Chapter 9: I Don't Want to Attend Sheng Yu Anymore

Her body felt as weak as if all her strength had been drained away, and a chill spread from the soles of her feet up to her head.

Today, she heard the most mocking words she'd ever encountered in her life.

From the moment she entered the school, nothing had gone right.

She got hit by a car on her way to school; accidentally entered the backstage of the freshman welcoming event; was caught drawing on someone's car; fainted while running laps on the track; and accidentally fell onto the school heartthrob!

Now, everyone looked down on her…

Is this the new school she was going to spend the next three years at?

Are these the new classmates she was going to share her future with?

It was all… horrible.

She had been so excited, making so many dolls to share with her new friends at the new school.

But now, it all seemed like a joke!

She thought about herself carefully packing those dolls into bags, full of anticipation, and now she felt it was ridiculous!

Huh?!

Her bags?!

Cheng Xiaoyou suddenly lifted her head, realizing she had nothing with her except her cross-body bag.

Where was her suitcase with her clothes and personal items?!

Where was her woven bag with her dolls, miscellaneous items, and sketchbooks?!

A faint memory flashed in her mind—when she heard the screeching of the car brakes, she turned around in shock but was too frozen to dodge. In her panic, she only managed to shove her suitcase against the hillside.

Then, she argued with Gong Che and completely forgot her luggage was still there.

Oh no!

So much time had passed; her luggage might be gone by now!

Those were all her belongings!

She stood up abruptly, startling the students who were still busy mocking her.

Then, under everyone's gaze, Cheng Xiaoyou quickly opened the door and left, hurrying towards the school gate.

…

"Is she leaving?"

"She must be. After Gong Shao gave her that ultimatum, staying here would be a death wish."

"Someone like her only lowers Sheng Yu's standards. The farther she goes, the better!"

"Let's follow and see!"

…

Voices of discussion rose behind Cheng Xiaoyou, with some curious students even following her outside, eager to see if she was really leaving.

Cheng Xiaoyou was in a hurry, even though her legs felt like they were filled with lead, she gritted her teeth and walked as fast as she could towards the school gate.

She glanced at the school's towering gate again, the golden characters "Sheng Yu Academy" still gleamed brilliantly in the sunset, dazzling as ever.

The crimson glow of the sunset painted a picturesque background, making Sheng Yu Academy look perfect, like a beautiful oil painting.

On the surface, it was enviably magnificent, but inside, it was full of treacherous dangers.

Cheng Xiaoyou turned her head and resolutely walked down the mountain.

A crowd gathered at Sheng Yu Academy's gate, watching her shaky figure disappear around the bend of the mountain road.

…

"She really left, huh? Her back looks a bit pitiful!"

"Pitiful? She deserved it! Anyone who dares to dream about Gong Shao should die!"

"Right, the three princes of Sheng Yu belong to all of us! Anyone who tries to monopolize them should die!"

…

The night gradually fell, swallowing the discussions, and also the stumbling figure making her way down the mountain road.

The splendid campus gradually fell behind Cheng Xiaoyou, as the night grew darker with each of her steps.

The mountain road, though smooth, was unlit, turning everything around her into darkness, just like her mood.

The spiraling mountain path seemed endless, with deeper darkness waiting at every turn.

Her body was exhausted to the limit, seemingly ready to collapse any second. Cheng Xiaoyou gritted her teeth and pushed on. She had to keep going; she wouldn't give up until she checked her luggage.

All her most precious things were in there, so if there was any chance, she had to get them back.

Though, the hope was very slim.

She didn't know how long she'd walked, nor how far.

The sky was completely dark now, and she could only ensure her safety by keeping her hand on the mountain wall.

The temperature had also dropped sharply, making her skin break out in goosebumps.

So cold… so hungry… so tired…

Suddenly, the sound of a car engine came from the road below, and two headlights appeared before her eyes. Cheng Xiaoyou shielded her eyes with her hand and pressed her body against the mountain wall, not wanting to be hit again.

A long Cadillac slowly appeared in the gap of her fingers, moving at a steady pace, passing her by.

This was the normal, safe speed for driving up the mountain!

Cheng Xiaoyou thought absently, continuing to walk down the mountain wall.

The spot where the accident happened was close!

Suddenly, a car horn sounded behind her.

Startled, she turned around and saw the Cadillac slowly reversing back until the rear window was facing her, then it stopped.

The dark window slowly rolled down, revealing a face that would be etched in her memory forever. At that moment, the mountain lights came on, forming a gleaming dragon of light from top to bottom.

It made one feel as if all the lights in the mountain were lit just for the boy inside the car.

"Excuse me, are these your things?"

The boy's voice was magnetic, polite, and courteous.

Cheng Xiaoyou was stunned. She had never seen such a handsome boy or heard such a pleasant voice. He was like the most perfect prince from a comic, accidentally stepping into reality and appearing before her.

The mist of the mountain night seemed to seep into his eyes, making them look misty and uniquely enchanting, drawing people in deeply.

Now, those eyes were seriously gazing at her, making her shrink her feet, not wanting him to see her in her most miserable state.

In terms of both appearance and condition, she was at her worst now, and yet, this boy had to see her. How embarrassing!

"Are these your things?"

The beautiful boy with a fairy-like glow gave a slight smile and asked again.

Cheng Xiaoyou's cheeks suddenly burned. She had been so rude! She looked into the car with its interior light on, and her eyes widened in surprise. Next to the boy were her suitcase and woven bag.

"Yes, yes! Thank you, thank you!" She stammered, almost speechless with excitement.

"Let's go back to school together," the boy said, opening the car door and inviting her in.

Cheng Xiaoyou looked at the calm and gentle boy gazing at her, feeling a deep sense of sadness.

Why didn't she meet him earlier, instead of that demon Gong Che!

Now, she didn't want to attend Sheng Yu anymore!