Instead of what I sought, I found Lin Ke’er’s slender fingers pressed gently against my lips.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, her eyes locked onto mine.

“I think…” I smirked devilishly, letting the suggestiveness of my words linger.

“Then close your eyes.”

I knew it—our minds were perfectly in sync. Some things simply didn’t need to be said aloud.

Obediently, I shut my eyes.

Her arms slipped around my waist in an embrace.

Then—click. A sharp sound behind me.

“Huh?” Before I could react, Lin Ke’er suddenly shoved me backward.

I landed unceremoniously on the cold corridor floor. Blinking in surprise, I found myself outside, while she remained inside, standing triumphantly in the doorway.

“Didn’t you just swear you wouldn’t take advantage of me? Take some time to reflect on that outside!” She huffed, then unceremoniously shut the door in my face.

Humiliation washed over me. The corridor wasn’t empty—several students were passing by, throwing startled glances in my direction. Clearly, getting thrown out of a girl’s room was a rare spectacle.

I dusted myself off, straightened my clothes, and feigned indifference as I strolled downstairs. Yet, unwilling to stray too far, I settled onto the lobby’s sofa to wait.

An hour later, Lin Ke’er finally emerged. Her movements were fluid, her steps light—she had clearly recovered.

“Well? Have you reflected on your actions?” She grinned playfully.

“I have. I should’ve made my move while you were still too weak to resist.”

“You—!” She raised a hand to strike me.

I caught her wrist with a chuckle. “Alright, enough of that. Let’s grab a bite. We should be heading back to campus soon.”

Neither of us had eaten since noon, caught up in the chaos surrounding Xing Qiu. After enduring five beatings today, I definitely needed to replenish my energy.

We found a small noodle shop nearby and had a quick meal before strolling around. As the clock neared six, we returned to school.

The military training sessions had just ended, and students were pouring toward the cafeteria in droves. Amidst the throngs of people, Lin Ke’er stood out effortlessly—beauty always had a way of drawing attention.

Before we reached the cafeteria, I spotted Zhang Xuan standing atop the steps in the distance. Lin Ke’er waved, and Zhang Xuan returned the gesture.

But as we approached, Lin Ke’er’s eyes turned red. “Zhang Xuan…” She reached out, seeking the comfort of her closest friend.

Zhang Xuan reached out as well—only to slap Lin Ke’er across the face.

“Slut! How dare you show your face here?”

Stunned silence.

Lin Ke’er froze. I froze. Neither of us had anticipated this turn of events.

But Zhang Xuan wasn’t done—grabbing Lin Ke’er by the collar, she raised her hand for another strike.

I reacted instantly, shoving Zhang Xuan away and shielding Lin Ke’er behind me.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” I snapped.

“Get out of my way! I swear I’ll kill this whore today!” Zhang Xuan screamed, clawing at Lin Ke’er even as I blocked her path.

“Are you insane?!” My mind raced. “Did Xing Qiu tell you something?!”

Zhang Xuan ignored me, her fury undeterred.

A crowd had gathered—dozens, maybe even hundreds of students encircling us. Zhang Xuan’s rage was unchecked, her words venomous, her actions ruthless.

Several girls rushed in to intervene—strikingly beautiful girls, members of the infamous Twelve Roses. Among them, I spotted Liu Yina. They wrestled Zhang Xuan back, finally prying her away.

Relieved, I turned to check on Lin Ke’er—her face was streaked with tears. Anger boiled in my chest.

Liu Yina approached hesitantly. “Zhang Xuan said Lin Ke’er seduced Xing Qiu. Is it true?”

My eyes burned with fury. “What do you think?”

She hesitated. “Then explain it.”

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I scoffed. “Look around—do you think this is the time for explanations?”

Zhang Xuan was still screaming, the crowd swelling, whispering, watching—this wasn’t a mere scuffle anymore; it was a full-blown spectacle.

“Then get Lin Ke’er out of here first,” Liu Yina urged. “We can sort this out later.”

Without hesitation, I grabbed Lin Ke’er’s hand and pushed through the sea of students. People parted for us as I stormed ahead, dragging her with me.

We didn’t stop until we had left the school grounds. Across the street, there was a quiet park, and I led her toward the fountain at its center.

Dusk had settled. The park was nearly empty.

Lin Ke’er’s eyes were swollen from crying, her expression utterly broken. The sight made my heart ache.

Two days ago, I had sworn I wouldn’t let anyone bully her again. Yet today—today, she had suffered like this.

A dark rage ignited within me.

Clenching my fists, I spoke in a low, steady voice. “Wait here. I’ll bring Xing Qiu to you. I’ll make sure you get justice.”

Leaving the park, I pulled out my phone and called Houzi.

“Come to the school gates,” I ordered.

Houzi, sensing my tone, didn’t ask questions. He simply agreed.

Minutes later, I met him outside the campus and explained everything.

Houzi’s face darkened. “That bastard…” He exhaled sharply. “What’s the plan?”

“I want to drag him out and make him talk.”

Houzi nodded. “Got it.” Without hesitation, he marched toward the campus.

I hurried after him. “Wait—shouldn’t we set a trap or something? Just the two of us might not be enough.”

Houzi smirked. “Don’t worry. Just follow my lead.”

I fell silent. He was fearless, and I trusted him.

We entered the academic building. Evening self-study sessions were underway—no teachers, just chaotic classrooms buzzing with students.

Houzi led me to his own class first.

As soon as we stepped inside, the room fell silent. It was as if a teacher had just walked in.

I expected him to gather some backup.

