Beyond the Rift (Campus 1V1) - 10.

10.

Yu Yuan feels surprised.

“I’m your dance partner?”

Ling Jia asks him.

“What’s the problem?”

“No.”

Yu Yuan shakes his head. But he can’t help asking.

“Then… doesn’t Zong Du attend?”

Zong Du doesn’t attend.

He thoughtfully arranges for someone to prepare a dress and shoes for her.

But he himself refuses to show up.

On the eve of the dance, Yan Xue sends her a message. She asks if she wants to ride with her to school.

Ling Jia declines her invitation. Zong Du’s driver waits downstairs for her.

Zong Du zips up her dress.

Ling Jia turns around, looks up, and smiles at him.

“Do I look good?”

Zong Du bends down. He plants a kiss on her lips.

“Have fun.”

The grand hall is decorated days in advance. It transforms completely.

Yu Yuan grows more nervous when he sees Ling Jia.

“I know you for so long. But this is the first time I see you dressed like this…”

He wants to say something but doesn’t know how to express it.

His mouth feels inexplicably dry. After hesitating for a long time, he licks his upper lip.

“Jiajia, you look really beautiful.”

Ling Jia loops her arm through his.

“Don’t be nervous.”

The grand hall’s doors stand open. It’s filled with men and women in suits and evening gowns.

Light spills from inside and flows outward. It rests quietly at Ling Jia’s feet.

She looks at the warm-colored light strip. She remembers when Sun Huizhen, after successfully getting hired as the Yan family’s maid, bought fresh fish and shrimp at the market to celebrate. The lights at home were dimmer than these. Ling Dachang was not yet back from gambling. He left her and Sun Huizhen alone at a small round table. Sun Huizhen washed her hands, peeled shrimp for her, and dreamed about their future life.

“The Yan family has a girl about your age who takes piano and dance lessons. When I earn enough money, I send you to learn piano and dance too—whatever you want to learn.”

Ling Jia was disdainful then.

“Move somewhere else first. My school uniform smells like mold, and everyone mocks me.”

“Sorry, if there’s space on the rooftop, we take it up to dry later, okay? Don’t look so upset. Things get better. I hear rich people go to dances sometimes. When Mom earns enough, you go to a dance too, okay?”

Sun Huizhen probably didn’t know earning money didn’t need to wait for the future.

Shortcuts are so easy to take.

Just say a few sweet words, show weakness at the right time, and she gains a beautiful gown and a spacious, bright place to live.

Ling Jia increasingly feels she’s a good actress.

She holds Yu Yuan’s arm like this. She walks into everyone’s view.

She sees puzzled looks from different people. As if they see a real-life Cinderella transformed.

Yan Xue is in a red gown. She walks to her side. She swirls the glass in her hand.

“The dress is nice. First time at a dance like this? Need me to tell you the rules?

Don’t engaged couples need to arrive together?”

Ling Jia points at other well-known engaged couples in the hall.

“You come alone like this—is that proper?”

“You seem to misunderstand something.”

Yan Xue steps closer. She speaks in a voice only they hear.

“Ling Jia, I don’t mind you living with Zong Du. You keep him entertained, like a pet dog by his side. Besides, to him, you’re not even as important as that pet snake. You’re just a tool. Know your place, don’t make me angry, and be good.”

She pats Ling Jia’s shoulder. She then walks toward her waiting dance partner.

Music starts soon.

Yu Yuan is a great dance partner.

He watches Ling Jia’s steps constantly. She adjusts his rhythm to match hers.

But his palms sweat often. His heart pounds like a drum. When he looks down, he notices Ling Jia is distracted.

A faint kiss mark sits near her collarbone.

A diamond-encrusted snake-shaped bracelet adorns her wrist.

She stands here,

Yet carries Zong Du’s scent all over her.

Yu Yuan gets distracted too.

He unconsciously tightens his grip on her hand. But he hears a bang.

A sharp pain shoots through his ankle.

