Chapter 97

He Le lowered her eyes. Only now did she feel her face burning from that slap just now—very, very embarrassing, right? Being provoked and slapped, yet she had no reaction at all. Anyone who saw it would think she was a spineless, self-esteem-less, pitiful, and even more pathetic bun.

This was the lifestyle she had already gotten used to. Whether being humiliated, or innocently bumped and beaten, she didn't resist or fight back, letting people vent as quickly as possible—because the result of resisting would only be more bullying. No one would help her. Even if the teachers knew, the teachers would only ask her parents to take her home, or even... advise her to suspend or drop out of school. Only by enduring, only by enduring could she continue her studies, could she get into university, could she go find Xiao...

No, can't think, can't think of that name, can't be trapped by those doubts and hatreds. She had to look forward, had to work hard to live sunny!

Yes, she clearly thought so, clearly didn't feel anything when she was hit just now, why would she feel embarrassed and sad now?

He Le curled her lips sadly—was it because she didn't want the Rong sisters to see her looking so lowly?

"Brother Mo!" Xiao Sha greeted Shentu Mo with surprise, "The director didn't say you were coming today! Did you come specifically to see me?"

Shentu Mo lowered his head and looked at the phone wreckage at his feet, then raised his eyes to look at Xiao Yan.

Intimidated by Shentu Mo's cold momentum, Xiao Yan lowered her head, her eyes flickering, not daring to speak.

"Brother Mo?" Seeing Shentu Mo keep looking at Xiao Yan, Xiao Sha was a bit unhappy and could only glare at Xiao Yan too.

"My set, when did it allow people to use violence at will and damage others' property at will?" Shentu Mo withdrew his gaze and glanced coldly at Xiao Sha in front of him.

"Uh..." Xiao Sha didn't expect Shentu Mo to speak up to settle the account. "Just a misunderstanding, no big deal," she said, turning her head toward He Le, "Right, that, that who!"

For a time, everyone's eyes gathered on He Le. He Le gritted her teeth, controlling her breathing, suppressing the slight trembling of her whole body, and walked to Shentu Mo to squat down and pick up the phone. The phone screen actually wasn't broken.

"Hey! Why are you so impolite? I'm talking to you!" Xiao Sha frowned, full of displeasure.

He Le stood up and faced Xiao Sha, her lips moved, but in the end, she swallowed the words in her mouth and replaced them with another sentence—"Yes, just a misunderstanding."

Shentu Mo's eyes grew colder, "Misunderstanding?"

He knew this woman could endure, but he only thought she was timid and cowardly by nature, but he didn't expect—she was actually willing to be so lowly! Were the stubbornness and tenacity in her eyes just his illusion?

Boring.

Unexplained anger filled his chest—how long had it been since he had been angry? This woman...

Shentu Mo snorted coldly and turned to leave. He wasn't sure if he continued to look at that woman, he would do something even he couldn't control.

"Brother Mo!" Xiao Sha just wanted to chase after him, but a script assistant ran over. She knew it was her scene next, so she could only glare at He Le hatefully and follow the script assistant away. Xiao Yan and another assistant named "Jingjing" also hurriedly followed. Before leaving, Xiao Yan also glanced at He Le contemptuously.

Only then did the Rong sisters walk to He Le's side. They had a flight in the afternoon. Rong Qingya insisted on saying goodbye to He Le in person, so Shentu Mo brought them to the set.

"Sister Lele." Rong Qingya's little face was full of grievance, as if she were the one who had been hit and bullied, "Why did you..."

"Qingya!" Rong Qingfeng stopped Rong Qingya, then paused, and gently hugged He Le, "Although I don't know why you would endure like this, you must have your reasons. But as a friend... Lele, please be good to yourself. Otherwise, we will be sad."

Friend... two words, one sentence, immediately made He Le's tears burst out. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I..."

"Silly girl, you're not the one who should say sorry, it's those who hurt you. You... are a good girl, Qingya and I both like you very much."

"Mm mm mm!" Rong Qingya saw He Le crying and couldn't help but cry too, her little head nodding repeatedly.

"So," releasing He Le's body, Rong Qingfeng gently wiped the tears from her face, "Even for Qingya and me, don't let people bully you at will! Let them know that our friend He Le is not easy to bully! Anyone who hurts you will pay a painful price!"

"..." He Le stopped crying, was silent for a moment, but finally smiled bitterly and shook her head, "It will cause trouble for others. If Xiao Sha is provoked, Ruan Lin's work will also be affected. I... I'm fine," He Le showed a big smile, wanting to appease the Rong sisters with this, "Anyway, I'm used to it. This degree..."

"He Le!" Rong Qingfeng shouted loudly. Seeing He Le's appearance, Rong Qingfeng couldn't help but feel heartache. What kind of life did this girl live before to be "used to" being bullied? How could she be so "saintly" that she could endure humiliation for others and still smile!

No wonder Shentu just left angrily—"Lele, remember, in this world, no one is more important than yourself! If you are not happy, the whole world laughing has nothing to do with you! No one is worth you sacrificing your self-esteem to protect. Lele! Love yourself a little more! Love yourself a little more!"

Love... yourself a little more.

Tears filled her eyes again, brilliantly reflecting the sunlight, but He Le curled her lips and smiled an even more brilliant smile, "Mm! Thank you... thank you... I..." Closing her eyes to force back the tears, only happiness remained shining in He Le's eyes, "I will."

"Then, goodbye."

"Sister Lele! We're leaving! I will miss you!"

He Le took the initiative to hug Rong Qingya, "I... will miss you too!"

Thank you, thank you for recognizing her as a friend after seeing her looking so lowly.

Thank you, thank you Qingya for giving her pure and flawless friendship.

Thank you, thank you Rong Qingfeng for her kindness, her encouragement, and her advice.

Yes! She was no longer that little girl without any power to fight back. Some habits should be changed. Besides enduring, she should have more choices!

Noon, lunch box time.

"What's wrong with your face?" Ruan Lin stared at He Le's half-swollen face with deep frowns and asked.

"Ruan Lin, if I fight on the set, or provoke Xiao Sha, how much will it affect your work?"

I'll post the first update first~~~ the second update will be very late~~~ so you girls must be good~~~ watch it when you wake up tomorrow~~ Love you all!!

— Author's Notes —

Author's Note: