"What do you want to do!"
"What do you think?"
By the artificial lake, Xingxing was forcibly squeezed onto a platform by three boys.
They glanced at each other, then burst into laughter.
"My mom said he's just a wild child, abandoned and adopted by the Ye family."
"Tossed away like trash, and he still thinks he's something!"
The boys took turns, their words deeply wounding Xingxing.
A few harsh words wouldn't physically harm him, so Xingxing didn't turn back and didn't intend to escalate the situation.
However, his thoughts differed from those of the boys in front of him.
Xingxing was a star in the advanced mathematics class, always coming in first in every mock test. He was the darling of the teachers and the envy of his classmates.
Yet, his reserved nature made those jealous of him dislike him even more.
The three boys in front of him were precisely those individuals.
They were all children of wealthy families, heirs to various corporate empires. Compared to Xingxing's current status in the Ye residence, they were the true young masters of affluent households.
In the lives of the rich, there was nothing but comparison. From sons to ancestors, anything that breathed in their homes was used for comparison and mutual praise.
This time, Xingxing's consistent first-place finishes meant they were scolded and punished.
"Don't waste time, the teacher will be here soon," one of the boys said.
They had initially regretted Xingxing's absence, but now he had returned. How could they let such a good opportunity slip away?
Two boys each grabbed Xingxing's arms, while the remaining boy picked up a dry branch from the ground.
"You actually don't have to get hit, but you have to promise us you won't come in first anymore." The boy holding the branch gently tapped it against his palm.
It seemed like a negotiation, but it was actually coercion.
Xingxing didn't care about being first, but he would never fake his way to the top. His gaze fixed on the branch, he said expressionlessly, "If you want first place, earn it yourself. I won't cheat to let you win."
The ugly thoughts in their minds were directly spoken by Xingxing, and the faces of the three boys instantly soured.
"You've got a tough mouth!" the boy said coldly and swung the branch in his hand.
The branch swung through the air but stopped before it could descend.
He turned back to see Ye Ziyu behind him, angrily snatching the branch from his hand.
As the boy was about to question him, the supervising teachers arrived.
Seeing the situation, the two boys holding Xingxing trembled and quickly let him go.
This was bad...
"Why are you all here?" the supervising teacher asked anxiously, rushing over.
Fortunately, everyone was safe and no major incidents had occurred.
As the supervising teacher breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to lead them back, Ye Ziyu impassively blocked their way.
"What were you doing just now?" Ye Ziyu asked.
"Yes, why did you come here without telling the teacher?" the supervising teacher echoed.
The boys, who had been quite formidable towards Xingxing, became instantly timid when faced with so many teachers and the unfamiliar Ye Ziyu. They all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.
Ye Ziyu looked at the branch she had just snatched, then coldly grabbed the arm of a boy. "Were you going to hit him with this branch just now?"
There were many branches on the ground, but this one had clearly been handpicked. It was thick and sturdy, and hitting someone with it would surely hurt.
The boy felt the touch on his arm, his legs trembling with fear, and he dared not say a word.
"Why aren't you speaking?" Ye Ziyu pressed. When he still remained silent, she turned to the other two boys who had grabbed Xingxing. "Since he won't speak, you two answer for him."