After the Beautiful Omega Was Targeted by His Straight Roommate - Chapter 31

The air around them froze.

Everyone present held their breath, staring at the two of them in slack-jawed shock.

Pulpy orange residue clung to Zhao Kaiyun’s meticulously gelled hair. Juice cascaded down his face like a curtain of rain, eventually soaking his shirt and leaving him in a state of utter disarray.

He was instantly consumed by humiliation and rage. Lifting his eyes, his gaze turned sinister and cold, radiating a violent aura. Zhao Kaiyun roughly shoved aside Xu Jiali, who was standing in front of Tao Ran, and reached out to grab Tao Ran by the collar. “You dare splash me?”

Tao Ran was stunned by his own actions. He had not expected to be capable of such a thing. Coming back to his senses and seeing the murderous look in the other man’s eyes, he panicked.

Zhao Kaiyun was tall and strong. Tao Ran was easily hoisted up, his collar tightening abruptly. His face turned pale and his breathing became difficult as he struggled desperately to pry the man’s hands away.

The sight terrified the onlookers. Instead of intervening, they stumbled backward, fearing they might get hurt.

Xu Jiali was the first to react, rushing forward and shouting, “Hey, Zhao Kaiyun, what do you think you’re doing? You’re out of your mind! Let go of Tao Ran right now!”

The hand gripping the collar was like an iron lock. No matter how hard Tao Ran pulled, it would not budge. He felt as though he were about to faint from lack of oxygen until he heard Xu Jiali’s loud voice.

Feeling a surge of courage, his face turned red from the strain, but his gaze remained firm. He forced his lips open and squeezed out each word, “It is because you do not understand human speech and insist on seeking your own humiliation.”

“Damn it, let go of him!” Zhao Kaiyun’s hand was practically welded to Tao Ran’s collar. Even with Xu Jiali’s help, they could not pry it open.

In the chaos, Xu Jiali tugged at Zhao Kaiyun’s arm. A loud rip echoed through the air as the sleeve of Zhao Kaiyun’s shirt was torn away. But Zhao Kaiyun did not even care.

Hearing Tao Ran’s words, his fury peaked. His eyes turned bloodshot as he increased his grip, lifting Tao Ran even higher. “You really do not know what is good for you. You always act so pure, but who knows what you are like behind the scenes? I would say this game of playing hard to get should have a limit.”

“Let go,” Tao Ran gasped out. He felt like he was suffocating. In a moment of desperation, he raised his knee and slammed it hard into the man’s crotch.

A muffled thud rang out. Zhao Kaiyun’s eyes bulged. “Ugh!”

The sharp pain from his lower body shot up his spine and into his brain. Zhao Kaiyun abruptly released Tao Ran’s collar and stumbled back several steps. His face contorted in agony as he hunched over in pain.

Tao Ran finally caught his breath, his feet hitting the ground as he staggered back a few steps. Xu Jiali rushed over to support him. “Tao Ran, are you okay?”

Tao Ran’s throat was dry. He swallowed with difficulty, his voice raspy. “I am okay.”

Just then, patrolling security guards ran over with flashlights, the bright beams sweeping across everyone’s faces. “Who told you to start a fight on the sports field? Call your counselors over to handle this!”

The social event ended on a sour note. Counselors from the Physical Education Department and the Fine Arts Department arrived after receiving the call. The other onlookers were sent home, leaving only Zhou Qi, Zhao Kaiyun, Tao Ran, and Xu Jiali.

The Fine Arts counselor first looked at Zhao Kaiyun, who was still sitting on the grass trying to recover from the pain, with Zhou Qi standing by his side. Then he looked at Tao Ran and Xu Jiali. “What happened? Was this not supposed to be a social event? Why did a fight break out?”

Xu Jiali immediately stepped forward to complain. “Teacher, you have to be fair to us. This guy from the PE department, Zhao Kaiyun, forced his way into our event. When Tao Ran would not accept his red envelope, he deliberately looked for trouble. This is a clear case of bullying!”

“I am clearly the victim here!” Zhao Kaiyun finally managed to stand up after half an hour. He argued, “This student splashed a drink on me first. I only grabbed his collar because I was angry. I did not plan on doing anything, but this student here tore my clothes.”

