Chapter 132: I Challenge You

There are countless words in this world, yet none cut as deeply as the word "love." Since the concept of love exists in the human realm, it is destined that many will be wounded by it. Love is simultaneously the most wonderful thing in the world and the most capable of burying one's joy. It can possess a magnificent exterior, yet it also carries the agony that can twist a heart nine times over. If you take love too lightly, it hurts others; if you take it too seriously, you hurt yourself. No one can truly let go; once you genuinely fall for someone, you are faced with an endless cycle of obsession.

After the school bell rang, Zhao Mingliang gently reminded Gao Zheng, who was still slumped over his desk. Gao Zheng rose and scanned his surroundings, noticing that most people had already left. He did not speak to Zhao Mingliang but instead walked out of the classroom with a look of utter dejection. Gao Zheng was trapped in his obsession, his heart entirely tethered to Wang Yuqing. Seeing Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing as sweet as they had always been, he was instantly transformed from a noble prince back into a destitute beggar.

Dragging his heavy feet, Gao Zheng reached the school gate at a sluggish pace. Uncle Xiang, who had been waiting there for some time, hurried over as soon as he saw him.

"Young Master, what is the matter? Are you feeling unwell?" Uncle Xiang asked with concern, seeing the poor complexion on Gao Zheng’s face.

Hearing Uncle Xiang’s voice, Gao Zheng slightly raised his eyelids and replied in a despondent tone, "Uncle Xiang, your intelligence was wrong. They... they haven't broken up at all." Having said this, Gao Zheng opened the car door and slumped into the backseat, clearly in no mood for further conversation.

"Not broken up? That’s impossible. Ma Yunrou explicitly told me so, and I personally saw how heartbroken Miss Yuqing looked at the time." Uncle Xiang naturally knew who he was referring to.

"What did you say? What did Ma Yunrou tell you?" Gao Zheng sat up, a look of profound confusion on his face.

"Nothing, Young Master, you misheard. I meant that they really have broken up; I saw it with my own eyes." Uncle Xiang hurriedly retracted his words, shifting to a look of earnest conviction as he addressed Gao Zheng.

"I just went to the classroom to find Yuqing. She was still sitting with Xiao Lin, and they seemed to be chatting quite happily. There wasn't a trace of the heartbreak you described." Gao Zheng let out a long sigh and slumped back against the seat, falling silent once more.

*What is going on with Ma Yunrou? I must go back and question her properly,* Uncle Xiang thought to himself. He then got into the car.

In the women’s dormitory of the Beijing Film Academy, three girls in pajamas were each hugging a cushion, holding snacks and drinks, and looking up at a charming girl who was speaking.

"Special admissions students—do you know what that means? As the name suggests, they are students specially recruited by the school. In our institution, a special admission student is someone who excels in all aspects and possesses talent far beyond the average person. And I, Ma Yunrou, am this year’s special admission student." Ma Yunrou gestured with her hand, her face filled with arrogance.

"Amazing, truly amazing."

"Right? I’ve heard that almost every special admission student from our school ends up a big star."

"Sister, don't forget about us once you make it big!"

After Ma Yunrou finished her speech, her three roommates looked at her with undisguised admiration. This satisfied her vanity to a great extent. Ever since she arrived at the dormitory yesterday, she had been bragging incessantly about how talented she was, claiming to have participated in large-scale national performances and shared the stage with countless celebrities. This time, she had been specifically recruited by the Beijing Film Academy. Her three roommates already regarded her as a star in the making.

Just as Ma Yunrou was about to continue boasting, her phone rang. She frowned. Who would call at such a moment? Did they not know she was in the middle of a grand story? However, when she saw the number on the screen, her expression instantly turned solemn. She hurriedly jumped off the bed, ran to the balcony, and pressed the answer button.

"Uncle Xiang, is something the matter so late at night?" Ma Yunrou asked with a hint of respect.

"Miss Ma, regarding the matter of Xiao Lin, it actually differs significantly from what you told me. You should know that we can bring you glory, but a single word from us can also cast you into hell." Uncle Xiang’s voice was stern; Gao Zheng’s heartbroken state had made him furious, and he was venting that anger on Ma Yunrou.

"Uncle Xiang, could you please be more specific? What exactly is going on? I did everything exactly as you instructed!" Hearing his harsh tone, especially the final sentence, Ma Yunrou was so frightened that her speech became incoherent. If she were to be sent back home by the school, her life would effectively be over.

