"How could there be such animals!"
Ran Hongxia's expression changed, silent fury leaping in her innocent starry eyes. As a woman, she naturally felt immense hatred towards those who took pleasure in rape. But beyond the anger, a sense of absurdity rose in her heart. Weren't they all classmates? How could they take advantage of others during this most difficult time, building their happiness on others' suffering!
Didn't those six boys know how much harm such actions would cause the girls?
"Hongxia, human nature is like that. Even in peaceful times, there are always some deranged people who commit outrageous acts that anger both Heaven and people. Let alone now, when survival is uncertain, and no one knows if they'll live to see this day next year... Just like in times of war, panic can make people break down. Massacres, genocide, rape, plunder, enslavement – all sorts of evils become commonplace... So those few boys planned to have some fun before they died. As for other legal sanctions, moral constraints, classmate condemnation – they stopped caring long ago... Actually, we should be glad that among more than two thousand people, only these six degenerates have emerged so far. This ratio is already considered low." Jiang Feng, however, wasn't surprised. After all, he had more contact with society, and also minored in philosophy and history, giving him a clearer perspective on human nature.
"I understand everything you're saying, it's just hard to accept for a moment... I just can't figure it out. So many classmates have died, everyone is terrified by the insects, and tonight the wind is bone-chillingly cold. How could they still maintain the exuberant energy to rape others? Are their brains ruled by their dicks?! Does raping girls really make them so reckless? Anyone slightly normal wouldn't even be able to get hard..." Ran Hongxia's face was dark and uncertain.
"Raping women or whatever, some people find it thrilling. You're not a man, so of course, you can't understand the ugly psychology of men. Some perverts get more excited the worse the situation... Ai, forget it, dwelling on this is completely meaningless. Anyway, I've already broken those guys' necks and thrown their bodies directly down from the twelfth floor. I also ordered the victimized girls to keep quiet for now and not speak out..." Chu Xiang said.
Ran Hongxia and Jiang Feng exchanged glances, seeing the helplessness and distress in each other's eyes.
Those people were killed, and that was that. Considering the overall situation, secretly disposing of them was actually a good thing. There was no need to agonize over their deaths. However, what those people did served as a wake-up call for Ran Hongxia and the others, letting them know that in this chaotic dark era, the danger wasn't just from insects, but also from human hearts!
Sometimes, the human heart is more terrifying than insects!
A faint worry arose in Ran Hongxia's heart. She knew very well that as time passed, the classmates, seeing no hope, would become increasingly worse. Unpredictable changes would occur in their emotions and thoughts. Perhaps, just as Chu Xiang said, turning against each other, backstabbing each other, would definitely not be uncommon!
Especially the issue of food!
Food was paramount. Humans need food to survive. But the food brought back from the supermarket wasn't much, only enough for three days. Even if eaten sparingly, it would only last four or five days. After four or five days, everyone would face the plight of running out of food!
At that time, they really wouldn't know what to do. They could only go outside the academic building to forage, check the cafeteria for any uncooked food, search other supermarkets, or dig up tree roots and wild grass to eat.
Perhaps by then, classmates would fight fiercely over a scavenged bird's egg, maybe backstab someone for a stolen sweater, or even engage in large-scale internal conflict for even more absurd reasons...
Although the probability was small... it couldn't be ruled out. Ran Hongxia knew very well that under conditions of extreme hunger and cold, some people were capable of anything. By then, students who still cared about classmate friendship, politeness, and yielding would probably be less than one in ten!
Ran Hongxia didn't dare think further, because there was no need to worry about that yet. Compared to worrying about classmates killing each other, it was better to worry about whether the insects would continue attacking the campus. Although a large portion of the insects on campus were cleared out last night, who knew if other insects would swarm in from outside?
As long as powerful enemies like the Red-Crested Beetles still existed, the entire Xijiang City would remain chaotic like a living hell. It was believed that few people would dare to go outside to forage. Most would rather starve to death in their buildings than risk their lives searching for food, because that would most likely mean ending up in an insect's belly!
If Li Jiayu were still here... maybe things wouldn't be such a headache. Although that guy was always arrogant and self-willed, he possessed an aura of decisiveness, never hesitating. With him suppressing the situation, the classmates would be much more orderly, and there wouldn't be excessive worry about those terrifying insects.
But now, Li Jiayu had fallen. Who else had the absolute strength to protect Xijiang University?
