Chapter 37: Are They a Liability or a Hidden Ace?

Jumping from a building—such a thing was unheard of not only among students barely in their teens, but even the dormitory supervisor, a woman seasoned by years, had never encountered such a scene. For a moment, everyone was thrown into panic and confusion. They looked at each other in helpless silence, uncertain of what to do.

“Liu Wei, please come down. Don’t do anything foolish,” Mo Ke and Zhao Ya pleaded as they cautiously moved toward Liu Wei, hoping to pull their dormmate and dear friend back from the brink of danger.

The dorm supervisor and the other girls in the building instinctively followed behind them. Regardless of their usual relationships, no one wanted to see Liu Wei harmed at such a moment.

Their approach immediately caught Liu Wei’s attention. She whipped around, her voice ragged and trembling, and shouted at everyone, “Don’t come any closer! Stay away from me! I only want to die alone—I don’t want to drag any of you down with me!”

Everyone halted in unison. On one hand, they feared provoking Liu Wei, afraid she might act on impulse and jump; on the other, her final words had frightened them.

While everyone stood frozen, unsure how to proceed, Mo Ke stepped forward and spoke gently, “Liu Wei, don’t act rashly. There’s no obstacle in this world you can’t overcome. If you have troubles, if you’re facing hardship, we’ll all help you carry the burden and find a solution together.”

Liu Wei shook her head, her voice filled with sorrow. “Help me carry the burden? That’s easy to say! My boyfriend cheated on me with another woman behind my back. When I found out, he showed no remorse; instead, he cursed me, saying I was selfish and didn’t know how to share... Share? This is the first time I’ve ever heard that a boyfriend can be shared with others!”

After pouring out her heartbreak, Liu Wei stared at Mo Ke with bloodshot eyes, her laughter mad and wild. “Tell me, how can you help me carry this burden? I know you all mean well, but I’m just so tired, so heartbroken. For him, I gave up so much, and this is what I get in return... Now, I have no thoughts left, only the wish to die. That way, it will all be over, and I’ll never hurt again...”

Mo Ke wanted desperately to continue persuading her, but when she opened her mouth, not a single word came out. She was, after all, only a teenager herself, inexperienced and unprepared to counsel someone determined to die. Helpless, she turned to the dorm supervisor for help. “Aunt Zhang, please, try to talk to Liu Wei!”

“Ah? Me... you want me to talk? But I don’t even know what to say!” The supervisor’s forehead was beaded with sweat in distress.

She could easily keep order and cleanliness in the dormitory, but to talk someone out of suicide—she had no experience at all.

Just as everyone was at a loss, a voice suddenly rang out, “Hmm, jumping down really would put an end to it all. You wouldn’t have to feel heartbroken anymore.”

The speaker was none other than Li Sicheng.

He was now the closest to Liu Wei, about four or five steps away.

Hearing his words, Mo Ke was instantly alarmed. “Li Sicheng, what are you doing? This is a matter of life and death! If you won’t help, at least don’t add fuel to the fire!”

If she hadn’t feared startling Liu Wei, she really would have rushed over and kicked Li Sicheng.

She’d seen useless teammates before, but never one as hopelessly clueless as him! Was he persuading her not to jump, or urging her to do it? How could anyone be so unhelpful?

“He’s despicable—not just a perverted scoundrel, but utterly heartless! We should have locked him in his dorm and given him a good beating!” Zhao Ya gritted her teeth in hatred. She had never had a good impression of Li Sicheng.

Despite the suspicion and scolding, Li Sicheng offered no explanation, not even turning his head. Hands clasped behind his back, he made a calming gesture toward Mo Ke and the others. Then he continued, “Once you jump, you won’t have to hurt anymore, and your boyfriend can keep living freely.”

“What did you say?” Liu Wei’s attention was drawn to him.

“What, do you still think your boyfriend will mourn you after you die? Please—you just said yourself he’s a scumbag. If you die, he won’t grieve for you; he might even celebrate!”

Li Sicheng’s words were like a sharp knife plunged into Liu Wei’s chest, causing her such pain she could barely breathe.

She opened her mouth to retort, but the words wouldn’t come. She knew, deep down, that everything Li Sicheng said was true. With the scumbag’s previous behavior, news of her death would hardly move him.

Though Liu Wei was already suffering, Li Sicheng showed no intention of letting up. Instead, he rubbed salt in her wounds. “Honestly, I think you’re being foolish—utterly brainless.”

This time, Liu Wei said nothing, only glared at him with reddened eyes, her gaze full of resentment and chilling to behold.

Li Sicheng was unfazed by her anger and continued, “Judging by your look, you’re not convinced, are you? Well, think about it—who will you hurt by dying? That scumbag? No, definitely not! The ones you’ll hurt are your parents, your family, your friends, and all those who care about you—but never that scumbag! Doing something that pains your loved ones and pleases your enemies—isn’t that the height of foolishness?”

“What should I do, then?” Liu Wei choked out.

Clearly, Li Sicheng had swayed her.

In her situation, only a harsh, direct approach would do.

Seeing Liu Wei’s resolve begin to waver, no longer so determined to die, Li Sicheng’s tone softened.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t kill myself. I’d live well, live beautifully, live with determination. After a few years, when you’ve built a career and become a woman of beauty and grace, you can show up with a handsome boyfriend at that scumbag’s door and say, ‘Thank you for not holding me back back then.’ Just imagine how satisfying, how cathartic that would be! Especially the look of shock, regret, and remorse on his face—wouldn’t that be delightful? As the old saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold. Let’s update that: a beauty’s revenge can wait a few years!”

A chuckle escaped Liu Wei—her tears turned to laughter at Li Sicheng’s words.

“Become a goddess? It’s not as easy as you make it sound.”

Seeing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Laughter meant hope. Laughter meant she no longer wished to die.

“If you’re not afraid of death, why be afraid of becoming a goddess?” Li Sicheng smiled, extending his hand. “Standing up there must be tiring. Come down and rest, and then start striving to become a goddess!”

“Thank you.” Liu Wei nodded and turned, preparing to jump down from the concrete ledge atop the building.

But at that very moment, an accident occurred!