After the group left, Lin Zhao gritted her teeth and lifted her head to look at Xu Ning.
Xu Ning was staring at her, dazed, clearly scared out of her mind.
Lin Zhao smiled faintly. “What are you staring at? Hurry up and help me up.”
Xu Ning hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on Lin Zhao’s battered face before quickly shifting away.
She didn’t speak.
After a few seconds, she cautiously stepped closer, extending her slightly trembling hand to support Lin Zhao’s arm.
Using Xu Ning’s strength for leverage, Lin Zhao stood upright. The sharp pain along her spine immediately spread across her back, making her vision darken.
She gritted her teeth, took a moment to recover, and finally let go of Xu Ning’s hand, straightening her body.
Xu Ning’s hand froze mid-air. Watching Lin Zhao brace herself against the wall, she saw no warmth in her eyes—Lin Zhao didn’t even glance at her. Clearly, she was extremely displeased.
Lin Zhao didn’t mind.
After all, in the original story, the previous Lin Zhao had used her family background to bully Xu Ning plenty of times.
The fact that Xu Ning didn’t push her away now already counted as polite.
Lin Zhao leaned against the cold wall, rubbing her sore neck. She was about to close her eyes to ease the pain when she heard Xu Ning’s soft voice: “Thank you.”
Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow and stretched slightly, replying casually, “Thank me for what? It wasn’t for you. I just didn’t like those people, that’s all.”
Her words weren’t entirely a lie.
Those arrogant girls were used to bullying. Even if they weren’t targeting Xu Ning, if Lin Zhao happened to run into them, she would have stepped in regardless.
A faint “tsk” sound echoed in her mind.
Lin Zhao ignored it and glanced at Xu Ning.
Xu Ning was momentarily stumped, her expression complicated. After a few seconds of silence, she looked at Lin Zhao and asked hesitantly, “Aren’t you the same kind of person as them?”
Immediately, Xu Ning regretted her words.
Lin Zhao, hearing this, didn’t get angry.
She leaned against the wall, tilting her head to look at Xu Ning. “Don’t lump me in with them. They’re a toilet—I’m not.”
After a pause, she added, “Even if I were, I’d be the cleanest one.”
Xu Ning was momentarily stunned. After gathering herself, she pressed her lips together and said sincerely: “Anyway, thank you for today.”
She turned to leave.
“Wait.”
Lin Zhao’s voice rang out, stopping her.
Xu Ning paused, turned back, brow slightly furrowed, eyes wary. “What do you want now?”
Lin Zhao couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at her caution.
She knew Xu Ning was afraid of the original Lin Zhao, and she didn’t blame her.
Clutching her shoulder, she grimaced and said dramatically, “Ouch… all these injuries? I got them for you! And you’re just leaving? Not even taking me to the infirmary?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. First you say it’s not for her, now you say it is. Host, why the two-faced act?” 101’s voice piped up again.
Lin Zhao ignored the chatter, her eyes fixed on Xu Ning.
Xu Ning looked at her tangled hair, the footprints on her clothes, and her heart, initially full of caution, was gradually replaced by guilt.
Lin Zhao had gotten into the fight because she had helped her. If it weren’t for Lin Zhao, Xu Ning might be the one lying on the ground now.
After a long silence, Xu Ning finally nodded, her voice low: “Okay.”
Exactly what Lin Zhao had been waiting for.
She let out a sigh of relief, still maintaining her pained expression, clutching her shoulder as she said, “I’m hurting all over. You might have to help me walk to the infirmary.”
Though reluctant, Xu Ning didn’t argue. She stepped forward, cautiously supporting Lin Zhao’s arm.
Together, they slowly made their way down the quiet corridor, footsteps echoing in the silence, accompanied by Lin Zhao’s occasional groans of pain.
Leaning against Xu Ning, Lin Zhao caught the faint scent of laundry detergent from her clothes and felt a sudden sense of calm.
It was the first time since entering this story that she felt… real.
“Walk slower, I’m in pain…” Lin Zhao deliberately slowed her pace.
Xu Ning stopped, sighed helplessly, and slowed her pace.
They walked like this, pausing frequently, for nearly ten minutes before finally reaching the infirmary door.
The door was slightly ajar. Xu Ning gently pushed it open, helping Lin Zhao inside.
“Teacher Wang, please check her injuries,” Xu Ning said softly.
Teacher Wang, sitting in a chair reading a newspaper, looked up and was startled at the sight of Lin Zhao.
He quickly put down the paper, stood, and rushed over. “Oh my! What happened? Did you get into a fight?”
