A little while later, Jack Young and Sophie Soo pedaled their bikes back. The tandem bike, usually leading the pack, now crawled along like a turtle under their combined exhaustion, forcing the three ahead to stop and wait every few meters. The pair looked like dried-up salted fish—gray, limp, barely alive, inching their way forward.
After their spicy food showdown, both were left battered—no winners here. Jack was down for the count, and Sophie wasn’t much better off. Only the three girls, sensing disaster, started their own hotpot with a milder spice and now watched the scene, thoroughly entertained.
At 8:30 PM, the five finally returned to campus, dropped off the bikes, and went their separate ways. The loli went off to write, the cool beauty went to sleep, the girl with glasses hit the library. As for Sophie, she dragged Jack out for bubble tea. “Come on, there’s a nice spot in the North District. I’ll show you.” Under the night sky, Sophie’s expression softened. After grabbing their drinks, they strolled slowly through campus, the cool breeze making everything feel just right.
Sophie walked lightly with her hands behind her back, hopping along the curb and grinning at Jack: “Hey, Old Night Owl, you know this quiet road is called Guaranteed Admission Road?”
“Guaranteed Admission Road?” Jack shoved his hands in his pockets, trailing behind. “Is it because everyone who walks this road gets guaranteed grad school admission?”
“Nope!” Sophie spun around, her skirt flaring like a blooming flower. “It’s because…”
Ring ring—Sophie was interrupted by her phone. She glanced at the screen, her brows furrowing and her mood darkening. Jack noticed and asked, “Is it Stew Pot?” Sophie groaned, “Yeah, it’s him. Ugh, how does he even have my number?” Jack offered, “Want me to answer and scare him off?” Sophie shook her head, “Nah, I’ll handle it. It’s my problem, after all.”
Beep—the call connected. Sophie snapped, “What do you want? Just spit it out, I’m listening!” The little firecracker was clearly ready for a fight. As the debate team captain’s roommate, Sophie had plenty of practice sparring with words.
But Harry Huang’s words caught her off guard: “Sophie, about what happened in the music room the other day, I was wrong. I want to apologize.”
“Huh?” Sophie’s eyes went wide.
“After reflecting these past two days, I’ve realized how shameful my bullying was, and how much my constant pestering has bothered you. Rest assured, I’ve truly changed. I won’t do anything like that again. I’ll work hard to earn the Foreign Languages Student Council the rights it deserves—consider it my tiny way of making amends.”
Sophie was speechless, breaking out in a cold sweat like she was trapped in a nightmare. What was up with Stew Pot? Why was he saying such weird stuff? Was the apocalypse coming tomorrow or something?
But Jack’s ears twitched; he glanced toward a small grove some fifty meters away, eyes narrowing.
Inside that grove, Harry Huang was stumbling through his apology, reading off a slip of paper. He’d had someone write it for him and was just reciting, but with every word, a vein throbbed on his forehead. “Alright, Sophie, I’ve changed for real. Just watch me.” Click—he hung up in a hurry and tore the paper to shreds, furious.
Who the hell wrote this garbage? Made me sound like an idiot—this is an insult to Young Master Huang! Someone’s asking for trouble. But for now, patience. Step one to a rich guy comeback: erase the bad reputation with an apology. Next, smear that pretty boy and build up my own image!
Harry Huang dialed out, giving orders: “Go! Make it look good—there’s a reward if you pull it off!”
Back with Sophie, she put down the phone, totally baffled. Was Stew Pot broken after Jack stepped on him twice? Whatever—if he stops bugging her, it’ll be cause for celebration.
Jack didn’t give it another thought and picked up the earlier topic: “So why is this road called Guaranteed Admission Road?”
“Because a few people got ‘guaranteed admission’ thanks to this road.” Sophie perked up. “It’s pretty, but it’s remote and quiet. I heard a few girls were attacked here…”
Before she finished, a rush of footsteps approached—twenty-plus shirtless men blocked both sides, surrounding them with menace. The leader, a skinny tall guy, looked Sophie up and down, then barked, “Pretty boy, our brothers like this chick. Get lost!”
Jack slapped his forehead, looking utterly defeated.
He was at a loss for words. This should’ve been a scary scene, but Jack just found it hilarious. Even the infamous ‘Peach Blossom Bandit’ from his past would’ve scoffed at these guys. Fat, skinny, whatever—these so-called ‘men’ weren’t much tougher than bean sprouts at Black Dragon Village. Eight out of ten wore glasses; none of them looked remotely like real thugs.
“Pretty boy, if you don’t scram, we’ll knock your teeth out!”
The tall guy kept up the threats, and the others swung their arms, baring their teeth. Honestly, it was all so fake. It felt like a bunch of nerds out for a post-dinner stroll in their slippers—zero intimidation.
Watching Jack shake his head and sigh, the leader started to lose confidence. Why wasn’t this guy scared? If he wasn’t, how were they supposed to keep up the act? Was he really going to have to throw a punch? But honestly, the ‘pretty boy’ looked pretty ripped—definitely not easy prey. So the leader switched targets and glared at Sophie: “Girl, you better tell your man to get lost. And you’d better cooperate and let us have some fun, or else—hmph!”
The whole crew chimed in with creepy laughs, like monsters dancing in the dark.
Jack frowned. They were low-tier extras, but better to wrap this up quick—wouldn’t want Sophie getting scared.
But just as Jack was about to step in, Sophie sighed. She shook her head, clicking her tongue, looking totally exasperated. “What a bunch of clueless idiots.” She didn’t say it loudly, but everyone heard.
“What did you say, you stupid chick?” The tall guy clenched his fists, face twisted in anger.
Sophie snorted, “You think I don’t know you? Your girlfriend’s Fang Min from Freshman English Class Two.” At that, the tall guy froze, petrified on the spot.
Sophie lazily pulled out her phone and dialed. “Hey, Fang Min? It’s Sophie.”
“Oh, Sophie! What’s up?”
“Nothing much,” Sophie’s voice turned sly. “Except your boyfriend’s got me cornered on Guaranteed Admission Road with a bunch of guys. Seems like trouble. What do you want to do about it?”
“W-What!” Fang Min’s voice shot up an octave. “Put him on—I’ll talk to him!”
“No need. You call him yourself.” Sophie’s face darkened as she glanced at the men around her. “I’ve got more calls to make.”
Hiss—twenty-plus men gasped in unison, staring at Sophie in fear. The tall guy’s eyes went wide, mouth hanging open, sweat pouring down like rain. He looked like a dying fish, choking on air.
“You think I don’t know? You’re all students here—half of you are married into my department. Threatening me, the Foreign Languages President? Hilarious! Want to see me get you expelled, banned from the college entrance exam?” Click—Sophie snapped a photo for evidence, flashing a wicked grin. “Now that’s a real threat.”
“Mercy! Please!” The men were practically on their knees.
Jack laughed silently. The daughters of the Soo family aren’t pushovers. Try bullying her? This scheming girl will make you cry! (Haha! Got the official notice—my story will debut on Sanjiang soon! Not sure if I’ll need votes or rankings, but if so, hope all you Twin fans will support! To show my thanks, here’s an extra chapter today!)