To those bullies, Maria's usual timid, shrinking manner was practically an "invitation" for them to pick on her.
She always walked with her head lowered, her eyes darting away as if she were constantly afraid of being watched. That cowardly posture only stirred up the malice buried deep within those bullies.
No one had expected Edward to stand up for Maria today.
In an instant, a surge of emotion welled up inside Maria, like a warm beam of light suddenly shining into endless darkness.
But immediately afterward, worry flooded over that small spark of gratitude like a tide. She knew all too well that Edward's righteous act might bring even worse consequences upon her.
Yet Edward said nothing. His expression was cold as ice as he slowly rose to his feet and walked steadily toward Mark. His gaze remained locked tightly on him.
Under Edward's unblinking stare, a bone-chilling cold rose in Mark's heart, as though he had been thrown into an ice cellar.
In that suffocating atmosphere, he forced himself to act brave, though his voice unconsciously wavered. "What? Looking for a fight?" Though he deliberately raised his voice, he could not hide the trembling lack of confidence beneath it.
Mark was thoroughly enraged by the powerful aura Edward gave off. Humiliated and furious, he sprang to his feet like a bull that had been provoked.
Although he was clearly much shorter than Edward, his ruthless refusal to back down was not the least bit weaker. He craned his neck, his face filled with the determination to fight Edward to the bitter end no matter what.
However, in Edward's eyes, this snarling boy was nothing more than a vicious dog putting on a brave front and barking blindly.
A trace of undisguised contempt flashed through Edward's eyes. The next moment, he moved like a cheetah poised to strike, swift as lightning.
His hand was like the sharp talon of an eagle, clamping around Mark's throat with perfect precision.
The next second, the muscles in Edward's arm tightened like steel. With a slight lift, he effortlessly hoisted Mark up with one hand as though he were lifting something weightless.
At the sight, the other boys seemed to have been frozen by a spell. They stood there dumbfounded, their mouths hanging so wide they could have fit an egg inside.
After all, an adult male weighed at least over one hundred and twenty jin, not to mention the strength Mark was exerting as he struggled.
Let alone with one hand—even an ordinary adult using both hands would never have been able to lift him so easily.
For a moment, time seemed to stop inside the entire bus. It was so quiet that even the sound of a needle hitting the floor would have been clearly audible.
Only Mark's painful gasps sounded especially jarring in the deathly silence, like a heavy iron hammer pounding again and again against everyone's nerves.
That alone showed just how great the shock was of seeing someone lifted up with one hand.
For a while, the other boys were all too frightened to make a sound. Their feet seemed nailed to the floor, and none of them dared step forward.
Just then, Smack! Smack! Smack! Edward raised his hand and delivered several slaps, clean and decisive without the slightest hesitation.
He gripped Mark's hair tightly, his expression calm but carrying unquestionable authority. "Remember this: if I ever see you bullying classmates again, I'll make sure to bully you properly. Do you hear me?"
"Y-yes..." Terrified out of his wits, Mark nodded frantically like a startled quail.
Edward tossed him onto the seat as if he were a sack of rags, then calmly turned around and sat back down in his own seat.
His expression was tranquil, as if everything he had just done had been a trivial matter not worth dwelling on. Edward had never had much patience for bullies.
"Thank you!" As Edward quietly watched the scenery outside the window, a soft voice like a spring breeze gently sounded beside his ear.
"It was nothing." Without turning around, Edward kept his eyes on the scenery rushing past outside the window and replied blandly.
"Um... can I sit here?" Maria's voice trembled slightly, carrying a cautious hint of expectation.
"Of course." Only then did Edward slowly turn his head, his gaze falling on Maria's pretty face with its unique charm.
Her features were delicate and gentle, and lively light shimmered in her eyes as though a clear spring were hidden within them.
"Thank you!" Maria's lips curved upward as she smiled brightly. Her smile was like a flower blooming in spring, vivid and beautiful, as though it instantly dispelled the lingering tension and fear inside the bus.
The school bus slowly entered the campus. Edward got off with the crowd and headed straight for the teachers' office.
After entering the office, Edward found the teacher and explained Carrie's situation in detail, asking for leave on Carrie's behalf.
After hearing him out, the teacher's face showed a mixture of concern and sympathy, and they nodded to indicate they understood.
After leaving the office and returning to the classroom, Edward went back to his seat to pass the time.
At that moment, Jennifer walked over from the other side of the classroom with light steps.
Her hair swayed gently with each step, and her eyes held a trace of curiosity and concern.
Jennifer stopped in front of Edward, tilted her head slightly, and asked expectantly, "Edward, are you ready?"
Edward paused slightly, confusion appearing on his face. "Ready for what?"
Jennifer smiled softly and lightly poked Edward's arm. "Oh, tomorrow's recital! Don't tell me you forgot?"
Edward smiled a little awkwardly, the corners of his mouth lifting to reveal a row of white teeth. "How could I?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jennifer twisted lightly like a playful kitten and sat directly on Edward's lap.
She leaned closer, her lips almost brushing his ear, and said in a voice as soft as a spring breeze, "I bought some sexy lingerie."
As she left, she deliberately blew a slow breath of warm air into Edward's ear.
Edward immediately felt the roots of his ears grow hot, and an unnatural flush crossed his face.
He unconsciously shifted his body, trying to ease the sudden awkwardness and embarrassment.
The surrounding students all cast meaningful looks their way. Some wore teasing smiles, while others looked surprised.
After all, in everyone's eyes, Edward had always been a steady person. Jennifer's bold and straightforward behavior had truly caught them off guard.
Jennifer, however, seemed not to notice Edward's embarrassment at all. She continued smiling brightly, a trace of mischief in her eyes.
"What's wrong? Look at how shy you are. I was just sharing." She stood up from Edward's lap, clasped her hands behind her back, and tilted her head at him.
The class bell suddenly rang, its crisp sound like a timely signal of rescue.
As though they had heard an emergency assembly order, the students hurried back to their seats in a fluster.
The previously noisy classroom fell silent in an instant, leaving only the faint lingering echo of the bell trembling in the air.
Edward secretly gritted his teeth and thought viciously, Hmph. Tomorrow night, I'll show you how I deal with you, Jennifer. Just you wait!
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