Chapter 33 – A Terrible Night

This year’s orientation was once again held in the campus’s largest plaza. The towering elm trees had been decorated by the students with beautiful fairy lights, twinkling and illuminating half the night sky. On the lawn, neatly arranged chairs held juice, drinks, and various small snacks. After smiling and politely declining yet another Alpha who came forward to invite her to dance, Han Jingman, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, finally stood up. She picked up a glass of sparkling wine from a passing tray and quietly slipped away from the venue.

Passing through the simple, ancient church on the west side of the plaza, Han Jingman slowly walked toward the mist fountain surrounded by over a hundred granite blocks. The mist fountain, which was normally closed at night, had remained open tonight as an exception. The rising mist steamed into the air before slowly falling back down to cover most of the lawn and the jagged stones. The lights behind her hit the active spring water, casting fine, shimmering glints of light. Han Jingman came to a stop.

At this moment, almost the entire campus was gathered at the orientation ball. From not far away, she could hear the band playing and the cheers of the high-spirited students below the stage. The intersection, which usually saw many passersby, was exceptionally quiet now. The opening dance had gone smoothly; every one of Han Jingman’s movements had been perfect, and even her partner had been praising her charm all night.

As the clamor continued in the distance, Han Jingman took her phone out of her small, delicate clutch bag—it barely fit inside. No calls, no messages; the silent black screen showed no activity whatsoever.

Han Jingman glanced at the time: 9:12 PM. There were less than twenty minutes before the ball officially ended, yet the person she had been waiting for had still not appeared.

Han Jingman smoothed the skirt of her gown and found a spot on a flower bed to sit down, setting her glass aside. Her fingers nimbly swiped across the screen to pull up the camera. She held up her phone and took a photo of the ethereal, drifting fountain, then found Ling Yu’s name and clicked send. Ding— the photo showed it was sent successfully, but after a long while, there was still no reply.

Maybe she’s on her way here.

Han Jingman pressed the lock button and took a sip of the light orange liquid in her glass. The night, and the long-lost starry sky, were truly beautiful. She thought for a moment, then swiped open her phone again, slowly adjusting the camera to face herself. She turned slightly to find an angle with better lighting, using the fountain surging against the fairy lights as the perfect backdrop. Holding the slender stem of the glass, she gave a faint smile toward the camera. Click— the image was saved. Han Jingman hesitated for a moment while holding the phone, but finally clicked “Send.” The two images lay quietly in the chat box without a single response.

As stifling as summer nights can be, the temperature drops just as rapidly once autumn arrives.

A thin spray of mist from the fountain accidentally landed on Han Jingman’s shoulder, making her feel a chill. She had originally intended to leave shortly after the lead dance and some brief small talk, but Ling Yu had mentioned she would come. Selfishly wanting the girl to see her in her gown tonight, Han Jingman had stayed here waiting.

Time passed minute by minute. The cheers in the distance grew louder, and Han Jingman knew the ball was nearing its end. She [read the original at bailiantales.com]slowly stood up and rubbed her stiff calves, preparing to go back and say her final goodbyes to her colleagues. To her surprise, a steady voice filled with joy came from behind her:

“I finally found you.”

Han Jingman turned around; it was Fred who had come looking for her.

The woman before him wore a low-key, elegant evening gown, her hair cleverly pinned behind her head. Slender silver earrings hung from her ears, swaying in delicate arcs. A person who usually wore no makeup had specially applied a thin layer tonight.

Seeing her pale red lips slightly parted in surprise, Fred gave her a warm smile and handed her a glass of light blue cocktail.

She truly hadn’t expected Fred to find his way here. Han Jingman withdrew her surprised expression, took the glass, and politely thanked him.

“You look beautiful tonight, and the stage performance was stunning. You look simply perfect tonight.” Fred did not hold back his praise. He had originally wanted to invite her to dance, but after seeing her reject one Alpha after another, he had become somewhat discouraged. However, in that brief moment of distraction, Han Jingman had disappeared from the venue. Luckily, he had managed to find her.

