Dazzling

Yang Gang was the final trump card Xing Wu held in his hand. His whereabouts had been controlled by Boss Jiang's people since yesterday. As expected, after Da Cao and his gang were captured, Boss Jiang would play this card to destroy their nest. However, Shu Han ultimately persuaded Boss Jiang to bring Yang Gang directly to the competition venue. Yang Gang immediately identified Da Cao's men as carrying air guns, and the steel ball Xing Wu had given Qing Ye became irrefutable evidence. The nature of the incident escalated instantly.

The largest mass gathering in the history of Anzi County, involving 326 people, lasted over two hours. Only after higher-level leaders received the news and personally intervened did the situation rapidly progress.

Not a single person involved in the incident managed to escape—all were taken to the police station for case investigation.

As Da Cao, handcuffed, was being escorted out of the stadium in a line, Xing Wu happened to be lying on a stretcher being carried into an ambulance. He slowly turned his head, the dazzling sunlight piercing through thick clouds to illuminate his handsome outline. A ghostly smile finally appeared on his lips, the dried blood like a triumphant mark sharply stabbing into Da Cao's eyes.

It was at that moment Da Cao suddenly understood everything. Roaring madly, he broke through the crowd and rushed toward the ambulance, but the doors had already closed. Da Cao was quickly restrained again. That was the last time Xing Wu and Da Cao locked eyes.

Some are reborn through endurance, while others perish in outbursts.

Before Xing Wu was loaded into the ambulance, Qing Ye didn't get to see him one last time. Not just her—students like Fang Lei and Ye Yingjian were also taken to the station for questioning.

So when she left with the crowd, she only caught a distant glimpse of Shu Han standing by the roadside. Just like when Qing Ye first met her, Shu Han's cold beauty couldn't conceal the world-weary exhaustion between her brows, though when she turned to look at Qing Ye, her eyes held a complex light. Neither showed any extra expression—they just exchanged that glance before going their separate ways.

Thanks to the timely blockade of the south and north gates, Da Cao's people failed to successfully transfer the air guns. Soon after arriving at the station, under Yang Gang's identification, the person who shot at Xing Wu's knee during the shot put event was identified.

Subsequent investigations revealed the air gun originated from the Dark Hall. Following this lead uncovered the Dark Hall's illegal manufacturing of air guns, successfully seizing a batch of privately stockpiled firearms. The situation grew increasingly serious.

To avoid punishment, Yang Gang directly implicated Da Cao, revealing many hidden secrets—including Da Cao ordering him to set fire to Xing Wu's home the day before New Year's Eve.

Investigations into the competitors who intentionally fouled during the events showed they had all received transfer red envelopes from Da Cao in the week before the competition, with corresponding chat records uncovered—all evidence pointing directly at Da Cao.

As the case grew more complex, Da Cao and Dark Hall members were directly detained. Shen Si sought help from Factory Director Ye to smooth out relationships. Given Ye's long-standing friendship with Shen Si, he should have stepped in to help ensure the situation wouldn't be characterized too severely. But this time was different—his only beloved son was also involved in the incident.Moreover, it happened just over two months before the college entrance exams when Xing Wu was beaten by Shen Lao Si's men. After Ye Yingjian's uncle, CEO Jia, intervened to mediate, CEO Ye flew into a rage and ignored Shen Lao Si, directly cutting off the escape routes for those from the Dark Hall.

This turn of events was beyond Boss Jiang's expectations. He had been pondering how to bypass CEO Ye's connections, but now things had become much simpler.

Liu Nian, as the source of the egg distribution, was also tracked down and taken in for questioning. However, with his dazed and foolish expression, no matter how the police interrogated him, his response remained consistent: the food factory was opening, and they were there for a promotional event that day. There was evidence, and eggs were indeed distributed on-site. A check of the group chat messages revealed only one post: "Free eggs available at the county stadium." It never specified "inside" the stadium. Grandpa Xie's van was indeed parked right at the stadium entrance, and in the end, the elderly folks who came out of the stadium that day actually received eggs and left happily. As a result, no further action was taken against this inexplicable group of elderly people.

Hua Bi, Huang Mao, and Lang Dai sustained varying degrees of injuries. They were the first to get involved in the conflict. However, because Xing Wu never once raised a hand during the entire competition, and with school teachers injured and students spontaneously protecting them, the school leadership stepped in to argue their case forcefully. As a result, they were all released that same day.

