Chapter 102: He Truly Regretted It

The remnants of memories from his previous life flashed one after another through Ji Xian’s mind, relentlessly agitating every nerve:

There was the version of himself staring disbelievingly at their wedding photo.

There was the desperate man who had rushed to plead for reconciliation, begging to be taken back.

There was the man who, on a stormy night, broke down in utter regret, condemned to a lifetime of remorse...

As the memories faded, Ji Xian collapsed on the classroom floor, isolated and helpless. His mind unraveled in an instant, as if his heart had been ruthlessly gouged out, the agony quickly radiating through his entire body.

They were married...

A nameless emotion lodged in his throat, suffocating him until even breathing became a struggle. In his dreams, he had always seen Qiao Zhen chasing after him with her whole heart for seven years, and it had seemed inevitable that she would never leave him.

Back then, he was smug, arrogant, intoxicated by his own illusions, weaving grand dreams with impunity.

But now, these remaining memories were like a poisoned silver needle, mercilessly piercing through the fantasy, puncturing every self-assured lie, stabbing deep into the softest part of his soul until it was left ragged and riddled with wounds.

Ji Xian sat on the floor, lost and uncertain, his eyes so red it seemed they might bleed.

So, in both his past and current lives, Qiao Zhen didn’t want him after all...

At the same time, Qin Yichi bolted from the dormitory almost instantly, his eyes brimming with worry and distress.

He feared Qiao Zhen was hurt, was upset, or perhaps frightened.

Niu Yifeng, oblivious to any trouble, wailed mournfully from the doorway:

“Hey, come on, man! Brother Wild King, we’re in the middle of ranked—this is my promotion match!”

Qin Yichi didn’t look back, flying down the stairs, video-calling Qiao Zhen as he went.

Only after confirming she was perfectly fine did he allow himself to exhale quietly.

As long as she was all right.

But his pace didn’t slow in the slightest; soon, he reached the farthest teaching building.

Suddenly, sensing something, Qin Yichi raised his head warily, his dark eyes narrowing dangerously.

Ji Xian stood on the stairs, staring at him with a venomous gaze, overflowing with jealousy and hatred.

In the silent corridor, a storm of blood and violence silently brewed, igniting both their tempers in an instant.

The moment Qin Yichi remembered Qiao Zhen saying Ji Xian had grabbed her hand, fury exploded within him, every cell surging with rage.

With two or three strides, he stormed up the stairs and seized Ji Xian by the collar, veins bulging at his temples:

“You’re pestering my girlfriend, trying to be with her—do you think I’m dead? Try forcing her again, and see what happens!”

But somehow, these words struck a nerve in Ji Xian; reason deserted him, and he lashed out, gripping Qin Yichi’s throat with force:

“It was you—it was you who took her from my side.”

In every lifetime, she had been stolen from him.

If not for Qin Yichi, how could Qiao Zhen have left him?

Ji Xian, trained in combat since childhood, swung his fist at Qin Yichi’s face. Qin Yichi seemed unfazed, taking the blow head-on before retaliating swiftly, slamming Ji Xian’s head against the wall with unerring precision.

A dull thud echoed, accompanied by the sickening crack of bone.

Ji Xian’s mind went blank.

Qin Yichi slammed his head into the wall again, his whole body trembling with barely contained violence, his voice cold and cutting with every word:

“So you still refuse to admit it. You still don’t realize your own mistakes—always blaming someone else.”

“Ji Xian, it was your own hands that pushed her away. You were the one who didn’t cherish her. You brought this on yourself!”

Half his face shrouded in shadow, Qin Yichi’s fists trembled with rage, his entire body taut with adrenaline.

His words tore open Ji Xian’s bloody wounds, exposing the harsh truth without mercy.

Like sharp blades, they ripped through him, shattering his insides into a thousand pieces.

The pain was suffocating.

Ji Xian’s face went deathly pale as beads of cold sweat broke out on his forehead. His bravado vanished, his eyes grew vacant, and for a long time, he could not utter a single word in rebuttal.

He felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss.

Yes, it was he who had pushed away that beam of light with his own hands...

While Ji Xian stood frozen, his adversary landed a quick, heavy punch squarely on his face.

The pain spread rapidly across his features, as if flames were searing his skin.

Instinctively, Ji Xian stumbled backward, and as his foot slipped from the edge of the step, he suddenly gripped Qin Yichi’s arm with all his strength—

A thunderous crash!

Both men tumbled down the stairs together, their heads hitting the ground with a sickening impact...

It was nearly time for evening classes, and a couple of students had already come early to claim seats in the back row.

A girl passing by, arms full of books and still half-asleep, was just about to ascend the stairs when the two men came crashing down in front of her.

She leapt back with a startled shriek.

Dear lord, she was just walking to class and suddenly two guys fell out of the sky!

Qiao Zhen hurried over at the sound, witnessing the scene in all its brutality.

She gasped, eyes wide with worry and distress, and rushed to their side.

Ji Xian also lay sprawled on the floor. As Qiao Zhen ran toward them, hope flickered faintly in his heart. He reached out to her, longing for even the smallest sign of concern.

He couldn’t help but hope that, seeing him injured, Qiao Zhen might feel a twinge of pity.

Even the slightest hint of sorrow would suffice.

But Qiao Zhen’s gaze was filled with someone else.

Ji Xian watched helplessly as she helped Qin Yichi up, hearing her trembling, anxious voice: “Qin Yichi, are you all right? Are you hurt?”

Qin Yichi leaned against her shoulder, reassuring her, “Don’t worry, I’m fine...”

Their figures together seemed so harmonious, so distant.

Watching them walk away, Ji Xian’s outstretched hand finally fell limply to the ground, his eyes red and brimming with tears.

“Qiao Zhen, Qiao Zhen...”

His throat was raw and bitter, the taste of blood heavy in his mouth. He struggled to part his lips, hoarsely calling her name again and again.

But she did not look back, her heart aching only for another man.

In that moment, the last pillar of Ji Xian’s spirit collapsed. His body trembled faintly on the ground, his vision blurring.

Suddenly, memories from the past came rushing in:

Qiao Zhen singing in the music room during the high school anniversary; Qiao Zhen beaming as she thanked him for helping with math; Qiao Zhen trailing nervously behind him at the corner store; Qiao Zhen giving him a birthday gift, anxious yet hopeful; Qiao Zhen, awkward and uneasy when his friends mocked her...

Bitter tears welled up and slipped silently from the corners of Ji Xian’s eyes.

He truly, deeply regretted it.