CHAPTER 576: 224 LOVE AS LIFE, BEAUTY CARRIES POISON_3

Lan Man forced herself to respond, "Mrs. Liu, please rest assured, I will not shirk the responsibility that falls on me. I will definitely give you and Mr. Liu a satisfactory answer."

The school doctor arrived, carrying two stretchers. Shen You’an helped Liu Runxi to his feet. Liu Runxi took a few steps, and the veins on his wrist and neck bulged prominently.

Shen You’an’s eyes landed on his left leg. With a sigh, she gestured for him to lie down on the stretcher.

Liu Runxi did not stubbornly resist. After confirming Shen You’an was unharmed, he obediently lay down on the stretcher.

The school doctor carried Liu Runxi away. Liu Runxi’s gaze remained locked onto Shen You’an, never shifting.

A strand of hair slipped beside her temple, framing her jaw, accentuating her beauty and grace. It added an inexplicable touch of vulnerability that evoked pity. Yet her back was so straight, her eyes so resolute, standing amidst the dazzling lights with an unhurried and composed aura of command.

As she was about to follow, Helian Yu stepped in front of her.

The curtain of the scene blocked his view; he could no longer see.

"Miss Shen, Xixi doesn’t need your concern anymore. You should worry about yourself. If Xixi gets closer to you again, I fear he might lose even his life one day. I hope you can understand the heart of a mother."

For reasons unknown, Helian Yu found herself repelled by Shen You’an’s gaze. She avoided making eye contact with Shen You’an, tossed out these words, and left hurriedly.

Her stance was unambiguous—any sensible person would quit meddling.

Shen You’an raised her brow slightly. "I was actually about to ask Mrs. Liu the same thing. Liu Runxi’s current situation—whose responsibility is it exactly? I believe Mrs. Liu knows better than anyone."

Helian Yu stopped in her tracks but did not turn back.

The girl’s lowered voice was icy as midwinter: "On account of his sake, this is the last time."

A stark and naked warning.

Helian Yu had half a mind to curse the insolent girl for her audacity, but memories of unpleasant experiences surfaced suddenly. Pressing her lips together, she left in a flustered hurry.

A group of people gathered, among which Lan Man was the most visibly worried.

"Miss Shen, are you really okay? Let me take you to the hospital. A full-body check would at least put me at ease."

Shen You’an shook her head. "President Lan, I’m truly fine."

Lan Man turned to instruct her assistant, her expression sharp and steely. "Investigate this thoroughly. I want answers regarding this accident."

She wasn’t naïve. How could a stage light suddenly fall for no reason?

Talent invites envy, and now everyone seemed suspect to her. Especially given Helian Yu’s earlier demeanor and words—the suspicion surrounding Helian Yu was even greater.

Shen You’an did not intervene. Whether it was an act of nature or a human conspiracy, answers had to be found. Lan Man could not tolerate latent hazards in the school, as these would threaten the management stability of her enterprise.

Even though it was all but certain any investigation would lead nowhere.

Even if something was uncovered, the culprit might never be brought to justice.

Shen You’an raised her head and cast her gaze into the audience.

Her eyes met another pair unexpectedly.

Hidden in the darkness—like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Shen You’an smiled faintly. Under the spotlight, the girl in the black cocktail dress radiated a beauty that was almost blasphemous.

Her elegance was mysterious, her demeanor cold and ethereal. No words in the lexicon of beauty could adequately capture her presence. Even scholars felt the pang of linguistic inadequacy for the first time.

Most unforgettable, however, was the subtle smile at the corner of her lips. If one were forced to describe it with something tangible—it was like a rose, veiled in thorns.

Beneath unparalleled beauty was a trace of palpable bloodlust.

It evoked the memory of the girl’s recent performance—the haunting melody of the Gallows.

A foreboding shadow of death quietly draped over the hearts of all who witnessed that smile.

It lasted but an instant. Like an illusion, the girl turned indifferent and left the scene, leaving behind a slowly receding silhouette.

Like a fleeting dream, dissipating on the cusp of waking—leaving one in aching longing.

How deeply one wished that dream would last an eternity.

Yu Ruohuan’s fingers gripped the armrest tightly, her face dark with anger.

The look Shen You’an had given her just moments ago—it was a warning, contempt, and ridicule.

A defiant challenge.

How dare she...

What right did she have...

Yu Ruohuan took a deep breath, then rose and left the auditorium.

Jing Zhan and Jing Huan immediately followed her.

Jing Zhan muttered complaints about Shen You’an being a reincarnated femme fatale, seducing her Runxi brother.

Yu Ruohuan found it increasingly irksome.

As soon as she stepped out of the auditorium, the waiting Jiao Long and Yun Long followed her instantly.

Yu Ruohuan quickened her pace, shaking off Jing Zhan and Jing Huan.

"Miss," Jiao Long stepped forward, speaking respectfully.

Yu Ruohuan cast him a glance. "You are the Azure Dragon Army’s finest agent. Over the years, my father assigned you to me, and you’ve always served me diligently. You’ve done well."

Jiao Long lowered his head. "Serving the young lady is my honor."

Yu Ruohuan smiled faintly, clearly satisfied with his loyalty.

"Now, there is a very important task that I need you to handle personally."

Jiao Long’s lashes trembled subtly but showed no outward reaction.

The Yu family carried an innate madness and obsessive nature. Their inflating hunger for power made them utterly unscrupulous in achieving their goals. They couldn’t endure grievances, nor would they ever yield. Jiao Long knew this more than anyone.

But the day he joined the Azure Dragon Army, he understood that there would be no return for him.