Chapter 35: Don't Come to Die

He merely spoke two words: "Song Shi."

The other two exchanged glances, and in perfect unison, they gave a thumbs-up.

The three of them then lowered their heads to continue eating, no longer discussing the matter.

On the opposite side of the cafeteria, a fierce battle raged on.

It was a one-sided affair—Song Shi was the one doing the fighting.

The six men were no longer her opponents.

Tong Jun, after being struck a few times in the beginning, completely lost his ability to fight. He was like a dying stray dog, dragged by her with one hand, occasionally used as a shield against her attacks. When he wasn't being struck, he simply served as Song Shi's vent for anger.

Two of the other five lackeys had already fallen.

The remaining three were bruised and battered, hesitating in front of Song Shi, exchanging nervous glances and making silent signals to one another, yet none dared to charge at her head-on.

A standoff had ensued, but the outcome was already decided.

The cafeteria supervisor, noticing the disturbance, began walking over.

Song Shi released her grip on Tong Jun's hair.

Tong Jun, deprived of support, collapsed limply to the floor.

His face and head were covered in blood, for he had been struck by Song Shi's plate the most times. One of his arms had also been broken by her.

Seeing Song Shi let go of their leader, the remaining three men cautiously approached, intending to drag him away.

But before they could come any closer, a shocking scene unfolded before their eyes.

Song Shi stood at the spot where Tong Jun's waist was located and delivered a powerful kick.

"Ah—!"

Even though Tong Jun was nearly unconscious, the pain from the kick jolted him awake. His anguished scream echoed throughout the cafeteria.

Just hearing the sound alone made many people shiver, even though they hadn't seen the scene.

"This is for you," Song Shi said coldly, looking down at the curled-up form of Tong Jun on the ground.

After all, this man had kicked her in the waist countless times in the past.

The supervisor quickened his pace.

Song Shi scanned the cafeteria, searching for a particular figure.

She found it!

A flash of excitement crossed her eyes as she dashed toward the farthest corner of the cafeteria.

The supervisors immediately began moving to intercept her.

Song Shi darted between tables, causing a ripple of confusion among the students.

This was too time-consuming. As more and more supervisors closed in, Song Shi leaped onto a dining table, crossing it while dodging left and right, successfully slipping through their tightening encirclement.

She eventually landed on one knee at the table of a curly-haired girl.

The girl's lackey screamed the moment she saw Song Shi, clutching her head and curling into a corner, too terrified to move.

The curly-haired girl slowly lowered her chopsticks, lifting her gaze to meet Song Shi's, her eyes clouded with hostility.

Song Shi ignored her glare, grinning widely. "I missed my appointment yesterday, but I'm making it up today!"

With that, she clenched her fist and hurled it toward the girl's face.

The curly-haired girl, with a fluid motion, leaned back to avoid the blow effortlessly.

Song Shi jumped down from the table, using her knee for leverage, her strike aimed directly at the girl's head.

The curly-haired girl rolled to the side and, in one smooth motion, stood up two meters away, brushing her hair back from her face.

"I'm amazed! Yang Miao is so strong!" exclaimed a girl in the crowd, her voice full of admiration. But as soon as she spoke, she realized no one around her was responding, so she quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment.

The supervisors, seeing Song Shi fighting with someone else, exchanged glances and decided to stay on the outskirts, watching the situation unfold.

Song Shi lunged forward again. "So your name is Yang Miao."

Yang Miao narrowly avoided her attack, swiftly countering.

When Song Shi asked her question, Yang Miao merely pressed her lips together, not offering a single word in response.

The last time she had fought Yang Miao, Song Shi had been thoroughly beaten. While locked in the dark room, she had replayed the fight in her mind countless times, strategizing ways to counter her opponent.

This time, facing Yang Miao, Song Shi was more than prepared. She carefully applied each technique she had devised.

"You've improved quickly," Yang Miao finally spoke, her tone far from complimentary. "Do you think that by figuring out a few of my moves, you can defeat me?"

She increased the speed of her strikes, locking her upper body around Song Shi's. Song Shi struggled to break free. Yang Miao kicked out suddenly, striking the bend of Song Shi's knee.

Though it seemed like a soft blow, the pain and numbness quickly spread through Song Shi's entire leg.

She fell to one knee, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

She tried several times to push herself up with her hands, but none were successful.

