The Unexpected Defender

The unexpected turn of events had the onlookers silently exclaiming, ‘Whoa!’ They felt the tables had turned with the speed of a tornado.

Just moments before, Lin Moshu and Su Lianlian had appeared to be the victims. Coupled with Ning Ran’s swift admission, everyone had assumed the outcome was already decided.

Yet, to their surprise, Jiang Zhe suddenly stepped forward, vehemently asserting Ning Ran’s innocence.

‘Wasn’t it said that Jiang Zhe and Su Lianlian had an ambiguous relationship, flirting with each other?’

What was happening now?

When did Jiang Zhe and Ning Ran become so close? They were discussing the club privately, a lone man and woman, both at the restless age of youth, and both exceptionally good-looking.

It was enough to make anyone’s imagination run wild!

Among the crowd were girls who were jealous of Su Lianlian for constantly flirting with multiple campus heartthrobs. Seeing Jiang Zhe instinctively protect Ning Ran at the drop of a hat, their gazes immediately shifted from the spectacle to Su Lianlian.

Their eyes, almost instantly relocating, did not miss the shock, anger, and unwillingness on Su Lianlian’s face. It was as dramatic as a face-changing performance, a truly satisfying sight.

Ning Ran, a well-known ‘fair, rich, and beautiful’ student at Fenghua High, would not cause much of a stir even if she had a scandal with a campus heartthrob. She had the assets to back it up, as her family background, appearance, and talents were all outstanding, far surpassing her peers.

But what did Su Lianlian, this ordinary girl, have? Her looks were merely average and delicate, her family background was common, and she had no notable talents to showcase.

Her perpetually clumsy demeanor was truly irritating to witness.

“So that’s how it is, Su Lianlian. Ning Ran didn’t do anything to you, so why were you crying just now? You can’t even speak clearly. Why are you even in school? Go home and sell sweet potatoes!”

A girl who couldn’t stand Su Lianlian couldn’t help but sneer, her impolite words causing Su Lianlian’s cheeks to flush crimson. Her body swayed, as if she might collapse at any moment.

Her fair, delicate face turned red, then pale. Her eyes, now even redder, filled with a pitiful vulnerability. Her waist-length black hair, draped behind her, swayed with her trembling body, making her look like a weak, helpless young animal shivering in fear.

This sight pierced Lin Moshu’s heart. He glared fiercely at the ‘betraying’ Jiang Zhe, then took a few steps forward to stand in front of Su Lianlian, shielding her from the onlookers’ gazes.

“It was all a misunderstanding on my part. I was too rash, and it has nothing to do with Student Su Lianlian.”

With more and more people gathering, the situation could no longer be concealed. Coupled with Jiang Zhe’s testimony, someone had to take responsibility.

Lin Moshu would not let Su Lianlian be troubled.

At this moment, Lin Moshu wished he were that kid, Gong Qiu. As Fenghua’s notorious bully who always settled things with his fists, he could protect Su Lianlian even without an explanation.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t act recklessly. If the Lin family found out, it would certainly be recorded as a blemish, affecting his selection as the next Lin family head.

After all, the Lin family had many children, not to mention a host of illegitimate ones. Many of them were exceptionally capable.

He only held the status of the legitimate eldest son. Once he had a flaw, his older and younger brothers would surely drag him down from his high position, throwing him into the mud.

Yet, precisely because he couldn’t have any blemishes, he couldn’t even protect the girl he had feelings for.

This feeling was truly stifling.

“Student Lin…”

“It was all because of my reckless intervention that this misunderstanding occurred. I will take responsibility!”

Su Lianlian raised a hand to her mouth in surprise, the gratitude in her eyes easing Lin Moshu’s tense mood, dispelling some of the gloom in his heart.

‘Indeed, for her, it’s worth it!’

Seeing Lin Moshu voluntarily take responsibility, the girl who had intended to mock them further quieted down. Although the Lin family was slightly inferior to the Ning family, they were still one of the representatives of super-rich families. Lin Moshu was distinctly different from ordinary second-generation rich kids.

Although Lin Moshu always presented a cold and indifferent image at school, if he were truly provoked, being expelled from Fenghua would be a minor matter. The most severe consequence could involve their family’s company.

Now, seeing the suppressed anger on Lin Moshu’s face, the surrounding students felt a sense of foreboding, realizing they couldn’t continue to stay and watch the show.

They didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire.

“Student Lin Moshu knows his mistakes and can correct them. This excellent quality is worth learning from. Truly commendable!”

However, just as everyone was scrambling to avoid the situation, someone deliberately went against the grain.

Jiang Zhe smiled, raising his hands and clapping softly in front of his chest. His applause wasn’t loud, but it gave everyone the illusion of a ‘slap, slap‘ across Lin Moshu’s face.

Whoa!

This special enrollment student is amazing!

Was he clashing with Lin Moshu?

The students, who had thought the show was almost over, silently retracted their feet, which had been poised to leave. They felt they could hold on a little longer; leaving too early would be a huge regret.

As Jiang Zhe raised his hands to applaud, Ning Ran, standing behind him, felt incredibly awkward. She subtly reached out and tugged at the hem of Jiang Zhe’s shirt, signaling him to stop.

Their relationship wasn’t deep; it was more like that of an oppressor and a victim.

Had Jiang Zhe’s head been knocked silly?

He was actually speaking up for her, and now, he was even offending Lin Moshu…

With Lin Moshu’s tiny, needle-sized mind, Jiang Zhe would definitely face unpleasant consequences after offending him. Why bother?

Was he trying to make her feel guilty?

As Ning Ran pondered these thoughts, Jiang Zhe noticed her movement. His posture unchanged, he simply tilted his head slightly closer to Ning Ran and whispered, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”

His voice carried a clear, pleasant, youthful quality, unlike Ning Ran’s naturally cool tone. It was as if one was warm and the other cold, like two opposing poles.

However, Jiang Zhe’s words falling into Ning Ran’s ears were like a drop of water into a hot oil pan, making her feel incredibly noisy for a moment.

‘Where was that ‘thump-thump’ sound coming from? It was truly hurting her ears.’

Slowly rubbing her ears, Ning Ran let out an awkward, haughty hum, deciding to let Jiang Zhe, this greenhorn, hit a brick wall.

“Jiang Zhe, you’re quite something. I’ll remember you.”

Lin Moshu had naturally heard the applause, and his gaze at Jiang Zhe immediately turned chilling. All this time, he had underestimated Jiang Zhe, never expecting him to be so bold.

“It is my honor to be remembered by Student Lin Moshu. However, please don’t muddy the waters. Since Student Lin Moshu is taking responsibility for this matter, please apologize to Student Ning Ran now. She is the victim of this misunderstanding.”

Jiang Zhe was not intimidated by Lin Moshu’s icy stare. He maintained his polite smile, and after finishing his words, he voluntarily stepped a few paces to the side, revealing Ning Ran standing behind him.

Once exposed to everyone’s view, Ning Ran had already regained her proud little swan demeanor. Jiang Zhe had turned the situation around for her; she wouldn’t hold him back!

A playful smile curved Ning Ran’s lips, her beautiful face filled with triumph. Her upright posture exuded arrogance. Meeting Lin Moshu’s complicated gaze, she subtly raised her chin, signaling that he could begin his apology.