Deviant: No Longer Human

As Wu Shenji disclosed the details of Wang Xiao's fall from the cliff, Wang Jiarong couldn't contain her frustration. "Why didn't you tell me this before!" she yelled, her voice resonating with a mix of worry and anger.

"F-Fell from the cliff...?" Wang Xueying muttered in shock, her eyes reflecting a blank disbelief.

Realizing Wang Xueying was still present, Wang Jiarong turned to Zhang Sisi, urgently requesting, "Can you please take her back to the dorms?" Zhang Sisi, also shaken by the news, nodded and gently guided Wang Xueying away from the unsettling scene.

Left alone with Wu Shenji, Wang Jiarong's face darkened as she confronted him. "Did you tell anyone about this?" she questioned.

Wu Shenji shook his head, and Wang Jiarong frowned, wondering why he hadn't taken prompt action.

Shouldn't rescue operations have already commenced?

In a swift response, she called the teachers, urgently conveying the distressing situation and prompting them to initiate immediate search and rescue efforts.

Zhao Chen, Zhao Yang, and Hao Zemin were summoned, standing before the stern gaze of the teachers, each facing reprimands for their actions.

Teacher Chen's stern gaze bore into Zhao Chen, disappointment etched on his face. "Do you realize the gravity of your actions, Zhao Chen? Endangering a fellow student's life for a mere revenge is beyond unacceptable."

Zhao Chen lowered his gaze, unable to meet the teacher's eyes, a knot of guilt forming in his stomach.

Teacher Li addressed Zhang Yang with a firm tone, "And you, Zhang Yang, you were part of this recklessness. Your irresponsibility could have resulted in a tragic outcome."

Zhang Yang gulped, his expression reflecting the weight of his actions.

Hao Zemin faced Teacher Chen's scrutiny, who spoke with a mix of sternness and concern, "You should have known better, Hao Zemin. This is not the behavior we expect from students in our care."

Just as Teacher Chen was prepared to escalate the disciplinary measures, Lei Xie intervened, her voice cutting through the tense air. "Teacher Chen, we should focus on rescuing Wang Xiao rather than reprimanding them right now."

Her words cast a sudden chill over Zhao Chen, Zhang Yang, and Hao Zemin.

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them, emotions of guilt, anger, and frustration swirling within as they realized the severity of the consequences stemming from their reckless actions.

The entire atmosphere shifted as rescue teams were mobilized, helicopters hovering over the area in search of any signs of Wang Xiao. The urgency of the situation echoed through the night.

*Thump-thump*

The disconcerting sound reverberated, jolting everyone awake. Despite the teachers' attempts to control the unfolding incident, it seemed to spiral out of control. The night was now a canvas of chaos.

By this time, the truth of what had happened had spread among the students.

"Wait until morning before calling your parents..."

The teachers advised Wang Jiarong, who hesitated but reluctantly nodded. She sat outside on a stool, wrapped in a blanket against the shivering cold. Her eyes were slightly moist, a whirlwind of emotions taking over, self-blame gnawing at her conscience.

"What if something terrible happens to him? How will I face our parents?"

"I should have known he'd get into trouble. I'm supposed to protect him, not let him fall off cliffs."

The self-blame echoed in her mind, each accusation a piercing reminder of her perceived failure.

"I hope he's okay. I hope we find him soon."

As the night unfolded, Wang Jiarong's internal turmoil intensified, the minutes dragging by like hours, each passing second amplifying her anxiety and guilt.

_______

8:00 am, 16th January 2024.

As the continuous rescue operation unfolded, a sense of despair settled over the site of the avalanche.

Despite their efforts, nothing was found after scouring the area affected by the avalanche.

The traces of Wang Xiao disappeared beneath the thick snow, eroded by the elements.

Now, the worst-case scenario loomed – the possibility that he had become prey for some wild animal in the unforgiving wilderness.

On the other hand, the best-case scenario offered a glimmer of hope – that he had avoided serious injuries and was able to walk away from the site.

Yet, the lingering question haunted everyone: If he could walk, why hadn't he returned?

The search persisted, but the discussions about canceling the trip had already started. Concerned parents reached out to the teachers, demanding answers as news of the incident began to leak.

The once-promising trip had turned into a nightmare, overshadowed by uncertainty and fear.

_____

Back in Shanghai, the opulent Wang family residence was adorned with elegance. Xinyue Zhilan, adorned in a traditional qipao, gracefully brought in a tray of meticulously prepared food for Wang Zhihao.

