Chapter 212: A Poor Match for a Poor Soul

The lunch bell rang as Zuri and Xu Zexi walked out, only to run into Esme and another girl. Upon seeing her, the two hastened their steps.

Xu Zexi asked, "Did you have a fight?"

The three of them were usually inseparable, so even a fool could tell something was up when they suddenly avoided her.

Zuri, however, paid it no mind. Whether someone can be a true friend isn't determined by how long you've known each other but by the sincerity of the relationship.

As they walked out of the building, they noticed that the bulletin board near the entrance was covered in photos. And the person in those photos was none other than Zuri.

As Zuri appeared, someone noticed her.

"It's her, that girl."

"It really is her."

"Though the photos are a bit old, you can still tell it's her. Who would've thought she was an orphan, even scavenging through trash bins?"

"Looking at those old photos, she really had a rough life. Now she's all glamorous, and you can't tell at all."

"An orphan? But I heard she's from some wealthy family."

"I heard that too. Isn't she a VIP at the Highton Hotel? I also heard someone sends her lunch every day."

"Could it be a lie?"

"Definitely. We've been duped."

"An orphan, suddenly so wealthy? Something doesn't add up."

"What's so odd about it? Maybe some rich guy's keeping her. It's not like that doesn't happen."

The murmurs around them seeped into Zuri's ears from every direction.

Xu Zexi didn't step away but gave her a concerned look. "Don't let what they say bother you."

Zuri glanced at him, her expression indifferent.

Would she care about such gossip?

Of course not.

Her gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Shi Feifei, who was watching the spectacle from a distance. Zuri's lips curled into a beautiful smile.

Shi Feifei was stunned. Something about that smile sent a shiver down her spine.

Xu Zexi stepped forward and addressed those with malice in their words, "Don't speak so carelessly. Words have consequences."

"Hey, who do you think you are? Did we say anything about you? What's it to you?"

"He's from the design department, right? I heard he's into Zuri."

"No wonder he's all worked up."

"Freshman, when choosing a girlfriend, looks aren't everything. You should consider her character too. Imagine picking up damaged goods."

The girl's mocking tone was full of glee, but suddenly, her ponytail was yanked hard from behind, causing her to yelp in pain.

"Who—?" She turned around, only to see a furious face.

"Your grandma, that's who!" Azura retorted fiercely.

"Let go!" The girl grabbed her hair.

Azura flicked her hand, "I was wondering why your mouth is crooked; turns out you've just been talking too much."

"You…" The girl was livid.

Her friends quickly gathered around her.

Azura rolled up her sleeves, "What, want a fight? I'm ready whenever you are. Just don't come crying to daddy afterward!"

Azura's sharp tongue could drive anyone mad.

"And who are you? What does this have to do with you?" one of the girls asked.

"She's my bestie. You mess with her, you mess with me."

"Hmph, you think she's your friend, but does she see you that way? Look at her, standing there like a delicate flower while you're out here making a fool of yourself," the girl sneered.

Azura gave the girls a mischievous smile, "Are you sure you want her to step in?"

Zuri looked at Azura and couldn't help but smile wryly.

Azura was getting playful!

The girls turned their gaze to Zuri, who appeared delicate and fragile, with no trace of threat, while the girl in front of them, with her tough-girl demeanor, seemed far more intimidating.

"Would she even dare?" one of the girls said.

"We're standing right here. No way a delicate little flower like her would dare lay a finger on us."

"Just look at her—she's the kind who hides behind men."

All eyes instinctively turned to Zuri, some curious, some admiring her beauty, others green with envy.

Azura looked at the four girls with pity.

Tsk tsk, they were asking for trouble.

Zuri stepped forward, facing the four girls and meeting their provocative stares. "Do you know how pigs die?" she asked.

One of the girls blurted out the answer, "They die from stupidity."

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

"I forget who said it, but it was something like, never engage in conversation with fools. The more you talk to them, the dumber you get," Zuri said thoughtfully. "Does anyone remember who said that?"

"Who are you calling a fool?" The girl, already short-tempered, was enraged by Zuri's words.

She raised her hand to strike Zuri, but before Azura could intervene, Zuri had already caught the girl's wrist. A sharp crack echoed as the girl's arm was dislocated.

"Ah!"

The girl screamed in pain, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

Zuri looked at her, feigning surprise. "Oops, didn't expect your arm to be so fragile. Just a light touch, and it dislocates. But don't worry, I'll fix it."

The girl, now terrified, stammered, "W-what are you going to do?"

Zuri smiled sweetly, "Don't be scared. I'm just going to set the bone."

"No, please, don't…"

But the girl had no say in the matter.

Zuri, not wanting to give her any chance to claim injury later, instructed, "Hold still! If you move, I might set it wrong, and then we'll have to break it again to fix it."

The girl froze in fear.

With a quick motion, Zuri set the bone, the crackling sound causing everyone around to wince.

The girl screamed in agony, "Ahhh!"

Zuri looked at her apologetically, "Sorry, I didn't do it right. Let me try again."

"What did you just say?!" The girl's voice shot up in panic.

Before she could protest further, Zuri reset the bone with two more audible cracks, each sound chilling to those nearby.

Though it wasn't their arm, everyone felt a phantom pain. The girl's agonized screams made it all the more real.

"There, all done," Zuri said, releasing her grip.

The girl tested her arm and found she could move it again. She glared at Zuri, eyes blazing with fury, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Zuri looked at her innocently, "How could you accuse me like that?"

Azura nearly burst out laughing at Zuri's overly sweet response. The sudden shift in tone was almost too much.

"You…" The girl was seething, torn between anger and disbelief at Zuri's innocent act.

Zuri turned to the remaining three girls, cracking her knuckles ominously as she asked, "Anyone else have a problem?"

The three girls stared at Zuri's hands, then at their friend's miserable state, and quickly shook their heads.

Zuri lightly brushed their arms with her fingers, "That's more like it."