The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 198

The night before the A University graduation ceremony, it rained heavily. The rain pounded against the window frames, sounding like a messy, silent drumbeat.

Li Rong tossed and turned in his dormitory all night, unable to sleep.

He laid there with his eyes open until dawn broke. His mind was exhausted, but sleep remained elusive.

It turned out that, despite how indifferent he had pretended to be, the school’s attitude still affected him more than he cared to admit. He wasn’t as nonchalant as he imagined himself to be.

A University had said that since the tassel-turning ceremony would be fully recorded and even live-streamed online, it was best for Li Rong not to attend the graduation ceremony.

After all, they were graduates now, and the academic director didn’t bother to sugarcoat his words.

“Your family situation is sensitive and attracts negative attention online. If the footage is broadcast, it might bring unnecessary controversy to the school. We hope you can understand. The principal will be backstage at the humanities graduation ceremony, so you can still take a photo with him after the event.”

More than four years had passed, yet he was still seen as sensitive, still burdened by a poor reputation.

In truth, most of the people who had participated in cursing him back then had long forgotten about the incident. Even if it reappeared online now, it would hardly have any impact. But the graduation ceremony was a significant event for the school, one that couldn’t afford the slightest flaw.

And so, despite being the top student in the biochemistry department, Li Rong was unqualified to give a speech as an outstanding graduate. He wasn’t allowed to appear on camera or take a formal photo with the principal.

But he had grown numb to these things. What truly preoccupied him now was that the Hongsuo Research Institute had still not approved his application.

According to Hongsuo’s public admission standards, his academic papers and research level were more than sufficient. The only reason for the rejection could be tied to what happened back then.

Without entry into Hongsuo, he wouldn’t have access to top-tier research facilities. Without those resources and that environment, he couldn’t fulfill his parents’ final wishes. He had endured four inhuman years of suffering, only for it all to feel like a joke in the end.

It was always so difficult. No matter how hard he tried, every step forward was a struggle. It was as if he and his parents had been utterly forgotten, abandoned even by goodwill itself.

The most absurd part was that people still clung to events from years ago, using it as an excuse to suppress and dismiss him.

The room was silent, with his roommates sound asleep. Li Rong sat up, walked to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on his face. Then, with both hands resting on the sink, he quietly stared at his reflection in the mirror.

For someone who had been isolated and helpless from the very beginning, pride and dignity were the most laughable things. Even he wanted to mock himself—what was he still holding on to? Did he still have the strength to persist?

But sadly, there wasn’t even a door he could kneel at.

There wasn’t a single person willing to help him.

Finally, morning came. His two roommates woke up, cheerfully putting on their graduation robes. They planned to visit a nearby salon to get their hair done before heading straight to the gymnasium.

Li Rong’s graduation gown was also hanging in the room. He could wear it and take pictures anywhere on campus—anywhere except the gymnasium.

Still, he put on the gown. Though it was rented, this batch was newly ordered by the school, and no one had worn it before.

Li Rong, who retained a sense of ceremony inherited from his scholarly upbringing, wore the loose graduation gown, shook out its wide sleeves, and carefully smoothed down the collar.

He had to take at least one graduation photo to place before his parents’ graves. It would mark a milestone in his life.

Today was graduation day. Over the past four years, he had worked tirelessly, with dedication and perseverance, wasting no time at all.

He had done everything within his power; what he couldn’t control, he could only accept.

If the Hongsuo Research Institute insisted on rejecting him, he wouldn’t even be able to leave the country. Burdened with enormous debt and a damaged credit record, he had no way to apply for studies abroad. He would be trapped here, forever stuck in place.

He didn’t know why his life had to be this hard. If he had known it would be this way, maybe it would have been better never to have been born at all.

Li Rong smiled bitterly to himself, grabbed his phone, and walked calmly out of the dormitory, heading toward the gymnasium.

He had timed it precisely, planning to wait until the students had left the venue before going backstage to take a photo and get the principal’s signature.

The sun was bright overhead, and the weather was unexpectedly good. The rain from last night had completely evaporated, leaving the air with a faint, earthy smell of rain.

At exactly noon, as the host’s enthusiastic farewell speech echoed from the gymnasium, Li Rong quietly walked in through the main entrance. Moving against the crowd, he stayed along the gymnasium’s edges, heading for the backstage area through a safety passage.

“Wait! Today is my graduation day, and I have a secret buried in my heart that I must say!”

Suddenly, Song Yuanyuan lifted her graduation gown, rushed onto the stage, and grabbed the host’s microphone, her voice filled with emotion.

All the students froze in place, then quietly sat back down.

A University was a relatively open and diverse school, and it wasn’t unusual for some bold student to make a spectacle during important occasions. The school leadership could only sigh and let it happen.

At that moment, Li Rong had reached the door to the safety passage, which was particularly close to the front of the stage.

He hadn’t expected to run into Song Yuanyuan here. After all, it had been a long time since he last saw her. He couldn’t even remember what major she was in.

Li Rong paused for a moment, then calmly looked away, not intending to stay and watch Song Yuanyuan’s performance.

However, Song Yuanyuan’s face flushed red, and her hands nervously rubbed the microphone as her trembling voice rang out:

“Cen Xiao! I like you! We’re finally graduating. Would you try being with me?”

Li Rong’s steps faltered again.

Oh, so Cen Xiao was also in one of the humanities majors.

It turned out Song Yuanyuan had been chasing Cen Xiao for four years and still hadn’t succeeded—now she was confessing to him again.

