Chapter 18: Now Obedient, Begging for Mercy

“Who’s there?”

Jiang Yao clenched the wrench tightly and exchanged a glance with the other two.

Ascending to the second floor, a head cautiously peeked out from a classroom—a girl with delicate features and clear, doe-like eyes that looked especially lively.

Yet her expression was even more wary than theirs. “Who are you? Why are you here?”

Seeing they were humans, not zombies, the three visibly relaxed.

Jiang Yao stepped forward a few paces. The girl retreated cautiously, prompting Jiang Yao to raise an eyebrow. “Don’t worry, we mean no harm. We’re here looking for someone.”

As she spoke, she exchanged a glance with Xiang Yu.

Was this girl too jumpy?

Normally, wouldn’t one be happy to see surviving classmates?

Perhaps sensing their sincerity, the girl’s stance softened. “Who are you looking for?”

“Zhao Xiaoting, our roommate.”

Upon hearing the name, the girl thought for a moment, then shook her head decisively. “There’s no one like that here.”

She pursed her lips. “I advise you to leave quickly. If you don’t, you won’t be able to leave at all.”

Jiang Yao and Xiang Yu’s eyes flickered.

Ji Yuanyuan blurted out, “What do you mean by that?”

Seeing they truly didn’t know, the girl’s tone turned urgent. “There’s a group here who use their special abilities and strength to bully and dominate. They’ve kidnapped many classmates to do their bidding. If you don’t leave…”

Before they could react in shock, a calm voice sounded behind them:

“She means that if you don’t leave now, you won’t be able to leave at all.”

Hearing this, the girl’s face changed sharply. Without hesitation, she slammed the door shut.

Jiang Yao and the others turned warily. Several tall boys stood there, each holding a baseball bat, eyeing them with amusement.

The leader sported a sharp American fade haircut, his features deep and fierce, eyes rebellious.

Chi Xing, seemingly just waking up, raised his droopy eyelids. “Duan Yiren, I haven’t gone all out against you guys, and yet you come looking for trouble?”

Duan Yiren cursed loudly from behind the door. “Chi Xing, you bastard! We’re all classmates. What gives you the right to be so tyrannical? This is illegal detention, kidnapping!”

Chi Xing chuckled lightly. “Duan, are you still living in a society ruled by law? This is the apocalypse now—survival of the fittest. I’m just helping them adapt early.”

Duan Yiren continued vehemently, “Don’t dress it up with fancy words. I’m never joining you!”

Jiang Yao and the rest understood: this group had united to control the students in the building, acting like local bullies.

They had walked straight into a trap.

Meanwhile, the opposing faction led by Duan Yiren was clearly on the back foot and probably wouldn’t hold out much longer.

Xiang Yu whispered in Jiang Yao’s ear, “Xiaoting is very likely in their hands.”

Jiang Yao had suspected as much.

No wonder it was so quiet when they entered, and why Zhao Xiaoting hadn’t escaped for days.

Tsk, barely out of the frying pan and into the fire.

At that moment, Chi Xing’s gaze landed on them, eyes half-smiling. “So, ladies, do you want to drink a toast or get punished?”

“...”

Wise people know when to yield.

They were outnumbered; fighting to the death was hopeless.

Jiang Yao feigned resignation. “We’ll go with you willingly.”

Chi Xing nodded with satisfaction. “I like smart people like you.”

As for the not-so-smart…

He snorted coldly. “Duan Yiren, final chance. Join us, and I’ll make sure you get the best treatment…”

Duan Yiren shouted with full force, “Get lost!”

Ji Yuanyuan’s gossipy nature stirred. “A domineering school bully forcing love! Too bad the heroine isn’t interested?”

“...”

When is there time to gossip?

Chi Xing’s face darkened. “You don’t care if I kill these people?”

Ji Yuanyuan’s eyes widened in shock.

Wait—gossip turns personal?

Alright, I surrender; please spare me!

A brief silence inside, then Duan Yiren muttered unhappily, “I don’t even know these girls. You kill whoever you want; it’s none of my business!”

“...”

Girl, you’re killing me.

Now that’s the kind of strong woman we need—not like those delicate heroines.

If only the threatened ones weren’t them, it’d be even better.

Chi Xing, furious, tightened his lips. “Take them away!”

And so, Jiang Yao and the others were dragged off as hostages.

Seeing Ji Yuanyuan’s expression droop, Jiang Yao comforted her, “Look at it this way, at least we can reunite with Xiaoting without much effort. So, how do you feel? Happy?”

Ji Yuanyuan cast her a complicated look. “Yao Yao, maybe next time, you shouldn’t comfort people?”

Jiang Yao felt a little hurt.

One cheerful moment turned her into a lifelong introvert.

A guard nearby couldn’t help but say, “You’re Ji Yuanyuan, the music department’s campus belle, right?”

Ji Yuanyuan weakly tugged at her lips. “Campus belle? I’m a joke now.”

The boy scratched his head. “Goddess, don’t be nervous. Brother Chi just looks fierce; he doesn’t hit girls.”

Jiang Yao pondered.

So this school bully actually has some principles?

—

Before coming here, they had assumed Zhao Xiaoting’s life was miserable, enslaved and suffering.

But it turned out they were the real fools.

Chi Xing’s group took them to a tiered classroom on the fourth floor.

“That black-clothed student over there—yeah, you—what are you sneakily stuffing into your bag? Hah! Hiding snacks, huh? I’ll tell Brother Chi to teach you a lesson!”

At the familiar voice, Jiang Yao and the others almost thought they’d imagined it.

They exchanged uncertain glances.

Could someone so arrogant really be Zhao Xiaoting?

The voice suddenly turned joyful as it approached quickly. “Brother Chi, you’re back so soon? Must have been hard on you. Come, sit down and rest!”

Zhao Xiaoting’s sycophantic smile froze when she saw the people behind Chi Xing, her eyebrows arching impressively.

Her eyes clearly said:

“Dad, what are you doing here?!”

The three stared at her expressionlessly, making Zhao Xiaoting feel guilty.

That brat—while they worried for her safety, she seemed to enjoy being the lackey here.

Just as Chi Xing was about to notice, Zhao Xiaoting immediately composed herself, casting them a disdainful glance. Complaining, she said, “Brother Chi, why’d you bring back three freeloaders?”

The three were speechless.

Ji Yuanyuan clenched her teeth until they ached.

Very well, fists ready.

Jiang Yao tugged her sleeve, and Ji Yuanyuan barely managed to keep calm, sarcastically, “Ugh, you’re so mean, why do you talk like that?”

Zhao Xiaoting’s mouth twitched.