Chapter 137: Is There Any Wine?

"Smack, smack, smack, smack." Four crisp sounds rang out, and Ma Yunrou’s once charming face swelled up instantly. The slaps made her shriek repeatedly, as tears and snot streamed down her face in a mess. Yet, Ma Yunrou could only scream; she clearly remembered the instructions Uncle Xiang had given her: "You must not provoke him at Innovation High School. Remember, no matter what happens, even if he hits you, you must not fight back." Ma Yunrou had seen the severity in Uncle Xiang’s expression at the time, and it wasn't hard to imagine that if she offended this boy who was hitting her, her path to wealth would come to an end. Thus, Ma Yunrou could only stare at the handsome boy in terror, not daring to utter another word.

The boy who slapped Ma Yunrou was none other than Gao Zheng. After he called Uncle Xiang, it didn't take long for Uncle Xiang to find out that Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou were at the hospital. Gao Zheng had originally intended to go straight to the hospital to find them, but by the time the four men in black arrived, Xiao Lin and Ma Yunrou had already boarded a taxi. With no other choice, Gao Zheng ordered his men to follow. Once Ma Yunrou got out of the taxi, Gao Zheng explained the plan to the four men: they would seize Ma Yunrou first, and as for Xiao Lin, there would be enough time to intercept him when he returned to school. Uncle Xiang had not accompanied Gao Zheng this time; when he received the call, he knew exactly what Gao Zheng intended to do. Uncle Xiang naturally could not show his face, or Lin Yuemei’s entire plan would be ruined if Ma Yunrou recognized him.

"Do you know why I hit you?" Gao Zheng asked, looking at Ma Yunrou with a playful smirk.

"I... I... don't know," Ma Yunrou replied, shaking her head repeatedly in terror.

"You don't know? Then I'll make sure you remember." Gao Zheng narrowed his eyes and landed another slap across her face.

"These slaps are to help you learn a lesson. You bullied a girl today, right? This is the price for bullying her. Hmph, if it weren't for the fact that you are Xiao Lin’s girlfriend, it wouldn't just be a few simple slaps," Gao Zheng said with a cold snort. In truth, while Gao Zheng claimed to be venting on Wang Yuqing’s behalf, he could only go so far as to slap Ma Yunrou to show her his power. After all, Ma Yunrou was currently Xiao Lin’s girlfriend. Furthermore, Xiao Lin and Gao Zheng had a decent relationship, and Gao Zheng had to consider Xiao Lin’s face.

Hearing Gao Zheng’s words, Ma Yunrou had a sudden realization—it was because of Wang Yuqing that she was being beaten. Thinking of this, Ma Yunrou cursed Wang Yuqing in her heart; she now hated her completely.

"I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. I won't dare to provoke her again in the future," she said. Although she felt resentment toward Wang Yuqing, Ma Yunrou dared not show it on her face. She decided to keep this account and settle it slowly in the future.

Seeing Ma Yunrou’s reaction, the look of disgust in Gao Zheng’s eyes deepened. He couldn't help but secretly despise Xiao Lin for abandoning Wang Yuqing for a woman like this.

Seeing Ma Yunrou’s spineless display, Gao Zheng couldn't be bothered to talk to her any longer. "Uncle Hei, send one man to take her back. The rest of you, come with me to Innovation High School." Gao Zheng checked the time, estimating that Xiao Lin should not have reached the school yet; he needed to hurry to intercept him.

"Understood, Young Master. You, take responsibility for seeing her home," the scarred man addressed as Uncle Hei said to one of the men in black.

Seeing that Gao Zheng was letting her go, Ma Yunrou finally let out a sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground like a pile of mud. Gao Zheng looked at her with impatience and waved his hand, signaling them to get her away quickly. Gao Zheng then got into his BMW, and the scarred man followed with the remaining two men. The engine of the white BMW roared to life, and they sped off toward Innovation High School.

The remaining man in black frowned at the sight of Ma Yunrou collapsed on the ground unable to get up. He grabbed her as if she were a chick, tossed her into the van, and prepared to take her back to the film academy.

In the taxi, Xiao Lin looked through the window at the night view of Kyoto. Outside, the neon lights shimmered, cars sped by, and crowds bustled about—a scene of urban indulgence. However, Xiao Lin’s gaze drifted past the noisy nightscape, drawn to a small alley beside a tall building. At the entrance of the alley, a dim, sickly yellow light flickered. Through the hazy glow, he saw a skeletal old man sitting next to a trash can at the corner. In the biting cold of winter, the man wore only a ragged, patched cotton coat, shivering uncontrollably; he was a homeless man wandering on the fringes of the city. Xiao Lin stared blankly at the old man. As the taxi moved on, the figure grew smaller and smaller until it vanished completely. For some reason, Xiao Lin felt that he was just like that old man now—cold to the core, with nowhere to go, drifting through a lost world.

The continuous blows had caused Xiao Lin’s once sunny and confident face to revert to the cold, indifferent mask he had worn three years ago.

