Although Yan Heng had told Zhu Yaya to stay away from Duan Zong, it was unavoidable for her to have contact with him since he came every day.
After Zhu Yaya kept rejecting him, some of the girls watching from the sidelines began to feel dissatisfied with her behavior.
"I really don't understand. Senior Duan Zong has such good qualities and is so devoted. How can she be so heartless in rejecting him?"
"She's trying to imitate that Xu girl, aiming to hook a big fish!"
"Hmph! Putting on such an act!"
...
The gossip about this matter also reached the teachers' ears.
Zhu Yaya was summoned for another "chat."
She felt quite depressed. It clearly wasn't her fault, so why was she the one being scolded here?
And besides, Murong Beichen's pursuit of Xu Chun had caused an even bigger stir! Why didn't you teachers go talk to him? And what about the instigator, Duan Zong himself?
Because of this, a pimple even broke out on Zhu Yaya's forehead. She sighed, thinking that fortunately final exams were approaching. Once the holiday started, she wouldn't have to see Duan Zong anymore.
So, she channeled her frustration into motivation and threw herself wholeheartedly into her studies. When Duan Zong came looking for her again, she ignored him completely. Before, she would still go out to deal with him because he was a senior in her direct department. Now, as soon as class ended, Zhu Yaya would swiftly put on her earphones and not even step outside.
Earphones in, no love for anyone.
Standing outside the back door, Duan Zong held a pink gift box. Seeing Zhu Yaya ignore him, he smiled wryly, a trace of loneliness flickering in his eyes. The girls watching the spectacle felt even more sorry for him, and their prejudice against Zhu Yaya grew.
Some girls, captivated by his apparent deep affection for Zhu Yaya, even gathered the courage to confess to Duan Zong, saying they would stay by his side to help him get over his love for Zhu Yaya.
Duan Zong seemed not to have expected to be confessed to by other girls. A look of surprise flashed across his face before he shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "I'm sorry. I can't let go."
Hearing this, the rejected girl didn't feel resentment; instead, she felt even more sympathy for him.
With a gentle smile on his face, Duan Zong dealt with all these sentimental young girls before finally turning to leave.
These little girls, immersed in the gentle web Duan Zong had woven, didn't notice that the moment their gentle and courteous gentleman turned to leave, the warmth on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a dark, sinister expression.
Class 1, Grade 2 was also a science class and was located on the fourth floor.
At the sink outside the fourth-floor restroom, Duan Zong washed his hands over and over again.
The girl who had just confessed had held his hand.
He smiled contemptuously. Girls were such easy-to-fool creatures, tricked into a frenzy by a casually fabricated illusion.
If he didn't have good looks or a decent family background, would they sympathize with him? No, they would just gather around to mock him for "a toad lusting after swan meat."
Human nature is like this.
In this materialistic society, almost everyone is submerged in the flood of materialism.
Perhaps only that person wouldn't view the world and people in such a materialistic way.
Duan Zong's mind conjured up that person's image, and a truly gentle smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
The best prey is the hardest to hook, requiring the hunter to exhaust all ingenuity in setting the trap.
But a good hunter is most adept at waiting.
He wasn't in a hurry.
He believed he would ultimately get the person he wanted.
Duan Zong meticulously straightened his collar and walked out from the sink area.
On his way back to the classroom, someone stopped him.
The person was leaning against the corridor railing, his figure tall and straight, his long legs powerful. Sensing Duan Zong's approach, he tilted his head, revealing his full face, his expression as cold and detached as ever.
A flicker of amusement passed through Duan Zong's eyes, his tone mild. "Yan Heng, it's rare for you to come find me personally."
"Stay away from her. Stop harassing her."
Who did "her" refer to?
Both present knew perfectly well.
Duan Zong narrowed his eyes. "Fair lady, gentlemen court."
As soon as his words fell, Yan Heng threw a punch, landing on his left cheek. If Duan Zong hadn't dodged in time, the fist would have hit his nose bridge.
Yan Heng didn't hold back. Duan Zong's face quickly swelled, turning red and purple. But Duan Zong himself didn't seem to mind being hit. He just pushed his tongue against his sore cheek and chuckled lightly.
Yan Heng rubbed his wrist, his gaze sharp and cold like an ice blade, stabbing straight at Duan Zong. "If you harass her again, consider this a lesson."
He finished speaking and left without looking back.
Duan Zong stared intently at his retreating figure, his voice soft and gentle, like a feather. "I refuse."
Because Yan Heng had hit so hard, Duan Zong's face was swollen like a pig's head, so he didn't come the next day.
Not seeing Duan Zong's figure at the back door, Zhu Yaya thought he had finally given up and breathed a sigh of relief.
She knew nothing about Yan Heng going to find Duan Zong. She only thought Duan Zong had finally come to his senses and even used this as an excuse to treat Yan Heng to a lollipop. But who knew, Duan Zong had only asked the school for three days off. Three days later, she saw him again, holding a small gift, his smile gentle.
Zhu Yaya's face was a picture of utter despair.
She just couldn't understand how a perfectly fine person could be so stubborn.
The injuries on Duan Zong's face from Yan Heng's beating hadn't fully healed; a greenish bruise still lingered on his left cheek, but the corners of his mouth remained perpetually upturned in a curve.
Zhu Yaya asked woodenly, "What exactly do you want?"
Duan Zong gave another gentle smile. "Fair lady, gentlemen court."
"Please, just let me go! Why do you have to force it?"
Duan Zong shook his head somewhat melancholically. "I sought but could not get her, awake and asleep I thought of her."
...
It made Zhu Yaya so angry she started cursing.
But Duan Zong still gazed at her with that consistently creepy, lovesick look.
People around them still marveled at his devotion, and even some open-minded teachers made jokes about it in class.
Zhu Yaya's face showed clear resistance.
She pondered, during the host training before, Duan Zong had been quite normal. How did he start pursuing her so frantically right after the evening party ended? Was he truly captivated by her charm?
Yan Heng sought out Duan Zong alone once more. Finding his left cheek too swollen and somewhat asymmetrical, he landed a few more punches on his right cheek as another warning.
Duan Zong took leave again to recuperate. Once healed, he returned with a vengeance.
Zhu Yaya's homeroom teacher, Chang Wen, once again invited Zhu Yaya to the teachers' office for a "chat."
However, before Chang Wen could even speak, Zhu Yaya urgently asked, "Teacher Chang, how many days until the final exams?"
"Ten more days." Chang Wen was a bit confused by Zhu Yaya's question, but she still wanted to stick to her planned script to guide Zhu Yaya, advising her against puppy love. "So you know to worry now! Final exams are right around the corner. At this critical moment, you really shouldn't..."
"Teacher Chang," Zhu Yaya stared straight at Chang Wen with shining eyes, her expression pleading, "The exam date is too far away. Can it be moved up?"
Chang Wen: !!!
Wh-what? Move up the exams?
"No." Chang Wen flatly refused.
Then, she visibly saw the color drain from Zhu Yaya's face instantly, her eyes becoming dull and lifeless, a picture of utter despair.
