NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 93: Pitifully Beautiful
It was evident that the majority of the class was shocked to see Xanthia's name on the list of contestants for the 3000-meter race. Most never expected her to be a runner for this event.
But Xanthia herself was fully aware of the behind-the-scenes machinations of Hera and Kenny. With her “malicious notebook” in hand, she had foreseen everything in advance and was now calmly waiting for their “assistance.”
She had her reasons for participating in the 3000-meter race. Primarily, this event had less competition. Athletes who focused on track and field often participated in multiple events to earn more honors for their class. Given the physical strain of the 3000 meters, many would strategically opt out.
Despite knowing everything, Xanthia outwardly feigned complete ignorance.
Her classmates—whether it was her deskmate Elena, the girls in front like Luciel and Lhoraine, or those behind her like Xenia and Glen—were all aware that she hadn't signed up for any sport. To them, she seemed unsuited for athletics. She had already taken on the role of the class banner bearer and cheerleader at the sports meet, so her participation was merely to cheer on her classmates.
Elena, who had also not signed up for any events, was discussing with Xanthia how best to support their classmates and boost their morale.
Luciel, who had participated in several sprints, was eagerly anticipating Xanthia's cheers, believing they would greatly motivate her.
At the same time, she was relieved that Xanthia had heeded her advice and avoided the long-distance race, not risking her well-maintained health.
They had confirmed one thing: Xanthia's claim of being “good at long-distance running” was indeed a joke meant to amuse them, a classic case of boasting.
However, as Luciel and Xanthia returned from their morning break and saw a crowd gathered by the bulletin board near the classroom entrance, they overheard the buzz of conversation—
“Damn, Xanthia is actually going to represent our class in the 3000-meter race. Her body seems too fragile for this!”
“Didn’t Xanthia agree to be a mascot and cheerleader, alongside Elena as our class's double beauties? Why did she suddenly decide to join the 3000-meter race?”
“Could this list be wrong? My seat is close to Kenny, and I checked the signup list carefully. I clearly remember Xanthia didn’t sign up for any events. This is really strange!”
“The girls’ 3000-meter race participants have been hard to come by. Unlike the boys, who have Glen filling in, why did this misfortune fall on Xanthia?”
“By the way, where is Xanthia? When she returns to the classroom, we should ask her what’s going on. There’s still a chance to amend the list…”
…
Amidst the uproar, Xanthia and Luciel returned to the classroom.
Luciel quickly approached to find out what was happening and was informed by everyone about the strange turn of events.
Xanthia assured her classmates that she had not signed up for the 3000-meter race, which left many feeling intrigued and curious.
Understanding the situation, Luciel’s face darkened. She grabbed Xanthia, who looked bewildered and innocent, and stormed to Kenny’s desk. She angrily demanded, “Kenny! Did you sign up Xanthia for the 3000-meter race without her consent?”
Kenny had been mentally prepared for the confrontation as soon as the class buzzed with controversy.
Meanwhile, Hera, seated behind Kenny, was struggling to contain her smirk. She silently reveled in the unfolding drama she had eagerly awaited.
'So what if Xanthia was popular in class? She was still thoroughly manipulated by me. She enjoyed being in the spotlight and was shameless enough to get herself into this mess. This is all her own doing!'
Hera cheered inwardly.
Luciel’s questioning drew even more students to the scene, eager to understand what had really happened.
Kenny, maintaining his composure, replied, “I did not act on my own. Actually, I personally asked Xanthia to sign up for the race.”
Having rehearsed numerous details with Hera, Kenny spoke with great conviction, which made him sound very convincing.
Luciel looked uncertain, glancing at Xanthia.
At that moment, Xanthia’s acting skills were impeccable, even surpassing Kenny’s. She had anticipated this exact scenario.
Xanthia feigned appropriate confusion, tilting her head and saying to Luciel, “He’s lying. No one approached me privately to sign up. Besides, I’ve been almost inseparable from you at school.”
Luciel, after some thought, realized that Xanthia’s words were indeed true.