Thinking of this, Ran Hongxia's heart filled with bitterness and longing. She gently sipped the hot tea, turned her head to look out the ink-black window, letting the cold wind whip her hair freely. She involuntarily murmured a prayer. At this point, all she could do was pray.
Oh God... please grant your mercy, bless Li Jiayu so he can wake up smoothly. Only with him overseeing the situation can all the teachers and students of Xijiang University see a glimmer of dawn...
Seeing Ran Hongxia lost in thought, Chu Xiang grinned wryly and sighed melancholically. Among the four present, only he and Ran Hongxia knew Li Jiayu's true condition. Chu Xiang actually envied Jiang Feng and Feng Liaoyuan; how good it would be not to know about Li Jiayu's death, at least they could maintain an optimistic mindset.
"President Jiang, President Ran, what are you discussing?" Several girls from the Arts Department quietly approached Ran Hongxia, asking in low voices, afraid of waking the sleeping people nearby.
"Nothing... just discussing some decisions. You look exhausted, were you just crying? Don't worry... With me, Chu Xiang, and Li Jiayu here, your safety is absolutely guaranteed. You should go get more rest. If you're hungry, I have a few ham sausages here, feel free to take them," Ran Hongxia said gently.
"No, no, really, it's fine. We just ate some chocolate, not too hungry... President Ran, you know, we're old classmates with Li Jiayu from the Arts Department, quite familiar with each other, we treat him like a sister... But, from last night until now, he hasn't appeared. We're very worried. Is he really just unconscious? His body should be fine, right? How about... you let us visit him? Even just a glance is fine, we won't disturb him."
Ran Hongxia's eyes flickered, her expression unnatural. She said softly:
"Rest assured, he's fine... just suffered some injuries. He probably won't wake up for a while. But with Principal Xiao taking care of him, I believe he'll pull through soon... Anyway, he needs quiet rest now. If every classmate goes to visit him, he might be disturbed too much to recover properly. So... please understand."
"But, we won't disturb his rest, just a look from afar is enough. Please just accommodate us..."
"No. Right now, nothing is more important than Li Jiayu's quiet rest. Forgive me, I cannot agree to your request."
The Arts Department girls said dejectedly:
"It's okay, as long as we're sure Li Jiayu is fine, worrying blindly won't help... By the way, President Ran, these are the paper cranes we folded just now. Because the light wasn't enough and paper was scarce, we only managed to fold three hundred and sixty. But they contain our sincere blessings for Li Jiayu. Please hang them by his bedside. We believe they will bring him good luck."
Saying this, the girls produced a string of paper cranes from behind them. The craftsmanship was fine, each one lifelike, looking exceptionally beautiful under the flickering dim candlelight. Ran Hongxia felt a pang of bitterness. She finally understood why those girls hadn't slept all night – they were folding paper cranes. If it were normal times, they could probably fold thousands overnight without issue. But now, on such a cold night, under such crude conditions, wearing so little, she really didn't know how they endured...
This was the brilliance of human kindness shining through adversity. Even when the situation was terrible, some people could maintain the kindness in their hearts, always thinking of others even at great cost. Perhaps this was humanity's most commendable aspect.
These girls, compared to the six boys who intended rape, were a stark contrast between light and dark. Ran Hongxia finally understood somewhat what was meant by inherent human goodness and inherent human evil.
"Okay... I will bring the paper cranes to Li Jiayu. I believe when he sees such a generous gift from his good friends, he will be very moved," Ran Hongxia took the paper cranes and said seriously. But a wave of indescribable bitterness surged in her heart. Li Jiayu, oh Li Jiayu, if you really don't wake up, who knows how many people will grieve for you? Surely you can't bear to see certain people cry, right?
"Then, we'll leave everything to President Ran. We'll go rest now, we're so tired after the whole night, very sleepy..."
"Wait, take this curtain. Cover yourselves when you sleep. Oh right, just sleep here in my spot, it's more comfortable here..."
"Aren't you sleeping, President Ran?"
"Not sleeping. I'm going to see Li Jiayu now... Mm, take this cup of tea too, warm your stomachs. One sip each, it can dispel some cold. You shouldn't mind that I've drunk from it, right?"
After saying this, Ran Hongxia called Chu Xiang over, left the hall, and walked towards a utility room. Two boys stood guard at the door. These two were among the few insiders; their duty was to prevent anyone from barging into the utility room and seeing Li Jiayu's true condition.
"President Ran!"
"You've worked hard. Go rest. I'll take over the shift here."