"What do you mean, what's going on? How did you handle this? You swore up and down that Xiao Lin and she had broken up, and that they would never be together again. Yet today, I found them behaving intimately and sitting together."

"What? Behaving intimately? Uncle Xiang, that’s impossible, isn't it?" This news shocked Ma Yunrou. She understood Xiao Lin's personality; he was devoted to a fault and would never do anything improper. Otherwise, she wouldn't have needed to use drugs that night; a direct seduction would have sufficed.

"What do you mean 'impossible'? Solve this problem immediately. I do not want to see them being intimate again. If you cannot do this, we will reconsider the contract regarding your enrollment at the Film Academy and the one-million-yuan reward."

"No, please, don't! Uncle Xiang, I beg you, please don't. You can rest assured; I will resolve this completely. Please, you must believe me." Ma Yunrou pleaded repeatedly, promising him. She did not want to return to a life of having nothing.

"I hope so. Also, find a way to get them to sit apart." With that, Uncle Xiang hung up the phone.

"Wang Yuqing." Ma Yunrou gripped her phone tightly, her face dark. She believed that if Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing were acting intimately, it must be because Wang Yuqing had seduced him. Ma Yunrou had always harbored resentment toward this rival, whose beauty was on par with her own.

"If you dare to block my path to wealth, I will make your life a living hell." Ma Yunrou’s expression was now that of a classic, venomous woman.

***

In the residential complex where Wang Yuqing’s uncle lived, there was a winding path about 200 meters long that led directly to the building. It was evening, and a young couple was walking slowly along the path—so slowly that even a passerby in their sixties overtook them. This couple was Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing. Xu Tong and Tan Linlin had gotten off the bus one stop earlier.

Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing walked close together. Xiao Lin caught the faint, pleasant scent of jasmine from Wang Yuqing—unlike the pungent perfume Ma Yunrou always wore. Wang Yuqing held Xiao Lin's arm gently, wishing that this path they often walked could be longer, just a little longer, so she could stay with him a while more. Yet, even the longest road has an end. Despite their efforts to slow their pace, they looked up to find the path at its conclusion. Gazing at the building before them, Xiao Lin spoke softly, "Yuqing, we're here."

"Oh." Wang Yuqing reluctantly loosened her grip on his arm.

"I'm going up now," she said, looking down, not wanting him to see the disappointment on her face.

"Mm," Xiao Lin nodded gently.

Watching her walk toward the stairs, her figure about to vanish from sight, Xiao Lin smiled self-deprecatingly and prepared to turn away. Suddenly, a voice made him look back.

"Um... Xiao Lin, stay safe on your way back to school." It was Wang Yuqing, calling out to him from the staircase.

A warmth flooded Xiao Lin’s heart. This was Wang Yuqing—always so sweet and kind. He waved vigorously, signaling that he understood.

Sitting on the bus back to school, Xiao Lin clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Such a wonderful girl, yet he had lost her because of himself, and he might never be able to get her back. At the thought, a sharp, agonizing pain pierced his heart.

When Xiao Lin arrived at the dormitory door, he rubbed his face, forced a cheerful expression, and pushed the door open. He could not let them see any cracks in his facade. Sometimes, even when one’s heart is in agony, one must put on a facade of joy, leaving the inner pain to be soothed only in the quiet of the deep night.

"Oh, look who’s back! Come on, Boss Xiao, sit down. Tell us, when you saw Wang Yuqing to her building, did you share a kiss?" Yuan Weiye immediately sat up on his bed and patted the edge.

"Judging by Xiao Lin's happy face, it looks like it wasn't just a kiss," Wang Tao added with a mischievous grin.

Lin Xudong pushed up his glasses and said, "Xiao Lin, I’m actually quite curious: how do you manage to balance a relationship and your studies?"

"No comment," Xiao Lin replied while taking off his jacket.

"Tch... what a bore." Yuan Weiye turned over, intending to go to sleep.

Wang Tao asked a few more questions with interest, but Xiao Lin ignored him, leaving Wang Tao with no choice but to give up. As for Lin Xudong, he had already returned to his studies, clutching his materials.

Just then, the dormitory door opened, and a young man with delicate features walked in. He looked exceptionally clean, radiating a scholarly air of refinement and gentle elegance.

The young man scanned the room, his gaze finally resting on Xiao Lin. He walked up to him, and with deliberate clarity, stated, "Classmate Xiao Lin, I have come to challenge you."