Instead, he grabbed a wooden plank from a broken chair and strode out.

Moments later, we arrived at Xing Qiu’s classroom.

He was in the back, laughing with a few classmates.

Houzi didn’t hesitate. He walked straight up to him.

Xing Qiu noticed and stood abruptly. “What do you want?!” His voice was sharp, defensive.

“I want to fuck your mother,” Houzi growled.

Then, without warning, he swung the plank.

It struck Xing Qiu’s head with a sickening crack.

Xing Qiu staggered. For a moment, he seemed ready to collapse.

The students around him jolted to their feet, prepared to intervene.

Houzi raised the plank threateningly. “Back the fuck off.”

They did.

Without further resistance, Houzi grabbed Xing Qiu by the collar and dragged him toward the door. I clamped a hand around his throat, ensuring he couldn’t struggle.

The bastard barely had the strength to resist.

Within moments, we were out of the classroom.

No stopping. No hesitation. We had to get him off campus before anyone could react.

We descended the stairs swiftly, slipping into the night—dragging him straight toward justice.

All along the way, Xing Qiu pleaded desperately, swearing that he wouldn’t dare again, but neither of us paid him any heed. Dragging him to the fountain in the park, we subjected him to a relentless beating. Even Lin Ke’er joined in, kicking him twice—proof enough of how much she loathed him.

Just as we were in the midst of it, a shadowy mass of figures came rushing toward us in the distance. It was clear that the Ninth Prince’s people had finally caught up.

I glanced at HOUZI—our pillar of strength in this moment. Without a word, he hauled Xing Qiu toward the fountain. Though it wasn’t running, a shallow pool of water had gathered at the base, with a row of metal spouts protruding from the surface. Positioning Xing Qiu’s head over one of the thinner spouts, HOUZI growled, his voice laced with menace, “Move even a fraction, and I’ll drive this straight through your eye.”

Lin Ke’er and I stepped into the water beside him. The approaching crowd finally arrived—nearly twenty of them, both men and women. Among them were Da Mao, Zhang Xuan, and Liu Yina. It seemed both the Ninth Prince and the Twelve Roses had turned up in full force.

“You wretched slut, let Xing Qiu go!” Zhang Xuan shrieked, attempting to charge forward, only to be held back by the other girls. The men hurled curses as well, all demanding that HOUZI release Xing Qiu.

“Keep running your mouths, and I’ll skewer him right here,” HOUZI snapped.

The scene fell silent in an instant, a testament to his sheer dominance. I knew I could never command such authority; even Binzi might struggle to match him.

Da Mao finally spoke. “HOUZI, let’s talk this through. Release him first.”

“Release your damn mother,” HOUZI spat. “You think I don’t know what you’re plotting?”

“I came to settle this, not to fight,” Da Mao replied evenly, his composure unshaken.

“Fine. Settle it, then. Let’s hear what Xing Qiu has to say for himself.”

Da Mao turned to Zhang Xuan. “What exactly happened?”

But Zhang Xuan refused to answer, cursing Lin Ke’er relentlessly instead. It was Liu Yina who stepped forward. “Ke’er, Wang Yao had some matters to tend to, so she asked me to get to the bottom of this. According to Xing Qiu and Zhang Xuan, you confessed to Xing Qiu during lunch, and when he rejected you, you called Zuo Fei and HOUZI to beat him up. Is that true?”

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” HOUZI roared. “Do you really believe that nonsense?”

“I’m just asking on Wang Yao’s behalf,” Liu Yina replied.

The mere mention of Wang Yao silenced even HOUZI.

Lin Ke’er spoke up, her voice steady. “That’s not true. When I arrived at the agreed-upon location, I saw Zuo Fei pinned to the ground…”

As she recounted the events, Zhang Xuan continued to hurl insults at her. Just yesterday, I had thought Zhang Xuan was alright, but now I realized her intelligence was pitifully lacking. Did she truly trust no one but Xing Qiu?

By the time Lin Ke’er finished, Zhang Xuan had cursed her at least a dozen times, spitting words like "nonsense" and "whore" without pause. Yet aside from her, everyone else had fallen into silence.

HOUZI yanked Xing Qiu’s hair. “Is she telling the truth?”

“Yes… yes…” he stammered.

Liu Yina turned to the crowd. “What do you all think?”

No one spoke.

She then addressed Da Mao directly. “What’s your take?”

Da Mao shook his head. “What’s left to say? I’ll take Xing Qiu back and deal with him myself.”

Liu Yina nodded. “Then let’s end it here. Each side handles their own people—no need to make a public spectacle of this.”

“What do you mean by that?!” Zhang Xuan shrieked, but no one paid her any attention.

Liu Yina approached Lin Ke’er, taking her hand gently. “Ke’er, don’t hold it against her. You know she’s not a bad person at heart. Let’s go back and sort this out as sisters, alright?”

Lin Ke’er nodded, tears slipping down her face once more.

I sighed inwardly. It seemed Lin Ke’er had taken that slap for nothing. But the affairs of the Twelve Roses weren’t mine to meddle in. At least this ordeal had restored her innocence.

Da Mao stepped forward, his expression regretful. “Sorry about this, HOUZI. We’ve caused you trouble again.”

“You lot should just disband the damn Ninth Prince gang already,” HOUZI spat. “Every single one of you is a goddamn—”

His words cut off abruptly.

That wasn’t like him.

I turned around just in time to see Da Mao gripping the hilt of a knife—the blade buried deep in HOUZI’s abdomen.

“This one’s to settle our score,” Da Mao murmured, his voice cold and venomous.