As for Fang Lei's side, the explanation was clear: upon hearing that their school's teachers and students had been assaulted, they were naturally outraged. Moreover, since these students were among the top academic performers in An High School's senior year, their parents swarmed the police station entrance, demanding to know why students and teachers participating in a county-level competition had been attacked and insisting on an official explanation from the county. Consequently, all injured students were transferred to the county hospital, while those unharmed were released.

As for the Jin Zhong group, who had no apparent connection to the incident, their presence at the competition venue was never explained. CEO Ye personally showed up, taking Ye Yingjian away while also bringing along the Jin Zhong students. The Jin Zhong group didn't even get a sip of water and were the first to be released.

In short, the police station was in chaos that day. There was an elderly man claiming his leg had been kicked by some young man and demanding compensation, an old woman saying she lost the keys she brought from home and couldn't get back in, and an uncle who started playing a foreign-style portable cassette player right in the station. The entire police station was soon filled with the lyrics: "I love my country but I love my beauty more, what hero would choose to be alone? A true man is full of courage, his lofty aspirations renowned far and wide..."

The bored uncles waiting there even started singing along, creating a scene of utter pandemonium.

What could have been a suppressed incident behind closed doors, due to the involvement of too many groups from various sectors, gained unprecedented influence. Many people recorded videos on their phones, making it impossible to cover up. By that evening, higher authorities had arrived, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.Long after the incident had passed, when people inquired about the reason for the large gathering on the 326th day, various rumors circulated among the public. Some claimed it was a conflict sparked by students from several county high schools protesting unfair competition rules. However, since the high school students present that day were top achievers from their respective schools, others argued it was a protest organized by stressed-out seniors at the stadium. There were also theories that underground factions took advantage of the county sports meet to cause trouble, and a significant number insisted the gathering was triggered by a promotional egg giveaway at the stadium.

In short, opinions varied widely, growing increasingly absurd over time. Yet, one undeniable fact remained: on the 326th day, numerous participants in the county witnessed how an underground force that had entrenched itself in Anzi County for years was overthrown by the people and completely collapsed.

Qing Ye wasn’t allowed to leave until the sun had set. For those hours, she was frantic with worry, repeatedly asking when it would be her turn and when she could go, her eyes bloodshot from anxiety.

Hua Bi and Huang Mao had been injured and taken to the hospital. Da Hei emerged around the same time as Qing Ye and immediately hailed a cab straight to the hospital upon leaving the station.

As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Qing Ye saw Li Lanfang weeping hysterically, clutching a doctor and screaming for her son’s life. The place was crowded, countless unfamiliar faces swirling in her vision.

A breath caught in her chest, refusing to release. She suddenly leaned against the wall, dizzy, the scene before her swaying and blurring.

All she could recall were Da Hei’s words on the way there.

“At the internet cafe that time, Da Cao told Xing Wu that if he didn’t show up at the county sports meet, he’d make Xing Wu’s life a living hell.”

When Da Cao said this, he was looking directly at Qing Ye. At the time, she didn’t understand the sudden shift in their gazes, but she remembered Xing Wu saying after they left the internet cafe, “Harm shouldn’t extend to family. It’s a pity he doesn’t understand that principle.”

Perhaps Da Cao hadn’t actually looked at Qing Ye. Even if Xing Wu had attended the county sports meet and a fight ensued, Xing Wu would have faced it head-on. But Da Cao had crossed the line by targeting what he shouldn’t have. So, from the moment they left the internet cafe, Xing Wu had resolved that the ultimate goal of this confrontation wasn’t about winning or losing—it was about life and death.

He was bargaining with the devil using his own life. For those under twenty, desperate to find light in their bleak circumstances, risking everything and stepping into the lion’s den was their only bargaining chip.

Da Hei rushed over to ask about the situation. Qing Ye’s vision gradually cleared again, but she couldn’t hear the chaotic noises—the cries and arguments had dissolved into silent turmoil. Her gaze fixed firmly on the corridor, she saw many people: Huang Mao, Lang Dai, Pang Hu, and numerous others she knew or didn’t know, all standing in the hallway. Even two of Boss Jiang’s subordinates were there. Leaning against the wall, Qing Ye stumbled toward them.

