Chapter 29: Clash

“Hey, what are you doing? What are you doing?!”

Bu Yang hurriedly stepped between Qin Yong and Wang Xuelai to block him, and Shi Yue followed suit, stepping forward to stand by Bu Yang’s side. However, Qin Yong wasn’t intimidated by the two girls. His gaze bypassed Shi Yue and Bu Yang, pointing straight at Wang Xuelai:

“Listen up, Wang Xuelai. Don’t think just because that idiot teacher favors you that you can ride over my head! So what if you’re pretty? So what if your dad donated a little to the school when you enrolled and told our homeroom teacher to look out for you? I asked you to let me copy your homework, and look at you acting all high and mighty! I’m going to tear that face off you and see if anyone speaks up for you then!”

Saying this, he made to move forward again, but Bu Yang quickly grabbed him. Bu Yang kept telling him not to be impulsive, insisting that conflicts between classmates should be resolved amicably. Qin Yong remained relentless, especially since his gang of friends from other classes were present. They crowded around, demanding to know if the group had a problem with Qin Yong. Bu Yang kept explaining to them that this was just a class matter and asking them to let it go.

Suddenly surrounded by so many people, Lu Yansheng was terrified by the tense atmosphere and had unconsciously hidden behind all of them. Bu Yang was at the very front negotiating with Qin Yong and his crew; Shi Yue stood her ground, slightly shielding Wang Xuelai, calculating in her mind how she would win if a fight broke out; Wang Xuelai stood rooted to the spot, neither running nor advancing, just watching them.

“Lu Yansheng… you come over here too.”

Shi Yue grabbed Lu Yansheng and forcibly pulled him in front of Wang Xuelai.

This guy is the only boy among us, and taller than that Qin Yong, yet he’s the first to hide at the back? Too selfish. Shi Yue couldn’t help but glare at him, signaling that he wasn’t allowed to run.

“Hmph, fine, let’s drop it. Seats are being changed anyway; I won’t have to deal with you, rich missy.”

Qin Yong glared viciously at Wang Xuelai, then signaled his companions to leave. Just then, Wang Xuelai suddenly spoke:

“You’re afraid.”

“…?”

Qin Yong thought he had misheard. He froze for a second before turning around, eyes blazing with fury: “What. Did. You. Say?”

He raised his leg to charge at Wang Xuelai. Wang Xuelai just looked at him, showing no sign of dodging. Shi Yue was also startled. It was an emergency; without time to think, she grabbed Qin Yong’s legs and simultaneously drove forward with her own, flipping him heavily onto the ground!

The ground was paved with hard stone bricks, uneven with gaps between them. Qin Yong took a hard fall and immediately cried out in pain. Seeing Qin Yong thrown, his companions swarmed up, shouting over each other, demanding to know what they were trying to do. Lu Yansheng, frightened by the aggressive display, retreated madly. Seeing him retreat, Shi Yue also wanted to back off a bit, but seeing Bu Yang still standing between them as a barrier, she stood her ground.

“You threw me?” Qin Yong glared at Shi Yue.

“I—I didn’t. You came over so aggressively, I…”

“Alright, stop arguing, all of you!!!”

Bu Yang shouted at the top of her lungs, causing everyone to look at her. Puffing with anger, she stepped forward and pulled Shi Yue back. “She was scared by you!” she shouted at Qin Yong. Then she turned to Wang Xuelai, “Why did you deliberately provoke him? Is it fun to drag everyone into this?!” Having said that, she put on an apologetic smile for Qin Yong and his group, begging them not to make a scene in public.

Shi Yue’s throw had indeed attracted quite a few stares. Passing students curiously craned their necks to look. Hearing Bu Yang put it that way, Qin Yong felt it would be truly embarrassing to be watched by so many eyes. Flushing red, he waved his hand. “Forget it! I’m not arguing with you lot.” Then he added, “If you knew who I knew, you wouldn’t dare mess with me.”

“Okay, okay, it’s all fine now.”

Bu Yang had finally separated them and breathed a sigh of relief. She hurriedly comforted Shi Yue and Lu Yansheng, asking if they were scared. Both shook their heads. Her gaze softened instantly, but then she turned to Wang Xuelai and began scolding her for provoking Qin Yong. At that moment, Shi Yue casually asked, “Qin Yong said he knows someone. Who was he talking about?”

“Qian Yuhui. The son of the Koi Group’s boss,” Wang Xuelai interjected.

?!

He knows Qian Yuhui?

“You know Qian Yuhui?” Shi Yue turned to look at Qin Yong.

“Huh?” Qin Yong turned back in surprise. “How did you know I was talking about Young Master Qian?”

However, he didn’t dwell on it and started boasting, “Do you know my relationship with Young Master Qian? His aunt’s son goes to our school, and I’ve hung out with his little cousin! Do you know how powerful Young Master Qian is? As long as he wants, he can call up as many people as—”

“Isn’t he dead?” Shi Yue said.

“Says who? He’s just… hospitalized.”

“Lake Mochang Hospital?” Shi Yue probed.

Qin Yong looked disdainful. “How could Young Master Qian stay in a public hospital? Would he sleep in a ward next to poor people? His dad is a big boss; he definitely arranged a private clinic. Otherwise, when they get sick, would they line up at public hospitals like commoners?”

Shi Yue’s heart sank. She had assumed Qian Yuhui would be at a local hospital because common sense dictated that accident victims were taken to the nearest one. But that rule only applied to ordinary people. Who was Qian Yuhui? The scion of the Koi Group, possibly the future successor. How could his family not have doctors dedicated to serving them? He certainly wouldn’t be in an ordinary hospital ward with commoners.

Thinking of this, Shi Yue’s mood grew heavy. If this was true, it meant she couldn’t track him down anytime soon. If she couldn’t deal with him tonight… once he woke up, she feared he would describe her to the police, and then it would all be over.

“Then do you know where he is?” Shi Yue asked urgently.

“Heh, trying to cozy up to Young Master Qian? Are you worthy? Young Master Qian doesn’t see just anyone.” Qin Yong sneered, then added, “But no harm telling you: he’s been staying inside his dad’s company building these past few days. A huge bunch of bodyguards are guarding him day and night like he’s buried treasure. You won’t see him.”

Whistling, Qin Yong walked away, arms around his delinquent friends, slowly disappearing into the distance. Shi Yue stared silently at the horizon, her heart growing heavier.

Qian Yuhui had survived an assassination attempt. This must have spooked his father. Chairman Qian Xuwen would surely arrange the strongest security to prevent another attempt. This made the chance of getting close to Qian Yuhui even slimmer.

“If I don’t eliminate Qian Yuhui quickly, I don’t know when this bomb will go off. I have to think of a way…”

Shi Yue watched Qin Yong’s retreating figure and silently marked him as a potential breakthrough point. Since Qin Yong knew Qian Yuhui’s cousin, it wasn’t impossible to reach Qian Yuhui through him.

“I can’t rush this. I should focus on preparing for the operation the day after tomorrow. To defeat Qian Yuhui, I first need to understand the source of my abilities. For now, the breakthrough point for that is still Director Huang of the Little Angel Welfare Institute.”