“Gr… Grandma, spare me! Have mercy, Grandma!” The gang leader wept and begged for forgiveness.
Jian Ning stared coldly at him. “Scared now?”
“Terrified! I’m terrified! Gr… Grandma, please spare me! I… I’ll never dare do this again! Never!”
“Hmph! Did you ever ask your victims whether they were scared when you bullied them?” As she spoke, Jian Ning applied more pressure with her foot, making the gang leader wish he were dead!
Old Master Song observed everything. This girl had some skill—she used clever techniques that appeared effortless yet inflicted unbearable pain on her opponent.
Quite capable!
The other thugs trembled in fear, each afraid they would be next.
Jian Ning didn’t have time to deal with them all. After disciplining the gang leader, she planned to report them to the police.
She turned to look at the girl, who crouched like a frightened deer, her clothes torn and tattered. Without hesitation, Jian Ning took out the newly purchased clothes from her bag, walked over, and draped them over the girl’s shoulders. “It’s alright now. Don’t be afraid. I’ll report them to the police and have them all arrested!”
Hearing this, the girl instinctively grabbed Jian Ning’s hand and shook her head in panic. “N… no, don’t report them.”
“Why not?” Jian Ning blurted out before realizing that in this era, reputation was everything. The girl was likely afraid the incident would escalate and ruin her reputation.
Though she had done nothing wrong, some people wouldn’t care. In such situations, they would blame the woman, saying things like, “If you hadn’t dressed provocatively, behaved improperly, or tempted them, would this have happened? Why didn’t it happen to others? Look at yourself!”
How ridiculous!
Moreover, the girl also feared retaliation.
Jian Ning helped the girl to her feet and looked at her reassuringly. “This wasn’t your fault. You have nothing to fear! I can go with you to the police station.”
“But…” The girl remained hesitant, looking at Jian Ning with uncertainty.
At that moment, Old Master Song approached and said, “How about this? Since this young lady is afraid, let her go home first. I’ll handle the rest!”
Jian Ning could tell the old man was no ordinary person. Hearing his words, she knew he could resolve the matter. She turned to the girl and asked, “What do you think?”
The girl’s name was He Qingwan. She nodded and said, “Thank you both. May I know your names?”
“Just call me Old Song!” The old man chuckled.
“I’m Jian Ning.”
“Grandpa Song, Jian Ning, thank you. My name is He Qingwan. You saved me today, and I will repay you someday!” After speaking, He Qingwan bowed deeply to them, adjusted the clothes on her shoulders, and ran off.
“He Qingwan…” Old Master Song murmured the name twice, feeling it sounded somewhat familiar but unable to recall where he had heard it before.
“Old Master, do you need me to accompany you to the police station?” Jian Ning asked after He Qingwan had left.
“No need. You can go back first,” Old Master Song replied, waving his hand.
“Alright then, Old Master, take care of yourself. Goodbye!” Jian Ning waved to the old man before turning and walking away.
As she passed by those hooligans, Jian Ning accidentally stepped on their feet a few more times, immediately eliciting another round of pitiful wails.
Old Master Song watched this scene, the corners of his mouth involuntarily twitching upward. Hahaha, this girl—courageous and resourceful, kind yet principled—was truly a rare find!
He had to quickly get Song Yan to marry her and bring her home! Otherwise, given more time, he feared the Xiao Family might change their mind!
…
The moment Jian Ning entered, she saw that Xiao Zhengjun and Luo Susu had already returned. Xiao Yue was clinging to Luo Susu’s arm, acting spoiled, while Song Hualan stood nearby, smiling as if she had eaten something delightfully sweet.
The scene of them chatting and laughing appeared harmonious and warm, especially the gentle, doting looks they directed at Xiao Yue.
Jian Ning watched this, thinking she wouldn’t care, but in reality, it felt like a thorn had pierced her heart.
Song Hualan was the first to notice Jian Ning’s return. Her previously beaming face instantly fell, and she shot a cold, disdainful glance in Jian Ning’s direction.
Just then, Luo Susu also noticed Jian Ning. She froze for a moment, then couldn’t help but stand up. “Ningning, how have you lost so much weight? I almost didn’t recognize you!”
Xiao Zhengjun also turned to look at Jian Ning, unable to hide his surprise. He had seen people lose weight quickly before, but never as rapidly as Jian Ning.
By the looks of it, she had lost at least twenty or thirty pounds—it was as if she had become a completely different person.
He never expected this girl to have such strong willpower, actually succeeding in losing the weight. If she kept this up, it might not be entirely impossible for her to join the Arts Troupe!
Xiao Yue noticed the way they were looking at Jian Ning and couldn’t help but grit her teeth secretly. The moment Jian Ning returned, all her parents’ attention shifted to her, completely ignoring Xiao Yue!
She was clearly doing it on purpose, trying to steal their affection away from her. How vicious and shameless!
She slowly clenched her fists, then looked at Jian Ning, a plan instantly forming in her mind.
“Yes, I’ve lost about twenty pounds,” Jian Ning said calmly.
“Oh my, Ningning, losing so much so quickly—is your body handling it alright?” Luo Susu couldn’t help but ask with concern.
After all, more than anything else, she cared about her daughter’s health.
“It’s fine, Mom. Even though I lost weight quickly, I did it the right way. I didn’t deprive myself,” Jian Ning replied with a smile.
“That’s good to hear. I was just worried that losing weight too fast might affect your health…”
Just then, Xiao Yue, who had been standing nearby, suddenly lowered her head and began sobbing quietly.
Song Hualan immediately asked, “Yueyue, why are you crying?”
Luo Susu and Xiao Zhengjun’s attention instantly shifted to her. Luo Susu looked at her tenderly and asked, “What’s wrong, Yueyue? Did something happen?”
“N-no, it’s nothing. I’m fine, Mom and Dad. Please don’t worry about me!” Xiao Yue quickly wiped away her tears, trying hard to act as if nothing was wrong.
This only made Luo Susu feel more heartbroken for her. “Yueyue, what exactly is going on?”
“Yueyue, just tell us! There’s nothing you can’t share with your parents!” Song Hualan chimed in immediately.
Only then did Xiao Yue lift her head and look toward Jian Ning. “Ningning, please don’t blame me. I’m genuinely worried about you. I know you want to lose weight quickly to make Mom and Dad happy and to get into the Arts Troupe.”
“But by using this method that harms your body, although you’ve lost weight temporarily, in the future…”
Xiao Yue didn’t continue, only looking at Jian Ning with a worried expression.
Jian Ning sneered. She never expected Xiao Yue would use such tactics against her.