"Don't worry, with me protecting you, no one dares to do anything to you. Besides, we weren't the only ones who slept together. In a while, who will remember this trivial matter?" Zhao Ke finished speaking, and without another glance at her, he strode away.
His current indifference was a stark contrast to his previous ardor, making Qian Xiaoguo feel as if all the blood in her body had frozen and could no longer flow. When she returned to the classroom, she felt the gazes of her classmates were all wrong. Most of them were whispering, the girls with disdain, and the boys with a mix of contempt and lewdness.
Qian Xiaoguo's scalp tingled, and she felt her head was about to explode. After she sat down, Mian Mian also ignored her. Now Jiang Mian Mian was also angry. Wasn't Yun Buqi beating up Zhao Ke for Qian Xiaoguo? And she, of all people, wanted to call the police.
However, Mian Mian was ultimately soft-hearted. Seeing Qian Xiaoguo's disheveled state, she couldn't bear to remain silent. She called her name twice, but Qian Xiaoguo acted as if she hadn't heard, showing no reaction.
After class, Qian Xiaoguo left alone. Mian Mian, worried about her, wanted to follow, but was stopped by a girl from the class.
"Jiang Mianmian, you're still friends with Qian Xiaoguo? She's tainted. If you get any closer to her, what will others think of you?"
"Exactly, you shouldn't be so foolish. Ruining your own reputation because of Qian Xiaoguo, what's left for a girl once her reputation is ruined?"
"Who would marry such a promiscuous woman in the future?"
A few gossipy girls in the class said this with a tone of ridicule, unconcerned about discussing a topic that concerned a girl's reputation.
"We're all classmates, why must you speak so harshly? It's better to say less and accumulate some good karma for yourselves." Mian Mian finished speaking and went to find Qian Xiaoguo.
She found Qian Xiaoguo in the restroom. When she came out, her eyes were red. While she was in the stall, she had heard waves of people coming in and out, all discussing her.
Qian Xiaoguo felt extremely distressed. She didn't understand why things had turned out this way. It wasn't as if she was the only girl in a relationship, so why was she the only one who had become infamous.
"Don't be too upset. Everyone will forget about it in a while. Just focus on your studies now and don't think too much. Don't associate with Zhao Ke anymore; he's truly not a good person." Mian Mian earnestly comforted her.
"I'm a bit flustered right now. I want to ask for leave and go home," Qian Xiaoguo said with a pale face.
"If you go home now, your parents will worry. Why don't you come to my place?"
"My father is on a business trip, and my mother won't be back until tonight. It's fine for me to go back now. I'll sort out my emotions myself. Don't worry." Qian Xiaoguo said numbly, her complexion still grim.
"Then I'll help you ask for leave, and I'll go back with you." Jiang Mianmian really couldn't rest assured about Qian Xiaoguo in this state.
"No need. I just want to be alone right now." Qian Xiaoguo shook her head, refusing her offer.
Mian Mian had no choice but to comfort her for a while longer. She went back, packed her schoolbag, and handed it to her. Qian Xiaoguo left first, and Mian Mian helped her get leave from the head teacher.
Zhao Ke did not report being beaten to the school, and Yun Buqi received no punishment. After school, Mian Mian asked if she could go to his home, and he immediately agreed.
He told her to go over first, and he would buy her some food before returning.