They Dumped Me—Now They’re Reincarnated and Obsessed? - Chapter 26

After lights-out in the dorms, the elderly security guard made his rounds through the school building with a flashlight in hand.

In the darkness, the beam of light swept across every classroom window, followed by a push on both the front and back doors to ensure they were properly locked.

The second-year liberal arts classes were located on the west side of the third floor. Classrooms 1, 3, 5, and 7. Class 7 was the last stop on the third floor.

Humming to himself, the security guard jingled his keychain and raised his flashlight to scan Class 7.

Huddled in the corner by the back door, Xie Tingxue didn’t dare move. Her nose was pressed against Yan Ze’s chest, and the warmth from his embrace seeped through his shirt, enveloping her.

She held her breath, heart racing. The faint minty scent clinging to him only made her blush harder. But Yan Ze kept a respectful distance, arms loosely around her to shield her without getting too close. That alone gave her a strange sense of security.

The classroom door had already been locked from the outside—Yan Ze had climbed in through the window, then brought her to this blind spot to avoid being seen. Because the space was so small, they had no choice but to stay close.

Xie Tingxue was anxious, half her attention on the precarious distance between them, and half worried that if they got caught, no one would believe nothing happened.

Yan Ze kept his breathing light as he watched the reflection of the flashlight on the windowsill.

After sweeping the classroom, the old guard turned and headed off toward the east side where the science classrooms were located.

Relieved, Yan Ze relaxed a little and lowered his gaze to Xie Tingxue. She sensed his eyes on her and looked up instinctively—sure enough, he was watching her with a complex expression she couldn’t quite read.

When he wasn’t smiling, his clean features gave off a gentle melancholy, making him seem trustworthy.

He lowered his head slightly, like a predator seeking the perfect angle to strike.

Feeling the shift in his mood, Xie Tingxue sensed danger and immediately shrank back toward the wall, avoiding his gaze.

Yan Ze didn’t move further—threat level cleared.

She couldn’t resist stealing another glance. He was focused on the window now, alert. With his attention elsewhere, she studied his face, fascinated by his lashes, unwilling to look away.

He really was so handsome.

No—beautiful.

Xie Tingxue thought: If she ever had a child as good-looking as Yan Ze, she’d be just as thrilled as his mother must be.

Wait—one more condition. The child had to be obedient and good at studying too.

Her thoughts drifted. Her brain began to wander off on its own.

Meanwhile, Yan Ze kept listening to the clinking keys of the security guard, waiting until the sound faded down the stairs before finally turning his attention back to her.

Lowering his head, he caught her sneaking a look.

He didn’t dodge it—just smiled.

The smile flustered Xie Tingxue so badly she immediately dropped her gaze, her whole face burning.

Trying to create distance, she pushed him lightly, but Yan Ze whispered, “If I sang you a song, would you let me stay?”

She shook her head furiously. “No! You—you should go back to your dorm!”

He stepped back with a smile. “Alright. You can rest at my seat—I brought a small blanket.”

He pulled a thin blanket out from his desk drawer.

“Make do with this,” he said. “You won’t get expelled. The one who bullied you will.”

Xie Tingxue spoke gloomily, “Even if I don’t get expelled, they’ll still call my mom… I don’t want her to come to school over something like this. I always tell her everything’s great—that I’m studying hard, getting along with my classmates. If this reaches the disciplinary office and Director He gets involved… my mom will be devastated.”

Yan Ze said, “Who said they’d call your parents? They won’t. I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Your homeroom teacher isn’t blind—he can tell right from wrong.”

Xie Tingxue shook her head.

After a long while, she mustered the courage to admit, “I went too far. I shoved a bar of soap into her mouth… and threw her blanket out the window. Everyone saw.”

Yan Ze blinked in surprise, then lit up with excitement.

“Let me tell you a story,” he said. “Then I’ll go back to the dorm. It’s about a rabbit princess. She grew up in the palace, taught from a young age to be gentle, polite, and never use crude words or actions. She followed these rules perfectly.

Later, when someone insulted her, she remained composed, didn’t even glance at them, saying it was beneath her. And in her heart, she forgave them.”

Xie Tingxue glared. “Don’t you dare make me into your story!”

Yan Ze laughed. “I thought you wouldn’t notice.”

She gave him a “you think I’m stupid?” look.

The classroom was dark, bathed in shades of blue and violet. Yan Ze looked at her youthful face, then smiled softly.

“When a despicable person provokes you, defending yourself isn’t wrong.”

She was quiet for a long time, then whispered, “Yan Ze, you’re a good person.”

“I am a good person.”

“Even though you’re kind of weird sometimes. And you say weird things.” She paused. “But your heart is better than theirs. They’re the ones who are dirty.”

“I know.”

“…Thank you for comforting me.”

“No need. It’s the least I could do.” He smiled. “Just focus on the exam tomorrow. Even if Director He wanted to drag you out of the test room, he couldn’t. Besides—you did nothing wrong.”

