Tri-fold, The Calm Before the Storm, The Impending Brutal Shuraba

Outside the hallway.

Du Wanyi sat on the floor of the corridor, crying uncontrollably without a care for her image. This time, it wasn’t an act—her eyes were red and puffy from genuine distress. She had thought she was playing at the third level of strategy, while her dear Qinghan was stuck on the first. But it turned out Qinghan had been operating in the stratosphere all along. Wuwuwu…

Hearing the sobs, the short-haired woman waiting anxiously inside the room couldn’t stay put any longer and stepped out to investigate. There, she found her family’s matriarch sitting on the ground, bawling her eyes out.

Short-haired woman: "…"

"Madam, are you alright…?" The short-haired woman hurried forward, trying to help Du Wanyi up from the floor.

"Wuwuwu, Little Lanlan, Qinghan is so mean! Wuwuwu… She lied to me! Wuwuwu… She took the computer away! Wuwuwu…"

Du Wanyi clung to the short-haired woman as if she’d found her emotional anchor, hiccuping and sniffling like a wronged child. The short-haired woman, meanwhile, looked slightly awkward, unsure how to handle the situation.

"It’s alright, Madam. The young mistress is just in a bad mood…"

She patted Du Wanyi’s back gently, mimicking the comforting gestures she’d seen on TV. The words sounded flimsy even to her, but Du Wanyi was genuinely crying—acting like a centuries-old child throwing a tantrum. Clearly, she was heartbroken.

"Wuwuwu… Qinghan is too much! Wuwuwu… Just because she’s upset, does that mean she can treat her mother like this? Wuwuwu…"

Du Wanyi continued her tearful tirade against her daughter while the short-haired woman offered consoling words. The scene lasted for several peaceful minutes—until—

BANG!

Suddenly, the door to Shen Qinghan’s room, which had been tightly shut, swung open. Both Du Wanyi and the short-haired woman froze. Du Wanyi recovered first, instantly cutting off her tears and lunging forward, diving into the room like a missile. She sprawled across the floor, gripping the tatami mat with all her might, as if declaring, I’m not leaving today, no matter what!

Short-haired woman: "…"

So the crying was fake after all?

"Wuwuwu… This is too much, Qinghan! No matter what you say, Mommy isn’t leaving today! Wuwuwu…"

Du Wanyi wailed dramatically, splayed out in a starfish position, throwing a full-blown childish tantrum. She had made up her mind—she was staying in this room, and no force on earth could drag her out!

She knew her Qinghan’s physical limits all too well. There was no way her daughter could physically remove her if she clung to the tatami like this. Hahaha! Foolish Qinghan, you’d need another century to outsmart your mother!

Just as Du Wanyi was basking in her imagined victory, the short-haired woman’s voice cut through her delusions.

"Madam… the young mistress seems to have left." The short-haired woman looked awkward. She had realized that her matriarch’s plan was to stubbornly stay in the room—but the problem was, Shen Qinghan had simply walked out the moment the door opened, heading straight outside without so much as a glance at the melodramatic Du Wanyi writhing on the floor.

"Huh? What! She left?!"

A giant question mark seemed to materialize above Du Wanyi’s head. She scrambled up from the floor, not even bothering to dust off her clothes, standing stiffly like a startled otter—except this otter now had a visible aura of confusion.

She scanned the room. Not a trace of Qinghan remained.

She had vanished without a trace!

Du Wanyi: "…"

Silently, she flopped back down, lifeless, exuding an overwhelming cloud of negativity. Muffled whimpers escaped her lips.

"Wuwuwu… I don’t want to live anymore… Wuwuwu… This is too cruel… Wuwuwu…"

Short-haired woman: "…"

Meanwhile…

Outside the Du family estate, Shen Qinghan limped toward the private car, leaning on her cane.

"To the school," she said flatly, her voice calm but firm in the quiet interior of the vehicle.

"Yes!"