“You are really twisting the truth! Did you not start the trouble?” Xu Jiali was disgusted by Zhao Kaiyun’s thick skin. He pulled Tao Ran forward, pointing out the red marks on his neck to the counselor. “What do you mean you did not plan on doing anything? Look at these marks! This was practically attempted murder!”

Tao Ran’s skin was delicate, and being choked by the collar for so long had left terrifying red welts.

Zhao Kaiyun retorted, “And Tao Ran attacked my vitals. Is that also not attempted murder?”

Xu Jiali glared at him. “Someone like you being castrated would be a service to society.”

Zhao Kaiyun glared back and then looked at his own department’s counselor. “Teacher, Xu Jiali tore my clothes. This shirt is a limited edition from Brand D. It costs 99,992 yuan, and I just put it on two hours ago. They have to pay for it!”

“That is enough! Stop shouting!” The PE counselor, a burly former athlete, roared with authority, instantly silencing them. “All of you, apologize to each other and submit a 3,000-word self-reflection. Settle the debt privately. If you keep arguing, I will report this to the school and it will go on your permanent records!”

Zhao Kaiyun produced the purchase record for the shirt, and it was indeed a Brand D item priced at 99,992 yuan. Under the counselor’s mediation, Xu Jiali and Tao Ran were to jointly compensate Zhao Kaiyun for the shirt. However, because Zhao Kaiyun had initiated the conflict, the compensation was halved. The two were to pay 25,000 yuan each within a month.

“I hope you learned your lesson. Do not be so impulsive next time. Never be the first to get physical, or you will be the one to suffer,” the Fine Arts counselor told Xu Jiali and Tao Ran after the others had left. “For now, think about the compensation. The amount is quite large. Call your parents and discuss it with them.”

“We will. Thank you, Teacher.”

Xu Jiali and Tao Ran watched the counselor leave. It was already past 10:00 PM. The sports field was empty, quiet, and chilly. They exchanged a glance. Xu Jiali said, “It is late. Let’s head back.”

“Mm.”

They turned toward the exit. “I am sorry, Tao Ran. I was so worried when I saw him grabbing your collar that I rushed in to help,” Xu Jiali said guiltily. “But I ended up making things worse.”

He began to curse Zhao Kaiyun. “That guy is insane. Buying clothes that are so expensive yet so flimsy. I suspect he wore it on purpose to extort money.” He then added softly, “But since I am the one who tore it, do not worry about the compensation. I will pay for it.”

Tao Ran had been in a daze since the moment he kicked Zhao Kaiyun. Only now did his thoughts return to reality. “How could I let you do that? Even though you tore it, you were trying to help me. I should be the one thanking you.”

In that situation, while everyone else was hiding to watch the drama, only Xu Jiali had come to his aid. Tao Ran would never let him bear the burden alone.

“No need for thanks. I did not really help you much,” Xu Jiali said regretfully. “If I had known, I would have joined the fray and hit him a few more times. I have hated him since high school when he played with my friend’s feelings.”

A moment later, Xu Jiali added excitedly, “But speaking of which, Tao Ran, you were amazing tonight! I noticed the way he was looking at you. I suspect he has feelings for you. I am sick of men who let their hormones control their brains. His boyfriend was right there and he still dared to harass someone. I was afraid you would be bullied, but you were so brave! Splashing that juice, I wish I had a photo of how pathetic he looked.”

Tao Ran felt a bit embarrassed by the praise. “Was I?”

“Yes! And the best part was that kick to the crotch!” Xu Jiali laughed gloatingly. “You did not see him when he left; he was limping! I bet he is going to a clinic first thing tomorrow.”

Xu Jiali looked at Tao Ran. “You usually look like a soft little rabbit, but you turned out to be a super brave one. I admire you!”

“I do not know what I was thinking. My mind went blank. By the time I realized it, I had already done it.” Tao Ran found it hard to believe himself. He did not know where that surge of courage had come from. Looking back, he admired his past self too. As they say, even a cornered rabbit will bite.

The compensation, however, was quite expensive. Tao Ran sighed with regret. “If I had known I would have to pay, I would have kicked him a few more times.”

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