Chapter 134: Returning with Vengeance

"It's nothing," Fu Hanyan replied, releasing her as his focus shifted back to his computer screen.

Gu Yining frowned in confusion. What did he mean by that? Was he trying to learn how to say thank you? Or maybe he was talking about making an effort to take the bitter medicine?

"Oh, by the way, you should be mentally prepared for this—you're going to need to take at least two full courses of this herbal medicine. One course is five doses, and you'll have to take it twice a day," Gu Yining added, unable to resist nagging a little as she was about to leave.

"Don't forget the candy," Fu Hanyan responded without looking up.

Gu Yining chuckled, her lips curving into a playful smile. "Got it, kiddo."

Immediately, Fu Hanyan's deep eyes lifted toward her, sharp and incredulous. "What did you just call me?"

"Nothing! Bye-bye!" Gu Yining quickly stuck out her tongue playfully, making her escape from his room before he could ask further.

Fu Hanyan watched her retreat, then glanced back at the other piece of candy she'd left on his bedside table. His hard gaze softened, just a little.

Monday came, and it was back to school for Gu Yining. Everything seemed to have returned to normal, except for one thing—Gu Yining returned with a vendetta.

Early in the morning, she somehow managed to hire a few rough-looking street thugs, who intercepted Zhao Yanyan—the campus belle—right after she got out of her private car. They cornered her in a secluded alleyway just outside the school grounds.

Terrified, Zhao Yanyan clutched her handbag, her pale face as white as a ghost. She was visibly shaking as she stared at Gu Yining and the thugs surrounding her.

"Gu Yining, what do you think you're doing? This is a school! If you do anything to me, you won't get away with it!" Zhao Yanyan warned her sharply, trying to muster up some authority even though her voice quivered.

Standing in front of the group of thugs, Gu Yining smirked arrogantly, giving off the aura of a mob boss. She flicked her nose casually and looked down at Zhao Yanyan with disdain. "What am I doing? Naturally, I'm here to give you a taste of your own medicine. And just so you know, we're not on school grounds. You've angered some people from outside the school—this has nothing to do with me."

"I didn't do anything to you! Why are you acting crazy?" Zhao Yanyan pressed her back against the wall, her fingers discreetly fumbling with her handbag, trying to find her phone to call the police.

"Oh? So you've already forgotten how you hired those men to kidnap me? Don't worry, I'll help jog your memory." Gu Yining wasn't interested in talking much more. She pulled out a piece of paper—evidence of the money transfer that Zhao Yanyan had made to the hired men—and threw it in her direction.

Zhao Yanyan's eyes widened in panic as she recognized the bank transfer records. Whatever composure she had left evaporated in an instant. Desperate, she grabbed the paper and immediately tore it into pieces.

"You forged this! You're just trying to frame me, aren't you? Let me warn you, if you dare touch a single hair on my head, you'll be making enemies with the Zhao family. My family won't let you off easily!" Zhao Yanyan's voice trembled, but she tried to maintain a defiant tone.

Gu Yining laughed coolly, unfazed. "This is a legitimate record from the bank itself. If you want to see a lawyer's letter, we can take this to court. But once this gets out, your reputation as the perfect campus belle will be shattered. Your 'sweet and innocent' image at Ling University will go up in smoke."

Her words were slow and deliberate, her fingers idly fiddling with her nails as though she had all the time in the world. Gu Yining couldn't help but think that maybe she should get herself some black nail polish. After all, she was now the "blackened" version of Gu Yining—someone not to be trifled with.

She was their worst nightmare.

Zhao Yanyan's lips quivered as she bit down hard, unable to believe that Gu Yining had actually managed to access her bank records. Zhao had trusted the bank's encryption system and had carelessly used her own account to transfer the money to those men. Had she known this would happen, she never would have gotten involved directly.

"What do you want?" Zhao Yanyan asked through gritted teeth, clearly losing her resolve. She hadn't expected Gu Yining to have this kind of capability.

"I don't want much. I just want you to experience exactly what I went through. Let's see how you like it," Gu Yining said as she took a step back, signaling to the thugs behind her to move in.

The men were covered in scars—on their faces, arms, and necks—and had prominent, menacing tattoos that made their intentions clear.

Panicked, Zhao Yanyan fumbled with her phone, her hands shaking as she hastily tried to unlock it to call the police.