Chapter 31: First Encounter with Dongfang Tian

Jiang Yi listened to Qingdou’s account in a daze, feeling as if he had been struck by lightning.

"That day, I heard her with my own ears, telling others how much she enjoyed men doing crazy things to pursue her. She even told her roommates about all the foolish things you had done for her, saying that whatever she wanted, you would provide. She also analyzed my family background with them, saying that if my family were wealthy, she would use our duel as an opportunity to dump you. She even had the excuse ready: she would claim that a duel using her as a wager was disrespectful to her. In reality, her classmates all knew she never considered you her boyfriend. When we dueled, it was even her friends who spread it across the campus network, because one of their boyfriends was the site administrator..."

Jiang Yi’s vision blurred. It felt as if a plug had been shoved into his heart, leaving him unable to catch his breath. Even though he had already learned from her journal how Chen Jiazi viewed him, hearing the truth from a former rival made the emotional wound cut even deeper.

The rest was history. After seeing Chen Jiazi’s true colors, Qingdou had decisively abandoned a relationship that never truly existed, promptly canceling the duel and shattering the schemes Chen Jiazi and her circle had laid out. He even reported the situation to Zhu Caijun, leading to the administrator’s dismissal. Because of this, the campus network had been flooded with posts slandering Qingdou until the school finally intervened.

Jiang Yi listened quietly, his expression so flat it was unsettling. He was not a fool; ever since he had read Chen Jiazi’s journal, he knew she was not the pure, innocent girl he had once believed her to be. He realized it wasn't that she had changed her heart, but that she had never truly seen him as a boyfriend in the first place. Yet, he had always assumed these things were just between the two of them. Clearly, many people had known, and perhaps among those around them, only Jiang Yi had been kept in the dark.

No wonder people used to ask him in such strange tones if he and Chen Jiazi were a couple. At the time, Jiang Yi had been so proud; thinking back on it now, he felt incredibly foolish. Along with the humiliation, a fierce rage toward Chen Jiazi surged within him. He wanted to go back and ask her why she had treated him this way. It wasn't to win her back; he just wanted to hear exactly how else she would lie to him. Moreover, he wanted her to pay the price—a heavy price for the four years of his youth she had squandered.

Having killed hundreds of zombies, Jiang Yi inadvertently radiated a lingering, murderous aura. Qingdou, highly sensitive to such sensations, felt the hair on his body stand on end. Instinctively gripping the sword at his side, he stared at Jiang Yi in shock. How could he possess such a terrifying presence? It was a feeling he had only encountered in his father and some of the powerful martial artists he had known. A flash of astonishment crossed his mind: could Jiang Yi be that strong?

"Bang!" The security door suddenly jolted, scattering Jiang Yi’s unintentional aura. Both men startled, and then they heard the sound of a key in the lock. Jiang Yi stood up, and the moment the door opened, a figure burst in. Guo Hanxue shrieked in excitement: "Jiang Yi! It really is you! You’re not dead?"

As she spoke, she threw herself at him, hugging him while laughing and crying.

Jiang Yi’s vision went black from the pain: "My arm... my arm! Big sister, watch my arm!"

Only then did the overjoyed Guo Hanxue realize she was clutching Jiang Yi’s bandaged arm. Seeing the cold sweat on his face, she pulled back instantly, looking terrified as if she had committed a grave error: "Are you okay? I didn't mean to, why are you so badly hurt? Have you taken medicine? Are there any other injuries?"

Off to the side, Qingdou watched, stunned, as Guo Hanxue completely ignored him. Having always been the center of attention, he felt a complex sense of loss and retreated two steps, gloomily drawing circles on the floor. Were they really not a couple? Was this excited woman truly the "Ice Beauty" Guo Hanxue he had heard so much about?

Outside the door, others shared similarly complex emotions.

Dongfang Tian stood outside, his expression exceptionally calm, even with a hint of a smile at the corners of his eyes, but his fists, hidden beneath his sleeves, were clenched so tightly they creaked. Han Ya, who had opened the door, instinctively retreated in fear, not daring to look up at Dongfang Tian.

After a long while, Guo Hanxue finally regained control of her emotions. Noticing Qingdou, a flicker of something unusual passed through her eyes, but she quickly recovered, tapping Jiang Yi lightly. "You have no idea, I thought you were dead. I even cried over it yesterday."

Jiang Yi tilted his chin proudly: "Are you kidding? I’m too tough to be killed by a dog. I told you, just wait here for me!"