The driver nodded and immediately set off, speeding away from the estate toward Great Sea City Noble Academy. The car soon disappeared into the distance.

---

Great Sea City Noble Academy.

Student Council President’s Office.

Ye Cheng and Li Yong sat stiffly, locked in a silent staring contest. Ye Cheng’s eyes burned with suspicion and confusion. What’s this idiot doing here? Did he snitch and drag me down with him? That bastard! If he’s going down, he’s taking me with him? Fine. Today, I’ll show him why I’m the Twin Flower Red Staff of Great Sea City’s West Road!

Li Yong, on the other hand, was sweating bullets, his expression a mix of disbelief and dread. He had just realized that the so-called "Superman" who had threatened to "deal with him" earlier seemed to be on familiar terms with the terrifying Dongfang Zhixia—very familiar, judging by the two bright red handprints symmetrically decorating Ye Cheng’s face.

When Ye Cheng had first arrived, there had only been one slap mark. But then he’d said something—Li Yong hadn’t caught the exact words, but he definitely heard the name of the Shen family’s young mistress. Then—SMACK!—the second handprint joined the first. After that, Ye Cheng had shut up real quick.

Now, the two of them sat like scolded schoolboys, one kneeling (Li Yong) and the other sulking (Ye Cheng), locked in this silent standoff.

Witnessing Ye Cheng getting slapped by the council president had been an enlightening experience for Li Yong. Not only was this guy’s physical endurance superhuman, but his mental resilience was on another level—like some kind of unshakable monster!

Ye Cheng was busy plotting how to "teach Li Yong a lesson" later, while Li Yong was brainstorming excuses. After all, no matter how many slaps Ye Cheng took from Dongfang Zhixia, they were still on the same side. Where did that leave an outsider like him?

And maybe it was just his imagination, but Li Yong could swear there was something… different in the air between those two. He’d been on the receiving end of Dongfang Zhixia’s slaps before, but the way she’d hit Ye Cheng felt… off.

Sure, Ye Cheng’s face was redder than Li Yong’s had ever been, but the intent behind the strikes wasn’t the same. It was hard to explain—abstract, even—but Li Yong could feel it.

Dongfang Zhixia probably never expected Li Yong to develop a philosophy about her slapping techniques. Now that was professionalism.

The eerie silence stretched on for nearly ten minutes before Dongfang Zhixia finally spoke.

"You two have ten minutes to explain what happened this morning. Otherwise... heh." Dongfang Zhixia's cold smile said more than enough.

Gulp! 2

Ye Cheng and Li Yong, who was kneeling on the floor, swallowed hard at the same time. They exchanged a glance and spoke in unison.

"Not my fault! 2"

"I'm a victim too. 2"

The exact same phrases spilled from their mouths simultaneously, leaving everyone in the room speechless. These two were really trying to dodge all responsibility.

Dongfang Zhixia: "..."

Suddenly, Dongfang Zhixia smiled—though it was a terrifying smile. Ye Cheng could almost see the spectral shadow of a wrathful oni manifesting behind her, and his pupils shrank. He was about to pull out the "disclaimer" he'd recorded earlier that morning, but before he could speak, Dongfang Zhixia yanked him away.

"Hey, hey, President! I haven’t even started my excuse yet! This is unfair—ahhh!"

Ye Cheng was dragged into an empty hallway where no one could see (or dared to look), though the agonized screams echoing from outside made it clear what was happening.

A few minutes later, Ye Cheng returned, his face "flushed red." What he’d endured needed no explanation.

Ye Cheng seriously wondered if Dongfang Zhixia had woken up on the wrong side of the bed—or worse, swallowed dynamite. Why was she so quick to resort to violence?

Actually... he wasn’t far off. Dongfang Zhixia was even more explosive than someone who’d eaten dynamite. She’d spent the entire morning worrying that Ye Cheng might’ve been targeted by some rich playboy at school, given his unreliable personality.

