As the most high-profile boy in school, he ranked near the top academically, was a shining star on the sports field, and possessed a handsome, sun-kissed exterior.

These attributes made him the most popular boy among the girls. He had noticed the delicate and charming beauty in the adjacent class for a long time, but with so many girls asking him out, his schedule was packed, leaving him no time to successfully court her.

He never expected that during the school trip, this little beauty would actively approach him with an invitation. He was utterly delighted, turning down several other girls' offers for his time.

He had anticipated a romantic and eventful journey, but on the first day, after waiting at the main gate for ages, he finally got her call: she felt unwell and needed to rest in the dormitories.

Being stood up already had him furious, but he held back—he still possessed a modicum of composure. Feeling unwell? Then rest up well.

Who knew that for the next five days, she claimed to be indisposed every single day? This pushed his annoyance to the absolute limit. Damn it, was she just playing games? Once or twice might be understandable, but every single time? Isn’t that deliberately messing with someone?

Zhou Zeye had never been toyed with by a woman like this; his frustration was unimaginable. He had never encountered a woman so brazenly presumptuous.

On the final night, holding onto the hope of giving her one last chance, he dialed her number again. Again, indisposed. His anger immediately flared, the so-called composure he usually maintained completely thrown to the wind.

Then, a man’s voice answered the phone, introducing himself as Xiao Ruo’s boyfriend.

This was a bolt from the blue, instantly stunning him into a daze.

Xiao Ruo… had a boyfriend?

Listening to the dial tone’s relentless beeps, Zhou Zeye felt utterly lost.

Upon returning to school, he sought out Xiao Fen, who was usually inseparable from Xiao Ruo. From her, he learned that Xiao Ruo had transferred her affections, falling for someone else.

He couldn't accept this reality. It had always been other boys’ girlfriends transferring their affections into his arms. When had he ever been abandoned by a woman?

What was even more intolerable was discovering that the boy Xiao Ruo had fallen for was named Zhong Yun—a useless slob whose grades consistently ranked last in the entire cohort.

I lost to a good-for-nothing?

Every time this thought surfaced, he was consumed by shame and incandescent rage.

So, after school, he arranged for someone to distract Xiao Fen, cornering Xiao Ruo there. He had to get to the bottom of this.

“Why won’t you say anything?” Zhou Zeye’s eyes were bloodshot, his expression verging on maniacal. “Are you going to say it or not…”

“Let go of me… My hand hurts so much…” Xiao Ruo started to sound frightened, yet she couldn't break free from his grip.

Suddenly, Xiao Ruo felt her wrist loosen, then she heard a familiar voice. Looking up, she saw Zhong Yun’s solid back.

He came to save me. A strange pang of bittersweet emotion welled up in Xiao Ruo’s heart, and the tears gathering in her eyes finally broke free, sliding down her cheeks.

“I am superior to you in every single way,” Zhong Yun stated, word by measured word, his face so cold it seemed to be covered in frost.

“It hurts…” Zhou Zeye’s wrist was gripped tightly, waves of searing pain shooting through it, forcing a cry from him.

Zhong Yun hated him for laying hands on Xiao Ruo. He showed no mercy, squeezing Zhou Zeye’s wrist until it audibly cracked. The bone-deep agony contorted Zhou Zeye’s face, cold sweat streaming down, erasing all traces of his former handsome charm.

“Now you know what pain is. What were you doing before?” Zhong Yun showed no leniency. With a final wrench, there was a sharp snap, and his wrist was broken. Then, he released his grip.

“Aaaah—!” Zhou Zeye screamed, collapsing to the ground and writhing, his wails relentless.

Tian Hai glanced at Zhou Zeye, who was howling on the ground, feeling utterly contemptuous. It’s just a broken bone, is it necessary to be this dramatic? He’s disgracing all men.

Chen Wen, however, noticed that Zhong Yun had used a specialized technique to stimulate Zhou Zeye’s nerve endings, ensuring the agony persisted. It seemed Zhong Yun was genuinely furious.

He looked upon the writhing Zhou Zeye—whose tears and snot were now running freely—with a touch of pity. Why pick a fight with Zhong Yun’s person?

Nearby, a group playing ball heard Zhou Zeye’s screams and immediately stopped their game. A dozen figures surged over menacingly.

With a rush, the group surrounded Zhong Yun and his companions.

“A’Ye, what happened to you?” A giant, two heads taller than Zhong Yun, led the charge. Seeing Zhou Zeye’s wretched state, he was shocked and rushed to help him up.

Glancing at the unnaturally twisted wrist, he instantly knew it was a fracture. “Quick, get him to the school infirmary.”

Two people hastily helped Zhou Zeye away.

The giant straightened up, looking down at Zhong Yun and the others, and stated coldly, “Who did this?”

Zhong Yun recognized the giant; he was a school celebrity, the captain of the school team, Li Qiang.

Zhong Yun ignored the threatening circle around them. He was busy massaging Xiao Ruo’s bruised wrist, murmuring reassurances and wiping her tears away.

“Why is it every time I see you, you’re crying? Are you really made of water?”

Xiao Ruo kept her eyes half-closed, silent, letting his hands move across her face.

Tian Hai was idly cracking his knuckles, occasionally glancing at the surrounding crowd with a cold, sarcastic smirk playing on his lips.

Chen Wen leaned casually against the wall, tossing a cell phone up and catching it repeatedly, not even sparing the group a glance, treating them as if they were air.

No one paid any attention to Li Qiang.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Li Qiang’s eyes, but he maintained remarkable composure and said nothing.

If he could remain calm, others couldn't. A person from behind Li Qiang suddenly jumped out, pointing at them. “Qiang Ge is asking you a question! Don’t be ungrateful for the respect we’re showing you!”

“What’s all the noise? Are you mourning?” Zhong Yun snapped, turning around angrily.

The man who jumped out felt a loud whine in his ears. The words “mourning” echoed relentlessly in his mind. His vision went black, and he pitched straight backward, landing with a heavy thud that kicked up a cloud of dust.

Li Qiang was greatly alarmed. He rushed over to help him up. “Hey, what’s wrong with you? Hey…” Flipping open his eyelids, he saw the whites of the man’s eyes showing; he had clearly passed out.

“What did you do to him?” Li Qiang demanded, both shocked and enraged.

“Hahahaha…” Tian Hai burst into laughter on the side. “I’m learning so much today. Getting scared unconscious by a single sentence—that’s a classic.”

Hearing this, the faces of the surrounding onlookers darkened, but they had no grounds for rebuttal; they could only blame their companion for such an embarrassing performance.

Li Qiang glanced at the expressionless Zhong Yun, a trace of fear flashing in his eyes. His lips moved several times before he finally managed to utter the difficult words, “Let’s go.”

“Captain?” The surrounding teammates gasped, unable to believe their usually assertive captain was retreating like this.

Though resentful, the team members obeyed. Li Qiang held considerable sway, and they dared not defy his orders.

Watching them slink away, Tian Hai viciously flipped them the middle finger.