Lin Zhao, leaning on Xu Ning, sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a sharp gasp. “I fell… by accident.”
Teacher Wang didn’t believe her but didn’t press further.
Frowning, he examined her carefully. “Bruises all over, some scratches… arms and neck have claw marks. Young lady, who did this to you?”
Lin Zhao forced a dry laugh, saying nothing.
Teacher Wang shook his head and went to fetch the first-aid kit. “Lie down first. I’ll take care of the wounds.”
As Lin Zhao tried to lie down, she noticed Xu Ning turning to leave.
“Wait,” she called.
Xu Ning paused, turning back with a puzzled look. “Anything else?”
“Help me with my wounds,” Lin Zhao said matter-of-factly.
Xu Ning hesitated. “I… I don’t know how. And Teacher Wang is here…”
“Teacher Wang is old, his eyesight isn’t good,” Lin Zhao replied without hesitation.
Teacher Wang: “…”
Who had offended whom?
Ignoring Teacher Wang’s helpless gaze, Lin Zhao continued, looking at Xu Ning: “I’m afraid it’ll hurt. Teacher Wang might be too rough. I trust you to handle it.”
Fine.
Teacher Wang, sensing the situation, handed the first-aid kit to Xu Ning and stepped aside, pretending to read his paper while sneaking glances at them.
Normally, Lin Zhao ignored everyone. Why today would she let Xu Ning treat her wounds?
He glanced out the window, muttering to himself.
Xu Ning knelt by the bed, drew the curtain, and carefully examined the bruises along Lin Zhao’s back.
They were dark, connected patches, shocking to see.
“This might hurt,” Xu Ning warned.
She had never treated anyone’s injuries before; even when she got hurt herself, she just applied some ointment and left it at that.
Lin Zhao lay face down, chuckling softly. “Then be careful.”
Xu Ning nodded and opened the first-aid kit, taking out iodine and cotton swabs.
She dipped a swab in iodine and carefully cleaned Lin Zhao’s scratches.
Lin Zhao couldn’t help but groan quietly as the iodine touched the wounds.
Hearing this, Xu Ning’s movements became even gentler.
She looked up at Lin Zhao, who was gripping the bed sheet tightly, lost in thought.
“Bear with it. It’ll be over soon.”
“Mm,” Lin Zhao mumbled into the pillow, muffled. “I’m fine. Keep going.”
Xu Ning nodded and continued.
After finishing the iodine, she applied ointment to the bruises.
The cool sensation instantly eased the burning pain along Lin Zhao’s back.
Lin Zhao secretly turned her head, watching Xu Ning’s focused profile.
Long, dense eyelashes quivered slightly, like butterfly wings. Soft facial features, a small, sharp nose, lips faintly pink.
No wonder she was the heroine.
Even in a faded school uniform, her pure and clear aura shone through.
After applying the ointment, Xu Ning picked up gauze to bandage Lin Zhao’s back.
“No need,” Lin Zhao said abruptly. “Too troublesome, and it would be uncomfortable under clothes.”
Xu Ning nodded and put the gauze away.
She tidied the first-aid kit and stood, hesitating as she looked at Lin Zhao lying on the bed. “Does it still hurt?”
“Much better,” Lin Zhao replied, turning to smile at her. “Thank you.”
“…Can I go now?” Xu Ning asked.
Lin Zhao was about to answer when—BANG!—the infirmary door was violently kicked open.
The door slammed against the wall with a harsh thud.
Teacher Wang, tidying the first-aid kit, flinched. The iodine bottle fell, splattering brown liquid across the floor.
He stood abruptly, clutching his chest, about to scold the intruder, but froze when he saw who it was.
Another troublesome presence. How many are there today?
“Gu, what are you—” Teacher Wang tried to intervene. “The infirmary is for treating students. You shouldn’t be kicking doors like this…”
Gu Zhuoxiao ignored him, scanning the room for Xu Ning at lightning speed.
Teacher Wang’s lips twitched.
In his mind, he cursed both of these untouchables, but could only plaster on a pained smile.
He glanced at the drawn curtain, then quickly looked away. “I-I didn’t see anyone. It’s just me here…”
No sooner had he spoken than a chill ran from his feet to the crown of his head.
Gu Zhuoxiao’s eyes were already locked on that curtain. Without another word, he strode toward the bed.
Teacher Wang opened his mouth to stop him but dared not.
Both the Gu and Lin families were on the school board. Gu Zhuoxiao, treated like a deity by the principal, and he, a mere school doctor… who dared defy the young master?