Du Ze, Lu Piao, and the others had gathered around.
"Shen Yue, you're despicable! Seven of you ganging up on Nie Li!" Du Ze fumed with indignation. Only when he saw that Nie Li was fine did he finally relax. Though Nie Li had put on quite the pathetic act, he was actually completely unharmed.
The onlooking students in the distance were all pointing fingers at Shen Yue.
"I didn't do anything to him!" Shen Yue retorted bitterly, thoroughly frustrated. The entire crowd was tearing into them without mercy.
Nie Li exchanged a glance with Lu Piao, and Lu Piao immediately caught on.
"All of you were kicking and punching Nie Li — how could he possibly be fine? Want us to try the same on you?" Lu Piao demanded, looking down at Shen Yue with a sneer. "Shen Yue, dare you swear to heaven that you didn't just order your men to kill Nie Li? Even if you deny it, plenty of students here heard you!"
"I did say that, but I didn't actually—" Shen Yue stammered in his defense.
Xiao Ning'er and Ye Ziyun both shot Shen Yue looks of pure disgust. To actually try to kill someone inside the Academy — how utterly vile! In Ye Ziyun's eyes, Shen Yue's image had sunk to rock bottom.
Heaven and earth could bear witness to his innocence — Shen Yue had indeed told his lackeys to beat Nie Li to death, but it was all bluster. Murder inside the Academy? He would never dare do such a thing. Even the Sacred Family couldn't protect him if he did!
But those vicious words meant something entirely different to everyone else!
"Vice Principal Ye Sheng is coming!"
"Nie Li, you win this one. Just wait!" Shen Yue spat, then hurried off with his entourage, fleeing in disgrace.
"Nie Li, are you all right?" Xiao Ning'er's face was filled with concern as she anxiously gripped his arm.
"Just a few minor scratches, nothing serious. You guys came just in time." Nie Li smiled, glancing at Xiao Ning'er and then at Ye Ziyun.
Ever since Xiao Ning'er had started cultivating a new technique, her complexion and skin had improved dramatically — she looked even more youthful and radiant than before, her entire being exuding an indescribable, captivating charm. And Ye Ziyun, if anything, had grown more beautiful as well — elegant and graceful, standing tall and poised.
The two beautiful girls flanked him on either side, each dazzling in her own way, vying with one another for radiance.
Seeing how deeply concerned Xiao Ning'er was for Nie Li, Ye Ziyun wasn't quite sure what she was feeling.
"As long as you're fine." Ye Ziyun forced an awkward smile.
Watching this scene unfold, the onlooking boys nearly lost their composure. If only they had been the ones beaten up earlier and were now standing between two goddesses! The watching girls were noticing for the first time that Nie Li was actually quite handsome, and they found themselves stealing extra glances at him — the more they looked, the more charming he seemed. No wonder both Goddess Ning'er and Goddess Ziyun were so fond of him.
The boys, on the other hand, grew more and more annoyed with every glance. Stealing one goddess would have been bad enough, but both at the same time? Absolutely intolerable! Why hadn't Shen Yue actually finished him off? Gazing upon the two stunning beauties competing for attention, whatever sliver of sympathy they'd had for Nie Li evaporated into thin air.
Standing beside the beautiful Ye Ziyun, Xiao Ning'er felt a sharp surge of alarm. She knew that the girl Nie Li liked was Ye Ziyun, but she simply couldn't suppress the powerful feelings surging inside her. Nie Li was the first boy — and the only one — who had ever truly entered her heart. She had believed that she alone had seen how special he was, that she could gradually draw his gaze away from Ye Ziyun. But somehow, without her noticing, Nie Li and Ye Ziyun had already become quite close.
"Nie Li, let me walk you to the classroom. I brought you breakfast," Xiao Ning'er said softly, gently supporting him with both hands. The soft curve of her chest pressed lightly against his arm.
Feeling that gentle warmth, Nie Li couldn't help but feel both flustered and oddly guilty. He glanced at Ye Ziyun with an awkward expression. "Ziyun, I..."
"Since everything's settled, I should get going!" Ye Ziyun cut in, as if she hadn't heard a word. She turned and walked away. She couldn't quite explain her own feelings — she hadn't yet reached the point of "liking" Nie Li, but somehow, seeing Xiao Ning'er being so intimate with him made something feel off.
It's none of my business, Ye Ziyun muttered to herself. Let Nie Li and Xiao Ning'er do whatever they want.
Beside them, Du Ze and Lu Piao exchanged mischievous grins and gave Nie Li a thumbs-up. He sure had some impressive moves — in no time at all, he'd gotten close to both of the class's goddesses. Though Ye Ziyun hadn't shown much, the concern she'd let slip when Nie Li was being pummeled by Shen Yue's crew was unmistakable.
In the distance, watching Nie Li being slowly led away by Xiao Ning'er, Shen Fei's face was dark as a storm cloud.