By the time dawn broke, the night remained eerily quiet, just as Wu Long had predicted. The enemy refrained from making any moves, likely wary of unintended consequences. Wu Long returned to his temple with the Coke bottle containing Feng Lan, while Liu Bin, Zhu Wantao, and Xiao Xiang collapsed on the couch, fast asleep. Zhang Shaoyu, seizing the moment, slipped away unnoticed. I didn't bother chasing him; sending that scumbag to the police hardly seemed necessary anymore. In a few days, he would face a fate worse than death—living as a eunuch. That punishment was enough.
Only Xiao Ying stayed awake, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she gestured for me to follow her to the balcony of the bedroom. We basked in the warm sunlight, feeling a rare moment of peace.
"Why didn't you reply to my messages?" she asked, her gaze fixed out the window, her tone calm.
"Uh, you sent me messages? I didn't turn my phone on," I stammered, fumbling for an excuse. I quickly powered up my phone, and, to my horror, saw 18 unread messages from Xiao Ying.
"Why didn't you let me know when you got discharged from the hospital?" she pressed, frowning slightly.
"I didn't want to bother you," I said, scratching my head. "So I figured it wasn't necessary..."
"Do you have any idea how worried I was that night? I looked everywhere for you, afraid you'd left the hospital because you couldn't afford the bill, and that your injuries hadn't healed. I was so frantic!" Xiao Ying glared at me, her expression mixed with reproach and a hint of playfulness.
"Uh, I'm really sorry…"
"Sorry doesn't cut it!" She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her stance unwavering.
Caught off guard by her persistence, I sheepishly replied, "Alright, do whatever you want to punish me. I'll accept it."
"Good, you said it. No backing out." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Let's re-enact your discharge. Go back to the hospital, call me, and I'll come pick you up properly this time."
"..."
After thoroughly teasing me, Xiao Ying finally let me off the hook. It wasn't her fault; that night, when she came to visit me in the hospital, she spent the entire evening searching for me after finding out I'd been discharged. She called and texted, but I never answered. Her concern was touching—a young woman wandering around late at night, risking her safety. What if she had encountered some creep? While I couldn't repay her kindness in kind, I resolved to make it up to her someday.
The school was still recovering from the fire that burned down both the male and female dormitories. Students were temporarily housed in the school's affiliated hotel. Director Chen and Teacher Qiu had indeed jumped to their deaths, bringing an end to their illicit affair. While neither had committed heinous crimes, their deaths sparked mixed reactions. Director Chen's demise was met with indifference, but Teacher Qiu's passing left many male students lamenting the loss of her provocative presence on campus.
Despite the fire's intensity, no one else perished—only a few sustained minor injuries. As for the domineering woman who died before the blaze, her body was reduced to ashes in the flames. Meanwhile, both Yu Zixin and Zhang Shaoyu vanished into thin air, as did Zhang Danye. Perhaps they'd all fled. With those three troublemakers gone, the campus might finally regain some peace.
Although Xiao Xiang tried to clear my name with the principal, restoring the school's order took precedence, leaving my return unresolved. Initially, I planned to tough it out in the new building for a few more days. But thanks to Xiao Ying's enthusiastic invitation, I ended up staying at her place. It felt a little emasculating—living off someone else, even a beauty, felt like mooching.
Xiao Xiang, after helping me meet with the principal, had kept her distance. According to Xiao Ying, despite everything, Xiao Xiang still hadn't given up on An Shengzhe, that despicable boyfriend of hers. Meanwhile, I felt like I'd matured in these few short days. I no longer clung to feelings for Xiao Xiang. If she didn't like me, I wouldn't impose on her. Instead, I silently wished her happiness.
Three days later, Xiao Ying came back from school with news: Zhang Shaoyu's body had been found hanging in a small forest early that morning. He had taken his own life. Yu Zixin's whereabouts had also surfaced—she had met with An Shengzhe, framing Xiao Xiang for Feng Lan's death with Zhang Danye backing her story. What's more, tomorrow, An Shengzhe's engagement ceremony would proceed as planned, except the bride-to-be was now Yu Zixin!
"What about Xiao Xiang? How did she react?" I asked.
Xiao Ying hesitated, then said, "She's devastated. She really loves An Shengzhe, and this has broken her completely. She's like a lifeless puppet now."
Hearing that Xiao Xiang cared so much for such a beast infuriated me on her behalf. I stood abruptly. "I'll report Yu Zixin to the police and make sure she pays for her crimes!"
But Xiao Ying gave me a bitter smile. "We have no evidence. The police won't do anything. Besides, as An Shengzhe's fiancée, she's untouchable. His family's influence makes them untouchable."
Defeated, I slumped back down. An Group was the city's largest enterprise, wealthy and powerful. Without evidence, accusing them would be suicidal.
Just then, a familiar voice yawned in my ear.
"Ugh… what a great nap. I almost didn't want to wake up!"
It was the dead girl! She wasn't gone—she was alive!
Excitement surged through me, and I blurted out, "That's amazing! I thought you'd never wake up!"
Xiao Ying stared at me, wide-eyed. "Are you okay?"
"Uh, nothing! Look at me—do I look like I'm not okay?" I laughed, spinning in circles like a child before darting out the door. "I'm off to talk to Xiao Xiang!"
The dead girl chuckled, pleased by my reaction. She praised me for being a loyal and emotional person. As I rushed out, she explained that although she had exhausted all her energy and nearly dissipated, my repeated spirit-channeling with Feng Lan had inadvertently replenished her strength. It had taken her three days of rest to recover.
When I recounted everything that had happened, the dead girl was both relieved and impressed, calling me smarter and more resourceful than before. But when the conversation turned to Yu Zixin usurping Xiao Xiang's position as An Shengzhe's fiancée, she became furious.
"That's easy—if the police can't handle her, let Feng Lan deal with her!"
"Wu Long took Feng Lan away. She's probably been destroyed by now," I said glumly.
"Use your brain! Wu Long wouldn't destroy her; he'd keep her alive," she laughed.
"Why?"
"Because he's angered the ghost clan and fears their retaliation. He'll need Feng Lan to help defend against them."
"Right! Forget Xiao Xiang for now. Let's go to Wu Long's hideout!"