She could not lose. She had to do her best.

  As Xue Xi thought about this, her instincts made her aware of a strange feeling.

  Something is not right……

  She felt that something was amiss.

  However, she could not pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

  She looked at the surrounding mountains. The trees were tall and green. The mountains were quiet and there was no sound……

  There was no sound……

  Xue Xi suddenly realized something and stopped in her tracks. She shouted, “Little Flame!”


  Gao Yanchen also stopped and turned to look at her, only to see Xue Xi looking nervous. “There’s a problem!”


  As they were going up the mountain, they’d met Zhou Zhen. When he was chatting with Qin Shuang, Xue Xi had heard that they were the first batch of people to go down the mountain.

  On the rest of the way up the mountain, they’d met four to five students in succession. What about the rest of the students?

  Where were they?

  Xue Xi looked at the mountaintop again and did not see anyone.

  Gao Yanchen had already returned with a solemn expression. “Sister Xi, what’s wrong?”


  Xue Xi asked, “Is there any other way down this mountain?”


  Gao Yanchen shook his head.

  Xue Xi’s expression changed drastically as she said, “There’s a situation on the mountaintop!”


  The moment she said this, a clap sounded.

  The two of them did not speak and immediately looked around with their backs facing each other. That voice seemed to be coming from one direction, but it also seemed to be coming from all directions. “You realized it too late.”


  His voice was a little scary.

  Xue Xi was stunned.

  Gao Yanchen raised his brows. “Who is it?!”


  The two of them picked up their phones at the same time, intending to call the police. However, when they looked down, they realized that there was no signal on the mountain.

  “Tsk, you look very similar to your mother.”


  Your mother……

  The moment he said that, Gao Yanchen seemed to have understood something.

  The person Elder Gao had always been afraid of, the secret that his grandfather had never told him, was here!

  Gao Yanchen widened his eyes and looked at Xue Xi. He lowered his voice and said, “Sister Xi, he’s here for me. If you find an opportunity later, run!”


  Xue Xi looked around warily and did not speak.

  “Yo, are you guys a couple? Your relationship is so deep. I’m so touched~”


  As soon as he said this, a figure walked out from the bushes. He was dressed in black, and even his face was covered with a layer of black gauze. He looked like those masked people who robbed banks in television dramas. Only his eyes were exposed.

  At this moment, he was playing with a flying dagger.

  His eyes swept across Gao Yanchen maliciously and he smiled evilly. “Then I can fulfill your wishes and let you guys die together, just like your dad and mom did back then……”


  The moment he said “dad and mom,” Gao Yanchen shouted angrily, “My parents didn’t get into a car accident. Did you kill them?!”


  The man clicked his tongue. “Looks like they didn’t tell you anything, huh?”


  Gao Yanchen asked, “How did my parents die?!”


  The man did not intend to speak further. He seemed to have the self-awareness that bad men died from speaking too much in television dramas. He only said, “I’ll send you to see your parents and let them tell you!”


  The man rushed forward.

  The moment he rushed up, Xue Xi and Gao Yanchen felt endless pressure. Both of them had practiced martial arts before, but this man’s aura was terrifying, and his speed was so fast that it was unimaginable!

  In the blink of an eye, he had already rushed in front of the two of them. The knife rushed at Gao Yanchen and was aimed at his neck. Just as he was about to raise the knife and cut Gao Yanchen’s artery—


  Bang!

  Gao Yanchen hit him with the mountaineering stick in his hand fiercely. Following that, he started fighting with the criminal with the stick and shouted, “Sister Xi, run!”


  This person was a professional assassin.

  This situation was not something high school students like them could face.

  Gao Yanchen had always felt that he was very good at martial arts, but at this moment, he realized that there would always be someone better than him. In the eyes of professionals like this man, his martial arts skills were not even enough to withstand a single blow!

  Xue Xi did not run. Instead, she attacked with a set of military boxing moves.

  Ever since she’d learned this boxing technique, she had never failed. However, at this moment, the criminal took two steps back and dodged her attack.

  It seemed that Xue Xi had failed, but her mind was clearer than ever, and Xue Xi had no intention of subduing him. After forcing him back, Xue Xi grabbed Gao Yanchen’s sleeve and the two of them turned to run!

