Using power to force marriage

Throughout her first year of high school, Ruan Fu relied on her cleverness and her lucky streak of passing every exam to consistently rank among the top fifty in the entire school.

When she entered her second year of high school, she remained the same. Not only did she not improve her attitude towards learning, she became even lazier.

My grades weren't high, but I made a lot of friends.

She was always fiercely opposed to evil, kind and enthusiastic, and would intervene if anyone was bullied at school.

Zhao Jingnian said her "chivalry" was severe and needed treatment, and told her to stop meddling in other people's business, but she wouldn't listen.

Something happened near the school this week.

A few idle thugs from the neighboring vocational high school loiter in the back alley of the school every day, specifically targeting honest, introverted, and timid high school students for money.

The bullied students dared not tell the teacher, much less their parents, and could only silently endure the injustice.

Every day, we would offer them a tribute, giving them a few dollars or tens of dollars of our pocket money.

Ruan Fu didn't study properly during morning reading and chatted with the student behind her. When she found out about this, she was furious.

"Is nobody going to do anything about this? Are they just going to let them bully their classmates like this?"

Ruan Fu got angry and boasted that she would go and meet these thugs.

Everyone in the class took Ruan Fu's indignation as just a casual remark, and they just laughed it off.

Ruan Fu is a thin and small girl; she doesn't have that ability.

She left after morning self-study ended.

Zhao Jingnian went to the restroom and disappeared.

The first period was math class. The bell rang, but Ruan Fu hadn't returned to the classroom yet.

Throughout the entire class, Zhao Jingnian was restless and had no interest in listening to the lesson; he was preoccupied with worrying about Ruan Fu.

She wouldn't actually sneak out of school to cause trouble for those thugs, would she?

She's such a worry; I'll definitely give her a good scolding when I catch her later.

A young woman going to cause trouble for a few thugs with her bare hands, is she just asking to be roasted pork for a dog?

Zhao Jingnian had never found a 40-minute class so unbearable. When he heard the bell ring, he couldn't wait a second longer and immediately got up to go find someone.

When the classmates saw that Ruan Fu had disappeared after the morning reading session, they started discussing it amongst themselves.

"Ruan Fu said she was going to find those vocational high school hooligans in the back alley, did she really go?"

"I thought she was just bluffing, but who knew she was serious."

"My God! She really dared to go? Those guys are all thugs from outside the school, they're really good at fighting."

"Ruan Fu's small frame probably couldn't withstand even one punch from him."

Hearing the students' discussion, Zhao Jingnian's expression turned cold, and he said in a serious tone, "I'm going out for a bit. If I'm not back before the third period, go find the teacher."

As the most disciplined class monitor, he has never skipped a class or violated any school rules or regulations since childhood.

Amidst the astonished gazes of her classmates, she ignored the approaching school bell and strode out of the classroom.

If he told the teacher directly, Ruan Fu might be publicly criticized, so he decided to go out and look for it himself first.

Perhaps she was just playing games at a bubble tea shop outside of school, Zhao Jingnian could only silently tell himself not to worry too much.

The old alley behind the school is secluded and sparsely populated, and it's a regular gathering place for petty thugs.

Zhao Jingnian quickly ran into the alley and searched deeper into it.

He vaguely heard some noises, like the sounds of people hitting and cursing.

The further he went, the more uneasy he became.

The chaotic scene of Ruan Fu being surrounded and bullied, which was expected, did not occur.

When he arrived, several arrogant thugs were squatting obediently in the corner with their heads in their hands, looking completely timid.

"You lot, hand over all the money you've extorted these past few days."

It was Ruan Fu's voice.

She stood amidst several thugs who were crouching with their heads in their hands, exuding an imposing aura as she fiercely demanded their money back.

Behind her were four tall, professional bodyguards.

She had long anticipated that the thugs outside the school would be unreasonable and outnumbered, and she wasn't stupid, so of course she wouldn't confront them head-on with her bare hands.

So he contacted a security company and hired several bodyguards to bolster his courage and support.

Four burly men stood behind her, easily intimidating these thugs who only knew how to bully students.

Seeing this, Zhao Jingnian breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile curved his lips.

Although Ruan Fu's approach is not commendable, he has to acknowledge the principle that "petty people fear power but not virtue."

With a little money, I hired four bodyguards and easily resolved my classmates' troubles, got their money back, and sought justice for them.

He protected his classmate and himself at the same time; how clever!

"Let me tell you, these four big brothers behind me patrol the school gate every day. If they find you bullying your classmates again, they won't go easy on you."

As she spoke, Ruan Fu kicked each of them.

"This is just a lesson for you. If you do it again, I'll beat you until you're crawling on your tails!"

The thugs were in a terrible state, repeatedly promising her that they would never dare to do it again.

