Just then, a voice came from behind them, dripping with sarcasm. “I knew it. I can tell a country bumpkin when I see one. What, have you guys never eaten these dishes before.”

Qing Jing whirled around and demanded, “Who the heck are you? What makes you think you can say just those nasty things, huh? Your mouth stinks!”

The other students turned to see a girl in a black, trendy dress and huge sunglasses. Her lips were glossy red, and a luxury brand purse was hanging from her shoulder. She was undoubtedly another brat from some rich, snobbish family.

Yu Shu rolled her eyes atQin Jingand crossed her arms over her chest.

“What, am I mistaken? A country bumpkin is a country bumpkin, no matter how hard she tries to fit in the city. Anyway, I’m talking about Yao Tang, so mind your own business.”

Qin Jing’s eyes widened. She was so mad that she couldn’t find the words to retort with. Instead, she rolled her sleeves up, ready for a brawl. But Yao Tangpulled her back before she could do anything.

“There’s no need to let everyone know about your disgusting attitude,” Yao Tangsaid coldly, her eyes narrowed atYu Shu. “Your filthy mouth is sullying the cafeteria.”

Not to be outdone, Lin Xinalso stepped forward and raised her chin. “That’s right! Did you have manure for breakfast or something? It reeks every time you open your mouth. I almost threw up. Aren’t you concerned you might ruin everyone’s appetite if you keep talking?”

“You total scumbags!”

Yu Shu was trembling with fury. Her face was flushed as she hiked her purse higher on her shoulder, as if she was going to pounce at them in the next second.

It was at that moment that Yao Ranappeared. “Yao Tang,” she said in a gentle voice. “Just because you have your friends with you doesn’t mean that you can go around bullying others.”

With that single sentence, she had effectively reversed the truth. Again.

Qin Jing snorted and glared atYao Ran. It was all she could not to walk over and the fake girl’s face. She might even send her flying with a roundhouse kick.

The nosy students noticed the commotion and quickly gathered around to watch the show.

“What’s going on? Why are they fighting?”

“I’m not sure. It seems like Yao Tangincited her friends to bully someone.”

“Look, look. That girl is obviously pissed off.”

“You do know that Yao Tangis under the school bully’s protection, right? Even if she weren’t, she still managed to beat up a bunch of boys with a stick. You can’t afford to offend her. It just isn’t worth it.”

The onlookers exchanged speculations, all while shooting disdainful glances at Yao Tangand her friends.

Lin Xin took a deep breath. Her grip tightened on the lunchbox she had been carrying.

These people didn’t even know the real story, yet they had the guts to keep spouting their obnoxious presumptions. She hated it.

As for Yu Shu, she was emboldened by the fact that someone had come up and defended her. She squared her shoulders and nodded atQin Jing.

“Hey, you. You’re friends with this Yao Tang, right? I’m telling you, I’ve looked into her identity. Don’t be fooled by her appearance. She’s just a low-born nobody from the countryside. What’s more, her background is dubious, at best. You’d better stay away from her before she takes advantage of you. Don’t wait until your valuables start to go missing, or worse!”

Lin Xin took another step forward and opened her mouth, butYao Tangforcibly pulled her back.

“Don’t come any closer,” she warned her friend. “A mad dog is mindless; it bites anyone it sees.”

Lin Xin burst out laughing then. “You’re right,Sister Tang! We should just ignore this mad dog. Who knows what will happen to us if we get bitten?”

Someone from the crowd snickered, sending Yu Shuinto a fit of rage. “What did you say?” she yelled atYao Tang. “Did you just call me a mad dog?”

Qin Jing smirked and nudgedYao Tang’s arm. “Do you hear that,Sister Tang? The mad dog is barking again.”

“Right,” Yao Tangnodded. “But I wonder why the other one isn’t making a sound…”

Yao Ran stiffened for a second before launching into a tirade herself.Yu Shujoined her, and the two made a ruckus as they hurled insult after insult atYao Tang.

“How dare you look down on me! Do you even look at yourself?”

“What made you so arrogant, huh? You’re just a pretentious scum with nothing to your name!”

“Those two you call friends must be blind! How unfortunate for them.”

Lin Xin cocked her head to the side. “Sister Tang, why are the mad dogs still barking?” she asked, pretending to be confused.

Yao Tang didn’t even glance atYu ShuorYao Ran.

“They are acting up, aren’t they? Must be rabies.”

The two sputtered into silence, utterly humiliated.