Chapter 62: Xu Yuan Imprisoned

At this moment, Xu Yaochuan felt as though he were a kite held in her palm, already tethered to her will, growing ever more curious about what else she concealed, ever more eager to unveil the mystery veiling her. The more he thought, the darker his eyes grew—a darkness so intense even Xu Chuyin beside him sensed something was amiss.

He understood: his elder brother had succumbed to desire.

He couldn’t blame his brother, for he too was captivated.

When Zhong Huayan finished her dance, she bowed to the audience. Only then did the host recover, and the hall erupted. The cheers were deafening, interspersed with countless whistles and even some young men confessing their affection aloud.

“Li Yanyan! I love you!”

A chorus of men joined in, “I love you too, goddess!”

But as the camera from the media school panned to Fu Yanyan, and the man’s cold, sharp features filled the giant screen, the bravado of those male students was instantly quashed—not one dared shout again.

After all, the students here were all scions of wealth—not only was tuition exorbitant, but not every rich heir was accepted. They were well-versed in the ways of the world and knew better than to offend the Fu family.

Inwardly they all sighed—since ancient times, beauties have always been destined for heroes and kings.

The art association teachers applauded enthusiastically, consulting neither one another nor their consciences before marking a score of ninety-eight. As a precaution, they never gave a perfect score.

Xu Yuan sat sullenly. She had been rigorously practicing classical dance, hiring the finest instructors, all of whom praised her as unmatched. Yet she had been outdone—and by the very same genre of classical dance.

Tears spilled uncontrollably, but she accepted her defeat. A loss was a loss.

So this was her true strength—formidable indeed.

Zhong Huayan retreated backstage to remove her makeup. After thirty performances had concluded, the awards would be presented according to scores.

Fang Wenjin’s performance was excluded from competition; he had been invited as a special guest for the opening ceremony, being once the top student of Hainai University.

As Zhong Huayan observed Fang Wenjin, she found him increasingly familiar, though she could not recall why.

Xu Yuan, clutching her skirt, stood to the side among more than thirty contestants awaiting the rankings. Nearby, the hostesses held bouquets and medals.

Though the prizes were modest, the ceremony was carried out with due pomp—it was, after all, a university art event.

As expected, the results were announced: Li Yanyan’s Kunqu classical dance swept first place in her year by a landslide.

Xu Yuan’s piano and classical dance also performed excellently, earning her second place.

While everyone was celebrating the competition—

“Xu Yuan is suspected of instigating kidnapping, drug abuse, assault, and repeatedly causing grievous bodily harm. We’re taking her in for questioning now.”

A group of police officers surged into the hall, and at once the festive atmosphere turned grave. The room fell eerily silent. Several uniformed officers approached the school leaders, speaking at a measured volume, but those in the front rows heard every word clearly.

The online forums exploded:

[Big news! Xu Yuan not only lost her performance at Hainai University, but even broke the law—the police came for her!]
[Are you sure? Were those officers really after Xu Yuan?]
[Absolutely! I heard it myself, damn! Looks like she’s headed for jail. Has Xu Yuan’s luck run out lately or what?]
[What luck? Evil deeds get evil returns; good deeds, good returns. If she did nothing wrong, why would the police come for her?]

Standing on stage, Xu Yuan’s face drained of color. Suddenly, realization dawned—she tossed aside her bouquet and dashed backstage, desperate to retrieve her phone and call for help.

But her attempt to flee only brought the police upon her; in an instant, she was pinned down and cuffed.

The whole audience erupted in shock—even the judges were aghast.

Xu Yuan struggled and screamed, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t plan the kidnapping! I never meant to kill anyone, never abused drugs, I’m innocent! Let me go!”

Her eyes pleaded for help, searching the distant platform where two men stood.

One was her brother, the other her younger brother.

At that moment, both remained unmoved, like shadowy puppeteers in the dark, betraying neither tension nor surprise.

She had been so happy today; her brother had come to watch her perform. No matter how mischievous she was, her heart always yearned for her family.

But now, they stood above, passing judgment and shame.

Her last defenses crumbled—an unprecedented terror and despair overwhelmed her, choking her, driving her mad. She cried out, fighting the handcuffs as the police forced her to the ground, screaming, “The mastermind is Xu Chuyin! It’s Xu Chuyin, not me! Can’t you investigate properly? Let me go—all of you, go to hell!”

Seeing her struggle, the police displayed the evidence collected from her phone. “If you have grievances, tell them at the station. Your father has already handed over evidence of your crimes, as have countless reports over the years—illegal assaults, numerous injuries, even acid attacks. We’ll discuss each case in detail soon.”

Now, not only her classmates but the media were stunned.

What? She’d committed so many crimes?

To the outside world, Xu Yuan had always seemed spoiled and arrogant, but no one ever imagined she was so vicious in private.

Those in the audience who understood realized that Xu Yuan had lost all protection, abandoned by her family, and began to voice their contempt openly.

“Go rot in jail! You bullied your classmates every day, relied on your family’s power to act with impunity. You even scarred a girl with acid—she hanged herself last year! Still won’t admit it?”

“Get out! Hainai University doesn’t welcome scum like you!”

“Disgusting, utterly vile—you’re nothing but a cancer on society! Get out!”

Zhong Huayan watched it all unfold, recalling the smile Xu Yuan had given her earlier as she clasped her hand.

But her heart did not soften—Xu Yuan was an adult, and her crimes were unforgivable.

Just as Fu Yanyan had speculated, the Xu family now pointed all evidence to Xu Yuan in the kidnapping case. She had left too many weaknesses through her usual misdeeds, and the family decided it was better to cut their losses.

On one hand, it was to appease Fu Yanyan’s wrath and secure the project. On the other, Fu Yanyan was determined to make the Xu family give an account. Seeking peace, the family decided to sacrifice Xu Yuan rather than expose the real culprit, Xu Chuyin.

The concert hall echoed with the woman’s hysterical laughter—eerie and chilling. Xu Yuan’s reputation was utterly destroyed. The media snapped photos frantically, the police unable to stop them; by tomorrow, it would be all over the news.

Xu Yuan stared blankly at the scene, as if caught in a surreal nightmare. How could it be? The family she had depended on and prided herself upon had now turned on her, sending her to prison.

She had never believed herself wrong. To her, the world was the survival of the fittest—no one was truly good.

She had lost, but the reason felt senseless; she didn’t even know who was behind it all.

Through clenched teeth, tears flowing, she forced a mocking smile, cursing with the vilest words.

She lifted her head for a few seconds, lips curled in scorn.

Why, when she was finally ready to change, had she been cast aside so mercilessly?

Xu Yaochuan played with the jade pendant in his hand; no one could guess what thoughts were hidden in his eyes. He merely stepped outside and lit a cigarette. The bodyguards had been there to protect the young lady, and if the Xu family had been willing, there were a thousand ways to help her. But Xu Yaochuan said nothing—he simply inhaled deeply.

In his heart, he silently watched his half-sister’s wretched exit, knowing her life was ruined beyond redemption. This was reality: the true law of the jungle.