Well, it had nothing to do with him anyway.

Li Rong glanced at Song Yuanyuan once more and realized he no longer recognized her. The bond they shared as childhood playmates had long since disappeared.

In truth, people are remarkably good at forgetting. Even his resentment toward the Song family had faded to the point where he didn’t care anymore.

He must have lingered on these thoughts for too long because when he looked in Song Yuanyuan’s direction again, he saw Cen Xiao stand up, goaded by the crowd’s cheers.

Cen Xiao was tall and good-looking, standing out easily in the crowd.

Li Rong glanced at him casually but was stunned to find Cen Xiao wasn’t looking at Song Yuanyuan—he was looking in his direction instead.

For an instant, Li Rong felt a sharp, shameful sense of being exposed.

Cen Xiao’s gaze carried anger, scrutiny, and an unreadable emotion Li Rong couldn’t quite decipher.

Cen Xiao wouldn’t actually think he still had feelings for Song Yuanyuan and was planning to rush onstage to steal her away, would he?

Li Rong shuddered in disgust at his own thoughts. He had no intention of getting tangled up in such inexplicable nonsense. Immediately, he turned his head away, avoiding Cen Xiao’s gaze.

The next second, he heard Cen Xiao say, “Sorry, I don’t want to.”

Li Rong: “?”

The entire graduating class was as stunned as he was.

Cen Xiao rejected Song Yuanyuan so directly and calmly, leaving her no room to retreat.

Song Yuanyuan was well-known at A University as a great beauty, admired by countless suitors. To be turned down so publicly on such an important occasion was undeniably humiliating.

Cen Xiao truly didn’t give her any face at all.

Song Yuanyuan froze awkwardly on stage, gripping the microphone, her expression one of shock. She hadn’t expected Cen Xiao to refuse so decisively.

Given the atmosphere and her own excellent qualities, she thought Cen Xiao would at least hesitate.

But after rejecting her, Cen Xiao simply stepped out from the crowd and walked toward the safety passage.

Li Rong was standing at the doorway to the safety passage, wearing his graduation gown with yellow trim. The bright light from the stage shone on his face, making his complexion appear pale and his eyes clear and sharp.

Sensing danger, Li Rong quickly turned his back and slipped into the safety passage.

He just wanted to take a picture and leave. The last thing he wanted was to have a conflict with Cen Xiao.

Unfortunately, trouble had a way of finding him.

Cen Xiao’s strides were longer and faster. He quickly caught up and grabbed Li Rong’s wrist.

Cen Xiao’s grip was firm. Li Rong struggled but couldn’t break free. He immediately raised an eyebrow, his face darkening as he glared at Cen Xiao. “What do you want?”

Physically, he was weak. Chronic stomach issues had left him in poor health—he wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight against Cen Xiao.

Cen Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly, glancing at Li Rong’s thin wrist before speaking through gritted teeth: “You still care about her?”

Li Rong frowned. He understood what Cen Xiao meant, but it was a complete misunderstanding. He had no intention of competing with Cen Xiao for Song Yuanyuan.

“If you like Song Yuanyuan, just say yes. There’s no need to feel awkward because of me. I can’t affect the two of you anyway.” Li Rong’s voice was cold and carried a hint of impatience.

He was already miserable enough; he had no energy to care about romantic entanglements.

Cen Xiao took a deep breath, closed his eyes briefly, and muttered to himself, “I’m done waiting.”

“What?” A flicker of confusion passed through Li Rong’s eyes.

Cen Xiao smirked mockingly. He tightened his grip on Li Rong’s right hand while his other hand pressed against Li Rong’s neck. Though the pressure wasn’t strong, the calluses on Cen Xiao’s fingers sent goosebumps crawling across Li Rong’s skin.

“I know you’ve been applying to the Hongsuo Research Institute, but no one wants you, right? Do you want to get in? If you do, come with me.”

Cen Xiao’s actions were aggressive, even invasive, but his words carried an undeniable allure.

Getting into the Hongsuo Research Institute was Li Rong’s only goal. He knew someone was blocking his path, yet he was powerless to change the situation.

But Cen Xiao had the power to change things. 

By now, Cen Xiao had risen to a high position within the Blue Pivot District Three, wielding significant influence.

Li Rong’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. His gaze was wary as he studied Cen Xiao. After a long silence, he finally slapped away the hand on his neck. “Take your hands off me.”

In the end, he chose to go with Cen Xiao. He knew there would be conditions, but he had nothing left to lose—not even his life.

He got into Cen Xiao’s car. It had been a long time since he’d ridden in a luxury car, so much so that he couldn’t immediately find the seatbelt.

Cen Xiao leaned across him, brushing against his chest and neck, to fasten the seatbelt for him.

The closeness made Li Rong uncomfortable. Cen Xiao was far too near, and Li Rong could even feel his breath.

But he held his tongue and said nothing.

The car drove all the way to a small villa Cen Xiao owned in the city—his first property after taking power.

With this house, he had completely moved out of his family home, freeing himself from the control of Cen Qing and Xiao Muran.

Li Rong didn’t look around. His mind wasn’t on the architecture or decor.

The moment he entered, he asked coldly, “Tell me. What’s your condition?”

The villa was quiet. Cen Xiao’s gaze roamed boldly over the loose graduation gown Li Rong wore before he smiled slightly, his tone leaving no room for refusal:

“Take off the gown first.”