Chapter 5: Liar！

"It's you! That girl said you bumped into her and that's why she drew on my car. And you say it's not your fault! Why can't you be a bit uglier!" Shangguan Yao shouted into his phone, feeling very wronged.

"Oh, that girl I bumped into," the person on the other end of the line said, finally remembering the incident.

"It was really you?!" Shangguan Yao's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe the girl had told the truth. His anger flared up immediately. "Since you're the culprit, you should restore my car to its original state!"

"Just use some medicated oil to wipe it off!" The voice on the other end sounded impatient. This guy had no common sense at all! He even asked if the car needed to be taken to the shop.

"Medicated oil?" Shangguan Yao didn't understand what that was.

"The solvent in medicated oil can dissolve correction fluid. Just apply it and wipe it off!" Gong Che explained with a sigh. "Did you even attend chemistry class?!"

"Does chemistry class teach this?" Shangguan Yao's eyes widened. "Where can I get medicated oil?"

"The school store! Go buy it yourself!" Gong Che's voice was even more exasperated. "I'm going to sleep, dealing with jet lag!"

"Wait, I should go buy it?" Shangguan Yao pointed at himself.

"Do you expect me to go?!" Gong Che scoffed and hung up the phone.

"Alright, I'll go," Shangguan Yao muttered to himself, staring at his now-silent phone. He finally remembered that Gong Che had just returned from abroad and had rushed over to help him.

The red Aston Martin roared to life and sped away, completely forgetting about the serious girl still running laps in the sun.

A while later—

"Wow, it really works!"

Shangguan Yao hired a store clerk to help him wipe off the correction fluid. It worked perfectly, leaving no trace behind.

Satisfied, he drove around the campus in his convertible, from the store to the library, then to the tech building, art center, and teaching buildings. The canopy of trees cast cool shadows, and the scent of osmanthus flowers filled the air. His flashy car and presence drew shrieks of admiration from the girls.

…

The sun was already starting to set, its harsh rays softening a bit.

However, Cheng Xiaoyou had long lost her sense of these changes. She felt like her whole body was on fire, her throat sticky and sore. Breathing through her nose and mouth, she couldn't get enough air.

Her vision darkened, with stars dancing before her eyes.

She couldn't see the track or anyone around her.

Her arms and legs moved mechanically, as if they didn't belong to her.

The veins at her temples throbbed, pulling tight and pounding, as if someone was tugging at them, trying to rip her head open to release the blood and brain matter.

Her consciousness was slipping away. All she could feel, besides the pounding heart in her chest, was the phrase "42 laps" on her lips, reminding herself not to forget.

Her body felt like it was about to tear apart. Any moment now, she might collapse and die.

…

Driving past the outdoor tennis and basketball courts, Shangguan Yao finally remembered something he had forgotten.

Oh right, he had left that girl!

The one who claimed she would run 100 laps!

She wouldn't be that foolish, would she?

No one was supervising her, so she probably wouldn't, right?!

Shangguan Yao hesitated, recalling the serious look in her eyes. She didn't seem like someone who would just say things casually.

He abruptly turned the car around and headed towards the small track near the main auditorium garden.

Parking the car, he pulled out the key and walked through the garden path towards the track. He kept thinking how silly it was to think someone would actually run 100 laps.

Casually walking to the small track, he looked inside.

The empty track was well-maintained, looking almost new. It was clear and devoid of people.

"Liar!" Shangguan Yao shouted angrily. "Don't let me see you again! Or I'll throw you into the deep sea to feed the fish!"

He thought it was impossible.

How ridiculous, he even rushed over here!

Even if she seemed serious, it was just an excuse to get away!

As he turned, his eyes caught something. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. That small black spot on the ground, which he thought was garbage, was struggling to get up. It was a person!

Yes, that small figure struggled to stand up, staggered forward, and kept walking unsteadily but persistently.

With a loud thud, the small figure collapsed again.

Shangguan Yao's heart tightened. He finally saw clearly that the person was the girl from before.

Had she really been running until now?!

The small figure struggled on the ground but couldn't stand up. She seemed to have exhausted all her strength, unable to get up.

Before his brain could react, his legs were already running towards her.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

Watching her struggle to stand, Shangguan Yao wanted to help but didn't know how.

"It's you..."

Cheng Xiaoyou squinted, taking a long time to recognize the red-haired boy blocking the sun. There was no one else it could be.

"Are you here to supervise? Sorry, I might need a break before continuing..."

Cheng Xiaoyou gave a weak smile, her voice hoarse.

She lay on the ground, her limbs feeling detached from her body, no longer responding.

Her throat burned, each breath causing pain.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to open them again.

Shangguan Yao looked at the girl lying motionless on the ground. The track was stained with her sweat, making a human-shaped mark. She looked like she had just been fished out of the water.

A trace of guilt flashed in his eyes. He awkwardly said, "The correction fluid on my car..."

Hearing this, Cheng Xiaoyou, barely conscious, opened her eyes in panic, afraid he would ask for compensation again. She quickly interrupted him, "Actually, you're right. I..."

She paused, then continued, embarrassed, "Sorry... you're right... I really can't afford to pay for your car!"

"So... can we consider this settled after I finish the 100 laps?"

Her voice was hesitant, her face flushed, looking at him expectantly.