After dismissing them, Ran Hongxia entered the utility room. The air inside smelled unpleasant, filled with the scent of disinfectant. In the small space stood a large sofa-style computer chair, upon which sat Xiao Wanqing. She had also changed clothes, wearing a white mink coat contributed by some girl. On Xiao Wanqing, it looked elegant and graceful, exuding mature competence, exceedingly charming.
However, at this moment, Xiao Wanqing's face was slightly tired, her water-like autumn eyes filled with exhaustion. She held Li Jiayu's body in her arms, resting her chin on his cold forehead, her entire body emitting a faint milky-white holy light.
She was a Light Priestess, a profession fabled to bless all people, the spokesperson of light. With a casual wave, she could resolve human suffering. But she knew she was still a novice Light Priestess, far from the level of reviving the dead and regrowing flesh on bones. The only thing she could do for Li Jiayu now was continuously channel faint holy light into him. She herself didn't know if it was useful; she simply believed holy light brought healing effects. If Li Jiayu had a chance to revive, her holy light would surely increase that chance. Even if that increase was infinitely close to zero, she had to persist.
"Aunt Xiao, how is the situation? Has Li Jiayu shown any improvement..." Ran Hongxia carefully hung the paper cranes behind the computer chair, looked at Xiao Wanqing's weary expression, and asked tentatively.
"Perhaps... I feel his body has warmed up a tiny bit..."
A charming yet sorrowful smile appeared on Xiao Wanqing's pale face. Ran Hongxia could naturally tell that Xiao Wanqing was merely trying to comfort her, or perhaps it was just Xiao Wanqing's own delusion.
"Aunt Xiao, you should rest for a bit. Don't overtire yourself. Your holy light can't last that long. If you overdraft your mental power, the consequences will be even worse. Not only will you fail to save him, but you might even fall ill yourself. I don't want to lose you, my family..."
Ran Hongxia knew very well. Ever since Xiao Wanqing woke up, she had been holding Li Jiayu, constantly emitting holy light. She could only sustain it for five or six minutes at most, then needed to rest for over ten minutes. After resting, she would immediately start emitting holy light for Li Jiayu again. Back and forth like this, ceaselessly, for the entire night, Xiao Wanqing hadn't slept. She was already exhausted. Moreover, holding Li Jiayu's heavy body, her thighs were covered in bruises from his weight.
"Don't worry, I know my limits. I am the principal of Xijiang University; my responsibilities are heavy. I won't let my body collapse so easily... On the contrary, Li Jiayu, he has sacrificed too much for us. If this child hadn't tried to save us, how would he have ended up like this..." Xiao Wanqing gently shook her head, her tone carrying faint self-blame.
"Aunt Xiao, don't be sad. Li Jiayu has great fortune; he won't die easily. I actually learned some face-reading techniques from my grandpa. There's a faint baleful aura between Li Jiayu's eyebrows, indicating weak ties with relatives and lovers... seems like... someone destined for a hard life, the aspect of a lone star bringing misfortune. But the contours of his face suggest he's not fated for a short life. Mm... right, Grandpa said, that's the look of a scourge that lives for a thousand years!"
"Hongxia, don't talk nonsense. Li Jiayu is not a scourge. Besides, fortune-telling and face-reading are inherently unreliable. And you learned it haphazardly. Li Jiayu's fate is not something you can casually comment on."
Xiao Wanqing reprimanded Ran Hongxia, a rare occurrence. Letting her long hair fall onto Li Jiayu's face, she silently watched the gently swaying strands. After a long while, she finally let out a soft breath and said helplessly:
"Hongxia... I really feel that Li Jiayu's body has warmed up a little bit. My hands are stiff; help me feel Li Jiayu, see if he's really warming up."
"Aunt Xiao... you must be too tired, it's just an illusion. If he were really reviving, his chest would rise and fall, his breath would brush against your face. A slight warming of the body means nothing, maybe it's just your body heat transferring... Alright, alright, I'll go feel him, okay? Stop glaring at me..."
Ran Hongxia extended her jade-like hand and touched Li Jiayu's face. It was still cold as ice. Where was even a trace of warmth?
"Aunt Xiao, his body is still very cold..."
"No, not his face... I feel the heat becoming more and more obvious! Feel his abdomen! That's right, his abdomen is generating heat! Li Jiayu's body is reacting!" A spark flashed in Xiao Wanqing's weary, beautiful eyes as she exclaimed with inexplicable joy.