The gentle piano music continues.

A couple nearby lets out a piercing scream.

“Ah—”

“It’s bleeding!”

Another bang sounds.

It hits Yu Yuan’s uninjured right foot precisely.

The steel pellet strikes his bone.

After he collapses, he feels unbearable pain.

“Ah!!!!”

His hoarse scream echoes. He curls up like a shrimp. He’s holding his feet with both hands.

Ling Jia freezes for a moment, then looks up.

She sees Zong Min’en standing on the second-floor balcony.

He holds a pink air gun. He blows on the barrel.

His elbow rests on the railing. Half his body leans over.

With his usual innocent expression, he smiles. He greets the crowd below.

“Good evening, everyone. Having fun?”

Silence falls.

Even Yan Xue thinks Zong Min’en is a lunatic.

Zong Min’en tosses the air gun. He switches it between his left and right hands. Then, he finally aims it downward again.

His gaze roams slowly over the crowd. It stops on Ling Jia.

He props his chin with one hand. He asks her wistfully.

“Deskmate, how can you let me do this at an event like this?”

The school security at the door silently closes it,

Keeps the conflict contained within the grand hall.

Yu Yuan’s drenched in cold sweat from pain. He feels his feet are broken by the pellets. He touches a handful of bl00d.

The crowd stays silent.

No one dares speak at this moment.

Class One students in the hall now understand why Zong Min’en transfers from Li Jin.

In the silence, Ling Jia sees Raven coiled around Zong Min’en’s wrist.

Zong Min’en strokes Raven’s head, tilts his head, and smiles brightly.

“Thanks to you, it’s the first time it’s close to me. I feel… flattered? Is that the word?”

Yu Yuan grabs Ling Jia’s skirt hem.

“Jiajia, save me, save me—”

Bl00d stains the white fabric.

Zong Min’en frowns. He’s displeased. He aims the gun at Yu Yuan again. Ling Jia steps in front of him.

“Send him to the hospital.”

Zong Min’en laughs.

“Interesting order, but why should I listen to you?”

“It’s not a real gun.”

Ling Jia’s face shows mockery. Her lips curl slightly.

“Since you don’t dare kill anyone, send him to the hospital. A new transfer shouldn’t cause trouble, right?”

“Wow, you’re really cute.”

Zong Min’en gently praises her. But the next second, he fires a shot near her.

A loud bang echoes.

The tall champagne tower shatters.

The steel pellet rolls to Yan Xue’s feet after hitting the floor.

She sighs softly, bends down, and picks up the pellet.

“His aim isn’t great, is it?”

She says to the pale-faced boy beside her.

Zong Min’en shrugs. He snaps his fingers.

“Send him to the hospital to get checked. Don’t let him die so easily from my fun.”

He says to the butler emerging from behind him.

A new toy that groans, screams, and begs for help

Seems, no matter how you look at it, it’s more valuable for continued use.

Ling Jia’s gown is soaked with wine.

Bloodstains on the hem look particularly terrifying.

She takes the clothes Zong Min’en sends. She enters the changing room.

As she closes the door, someone covers her mouth. They’re pinning her against it.

A tall figure presses against her.

Her struggling legs are blocked by his knee. Her hands are easily restrained by his single hand.

“Good evening, Jiajia.”

It’s Yi Chuan.

He doesn’t appear downstairs. He’s resting in the changing room. He waits like a hunter. He finally catches Ling Jia in his trap.

Ling Jia’s in a white dress. She is indeed like a rabbit.

Her body radiates an alluring scent.

Yi Chuan strokes her waist. His closeness lets her feel his erect s3x.

He leans in, sniffs her lips.

“You know, the first time I see you, I think your mouth is perfect for sucking me. But tell me, why do you go the long way to Zong Du’s side? Does he know how to fvck? Has he been here?”

His fingers slide down her abdomen. They press her lower body through her dress.

During their tutoring sessions,

Yi Chuan never crosses the line.

