Good girls are harmed first by the bad boys!

Seeing Mei mute and overwhelmed, he added, "You still don't speak up. Isn't it time you started resisting bullies like me? Won't everyone just keep pushing you around if you don't stand up for yourself, Mei?" His voice carried a hint of disappointment, followed by a sigh.

"Huh?" Mei snapped out of her daze, blinking in disbelief at his words.

How could someone insult her so many times in one breath? "Y-You—!"

"Don't 'you' me," Wang Xiao interrupted, causing her frustration to boil over.

Thud!

The moment he released his support, she stumbled and fell, landing in the sand with a painful thud against her knees.

"Ow—!" A cry of pain escaped her lips as she winced, and Wang Xiao shook his head, watching her with mild exasperation.

"So careless..." Wang Xiao murmured, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I told you to stand up for yourself, but not like this."