She was suddenly terrified, afraid they would tell her the news she dreaded most. Her bloodshot eyes flickered nervously as she stared at them, more disheveled than ever. Pang Hu looked at her, opening and closing his mouth several times without speaking. Finally, Huang Mao avoided her gaze and said, “Go in and see for yourself.”That sentence seemed to instantly dash all hope into hell. The moment Qing Ye turned around, her hands trembled violently. She turned the doorknob and entered the hospital room. The light inside was dim, and the pungent smell of disinfectant permeated the air with endless oppression. As she covered her chest and walked toward the hospital bed, she suddenly realized no one was lying there.

Qing Ye froze in place, but just as she was about to turn around, someone suddenly wrapped their arms around her from behind. Caught off guard, she fell into a familiar embrace. In that instant, Qing Ye trembled even more intensely. She quickly turned around and saw those familiar eyes and brows smiling at her in the half-light.

For a moment, she was dazed and took a step back: "You..."

Then she looked him up and down: "You..."

Xing Wu watched her speechless state, raised his hand to hold the back of her head, and pressed her into his embrace. His breath was scorching as he said, "I won't die."

Qing Ye's tears instantly collapsed. She hugged Xing Wu tightly and burst into loud sobs: "Why did you scare me?"

Xing Wu hissed in pain, and Qing Ye stiffened before quickly releasing him. She moved around to his back and lifted his clothes. At that moment, she saw a wound that had been treated but was still strikingly obvious.

She asked frantically, "What happened? What are they doing outside?"

Xing Wu pulled her to the bedside. Qing Ye noticed he could still walk—she remembered his knees had been violently attacked multiple times. How could he still walk?

His hands were also wrapped in bandages, yet he still raised them to wipe the tears from Qing Ye's cheeks and told her, "This afternoon, people from the Dark Hall came to the hospital to inquire about my condition. My injuries now play a crucial role in this matter, so I might have to pretend for a few days. Once Boss Jiang has everything in order, the situation will be settled."

Even though Xing Wu was lying right in front of her, looking at her and talking to her, Qing Ye's emotions still couldn't calm down for a long time. With tear-filled eyes, she said, "So what about your promise to come back and have lunch with me?"

Xing Wu merely held her hand and forced a helpless smile.

Qing Ye cried even more fiercely, pulling her hand away as her voice trembled: "If we hadn't shown up, if Da Hei and the others hadn't gone, were you planning to tough it out alone?"

Xing Wu's voice was low: "They couldn't actually kill me. As long as the outcome is the same, the process doesn't matter."

"The process is you gambling with your life! What if you didn't die but ended up disabled?"

Xing Wu reached for her hand again, half-joking: "If I'm disabled, you can find someone else."

Furious, Qing Ye raised her hand to hit him, but as her hand was about to land, she couldn't find a single uninjured spot. She froze mid-air, and Xing Wu grasped her hand again: "I told you, nothing ventured, nothing gained. There has to be some cost."

Qing Ye's tears fell drop by drop: "You can't write essays well, but you're full of smooth talk. What about your knees?"

The bloodstains on Xing Wu's face had been cleaned, but his head was still bandaged, making him look utterly miserable. However, his spirit didn't seem as exhausted as before—instead, his eyes were dark and piercingly bright. He took something from the drawer and tossed it to Qing Ye. She picked it up and saw it was a pair of knee pads. The fabric covering them was torn, revealing steel plates inside. She looked up at Xing Wu in shock: "So you were faking it on the field?"Xing Wu lay on the bed, patting his knee with a half-smile. "It's not an act—it really hurts. The steel shard pierced my leg."

"..."

Qing Ye threw the knee pads onto the bed, crying and laughing simultaneously, torn between anger and amusement. The emotional turmoil of the entire day converged at this moment, and she felt she must look utterly schizophrenic right now.

Xing Wu grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace, saying to her, "Once I recover and the college entrance exams are over, let's go traveling, okay? I've never been to the seaside. Is the ocean beautiful?"

His back injuries were severe, preventing him from lying flat, so he could only lie on his side. Qing Ye curled up in his arms, not daring to move recklessly, and choked out, "You'll find out when we go."

Her hand accidentally brushed against Xing Wu's forehead, and she was startled to find it burning with fever. Her pupils trembled slightly as she stole a glance at him and noticed his eyes were closed. Flustered, Qing Ye slipped out of his embrace, making an excuse about needing to wash her face.

Just then, a nurse entered to administer an IV drip, and Qing Ye learned that Xing Wu wasn't as alert as he appeared. A head CT revealed he had a concussion and a subdural hematoma.

