Chapter Fifty: A Rare Moment of Peace

"It's over, it's finally over!"

On Bed One lay Feng Shang, his neck twisted, mouth pulled in a grimace, wailing at every injection and never ceasing his complaints.

On Bed Two was Fang Zhe, not yet awakened, but no longer in mortal danger.

On Bed Three, Mao Xuanzi lay silently, no longer attached to anything here, quietly murmuring to himself, "What should we do next?"

On Bed Four, Han Tianyue, though unsure how he had made it back, felt his heart lighten seeing everyone was safe. He had much to say, but as for victory or defeat, he had long since cast those thoughts aside. Now, the only thing on his mind was, "Crown Prince, I’ll come find you soon!"

"Feng Shang, Mao Xuanzi, Han Tianyue!" called out Counselor Song. In these past days, Han Tianyue had come to realize that Counselor Song was a genuinely good person—so very different from the sly old fox he had once imagined. At times, this old fox was even quite endearing, though he did have a penchant for feigning profundity.

"Feng Shang, Mao Xuanzi, Han Tianyue!" echoed the voices of all their classmates, following close behind. They already knew the outcome of the competition, but right now, Feng Shang, Mao Xuanzi, Han Tianyue, and Fang Zhe were the true victors in their hearts.

"If the school has two heroes, my first vote goes to Han Tianyue, and my second to Crown Prince Mao—Mao Xuanzi. Crown Prince, you won't mind the second vote, will you?" It was Counselor Yun, flanked by Zhang Min, Huang Ya, Qing Ni, and Tie Mu.

Mao Xuanzi gave a charming, handsome smile.

Feng Shang, who moments before had been wailing, immediately sat up with an air of gravity at the sight of three beautiful girls. "Aren’t I handsome?" he asked.

A chorus of mockery answered him.

"Why is it always me who gets hurt?" Feng Shang collapsed back onto his bed, dejected.

"Ah, where am I?" Fang Zhe awoke, touching his chest as if he had forgotten everything, exclaiming, "How did I end up here?"

The moment Fang Zhe woke, Feng Shang revived, climbing up and exclaiming, "How come you’re not dead!"

Fang Zhe blinked, then glanced at Feng Shang, who was swaddled head to toe in bandages. His expression changed. "You’re the one who looks dead!"

"Your injuries are worse than mine!" Feng Shang retorted gleefully.

"But at least I won’t be disfigured," Fang Zhe shot back, pointing at Feng Shang.

At once, Feng Shang clutched his heavily bandaged face, wailing, "My lovely, beloved face!"

Everyone in the room burst out laughing at his words.

Because noise was forbidden in the ward, the doctor asked Counselors Song and Yun to leave, and they departed with their students, leaving only Han Tianyue, Mao Xuanzi, Fang Zhe, and Feng Shang behind.

"So peaceful. Truly, so peaceful," Han Tianyue thought, gazing at his three dear friends. Though each of them had brushed past death, none had any regrets.

"Even though my lovely face is ruined, this feels wonderful!" Feng Shang hugged a soft pillow, basking in the serenity.

"So, what do we do now?" Mao Xuanzi asked once more.

At that question, Feng Shang and Fang Zhe both turned to Han Tianyue.

Han Tianyue lifted his head to the sky outside the window. After a long moment, he shouted, "For our promise, for our dreams—" He paused, then continued, "And for the Crown Prince, we shall leave the school!"

Han Tianyue raised his fist.

Mao Xuanzi smiled again, looking every bit the hero, and raised his fist as well.

Fang Zhe coughed and raised his fist.

Not wanting to be left out, Feng Shang hastily raised his fist and shouted, "How could you forget me!"

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