Chapter 5

Jiang Yue left the toilet and everyone in school was staring at her. Jiang Yue felt it was weird but she couldn't care less.

School was over and she dashed away from school as she had to go buy something from the target urgently.

On her way home, Jiang Yue spotted someone who looked familiar rushing into the arcade.

Jiang Yue stormed into the arcade, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on a familiar figure hunched over a console, his fingers flying across the controls. Her expression darkened as she approached him.

"Su Ye, what are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice low and stern.

Su Ye's eyes darted up, his face pale as he took in Jiang Yue's expression. "Uh, I... I was just... looking for someone?" Su Ye said as he stood up.

Jiang Yue's eyes narrowed. "Looking for someone? In the arcade?"

Su Ye's gaze dropped, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I know, I know... I just needed a little stress relief, okay?"

Jiang Yue's voice rose in disbelief. "Stress relief? You call playing Galaxy attack relief? You've broken the school rules three times now. Is this how you always break the rules and go Scotfree?"

Su Ye grabbed Jiang Yue's hand, his eyes pleading. "Just a few minutes, Jiang Yue. I promise I'll go home and never come here again."

Jiang Yue's expression unyielded. "You should have thought of that before you snuck off to play games. I'm going to report you to the principal tomorrow."

Su Ye's face fell as he reluctantly released her hand following Jiang Yue out of the arcade, his gaming session cut short.

Su Ye's eyes darted around the room, ensuring they were out of earshot before he leaned in close to Jiang Yue. "Please, Jiang Yue, don't tell anyone about this," he whispered urgently. "I'll get punished in school and at home. My family must not hear of this."

Jiang Yue raised an eyebrow, her expression unyielding. "Why should I keep your secret, Su Ye? You're the one who broke the school rule and wasted time playing games. I don't care, I'm going to report you."

Su Ye's face turned red with desperation. "I know, I know... I made a mistake. But please, don't tell anyone."

Jiang Yue crossed her arms, her voice firm. "Sorry, Su Ye. But I can't just cover for you like that. You need to take responsibility for your actions. And besides, I got punished while you weren't. Take this as my revenge."

Su Ye's eyes widened in alarm as he realized Jiang Yue wasn't going to budge. "You're really going to tell everyone, aren't you?" he asked, his voice laced with resignation.

Jiang Yue nodded, her expression unyielding. "Yes, Su Ye. I am."

Su Ye's face fell as he realized Jiang Yue was serious about exposing his secret. He took a step forward, his hands outstretched in a pleading gesture. "Jiang Yue, please reconsider—"

But Jiang Yue was already turning away, her eyes flashing with determination. "No, Su Ye. You should have thought of that before you snuck off to play games."

With that, she spun on her heel and took off, her feet pounding the pavement as she sprinted out of the arcade. Su Ye was caught off guard, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared after her.

"Jiang Yue, wait!" he called out, but she was already gone, disappearing into the crowded streets.

Su Ye's face twisted in frustration as he realized he had no choice but to chase after her. He took off in a sprint, weaving through the crowds as he desperately tried to catch up.

As he ran, his mind raced with thoughts of what Jiang Yue might do next. Would she really tell everyone about his gaming habits? And what would happen to his reputation if she did? His family would really get mad at him.

The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he pushed himself to run faster, determined to catch up to Jiang Yue and persuade her to keep his secret.

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The next day, after riding to school with Kang Jian. Jiang Yue marched into the school driveway, determined to report Su Ye's transgression to the principal. She had spent the entire night fuming about how she was going to report him to the principal and was ready to take action.

As she approached the principal's office, she spotted Su Ye leaning against a nearby tree, his eyes fixed intently on her. Jiang Yue's heart skipped a beat as he pushed off the tree and strode towards her.

"Jiang Yue, don't do this," Su Ye pleaded, his voice was low and urgent.

Jiang Yue stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Stay away from me, Su Ye. I'm going to report your little secret to the principal."

But before she could take another step, Su Ye reached out and grasped her arm, pulling her away from the office. "You're not going to do anything of the sort," he said firmly, his eyes locked onto hers.

Jiang Yue struggled to free herself, but Su Ye's grip was too strong. He dragged her across the driveway, away from prying eyes and ears. Finally, he stopped in a secluded corner, his eyes blazing with determination.

"I've warned you enough Jiang Yue. I won't be responsible for whatever happens to you anymore." Su Ye said as she strode away.

Jiang Yue entered the school hall with her head held high, confident and determined. She marched down the corridor, her footsteps echoing in the empty space, the hustle and bustle of her fellow students nowhere to be heard. She felt weird as there was no one in the hallway. She checked her wristwatch and she wasn't late to school. She was right on time.

"Why is no one here?" She asked herself.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from above, and a rush of red liquid came pouring down on her. She froze in shock as the sticky substance covered her head to toe, the realization dawning on her as her eyes fell upon the puddle at her feet. Red paint!

Jiang Yue's mind raced as the warm, sticky paint dripped down her body, a sickening feeling of dread and humiliation rising in her chest. She lifted her gaze, searching for the source of the attack, but the hall which was empty was now filled with students, pointing fingers and laughing at her.

The silence was deafening, the paint dripping to the floor in a steady rhythm. Jiang Yue stood there, frozen in shock and disbelief, unable to move or speak. She knew this was no accident - this was a deliberate act of malice and cruelty.

"Who did this?" Jiang Yue screamed but she got no answer. Everyone continued to laugh and take pictures of her.

Jiang Yue stumbled to the nearest bathroom, her mind still reeling from the attack. She burst through the door, her heart pounding in her chest, the red paint dripping from her clothes and hair.

She turned on the faucet, letting the cold water cascade over her hands and arms, but the paint remained stubbornly clinging to her skin. She rubbed at it frantically, trying to scrub it away, but the more she tried, the more the paint seemed to spread, staining the sink and her clothes in a grisly shade of red.

Jiang Yue, her resolve hardened by the attack, marched down the hall towards Su Ye. She barged in on them, her eyes blazing with fury, her voice shaking with rage.

"You!" she spat, her eyes locking with his. "I know it was you. I know you did this."

Su Ye leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "And what makes you so sure?" he asked, his voice oozing with condescension. "Couldn't it just have been some unfortunate accident?"

Jiang Yue's anger reached a boiling point. "Don't try to play games with me," she growled, her fists clenching at her sides. "You're the only one who could have done this. Who else would want to humiliate me like that?"

Su Ye's smirk widened. "Maybe it was a secret admirer, hoping to get your attention?" he purred, a cold glint in his eyes. "Or maybe it was someone who just doesn't like you."

"Don't you dare!" Jiang Yue hissed. "I know it was you.

"You won't get away with this, Su Ye," Jiang Yue snarled, her voice low and dangerous. "I will report you to the principal, and you will be punished for what you've done."

Su Ye's expression shifted, the smirk melting away as his eyes hardened. "You're making a big mistake," he warned, his voice dripping with venom. 

"Trust me, I will." Jiang Yue threatened.

"You have overstayed your welcome, Jiang Yue," Su Ye growled, rising from his seat. "Get out of my face before I make you regret ever setting foot in here."

Jiang Yue glared at him for a moment longer before turning on her heel and storming out of the classroom, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the empty hallways.