Yang Miao did not press the attack, instead bending down in front of Song Shi and grabbing her chin, forcing her to look up.

"Next time, don't come to die."

Song Shi pulled the corner of her mouth into a smile, not responding. Instead, she asked, "Would you like a photo?"

Yang Miao furrowed her brow.

"As my tuition fee," Song Shi added.

In the end, Yang Miao took the photo, and Song Shi was escorted away by the supervisors.

---

**[Sadistic Progress: 55%]**

**[Revenge Progress: 41%]**

---

"Violent assault on a fellow student."

"Damage to cafeteria property."

"Disruption of dining order."

"Defiance of authority."

"Repeated offenses."

"40 hours in the dark room!"

This time, being locked in the dark room, Song Shi had gained much more experience compared to the last time.

She had prepared for the several upcoming meals she would miss by eating two eggs and drinking a carton of milk in the morning.

The milk was specifically for awakened individuals, and its nutritional value was much higher than regular milk, providing long-lasting satiety.

Upon entering the room, she sat in the same corner as last time, conserving her energy. She closed her eyes and began to mentally review the recent fight, breaking down each move and practicing counter-techniques in her mind.

After running through it twice, she finally stood up and began miming the moves.

Her leg wasn't broken, nor did she have any external injuries. Yang Miao hadn't aimed to kill; she had merely hit an acupoint, causing a temporary numbness that had since subsided.

In the cramped, pitch-black space, Song Shi practiced relentlessly, until the room, usually cool and damp, became stifling from the heat of her exertion. Sweating, she wiped her forehead and paused.

Her stomach began to growl with hunger.

Curled up in the corner, Song Shi closed her eyes.

---

When she awoke, the temperature in the dark room had dropped again.

The small window for delivering water was opened from the outside, and a bowl of water was passed through.

Song Shi drank it quickly, glancing at the time.

It was 8:30.

She had been locked up since 9 a.m.

Had it been nearly 12 hours, or was it 24?

She wasn't sure, but one thing was clear: time had passed faster than she expected.

The light in the room was once again taken away, and darkness enveloped her once more.

She moved her body and resumed her simulated battle training.

When she grew tired, she lay down to rest.

Later, she requested to use the restroom.

The clock on her watch read 12:00.

Through the small restroom window, sunlight streamed in.

Now, she had a clearer sense of time.

Back in the dark room, she sat in the corner, her body yearning for nourishment. Her stomach growled loudly.

No longer practicing, she closed her eyes to meditate, focusing on controlling her wild impulses.

Until sleep overtook her.

---

When she awoke again, she heard the sound of the metal door opening.

"40 hours are up. You may leave."

Song Shi covered her eyes and stood up, accurately finding the door and stepping outside. She paused at the doorway, adjusting to the light.

The supervisor who opened the door was the same one as before. He gave her a complicated look but silently shook his head.

The corridor outside was brightly lit, but beyond the punishment room, darkness stretched out.

It was now 1 a.m.

Only the on-duty supervisor was present.

Song Shi made her way toward the dormitory.

The room where the dormitory supervisor worked was dark. She crossed the gates leading to the dorms and headed for the stairs.

Back in her room, Song Shi washed off the sticky sweat and cleaned her pile of dirty clothes, hanging them to dry before lying down to sleep.

The early morning whistle sounded long and clear. Song Shi opened her eyes.

Excitement bubbled within her.

After getting ready, she pushed the door open and, as she descended the stairs, encountered Yang Miao and her lackey.

Song Shi waved politely at her.

Yang Miao ignored her and brushed past her, descending the stairs without a word.

Song Shi shrugged, not taking offense, and followed her down a few steps behind.

In the cafeteria, Song Shi scanned the room but didn't see Dai Ming and his group.

She joined the line and got her meal, sitting in the seat closest to the door. She ate while keeping an eye on those entering, waiting for any sign of Dai Ming and his group.

From the moment she sat down, everyone who entered the cafeteria seemed to feel an eerie chill at

 the back of their necks, their hairs standing on end.

They glanced around, and upon seeing Song Shi eating at the table near the door, they quickly quickened their pace, avoiding her line of sight.

By the time Song Shi finished eating, Dai Ming and his group had yet to appear.

No one else caused trouble for her either.

With a helpless sigh, Song Shi returned to class.

(End of Chapter)