Shen Ji'an didn't want to recall that day at all. Even when Huang Mao asked him about it, he never explained why.
But if his sister asked, he would tell her.
"I saw the School Principal torture a cat to death!"
That day after class, he had forgotten his phone in the classroom. But he was in a hurry to get to his part-time job. By the time his first shift ended, it was already 9 p.m. He ran back to school to retrieve his phone.
Just as he was about to leave with his phone, he heard faint, agonized meows from a dimly lit corner.
He approached and saw a shadowy figure viciously kicking a cat.
He quickly turned on his phone's flashlight and saw the cat lying in a pool of blood, already dead, its tongue lolling out.
Furious, he didn’t even bother to see who it was—he stuffed his phone into his pocket and threw two solid punches at the person.
Only later did he realize it was the School Principal. But he didn’t regret it one bit.
No. 3 High School had many stray cats, and Shen Ji'an sometimes bought food to leave in the spots they frequented.
But he never got too close.
Because he was severely allergic to cat fur.
Even slight contact made it hard for him to breathe. Once, when he was little, he nearly died from it.
Still, he liked cats—because his sister loved them.
Before he was born, his sister had owned a Devon Rex. She adored that cat.
It was also because of this cat that their family discovered his allergy.
The rule was simple: if he was in the house, the cat couldn’t be.
So his sister bought a separate house just for the cat. She would visit daily to feed it, then immediately shower and change clothes when she returned.
But not long after their parents passed away, the cat died too—from heart disease.
Because of him, his sister never got another cat after that.
Still, whenever she saw strays near their villa, she would feed them.
For Shen Ji'an, seeing cats always reminded him of his sister. And if anyone dared harm one, he’d want to beat them to death!
The School Principal frowned and immediately retorted, "Nonsense! You’re lying through your teeth! As a respected principal with a fulfilling career and happy life, why would I torture a cat?"
"The truth is, I ran into you that day and scolded you for skipping evening self-study. You couldn’t take the criticism, so you attacked me!"
Without evidence, he would never admit it.
That was the story he told everyone, and they all believed him.
After all, Shen Ji'an was a troublemaker with a reputation for fighting!
The Principal's Sister chimed in, "My brother has always been compassionate! This is slander! And even if he did kill a cat, so what? It’s just an animal!"
Lin Mo’s beautiful face turned icy as she glared at the Principal's Sister. "Shut your mouth!"
She was barely holding back from cursing.
Under Lin Mo’s gaze, the Principal's Sister felt an inexplicable chill.
Shen Ji'an knew it was hard to believe.
He was a delinquent student—why would anyone think he’d fight over a cat?
But he didn’t care whether others believed him.
"Sis, do you believe me?" he asked.
Lin Mo nodded firmly. "I believe you!"
Her youngest brother was allergic to cats. As a child, he’d watch her feed strays from a distance, never daring to approach.
But he’d always bring extra food from home and say, "Sis, give this to the cats. I’m already full."
Even as he claimed to be full, he’d stand far away, drooling as he watched the cats eat happily.
Shen Yihan, twirling the Buddhist beads on his wrist, added calmly, "Your second brother believes you too."
"This is how kids get spoiled rotten!" the Principal sneered. "Keep coddling Shen Ji'an, and one day he’ll end up in prison for murder or arson! A useless delinquent like him has no place in society!"
Lin Mo’s palm itched with the urge to slap him. "Who says academic performance defines someone’s worth?"
Judging people so narrowly was absurd!
Shen Yihan, sensing his sister’s anger, intervened. "Sis, ignore him. The police are here."
At the mention of the police, the Principal’s eyes bulged. "The police? Since when is killing a cat a crime?"
Shen Yihan looked down at him with cold disdain. "Your misdeeds go far beyond that. Embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power—should we list them all?"
The Principal’s face turned ashen. "You—"
Jiang Tang strode in, dressed in a sharp suit, followed by police officers and lawyers carrying briefcases.
She patted Lin Mo’s shoulder. "Xiao Mo, you all go ahead. Leave the rest to me."
Lin Mo couldn’t help but admire how cool Jiang Tang looked. She stood at attention and saluted playfully. "Yes, ma’am, Sir Jiang!"
A rare smile flickered across Jiang Tang’s usually stern face, stunningly beautiful.
The lawyers exchanged surprised glances.
Jiang Tang was all business with them—intimidating and unyielding.
With the professionals handling things, Lin Mo took Shen Ji'an back to Auntie Zhen’s hospital room.
Since they were already at Kangyue Hospital, they might as well visit her.
Meanwhile, Gu Jingchuan had spent the night in agony, unable to sleep from the pain in his tongue. When he realized Lin Mo hadn’t come to the hospital that morning, his mood soured further.
Li Huanyu, nursing her own injured arm, had to tend to him. When she asked what happened, Gu Jingchuan typed on his phone: I bit my tongue arguing with the director to get time off and take care of you.
Touched, Li Huanyu teared up.
But when Gu Jingchuan stepped out for air and spotted Lin Mo in the hospital again, his mood lifted instantly.
His tongue still hurt, but not as badly.
Damn that Shen Ji'an!
Still, he’d spent the night thinking.
Lin Mo was even more stubborn and vengeful than he’d realized. Getting her to back down was nearly impossible.
Of course—she’d been the most dazzling school beauty at No. 1 High, the top scorer in the national college entrance exams.
In Beijing’s elite circles, academic excellence commanded respect.
His mother had initially opposed his relationship with Lin Mo—until she learned she was the top scorer. Then she approved immediately.
If he wanted to win Lin Mo back, he’d have to court her like he did years ago—relentlessly, patiently.
And since he was someone she’d once loved, it should be easier now.
He couldn’t afford to make enemies of her brothers either.
The second and third brothers were untouchable—powerful, wealthy.
But the fourth?
A hotheaded brute from the slums. A little kindness, and he’d surely side with Gu Jingchuan.
With his help, success was within reach.
First step: get Li Huanyu transferred. Lin Mo couldn’t keep seeing them together.
Back in the room, Gu Jingchuan mumbled through his injured tongue, "This afternoon, I’m transferring you to Kangyue Hospital downtown. Better facilities for your recovery."
Li Huanyu kissed the corner of his mouth. "Thank you, Jingchuan. Love you."
That afternoon, Lin Mo decided against sending Shen Ji'an back to school. She figured she might as well tutor him herself.
They’d arrange a transfer once the new principal took office.
While Lin Mo reviewed practice questions, she bought a test booklet for Shen Ji'an to work on.
Time flew, and before they knew it, evening arrived.
Lin Mo’s phone buzzed with a notification.
A contact named "Kangyue Hospital" had messaged her.
She accepted the request, and a text immediately popped up:
[Lin Mo, what happened with Li Huanyu was just an act. I did it to make you jealous. I love you. Let’s get back together.]
Lin Mo frowned, baffled. What is Gu Jingchuan thinking? Isn’t the female lead his one true love?
She casually replied: ["What kind of mess did you send? Why doesn't it work when I copy it to Pinduoduo?"]
After sending it, she immediately blocked the sender.
At that moment, she received another WeChat message—this time from Xie Guanyan.
["Do you still need me to pick you up on my way tonight?"]