  The criminal remained calm and stood rooted to the ground as though he was full of confidence. He slowly said, “Are you just going to run and not care about your classmates?”


  Classmates……

  Gao Yanchen suddenly paused.

  At this moment, they were only a few meters away from the top of the mountain. After saying that, the criminal slowly walked to the top of the mountain. He bent down and casually picked up a person from behind a huge rock. It was actually Qin Shuang’s deskmate!

  Her mouth was sealed by tape and she could not speak, but her eyes were filled with fear.

  The criminal placed the dagger on her neck and hooked his finger at Gao Yanchen. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t come over, I’ll kill her first…… then kill the rest!”


  At the mention of the others, the criminal pointed at the people whose hands and legs were tied. They were all curled up beside the stones and had fallen to the ground. All of them had fear in their eyes. They were from Year Three Class One!

  Gao Yanchen’s pupils constricted.

  Xue Xi paused.

  Gao Yanchen clenched his fists. “I’m not familiar with them. You should know that I’m a very bad person……”


  The moment he said this, the criminal started counting. “Three…… two……”


  Xue Xi saw Gao Yanchen’s expression change drastically.

  Although the young man was standing there, his legs were trembling.

  He was indeed not familiar with the people from Class One, but these were all living people. Moreover, they were caught by the criminals because of him…… Actually, he could not care less.

  However, he did not hesitate to rush to the top of the mountain. “Stop!”


  “Very good.”


  After saying this, the criminal threw the hostage to the ground and picked up the knife without hesitation. The next moment—


  He stood rooted to the ground.

  This was because Gao Yanchen had a small and exquisite silver gun in his hand.

  Half a year ago, after that bizarre car accident, he’d felt that something was amiss. Moreover, his grandfather had especially applied for a weapon for him. He had been practicing shooting at the shooting range since he was young and carried a weapon to defend himself.

  Actually, he could have restrained the criminal just now, but because Sister Xi was around, he was afraid of accidentally hurting others, so he’d chosen the most conservative option to escape!

  However, no one knew how long he had wanted to capture the criminal. He then asked, “Tell me, how did my parents die?”


  His legs were no longer trembling. He stood up straight, and his red hair was still standing up arrogantly. The fear and panic he felt earlier had completely disappeared.

  A look of surprise flashed across the criminal’s face as he said in realization, “I was wondering why her son turned out to be a good-for-nothing. So it was all an act.”


  Gao Yanchen did not dare to let down his guard and stared at him.

  Xue Xi had seen Gao Yanchen’s hand gesture just now, so she did not move. When he took out his weapon and subdued the criminal, she’d rushed up. She lowered her head and untied a student’s rope. The student helped others untie theirs while Xue Xi stood beside Gao Yanchen to prevent the criminal from suddenly attacking.

  The criminal was in no hurry and looked very relaxed.

  He smiled. “Do you want to know the truth?”


  Gao Yanchen nodded.

  The criminal’s expression changed. “Then go to hell and ask your parents!”


  After saying this, he touched his back and took out a bomb. The bomb displayed a countdown of ten seconds!

  The situation was suddenly reversed.

  The criminal took a step back and arrived at the highest point of the mountain. He said in a vicious and hoarse voice, “Everyone who has seen me must die!”


  Gao Yanchen’s pupils shrank as he hurriedly fired. “Bang!”


  That person did not dodge. He was shot in the chest, but he did not fall. The bomb in his hand was about to be thrown at them…… Once it was thrown over, the mountain peak would collapse!

  Before all the students could be saved, Qin Shuang, Flame Number One, and the rest who had followed the two of them rushed over. Flame Number One was still shouting, “Brother Chen, who’s first?”


  This group of people was too close. The power of the bomb would be enough to blow up this hill!

  Xue Xi’s mind was blank as she rushed over and grabbed the bomb!

  She wanted to snatch it and throw it down the cliff!

  The bomb would explode in the middle of the air and save everyone!

  However! That person was still very strong despite being shot. Xue Xi could not snatch it back in time……

  The countdown on the bomb was shrinking. “5…… 4……”


  “Is Sister Xi first?”


