Faced with the others’ sneers and taunts, Su Mo hadn’t even had a chance to react before Xiao He stepped forward, unable to take it any longer.
She believed she was the one who had brought Su Mo here, and if Su Mo was being bullied, it was because of her. Determined to confront them, she moved to argue.
“Don’t mind them—just a bunch of clowns,” Su Mo said, her voice loud enough to draw the attention of those nearby. “They can’t get a man’s attention no matter how hard they try, so they resort to cheap theatrics. But since they lack both looks and skills, all they’ve got left is flapping their gums.”
Leading the jeers were a few young women in their twenties. “Oh, what’s wrong? Can’t handle the truth?” one of them mocked.
The red-dressed woman, who had previously shown nothing but disdain for Xiao He, now scrutinized the two with an air of arrogance.
“This is a place for high society. The only reason lowly commoners like you were even allowed in is because our Yan-yan is kind-hearted. Don’t push your luck and embarrass her further.”
Xiao He yanked her arm free from Su Mo’s grip and marched up to the red-dressed woman, standing toe-to-toe with her. “Yan-yan is my friend. I came here to celebrate her birthday, and I don’t want to cause trouble. But you’ve gone too far by insulting my friend.”
Her fists clenched, barely containing her fury.
“Ohhh, so the little girl’s ready to turn on her so-called friend for Yan-yan’s sake? Tsk tsk, how pathetic,” the red-dressed woman sneered, turning her face away in disgust.
Then, someone suddenly spoke up: “You’d better not provoke her. Her brother died in a fight—who knows if she’s got those violent genes in her too? Watch out, or she might lash out at you.”
Xiao He froze, her face paling as she turned toward the voice.
The speaker was a classmate from school—someone she knew well, even worked with in a club.
The instigators, unsure whether the claim was true, instinctively took a few steps back, putting distance between themselves and Xiao He.
Xiao He’s eyes turned bloodshot, her teeth chattering as she stared at the boy who had spoken. “If I remember correctly, you once said your family were survivors of the 206 Tragedy, didn’t you?”
Her voice was icy, sending a chill down the boy’s spine. He couldn’t meet her gaze. “S-So what? What’s that got to do with you—”
“Then you should know,” she nearly roared, “my brother died in the 206 Tragedy! He was killed by those murderers—while saving people!”
Su Mo had never seen Xiao He like this before. Her entire body trembled, teetering on the edge of losing control. Tears spilled uncontrollably, splashing onto the floor.
The onlookers, many of whom were well-connected locals of the capital, immediately stiffened at the mention of the 206 Tragedy. They knew exactly what it meant—and that those involved in the rescue operations had to be members of the Big Dipper Organization.
Some wisely fell silent, while a few continued to mock.
Yin Yan-yan, noticing the commotion, hurried over. “What’s going on?”
The red-dressed woman and her friend were quick to play the victim. “Yan-yan, she’s making a scene at your birthday party—all for the sake of her so-called ‘friend.’ Can you believe it?”
Yin Yan-yan knew exactly what kind of person her cousin was and didn’t buy her story outright. Instead, she turned to Xiao He. “Xiao He, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Xiao He muttered, wiping her tears as she prepared to leave.
“Wait.” A firm grip held her back—no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t break free.
“Qing Yi, you—”
Su Mo gave her a reassuring look before turning to the red-dressed woman. “Auntie, would you mind repeating what you just said?”
The woman’s face twisted in rage. “Who the hell are you calling ‘auntie’?!”
Su Mo smirked. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle the truth?”
“You—!”
“Me what? Words are for people with basic decency. If you lack that, then shut your mouth—don’t embarrass the primate order and make the rest of the animal kingdom laugh at us.”
Realizing she was outmatched, the red-dressed woman clung to Yin Yan-yan’s arm, whining. “Yan-yan, I’m your cousin! You have to stand up for me—make this bitch pay!”
Yin Yan-yan frowned, pushing her cousin’s hand away. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Let’s all just calm down.”
Su Mo, who had a decent impression of Yin Yan-yan, didn’t want to make things harder for her. “Since Miss Yin has spoken, we’ll respect her wishes.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the red-dressed woman and the others who had mocked Xiao He, finally settling on the boy who had insulted her brother. “It’s simple. Everyone who disrespected Xiao He’s brother will apologize publicly. Then, Xiao He can decide whether to forgive them.”
Yin Yan-yan hesitated. Among those Su Mo had singled out were her own relatives and friends—this wasn’t an easy call.
But before she could respond, the red-dressed woman suddenly lunged at Su Mo, attempting a cheap shot.
She was no match.
Su Mo didn’t even dodge—she just raised her hand and slapped her.
The crisp sound of the strike echoed through the hall.
Having been a superhuman for so long, Su Mo had perfect control over her strength. The slap was loud and humiliating—but not brain-damaging.
Yin Yan-yan’s expression stiffened. This was her birthday party, and Su Mo’s actions weren’t just disruptive—they also made the Yin family lose face.
But she wasn’t unreasonable. She knew many of the guests held prejudices against Xiao He and Ye Qing Yi’s backgrounds.
Sigh… I just wanted to celebrate my 18th birthday with my friends. I never meant to cause trouble for her…
She took Xiao He’s hand, guilt written all over her face. “I’m sorry, Xiao He. This is my fault.”
Xiao He shook her head. “No, you’ve been nothing but kind. I just… I couldn’t stand them talking about my brother like that. He was—”
Her voice broke again.
“Miss Yin,” Su Mo said coldly, “I’m afraid an apology isn’t enough to settle this anymore.”
Yin Yan-yan understood the gravity of the situation. Xiao He had mentioned her brother before—though she hadn’t gone into detail, Yin Yan-yan could guess his significance.
She remained silent.
“You—you hit me!” the red-dressed woman wailed, clutching her swollen cheek. She looked around for support, but her so-called “friends” suddenly acted like they didn’t know her.
“I’ll have you know my boyfriend is from the Big Dipper! The Big Dipper, got it? He’s a superhuman!” She pulled out her phone and started dialing.
Su Mo’s eyebrow arched.
Oh? Big Dipper, huh? What a coincidence—so am I.
In less than a minute, a burly man came charging in—clearly her boyfriend.
Looks like he was waiting outside the whole time.
“Did you hit my girlfriend?” the man growled, his arms around his sobbing partner.
Su Mo nodded. “Yes, I did.”
“Baby, you have to avenge me!” the red-dressed woman cried, clinging to his neck, smearing tears and snot all over him. “Do this for me, and I’m yours tonight!”
The man’s face flushed red with rage. “You bastard! Anyone who messes with my girlfriend is dead meat!”
To him, Su Mo was just some “girl” who had bullied his girlfriend—nothing more.
But he wasn’t completely reckless. He pulled out his ID. “Big Dipper Organization, Wang Erhu. You’re under arrest for assault!”
Su Mo scoffed. “Let me ask you—what’s the 17th law of the Big Dipper Code?”
Wang Erhu blinked. “Why are you asking that?”
Su Mo’s expression turned stern. “Wang Erhu, by the First Law of the Big Dipper Code—obey superior orders—answer my question!”
Wang Erhu’s face went slack.
The First Law—obey superiors…
His mind reeled.