Elena, also observing, could not help but chime in, “I’m Xanthia’s deskmate. We had already agreed to be cheerleaders together. I can confirm she did not sign up for any event. Kenny, why are you trying to frame Xanthia?”
Several classmates close to Xanthia also testified to her situation.
Faced with questioning from the recognized class beauty Luciel and the elegant Elena, Kenny, though prepared for Hera’s scheme, began to feel a bit flustered.
But Xanthia’s response was anticipated in his plan.
After all, he had lied earlier.
How could he have found Xanthia alone at school when she was always surrounded by beautiful classmates?
Kenny steeled himself and stuck to his rehearsed script. “I’m not lying! The sign-up was indeed done voluntarily by Xanthia!”
He stood up abruptly, leaning on his desk as if on a moral high ground, and continued, “Xanthia! You’ve been elected as our class banner leader, and since you haven’t signed up for any event, you should take on this responsibility for the other girls who voted for you. This is a chance for you to challenge yourself. Why not seize it?”
Kenny’s speech, filled with passion and even quotations, demonstrated his determination to push Xanthia into participating.
Hera’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction, reveling in the effectiveness of her plan. Xanthia’s misfortune seemed certain!
“Isn’t that right, everyone? Especially the girls, the 3000 meters has to be run by someone. It’s not a death sentence! Xanthia, since you signed up voluntarily, don’t be the type to go back on your word. That’s shameful. You should have a sense of collective honor!” Kenny’s rhetoric grew more intense.
Many girls, originally ready to join Luciel and Elena in confronting Kenny, chose silence upon hearing his words. Indeed, if Xanthia didn’t run, they might be the ones forced to participate.
With Xanthia taking the fall, they could rest easy.
Human nature is selfish. In the end, their relationship with Xanthia was merely that of classmates.
At this moment, Xanthia’s acting reached its peak. With tears welling up, she played the role of the “willing victim” to perfection.
“I really didn’t sign up voluntarily… But for everyone’s sake, I’m willing to take on this responsibility.” Xanthia’s voice trembled with sadness, her eyes brimming with tears, creating a heart-wrenchingly pitiable scene.
Her tearful, delicate appearance was irresistibly moving. Who could not be touched or softened by such a display?
[ System prompt: Pain points from Luciel +++, Elena +++, and others... ]
Under Kenny’s ruthless pressure, Xanthia’s pitiful demeanor forced her into a position where she had to accept participating in the 3000 meters while on the verge of tears. Her close friends, witnessing this scene, were naturally filled with anguish, increasing their pain values.
Xanthia’s ability to cry effortlessly, combined with her naturally delicate and fragile appearance, made her tears exceptionally powerful.
Luciel’s reaction was strong. She said to Xanthia, “Xanthia, don’t be fooled. He’s deliberately manipulating you morally. This guy is disgusting!”
While saying this, Luciel slammed her hand down on Kenny’s desk, making a loud “thud.”
Filled with righteous indignation, she declared, “What’s 3000 meters? I’ll run in her place. Change the list right now! You chose the most vulnerable girl to manipulate morally, is that right? Her health isn’t good, and you’re blind to pick her for your task.”
Luciel did not realize who the real mastermind was. She believed it was Kenny, who, facing a “deadline,” had no one else willing to run the 3000 meters and thus manipulated Xanthia, the easiest target.
If there hadn’t been such an uproar, the situation might have been settled as fact. But now, faced with the controversy, Kenny could remain unyielding and morally blackmail Xanthia into complying.
Xanthia’s delicate, soft persona was ill-suited to withstand such coercion.
Her kindness and gentleness had been exploited to the maximum. Forced to assume such responsibility for the sake of the other girls in class, Kenny had clearly targeted her personality’s weaknesses.
The onlooking classmates, witnessing this scene of “coercing someone into a difficult position,” couldn’t help but think—
“This sports commissioner, Kenny, is too much. He’s picking on Xanthia just because she’s easy to bully and pushing her into the 3000 meters!”
