Chapter 137 Thunderbolt
  The students next door helped to fetch more than a dozen basins of water. Fang Qing and the other two finally washed themselves clean in the dormitory. Then they were called to the office by the instructor.

  The instructor looked at Wang Nan with disappointment, "Tell me, you are the student I trust the most. How come you got into a fight with a sophomore today? What happened? Tell me clearly. If they really bullied you, don't be afraid. Teacher Wang will support you!"

  Wang Nan thought back to what happened in the morning and kept silent with gritted teeth.

  Early this morning, she ran into Li Xin in the bathroom. As soon as they met, she began to mock and provoke her. She tried to ignore her, but Li Xin quietly approached her and said, "Look, this man is like a dog. He just comes running when I wave. So envious, aren't you?"

  Wang Nan could tolerate her provocation, but hearing the person she loved being treated so unappreciated, and after hearing Li Xin's foul language, she finally punched her...

  Thinking of this, Wang Nan looked up at the instructor and said, "I'm sorry, this time... I really hit her first."

  Teacher Wang was puzzled. "Why? I don't think you'd hit someone for no reason. There must be a reason, right?"

  But in response to Teacher Wang's question, Wang Nan simply said, "I just didn't like her, so I hit her."

  This situation was a bit unacceptable to Teacher Wang. If this was true, she would have to apologize to the student. She had just visited the female student, whose eyes were swollen from being beaten by Wang Nan. If she didn't say anything, the parents might make a fuss, which would have a negative impact on Wang Nan's future.

  But Wang Nan refused to apologize. "Teacher Wang, I did hit her first, but I can't apologize. I just don't like her. I hit her every time I see her."

  Meanwhile, Li Xin saw the purple eye in the mirror and screamed, "Ahhhh, Wang Nan, you bitch! Just wait, I'm going to kill you!" She cried and threatened to seek revenge on Wang Nan.

  Seeing this, Zhao Qiang, standing by, held her tightly, refusing to let go. "Calm down. The teacher will handle this. I'll help you apply the medicine first..."

  But before Zhao Qiang could finish, Li Xin launched herself at him like a madman. "I got hit, and you're still acting like this? Are you still my boyfriend? Have you rekindled your old feelings for her? You heartless man, Zhao Qiang, are you worthy of me? I'm yours, and you're still not satisfied..."

  Zhao Qiang endured her cries and continued to comfort her until she tired, then he dared to speak softly. It's unclear what Zhao Qiang promised her, but Li Xin finally pouted and stopped.

  Back in the office, the two teachers were also troubled by this situation. They decided to calm their students first and temporarily split up their planned mountain field trip.

  Teacher Wang, feeling that her student was in the wrong for hitting someone, gave up the best field trip they had found to the student. He then spent the night to gather information from the local villagers. Early the next morning, they set off for another mountaintop, led by a guide.

  The small village is surrounded by mountains. Summer has arrived, and the hills are lush with trees, the air fresh and crisp.

  Our guide, a man in his forties or fifties, introduced the surrounding mountains to Teacher Wang as we walked.

  "The mountain you planned to visit is called Miaowang Mountain. There used to be an earthen temple atop it, where the people offered sacrifices year-round. Later, the temple was demolished, leaving only an empty house on the mountain. But the view from that mountain is wide, offering a glimpse of the many buildings below. It's perfect for culturally inclined people like you to paint.

  With the recent increase in visitors, our village is considering developing more such areas. The mountain I'm taking you to is a recent addition. While it's not as large as Miaowang Mountain, it has its own buildings, a mountain spring, and beautiful scenery. You won't be disappointed."

  Despite being a rural native, the guide was very articulate. He described the surrounding scenery and shared many interesting legends, finally livening up the somewhat subdued atmosphere in the group.

  By the time they reached the summit, the sun had already climbed high into the sky. White mist swirled through the mountain, resembling a floating celestial palace. The distant ridge resembled a crouching dragon, coiled and looming in the mist.

  The fresh mountain air and expansive views lifted everyone's spirits. The unpleasantness of the past few days gradually dissipated upon seeing this breathtaking scenery.

  Everyone found their own angles, set up their boards, and began their respective drawings.

  As the sun slowly rose, the temperature on the summit shifted from cool to dry and hot. The students drew for a while, then stood up to rest at the water fountain, taking a quick sip before continuing their work.

  But just as the sun passed overhead, Li Hui noticed that the mist surrounding the mountain's summit was growing thicker, and the clouds in the distant sky were also taking on a strange, uncanny quality.

  He glanced at the sky, feeling a little worried. "Teacher Wang, based on my experience, it might rain this afternoon. Why don't we return to camp early?"

  Li Hui, a mountain dweller who had often observed the weather with his grandfather, had become quite adept at predicting the weather. However, the other students had only just begun their sketches, and most were reluctant to leave the mountain at this time.

  Teacher Wang also felt it was a bit early to return. "Let's paint for another hour, then we'll call it a day."

  Li Hui hesitated, but no one was willing to say anything. He sighed and sat down to continue painting.

  Fang Qing overheard the conversation between Li Hui and her teacher. Although she didn't know how to read the weather, she felt a lingering sense of unease. Her mind was racing as she drew, and she made several mistakes. She simply stood up and went to the water fountain to drink some water to relax.

  Just as the students began to paint, the sunny sky suddenly became overcast. Teacher Wang looked up at the sky and frowned. She finally started to worry. Considering the students' safety, she immediately asked everyone to pack up and prepare to leave the mountain.

  It was still some time before the guide would return to lead them down the mountain, so everyone could only rely on their memories of the journey up, stumbling down the path.

  But just as they reached the halfway point, a heavy rain began to fall. With bursts of thunder and lightning, a student slipped and fell into the mountain stream.

  Screams accompanied by deafening thunder filled everyone's chest, and everyone was shocked by the scene before them.

  After a few seconds of silence, Teacher Wang immediately shouted to all the male students in the class to take off their coats, twist them into ropes, and throw them into the mountain stream, hoping to pull up the student who fell into the stream.

  But the rain on the mountain was getting heavier, and the students soon found that the soil under their feet seemed to be starting to loosen.

  (End of this chapter)