  Qin Shuang seemed to have seen them, but no one expected that there would be a criminal and a bomb……

  The countdown on the bomb continued. “3……”


  It was too late.

  Just as she was thinking this, someone grabbed her arm and pushed her back forcefully.

  She did not expect to be plotted against at such a crucial moment. She turned around in surprise and saw that Gao Yanchen had already hugged the criminal after pushing her away. He used all his strength to bring him to the highest point!

  The criminal refused to let go of him. If the bomb exploded here, everyone would die!

  The moment this thought appeared in his mind, Gao Yanchen did not hesitate to break through the railing at the peak and fall down with the criminal!

  The moment he stepped on air, Gao Yanchen turned around.

  While Xue Xi was still in a state of shock, she saw him open his mouth as though saying: Sister Xi, I won.

  “No!”


  Just as Xue Xi’s slow reflexes responded, Gao Yanchen and the criminal had already fallen down the mountain……

  Bang!

  The bomb exploded in mid-air, and the entire mountain seemed to be on the verge of collapse. The mountain seemed to have fallen along with it.

  The change happened too quickly.

  All of this happened within ten seconds. When Qin Shuang and Flame Number One arrived, they did not even understand the situation and did not see the criminal’s appearance clearly……

  The violent sound of the explosion made everyone’s ears buzz. The vibration of the ground made everyone lose their balance and fall to the ground.

  Dust flew in the air, and the aftermath of the explosion caused the tree branches to sway and tremble.

  After a long while, the people on the mountaintop finally returned to their senses. Flame Number One shouted and rushed to the edge. Looking down, he saw that there was dust everywhere and nothing could be seen clearly.

  “Brother Chen…… Brother Chen!”


  Flame Number One mumbled and fell to the ground……

  Gao family residence.

  The entire manor was covered in white canvas. All the guests were wearing black clothes and holding white flowers as they entered to pay their respects.

  Gao Yanchen’s black and white profile picture was hung in the main hall.

  The students who came to pay their respects were all gathered together.

  Flame Number One and Qin Shuang were wearing white cloth and sitting together with the students from Bin City International High School in a daze, helping the Gao family receive this group of people.

  Everyone lowered their heads, their eyes red.

  The school bully was dead.

  After the college entrance examination ended and he became the legend of Bin City International High School, he died just like that.

  Everyone found it unbelievable.

  That arrogant, red-haired school bully had died in order to save them at the last moment.

  Zhou Zhen’s tears kept flowing.

  He recalled that day when, as he followed behind Qin Shuang and arrived at the top of the mountain, he heard an explosion. Immediately, the students whose hands and feet were still tied all became sorrowful. There was fear, despair, and intense sadness on their faces.

  Following that, the relevant departments entered the investigation. In the end, they told the parents who had rushed over after hearing the news that a perverted murderer had escaped to Bin City and originally intended to kill everyone, but he was stopped by Gao Yanchen.

  Gao Yanchen was given the title of a martyr.

  However, both his and the murderer’s bodies were blasted apart and they scattered across the mountainous region. There were no complete corpses, so the only thing lying in the coffin today was a cenotaph.

  While Zhou Zhen was crying, he suddenly heard a voice. “Where’s Xue Xi? Why isn’t she here?”


  Zhou Zhen lifted his head in a daze and looked at the person who spoke. It was actually Xue Yao. Her eyes were also red. She must have felt that Gao Yanchen had saved her. At this moment, she said indignantly, “When Gao Yanchen was alive, he protected her more than anyone, but she did not cry that day!”


  “She’s a heartless person!”


  When Qin Shuang heard this, she immediately retorted, “Sister Xi is not!”


  Xue Yao was furious. “What? She usually looks cold and aloof. She rarely smiles and has never cried! Gao Yanchen died because he wanted to save her. She just doesn’t have a heart!”


  Qin Shuang wanted to retort, but she did not know what to say.

  After the incident, Xue Xi was stunned. She seemed to have always been rational, so she stayed on the mountain before coming to the Gao family home…… Actually, she had been there last night, but she had thought of something and left.

  Sister Xi did not cry, but some people’s sadness was not expressed in tears.

  She could feel that Sister Xi was also very sad.