Seeing that Han Jingman had slipped out alone, Fred assumed she disliked noisy environments and suggested they take a casual walk along the mist fountain.

It was hard to refuse such hospitality; they were both colleagues and friends who got along well. Han Jingman didn’t want to slight him, so she agreed. Tiny, cool beads of water rolled across the mist-drenched grass. As they walked, the exposed part of Han Jingman’s feet above her shoes became damp and chilled.

They chatted about the night’s events and some amusing anecdotes about the professors. Seeing that Han Jingman’s mood had been lightened by the conversation, Fred suddenly stopped by the fountain.

Han Jingman stopped as well and looked at him. The humble and refined Assistant Professor was now looking at her earnestly. Summoning his courage, he said, “Han, can I ask you a question?”

Never having seen Fred so serious, Han Jingman’s heart throbbed, but ​read the original at bailiantales.com​she couldn’t refuse. She replied with a smile, “Of course.”

Fred didn’t beat around the bush; he decisively expressed his feelings. “Han, I have admired you for a long time. In my eyes, you are a person with a unique charm in both work and life. I know you have many admirers, but I still want to ask—do I have a chance to win your favor?”

The gentle-natured Alpha reached out his hand toward Han Jingman, who had slightly furrowed her brows, and asked sincerely, “May I?”

Han Jingman’s fingers suddenly tightened around the stem of her glass. She bit her lower lip and took a small step back. “Thank you for your regard, Fred. I am very happy to have you as a friend. But, I’m sorry, I…”

“Thank you.” The understanding Alpha took the words from her. This result was within his expectations, but being rejected so directly still brought a dull ache to his heart. He gave the somewhat flustered Han Jingman a reassuring look. “Even if I don’t have the chance to be your partner, I hope we can still be friends.”

Relieved of the weight on her heart, a charming smile blossomed on Han Jingman’s lips. She nodded to Fred. “Of course. We have always been friends.”

A damp night breeze swept past. Han Jingman, her nerves having just relaxed, couldn’t help but shiver and reached out to rub her bare, rounded shoulders. Seeing this, Fred moved to take off his coat to drape it over her, but she stopped him. The two then began to walk back.

By then, the ball was nearly over. By the time Ling Yu arrived, the band was playing its final set.

Ling Yu wove through the bustling crowd, desperately trying to find Han Jingman. Finally, following a tip from a classmate in her department, she ran toward the mist fountain.

After running past the church, she finally saw a smiling Han Jingman under a tall elm tree—but she only saw her smiling as she pushed Fred’s coat back to him, the two of them walking toward the venue while talking and laughing. Ling Yu rushed forward, gasping for breath, and called out, “Professor Han!”

Hearing the familiar voice, Han Jingman instinctively turned around. However, the ground was damp from the mist; her high heel slipped on a patch of moss, and she began to fall. Fred timely reached out his arm to support her. For a moment, half of Han Jingman’s body was leaning against Fred. Ling Yu, who had been running, froze on the spot at the sight.

With Fred’s help, she regained her balance. Looking up, she saw the culprit who had almost caused her fall standing motionless nearby. Han Jingman stared at the panting Ling Yu, but seeing that she didn’t speak—only stood there breathing heavily—she took the initiative to walk toward her.

Fred, assuming the two had things to discuss, tactfully excused himself, leaving the rest of the time for them alone.

For a moment, only the gasping Ling Yu and the elegant woman remained on the quiet path.

“Why are you so late?” Han Jingman looked at the girl’s ragged breathing; she must have jogged the whole way here. Her forehead was damp with sweat, and her hair tie was nowhere to be seen. She looked both disheveled and frantic. Han Jingman reached out her hand, wanting to help tidy her stray hairs.

Ling Yu stared at the refined woman before her; every gesture of hers radiated a damnably mesmerizing charm. She could easily imagine how harmonious Han Jingman and Fred had looked in this quiet area. That image of a “perfect match” made her think back to the scene years ago when Han Jingman had introduced Chen Yiwei to her.

