1.8

The student council was all inside the library doing a self-study session. They used the second floor of the library to get some privacy and immediately set to work. Takeru and Ling Wǔshì were sitting next to each other while Leo, Marie, and Pio sat next to each other and focused on doing their activities.

Ling Wǔshì was using his laptop, cellphone, and his notebooks while doing his activities. Takeru didn't pay attention at first but, he looked back twice at his devices. Isn't that the newest version from Mac book laptops? Also, that phone is an iPhone X! Wow! He realized it late because Ling Wǔshì always keeps his things in white and grey, also they all look so similar outside that made it hard for anyone to notice! Really, rich people have it easy!

Ling Wǔshì seems to notice his gaze and look back at him with a look of inquiry. Takeru only shook his head and didn't say anything, but Ling Wǔshì still chases the topic.

"What is it Takeru? Do you want to ask me something? I'll be happy to help."- Ling Wǔshì said that but his voice was a bit monotonous. Takeru shook his head and turn his head to focus on his textbooks and notebook.

"It's really nothing, I was just looking at your devices because it looks new."- He said before putting his focus on his notes.

"Ah, this? I just replaced it out of whim and bought a new one. That reminds me, my new switch gaming consoles just arrived earlier today. I should play with it to not collect some dust."- Ling Wǔshì said before rummaging inside his backpack. Takeru looked back at him again when he handed his "old" phone to him.

"What? I don't need your old phone, Ling Wǔshì, my own phone is still working" - Takeru frowned and looked at him straight to the eyes without looking at his lure.

"I insist, I don't need it and besides, on the program later, you are busier than I am, Take it."- Ling Wǔshì said and pushed the phone to his hands, Takeru frowned and pushed it back to him before he focused on his activities. Ling Wǔshì stared at the phone before looking at Takeru, pushing it close to him again.

"If you give it back to me, I'll dump it in the trash bin. Give it up and accept the phone Takeru."- Ling Wǔshì said and met his angry gaze. Takeru looked at the brand-new looking gray phone before sighing and taking it, not without thanking Ling Wǔshì.

"No problem. I'm just taking care of my vice president, nothing special."- He said in a careless tone and nodded before he focused on his own activities. They spent half an hour there when Ling Wǔshì's new phone vibrated, he picked it up without looking at the caller and answered the call.

"Yes?... Oh Lalaine, why are you here? At the entrance? Okay, I'll be there."- Ling Wǔshì stood up from his chair and motioned to Takeru to keep an eye on his laptop and his other stuff before he went outside the library. Takeru decided to just close his laptop and chuck his other stuff in his bag before focusing back on his activities to avoid those pricey devices getting snatched, however, something caught his eyes on Ling Wǔshì's laptop.

"What's that? Furukawa's....scandal?"- The highlighted words made Takeru nervous as he switches seats and clicked at the link inside a social media platform. He read the contents inside that website and the more he read, the more he was lost for words.

"W-What... Who spread this on the internet?!"- Takeru can't help but mumble as he started to tremble in his seat. Money laundering, a broken relationship, a mistress, and unborn illegitimate son of his family?! Where did these things appear and ever happened?! He's not informed! Also, why is it inside a social media platform and their university webpage?! Takeru was panicking alone while being rigid in his seat.

"Takeru... this link... were the words they spread were true?"- Marie suddenly spoke and looked at him with an awkward yet sympathizing look. Leo kept his mouth shut and cannot look at him in the eyes, while Pio was looking at him with a sneer.

"I thought you and Ling Wǔshì suddenly became close without ulterior motives, guess I was wrong, Heh!"- Pio said before he shut his mouth when Marie scolded him. Takeru was a bit muddle-headed as he processed the words he just saw.

"T-those weren't true... Impossible... My family is nothing like that!"- Takeru can't help but raise his voice and caught the attention of the other students in the library. He met some of those stares, from confusion to realization, to contempt and disgust written so clearly and evidently on their faces. Takeru felt everything like a huge wave crashing into his body, forcefully pushing him down, making him lay flat on the face and stay grounded on the mud.

"Look, it's Furukawa..."

"...From the link... their company..."

"What a ruined family...."

"T-Those are just falsity! That never happened! No!"- Takeru denied everything they were murmuring as he stood up and loudly dismissed their accusations.

"Oi, look at this commoner, just to paint the black to white, who does he think he was?"

"What can a commoner like him prove his innocence against a website trusted by millions?"

"Hahaha! Look at his face! He's about to cry!"

"Where's your hero? Hahaha! Don't cling too much to someone's thigh, Furukawa! You're making yourself too obvious for us to look at! Hahaha!"

"A cheap commoner like him can just go and scram to a rat hole! Filthy being!"

Some male students went up to the second floor and started to physically inflict pain on the dazed Takeru while throwing insults and snarky remarks down at his pathetic form. A kick on the stomach, a punch on the right cheek, There are also bruises forming on his wrist, arms, and legs. Marie and Leo tried to break the fight away, however, the circle was too thick to disperse and the others were encouraging them to bully Takeru- even Pio was one of the instigators.

Takeru felt a buzz starting to take over his mind and ears. A throbbing headache was hammering on his head as buzzing keeps getting louder and louder, and also started to get thinner in volume like it could shatter a fragile glass. He tried to protect his face and head while covering them with his arms and curled into a ball, and soon, his vision has gone black.