*I wonder how Yuqing is doing,* Xiao Lin whispered to himself. He couldn't help but pick up his phone, open his contacts, and stare at Wang Yuqing’s name. How he wanted to call her. But he couldn't; he had already wronged this kind girl enough. He could not go and disturb her again. With a dejected expression, Xiao Lin put his phone down.

***

Wang Yuqing held a piece of green vegetable leaf. She carefully mashed it and placed it into the trough of the birdcage. Watching her "lovebirds" eat happily, a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Eat slowly, no rush... no rush," Wang Yuqing whispered. After feeding the birds, she stood up and walked slowly toward the window. The starry sky tonight was dim, and the moon was shrouded in a thin veil of mist. Wang Yuqing sighed softly, a moment of hesitation crossing her face, but it was soon replaced by determination. She took out her phone, her gaze lingering on Xiao Lin’s name for two seconds, before she ultimately chose Wang Tao’s number.

"Hello, Wang Tao? It’s me..."

"Oh, Yuqing? Is something the matter?" Wang Tao’s voice sounded surprised; he clearly hadn't expected a call from her.

"Um... is... has Xiao Lin returned yet?" Wang Yuqing asked hesitantly.

Upon hearing her question, Wang Tao paused for two seconds. "He’s back."

"Is he okay?" Wang Yuqing’s voice trembled slightly as she tried her best to control her emotions.

"He’s fine, he’s doing well. Listen... Yuqing, don't worry about him. You need to take care of yourself, you hear?"

"Okay, then, if there's nothing else, I’ll hang up." Upon learning that Xiao Lin was okay, Wang Yuqing finally set her mind at ease. She was always so kind, always thinking of others while habitually forgetting herself.

"Wang Tao, why did you lie to Wang Yuqing? Xiao Lin clearly hasn't come back," Yuan Weiye asked Wang Tao with confusion after Wang Yuqing hung up.

"Are you stupid? If I told her Xiao Lin hadn't returned, wouldn't Yuqing worry herself to death? Besides, Xiao Lin is a grown man; what could possibly happen to him? Sigh, it’s just a pity for Yuqing. I really don't understand what Xiao Lin is thinking. How could he bear to let go of such a good girl? It’s truly a sin," Wang Tao said, shaking his head and sighing.

At that moment, Xiao Lin arrived at the school gate. But just as he stepped out of the taxi, he saw Gao Zheng leaning against his BMW, looking at him with an expression of fury.

Xiao Lin shook his head helplessly. He knew why Gao Zheng was so angry, but his own heart was hardly at peace either. Ignoring Gao Zheng, Xiao Lin moved to walk into the school.

"Xiao Lin, get over here!" Gao Zheng roared. As his voice fell, the scarred man and two others blocked Xiao Lin’s path.

"Little brother, my Young Master is calling you. I suggest you come over," the scarred man said politely, but his tone implied that if Xiao Lin didn't agree, he would use force.

Xiao Lin shrugged and turned to walk toward Gao Zheng. But before he could reach him, a fist swung toward him with a whistling wind. Seeing this, Xiao Lin slightly shifted his feet, reached out with his right hand, and grabbed the incoming fist with precision.

"What? You didn't get enough last time, and you want to come back for more?" Xiao Lin said coldly. He was in a foul mood; if Gao Zheng wanted to fight, he was more than happy to oblige.

Seeing Xiao Lin catch his young master’s fist, the scarred man moved to attack, but was stopped by a shout from Gao Zheng.

"This is none of your business, stay back."

"Xiao Lin, you are a complete jerk! How did you promise me you would take care of Yuqing? Look at how you’re treating her now! Do you know that Yuqing cried today?" Still seething with anger, Gao Zheng raised his other fist and struck Xiao Lin in the face.

This time, Xiao Lin did not dodge. He let the punch land, and with a *thud*, he staggered back, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. Gao Zheng was surprised after landing the blow.

"Xiao Lin, why didn't you dodge?"

"You're right. I am a jerk," Xiao Lin said with a bitter smile.

When Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing were together, Gao Zheng had once pulled Xiao Lin aside in great pain to ask him to take good care of her. But seeing Wang Yuqing so heartbroken today, Gao Zheng was naturally filled with fury, which is why he came to confront Xiao Lin—though he hadn't intended to actually fight.

"How is Yuqing?" Xiao Lin wiped the corner of his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Xu Tong and Tan Linlin took her home, but she is definitely not in a good state of mind. I want to know what is wrong with you—if you want to break up, fine, but why did you let that woman come and insult Yuqing?" Gao Zheng pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Lin. The relationship between Gao Zheng and Xiao Lin was complex; they were both rivals in love and friends.

Hearing this, Xiao Lin fell silent for a long time. He took the tissue, wiped the corner of his mouth, and looked up at Gao Zheng. "Do you have any alcohol?"

"What? You want to drink?" Gao Zheng asked. Seeing Xiao Lin nod, he signaled the scarred man to go buy some.

"Come into my car first; the drink will be here in a moment. There are some things I want to talk to you about as well," Gao Zheng said, opening the car door for Xiao Lin.