Guarding, a silent love.

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Shangguan Xiao glanced at the instructors and recalled their original intentions. Standing atop the muddy pit, she cast a cold smile toward them. Her mood was chaotic at the moment, and these fellows would serve well to amuse her!

She beckoned Xiao Ai and the others over with a subtle gesture and whispered something in their ears. Once they finished speaking, another group of students arrived from behind.

Together, they leapt into the muddy pit—only to be met by an unexpected turn of events! Streams of gleaming white water shot toward them, accompanied by a sharp "swish swish" sound.

The noise came from the water hitting the ground. Some people had just landed when the water jets struck them full on.

“Ah… my clothes!”

“Ah… my hair!”

“Heavens! My shoes!”

Shouts erupted all around.

In the ensuing chaos, several people lost their shoes, while the force of the water jets caused hair ties to snap and hair to scatter wildly.

The scene quickly descended into utter disorder. Ouyang Qianyu had already stepped forward to shield Shangguan Xiao from behind, keeping her dry and unscathed before she even had time to react.

Those puzzled glanced at Ouyang Qianyu, who stood resolute as water streamed from head to toe. Despite the jets relentlessly spraying him, he didn’t budge an inch.

Droplets dripped down from his hair, soaking his face, yet he remained upright and firm.

What kind of emotion could compel such a proud man to lower himself so completely, using his own body to protect her behind him? It was impossible not to be moved.

Shangguan Xiao looked at Ouyang Qianyu standing in front of her, her hands clenched tightly into fists. She fought back tears with all her might, raising her head to hold them back.

Suddenly, she pushed Ouyang Qianyu aside and charged upward. Using a raised edge nearby for leverage, she kicked off with both feet and landed atop the muddy pit.

She then abruptly raised her foot and struck the instructor standing at the edge!

The instructor reacted swiftly, spraying a fire hose directly at Shangguan Xiao, attempting to force her back.

But Shangguan Xiao was not one to retreat at the mere sight of water. Without hesitation, she slid down, propped herself up with one hand, and swept her foot sideways.

The instructor was caught off guard, collapsing with a muffled “phut!” Shangguan Xiao gave him no respite, kicking him squarely into the muddy pit. Poor fellow swallowed a mouthful of mud!

Meanwhile, the panicked young masters and young ladies saw this towering figure suddenly descend from above—instinctively they stomped furiously.

The poor instructor, still trying to spit out the mud, was instead trampled relentlessly. His face was bruised and swollen, and with mud in his mouth, he couldn’t even scream before passing out.

What a humiliating fate! Perhaps this instructor would have preferred to be trampled to death rather than ever wake again. Facing such a situation, death must have seemed a sweeter relief than life itself.

Ouyang Qianyu tensed briefly at Shangguan Xiao’s actions but quickly moved to assist, fearing she might not withstand these cunning old foxes alone.

Xiao Ai and the others followed suit. Shangguan Xiao had just instructed them: tear off the name tags on the instructors’ arms and then kick them into the muddy pit to taste their own medicine.

Simple enough, but the results were highly entertaining. Since they could witness such amusing events unfold, why not?

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Without hesitation, the group tore off the instructors’ name tags and together pushed them into the muddy pit.

The instructors’ anguished screams echoed endlessly below. Shangguan Xiao shook her drenched hair and looked coldly at the scene beneath.

With a snort, she raised her voice: “You’d better all experience what it’s like to be trampled on! Let’s see if you dare to oppress us again!”

Having said that, she didn’t linger and turned away, intending to check on Tang Meng. Those useless instructors might as well perish.

Meanwhile, the instructors watching the scene from the observation deck were all drenched in cold sweat. Those were no ordinary students—they were demons risen from hell, merciless and savage! The few instructors down there likely had broken limbs now.

Inwardly, they were thankful none of them had been assigned to guard duty today. Judging by those students’ skills, even with years of training, they wouldn’t stand a chance.

Perhaps the era belonged to them no longer. It was now the time of these children, and they should consider retirement.

If things continued as they were, they might not live to retire, falling prematurely at the hands of these youngsters. Should they bow their heads and plead for reinforcements?

They hoped the chief instructor would approve such a request. Yet he remained silent, unwilling to make a decision. Others might not understand his feelings, but Li Mingguo did.