+

Ling Wǔshì went outside to make Lalaine leave the university premises at the gate of the university. There was a small number of spectators but they dare not to move close to Ling Wǔshì's radius in fear of taking on his wrath on the face.

"Lalaine, we're both busy right now and I have activities I need to pass today so that I won't fail my grades while we do that upcoming program. Why are you being hardheaded with me?"- Ling Wǔshì ruffled his hair in annoyance before looking back at Lalaine's somber form. Today he lets the fox loosen the limit of the feeling receptors and he can act and think like his normal self again, with a little lightheadedness from the limit.

"I'm not being hardheaded! I just want to spend some time with you! Wǔshì Ge, you're my boyfriend! Why are you so cold to me?"- She asked with a meek and sad tone, eyes teary while peeking at him with a small and sad pout. Ling Wǔshì stared at her for a second before shaking his head.

"Lalaine, we both know this relationship is nothing but a beneficial contract between us, however, something like reciprocating love or the like, I will never give it to you. If you want to cool off or break up, tell me. I am done playing childish games."- Ling Wǔshì told her and gazed with a cold and deep gaze. Lalaine shivered unknowingly and took a step back.

'Why did he become so cold? Just yesterday, he was openly sweet to me, now it felt like hitting a large iceberg?! Ling Wǔshì, why do you keep changing faces?' Lalaine was bewildered at his attitude towards her.

"You have a reputation to uphold, go home now and just text me about your decision, bye. Won't send you off."- Ling Wǔshì turn around and went back inside the university. Lalaine was still standing there rooted on the ground. She cannot believe that Ling Wǔshì will suddenly tell her to break up with him like what they both shared together was nothing like an illusion.

'At one point... I did enjoy his company and attention... however, his eyes towards me, what does he see me as?'- Lalaine gripped on her purse before turning around and walking back to her car that is parked at the side of the university.

"Breakup? Ling Wǔshì, you must be forgetting... Our relationship is beyond just girlfriend and boyfriend... I'll make sure you will never escape my grasp."- She smirked before going inside the car and told her driver to go back to her penthouse while calling someone.

Her phone rings a few times before the other line picked-up and answers her call.

"Hello Auntie Ling,"- Lalaine started her act and greeted the person with an aggrieved tone.

"Lalaine dear, what happened to your voice? Did something happen? Who bullied you?"- Auntie Ling asked her with a worried tone. Lalaine smirked at this before going back to her act and snivels.

"Auntie Ling... Wǔshì Ge... he wants me to break up with him! Wuwuwu! Auntie Ling, why is Wǔshì Ge like this to me? Just yesterday we were so close and loving, but now he's cold as ice! Wuwuwu..."- Lalaine told her with an aggrieved voice.

"There there, do not waste your tears this instant! Let me talk to my son then we'll continue this talk okay?"- Auntie Ling said and Lalaine agreed with her.

"Even though we already promised to marry each other... why is Ling Wǔshì changing his mind now?"- Lalaine asked in a wronged voice. Auntie Ling coaxed her before to stop worrying. When the call ended, Lalaine smiled in triumph before grabbing wet wipes to clean her face and leans on the backseat.

'Running away? don't even think about it!'

++

On the way back to the Library, Ling Wǔshì go a notification from the Fox that Takeru blacked out from a panic attack. He asked the Fox if it's a serious thing that could endanger the Ml's life, however, the answer he was expecting almost made him out of breath.

[Fox: The Male Lead needs to go to the hospital, the injuries he got are too serious for his current body, and his mental health is starting to deteriorate. Host, rescue him fast, or your stay here in the mission world will prolong longer.]

"Why didn't you say it sooner? Tsk."- Ling Wǔshì immediately sprinted towards the Library and saw the rowdy crowd. He looked at the Librarian and saw the pathetic old man hiding from everyone's eyes. He rolled his eyes to the old man before going up to the second floor.

"President Ling!"

"President Ling we tried to stop them, but they don't want to listen!"- Marie and Leo were both panicking, It's been 15 minutes, and yet those students are still bullying Takeru! Ling Ling Wǔshì cracked his knuckles together before grabbing an oak wood chair. He dragged it towards the rowdy crowd and some heard the eerie noise of the wood scratching on the floor and stopped, but it wasn't enough to stop them all.

"The predator's here... Come and greet me with a smile!"- A large grin was plastered on Ling Wǔshì's face as his eyes dilated. The chair flew through the air and smacked against the head of few people near the middle of the circle, the students were all surprised and looked in the direction from where it comes from, however, continuous sounds of groans and falling bodies could be seen and heard until almost everyone falls on the floor and writhing in pain.

"Pio... I expected no less from you,"- Ling Wǔshì smirked at his trembling form before giving him an uppercut in less than three seconds.

"What I hate the most, a scum humans trying to kill each other for a dirty rank."- Ling Wǔshì stared deep at Pio's trembling and teary eyes. He threw a spit on his face before going to Takeru's battered form, cradling him in his arms. He told Leo and Marie to take care of the trash and give him their bags later before he runs out of the library to take him to the hospital.

"Damn that Ling Wǔshì!"- Pio, although getting his self punched on the jaw, he can still curse.

"You idiot, Do you want to get another beating?"- Marie scolded him while he takes care of Ling Wǔshì's and Takeru's stuff.

"What beating?! That's not a beating! He wants a one-hit kill! Shit!"- Pio cursed as he sat at the chair trembling like a leaf on the harsh wind.