His physical strength had reached its limit, but upon hearing Qing Ye's voice, he had forced himself to sit up. She couldn't fathom how much pain and discomfort he had endured just to comfort her.

She rushed to the hospital rooftop and wept uncontrollably. After drying her tears, she returned to the ward, sent Li Lanfang home to rest, and stayed alone to care for Xing Wu, who had already fallen into a fever-induced coma. By then, Qing Ye hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day. Pang Hu and the others had bought her bread and water before leaving, but she could only manage a few bites, her appetite gone.

For three full days, Xing Wu drifted in and out of consciousness. Whenever he was awake, he urged Qing Ye to return to class. Exasperated, she retorted, "If you keep trying to send me away, I won't take care of you anymore."

He simply stared at her and smiled without a word. Some people are like that—icy and unapproachable when not smiling, but when they do, it's as if the sky clears and the earth revives. Xing Wu's smile held that kind of magic for Qing Ye, and she no longer knew when she had become utterly captivated by it.

Three days later, Xing Wu was out of danger and showed significant improvement. He even secretly peeled a bowl of oranges for Qing Ye while she slept. She sometimes marveled at his iron-like recovery ability.

At night, she nestled beside him, remaining perfectly still all night, afraid of touching his wounds. Fortunately, Grandma was in the same hospital, so Li Lanfang could look after her while Xing Wu was hospitalized.

Over those few days, many people came to visit Xing Wu—schoolmates, teachers, and his brothers. Boss Jiang also stopped by one afternoon for a short while. Although Qing Ye poured water for Boss Jiang, her expression remained cold throughout.

Boss Jiang said to Xing Wu, "There are no more middlemen between me and the shooting range now. These days, it's not about fighting and killing—it's all about money. You made a name for yourself this time. Everyone outside is saying Young Master Wu has guts, single-handedly taking down the entire Dark Hall. Consider this my way of paving the road for you, old friend."Xing Wu lowered his gaze expressionlessly, while Qing Ye turned away, unwilling to look at Boss Jiang's face any longer. He was a businessman through and through—clearly acting out of selfish motives and personal gain, yet he made it sound so noble that anyone unaware might even find it somewhat admirable.

If he truly had Xing Wu's best interests at heart, he wouldn't have nearly cost him his life. Had she not sought out Shu Han, Boss Jiang would never have sent anyone to help. He was merely reaping the benefits after the fact.

Boss Jiang didn't stay long. Before leaving, he dropped a meaningful remark: "Zhazha Pavilion is due for redevelopment. I'm currently negotiating a partnership. Soon, control over that area will be mine—or, if you're willing, it could be yours."

With that, he took a thick envelope from his bag, placed it on the bedside table, and left with his subordinates.

Qing Ye looked up at Xing Wu, who was silently spinning a lighter in his hand. Suddenly, he asked, "How long has it been since I last smoked?"

"You haven't smoked since you were hospitalized."

Xing Wu flicked his wrist, tossing the lighter. It landed squarely in the trash bin, causing the plastic container to wobble. "How about quitting for good?" he said abruptly.

Qing Ye turned to him in surprise. Xing Wu glanced at the envelope on the bedside table and said, "Qing Ye, help me return this money to Boss Jiang."

Without asking why, Qing Ye picked up the envelope and rushed out, catching up with Boss Jiang just as he was about to get into his car downstairs.

He turned around as Qing Ye ran up to him and handed him the envelope. "Xing Wu asked me to return this to you."

Boss Jiang glanced down at the envelope and let out a faint, disdainful laugh. With a wave of his hand, one of his subordinates took it from Qing Ye.

She took a step back and said, "A teacup without tea, no matter how priceless, is just an empty vessel. Take care."

After speaking, Qing Ye turned and strode away. Boss Jiang watched her confident retreating figure, his brow slightly raised.

Settling into the car, he mulled over Qing Ye's words. "Was that girl just insulting me, or...?"

"Or what?" his subordinate asked, turning around.

But Boss Jiang was gazing out the window at the dilapidated streets sliding by: a three-wheeled electric cart laden with garlic and onions being hawked, a few scruffy stray dogs darting about, crooked utility poles, a mailbox with its green paint mostly faded, and in the distance, a concrete-walled house crisscrossed with a messy web of clotheslines.

He shook his head with a wry smile. "In the end, Wu Zi will never be of use to me."