For years, whenever headquarters sent reinforcements, they took the best instructors away, leaving only veterans behind.

A chief instructor who cherished talent wouldn’t willingly summon such wild wolves. Yet under mounting pressure, he reluctantly sent a brief message to headquarters.

The watching instructors saw him press “send” and exhaled in relief.

Night had fallen, city lights twinkling brilliantly. The neon-lit streets sparkled under the evening breeze, dispelling the summer’s irritations.

Nearby, a black Lamborghini was parked. Dugu Ye sat inside, gazing through the window at the bar’s second floor.

There, the person he cherished was near yet seemed worlds away—not separated by a mere street but by an entire universe. The street was a dividing line between their worlds.

He lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply. After a long moment, he exhaled slowly, resting the burning cigarette against the window.

The night breeze extinguished the flame. After hesitating, he seemed to make up his mind, opened the door, and stepped out.

Earlier, he had sent his trusted aide to investigate who had harmed Kevin.

The results startled him. The culprit wasn’t an assailant—it was Kevin’s lover.

Lovers could do anything to each other, so the bruises on Kevin’s body inflicted a deep wound in Dugu Ye’s heart.

Had it been anyone else, he might have held onto a shred of hope.

But the one he loved was Shangguan Han—the man known as the ruler of both the underworld and the law.

They had known each other for years and often crossed paths.

Though nothing had passed between them, anyone with eyes knew their relationship was far from innocent.

But Dugu Ye was who he was. If there was even the slightest hope, he would pursue it.

So he discarded the cigarette, closed the car door, and headed toward the bar.

Just inside the entrance, he spotted the person who unsettled his appetite and sleep.

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Kevin was engrossed in a book, reading intently. The light fell upon him, making him look even more enchanting.

Dugu Ye swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving.

His feet seemed to move on their own, drawn subconsciously toward Kevin.

Kevin appeared to have reached an exciting passage, his lips curling into a smile—his first in many days.

Though the smile was directed at a book, it was enough to brighten the atmosphere in the bar.

After all, a good boss like Kevin was rare these days. A generous and approachable man like him was even rarer.

No matter how angry he got, he never took it out on his employees. They could joke with him when together.

Just as Kevin was smiling, a shadow blocked the light.

Thinking it was a passerby who would soon move on, Kevin didn’t bother to lift his head or speak.

But after waiting a long time, the person still stood before him.

Kevin furrowed his brows and looked up, squinting at the visitor.

The face seemed somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t place where he had seen him.

Seeing Kevin’s expression, Dugu Ye realized he had been forgotten once more.

Suppressing the pain in his heart, he mustered his signature gentle smile and said softly, “Long time no see! Last time I forgot to introduce myself—I’m Dugu Ye. I told you, I like you!”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of recognition crossed Kevin’s eyes. He seemed to remember who Dugu Ye was.

Still, for Kevin, whether he remembered or not made little difference.

Casually propping his chin with one hand, he gave Dugu Ye a sideways glance, his expression alluring.

The men present couldn’t help but swallow nervously.

They had always known the bar’s owner was stunning—a kind of beauty that captivated hearts.

But lately, he seemed even more enchanting, his gaze drawing people in deeply.

A single look from him felt like being transported to paradise.

Kevin glanced at the infatuated man before him, a playful smile curling his lips.

“So what? Do you expect me to like you back? Sorry, I’m just not interested.”

He said it without concern for the other’s feelings. After all, he didn’t like him, and this man was not Shangguan Han—the one he loved.

Whether Dugu Ye was hurt was his own business.

At present, Kevin was barely managing himself; he had no time to care for others.

Even if he wanted to care, he lacked the strength.

So one couldn’t blame him for such a cold rejection; maybe someday Dugu Ye would even thank him.

Because liking someone is simply liking them; not liking someone can’t be forced into happiness.

Dugu Ye seemed undeterred by Kevin’s words, instead gazing at him with unwavering devotion.

“You don’t like me? That’s okay. I will always be behind you, protecting you.”

Seeing such stubborn devotion stirred something in Kevin—reminding him of his former self.

That relentless love, that persistence despite knowing no outcome awaited them.