She’d done this before—collaborating with her sharp-witted secretary to "arrest" Ye Cheng discreetly, making him "disappear" from campus without a trace. The fear of history repeating itself had gnawed at her, only to find... the guy was just napping in class like nothing happened.

It nearly gave her an aneurysm. Had all her fretting been for nothing?

Truthfully, Dongfang Zhixia didn’t want answers or explanations. She just wanted to smack Ye Cheng. Even if he hadn’t tried to weasel his way out, she’d have found some nitpicky reason to punish him anyway.

Proud to a fault, Dongfang Zhixia would never admit she cared—not outright. Apart from her secretary, she’d never invested this much concern in anyone else. And yet, the first time she did, Ye Cheng made her look like a fool. No wonder she was furious.

Now, after venting her frustration on him, she felt much better. Ye Cheng even seemed slightly more tolerable.

"You first. And you—shut it." Dongfang Zhixia took a deep breath, her tone icy as she glared at Li Yong before shooting a sharper look at Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng: "..."

Wasn’t this unfair? Why was he the only one getting the death stare?

"President, can I go first?" Ye Cheng blinked his big, innocent eyes, radiating pure, childlike sincerity—so convincingly that Li Yong gaped in disbelief. What the hell? This guy was a master actor! Where was the ruthless brute who’d threatened to fold him into thirds earlier?

Dongfang Zhixia smiled "sweetly." "Of course, darling. But first, let’s step outside for a moment."

Ye Cheng: "..."

As Dongfang Zhixia grabbed his collar to drag him back to the "scene of the crime," Ye Cheng’s expression instantly cleared. He quickly seized her hand, his face the picture of earnestness.

"Actually, no need! He should go first. He seems... more urgent. Yeah, let him talk."

Dongfang Zhixia narrowed her eyes, her gaze lingering on Ye Cheng’s hand gripping hers. In the end, she only snorted and didn’t pull away.

The sudden "claiming" left everyone stunned—the Dongfang family bodyguards, the female student council member, even Li Yong. And Li Yong? He was the most horrified of all.

Damn it!

What kind of cursed matchmaking was this? Out of all the soft targets at Great Sea City Noble Academy, he’d picked the one guy who happened to be Dongfang Zhixia’s... whatever this was.

Could there be any doubt? That "darling" had sent Li Yong’s brain into overdrive. Bro, if you had this kind of backing, why not say so earlier? You played me like a damn fool! If I’d known you were Dongfang Zhixia’s man, I’d have dropped to my knees on sight!

Just kidding—even if he hadn’t known, Li Yong would’ve knelt the second Ye Cheng came for him.

With Ye Cheng’s freakish physique, hesitation meant getting folded like origami. Li Yong was just a spoiled rich kid coasting through life. If not for his father’s threats, he wouldn’t even be in school. Toughness? Nonexistent. The thought alone brought tears to his eyes.

If Dongfang Zhixia’s "darling" wasn’t proof enough, the fact that she let Ye Cheng hold her hand without pulling away sealed it. Anyone who couldn’t read the room now had a death wish.

Gulp.

Li Yong swallowed hard and decided to revise his earlier statement—taking full blame in hopes that Ye Cheng might spare him out of pity.

"W-well, M-Miss Dongfang, here’s what happened this morning..."

Stammering, Li Yong recounted the events, downplaying everything. Ye Cheng’s early-morning shouting became "accidentally speaking a tad too loudly." Their heated exchange? Just "a slightly rushed tone." The survival instincts were strong.

"...So, yeah. Totally my fault. This bro here’s innocent. Just a tiny misunderstanding..."

"Tiny misunderstanding?" Dongfang Zhixia arched a brow, glancing at Ye Cheng.

Ye Cheng wasn’t having it. Tiny? This was a full-blown disaster! He had evidence, damn it. This snake was trying to drag him down? Too late for regrets now!

With a cold smirk, Ye Cheng reached for the recording he’d made earlier. Li Yong didn’t know what he was planning, but that "sinister" grin was enough to trigger a near-heart attack.

