffered a lot among her legitimate sisters before her master brought her into the academy."
There were many people around, and the speaker's voice was so low it was almost drowned out by the general noise. Unexpectedly, Tang Xiye suddenly turned around, a fierce glint in her eyes, and stared intently at the speaker. With a clench of her hand, the person was choked by an unseen force and instantly dragged out of the crowd, thrown heavily to the ground.
"What did you say, concubine's daughter? Say it louder!" Tang Xiye stepped forward, her originally delicate voice laced with ferocity.
The person dared not make another sound. The sudden suffocation filled her with terror. Her body trembled slightly, and she shook her head fearfully.
Yan Jiaojiao finally understood. The reason Tang Xiye had been acting like a startled rat was because she felt she and Yan Ruxue shared the same fate.
But now, her unrestrained and arrogant demeanor was laughable. If Xuan Chen hadn't given her a second glance, she would still be the concubine's daughter, confined at home and bullied.
Truly, a nobody who ascended to heaven and became a nobody with power.
Seeing no one dared to plead for the paralyzed female student on the ground, Yan Jiaojiao said, "Why do you have to take your anger out on innocent people? It was just a word, do you really have to make a fuss about it?"
Tang Xiye rolled her eyes, glaring at Yan Jiaojiao, "Are you lecturing me?"
Yan Jiaojiao truly couldn't understand. Xuan Chen seemed a bit cold, but he was still considered normal. But this Tang Xiye clearly seemed to have some kind of manic disorder. How could Xuan Chen cherish her like his own eye?
Furthermore, Yan Ruxue had to add fuel to the fire, "She thinks highly of herself and even dares to openly contradict the Sect Master. Senior Sister Tang, it's best not to talk to her much, lest you get annoyed by her."
Tang Xiye indeed became angrier. She turned her direction back to Yan Jiaojiao, formed a hand seal with her left hand, and gathered a spirit energy ball that exploded with golden light. She walked towards Yan Jiaojiao, saying, "I told you to kneel and apologize just now, did you hear me?"
Yan Jiaojiao's brows furrowed slightly. She had no choice but to reach for her long sword, preparing to fight. This Tang Xiye was truly audacious and reckless. Private fights were not allowed in the academy, but her skilled demeanor clearly indicated this was not her first time.
"What's all this commotion about? Am I supposed to be treated to a grand show as soon as I return?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice, tinged with a lazy, oily tone, came from the edge of the crowd.
Yan Jiaojiao's eyebrows twitched. She turned to look and saw the students there actively parting to the sides. A person walked over slowly with his hands behind his back. It was indeed Sheng Mobai, whom she hadn't seen in a long time!
"Second Senior Brother!"
Tang Xiye was a hundred times more surprised than Yan Jiaojiao. Her fierce and menacing expression from moments ago instantly transformed into one of tender charm. Her eyes were like flowing water, and the power-laden spirit energy ball in her hand vanished. She trotted a few steps to Sheng Mobai's side, even reaching out to grasp his sleeve as if afraid of losing him.
Such blatant behavior, even if Yan Jiaojiao were blind, she would recognize Tang Xiye's affection for Sheng Mobai.
Looking at Yan Ruxue, Yan Jiaojiao saw her face flush with a mixture of anger and resentment, with a hint of jealousy and fear in her eyes.
Yan Jiaojiao guessed that Yan Ruxue dared not compete with Tang Xiye for Sheng Mobai's favor.
However, Sheng Mobai was the Second Senior Brother of the Gold Sect?
Yan Jiaojiao thought back carefully and finally remembered his mysterious demeanor when she had mentioned Ge Nan Academy. So this was where he had been waiting for her.
If that was the case, then a few days after she arrived in Ge Nan City, she had seen a figure similar to Sheng Mobai. It was possible it had been him.
"Jiaojiao, how have you been?"
As Yan Jiaojiao was pondering these clues, she saw Sheng Mobai gently push Tang Xiye's hand away and turn towards her.
Alarms instantly blared in her mind. Yan Jiaojiao used her eyes to signal Sheng Mobai to stop approaching, while warning him with veiled words, "We are strangers who met by chance. What do you mean by 'how have you been'?"
Sheng Mobai chuckled at her words.
It had to be said, Sheng Mobai was already good-looking. His face, full of sunshine, became even more radiant when he smiled.
Especially when he spoke with a doting tone, as if he could melt anyone. Just like now, he didn't stop but walked in front of Yan Jiaojiao, gently patted her head, and slightly bent down to meet her gaze, smiling, "Little lass Jiaojiao, stop joking."
"Second Senior Brother, what are you talking about?" Tang Xiye exclaimed in disbelief. Jealousy surged in her heart, and she quickly stepped forward, slapping away Sheng Mobai's hand from Yan Jiaojiao's head.
Sheng Mobai was displeased with the disruption of this warm moment. His hand paused in mid-air for a moment before he slowly straightened up. When he turned to Tang Xiye, the smile had completely faded from his face, and he said with a hint of coldness, "Junior Sister, you should know the rules. If I hadn't appeared just now, would you have bullied Jiaojiao in front of everyone again?"
"You're not allowed to call her Jiaojiao!" Tang Xiye cried uncontrollably. "You went out on business for so long, and you come back just to anger me?"
If others saw a beauty like Tang Xiye acting so vulnerable, even if she was usually arrogant and overbearing, they would have softened their hearts. But Sheng Mobai's expression grew colder.
Yan Jiaojiao despairingly closed her eyes. She did not want Sheng Mobai's help; it would only make her situation more difficult, as she did not believe Sheng Mobai could protect her.
But Sheng Mobai's current demeanor clearly indicated he would see his intentions through.
"Junior Sister, stop messing around. If I see you bullying Jiaojiao again, don't blame me for disregarding our fellow discipleship."
"Why are you protecting her so much?" Tang Xiye shouted, unable to bear it. She glared at Yan Jiaojiao, "You slut, when did you seduce Second Senior Brother!"
From not far away, Yan Ruxue spoke in a drawn-out voice, "Because Yan Jiaojiao is his fiancée."
As soon as Yan Ruxue uttered these words, everyone fell silent.
Yan Jiaojiao closed her eyes. As expected, one was more eager to stir up trouble than the other.
"How is that possible?" Tang Xiye was deeply shocked. "Second Senior Brother, you never said you had a fiancée. You were always so good to me before."
Sheng Mobai looked at her expressionlessly, "Yes, I was good to you, because I am good to everyone."
Tang Xiye stumbled back a step, unable to accept this reality.
However, in Yan Jiaojiao's opinion, Sheng Mobai's words were indeed heartfelt. He was the type of "central air conditioner" who wanted to flirt with all the girls.
But now it was good. He had provoked a fanatic like Tang Xiye, and Sheng Mobai would have his hands full.
Yan Jiaojiao was already picturing Sheng Mobai's days of distress when she saw him suddenly turn his attention to the onlookers with a solemn expression.