Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 28

The first two classes of the morning were “History of Sculpture.”

As soon as Meng Tang entered the classroom, classmates began asking about the investigation results. After responding, she found a seat, only for Tan Xi to sit down beside her.

Meng Tang tilted her head, her gaze flickering with surprise. “You’re sitting here?”

Tan Xi shot her a sidelong glance. “What? Can’t I?”

Meng Tang: “…You can.”

Tan Xi crossed her arms, her demeanor still haughty. “I know you suspect me. They all say I was the one who ruined it, but I didn’t do it. You don’t have to gossip about me behind my back like they do.”

“So…” Meng Tang met her gaze directly. “You’re saying I should follow your example and gossip to your face instead?”

Tan Xi choked on her words.

The corner of Meng Tang’s lips curled slightly. “I don’t suspect you. Let’s just wait for the results.”

…

“Thank you.” Wei Chuan took the bag from Meng Tang’s hands. “This way, it won’t be cold anymore. Where are you heading next?”

“The cafeteria.”

“Then I’ll be off first. My third sister is coming back today.”

“Wait a second.” Meng Tang called out to him. “I was working on your figurine this afternoon and took a few photos when I came down. Want me to send them to you?”

“Sure.”

After sending the photos, Meng Tang headed to the cafeteria alone. Coincidentally, she ran into Xie Lingyin and Xu Heqing at the entrance.

Meng Tang glanced over, Xu Heqing was frowning, clearly not in a good mood.

“What brings you two to the north cafeteria?” Meng Tang asked Xie Lingyin quietly.

Before Xie Lingyin could answer, her phone rang again.

Seeing the caller ID, Meng Tang’s smile faded. She answered and turned toward the administration building.

Xie Lingyin sensed something was off and tugged Xu Heqing along, following her.

“Meng Tang, did the investigation results come in?” Xie Lingyin hurriedly asked as soon as Meng Tang hung up.

“Yeah, the dean wants me to go to the administration building.”

“Let’s go. I’ll come with you.”

Meng Tang gave a quiet “Mm,” her peripheral vision catching Xu Heqing tagging along. She pressed her lips together but said nothing.

Entering the building, Meng Tang pressed the elevator button to go up. The three stepped inside, and just as the doors were closing, a familiar voice suddenly called out, “Hold the door!”

Meng Tang instinctively reopened the elevator, it was Tan Xi.

“You…” Meng Tang paused slightly. “Here for something?”

Tan Xi exhaled, her usual arrogance gone. She spoke with difficulty, “I’m sorry. It was Zhang Yifan who destroyed your Blind Monk Listening to the Qin.”

Meng Tang reacted slowly. “Who’s Zhang Yifan?”

“My ex-boyfriend,” Tan Xi admitted awkwardly. “I complained to him about the competition, but I never thought he’d go this far.”

Xu Heqing suddenly spoke up. “From the sports college?”

Xie Lingyin turned to him. “You know him?”

Xu Heqing nodded. “Physical education major.”

Tan Xi confirmed, “That’s him.”

Xie Lingyin faced Tan Xi, her tone sharp. “You still keep in touch after breaking up? And you complained to him about the competition?”

Tan Xi frowned. “He wanted to get back together and kept coming to me. I mentioned the competition in passing, but I didn’t tell him to do anything.”

Xie Lingyin scoffed. “Even if you didn’t do it, you’re still involved.”

Tan Xi had no retort, Xie Lingyin wasn’t wrong.

On the fourth floor, Meng Tang turned into the office at the end of the hallway. Chen Xunli was already there with several relevant administrators and faculty members.

Meng Tang’s gaze shifted, landing on the “culprit.”

He wasn’t bad-looking, but his eyes were fierce.

Before she could speak, the hot-tempered Tan Xi stepped forward and slapped him. “What the hell is wrong with you? Yeah, I complained about the competition, but did you have to resort to such a dirty trick? Do I need you to do this for me?”

The slap startled everyone. A nearby faculty member immediately stood up and reprimanded them, ordering everyone to sit down.

But Zhang Yifan, agitated, shouted at Tan Xi, “I did all this for you!”

Tan Xi glared. “I don’t need it! I’d rather lose fair and square.”

“Then you shouldn’t have told me about it!” Zhang Yifan took an aggressive step forward, and Meng Tang instinctively pulled Tan Xi back.

Tan Xi recoiled, startled by his furious expression.

As the only male present, Xu Heqing naturally stepped in front of the three girls, mostly because he didn’t want Xie Lingyin to get caught in the crossfire.

Chen Xunli stood up and snapped, “Sit down, Zhang Yifan. If you continue to be unreasonable, the punishment against you will only get worse.”

Zhang Yifan ignored him, his rationality completely shattered by Tan Xi’s slap.

Xu Heqing, noticing his unstable demeanor, tightened his grip and pinned him against the wall. “Calm down.”

Zhang Yifan let out a cold laugh, suddenly seized Xu Heqing’s wrist, and squeezed hard, forcing him to let go. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yifan pulled out a carving knife from his pants pocket.

Meng Tang recognized it as a 25mm flat-head carving knife, and her heart leaped into her throat.

She cautiously pulled Xie Lingyin aside, trying to divert Zhang Yifan’s attention.

“Don’t act rashly. Just put the knife down, don’t hurt anyone, and I won’t hold you accountable for anything.”

“Save your lies. Even if you don’t, the school won’t let me stay.”

Xu Heqing knew the longer this dragged on, the worse it would get. While Zhang Yifan was distracted by Meng Tang, he lunged forward.

“Xu Heqing!” Xie Lingyin was terrified out of her wits.

Zhang Yifan, a student from the sports college, was far stronger than Xu Heqing, who was from the business management department.

With a muffled groan, Xu Heqing’s arm, along with his jacket, was slashed open in a long, bloody gash.