After what happened last time, Zhang Tao had completely marked a cross in Dong Lanlan's heart.
But despite this, Zhang Tao still shamelessly clung to Dong Lanlan as he had always done.
Only now, Dong Lanlan could say she completely rejected Zhang Tao.
If it were before, although Dong Lanlan also resented Zhang Tao for being like this, she wouldn't say anything because they were classmates.
Moreover, Zhang Tao's actions had lost An Kexin's support.
This also caused his status in Dong Lanlan's heart to plummet.
On this particular day, Zhang Tao came to Dong Lanlan with flowers, just like usual.
"Lanlan, the last time was my fault, but you have to trust my determination to protect you."
Dong Lanlan just glanced at the flowers in Zhang Tao's hand, not intending to take them, but she defiantly frowned.
"These flowers must be picked from the roadside, right? Zhang Tao, I've clearly told you, I don't like you, nor will I ever be with you, and it's not just because of what happened last time. So, stop wasting your time in front of me."
After saying this, Dong Lanlan turned around and left without looking back.
Zhang Tao wanted to chase after her but was directly blocked by An Kexin.
"Zhang Tao, as a man, you can be afraid, but you can't retreat, you've really disappointed me."
Initially, An Kexin thought Zhang Tao wasn't bad, after all, he was so persistent that she even tried to matchmake them.
But after that incident, An Kexin also began to feel disappointed in Zhang Tao.
Nowadays, An Kexin and Dong Lanlan would even occasionally compare others to Su Ming.
In comparison, Su Ming completely crushes Zhang Tao.
Standing dumbfounded, Zhang Tao involuntarily clenched his fist.
"That bastard! It's all because of that Su Ming guy!"
He didn't expect Su Ming to be so good at fighting, so many people from the triad were taken down by him.
"Brother Tao, it looks like you can't win Dong Lanlan over for now either."
A man came up beside Zhang Tao, also one of Zhang Tao's followers.
The previous incident had also been a blessing in disguise for him, as he became one of the triad's henchmen, his status even surpassed his former leader.
This inevitably made Zhang Tao a bit cocky, even walking arrogantly around the school.
"What? Do you have a good idea?"
Zhang Tao squinted at the man before the two of them went to the restroom to smoke.
"It's simple, as the saying goes, men who are bad are loved by women. I remember Dong Lanlan seems to go home alone, find an opportunity, and just do it, wouldn't you say?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Tao was momentarily stunned.
Though he's been a thug, he never considered such things.
But now, thinking about it, maybe it's not impossible.
"By then, take a photo and say that if she doesn't date you, you'll send the photos out. What those girls fear most is this, by then won't she be at your mercy?"
That's how like minds think alike.
Zhang Tao, upon hearing his follower's suggestion, even nodded in agreement.
"Sounds good, when do we start implementing it?"
"Tonight, the longer you wait, the more you overthink. People need to seize the momentum."
Hearing this, a hint of malice appeared in Zhang Tao's eyes.
"Dong Lanlan, if I can't have you, then no one else will!"
At dismissal time, Su Ming was entrusted by An Mo to pick up An Kexin after school.
Recently, due to Wang Yong's issues, An Mo uncovered countless dark incidents.
This also led to An Mo being so busy these days that her feet barely touched the ground.
Moreover, due to what happened last time, a regular driver definitely wasn't suitable for picking up An Kexin.
Thus, this important task fell on Su Ming.
Soon enough, Su Ming saw An Kexin and Dong Lanlan coming out of the school.
When she saw Su Ming, Dong Lanlan's face showed a shy expression.
"Why don't I give you a ride home too?"
However, Dong Lanlan shook her head.
"No need, I'll go back myself, my dad should be waiting for me on the other side."
Seeing that Dong Lanlan was so insistent, Su Ming didn't say much but got into the car with An Kexin.
Just as the two were about to leave, Su Ming suddenly saw a familiar figure.
"How has Zhang Tao been with Lanlan lately?"
Upon hearing this, An Kexin recounted the recent happenings to Su Ming.
After listening, Su Ming couldn't help but furrow his brows; after contemplating, he got out of the car.
"Where are you going?"
"Nothing, just wait for me in the car."
To get home, Dong Lanlan had to pass through a small alley and then arrive at a village in the city. Most residents chose to move to city apartments, so this alley was basically deserted.
The surrounding corridors had long been dilapidated, and the light had been out for ages.
During dismissal time, there might be more people, but still only here and there.
Usually, Dong Lanlan would cross this alley and then get home.
While walking in the alley, Dong Lanlan couldn't shake the feeling of being followed.
But when she turned around, she saw nothing.
"Scaring myself."
Dong Lanlan shook her head and intended to keep moving forward.
But at that moment, a figure appeared ahead, none other than Zhang Tao.
Seeing Zhang Tao, Dong Lanlan wanted to ignore him but walked directly past.
Upon seeing this scene, Zhang Tao's mouth twitched as he grabbed Dong Lanlan's arm.
"Zhang Tao, what are you doing?"
Dong Lanlan frowned: "I've told you countless times, I don't like you. Stop pestering me."
"Why?"
Zhang Tao's face showed anger: "Why don't you like me? Is it because of Su Ming?"
At the mention of Su Ming, Dong Lanlan's heart skipped a beat, then she coldly snorted.
"So what if it's because of Su Ming? When I'm in danger, Su Ming can protect me. What about you? You actually wag your tail before that guy, even trying to do such things."
Thinking about what happened that day just left Dong Lanlan extremely disappointed in Zhang Tao.
Zhang Tao knew he was in the wrong, his face turning increasingly ashen.
"That was just an expedient, and besides, how would I know Su Ming could fight so well? If I had known."
Yet, before Zhang Tao finished speaking, Dong Lanlan interrupted him, unwilling to continue tangled with Zhang Tao.
"Let go of me, and don't come back to harass me."
Dong Lanlan shook off Zhang Tao's hand and prepared to leave.
However, at that moment, Zhang Tao suddenly hugged Dong Lanlan from behind.
The sudden act startled Dong Lanlan.
"Zhang Tao, let go of me!"
"Lanlan, I truly like you. Be with me, I'll show you today how powerful Zhang Tao is."
While speaking, Zhang Tao began dragging Dong Lanlan into a corridor.