Ling Yu swallowed nervously and grabbed the snowy-white wrist hovering near her ear. Han Jingman frowned slightly; Ling Yu’s grip was quite strong. She tried to pull away but couldn’t, so she had to let her hold it. “Ling Yu, let go. You’re hurting me.”

Panting, Ling Yu pulled the woman’s body closer, her eyes fixed on Han Jingman. She asked incoherently, “He is pursuing you.” It was a statement, not a question.

Han Jingman had waited for her all night, and all she received was an interrogation. The grievances in her heart surged up all at once. She had stayed here alone all night, carefully dealing with aggressive young Alphas while quietly telling herself that Ling Yu would definitely show up. She had waited so long and put so much effort into her appearance, yet there was not a single word of comfort, nor any sign of awe in the girl’s eyes. Instead, the clear pain in her wrist reminded her of Ling Yu’s rudeness.

Han Jingman’s eyes grew hot. She bit her lip and let Ling Yu restrain her, remaining silent.

In the restaurant, Jian Ying’s words washed over Ling Yu’s thoughts in waves: “breakup,” “single,” “pursuit.” These ordinary words made her go mad when applied to Han Jingman.

Seeing Han Jingman remain silent, Ling Yu assumed she was confirming it. Her heart turned cold, her grip tightened even more, and she spoke without filter: “Why him? Are you going to be with Fred right after breaking up?”

What nonsense is she talking? Han unauthorized copy Jingman struggled forcefully in her anger, trying to push Ling Yu away. Yet Ling Yu persisted, demanding, “Why the breakup? When did you two separate?”

Han Jingman pushed her away heavily, her eyes red with anger. She bit her lip and muttered petulantly, “It’s none of your business!”

Ling Yu seemed possessed as she grabbed the delicate Omega, her Alpha aura intimidating her. She muttered, “No… how can you be with someone else again? I won’t allow it.” As she spoke, she tried to force Han Jingman into a hug, her lanky body clinging to her tightly, her long limbs trying to seal the woman in her embrace.

In the struggle, Han Jingman’s hair was mussed by Ling Yu. She curled her forearms to beat against Ling Yu’s back, but the girl refused to let go. The thought that one day another person would hold Han Jingman like this, protecting and doting on her, made Ling Yu’s heart ache as if a piece had been carved out. She was desperate to claim her sovereignty.

She frantically stroked Han Jingman’s bare back, her hands sliding to her waist. Her desperate lips followed Han Jingman’s slender swan neck, trying to kiss her jaw, only for the beauty to find an opening and stomp on her foot. This stomp was fueled by Han Jingman’s anger and carried no mercy. The thin stiletto heel crushed Ling Yu’s foot; Ling Yu let go in pain and was pushed away by Han Jingman.

“Ling Yu, what madness has gotten into you?”

Han Jingman was driven to both shame and annoyance by Ling Yu’s actions. This bastard.

The pain in her foot and the sudden loss of warmth in her arms, combined with Han Jingman’s indignant gaze, made Ling Yu dazed for a moment.

What am I doing? Am I forcing Han Jingman again? What difference was there between her and those Alphas who looked at Han Jingman like predators? Despicable and repulsive. Just hearing that Han Jingman was single and seeing her with another Alpha had made her lose control, allowing her years of unrequited possessiveness to take over.

Tears fell silently, blurring Ling Yu’s vision. She choked out, “I’m sorry. I’m a bastard.”

Han Jingman was startled to see the girl suddenly burst into tears, but the resentment in her heart made it impossible for her to utter any words of forgiveness.

The two looked at each other in silence, with only Ling Yu weeping quietly. Just as Han Jingman was composing her thoughts to ask how she knew about the breakup, Ling Yu sniffled, wiped the Read on BaiLianTales tears from her face haphazardly, gave her a deep look, and then turned and ran away.