“Ah! What are you doing?!”
Xiao Ran shrieked, but the tall figure showed no intention of letting her go.
She delivered dozens of slaps before finally slowing down.
“Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin don’t hit women, but I do,” Yun Yao panted heavily. “Got any more complaints?”
“You fucking—”
Xiao Ran gritted her teeth, trying to push Yun Yao away, but her arm was seized again, earning her three more slaps.
“Keep talking!” Yun Yao roared. “Say another word about Tiantian, I dare you!”
Xiao Ran’s cheeks were bright red, a mix of fury and pain written on her face.
“Zhao Haibo!!” she screamed. “Someone’s hitting me! Can’t you see?! Was letting you grope me for nothing?!”
Only then did Dr. Zhao snap out of it and hurry forward to pull Yun Yao away.
Just as he was about to grab her, two strong hands clamped down on him.
Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin stood on either side, blocking his path.
“Dr. Zhao,” Qi Xia called out. “Let the girls settle their own issues. No need for us to interfere.”
“Yeah, yeah, Dr. Zhao,” Qiao Jiajin chuckled. “No interrupting a one-on-one.”
Dr. Zhao’s face darkened. “B-But you—”
“Or do you wanna fight me instead?” Qiao Jiajin grinned. “I’ve got time right now, happy to oblige.”
“I…” Dr. Zhao hesitated, glancing between Qiao Jiajin and Xiao Ran on the ground, unsure what to do.
Meanwhile, Yun Yao landed another dozen slaps, leaving Xiao Ran completely defenseless.
“Sis! Stop! Please stop!” Xiao Ran wailed. “Your man’s amazing! Your man’s amazing, okay?!”
*Slap!*
“Wrong answer. Say it again!” Yun Yao snapped.
“You’re amazing! You’re the most amazing!”
*Slap!*
“Again!!”
Xiao Ran was utterly bewildered. “Sis… what do you want me to say?”
*Slap!*
“Speak!”
*Slap!*
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Xiao Ran howled. “I shouldn’t have said those things about her! I was wrong! I’ll never do it again!”
Yun Yao finally stopped.
Xiao Ran exhaled in relief.
“Say it ten times,” Yun Yao ordered.
“Huh?”
*Slap!*
“I said ten times!”
Under Yun Yao’s “friendly negotiation,” Xiao Ran was forced to apologize ten times in a row.
“Remember this—watch your mouth here. Someone *will* put you in your place!” Yun Yao gave Xiao Ran’s hair one last vicious tug as a warning before finally standing up.
She looked down at her own hands, now bright red.
“Idol girl, you okay?” Qiao Jiajin asked.
“I’m fine, just sore hands.”
“Then let’s get you some ice,” Qi Xia said, raising an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t want them to swell.”
“Yeah, yeah!” Qiao Jiajin nodded eagerly, and the two helped Yun Yao out of the room.
Dr. Zhao awkwardly helped Xiao Ran up from the floor, at a loss for words.
Xiao Ran’s eyes burned with rage.
“That bitch… who does she think she is?!” She bit down hard, tasting blood, then spat on the ground with a venomous mutter, “I’ll kill you…”
Qi Xia dampened a towel with bottled water and gently wrapped it around Yun Yao’s hands.
“That Xiao Ran is just despicable…” Yun Yao, still fuming, ignored the swelling in her hands. “How can someone so vile even exist?! I’m so mad! We’re both girls, but I can’t comprehend a single word she says!”
Qi Xia nodded. “If you’d waited one more second, I’d have been the one hitting her.”
“Forget it,” Yun Yao sighed. “If *you* hit her, she’d make a huge scene, ruin your reputation while playing the victim. It’s like a toad jumping on your foot—it doesn’t bite, but it disgusts you.”
“I don’t care about reputation,” Qi Xia shook his head, adding more water to the towel.
“Still, no.” Yun Yao insisted. “In situations like this, people always side with the ‘victim.’ I’ve been through it before, so I figured it’s best if I beat her up myself.”
Qi Xia nodded, then shifted the topic. “I doubt Xiao Ran will let this go. Don’t team up with her in the future—watch your back.”
Yun Yao nodded quietly. “You’re right. I’ll be careful.”
As the three chatted near the restroom, an older woman approached.
Qi Xia recognized her.
She wore a Buddhist pendant and a Jesus cross around her neck, and today, her wrist bore a new string of beads.
“Auntie Tong?” Yun Yao stood up, forcing a smile. “What’s up?”
“Xiao Yun…” The woman, called Auntie Tong, smiled warmly. “I heard many lost their memories this time, so I’m restarting my classes. Will you come?”
“Ah… I…” Yun Yao hesitated. “Maybe not… I still remember…”
Qi Xia and Qiao Jiajin exchanged confused glances.
“Classes?”
Seeing Qi Xia’s interest, Auntie Tong eagerly grabbed his hand.
“Amitabha, God bless. Young man, you seem devout. Would you like to join my class?”
“Devout?” Qi Xia chuckled dryly. “Auntie, your judgment’s off. I’ve never believed in gods my whole life.”
Auntie Tong’s smile didn’t waver. “But young man, if there are no gods, how do you explain this place?”
“That…”
Her simple question stumped Qi Xia.
She then turned to Qiao Jiajin, scrutinizing him. “Young man, you don’t believe either, do you?”
“Auntie, you’re really not good at this,” Qiao Jiajin said awkwardly. “I’ve worshipped Lord Guan for over ten years.”
“Well, that’s fine,” Auntie Tong shook her head. “This afternoon, I’ll hold a class in the north room, explaining the origins of the ‘Land of the End’ and the principles of ‘Echoes.’ Feel free to join.”
“What?!” Qi Xia stiffened. “Auntie, you know about the ‘Land of the End’ and ‘Echoes’?!”
He glanced at Yun Yao, who gave him a helpless look.
“Yes, it’s all the Lord’s will,” Auntie Tong nodded. “The Buddha is merciful, revealing the Holy Mother’s divine plan to us.”
Qi Xia felt this auntie believed in too many things.
In just a few sentences, she’d mentioned “God,” “Buddha,” “the Lord,” and “Holy Mother”—covering nearly every major religion.
“Maybe I’ll pass—” Qi Xia began, but Auntie Tong grabbed him.
“Young man, to survive here, you must rid your heart of lingering doubts.”
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