After Zhou Yi made the donation, something unusual happened.
One day, Zhang Wu returned to the classroom from the office with an odd look on his face.
Once seated, he kept stealing glances at Zhou Yi, as if struggling to say something but holding back each time.
Zhou Yi pretended not to notice, immersing himself in his book and ignoring Zhang Wu's furtive movements.
Finally, just before the bell for the last class rang, Zhang Wu couldn't restrain himself any longer.
"Why did you help me?" Zhang Wu's voice was barely audible, tinged with awkwardness and confusion.
Zhou Yi turned a page of his book without looking up.
"Help you? With what?"
Zhang Wu snatched the book away, his eyes searching Zhou Yi's face.
"Do you really think I'll thank you for this!?" he snapped, frustration bubbling over.
Zhou Yi chuckled softly.
"Why would I care about your thanks? What good does your gratitude do me?"
Zhang Wu hesitated, then pressed his lips together.
"You gave that money to the poorer students in our class. Didn't you see my name on the list?"
Zhou Yi shrugged nonchalantly.
"Yeah, I saw it. So what?"
"But I'm the one who humiliated you before! Aren't you angry with me?"
"What's there to be angry about? Looks like you already know you were wrong. I thought you were some unfeeling, shameless jerk."
Zhou Yi's words stung, and Zhang Wu's face flushed red. Stammering, he forced a fierce expression.
"Don't think I'll ever feel grateful to you! I won't! I hate people like you—hypocrites pretending to be righteous."
Zhou Yi calmly extended his hand.
"Then give the money back. If you hate me so much, why are you using my money?"
Zhang Wu froze, caught off guard. Though it was only a thousand, it meant everything to him. He shrank back, unable to respond.
Zhou Yi smirked.
"Guess you're not as tough as you act."
Zhang Wu lowered his head, silent.
Taking his book back, Zhou Yi spoke in a detached tone.
"Don't worry about it. I'm not taking the money back, and I'm too busy to hold a grudge against you."
Relief washed over Zhang Wu. Deep down, he knew how wrong he had been.
In the past, he bullied Zhou Yi because Zhou Yi never fought back, making him feel invincible.
But now, when Zhou Yi had every reason to retaliate, he chose instead to help Zhang Wu.
This left Zhang Wu emotionally conflicted. At first, he felt defensive; then came a swirl of complicated emotions, followed by frustration.
He almost wished Zhou Yi had retaliated—it would've been easier than dealing with this kindness gnawing at his conscience.
When the bell rang, Zhang Wu swallowed the apology he'd been rehearsing. Throughout the lesson, he sat lost in thought, wrestling with his guilt. Perhaps he realized the truth, or maybe he feared Zhou Yi might take the money back. After school, he sought out Zhou Yi to apologize.
Pride had always been important to Zhang Wu, so he waited until they were far from the classroom. Following Zhou Yi outside, he stopped him in a secluded corner.
"Zhou Yi."
"What is it?"
Zhang Wu's back was drenched with sweat as he finally managed to choke out the words.
"I'm sorry."
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow. It seemed this boy still had some decency left. Pretending not to hear, he asked coolly,
"Sorry? What was that?"
Zhang Wu stood there awkwardly, wishing the ground would swallow him whole. When Zhou Yi first started changing, Zhang Wu had been jealous and tried to sabotage him behind the scenes. But now, faced with the vast gap between them, he no longer harbored resentment. Every day, he worried Zhou Yi would seek revenge—but instead, he received nothing but kindness. He truly owed Zhou Yi an apology.
"I'm sorry," Zhang Wu repeated, louder this time. Though still awkward, his voice carried genuine remorse.
Zhou Yi smirked.
"Are you apologizing because you're afraid I'll take the money back?"
Zhang Wu shook his head vehemently.
"No! I mean it!"
Zhou Yi nodded slowly.
"Your apology feels empty. You've benefited from my generosity, yet all you offer is a few words. I don't sense any sincerity."
Anxiously, Zhang Wu asked,
"What do I need to do for you to accept my apology? I'm serious!"
Zhou Yi pulled out his phone and showed Zhang Wu his fan page.
"From now on, you'll defend me online. Whenever someone insults me, you'll counter them immediately. Act like a devoted supporter."
Zhang Wu blinked, stunned. That was it? He had expected something much harder. Posting comments online? That was manageable.
"Got it. Don't worry—I won't let anyone badmouth you!"
After Zhou Yi left, Zhang Wu opened the fan page and began scrolling. The more he read, the angrier he became.
"What!? Someone said Zhou Yi isn't handsome? Are they blind!?"
Zhang Wu quickly replied:
"Which sewer did you crawl out of? Those holes under your eyebrows—are they for breathing? Let's see how 'handsome' you are, daring to mock Zhou Yi's looks. Who gave you the guts? Huh?"
"And someone accused Zhou Yi's orphanage donation of being a publicity stunt? Saying he'd donate more if he had the money?"
Zhang Wu fired back:
"You're delusional if you think you can judge others like that. Did Notre Dame collapse and leave you homeless? Stop playing saint—you're no better than anyone else."
Zhang Wu's sharp wit silenced the critics one by one. When people called him a mindless fanboy, he proudly embraced the label. After all, this was Zhou Yi's request—and he was determined to fulfill it.
As he continued defending Zhou Yi, Zhang Wu found himself genuinely invested. How dare these people insult Zhou Yi? Now, reflecting on his past behavior, he realized how despicable he had been—like a clown performing for attention.
Single-handedly, Zhang Wu dismantled the negativity on the fan page, driving the trolls into silence.
It was clear that Zhou Yi had a talent for reading people. He knew exactly what role suited whom—and Zhang Wu was perfect for unleashing his fiery temper online.
When Zhou Yi saw the results, he smiled faintly. Teachable indeed.
It was time to update his TikTok account. Using the handle "Zhou Yi's Assistant," he posted a new photo. In it, he sat at his desk sketching, brows furrowed in concentration, exuding intensity.
The caption read:
Preparing to claim first place at the CGDA Design Competition.
Zhou Yi: Flexing? Absolutely.