Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Dispute

When Yang Yao heard that they might not even have steamed buns to eat in the last few days, her resentment toward Qin Sheng only deepened. She rolled her eyes and muttered, “This is all because you messed with someone you shouldn’t have. Why should we be punished along with you?”

Qin Sheng narrowed her eyes slightly. There was some truth in Yang Yao’s words. At its core, this was between Guo Ting and herself—there was no reason the others should have to take responsibility alongside her.

“Shengsheng, it’s alright. So what if we go hungry for a few days? I’ll stay with you,” Jiang Miaomiao whispered secretly by her ear, knowing Qin Sheng must feel worse than anyone. Despite being a little intimidated by the thought of going hungry, she was determined to support her friend.

“Count me in. It’s not like that bun makes any difference anyway,” A-Zhi chimed in, raising her hand as well and glancing at Yang Yao as she spoke.

Yang Yao snorted disdainfully. “If you want to starve with Qin Sheng, go ahead, but I’m not joining in. What about you, Meimei? I bet you don’t want to stay either, do you?” She nudged Shen Mei, who was lost in thought.

Startled, Shen Mei returned to herself and asked in confusion, “What?”

Yang Yao couldn’t be bothered to repeat herself and made the decision for both of them. “We’re not staying here to starve. Meimei, let’s go tell the supervisor we want to switch dorms.”

This time, Shen Mei slowly realized what was happening. She glanced up at Qin Sheng, hesitating. To be honest, she didn’t really want to go. She’d be fine eating either steamed buns or rice, and besides, Qin Sheng had promised to spar with her, which hadn’t happened yet.

“Meimei? Don’t tell me you really want to stay here and starve with them? Aren’t I your best friend?” Yang Yao’s temper flared as she saw Shen Mei hesitating, her gaze lingering on Qin Sheng. She had worked so hard to befriend Shen Mei—how could Shen Mei, after only meeting Qin Sheng a few times, be willing to go hungry for her?

Yang Yao felt utterly wronged and, seeing Shen Mei still unmoved, angrily pulled her up, venting all her frustration on Qin Sheng.

“I don’t care what tricks you’re playing—Meimei is my friend. Don’t even think about stealing her from me!” As she spoke, she even pulled Shen Mei behind her, as if afraid Qin Sheng might snatch her away.

Qin Sheng curled her lips coldly. She had no desire to accept such an accusation. She’d always preferred being alone. Whether people stayed or left was up to them. As for childish games of “stealing friends,” she found them laughable and beneath her.

“Yang Yao, what makes you think Qin Sheng wants to take Shen Mei away? If you can’t keep your friend, look at yourself for the reason. Why blame Qin Sheng?” A-Zhi, who had long seen through Yang Yao’s little schemes, stepped forward to defend Qin Sheng.

“You—!” Yang Yao was no match for A-Zhi in an argument and was left speechless.

“Our Shengsheng doesn’t lack for friends. Spare us your persecution complex,” Jiang Miaomiao added.

She truly couldn’t understand how, with such little connection to Qin Sheng, Yang Yao could still try to pin the blame on her. Was it just because Qin Sheng had no one to stand up for her?

Yang Yao, unable to retort, turned away and complained to Shen Mei, “See, Meimei? That’s how they treat me. If you stay here, they’ll never be nice to you.”

“Yang Yao, put yourself in our shoes. How did you speak to us just now, and now you’re accusing us?” A-Zhi couldn’t stand Yang Yao’s backbiting and confronted her directly.

Unable to stand yet another challenge from A-Zhi, Yang Yao glared and raised her hand, ready to teach A-Zhi a lesson.

Qin Sheng immediately looked up, ready to intercept Yang Yao.

But to everyone’s surprise, it was Shen Mei, her best friend, who stopped Yang Yao.

It wasn’t just Qin Sheng and the others who were shocked—even Yang Yao couldn’t believe it was Shen Mei holding her back. After all, on the first day, Shen Mei had stood up for Yang Yao. Without Qin Sheng’s intervention, A-Zhi would have suffered.

“Shen Mei? Why are you stopping me? They’re the ones who were so rude!” Yang Yao shook off Shen Mei’s grip, her face full of disbelief as she turned to question her loudly.

Shen Mei took a deep breath, meeting Yang Yao’s eyes, and spoke solemnly, “But weren’t they right?”

Yang Yao’s throat seemed blocked; she couldn’t get a word out. From the moment they met, Shen Mei had always protected her, and Yang Yao depended on her deeply. Most people, knowing Shen Mei was the national taekwondo champion, treated her with deference, which had only emboldened Yang Yao.

“Why would you say that, Meimei? Aren’t you my best friend?” Tears streamed uncontrollably down Yang Yao’s face as she clung to Shen Mei’s hand.

