Morning sunlight washed over the campus.
Everything looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
I knew—
it was just the calm before the storm.
Over the past few days,
photos of Ah Li bringing me lunch
had been uploaded to the school forum.
The comments exploded.
"Who is she? Since when does Lin Han know a girl like that?"
"I heard she walks him to school, cooks for him, even does his laundry… total wife material."
"Damn, a poor guy like him landing someone this pretty? A toad actually got the swan."
Their words cut like knives.
But I'd gotten used to ignoring that kind of noise.
What I didn't expect…
Was Li Ya losing control.
During break, she walked up with a few girls, blocking my way.
Her lips curled into a sharp smile.
"So, Lin Han…"
"You've got some nerve, getting yourself a little 'fox spirit'."
I looked up at her coldly.
"None of your business."
"None of my business?"
Her voice suddenly rose,
jealousy and disdain mixed together.
"You think you deserve her?"
"She'll dump you sooner or later."
I stared at her.
Then turned around and walked away.
But I knew…
She wasn't going to stop.
After school,
the sky was heavy.
Like something was about to snap.
Not long after I left the gate,
Liu Qiang and a few street thugs blocked my road.
"Well, well…"
He grinned.
"Isn't this our little disaster boy?"
"Feeling pretty proud lately, huh?"
"Move."
My tone turned cold.
"Move? Sure."
He spread his hands and stepped back mockingly.
"But our boss wanted me to pass you a message."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"If you're smart, you'll dump that fox girl immediately…
Otherwise…"
His eyes darkened.
"You're gonna regret it."
My fists clenched.
"None of your business."
His smile vanished.
"So you're refusing a toast?"
His fist came flying.
Pain exploded across my face.
I staggered back
and fell to the ground.
They swarmed over me.
Fists.
Kicks.
Rain of blows.
"Still not giving up?"
Liu Qiang shouted, hitting me again.
"Say it! Say you'll dump her!"
I bit down hard.
Didn't scream.
Even when I could barely breathe.
I refused.
Just as they raised their fists again—
A clear voice cut through the air.
"Stop!"
Ah Li ran over.
Her eyes were sharp.
Cold.
Like a blade pulled from its sheath.
Her hand lifted slightly.
And a faint green glow
appeared at her fingertips.
"Ah Li, don't—!"
I forced myself up and grabbed her arm.
Liu Qiang froze for a second.
Then burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!
What is this? A stunt show?"
"Thought you're some big deal or something."
He kicked me once more, then waved his hand.
"Let's go."
"Next time you talk back…"
"You won't walk so easily."
I watched them disappear down the street.
My body trembling.
I sat down heavily on the ground.
Finally breathing again.
Ah Li crouched beside me, panic in her eyes.
"You're hurt.
Should we go to the hospital?"
"It's fine…"
I shook my head and tried to stand.
"Just surface injuries."
"We'll deal with it at home."
Back home,
she carefully cleaned my wounds.
Her movements were gentle.
But her eyes were dark.
Full of anger.
"Why did you stop me?"
She looked at me.
"They didn't deserve mercy."
"I couldn't let you show your power," I breathed heavily.
"They can't know your secret."
Silence.
Her gaze softened.
"Sorry…" she murmured.
"This is all because of me.
You're getting dragged into this."
"It's not your fault."
I grabbed her hand and looked straight into her eyes.
"Ah Li…
No matter what happens,
I won't abandon you."
"Something this small…"
"It doesn't break me."
She froze.
Her lashes trembled slightly.
Her eyes reddened.
But she didn't speak.
That night,
I stared at the ceiling.
My body aching.
My mind replaying Liu Qiang's face.
His arrogant voice.
Those mocking eyes.
"This can't keep going…"
I whispered.
The next morning,
I signed up at a gym near the school.
The coach handed me a training plan.
"Young man," he looked at me.
"Training takes discipline.
You sure you can handle it?"
"Yes."
I nodded, without hesitation.
From then on—
5 a.m. runs every morning.
Gym training at night after studying.
Muscle pain.
Exhaustion.
Sweat soaking my clothes.
None of it mattered.
Because I knew—
If I wanted to protect her…
I had to become stronger.
At the same time,
I pushed even harder in my studies.
Late nights.
Endless questions.
Every time I lifted my head
and saw Ah Li quietly organizing my notes…
I felt like everything was worth it.
"Lin Han…
Don't you need some rest?"
She asked me softly once.
"I'm fine,"
I replied as usual.
Then lowered my head
and kept solving problems.
Moonlight spilled through the window.
Falling across her profile.
And in that moment…
I truly felt…
I was happy.
But…
There are always people
who can't stand seeing you happy.