Nooo!

"Look, since it’s my fault, I’ll take responsibility. Here’s a million—compensation for the trouble. And if there’s anything else, I’ll cover it all!"

Li Yong spat the words out at lightning speed, terrified of missing his chance.

Ye Cheng’s eyes sparkled at the mention of a million.

Dongfang Zhixia frowned. "You’re sure it’s just a misunderstanding?"

Ye Cheng glanced at the million... er, at the pleading Li Yong on his knees, then at the president. With utmost "honesty," he nodded.

"Exactly, just a minor conflict!"

Li Yong, seeing that Ye Cheng was willing to let him off, heaved a sigh of relief, nearly moved to tears. Bro, you’re my savior!

"If it's just a minor conflict, then you can leave. As for that one million—pfft, is this how your Li family operates? Solving everything with money? Get lost, you’re an eyesore here."

Dongfang Zhixia glared at Li Yong with undisguised impatience. Though her words were razor-sharp, Li Yong was practically weeping with gratitude. Thank heavens, I can finally leave—no, wait, I can finally roll out of here!

"Understood, Young Miss! I’ll roll right away, I’ll roll right away!"

Tears of gratitude streaming down his face, Li Yong proceeded to literally roll out of the room under the bewildered stares of the onlookers.

Everyone: "……"

Li Yong was gone, and Ye Cheng’s heart shattered. What’s wrong with solving things with money? He loved it when people threw money at him, trampling his dignity underfoot—the more, the better!

Seeing Li Yong flee, Ye Cheng nearly jumped in agitation, ready to chase after his lost million.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Dongfang Zhixia’s "gentle" voice rang out from behind, sending chills down everyone’s spines.

"The rest of you, get out. This doesn’t concern you."

"Yes, Young Miss!"

"Understood, Chairwoman!"

With Dongfang Zhixia’s dismissal, the "extras" scrambled to leave—except for Ye Cheng, who tried to blend into the crowd and slip away unnoticed.

Thud!

The last to leave was the female student council member, who, ever the opportunist, closed the door behind her and even flipped the sign outside to "In Session—Do Not Disturb." Chairwoman, I’m just trying to climb the ladder… Her actions had a certain disregard for Ye Cheng’s survival.

"Darling, were you trying to run?" Dongfang Zhixia "sweetly" rested a hand on Ye Cheng’s shoulder, her smile radiant—while the spectral shadow of a wrathful demon loomed behind her, an ethereal blade hovering at his neck.

Ye Cheng: "……"

"Of course not, haha! I just wanted to see them off, haha…"

Dongfang Zhixia narrowed her eyes, walked to her desk, and pulled out a tablet from the drawer.

"After you see this, darling, you’d better have an explanation for me."

A giant question mark popped up over Ye Cheng’s head. An explanation? For what? Wasn’t this whole mess already over?

"Shocking: A Man’s Unthinkable Acts in His Dorm Room…"

Ye Cheng: "???"

……

At the school gates.

A sleek black car bearing the Shen family crest glided into the campus, bypassing the underground route and taking the academy’s exclusive passage instead.

Students scattered out of its path, and even after it passed, hushed whispers trailed in its wake.

"That’s the Shen family’s car—is the young master inside?"

"That’s what real nobility looks like. What do we even call ourselves ‘young masters’ for? Sigh…"

"Wasn’t the Shen heir known for being low-key? Why the sudden grand entrance?"

"Keep it down. If they hear you, you’ll be minced meat before you know it…"

Inside the car, Shen Qinghan listened to the murmurs, her expression unreadable. People without "color" weren’t even worth remembering.

"Young Master, where to?" the driver asked.

Shen Qinghan’s eyes gleamed. "Male dormitory, Room 250. We’re fetching someone."

"Yes!"

The car turned smoothly, heading toward Ye Cheng’s dormitory at Great Sea City Noble Academy.

……