“Fortunately, Xanthia has Luciel to protect her. Otherwise, this soft girl would have been coerced into submission by anyone.”
“Xanthia has an inherently pitiful aura. Normal people would protect her, but the wicked ones just want to torment her in every possible way!”
“Seeing Xanthia with her red eyes and pitiful expression is too much to bear. I just want to hug her and comfort her, telling her that everyone is on her side!”
At a critical moment, Luciel's sense of loyalty was undeniable. She was already committed to the sprints and now had to run the 3000 meters as well? What a mess! Truly worthy of her chivalrous reputation; her soul’s beauty rivaled her appearance.
In Kenny’s rehearsal, he hadn’t anticipated that Xanthia, who usually seemed cheerful and carefree, would be so sensitive and vulnerable. Under his pressure, she was on the verge of tears!
Rather than feeling sympathy, Kenny found Xanthia’s tearful state even more provoking. He thought, why not let her cry already? It would be better than dragging this out!
By forcing Xanthia into the 3000-meter race, he had not only fulfilled Hera’s task but also ensured that Xanthia, with her fragile health, would likely suffer a significant setback.
Therefore, when Luciel suggested substituting another participant, Kenny firmly rejected the idea. “Once the list is set, it cannot be changed! Besides, Luciel, you’ve already committed to several sprints. Participating in the 3000 meters would be unreasonable. Xanthia, who didn’t sign up for any event, is the most suitable choice!”
Elena, also an unregistered student with better physical stamina, decided to step in. She gritted her teeth and impulsively, half out of concern and half out of calculation, stood up for Xanthia. Elena was very conscious of her own image. Seeing Luciel selflessly supporting Xanthia, she felt she too should make a stand as Xanthia’s deskmate.
This was reminiscent of when Yannis, after the incident, immediately stepped forward to apologize on behalf of her friend without hesitation. Elena felt she needed to act similarly to maintain her own image.
Though Elena’s motivations might not have been as pure as Luciel’s, she still acted commendably. As the saying goes, a gentleman is judged by his actions, not his intentions. Regardless of her personal motives, her actions were undeniably commendable.
Luciel, observing Elena’s behavior, felt a sense of relief and admiration. At that moment, she truly recognized Elena’s character.
After exchanging glances with Luciel, Elena turned her gaze away with pride. She was not merely helping Luciel; she was unable to tolerate seeing Xanthia being mistreated.
She empathized deeply with Xanthia’s plight. Despite not having signed up for any events, Xanthia was now being coerced into participating in the 3000 meters without any prior notice. The whole situation seemed unjust, and Elena felt a surge of indignation.
Kenny was caught off guard by Elena’s unexpected intervention. He had anticipated only Luciel defending Xanthia, not Elena as well. Was Xanthia some kind of enchantress? Why did everyone around her want to protect her?
The reason was simple: Xanthia brought joy to those around her. Being friends with someone like her was delightful and fun. She easily triggered others’ sense of justice and protectiveness.
Seeing that Kenny was struggling to hold his ground, Xanthia knew it was time to act swiftly. She couldn’t let his “divine assistance” go to waste. After all, she genuinely wanted to participate in the 3000 meters. The rewards from the system challenge were too tempting to pass up.
And so, Xanthia’s most dramatic moment arrived!
Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she began to cry profusely. The performance was so convincing that her skill panel now boasted a new ability—Acting Lv1 (Beginner).
Xanthia embraced Luciel and Elena as if they were her wings, then sobbed and choked out, “Sister Luciel, Sister Elena, I truly appreciate your kindness. It’s wonderful to have friends like you. Since things have come to this, I’m determined to participate in the 3000 meters. I don’t want to let everyone down or be a burden!”
With her face covered in tears and her heartfelt words, Xanthia’s acting skills reached their peak. Her Acting Lv1 ability made her performance exceptionally smooth and natural. Anyone watching could hardly believe that behind those tears, she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
Xanthia wasn’t intentionally trying to amass emotional currency, but since Kenny was providing such excellent assistance, she had to convert it into success. Not doing so would be disrespectful to Hera’s efforts.
