C39 (part I)

Gu Zhiwei set down her chopsticks and dabbed at her lips with a napkin. "I had no choice."

"That can't be true!"

Chen Xixi eyed her with skepticism.

Just then, someone burst through the cafeteria doors.

"Gu Zhiwei! Where are you? Show yourself!" The woman's scream tore through the air.

Gu Zhiwei's slender fingers danced across her phone's keyboard, quickly sending a message before stowing the device away.

The cafeteria erupted into chaos as Gu Zhiwei made her way toward Zhao Qiao. "Looking for me?"

Zhao Qiao, with eyes red and swollen, turned to face her, emitting a growl like a wild animal. "You wretch! You despicable wretch! I hope you die!"

She charged at Gu Zhiwei, her nails aimed viciously at her face.

With a scoff, Gu Zhiwei caught her wrist and shoved her forward.

Zhao Qiao stumbled and crashed to the floor.

"Zhao Qiao!" Gu Ruoshan cried out, rushing in to lift her from the ground.

"I know Zhao Qiao wronged you because of me, but you can't just ruin her reputation for vengeance. She's still a young woman."

Gu Zhiwei let out a derisive laugh. "I ruined her? That's news to me."

Gu Ruoshan's brow furrowed. "You used Qin Lang's computer to find out who was calling you a mistress online. Shortly after, posts about Zhao Qiao started appearing on the forum."

Gu Zhiwei's smile carried a chill. "I did trace the account that was spreading lies about me, but it was a throwaway. All I did was plant a Trojan on the owner's computer."

She paused, her gaze fixed on Zhao Qiao's ashen face. "It's just a simple virus, designed to automatically publish any hidden photos from the computer."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as her smile grew colder. "How interesting that it turned out to be you."

Despite her nonchalant tone, Zhao Qiao felt an icy shiver run down her spine.

Gu Ruoshan protested, "Even if Zhao Qiao was at fault first, you shouldn't have done this. She's a girl, and those private photos... How is she supposed to face anyone at school now?"

Gu Zhiwei furrowed her brows, her gaze icy, "It's merely an eye for an eye. Can't handle that?"

Resentment brimmed in Zhao Qiao's eyes as her hand clenched inside her pocket.

She was ruined, and she wouldn't let Gu Zhiwei live either!

That despicable woman deserved to die!

In a sudden move, Zhao Qiao whipped out a switchblade from her pocket and lunged for Gu Zhiwei's face!

Gu Ruoshan stood to Zhao Qiao's right, the first to notice her actions.

Yet, she did nothing to intervene, nor did she utter a warning.

After all, she wished for Gu Zhiwei's death more than anyone else!

In the nick of time, as the blade nearly grazed her skin, Gu Zhiwei's reflexes kicked in. She jerked back, narrowly escaping Zhao Qiao's assault.

With an eerie agility, she maneuvered behind Zhao Qiao, seized her wrist, and twisted it backward.

Zhao Qiao screamed as the switchblade clattered to the floor.

Gu Zhiwei then ruthlessly slammed her onto the dining table, pressing Zhao Qiao's face into the greasy remnants on the plates, leaving her in utter disarray.

Gu Ruoshan's fingers curled slightly at her side.

Zhao Qiao, the useless fool! Why couldn't she have marred that enchanting face with one slash!

Composing herself, Gu Ruoshan feigned concern and approached, "Sister, she was pushed to the brink by you; that's why she lashed out. You've nearly driven her mad. Please, can't you just forgive her?"