Chapter 35: There Might Be a Chance (3.3 Climbing the Rankings, Requesting Flowers)

Dragon Fei stood behind Ding Liu Jun and saw the other turn his head, immediately flashing a wicked smile. “Hey, classmate, what kind of drama are you playing here? Why are you banging your head against that brick? Tsk tsk, look at all that blood. If you don’t get it bandaged soon, you might lose your life!”

“Yes, I pushed you, but I didn’t push your head. It was you who smashed your own head; now you want to blame me?” Dragon Fei chuckled, arms crossed, unconcerned since it wasn’t his blood spilling.

Unexpectedly, Dragon Fei blocked the only way out, grinning. “You’re Ding Liu Jun, right? I saw everything you did just now. From now on, I hope you’ll stop bothering her. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your safety.”

“You dare threaten me?” Ding Liu Jun’s complexion turned a shade greener. He’d just resolved to make trouble for Liu Ruoyi later; since things had broken down, he didn’t need to worry about keeping up appearances.

Dragon Fei smiled. “You could say that. Why, you seem unhappy?”

“Hmph, do you know who I am? You dare treat me like this? You’ll pay for it. Move aside!” Ding Liu Jun was truly arrogant, turning the threat back on Dragon Fei.

Dragon Fei was getting angry now. He’d only meant to warn the guy, knowing that matters between men and women are complicated. Ding Liu Jun’s methods were despicable, but that wasn’t the true source of Dragon Fei’s anger. He intervened simply because Liu Ruoyi was so beautiful, gentle, and fragile—plainly put, Dragon Fei had his own selfish reasons. If it were another girl, he might have looked the other way; if she was clever, good for her, and if she was too timid to resist Ding Liu Jun, she had only herself to blame. Dragon Fei never considered himself a savior; if one doesn’t look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them.

“So you’re threatening me?” Dragon Fei frowned, but his anger made him laugh.

He was never one to show weakness—even if he kept a low profile, no one could trample him, not even in words or thoughts.

“So what if I threaten you? Kid, you’d better get lost!” Ding Liu Jun frowned, contemplating whether he should call his cousin for help. If his cousin came, his reputation might be restored, but his actions today were shameful and might become the subject of ridicule. Worse, what if his cousin took a liking to Liu Ruoyi? That would be inviting trouble.

He dismissed the idea of calling for help; although Liu Ruoyi had broken with him, he still wanted to be the first to conquer her. As long as she remained untouched, he wouldn’t be satisfied, and he couldn’t let anyone else get ahead.

Dragon Fei snorted coldly and kicked out—yes, the same deadly move as before, aimed below the belt. It never failed, and he felt that a fight without using it was a waste. It was just too satisfying.

This time, Ding Liu Jun couldn’t even scream. Cold sweat dripped down his pale face as he crouched, hands clutching his groin, trembling uncontrollably.

Ding Liu Jun looked at Dragon Fei with a mix of rage, contempt, and fear, yet he couldn’t utter a word. Dragon Fei ignored him, instead taking the hand of the adorable girl who had been clutching a brick, her other hand covering her mouth in shock, and walked straight past Ding Liu Jun.

After Dragon Fei tossed the brick aside, Liu Ruoyi seemed to come to her senses. Her small hand was still tightly clasped in Dragon Fei’s grip, and her cheeks flushed. She remembered how Ding Liu Jun had mistaken Dragon Fei for her boyfriend, though she still didn’t know his name. She tried to withdraw her hand, but Dragon Fei only held it tighter.

“Where are you taking me?” Liu Ruoyi struggled for a moment, then gave up. In this sweltering heat, Dragon Fei’s grip made her palm sweat even more. She felt no aversion to this stranger; in fact, she was grateful. But wandering aimlessly with him wasn’t ideal, so she asked softly.

Dragon Fei had taken enough liberties; if he continued to act aloof, he’d be shameless. Even he felt embarrassed, so he smiled sheepishly and let go of her hand. “Oh, I was just afraid he’d come after you again, so I wanted to help you get away. I didn’t realize we’d wandered this far. Do you know the way? I’m not familiar with it myself.”

His words sounded insincere, yet his face was earnest. Liu Ruoyi showed no signs of anger, only surprise. “What did you say? You don’t know the way?”

Seeing her disbelief, Dragon Fei felt genuinely wronged.

“I mean it. I just registered today; I’ve never been to Jiaoda before. How would I know where we are?” He wanted to say he’d never set foot in a campus before, and this university was so big he was almost lost.

Of course, Dragon Fei hoped Liu Ruoyi didn’t know the way either—then he could spend more time with her. But Liu Ruoyi smiled. “I believe you. But I just arrived today, too. Thank you for saving me, but if there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my dorm.”

Dragon Fei replied, “Do you know the way back?”

His direct gaze made Liu Ruoyi’s heart tremble. She quickly turned her head and murmured, “I’ll find it slowly; it shouldn’t take long.”

“Well, I’ll help you till the end. I’ll take you back to your dorm myself,” Dragon Fei said shamelessly.

Liu Ruoyi hurried to refuse. “No, no, I can get back myself. Besides, if someone sees us, it would be awkward.” Her voice grew softer, but Dragon Fei heard her clearly and found her shyness amusing.

It seemed Dragon Fei was determined to see his shamelessness through. He changed tactics. “What if Ding Liu Jun comes looking for you again? It’s safer if I walk you back.”

Dragon Fei had found himself a convincing excuse.

Liu Ruoyi’s expression changed, recalling the earlier incident. She sighed. “I never thought Ding Liu Jun would be that kind of person. I’ll never speak to him again!”

It sounded as if she was deliberately saying it for Dragon Fei, which startled him. “Actually, you always knew what kind of person he was; you’re just too gentle and kind. You need to learn to say no, understand? And be braver. For example, just now you were brave enough to bash that bastard with a brick!”

Hearing Dragon Fei curse, Liu Ruoyi blushed and frowned, but she didn’t refuse his offer to escort her. They walked on together, and after some distance, Liu Ruoyi suddenly said, “Thank you for today. If it weren’t for you, I might never learn to be brave.”

She meant it. There are many ways to meddle in other people’s business; Dragon Fei could have simply beaten Ding Liu Jun, but he hadn’t. Instead, he let Ding Liu Jun’s head meet the brick in Liu Ruoyi’s hand, making it her action. The meaning was entirely different. As she said, Dragon Fei was teaching her how to stand up for herself. Many things can’t be solved by others; only by resisting oneself can one find a way out. If a person, especially a woman, resigns herself to fate, she isn’t worth helping.

Dragon Fei was taken aback, nodded silently, and smiled. It seemed his luck was good today—not only had he met a stunning beauty, but he had truly helped someone.

Despite his reluctance, Liu Ruoyi quickly found the women’s dormitory. The hot day was so empty that not even a bird was in the sky, let alone people, and Ding Liu Jun was nowhere to be seen. In fact, Dragon Fei hadn’t encountered anyone on the way.

About two hundred meters from the dorm, under the shade of a tree, Liu Ruoyi finally turned and softly said, “Thank you for walking me back. By the way, I haven’t asked your name yet.”

Dragon Fei quickly smiled. “My name is Dragon Fei. And you’re Liu Ruoyi, right? What a lovely name!”

Liu Ruoyi blushed again, whispered her thanks, and was about to leave when Dragon Fei called after her, “Will we meet again?”

She paused, didn’t turn around, but nodded her head twice. Dragon Fei was delighted—there was hope!

Today’s three chapters end here. If you think the writing is good, please bookmark and vote! The next installment will be even more exciting!