She wore earbuds, engaged in what she expected to be a routine hour-long call with Wang Jiarong, eagerly anticipating details of the journey.

As she entered the room, the aroma of the carefully crafted meal wafted through the air.

Little did she know that the news she was about to receive would shatter the tranquility of the moment.

The ear-piercing *boom* of a dropped tray resonated as the contents scattered on the floor, gravy splattering in all directions, even making its way towards the impeccably dressed Wang Zhihao.

The sudden disturbance startled Wang Zhihao, who swiftly stood up, his well-tailored suit now bearing the unintended marks of the chaotic scene. "What are you doing!?" he demanded, his voice echoing in the lavish surroundings.

However, Xinyue Zhilan stood frozen, her eyes reflecting an unsettling panic.

Wang Zhihao, sensing the abnormality, furrowed his brows, seeking an explanation.

"X-Xiao...h-he..." Xinyue Zhilan, lips quivering, struggled to find words, her gaze shifting between the mess on the floor and Wang Zhihao.

The lump in her throat hindered her ability to convey the distressing news about Wang Xiao.

Wang Zhihao's frown deepened, an unsettling feeling settling over him.

Despite his sometimes overbearing nature, deep down, he cared intensely for his only son, Wang Xiao.

The deviation from his expectations only added to the anxiety that now gripped him.

"What happened to Xiao Wang?" he questioned urgently, the worry evident in his tone.

The day took a dark turn, both of them hastily flying to Hongzhou.

Restlessness permeated the air, not just for Wang Zhihao, but also for the dean of the academy whose peaceful night's sleep was abruptly disrupted.

The consequences of this incident could potentially have a severe impact on the school's reputation, with the looming threat of government intervention that could lead to the school's shutdown.

The stakes were high, and time seemed to stretch endlessly for those anxiously awaiting news about Wang Xiao.

____

Wang Zhihao's face contorted with rage as he seized the Old Dean's collar, his fingers digging into the fabric.

Wang Zhihao, "I entrusted my son to your care! Now tell me, where is he? What have you done?"

Old Dean, gasping for words,"We're doing everything we can to find him. It's a challenging situation."

Wang Zhihao's eyes burned with a mixture of fury and desperation.

Wang Zhihao, "Challenging? My son is out there, and you call it challenging?!"

Meanwhile, a paramedic approached Xinyue Zhilan, holding out the recovered skiing equipment.

Paramedic, "These were buried in the snow. They belong to your son. We're continuing the search."

Xinyue Zhilan's hands trembled as she took the items, her eyes filled with anguish.

Xinyue Zhilan, "He's alive, I know it. He's strong. Please, you have to find him!"

Paramedic, "We're exploring all possibilities, ma'am. He might be walking in the forest, but we need to consider other scenarios."

Xinyue Zhilan, tears streaming down her face, "No, he's alive! He walked into the forest. He's coming back to us."

In the background, Wang Xueying and Wang Jiarong, along with Wang Mei, watched the heated confrontation between Wang Zhihao and the Old Dean.

Wang Zhihao, "You were supposed to ensure their safety! Where is my son?"

Old Dean, stuttering, "We're mobilizing all resources to find him. It's a vast area, and the search is ongoing."

Wang Zhihao's eyes flared with anger.

Wang Zhihao, "Ongoing? While my son is out there, God knows where?!"

Wang Jiarong, her voice tinged with urgency approahced them, "Dad, we need to focus on finding Xiao. Getting angry won't help."

Wang Zhihao, still seething, turned towards his daughters.

Wang Zhihao, "Finding Xiao is the priority, but this incompetent fool..."

Wang Jiarong, interrupting, "We'll deal with it later. Right now, let's help in the search."

While this was happening, Xinyue Zhilan clutched Wang Xiao's skiing equipment, her eyes pleading with the paramedic.

Xinyue Zhilan, "Please, you have to find him. He's resilient. He'll find a way back to us."

Paramedic, empathetically: "We're doing our best, ma'am. Let's hope for the best."

As the scene unfolded, Wang Mei, the youngest of the siblings, couldn't hold back her tears, feeling a mix of fear and helplessness.

The night weighed heavily on their shoulders as Xinyue Zhilan and Wang Zhihao sat in the dimly lit room, the air filled with tension and despair. The paramedic, a bearer of grim news, approached them cautiously.

"As we temporarily pause the search, the helicopters will continue scouring the area. However, I must inform you that, since we haven't found any bodies, there's a chance that... your son... might have become prey to some wild animal..."

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