Chapter 92: The Bridge in the Storm

She opened the comment section, scrolling down mechanically with numb fingers.

“People from the countryside have no class, stealing songs all the way to the semifinals. Shameless.”

“And she talks about dreams? Taking someone else’s hard work as her own. Disgusting.”

“We should investigate how she got into the finals. With that seductive face, who knows how many executives she slept with.”

“Didn’t she play the pity card before? Crying about how hard it was to go to school alone in the city. Total manipulative b*tch.”

“I heard she used to bully classmates at school. Everyone knew she was crazy.”

…

Chu Yuyao felt a wave of nausea. She leaned over the edge of the stone table and vomited painfully.

Afterward, she gasped for breath, sat up straight again, and continued staring at the screen.

She gazed into the abyss, as if searching for more reasons to end her life.

A comment with over a hundred thousand likes was pinned to the top.

“Lady Tian Lanxing having to deal with this trash is the worst luck ever.”

Thousands of replies followed, each one flaying her alive.

“Exactly. How does she deserve to like Tian Lanxing?”

“Lady Tian Lanxing is so pure. This woman isn’t even worthy of carrying her shoes.”

“Please, Lady Tian Lanxing, cut ties with her immediately. Don’t let this trash dirty our lady’s eyes.”

“You think you deserve to like Tian Lanxing? Go die.”

…

The girl stared at the line “You think you deserve to like Tian Lanxing? Go die.” for a long time.

But her eyes were dry and stinging. She had no more tears left.

Since childhood, she had grown used to being ignored and mocked.

When classmates threw her textbooks into the trash, she silently picked them out and wiped them clean with tissues.

When Zhang Li dumped a plate of leftovers on her head, she just bowed her head and ran to the bathroom to wash her hair in silence.

She always believed that if she endured long enough, she would eventually get into college, find a good job, and live an ordinary life.

Tian Lanxing’s songs were the only comfort in her gray world.

Ever since her idol appeared as Hua Mu’ai, taking her to internet cafes to play games, buying her nice clothes, and even standing in front of her when others bullied her, protecting her.

That was the first time in her life she truly felt protected and needed.

The chorus of the original song came to her in a sudden burst of inspiration while she watched Hua Mu’ai play games at the internet cafe.

Back then, Hua Mu’ai was controlling Yasu across the screen, and Chu Yuyao sat beside her, watching her puffed-up, adorable profile. The melody just popped into her head.

Back in her rented room, she held her guitar and revised it countless times.

It was her blood, sweat, and tears. It was her true heart.

But now, false news was spreading across the entire internet.

The copyright for that song had been registered a week ago.

The registrant was Old Ghost, a fairly well-known music producer in the industry.

Others had legitimate copyright certificates and complete arrangements.

She only had a few sheets of paper covered in crossed-out scribbles.

Who would believe her?

Now, she had not only destroyed herself but also tarnished her idol’s reputation.

She felt so tired.

Too tired.

Even the last shred of pride in her heart had been mercilessly trampled.

What did she have left?

Nothing.

Chu Yuyao turned off her phone again.

She stood up and walked out of the pavilion like a wandering ghost.

The rain instantly drenched her. She dragged her heavy steps aimlessly through the rain.

Her mind was blank, except for one voice echoing over and over.

“You think you deserve to like Tian Lanxing? Go die.”

Yeah.

I don’t deserve it.

Someone like me living is a mistake.

She didn’t know how long she had walked in the storm when she finally stopped.

In front of her was the cross-river bridge in the early morning hours.

The wind howled across the bridge, and there wasn’t a single car in sight.

She walked to the middle of the bridge, grabbed the slippery railing with both hands, and looked down.

The river churned in the darkness, as if it would swallow everything.

She couldn’t swim.

Jumping from this height, it would probably be over in a few minutes.

It would definitely hurt. The feeling of water filling her lungs must be awful.

But it would only last a moment.

Once she died, she wouldn’t have to face those vicious comments anymore.

Once she died, she wouldn’t have to see the disappointment in Lady Tian Lanxing’s eyes.

Once she died, she wouldn’t be a burden to anyone.

Once the thought entered her mind, it wouldn’t stop.

She pushed herself up with her arms, swung her body over the waist-high railing, and stood on the narrow concrete ledge.

The wind and rain lashed her face. Chu Yuyao slowly closed her eyes.

I’m sorry, Lady Tian Lanxing.

I messed everything up again.

If there’s a next life, I hope I can become someone worthy of your affection.

She let go of the railing and began to lean toward the dark river.

At that very moment, a pair of slender arms suddenly reached from behind, wrapping around her waist with all their strength.

The force pulled her back, dragging Chu Yuyao backward.

They both crashed heavily onto the asphalt.

Chu Yuyao’s head hit something small but soft.

A pained grunt came from behind.

But the arms around her waist didn’t loosen; they tightened even more.

Chu Yuyao froze for a second, then struggled violently.

She flailed like a wild animal, trying to break free.

“Let me go!” she screamed hoarsely in the rain. “Let me die! Leave me alone! Let me die!”

She tried to run forward, to climb back over the railing.

The person behind her was small and not very strong, so Chu Yuyao dragged her across the bridge as she struggled.

“You… you’re taking advantage of me… in this weak form… to bully me, aren’t you.”

The broken, faint voice sounded through the thunder and rain, full of exhaustion.

Chu Yuyao’s whole body stiffened.

That voice…

She turned her head sharply.

The streetlight pierced through the rain, illuminating the face behind her.

Hua Mu’ai sat on the rain-soaked bridge, looking utterly miserable.

Her twin tails had come undone, her long hair soaked and plastered messily to her face and neck.

She was gasping for breath, her face utterly pale.

To find Chu Yuyao, the energy Yuena had digested was long spent, forcing her back into the form of Hua Mu’ai.

The act of pulling Chu Yuyao back just now was entirely beyond Hua Mu’ai’s normal limits, draining every bit of strength from her body.

Chu Yuyao’s gaze dropped.

One of Hua Mu’ai’s small leather shoes had fallen off, and her short socks were caked with mud.

What stung most was the large scrape on her left knee, bleeding now from the earlier struggle.

Chu Yuyao’s struggling stopped instantly. She collapsed limply onto the bridge.

Broken sobs forced their way out of her throat.

“Wuwuwu… don’t bother with me… I’ve disgraced you… I’m a thief… everyone says I’m a thief… wuwuwu…”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

The Vampire Who Conquered Every World

DramaFantasy

Read Now →
Not interested