"I need to report this to the teacher," Yingning said with utmost seriousness.

"How could the teacher possibly help you against them..." I helplessly rubbed my forehead.

Yingning closed her eyes, seemingly aware hope was slim. Yet she declared resolutely: "This is a school—a place for teaching and nurturing. It must impart not just knowledge, but also shape what kind of person students become, and protect their safety... This is the teachers' duty. Whether they fulfill it or not, it remains their responsibility!"

I didn’t know how to interject.

Yatou clenched her fists firmly. "No one doesn’t yearn for a world filled with Justice—teachers included! Why should the strong bully the weak with impunity? Why do wrongdoers escape punishment? I believe the weak simply fear to break that thin veil... Since no one dares uphold Justice, then I will—with my own hands! I must try, no matter what!"

I smiled and ruffled Yatou’s hair. "Silly Yatou, the tallest blade of grass gets cut first. And they’re the school director’s son and daughter... Do you even grasp what a school director means? They’re the investors, this school’s benefactors. Everyone here walks on eggshells around them!"

"So what?" Yingning retorted, shaking off my hand. "Aren’t school directors human? Can they act lawlessly? We can sue! Don’t forget the law exists! What is law for? To give the weak a chance to topple the strong!"

I couldn’t help but snort. "Silly Yatou, law protects interests—but never the weak’s..."

"Don’t call me silly Yatou! Brother! How can you think that?" Yingning’s delicate eyebrows knotted, a small crease forming between them. "If justice is controlled by a few and Justice can’t be upheld, why study law at all?"

...Studying law is, of course, to exploit its loopholes.

Our values had clearly diverged.

But that was good—at least this Yatou hadn’t been tainted by reality yet.

Yingning suddenly stood before me, locking eyes with heart-shaking intensity. "I will act! How can you know the outcome without trying? Countless people suffer lifelong bullying from scoundrels just for fearing trouble and lawsuits! I won’t be one of them! This is why I chose law!"

With that, the little Yatou turned and strode away, steps firm.

[No matter what, I must keep my brother out of this whirlpool.]

**********

"That’s how it happened."

Yingning recounted the morning’s events in full detail. Our middle-aged homeroom teacher, Liu Li, nodded in understanding.

We sat in her office—I couldn’t let Yingning face this alone.

The teacher pondered briefly, then spoke earnestly: "Yingning... you’re a bright, hardworking child."

Yingning frowned, confused why she wasn’t addressing Xiang Ling and Xiang Renhe.

The teacher shot me an ambiguous glance before turning back. "We all want you to thrive here... You’re this school’s pride. We hope you’ll go far."

A sense of foreboding struck Yingning. "Teacher Liu... why say this now..."

"Exceptional students like you should focus solely on studies—don’t let outside distractions or people sway you. Especially idle classmates... keep your distance. You become like those you keep company with. Even if it pains you, think of yourself."

Yingning stared, stunned. "Teacher, I don’t understand..."

Liu Li sighed. "Yingning, I know your heart is kind. But this time, the fault lies entirely with your brother. Stay out of it—for your own good..."