  Qin Shuang looked at the students who had arrived and saw that everyone had been convinced by Xue Yao. All of them had displeased expressions.

  Qin Shuang’s explanation was stuck in her throat.

  At this moment, the door suddenly darkened. Someone walked in. Everyone turned around and was stunned when they saw that figure.

  Xue Xi was wearing a black outfit that covered her entire body. She appeared slim, tall, and capable, giving off a cool and dashing feeling.

  She still looked indifferent and expressionless, as though she was heartless.

  However, the students in the room shut their mouths and were shocked.

  That was because Xue Xi’s waist-length black hair had turned into an eye-catching red! It looked like blood!

  The red hair was blown up by the wind and floated in midair, as though it was venting the anger and endless sadness in its owner’s heart.

  Countless people’s eyes turned red again……

  Xue Xi was expressionless as she walked to the mourning hall.

  After three bows, she slowly looked at the photo.

  She could not see the color of his hair in the black and white color, but she could still see his arrogant smile……

  She lowered her eyes.

  She, who had a good memory, recalled the details from yesterday.

  After Gao Yanchen fired, she rushed over to grab the bomb. When she realized that the criminal had the intention of going down the mountain with the bomb, she’d thought of bringing the criminal down the mountain.

  However, her thoughts only flashed. Gao Yanchen had already pushed her away. He had sacrificed himself……

  At this thought, anger and regret flashed across Xue Xi’s eyes.

  She looked up again and the mist in her misty eyes disappeared. She looked at the photo clearly and touched the silver pistol in her pocket. It was the thing Gao Yanchen had stuffed into her hand when he pushed her away.

  Xue Xi clenched her fists.

  Little Flame, when you were alive, you wanted to find out the cause of your parents’ death and avenge them.

  Now, I will definitely help you do it and avenge you.

  If she did not take revenge, her hair would be dyed red forever!

  If she did not take revenge, she would not be human!……

  Xue Xi was not good at comforting people. When she went to visit Elder Gao, she did not know what to say.

  Elder Gao seemed to have aged ten years overnight. He was so dejected that he seemed as though he was going to accompany Gao Yanchen the next second. He was sending off a young man again……

  Thinking of how formidable the criminal was on the mountaintop, Xue Xi finally understood the old man’s worries.

  It was obvious that she and Gao Yanchen were still not capable enough. They had underestimated the enemy. The people hiding in the dark were unfathomable and terrifying! Gao Yanchen could not protect himself at all, which was why Elder Gao had held him back so cruelly.

  However, no one expected Bin City to be unsafe.

  Xue Xi wanted to ask Elder Gao who those people were, but before she could speak, Elder Gao said, “If Xiao Chen had listened to me and stayed at home, nothing would have happened to him. He thought he’s very formidable, but he didn’t know what he’s facing…… That’s the flaw in his character.”


  Elder Gao looked up, his eyes turbid. “Xue Xi, Xiao Chen treated you as a friend, and I don’t want you to get involved. Don’t ask any questions.”


  Don’t ask……

  Xue Xi understood Elder Gao’s stubbornness. She did not want to force this old man.

  She nodded and left……

  Xue Xi walked on the road. Her red hair attracted the attention of countless people, but she did not care. She walked in a muddle-headed manner and unknowingly arrived at the provision store.

  She looked up at the provision store’s plaque indifferently. For some unknown reason, she took out her keys and opened the door again.

  She sat behind Xiang Huai’s desk and did not turn on the lights.

  The sky gradually darkened.

  She sat there in a daze, not knowing what to think or do……

  After some time, footsteps sounded outside.

  She looked up and saw a familiar black-clad figure walking in. He was draped in the moonlight and was in a sorry state. His clothes were tattered, and even his face was covered in mud……

  His dark eyes were filled with anxiety. When he saw Xue Xi, he stood rooted to the ground as though he did not dare to speak and was afraid of disturbing her. He said softly, “Little kid, I’m sorry. I’m late.”


  His voice was hoarse, as though he had not drunk water in a long time.

  Xue Xi slowly lifted her head and looked at him. Finally, she said her first sentence after Gao Yanchen jumped off the cliff. “I feel that he’s not dead.”