After the party,

Shane Yu picked up his phone and called Gangzi, his voice serious and steady: “Make sure the person who instigated the trouble in the suburbs is dealt with severely. As for the others, appease them with money if possible. If you can’t appease them, you know what to do… You only have three days.”

“Yes, Brother Yu,” Gangzi replied loyally.

That night, I was alone in the villa when my phone suddenly beeped. It was a text message from Chris He: “Sharon, I want to see you.”

Seeing this message, tears instantly streamed down my face uncontrollably. I quickly wiped away the tears, then typed a trembling reply: “There’s no need for us to meet anymore, Chris. You’d better stay away from Tank Gu.” After typing this, I hesitated for a moment, then ultimately deleted the warning about Tank Gu before sending it.

Because I was afraid he would misunderstand and think I still cared about him, and our relationship had reached a point where it had to be completely severed. I couldn’t let Chris He be hurt by Shane Yu because of me.

Soon, Chris He sent another message: “Sharon, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault for not protecting you.”

I stared at the message silently for a long time without replying, then quietly clicked the delete button. Tears welled up in my eyes again, blurring my vision.

The next day in PE class, the sun was shining brightly. Tank Gu, Felix Xu, and Simon Hu were playing basketball, sweating profusely and showing off their agile figures. Their every move attracted the attention of many girls, including Snow Chen and Charlotte Wang, two devoted fans. Their faces beamed with happiness, their eyes sparkling with adoration for their boyfriends.

Meanwhile, I sat alone on the grass, idly drawing circles. Chris He’s perpetually gentle smile kept flashing through my mind, a stark contrast to Shane Yu’s easily angered temper.

I couldn’t help but fall into deep thought, thinking that when I took the postgraduate entrance exam, I would apply to a university further away, so I could escape Shane Yu, this devil, and start my life anew.

Just then, a tall boy walked over, blushing, and handed me a letter and a box of chocolates.

Before I could react, he shoved the letter and chocolates into my arms and ran off.

Charlotte Wang exclaimed, “Sharon, he seems to like you!”

“Who is he?” I asked, bewildered, looking at the letter and chocolates in my arms.

Snow Chen said, “He seems to be from the next class, his name is… Lu Wan.”

“Sharon, you’re so beautiful and alluring, it’s perfectly normal for someone to like you.” Charlotte Wang walked over, wanting to examine my chocolates.

“Do you know him? Help me give him back the letter and chocolates, I… I can’t have a boyfriend.”

My expression was resolute as I handed the letter and chocolates to Charlotte Wang.

“Don’t reject him so decisively. That Lu Wan is the student council president at our school, and he’s an excellent student. Take a look at the letter first, after all, he’s very sincere!” Charlotte Wang said, tossing the letter back to me.

“I’m not looking. We’re not a good match.” I lowered my eyes and refused outright.

Hearing “good grades,” Chris He’s face immediately came to mind.

“Sharon, you have someone you like! Don’t bother her. Return this letter and chocolate to Lu Wan.” Snow Chen pulled Charlotte Wang away.

I finally had a moment of peace. Looking up, I saw Tank Gu staring at me.

Why is he staring at me like that?

Just then, my phone rang.

Shane Yu sent me a WeChat message: “I can’t pick you up today. Assistant Liu has other plans. Take a taxi home tonight. I’ll be home a little late.”

He then transferred 888 yuan to me.

“Take this money and buy something you want to eat.”

“Okay! Thank you!” I clicked to accept the red envelope.

Snow Chen came over to check on me. “Sharon, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Do you have time tonight? I’d like to invite you and Charlotte Wang to dinner.” Mainly, I didn’t want to go back to the villa alone.

“Sure! I have time. Can I invite Felix Xu along?” Snow Chen asked, her face flushed.

“Okay, then Charlotte Wang should call Simon Hu too!” I said to Snow Chen.

…In a small WeChat group of six.

“Meet at the Savage Mountain BBQ restaurant in Shengcheng tonight…” Charlotte Wang posted directly in the group.

Simon Hu quickly replied: Okay, honey.

Felix Xu replied: Ok.

Snow Chen replied: Okay.

I stared at my phone, lost in thought. Would Tank Gu come?

Tank Gu replied: We’ll split the bill. I don’t like being treated.

Everyone replied “okay” in unison.

I picked up my phone again and sent a WeChat message to Shane Yu. “I’m having dinner with classmates tonight. I’ll go back after dinner.”

Shane Yu didn’t reply… He usually replies instantly unless he’s busy with work.

At the Savage Mountain BBQ restaurant, we got a private room.

We sat together, eating BBQ and chatting. Simon Hu and Charlotte Wang were especially good at creating a funny atmosphere.

Felix Xu and Snow Chen were very affectionate, while Tank Gu and I remained silent, quietly eating our barbecue.

“Sharon, I returned the letter and chocolates to Lu Wan. He was quite upset… He even asked me to ask him why he rejected me?” Charlotte Wang said, looking at me.

Snow Chen coughed and said, “If you don’t like someone, you can’t force it.”

“I don’t want to be in a relationship,” I explained, picking up a beef skewer to eat.

Tank Gu, on the other hand, remained focused on eating his skewers.

Feeling the awkward atmosphere, Felix Xu quickly changed the subject. “I see it’s almost the end of the year, where are you all planning to spend the New Year?”

Everyone started chatting animatedly again.

“I’m going to the restroom,” I said with a grin.

“Me too,” Snow Chen said, smiling as she stood up with me.

As soon as we stepped outside, I saw Zhao Yan and her eight friends eating barbecue and drinking outside the private room.

She clearly looked displeased when she saw Snow Chen and me.

We went into the restroom. Snow Chen said, “I saw Zhao Yan.”

“I saw her too. She was giving us a really unfriendly look. Is she planning to fight again?” I asked, puzzled.

Snow Chen pondered, “No way! She wants to fight again? Didn’t she learn her lesson last time?”

“What lesson?”

“After you left last time, her mother found out she’d offended your uncle Shane Yu, and she slapped her twice in the office.” Snow Chen whispered.

“Anyway, she was giving us a really unfriendly look,” I said.

“Let’s go back first. I’ll go talk to Felix Xu.” Snow Chen pulled my hand and led us out.

As soon as we stepped out of the restroom, Zhao Yan and her eight girlfriends blocked our way.

Zhao Yan had been drinking; her face was flushed. “We’ve run into you two again! What a small world!” Snow Chen shouted, “Zhao Yan, what else do you want?”

“I can’t stand you two! One’s a bully relying on his master, the other’s a toad trying to eat a swan!” Zhao Yan cursed at us without restraint.

“Who are you calling names? With such a venomous tongue, are you suffering from uremia?” I retorted, annoyed.

She got even angrier and attacked first, grabbing a beer bottle to hit us.

We dodged it.

The bottle hit the ground, shards of glass scattering everywhere.