The most intimate act is sniffing her hair.

But now, the desire in his eyes seems genuine.

Ling Jia turns her head. She sees a clear needle mark on his forearm.

“You—”

Her breath is unsteady. After a deep breath, she asks gently.

“Are you sick lately?”

“Not sick, I’m angry, Jiajia.”

He lowers his head. His face is in her neck. He smells an unfamiliar scent on her.

No familiar soap smell, and she wears such a beautiful dress.

“Who allows you to become a different person?”

He opens his mouth. He bites her collarbone.

Ling Jia winces in pain.

They’re on the second floor; the crowd gathers on the first.

Music fills the space. It drowns out any cries for help.

Besides—

Except for Zong Min’en, that lunatic, no one risks opposing Yi Chuan to help her.

So what should she do?

Honestly, who she opposes doesn’t matter to Ling Jia—just different targets.

Zong Du has a handsome face and elite status; Yi Chuan is slightly less but not bad.

The only difference is their importance to Yan Xue.

If she sleeps with Yi Chuan here,

By tomorrow, Yan Xue spreads the news to everyone.

Or maybe Yi Chuan is here to help Yan Xue.

After all, in climbing the Zong family, the Yi and Yan families are likely accomplices.

This thought makes Ling Jia feel annoyed.

She bites her lip. She silently endures Yi Chuan’s bites.

Her fingers slowly remove the bracelet from her wrist.

The snake’s tail is sharp. Zong Du warns her to be careful not to get scratched when he puts it on her.

“Be careful not to get scratched” and “have fun” together

Feel like Zong Du’s deliberate choice.

She aims for Yi Chuan’s waist. But he grabs her wrist as if anticipating it.

Yi Chuan doesn’t look up. He keeps biting her collarbone without letting go.

It hurts terribly; Ling Jia frowns.

Yi Chuan tastes bl00d. He finally releases his bite.

He looks up, satisfied. He sees the bleeding teeth marks on her collarbone.

“The bracelet isn’t used like that. Ornaments stay on your hand, not for hurting others. Confiscated.”

He tosses it behind him.

It clatters on the floor.

Yi Chuan pulls off his tie. He looks at Ling Jia wincing in pain.

“This is good. When I push inside later, you won’t feel the pain. What’s that look? Shocked? Angry? Think I don’t dare touch you because you’re with Zong Du? Too naive, baby. You live with Zong Du so long, and he hasn’t fucked you, has he? Why shake your head? You don’t look like someone who’s been fucked. Besides—

How can Zong Du fvck you? Don’t you know he’s with you just to overcome his mental block? Too pitiful if you don’t. A guy who sees his parents fvck others—how does he cum inside you? Be good, Jiajia. I help with your mom’s hospital stay, don’t I? You need to repay kindness, got it?”

Yi Chuan unzips her dress.

As he starts to peel off her clothes,

He hears Ling Jia sigh softly.

“I worry you feel pain. But seeing you talk so much, I feel I worry for nothing.”

“What are you—fvck! What do you have?!”

It’s an earring.

She stabs it into his trapezius muscle.

A glossy pearl sits like an ornament there.

Yi Chuan covers it; bl00d seeps through his fingers.

Ling Jia seizes the chance. She kicks at his groin. Yi Chuan, alert, stands. He dodges her leg.

“Ling Jia!”

Ling Jia flips off the sofa. Her dress hangs loosely on her. She holds her chest to keep it from falling. She then bends down, picks up the bracelet, and puts it back on her wrist.

Her smooth, pale back is exposed to Yi Chuan.

She wears white thong underwear. Her buttocks are white and perky.

As he feels pain,

He also feels his erection.

He wants to spread her buttocks, push inside.

Ling Jia turns. She looks down at him sitting on the floor.

“I give you some advice too.

Yi Chuan, there’s a saying: villains die from talking too much. Next time you do something like this, don’t waste so many words. It makes you—

—very annoying.”