Luciel was deeply moved by Xanthia’s tearful performance. Xanthia’s delicate appearance combined with her skillful crying was almost unbearable. It seemed as if she was experiencing a life-and-death crisis!
She gently wiped Xanthia’s tears and spoke with a trembling voice, “Xanthia, why are you so naive and foolish? They’re clearly setting a trap for you, and you’re walking right into it. It’s infuriating! Why should such a kind person like you be treated this way? There’s no justice in this!”
Elena’s eyes were also red. More emotional than even the resilient Luciel, she was deeply affected by Xanthia’s crying and sincere words. She declared with righteous indignation, “I’m going to see the homeroom teacher. I can’t just watch you fall into this trap!”
Xanthia quickly reassured Elena and Luciel. The drama was becoming too intense. She needed to solidify her role as the “victim” and avoid any potential backlash. Her tears had already done the job of securing her place in the 3000 meters.
She led the two back to their seats, explaining that participating in the 3000 meters was about involvement. Even if she couldn’t run, she could walk. They shouldn’t worry about her health.
If Luciel and Elena insisted on changing the list, Xanthia would continue to employ her tearful strategy. Men and women alike found it difficult to resist her tearful gaze. The girls, in particular, would use all their means to comfort her, unwilling to oppose her.
Through this strategy, Xanthia successfully secured her place in the 3000 meters and accumulated countless points of pain points from her classmates.
Even Kenny, witnessing Xanthia’s genuine tears, felt uneasy. The onlookers regarded him with disdain, as if he were a villain. He hadn’t anticipated the emotional impact Xanthia’s crying would have!
However, he was relieved that Xanthia’s naivety made her easy to manipulate. Such a “sweet lamb” deserved to be taken advantage of!
Having completed Hera’s task, Kenny eagerly anticipated his reward. He felt triumphant!
Unbeknownst to him, Chica, the master of righteous backstabbing and freebie expert, secretly recorded Xanthia’s tearful performance and shared the video. Xanthia’s crying, it seemed, was even more captivating than her smiles. The beauty of her tears was on full display!
Unfortunately, Marcus, the noble boy, was busy on the basketball court during the break and missed the spectacle. Otherwise, he would have reported the dramatic event to Dionysius immediately.
Similarly, Dematero, who had just returned from the playground with Glen after a soccer game, also missed the drama.
However, upon returning, Dematero’s slightly plump classmate, Benedicto, vividly described the scene to him and shared Chica’s video.
Indeed, Benedicto was a melon-eater, regularly part of the class gossip group.
Seeing Xanthia so mistreated, tears streaming down her face and being coerced into running the 3000 meters, Dematero’s mind was buzzing with concern.
He remembered Xanthia’s frail health and realized a crucial point: Xanthia must not be unhappy. Her unhappiness could shorten her life!
Her mental state was already fragile, and this situation was a severe blow.
Kenny, the sports commissioner, was essentially harming Xanthia!
Despite his normally good temper, Dematero could not tolerate someone harming Xanthia. Was this a correction of fate?
This time, Dematero vowed to protect Xanthia. Even though he tried not to bring negativity into her life, someone was still making trouble!
Furious, Dematero stood up, walked to the back of the classroom, and then circled around to Kenny. Without warning, he forcefully slammed Kenny’s head onto the desk!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The sound of Kenny’s head hitting the desk was deafening!
The noise instantly drew the attention of the entire class, leaving everyone stunned!
Dematero, expressionless and with a vacant stare, resembled an emotionless assassin.
Fortunately, some boys quickly restrained Dematero, or else Kenny might have suffered more than three head slams.
Despite the severity of the situation, Kenny’s life was not in danger, but he was left dazed and seeing stars—his just deserts!
Xanthia watched the scene with satisfaction and gave a nod of agreement with Dematero.
Kenny, caught off guard by such a sneak attack, was beaten and cried out, perhaps even wetting himself. It all seemed quite reasonable!
Yes, it was entirely reasonable!