"His abdomen?"
Ran Hongxia reached out to feel Li Jiayu's abdomen. Indeed, a warm energy emanated from there, gentle like sunlight, and growing increasingly hotter! Ran Hongxia even felt it was slightly scalding!
"It's true! Aunt Xiao, his abdomen is so hot... I remember now! When Li Jiayu killed that vine monster, Chu Xiang forcibly stuffed the crystal core he retrieved into Li Jiayu's mouth! That crystal core must be working now!"
"Then Li Jiayu has a good chance of surviving, right?"
"Hard to say... It's not Li Jiayu generating heat, merely the crystal core inside his stomach. Li Jiayu is already dead. Even if that crystal core completely repairs his physical body, it probably won't help. So, Aunt Xiao, don't get your hopes up too high..."
Just as Xiao Wanqing finished speaking, Li Jiayu's abdomen began to emit a faint green light. Through his clothes, it cast a sea of green light within the narrow utility room. And his body also radiated an aura of life. Vaguely, Xiao Wanqing could smell the fragrance of green grass; she seemed to see countless seeds sprouting tender buds in the dawn!
"Hongxia, quickly go wake up the Dark Octopus! Tell it to come here immediately! Quick!" Xiao Wanqing realized Li Jiayu was at a critical juncture. To avoid any potential mishaps, she had to notify the Dark Octopus and see if it had any other suggestions.
"Okay, I'll go right now!" Ran Hongxia quickly opened the door and rushed towards the place where the Dark Octopus was resting. However, when she opened the door, the green light from Li Jiayu's body shone outside, attracting the attention of the classmates in the opposite hall. They all knew Li Jiayu was recovering in the utility room opposite. Now that incredible green light was emanating from inside, it undoubtedly piqued their curiosity!
Over a dozen boys quickly walked towards the utility room. They wanted to see how Li Jiayu was doing and what had happened to cause such dazzling green light. But they had just reached the door when Chu Xiang walked out, blocking their path.
"Chu Xiang, what happened to Li Jiayu? Let us go in and visit him..."
"Yeah, there was a green light coming from inside just now, did something else happen?"
Chu Xiang shook his head forcefully, crossing his arms, and said gruffly:
"None of your business! Li Jiayu's condition is stable. Stop worrying blindly. Go back to what you were doing, don't disturb Li Jiayu's quiet rest!"
Chu Xiang didn't achieve the desired effect; instead, he further aroused the classmates' curiosity. Dozens more men and women gathered behind them. No matter how Chu Xiang persuaded or warned them, they refused to leave, surrounding the utility room tightly, just wanting to see Li Jiayu. Only by seeing him would they feel at ease.
Meanwhile, Li Jiayu grew increasingly warmer in Xiao Wanqing's arms. First the abdomen, then it spread to the body, finally his whole body became warm. His originally cold and stiff skin regained its elasticity. Vaguely, Xiao Wanqing felt Li Jiayu's heart beat once!
Xiao Wanqing's heart trembled. Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Li Jiayu's face!
Did Li Jiayu's heartbeat return?
No! Maybe it's just my imagination!
Unless his heart beats again!
Xiao Wanqing placed her hand on Li Jiayu's chest, carefully sensing.
One second, two seconds, three seconds... A long yet short wait. Xiao Wanqing felt as if a century had passed. After waiting a full ten seconds, there was still no movement. Xiao Wanqing's mood sank lower and lower. Could it be that she really misheard just now?
"Thump!"
A powerful heartbeat came from Li Jiayu's chest!
Xiao Wanqing felt as if electrocuted, stunned then overjoyed! This time there was absolutely no mistake! Not only did she hear the heartbeat, but her palm also tangibly felt the heart's pulsation!
Absolutely no mistake!
Li Jiayu's heartbeat had returned!
Soon, Li Jiayu's heartbeat began to resume a regular rhythm, beating strongly and powerfully, thump-thump. Vaguely, Xiao Wanqing could even hear the sound of blood surging through Li Jiayu's vessels, like flowing rivers and seas!
A surging life energy flowed through Li Jiayu's body, reviving the vitality of his flesh. Soon, Xiao Wanqing heard Li Jiayu's breathing, hot breath hitting her ear, ticklish, an indescribable tingling sensation!
Li Jiayu had truly revived! Xiao Wanqing held his body tightly, crying tears of joy! She knew everything would be alright!
"You really didn't let us down... Li Jiayu, you really didn't let us down..."