Guo Hanxue rolled her eyes at his battered appearance: "Oh, give it a rest. Someone in your state wouldn't be enough for me to bully."

Jiang Yi shut his mouth, feeling slighted and having no rebuttal.

Having won the exchange, Guo Hanxue turned and led them outside. Only then did Jiang Yi realize there were many people outside, clearly having followed her.

Guo Hanxue took the opportunity to introduce them: "Jiang Yi, this is Dongfang Tian, the president of the Martial Arts Club! Before the apocalypse, they were allies with our archery team. Don't underestimate him; he comes from a family of martial artists. Dongfang Tian, this is Jiang Yi, my friend... and now... my team leader!"

She hesitated for a moment before saying the last part with a hint of shyness. Since Jiang Yi had allowed her to escape first, Guo Hanxue had finally begun to understand what he meant when he called them teammates. She had always led her club, serving as the figurehead. Because of that, her members loved and respected her but were also deeply dependent on her; whenever anything went wrong, their first thought was to have her solve it. It left her feeling exhausted and utterly alone. It wasn't until Jiang Yi appeared that she truly learned what a teammate was.

Jiang Yi’s mouth curled upward; the impulsive risks he had taken finally felt worth it. To be recognized by someone as formidable as Guo Hanxue made him feel lightheaded with pride.

Dongfang Tian’s brow tightened. No one knew better than he did how capable Guo Hanxue was. Yet, she had always been distant and cold toward others—why was she so close to this weakling? Especially just now, the instinctive excitement Guo Hanxue had displayed sparked a sense of crisis in Dongfang Tian.

Everyone in the two major clubs knew he had been in love with Guo Hanxue for over a year. He had confessed once and been rejected, but Dongfang Tian, who had always had his way in life, was not only disappointed but even more determined to possess her. Over the past year, he had effectively kept Guo Hanxue and her club under his wing, slowly eroding her defenses. He had almost succeeded—she only ever smiled when speaking to him, making him feel he held a special place in her heart.

A few days ago, Guo Hanxue’s sudden return had thrilled him. Unlike the disheveled state he expected after half a month in the apocalypse, she had returned looking heroic and vibrant. Even if her appearance was a bit worn, her spirit was more striking than ever.

Upon learning she had awakened an ability just like him, Dongfang Tian became even more excited, convinced that fate intended for them to be together. However, he soon realized that while she had returned, her heart was elsewhere. She had even refused his offer to let her retake command of the archery team. He had already taken control of the gymnasium and was pleased by her "reasonableness"—in the apocalypse, women should be obedient. But Jiang Yi’s appearance had shattered his fantasies. Standing before them, Dongfang Tian realized he was merely an ordinary friend in her eyes. Only this man could make Guo Hanxue glow with such radiance.

Clenching his fist, a flash of hatred crossed his face. He watched Jiang Yi—this man could not be allowed to stay.

While Dongfang Tian scrutinized Jiang Yi, Jiang Yi was doing the same. Like Qingdou, Dongfang Tian was a prominent figure, but he was superior in every way—his background and character were highly regarded. He had even been the frontrunner for student body president before stepping down to focus on his club.

Dongfang Tian was not particularly tall, even a bit shorter than Jiang Yi, but his build was perfectly proportioned. Through his T-shirt, one could see well-defined muscles and thick, powerful arms, clearly the result of constant training.

Behind him, Qingdou watched Dongfang Tian with visible tension. When he had first joined the Kendo Club, he had challenged Dongfang Tian as a representative, only to be utterly defeated. It had even made him doubt his own path in kendo. It wasn't until a phone call with his father that he had managed to step out of that shadow. He realized then that Dongfang Tian could have ended that fight quickly, but instead, he had made Qingdou struggle for an hour. Every minute was a heavy blow, as the opponent neutralized every move without ever launching a single attack, eventually wearing Qingdou down until he collapsed.

Dongfang Tian hadn't just defeated Qingdou’s body; he had broken his spirit. He had intended to ruin him. That was why Qingdou held such deep resentment toward him, especially since the start of the apocalypse.

Just as Qingdou was lost in these complex thoughts, Dongfang Tian and Jiang Yi locked eyes. Dongfang Tian walked forward with a friendly smile and extended his right hand: "I've heard Hanxue mention you so often; it’s finally nice to meet you!"

The hand paused in mid-air. Dongfang Tian looked at Jiang Yi and smiled, pulling his hand back: "I forgot. You can't shake hands."