“But wasn’t I too harsh? I… I don’t feel guilty, but I’m still scared.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“That people will judge me. Say I have a bad heart. That I went too far…”

“In my eyes, you didn’t do anything wrong. What were you supposed to do? She wouldn’t let you sleep in the dorm, so you wouldn’t let her sleep—threw her blanket out. Sounds fair.”

Xie Tingxue murmured, “That’s not really fairness…”

“Why not?” Yan Ze asked. “She still got to sleep. You didn’t. That makes her worse. And she disrupted your study and your future—that’s unforgivable. In my book, she deserves the death penalty. Tingxue, don’t get so caught up in being the ‘good person.’ Without the strength to defend yourself, being good just gets you crushed.”

“What kind of twisted logic is that?” Xie Tingxue muttered, but deep down, something in her clicked.

Yan Ze smiled. “I’ll head back now. You sleep here. Don’t worry—the security guard only checks once. He won’t come back.”

He climbed out the window again, shut it gently, waved to her, and left.

Xie Tingxue peeked out and, seeing he really had left, let out a breath and slumped over the desk.

Thank goodness he chose to go. If she’d stayed alone in a dark classroom with a boy all night, she wouldn’t have slept a wink.

Yan Ze headed to the east campus and found a public phone. He inserted a card and dialed.

After several rings, someone picked up. “Hello?”

“Mom. It’s me.”

“Do you know what time it is?” His mother sounded alert. “Zezé, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine. But I need to tell you something.”

________________________________________

After hanging up, Yan Ze slowly walked back to the liberal arts wing and leaned against the back door of Class 7, staring blankly down the hallway.

He couldn’t leave. Tingxue wouldn’t sleep well alone.

But if he did leave her alone in an empty building, he wouldn’t sleep either.

So Yan Ze stood there the entire night.

At 12:30 AM, he heard her breathing slow and become steady.

He tiptoed to the window and peered in.

He really wished… he could just hold her close, protect her from every hurt.

________________________________________

Since it was Saturday, there was no morning reading period. Students just needed to arrive before 8 AM.

At 7:30, Yan Ze heard footsteps downstairs. He rubbed his temples, knocked on the window, opened it, and called, “Xie Tingxue, students are arriving. Time to go.”

She rubbed her eyes and trudged over, climbing out the window with his help.

“You’re up so early…” she mumbled.

“Go wash your face,” he said. “Let the water run a bit—it’s too cold right now.”

“So annoying… back to heating water again,” she muttered.

By 8:30, she was back in the classroom, freshened up, exam permit in hand, ready for the test.

The exam ended at 11. The five of them returned to prepare for the fourth period.

Just as the warning bell rang, Director He entered with hands behind his back.

“Female dorm 207, Xie Tingxue—come with me to the disciplinary office.”

Mei Jian was stunned.

Yan Ze stepped out and looked toward the school gate, clearly waiting for someone.

As Xie Tingxue left, the class buzzed.

“She threw Li Yuyang’s blanket last night.”

“No way, seriously?”

“What happened?”

“Li Yuyang’s dad is already at the office.”

“She’s screwed…”

Yan Ze stared anxiously until the school gate slowly opened—and a familiar figure walked in.

He smiled, leaned against the back wall, and said, “Quiet down. Mind your own business.”

________________________________________

Inside the disciplinary office sat a sharply dressed middle-aged man. As Xie Tingxue entered, he barked:

“You’re the one? Who gave you the right to throw my daughter’s blanket? What kind of girl are you to be so petty? Where are your parents? Call them! I want to see what kind of upbringing produces this kind of student! And you’re supposedly top ten in class? This is how you treat classmates?!”

Director He tried to mediate, “Let’s all calm down. Conflicts in girls’ dorms aren’t unusual. Let’s try to settle this amicably… Xie Tingxue, call your parents. This is Mr. Li Yuyang’s father.”

Trembling, furious, and humiliated, Xie Tingxue stared at the phone like it was a venomous snake.

“Hurry up,” the man said impatiently. “What, you scared? Give me their number—I’ll call!”

Just then, three knocks echoed from the door. A calm, elegant voice spoke, every syllable clear and precise:

“Tingxue? What’s going on?”

Xie Tingxue turned, stunned.

Yan Ze’s mother stood in a crisp white suit, holding a stylish handbag, her makeup flawless and smile gentle.

Director He froze. “…Wait a second.”

Wasn’t that… Yan Ze’s mom?

Wait, what?

Li Yuyang’s father also gaped in confusion. Regaining composure, he softened his tone. “Hello, and you are…?”

“I’m Xie Tingxue’s godmother,” she replied smoothly, linking arms with Xie Tingxue. “Sweetie, your parents were busy, so I came to pick you up. Let’s have lunch together, okay?”

Xie Tingxue was still dazed. She could’ve sworn Yan Ze’s mom winked at her just now.

Standing tall with a commanding presence, she turned to Li Yuyang’s dad. “And you are?”

“I’m Li Yuyang’s father,” he said, handing over a business card.

She glanced at it, nodded faintly, then smiled—cool, professional.

“Perfect,” she said, setting her purse down and sitting. “I’ve actually been meaning to speak with you about the children.”