Great Fear (Part 1)

Lian Yu had only just come back to her senses. Within this circle of rich kids, her position was somewhat ambiguous. Aside from her family background, it was also because she was two-timing, seeing both Xie Junping and her official boyfriend at the same time, leaving her status unclear.

That was precisely why, after Xie Junping dumped her by the roadside that morning, she had endured a barrage of mockery and sarcasm, enough to drive her mad. Coupled with her hangover and other issues, she had taken Ronan as an outlet for her frustrations on the road, causing this whole affair.

Now that she had calmed down in the holding cell, Lian Yu's thoughts had subtly changed. Her resentment toward Xie Junping had not diminished in the slightest, but she had new plans for Ronan.

She had been watching Ronan all along.

In the cramped, noisy temporary holding cell, most people were either dejected and despondent or irritable and rowdy, radiating negative energy from head to toe.

Only Ronan, this youngest-looking "big boy," had remained quietly seated in the corner. Other than changing into an odd sitting posture once, he had barely moved at all.

The shadows in the corner lightly draped over Ronan, blurring his outline and many of his details. Yet taken as a whole, they suited him perfectly, like a mask and cloak at a masquerade ball, dressing him up as a mysterious, profound character.

He looked delicious.

So Lian Yu approached Ronan for a closer look... and a little teasing on the side.

Ronan's refined, quiet appearance was exactly her type. Add in the chance to get back at Xie Junping, and it became even more interesting.

Of course, before that, she needed to figure out Ronan's relationship with Xie Junping, and why Xie Junping had fled in such a panic that morning, only to replace himself with this little guy the moment he turned around.

Lian Yu's intentions were not difficult to see through. Someone nearby gave a strange laugh. "Lian Jieyu, he's a vegetarian. You two won't work out."

"Vegetarian can be quite refreshing too."

Lian Yu did not mind in the least when people called out her nickname. "Jieyu" had originally been a title for imperial concubines in ancient courts, denoting high status and also implying charm and beauty. It was hardly an unpleasant name.

As for the malice behind "seducing people with her looks," or even "never being the principal wife," she naturally ignored it.

Lian Yu herself truly possessed the boldness to enjoy both meat and vegetables, as well as the assets to back it up. Her deeply defined features carried a hint of mixed heritage, but what was truly unfair was her full, tall figure. She had deliberately worn a wine-red, figure-hugging miniskirt, emphasizing all the tempting places while displaying her slim waist and long legs, maximizing her personal charm.

She had borrowed a men's jacket to keep warm, but as she spoke, she habitually gestured with her hands, naturally pulling open the jacket's front. Her wantonly pale skin and alluring shadows formed a first-rate natural composition, enough to suck in every man's gaze nearby.

Yet all Ronan felt was irritation... and pain.

Lian Yu had completely changed her attitude toward Ronan. In a playful mood, she smiled and reached over to pat his shoulder.

She had not put much force into that slap at all, but Ronan had already returned to the state he had been in right after separating from Xie Junping, when even water mist splashing onto his face hurt. When her palm landed, it was like an axe had chopped into his shoulder. In an instant, his entire arm and half his shoulder seemed to no longer belong to him.

Ronan's whole face twitched, but Lian Yu only took it for nervousness. Her hand remained on his shoulder, borrowing a little support as she bent down enticingly. "We're cellmates who've shared hardship now. Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

That display would have been a treat for any other man, but at that moment, Ronan only wanted to punch her in the face.

It hurt... it really hurt!

Ronan felt as though a fire had ignited inside him. In fact, he had already clenched his fists.

But the reason he had left told him there was no deep grudge here. It was merely a "carnivorous woman" hunting out of habit.

Ronan tried to use this to distract himself and return to normal. In as level a tone as possible, he answered, "Zhi Xing Institute, Tenth Grade, Ronan."

"Oh, you really are a junior! Such fresh meat too..."

Lian Yu was rather delighted. The more she looked at Ronan now, the more pleasing he became. That handsome, youthful face paired with his cool expression—and that serious meditative posture. It was hard to say whether he was angry or shy, but he really was adorable.

She could not resist wanting to tease him more deeply, reaching out to touch Ronan's face.

Her intentions were far too obvious, and her outrageously generous display had also aroused some people's jealousy.

A hand suddenly reached over, beating her to it as it pinched Ronan's cheek. Its owner was laughing as well, but his fingertips tightened, directly squeezing Ronan's face out of shape.

"Fresh meat? Is he fresh?"

Ronan's heart thudded. His mind did not react; entirely on instinct, he swung his hand hard and slapped away the man's filthy hand.

The intense emotion in that movement was undoubtedly a powerful provocation to this bunch of drunks and drug users. The guy who had reached out was already full of irritation, and he promptly kicked at him.

"Fucking acting tough now, are you!"

The kick slammed viciously into Ronan's shoulder with tremendous force. Ronan tilted to one side, dragging Lian Yu off balance with him. In the chaos, the notebook resting on his knees slipped down, then was swept away by Lian Yu's flailing hand as she lost her balance, skidding two or three meters away.

Lian Yu was wearing ten-centimeter heels. In her frantic scramble, she nearly twisted her ankle, only avoiding a fall by bracing herself against Ronan. Feeling thoroughly humiliated, her anger immediately flared.

"Li Xuecheng, what the hell are you doing!"

The other side shouted back even louder, "Fuck you, you slut!"

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Lian Yu screamed and leaped into the air. Her manicured fingertips shot straight for Li Xuecheng's face.

This kind of fight could not actually break out. Li Xuecheng had already shown Xie Junping disrespect with that slip of the tongue. If he actually fought Lian Yu and left a few scratches on her face, he could forget about staying in their circle afterward.

He retreated to avoid her, and naturally plenty of people stepped up to break up the fight.

These rich kids had just had their spirits dampened in the cell and were eager for an Explosive Point to liven things up. Now that there was a spectacle to join, every one of them rushed forward. Never mind who was right or wrong—getting a little advantage off a beauty would be nice too.

Before Lian Yu could even charge over, three or four burly men had already grabbed her, trying to talk her down from all sides while taking plenty of "righteous hands" all over her body. Her pretty face turned livid with rage. Raising her high heels, she kicked hard at anyone within reach, sending the men scattering in all directions.

In the end, it was only when the two girls who had been standing by like decorations had watched enough of the show and came over to half-heartedly persuade her that she finally calmed down.

Li Xuecheng had escaped the threat of being disfigured, but his dignity had still suffered considerable damage, and he had a bellyful of pent-up anger with nowhere to vent it. His eyes darted around until he finally spotted the Pretty Boy who had caused the whole crisis. Ronan was swaying as he rose to his feet, as if nothing had happened, heading over to pick up his fallen notebook.

"Fuck you!" Without a second thought, Li Xuecheng rushed over and kicked Ronan in the lower back.