Before Zhang Yi’s slap even came down, Divine Tiger, who was nibbling on dried salted fish, suddenly leaped over, swinging its invisible claws, scratching her heavily foundation-covered face in a frenzy.
Within moments, it scratched her face into a ragged mess.
Looking at her battered face, Zhang Yi let out a blood-curdling scream.
All four bodyguards rushed over upon hearing their mistress’s agonized scream.
Divine Tiger, fearless, adhered to the principle of "scratch one as they come, scratch a pair as they come in twos," and left all their faces bloody and skin torn.
Had Li Chen not instructed it to refrain from random killings in the city, it would have bitten them into bone fragments with none to spare, true to its tiger nature.
Lan Huanxi, worried that Divine Tiger might hurt someone and cause trouble for Ye Chuxue, quickly called out: "Big Miao, stop chasing them, come back quickly!"
Frustrated at failing her revenge and instead getting injured by a big white cat, Zhang Yi was so angry she nearly spit blood, her teeth itching with hatred as she vowed to get even.
This lightning strike incident, along with the subsequent pet assault, caused quite a stir in the school.
Meanwhile, the school leaders suddenly received a notice from Long Xiaodie, president of the domestic entertainment giant Huayu Entertainment Company, stating that on May Day, they would bring contracted entertainers to the school for a performance, entirely free of charge.
This news left the school leaders feeling stunned, as though happiness had come crashing down on them unexpectedly.
In recent years, Huayu Entertainment had signed many highly influential A-list stars. If they could perform at Jiangnan University, it would definitely enhance the institution’s reputation and attract excellent students to apply.
To make the best impression on Huayu Entertainment and also due to the tremendous pressure exerted by the Wuo Family from Wuzhou, the school leaders unanimously decided to dismiss Zheng Ran and Lan Huanxi who lacked any background.
As for Ye Chuxue and Li Chen, who had significant backing, the school did not dare act rashly and opted only for a symbolic punishment. This was to give a public account to the Wuo Family.
Under usual circumstances, such major events would have caused a huge sensation.
However, the school was clever; at the same time as posting the notice, they announced an even more shocking news.
Huayu Entertainment was bringing its popular signed artists—including Lu Yu, Zhang Ziyang, and pop princess Lin Zixuan—to perform for free at the school during the May Day period.
Instantly, all the boys and girls were captivated by this explosive news. The starstruck fangirls, in particular, were more ecstatic about the prospect of seeing their idol oppas soon than winning a 5-million lottery.
However, a few individuals could not find it in themselves to be happy.
The most unhappy among them was none other than Zheng Ran.
She had just been dumped by scumbag Wuo Hao, with an unplanned pregnancy, and now faced expulsion from the school, leaving her with no desire to live.
Lan Huanxi was also in low spirits. Being a country girl and the hope of her family, the news of her expulsion would utterly devastate her parents and villagers.
Knowing Lan Huanxi’s worries, Ye Chuxue stepped forward to comfort her, saying, "Huanxi, don’t worry. The school will definitely not expel you."
Lan Huanxi sobbed quietly and said, "But the school has already posted the disciplinary notice!"
Li Chen took over the conversation with overwhelming assertiveness: "So what? Notices can be posted, but they can also be changed, right?"
"If the school persists in their folly and insists on expelling you, then tomorrow, I’ll just blow the school up. Such a pestilential place is not worth keeping."
Lan Huanxi was amused by Li Chen’s words and smiled happily: "Thank you, brother!"
While they were talking, suddenly a girl’s shrill voice cried out.
"It’s terrible, Zheng Ran is on the rooftop, it seems like she wants to jump off!"
Upon hearing this cry, Lan Huanxi and Ye Chuxue both couldn’t help but pale.
Girls’ dormitory, rooftop terrace
Zheng Ran was standing atop, letting the breeze tousle her temple hair and skirt.
And her expression was blank, tears filled her eyes as she looked down at the dark mass of people below.
Goodbye, my family, my friends!
Goodbye, world that brought me joy, but also sorrow!
Immediately after, she gently closed her eyes, the cool wind brushed her cheeks, drying the tear streaks. She wondered if jumping would feel like flying. Would it hurt a lot when hitting the ground?
Just then, an urgent voice suddenly came from behind her.
Zheng Ran opened her eyes and looked sideward; to her surprise, the person was Zhou Ji.
Zhou Ji’s eyes were deeply sunken, looking extremely haggard. Compared to his spirited and vigorous self when he first started school, he was barely recognizable.
"Zheng Ran, you’re still young, there’s a long road ahead. Is it worth it to die over that scumbag?"
Faced with Zhou Ji’s question, Zheng Ran remained silent.
She knew that what she was doing was foolish. But as a girl who always played by the rules, she simply could not confront her own heart, or face her parents and family, face this cold and cruel world.
"Now I’ve lost everything, even been expelled from school, disgracing my parents. I have no face left to live in this world. For me, now, death is the best release!"
At this moment, Zhou Ji, who had been timid in front of Zheng Ran before, urgently said, "Zheng Ran, do you know? From the moment I saw you, I deeply fell for you. But you were so beautiful, so excellent, while I was nothing, not even courageous enough to talk to you."
"In my eyes, you are the whole world. Please give me a chance to love you deeply, can you?"
Listening to Zhou Ji’s somewhat incoherent confession, a bitter smile appeared on Zheng Ran’s mouth.
"Zhou Ji, thank you for your affection. If there’s an afterlife, I will definitely be your girlfriend!"
After saying that, she spread her arms and leaped down.
Zhou Ji, as if driven mad, rushed over, trying to grab Zheng Ran’s hand.
However, although he managed to grab her hand, his body’s center of gravity was already off, and they both fell down towards the building.
Zhou Ji mustered all his strength, twisted his body, and hugged Zheng Ran.
He looked at Zheng Ran, smiling contentedly as he said, "Zheng Ran, I know you’re afraid of pain, this way you won’t feel it!"
Zheng Ran’s tears could no longer be held back, falling drop by drop.
"Zhou Ji, why do you have to be so foolish?"
Zhou Ji looked at Zheng Ran and said with composedness, "Zheng Ran, do you know? Loving someone could last a lifetime, that’s true. Just one look can be the same!"
After saying that, he hugged Zheng Ran tightly.
This time, Zheng Ran made no resistance, resting directly in his embrace.
These shoulders, which didn’t seem very broad, even a bit frail, gave her an unprecedented sense of security.
Sadly, her realization came a bit too late...
Note 1: From Jin Yong’s "The Heroic Adventures"
In it, Ding Busi pursued Shij Xiaocui for a lifetime, but never succeeded. Finally, on his way to Heroic Island to face death, he looked at Shij Xiaocui and said this sentence. The language is plain and simple, yet it contains a depth of life philosophy that many people cannot fathom.