"At such a young age, instead of studying properly, you're acting like gangsters here. Kicking you all is too lenient a punishment."

Ruan Fu became angrier the more she thought about it, and kicked him again.

She put her hands on her hips and said aggressively, "Remember what I just said, and let's see which of you dares to do it again!"

After watching the entire process of her scolding the thug, Zhao Jingnian thought that this fool would come over empty-handed and fight head-on with just a burst of enthusiasm.

Zhao Jingnian lowered his head and chuckled, realizing he had truly underestimated her.

After the thugs made their promises to her, Ruan Fu waved them away.

She turned her head, about to tell the bodyguards that they could leave as well, when her gaze suddenly met Zhao Jingnian's cold eyes.

Zhao Jingnian was dressed neatly and cleanly in his school uniform, with an upright posture and deep, dark eyes that stared at her intently.

Ruan Fu paused for a moment, then flashed a sly smile and walked briskly to him. "How was it? Wasn't I smug just now?"

Zhao Jingnian was filled with worry and anxiety for her, his emotions fluctuating wildly. She, on the other hand, was here, laughing and joking, completely unserious.

The boy in front of her reached out and flicked her head. "Do you know what you're doing?"

Ruan Fu gave him a long, stern look. "I was just doing a good deed, acting as a chivalrous hero."

How awful! Not only did they not praise her, they even flicked her forehead.

"Did you hire this bodyguard?"

She nodded proudly, "Yes, I have pocket money."

Zhao Jingnian had no choice but to tell Uncle Ruan after school today that he would deduct all of her allowance.

"You're not allowed to do such dangerous things again."

She beamed with pride, "It's not dangerous at all! I'm very capable!"

Ruan Fu tilted her head slightly to look at him, teasingly asking, "Did the sun rise in the west today? Even the top student class monitor is skipping class?"

She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing against his neck, teasing him with a smile, "You skipped class specifically to find me, were you worried I couldn't beat someone else?"

Zhao Jingnian lowered his eyes to look into her bright, clear eyes, his thin lips slightly pursed, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed his nervousness.

"Yes, I'm worried about you."

Ruan Fu's heart skipped a beat, but her smile widened. She pressed on, "Then why are you worried about me? Why aren't you worried about others?"

He didn't want to answer her question; they were still students, and it wasn't appropriate for them to be in a romantic relationship.

So he looked away, pretending to be calm, and said, "Because I'm the class monitor, I have to be responsible for the students in the class."

He rambled on to hide his true feelings, saying, "You skipped class, which will deduct points from the class attendance record. As the class monitor, it's my responsibility to find the absent students."

Upon hearing his reply, Ruan Fu said jokingly, "That's no fun. I thought you had a crush on me."

He naturally took her hand and led her back to school, saying, "Stop watching those mindless, melodramatic idol dramas."

The two grew up together and have a very good relationship. They have held hands many times and don't feel awkward or uncomfortable.

A summer breeze swept through the old alley, lifting the corners of their school uniforms.

Ruan Fu let Zhao Jingnian lead her back with him.

"Hey genius brother, you haven't praised me yet! Didn't I look amazing just now?"

Zhao Jingnian was a witness to his shining moments, so he had to praise her; Ruan Fu needed him to provide her with emotional value.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Ruan Fu became anxious, tugging at his sleeve and shaking him, "Praise me, praise me!"

As Zhao Jingnian listened to her soft, coquettish voice as she pleaded with him, a faint blush crept onto his ears.

"Brother Jingnian, the academic genius!"

She would feel bad all day if she didn't hear his praise.

Zhao Jingnian's deep, magnetic voice rang in her ears, "Okay, I praise you, you're great."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Fu pouted and remained silent, "Zhao Jingnian, you're really boring."

She was not satisfied with his praise.

"Praise again."

As the two walked to the school gate, Zhao Jingnian let go of her hand.

It's not appropriate to continue this kind of physical contact after entering school.

Ruan Fu found it amusing; just a second ago they were holding hands tightly, but when they reached the school gate, he took the initiative to let go of her hand.

She joked, "Don't we look like a couple secretly dating?"

Zhao Jingnian replied casually, "I either won't talk about it, or if we do, we won't do it secretly."

Ruan Fu was taken aback by his words, "Oh wow, a top student is really something else."

The two walked side by side toward the teaching building. Zhao Jingnian called her name in a low, serious voice.

"Xiao Fu".

"what?"

He praised you again, "You're amazing. You protected your classmates with your kindness and courage. You're really, really good."

Ruan Fu smiled contentedly. That's more like it.

"But... could you take me with you next time you're doing something heroic?"

"You're a good student, how could I possibly encourage you to do something like this?"

She couldn't do something like bringing down a high-flying flower from its pedestal.

Zhao Jingnian sighed softly, "But Xiao Fu, I think..."