At last, Shen Mei’s expression turned cold. After a long silence, she said, “Yang Yao, I’ve known about the things you did behind my back. I didn’t say anything before because I didn’t want to hurt you, but now... I don’t recognize you anymore.”

Yang Yao was stunned. Panic flashed across her face—how could Shen Mei have found out? She’d covered her tracks so well.

“You used my name to bully the weaker girls in our class. Just because the boy you liked preferred someone else, you drove her to drop out... You think I didn’t know? I’ve seen it all along.” Shen Mei had kept this inside for a long time, and saying it out loud now brought her relief.

The Yang Yao before her was no longer the girl who used to be bullied and dared not fight back. Now, she took her pain out on those who had done nothing wrong.

And Shen Mei had always enabled her.

She didn’t want to keep it inside anymore. In this apocalyptic world, she only wanted to be herself—the Shen Mei who still believed in standing up for what was right.

Yang Yao sobbed uncontrollably, her hands trembling as she looked at the cold-faced Shen Mei. Without Shen Mei’s protection, she would surely face retaliation. She couldn’t bear to lose her.

“Meimei, I’ve always been the Yang Yao who loves being protected by you. How can you abandon me now?” Yang Yao clung desperately to Shen Mei’s hand, gripping tightly.

It wasn’t that Shen Mei had planned to say all this now, but Yang Yao’s attempt to decide everything for her had been the final straw.

“No, Meimei, you’re my best friend. You can’t like Qin Sheng. It’s all her fault—she stole you away from me!” Yang Yao seemed to go mad, turning to glare at Qin Sheng as if she might strangle her.

Once again taking the blame, Qin Sheng frowned, clearly displeased.

“Wake up. It’s not about anyone else. Yang Yao, from today onward you are no longer my friend. We are finished!” Shen Mei was completely and utterly disappointed. Even at the end, Yang Yao blamed others instead of looking at herself.

So it was better to end things now.

Shen Mei declared it loudly, then walked over to Qin Sheng and bowed her head in earnest apology. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”

Qin Sheng slowly unclenched her fist. She glanced at Shen Mei, then at Yang Yao, who still stood there, head held high. Rising, she walked over to Yang Yao, her eyes turning cold and sharp. “I’m not someone you want to mess with. Don’t get in my way.”

Yang Yao clenched her fists, her eyes bloodshot with rage. “You stole Shen Mei from me.”

Qin Sheng let out a dismissive laugh, her lips curling in scorn. “I have better things to do.”

“If you want to leave, then go,” Shen Mei said calmly. “Now that I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.” Even so, her heart still felt a twinge of reluctance. But if she kept indulging Yang Yao, it would only make her feel worse. Since Yang Yao didn’t want to stay, she could go and at least have something to eat elsewhere.

Shen Mei spoke again, and the last of Yang Yao’s defenses crumbled. She wiped away her tears, looked at Shen Mei with regret, and said, “Don’t regret this, Shen Mei.”

With that, she quickly left the room.

Shen Mei let out a long breath of relief and sank onto the sofa, saying nothing for a long time.

With Yang Yao and Shen Mei’s stances made clear, the others quickly made their own choices.

“Big sister, I can’t sleep here with all the rats. Cheng Bin found me a new place, so I’m leaving first.” Qin Mengchun couldn’t wait to get out. She’d mentioned the rats to Li Chengbin that day, and he’d immediately found her a new place to stay. It was small, but at least she’d have it to herself.

“Tian Tian, Mengmeng, why don’t you come live with me? There’s only me in that room, and if you’re there, we can look out for each other.” Qin Mengchun, all innocence, held Zhao Tiantian and Zhang Meng by the hand, as if forgetting the argument they’d had that morning.

Zhang Meng looked conflicted. She knew she’d get something to eat elsewhere, but the thought of abandoning Qin Sheng made her feel guilty.

Zhao Tiantian slipped her hand from Qin Mengchun’s, smiled, and refused, “No thanks, Mengchun. I’m fine here, and besides, I trust Qin Sheng.”

Zhang Meng glanced at Zhao Tiantian in surprise. By her nature, she should have agreed to go somewhere more stable with Qin Mengchun. Why trust Qin Sheng and gamble on an uncertain future?

“Mengmeng, come live with me. If we have food, we can share it with big sister and the others. I’d be scared to live alone...” Qin Mengchun pleaded, tugging at Zhang Meng’s arm.

Zhang Meng looked to Zhao Tiantian for guidance.

Zhao Tiantian nodded and whispered, “Go with Qin Mengchun. Qin Sheng has helped me before. Just take care of yourself—you don’t have to worry about me.”

Only then did Zhang Meng reluctantly agree and leave with Qin Mengchun.

In an instant, only five people remained in the room.

Qin Sheng glanced at Zhao Tiantian, who was sitting quietly in the corner, and spoke softly, “Don’t force yourself to stay because of the ointment. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you.”