Chapter 236: Chapter 236

The girl’s voice was so gentle, as though coaxing a disobedient child.

Xue Qingfang immediately said, "I won’t go back. I want to stay with Sister Shen. If they bully you, I’ll call the police. I’m a witness."

Shen You’an curved her lips slightly. "Suit yourself."

A few minutes later, the sharp-faced man walked over. "Sister An, it’s about time."

"Hmm." Shen You’an held a whittled tree branch, essentially a small-sized sharp arrow.

That tree branch spun effortlessly between her pale, slender fingers as if she were playing with it. But the sharp-faced man and Xue Qingfang felt a wave of unease.

The sharp-faced man Wu Yong knew what she was waiting for and asked worriedly, "Sister An, this guy’s older brother is Chen Shu, one of Gao Jie’s collection team leaders. He’s got connections and methods. What if he..."

There’s no "what if." The reason Chen Zun dared to be so reckless was still just because of his brother’s backing, wasn’t it?

Chen Shu likely wouldn’t let this slide.

He was reminding Shen You’an that there was still time to run.

Gao Jie—this name wasn’t unfamiliar to many. He made his fortune off high-interest loans, had countless lackeys, and anyone who crossed him wouldn’t walk away unscathed.

Xue Qingfang swallowed nervously. "A brother from my neighbor’s family got mixed up in gambling and couldn’t repay a high-interest loan. I saw with my own eyes how the collectors tortured him until he was unrecognizable. Sister Shen, we should run now. These people will stop at nothing."

Shen You’an’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. Her calm and faint smile remained.

"That was before. Now it won’t be like that."

Xue Qingfang and Wu Yong froze simultaneously.

Shen You’an didn’t explain, staying in place as she quietly polished the tree branch.

Not long after, a sedan came screeching to a halt at the entrance of the alley. A man climbed out of the car and rushed over hurriedly.

A van followed closely behind and stopped at the end. The doors slid open, and seven or eight burly men stepped out impatiently, following the man with an intimidating air.

Anyone who saw this scene would feel their legs go weak.

Xue Qingfang instinctively hid behind Shen You’an, her heart beating wildly.

Wu Yong gritted his teeth and immediately stepped in front of Shen You’an.

Chen Shu stormed in with long strides, his gaze instantly falling on Chen Zun sprawled on the ground, barely breathing. His anger flared up like fire.

"Who? Who the hell did this?"

"I did it." A cool and clear female voice rang out.

Chen Shu abruptly looked up. The girl gently pushed aside the man blocking her and stepped out at a slow pace.

The sunset clouds, like luxurious brocade, draped her entire figure.

The narrow alley, the golden evening sun, the beautiful and composed girl.

She was as stunning as an oil painting.

Chen Shu’s pupils contracted sharply, a hint of amazement flashing across his eyes.

But soon, he snapped back to reality, his gaze locking onto the school uniform on the girl’s body.

"Little girl, you’ve got guts—daring to own up to it."

The girl smiled faintly. "He attacked first. I simply gave him an eye for an eye."

Chen Shu let out a cold sneer. "It’s a pity. You shouldn’t have, of all things, hurt my brother."

"So my brother should take a beating for no reason?"

"Survival of the fittest. That was his fate."

Shen You’an suddenly laughed. "I thought you didn’t understand that concept."

Chen Shu was abruptly at a loss for words, realizing that what he said had contradicted itself. His expression turned vicious as he snarled, "Today, you’ve fallen into my hands. Don’t expect luck to save you."

"Is that so?" The girl raised the corners of her lips casually, her demeanor showing no hint of panic.

Chen Shu couldn’t help but feel a trace of uncertainty in his heart, scrutinizing the girl’s face carefully.

And with that closer look, he finally noticed the extraordinary details of the school uniform she wore.

"You’re a student from Lanya High School?"

Following Gao Jie, he’d interacted with quite a few wealthy people.

On one occasion, he’d had the fortune of seeing the child of a prominent figure, sporting this exact uniform. Its stylish cut and striking colors were unforgettable at first glance.

Later, he learned that Lanya High School was a prestigious private school in Qingzhou. Essentially, any prominent family in Qingzhou would send their children there. Even someone like Gao Jie didn’t have the qualifications to enroll his child.

Realizing this girl might have a significant background, his brows furrowed deeply with unease.

One of the men behind Chen Shu fixed his gaze on Shen You’an, his brows drawing together as though pondering something.

Shen You’an smiled lightly. "Does whether I’m a student at Lanya High have anything to do with this matter?"

Of course it mattered.

Chen Shu uneasily pursed his lips, masking his apprehension as he bit down tightly and sneered, "I don’t care who you are. If you dared to mess with my brother, don’t expect this to end peacefully today."

Just at that moment, the man behind him stepped forward and leaned in, about to whisper something to Chen Shu—

"Well, it’s quite lively here." A leisurely voice suddenly rang out from behind.