Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I didn’t go back to Nightfall. Instead, I returned to school and continued my life as a freshman.

Occasionally, I would find myself staring blankly at the moon in the sky.

What I didn’t expect, however, was to run into Song Jing again.

Lu Ting and several of my roommates were trying on clothes in a shop at the mall while I absentmindedly scrolled through my phone nearby.

The milk tea I had ordered was ready, and a notification popped up on the mini-program. I stepped out of the store first, intending to go pick up the drinks.

The clicking of high heels wasn’t out of place in a shopping mall, yet I instinctively looked toward the sound.

That was when I saw that familiar face. She was carrying several shopping bags, looking as arrogant as ever.

Her eyes met mine, and her red lips curled into a blatant, provocative smirk.

“You don’t look so good, little sister.”

“Finally learned your place, haven’t you?”

I didn’t answer.

I simply stared at her, expressionless.

She probably felt slighted by my silence, which instantly fueled her rage. She reached out, intending to slap me.

The wind from her palm brushed past my face.

But it didn’t land.

Instead, she seemed to fly into a humiliated rage.

Balanced on her heels, she reached out and grabbed a handful of my hair.

My scalp stung with a sharp pain, and physiological tears welled up in the corners of my eyes.

She leaned in and hissed viciously into my ear, “Get over here.”

She dragged me forcefully into the restroom.

The curious gazes of passersby were cut off as the door slammed shut. She yanked my hair back with all her might.

My body stumbled, and I crashed against the wall. When I looked up, I was met with a palm flying toward my face.

Getting hit…

It was going to hurt.

***

The phone on the counter rang incessantly.

Passersby cast curious glances my way before looking away just as quickly.

Song Jing was gone.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked as if I had been soaked through.

Strands of hair dripped water onto the floor.

My eyes were so red they looked like they might bleed.

The phone rang for what felt like the hundredth time, finally breaking the trance I was in.

Lu Ting’s anxious voice came through the other end. “Qiao Ning, where are you? We’ve been looking for you for ages!”

“I’m…”

My voice was so hoarse it was painful to hear.

“Second floor… restroom.”

When Lu Ting and the others rushed over, they were all visibly startled by the sight of me.

The three of them surrounded me, and Lu Ting pulled out some tissues to wipe the water dripping from my face.

“Qiao Ning, what happened?”

My roommate’s voice was gentle.

I couldn’t say it.

Everything was stuck in my throat, tangled into a thick, heavy knot that sealed my vocal cords and blocked my tongue.

I could only collapse into Lu Ting’s arms.

A girl’s embrace is soft and warm. She wrapped her arms around me and gently patted my back.

“It’s okay.”

“Qiao Ning.”

“It’s okay now.”