Every gust of wind rustles through countless withered branches and fallen leaves, causing the light and shadows projected onto the ground to leap and dance, like invisible ghosts.
The air was filled with a musty, damp smell, a mixture of earth and decaying leaves, which made one involuntarily frown.
As Xiao Jin ventured deeper, the buildings that had been vaguely visible around him completely disappeared, and the distant teaching building seemed to have been erased, leaving only emptiness and silence.
Time seemed to freeze here, even the faintest chirping of insects ceased, and the whole world fell into a deathly silence, except for Xiao Jin's footsteps, which sounded particularly loud in this tranquility.
Just then, Xiao Jin suddenly heard a series of chaotic footsteps.
It's unusual for someone to suddenly appear in a place like this.
Therefore, Xiao Jin did not rush out. She moved lightly and almost silently climbed up a large tree next to her, using the branches and leaves to conceal herself.
As the chaotic sounds drew closer, a sense of oppression seemed to permeate the air. First, a series of sharp, fragmented female curses pierced through the woods, each word like a sharp arrow in the dark night, striking straight to the heart.
Immediately afterwards, a low, intermittent whimpering sound quietly arose, like the mournful cry of a wounded fawn, which evoked pity in the listener.
In that delicate moment of intertwined emotions, a crisp and loud slap suddenly rang out.
Xiao Jin hid among the branches and leaves, his eyes sharp and alert, peering through the gaps in the leaves at everything that was about to unfold below.
"Smack!"
"Yu Ling, let me tell you, don't be ungrateful. Believe me, even if I kill you, no one will know. Do you really think anyone will believe what you say...?"
The girl who was speaking was bossy. Through the gaps in the leaves, Xiao Jin noticed that there were six girls standing under the tree. These girls were wearing school uniforms, and the uniforms looked familiar.
For a moment, Xiao Jin couldn't remember.
Upon closer inspection, the six girls appeared to be divided into two groups. The girl who was yelling and hitting the girl was in the lead, and she and the other four girls were currently surrounding a girl with straight black hair in a high ponytail.
The girls blocking the way had mocking expressions on their faces. Their school uniforms were loosely worn, and some had disheveled hair, while others had black tattoos on their exposed skin.
Conversely, the girl in the middle who was hit had a pretty face and her helpless eyes were full of tears. At this moment, she was covering her face with one hand and shaking her head repeatedly.
"No...it was clearly you, it was Yang..."
Before the girl named Yu Ling could finish speaking, Ai Yue grabbed her hair tightly.
"Who saw it, and who can vouch for you?"
Ai Yue sneered: "I warned you long ago not to have any improper thoughts. Zhou Lin is mine. Do you even deserve to covet him?"
It's a pity you ignored my warning; now you regret it! But it's too late!
Releasing her grip, Ai Yue kicked Yu Ling in the abdomen. Yu Ling screamed and fell to the ground. She tried to get up, but was firmly held down by the other four girls following behind Ai Yue.
Ai Yue slowly squatted down: "Tsk tsk tsk, I really want Zhou Lin to see you like this now, and see if she still likes your worn-out shoes."
"How did Mr. Yang make you feel? I heard he just got married a year ago, and his wife is pregnant!"
"Oh dear!" Ai Yue suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes full of malice: "Yu Ling, aren't you a mistress? If Teacher Yang's wife knew that you seduced her husband, she would definitely hate you to death."
"Hahaha, that mistress is so shameless!!"
"Yes, it's disgusting!"
Everyone around Ai Yue burst into laughter at her words.
Facing the tidal wave of ridicule and mockery from all around, Yu Ling lowered her head and remained silent, but her hands were already deeply embedded in the cold soil, her fingernails filled with blood.
When she heard the word "mistress," it was as if the world had shut all its gentle doors to her. The string that had been taut in Yu Ling's mind snapped!
She turned her head slightly, her gaze piercing through the figures around her, fixing directly on Ai Yue, who was constantly mocking her. Her pupils gradually twisted, transforming into an endless vortex of darkness and hatred.
Months of oppression had driven Yu Ling to the brink of collapse. She didn't know where the strength came from, but she took a deep breath and, like a caged beast finally breaking free of its shackles, unleashed astonishing power.
"Aaaaaah!" This roar pierced through the surrounding noise, carrying endless anger and despair, echoing through the forest.
Those girls who originally thought they could easily suppress her were all knocked to the ground by her in one fell swoop.
Yu Ling's eyes were cold and resolute. She reached out with lightning speed and accurately grabbed Ai Yue's slender neck, her five fingers gradually tightening, as if she wanted to pour out all her grievances, fears and anger through her hands.
Ai Yue's face instantly turned bright red, her eyes widened, only the whites of her eyes were visible, and a soft sob escaped from the corner of her mouth. Accompanied by painful tears and snot, she looked extremely disheveled.
Upon seeing this, the other girls gasped and cursed, completely enraged by Yu Ling's sudden resistance. They pounced on Yu Ling, attempting to subdue her.
"Let go!"
"You're insane!"
Some people screamed, trying to intimidate Yu Ling with words. Their fingernails scratched Yu Ling's skin, leaving long streaks of blood.
Her hair was torn off, and there were dull thuds as her fists landed on her flesh, but Yu Ling never let go, the hatred in her eyes seeming to devour Ai Yue completely.
Unfortunately, Yu Ling was all alone, and her strength would eventually run out. Before long, exhausted, her fingertips were forced off Ai Yue's neck, and then she was slammed to the ground.
Air rushed into Ai Yue's nostrils and mouth, and the feeling of suffocation disappeared instantly. She covered her neck, which was throbbing with pain, and coughed like a broken bellows.
"Cough cough cough, you bitch, you're asking for it!" Her voice was hoarse and angry.
Immediately afterwards, the girls launched a relentless attack on Yu Ling like a storm, their fists and kicks raining down on her frail body.
Yu Ling covered her head with her hands, forced to endure the violence from above.
Finally, everything fell silent. Ai Yue and the others disappeared into the woods with a hint of smugness and disdain, leaving Yu Ling lying alone on the cold ground, her face covered in blood, a shocking sight.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment. Yu Ling tried several times to get up, but her heavy body was as if bound by invisible chains, and every effort was in vain.
Finally, after falling to the ground once again, Yu Ling gave up the futile struggle and let herself lie there on her back with her eyes closed, her face showing an unknown numbness or perhaps the calm before despair.
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