chapter 05
When she saw Gu Qingning approach, Zhou Yao instinctively reached toward the call button by the bed.
However, someone was faster.
Gu Qingning grabbed the back of her collar and yanked her straight off the hospital bed.
âThudââ
Her hips hit the ground first, pain shooting up her spine until tears sprang to her eyes.
Off to the side, Fang Yiyi and Zhao Xiaoxiu let out terrified gasps.
The next instant, a pair of bottomless black eyes turned toward them.
âStay quiet. Understand?â
The two froze, their bodies stiff, nodding quickly.
Gu Qingningâs lips curved faintly. Her gaze shifted to Fang Yiyi.
âWho ordered you to do it? Tell me everything, down to the last detail. Otherwise, your fate will be worse than hers.â
Fang Yiyiâs expression tightened. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Zhou Yao, her palms slick with sweat.
Gritting her teeth, she blurted, âItâit was Gu Wanwan.â
If she didnât tell the truth, Gu Qingning would never let her go. Between money and life, survival mattered more.
âIt was Gu Wanwan who told us to target you every chance we got. She wanted us to use this school trip to get rid of you for goodâso youâd never come back.â
As Fang Yiyi spilled everything, Zhou Yaoâs face turned deathly pale. She glared at her, frustrated beyond words.
How could she be so foolish? Now theyâd completely offended Gu Wanwan. With the Gu familyâs influence, they wouldnât even be able to stay in City A.
Gu Qingning arched an eyebrow, her eyes turning cold.
So it was her.
Even after bullying her at home, Gu Wanwan still wouldnât let her go outside.
She really wanted to see how much courage Gu Wanwan thought she had.
âGu Qingning, now that you know everything, youââ
Zhou Yao didnât get to finish before a sharp slap cut her off.
âSmackââ
The heavy sound rang out, leaving Zhou Yao stunned and the two others petrified.
Before they could even react, another slap landed.
âSmackââ
Blood welled at the corner of Zhou Yaoâs lips, her cheeks burning and swollen.
She snapped her head up, meeting Gu Qingningâs icy gaze, and the insult on her tongue died instantly.
Gu Qingning lowered her hand and turned her cold eyes toward the other two. Her tone was light but chilling:
âNow itâs your turn.â
âIâI was wrong. I shouldnât have bullied you. Iâm sorry.â Zhao Xiaoxiuâs eyes filled with tears as she begged.
âPlease, let me go. I wonât do it again.â
Gu Qingning remained unmoved, her frosty gaze sweeping over them.
When they were tormenting her, theyâd never once thought of letting her go.
She took a step forward. Fang Yiyi and Zhao Xiaoxiu trembled as the shadow of her figure loomed closer.
Their legs gave out, and they dropped to their knees.
Moments later, the room filled with muffled cries of pain.
Fortunately, it was late at night, and the doors and windows were locked tight. No one outside heard a thing.
A while later, Gu Qingning walked out of the hospital room, a cold, ruthless air surrounding her.
She reached up and pressed the brim of her cap down, choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Inside, Zhou Yao and the other two lay sprawled on the floorâhair disheveled, faces bruised, staring at the door in horror.
A demon. Gu Qingning was an absolute demon.
âZhou Yao, what do we do now? Gu Qingning⊠she recorded everything. What if sheââ Zhao Xiaoxiuâs voice broke into sobs, full of regret.
âShut up.â Zhou Yao winced as pain flared across both cheeks.
âDonât you dare let a word slip to Gu Wanwan, or weâll be in even deeper trouble.â
Compared to Gu Wanwan, that lunatic Gu Qingning was far more terrifying.
By the time she returned to the mountain villa, dawn was just breaking.
As the car rolled into the garage, a teasing voice drifted from nearby.
âWell, well. Little miss sneaking out in the middle of the nightâthatâs not very proper.â
Caught red-handed, Gu Qingning showed no hint of embarrassment. She turned, meeting the manâs gaze calmly.
Her lips twitched into a mischievous smile.
âOld man, youâre up early.â