Chapter 67 The Ugly Duckling Humiliated

oked no refusal, "On Monday, you must report to work at the company on time. I told you before—I don’t want to see you around. I won’t let you linger near me again; I’ll make sure you stay far away."Y...Chapter 67: The Ugly Duckling Humiliated

From that day on, Li An seemed determined to thoroughly humiliate Yan Luoxi until he was satisfied. It was as if only by doing so could he firmly demonstrate his unwillingness for her to become his childhood bride and solidify the weakest link in his heart.

Within a short period of time, Li An came up with countless sarcastic nicknames for Yan Luoxi: Gap Tooth, Weed, Fat Girl, Brain Dead... He called out these names loudly in front of everyone, causing them to burst into laughter.

The jeers sounded like waves, layer upon layer. Most of the friends Li An associated with were wealthy; the boys were cool and the girls had a refined demeanor. Yan Luoxi was like an ugly duckling among swans, her head bowed everywhere, being called around by Li An.

At thirteen years old, Yan Luoxi could not calmly handle such ridicule. This age is when she would be most sensitive to nicknames; she couldn't resist Li An and could not criticize those children from noble backgrounds either, so she maintained her last shred of dignity with silence.

Due to the oppression at home, Yan Luoxi liked to wander outside without going back. After school, she would use the excuse of participating in extracurricular activities to send away the driver sent by her family and linger around in school until it was dark before returning home. By this time, Gu Xiao Bei and Li Haonan were usually at home; Li An would put on a show of deep brotherly affection without oppressing her.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Yan Luoxi had to attend extracurricular tutoring classes all day long, making it hard for Li An to find her.

This little maid servant roaming around outside; the master Li An didn't find her, but Zhou Guangtao took notice of her instead.

That weekend, after coming out from calligraphy class, Yan Luoxi was aimlessly wandering on the streets. After walking for a long time and feeling both tired and hungry, she saw a tofu skewer stall by the roadside and bought herself a bowl to eat while walking.

"Luo Xi!" A familiar voice sounded from behind.

"Brother Guangtao!" Yan LuoXi turned around and smiled warmly at Zhou Guangtao.

This少年, who was close in age to Li An, had matured over the years into a tall and handsome young man with an air of confidence. At that time, Zhou Guangtao was still a pure and intelligent child, like a bamboo shoot standing proudly in the mist, his eyes warm as if filled with spring breezes.

Yan LuoXi and Zhou Guangtao attended the same school and could see each other every day; their relationship remained as good as ever.

"On such a hot day, why aren’t you going home Why are you aimlessly wandering on the street" Zhou Guangtao looked at Yan LuoXi's flushed cheeks and somewhat exhausted appearance, clearly indicating that she had been out for a long time.

"I just want to take a walk," Yan LuoXi said with a quick smile.

"What’s there here to walk around" Zhou Guangtao looked around; the street wasn’t very busy and didn't have many shops. Beside the road, there were only elderly people sitting under trees playing chess or chatting idly.

Over these years, due to Yan LuoXi's repeated persecution by Li An, she had developed a high level of endurance and deception skills. She told lies without any change in her complexion, "This place is very good; it gives me peace of mind."

Zhou Guangtao was extremely intelligent. Seeing that Yan LuoXi refused to talk about it, he did not continue to ask but instead熱情地邀請流浪兒,"My mom made dumplings today, come home with me and have a meal!" Then he tried to find clues in her words and attitude.

Yan Luoxi ultimately didn't have deep thoughts, and upon hearing Zhou Guangtao's invitation, she immediately agreed enthusiastically, her excitement barely concealed, clearly not very interested in 'hanging out.'

Zhou Guangtao silently sighed and took Yan Luoxi home.

After being adopted by the Li family, Yan Luoxi still often visited Aunt Liu's place. Aunt Liu used the money left by Yan Luoxi’s father to buy a new apartment in a newly developed neighborhood; although the area wasn't large, the environment here was very good.

Aunt Liu had her own thoughts—her son had been sent by the Li family to an elite school where all the children were either rich or of high social status. She wanted to give him a better environment and prevent him from becoming too自卑 (self-conscious).

Seeing Yan Luoxi come, Aunt Liu was very happy; these years she hadn't found any friends and just lived with her son. As someone who knew how to be grateful, she understood that the happiness in her life today was largely due to Yan Yongsheng, so she treated Yan Luoxi especially well.

Yan Luoxi ate at Aunt Liu's place and lingered until dusk before reluctantly making arrangements to go home. Zhou Guangtao naturally went downstairs to see her off.

Sitting in the somewhat empty subway car, Zhou Guangtao asked Yan Luoxi worriedly, "Did Li An bully you again"

"No!" Yan Luoxi reflexively denied it.

Zhou Guangtao didn't argue with her; he stared steadily out of the window with his bright eyes.

Lili An, a boy of the same age and school as him, someone he knows all too well. In a certain sense, Lili An is his rival.

In an elite school, both Lili An and Zhou Guangtao are boys whom girls secretly admire as "school princes." Zhou Guangtao wins the hearts of girls with his gentle and reserved demeanor, starry eyes and straight nose, fair skin, refined appearance, tall and upright figure, and outstanding academic performance.

Lili An, on the other hand, is dazzling and always a focus of attention. As a boy, he's perhaps too beautiful, but he's never effeminate; his healthy bronze skin and athletic physique add a touch of masculinity to his otherwise perfect looks.

While Zhou Guangtao envies Lili An, he also admires him for his unrestrained, carefree, and spontaneous nature. Lili An's youth is more vibrant and colorful than anyone else's.

"Luoxi, just hold on a little longer. When I am capable enough, I will definitely take you away from the Li family," Zhou Guangtao said firmly as he looked out the window. He believes there will be a day when he surpasses Lili An.

The lonely and bullied Yan Luoxi was moved to tears again, redefining her views of Lili An and Zhou Guangtao in her heart. She repeatedly defines Lili An as a demon while the image of Zhou Guangtao once again warms up in her heart.

Yan Luoxi is less talkative when she stays at home, spending her days reading books, writing, or staring out the window with fewer smiles on her face.

Just as she thought that Lili An's humiliation would suffocate her to death, the unruly Lili An finally had a new idea.

Lili An was stimulated by something unknown and suddenly proposed studying abroad. This news is undoubtedly good news for Yan Luoxi; of course, it’s not just her who feels happy about this message—Gu Xiao Bei, Lili An's mother, also showed unexpected delight on her face.arge. Why do you insist on being difficult"Li An was stunned by his elder brother's roar. Although he didn't want Ming Zixi and the others to stay here at all, considering what his big brother said ma...