Lila followed the stranger silently, senses on edge. They crossed campus to the north gate, beyond which lay a bustling food street. Past that, youth hostels and guesthouses gave way to a dilapidated residential zone slated for renovation, dotted with a deserted courtyard.
The stranger led her into the courtyard. No cars, no people—just distant dog barks. Despite the university's prime location, this area felt like a forgotten relic, still home to a few stubborn residents.
Is this an ambush? Lila scanned her surroundings. The courtyard walls were low—her only escape was climbing or the gate, now blocked by her guide. Climbing it was.
The stranger lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly, eyes fixed on Lila. "Name's Sherley. Relax, little sis. Word is, you're cozying up to Lu Yun. What's your game?"
Her hand grazed Lila's cheek, a taunting smirk curling. Lila stepped back, heart easing slightly—this is about Lu Yun—then tightening again.
Sherley pulled a dull knife from her jacket, not sharp but enough to hurt. "So, what's the deal with him?"
Lila, unsure of their tie, kept cool. "We're not close, and I've got no agenda. You're so hung up on him… got a crush?"
Her jab hit—Sherley's panic flickered. "Bullshit!" she roared. "Not close? He's always yapping about you! I'm his girl! Did you think about this when you flirted with my man?"
She brandished the knife, its glint chilling.
"I'm not here to fight—just to warn you. Stay away from Lu Yun, or I'll carve your face next time."
Sherley lit another cigarette, expecting tears. Lila's blank stare threw her. "That's it?" Lila said, voice icy.
Her calm masked pounding fear. She'd endured worse—knives to the bone—but she was scared. Her mom needed her alive. She was betting Sherley wouldn't dare.
"Lu Yun and I are nothing. Your boyfriend drama's not my problem. My turn to talk." As Sherley faltered, Lila snatched the knife, tossing it three meters away. "We're both women—skip the gangster act. Next time, talk nice, or I won't play nice."
Sherley, disarmed, saw no gain in escalating. If Lila weren't a student, she'd have swung. "Don't cross me again," she spat, grabbing her knife and storming off.
Lila exhaled, shaky. She tracked me to school—she's got campus allies. Avoiding Sherley was priority one; Lila had bigger fish—Vanessa and the Qiaos.
She grabbed snacks from the food street, replying to Wendy's flood of texts: "All good, not disciplinary—other stuff."
Wendy pounced on her at the dorm. "I was ready to grab a bat and save you!" She took Lila's snacks, pouting, "Fine, but call me if you're in danger—I'll back you up."
Lila nodded, planning to stick to campus and watch for disciplinary goons.
Three calm days passed. After late study, Lila headed home, only to be blocked at the classroom door. "Lila, fancy a coffee? Heard you clashed with our freshman disciplinary star," a guy said, flicking his hair.
Upperclassman—disciplinary head? "And you are?" she asked, unfazed.
"Lin Yu, student council VP."
VP? That freshman's reach is wild. Lila smirked. Wanna play? Game on.
"VP, huh? Sorry, student council's not my vibe. Can I go now?"
Lin Yu blocked the door with his foot. "Don't be rude. The department heads are here—join us for coffee."
Outside, nine upperclassmen waited—six guys, three girls, all department leaders. This freshman's got pull. Lila was public enemy number one.
"Big crowd. I can't afford that coffee," she said, slinging her bag. Wendy trailed, silent, intimidated by the council's clout.
Lin Yu cracked his knuckles. "What, student council's gotta go thug? Shouldn't you set an example?" Lila shot back. She and Wendy had work—no time for this.
Lin Yu's smile turned cold. "Well said. Free tomorrow? We'd love an interview."
He gestured for her to pass. "Tomorrow, campus coffee shop," Lila said, leading Wendy to their shift.
"Why agree?" Wendy fretted. "They're trouble!"
"I'll record it, and Chen Yu'll be nearby," Lila reassured. Wendy shied from conflict, but Lila had learned: no fight, no freedom.
After work, waiting for a cab, Lila sensed a shadow trailing her. She sped up; they matched her. Heart racing, she jumped into a taxi, glancing back—nothing. Paranoia?
Buckling in, she reached for her phone. The driver spoke. "Long time no see, Lila…"
Her blood froze, phone clattering. That voice—etched in her nightmares, a ghost from her past. Before she could react, darkness swallowed her.
Her phone's screen glowed: Lu Zhe's number, uncalled.
Lu Zhe, buried in office files, had his phone on silent.
Morning came. Wendy called Lila repeatedly—no answer. Still sleeping? Two classes passed, no Lila.
Lin Yu and his crew waited at the classroom for their "coffee" ambush. Empty-handed, he grabbed Wendy. "Where's Lila?"
She shrank back. "She didn't show, and her phone's dead. Something's wrong…"
Lin Yu scowled. "Scared off? Tell her to find me when she's back—or I'll hunt her down." He left, Wendy frozen.
Desperate, she called Chen Yu. "Lila's missing—phone's off, no class. Is she in trouble?"
Chen Yu's mind reeled. Wendy, grasping at straws, found Lu Zhe's number from a school paper. After several rings, his secretary answered. "How may I assist?"
"I need Lu Zhe—emergency!"
"Ma'am, the president's in a meeting. Leave a message, or if this is a prank, I'll call the police."
The call cut off. Wendy's retries were blocked.
By 7 p.m., Lila was a ghost—Chen Yu scoured the city, her phone's GPS dead. At 8 p.m., Lu Zhe wrapped a grueling 10-hour meeting. His secretary handed him his phone. "Sir, a girl called at noon, claiming urgency. I thought it was a scam…"
Lu Zhe checked his log, spotting Lila's missed call from last night. Why'd she call so late? He redialed—voicemail. Again—nothing.
"You said a girl called me?" His face darkened, eyes sharp with dread.
He called Wendy back. "Lu Zhe, finally! Lila's gone—her phone's dead, she missed class…"
"When?" he asked, voice eerily calm.
"Last night, maybe…"
Lu Zhe's gaze dropped to the call log. With a roar, he slammed his fist, toppling the desk.