“Jing-ge, we finally managed to get you out! That wasn’t easy!”
Huo Jing’s expression remained icy, his face unreadable as he shot a glare at the speaker.
His companions were undoubtedly thrilled to be out, having been deprived of their usual fun for far too long.
“I’ve been practically suffocating at school. Finally, we can go have some proper fun.”
“Exactly! Feels like a weight’s been lifted.”
…
As the group rounded the corner, they spotted a girl struggling to climb over the wall. Her slender, pale calves were partially exposed, and she wore only a tank top that revealed a glimpse of her fair, delicate waist. The deep curve of her waistline was both sensual and refined, carrying an air of youthful innocence.
“Hey, isn’t that Ruan Xing? Jing-ge.” Chen Ye, sharp-eyed as always, was the first to notice.
Hearing the name, Huo Jing followed Chen Ye’s pointing finger and witnessed the blood-rushing scene. His face instantly darkened, eyes blazing with fury.
“Jing-ge, so this ugly freak was just putting on an act all these days. I knew it—there’s no way she’d actually give up on you when she’s so obsessed.” Lu Chen shot a mocking glance at the figure on the wall, his sneer unmistakable.
“Right? I wondered how long she could keep it up. Didn’t expect her to crack so soon.”
“When the time comes, I’ll make sure she properly apologizes to Jing-ge. After all, you can’t just come and go from Jing-ge’s side as you please.”
Huo Jing’s friends had always despised Ruan Xing—not just for her previously exaggerated and repulsive makeup, but more so for her obsequious, pretentious behavior when trailing after Huo Jing. No matter how they trampled on her, she never fought back, humbling herself like a dog.
Listening to their remarks, the rage in Huo Jing’s eyes gradually subsided, warmth returning to his expression.
This time, he’d have to think carefully—he couldn’t let her return to his side so easily.
His gaze fell on Ruan Xing again, and Huo Jing clearly saw the exposed sliver of her waist and calves. A faint blush tinged his ears. There wasn’t an ounce of excess fat on her waist or legs; her lines were exquisite.
At this age, boys’ desires in certain aspects ran strong.
Witnessing the scene, Huo Jing felt a tightness lower in his abdomen.
Damn it—he was actually getting aroused.
After much effort, Ruan Xing finally managed to haul herself onto the top of the wall. Naturally, she noticed the group below and overheard their conversation.
Apologize? What kind of pipe dream were they having?
Who’d even want to be by Huo Jing’s side? How ridiculous.
She was well aware this was Huo Jing and his crew’s usual spot for sneaking out, but she never expected to run into them like this.
She had no desire to see Huo Jing, much less get entangled with him. If possible, she never wanted to lay eyes on him again.
What rotten luck.
Ruan Xing ignored the group, preoccupied with how she was going to get down.
“Alright, no need to scramble over walls like this from now on. I’ll take you with me from here on out.” Thinking she had returned, Huo Jing’s tone involuntarily softened.
He was just imagining how she’d react with tearful gratitude when the girl on the wall spoke up, her voice soft but clear.
“Huo Jing, you’re so full of yourself. Who gave you that confidence, anyway?” In an instant, all tenderness vanished from Huo Jing’s face.
Just as he was about to lose his temper, the girl’s voice continued, “What? Don’t tell me you thought I climbed over the wall to see you?” Her tone was slightly teasing.
Huo Jing recalled the tricks other women had used before and instantly understood—Ruan Xing was playing hard to get.
“Ruan Xing, don’t overdo this game of playing hard to get. My patience has its limits.” Huo Jing’s face darkened, a clear trace of irritation flashing in his eyes.
The people around him chimed in.
“Has our Brother Jing given you too much face?”
“What an ungrateful thing.”
…
Faced with all this, not a hint of sadness showed on Ruan Xing’s face.
She wasn’t upset at all. She had long memorized these people’s words. Over the years, for Huo Jing’s sake, she had endured all the mistreatment from those around him.
“Huo Jing, don’t worry. I swear I’ll never bother you again. If I do, may I be hit by a car and die.”
“Chen Ye, Lu Chen, the looks on your faces are disgusting. You’re nothing but dogs at Huo Jing’s side, insulting and harassing me just because I liked him.”
“If liking Huo Jing brings such misery, fine—I don’t like him anymore. I hope you’ll stop biting people like rabid dogs. If there’s a next time, I won’t let you off.”
The disgust and disdain in Ruan Xing’s eyes seemed branded into Huo Jing’s mind.
He couldn’t believe that the usually gentle Ruan Xing would make such a vicious vow. It seemed she was serious—this wasn’t a game.
Huo Jing stood frozen, three sentences echoing relentlessly in his mind:
“Huo Jing, I won’t bother you anymore.”
“Huo Jing, if I bother you again, may I be hit by a car and die.”
“Liking Huo Jing is too miserable.”
His heart felt as if thousands of ants were gnawing at it, a dull, throbbing pain.
“Ruan Xing, you ugly freak, who are you calling dogs?”
“Say that again if you dare.”
Chen Ye and Lu Chen flew into a rage, shouting at Ruan Xing.
Ruan Xing looked down at them as if they were filth, her eyes filled with scorn and mockery.
When they met the icy coldness in her gaze, the two instantly backed down.
This was the first time they had seen such disgust and sarcasm on Ruan Xing’s face. The little lamb who had always let them bully and deceive her had completely changed.
At that moment, Huo Jing felt a sudden panic. Just as he was about to speak, the wall was empty—the girl had already jumped down.
“Brother Jing, are we still going out?”
Seeing Huo Jing’s expression, Chen Ye couldn’t grasp his thoughts and could only tentatively ask.
Huo Jing looked grim. “Yes, of course we’re going.” His voice was bone-chillingly cold.
After leaving the school, Ruan Xing took a taxi to No. 18 High School.
The entrance was deserted, with only a few students occasionally walking out.
No. 18 High must also be having exams at this time, so Ruan Xing found a shady spot near the gate to wait.
After waiting for over half an hour, more and more students emerged, but the boy she was looking for was nowhere in sight. She was about to give up when a familiar figure suddenly came into view.
Just as Ruan Xing was about to call out to him, she noticed a girl walking beside him.
The girl was chattering nonstop, her shy and endearing demeanor quite striking. But the boy beside her focused solely on pushing the wheelchair, his face stern, not once glancing at the girl next to him.
Could this be Lin Shen’s girlfriend?
Could it be a lovers’ quarrel?
Ruan Xing observed their every move from under the tree, her mind wandering with speculation. However, Lin Shen’s expression seemed off—it was as if the person before him wasn’t his girlfriend but the murderer of his father.
Suddenly curious, Ruan Xing couldn’t help but take a few steps forward, close enough to hear their voices clearly.