Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: The Battleground

Did Qi Yuan have a solution?

Ha! Of course not.

What could he possibly do?

His only remotely viable option was to send a mass message telling them not to come.

He wasn’t sure if they’d listen, but he’d give it a shot. If it failed, he could always run away and start over.

After organizing his thoughts, Qi Yuan sent the message:

Qi Yuan: No need. I just didn’t sleep well. I just need a good rest.

His firm rejection couldn’t be ignored. The four men frowned, but they feared forcing the issue would displease Qi Yuan, potentially favoring the others. Unwilling to risk it, they feigned magnanimity and replied:

Cheng (4): Glad you’re okay. Staying up late is bad for your health, baby. Get some rest and sweet dreams.

You (5): Okay, baby. Good night. Looking forward to your stream tomorrow.

Yang (3): Call me anytime if you need anything. I’m always here for you.

He (2): Qi Yuan, are you really okay?

Thankfully, they were mostly compliant.

Only He Zhou proved particularly persistent, but that was fine. Qi Yuan was now fully capable of handling him.

The other three gave perfunctory replies, considering the matter settled.

He Zhou, however, engaged Qi Yuan in a brief, private conversation before finally excusing himself.

Once he confirmed that none of them would be coming together, Qi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He poured himself a glass of water.

The bedroom in the apartment had a small balcony—not spacious, but large enough for a recliner and a small table.

From the balcony, the city’s nightscape was breathtakingly beautiful.

Qi Yuan loved balconies; whether renting or buying, he always chose places with one.

The newly moved-into apartment wasn’t large, but he appreciated its compactness, which made him feel exceptionally safe. It seemed his Dreamscape self shared the same mindset as his real-world self, so Qi Yuan was quite pleased with the place.

Wait a minute.

Qi Yuan, who had already reclined, suddenly sat up. He seemed to have overlooked something crucial.

Did his Dreamscape self’s companions know he had moved?

And if they didn’t, could it be that his Dreamscape self had moved precisely to evade these Big Brothers who knew his original address?

Was he trying to cut ties?

Now that he had made enough money, did he no longer want to deal with them?

Oh my god.

In an instant.

Qi Yuan felt utterly brilliant. While his theory might not be entirely accurate, he had an inexplicable intuition that it was spot-on.

Hmm, how should I judge my Dreamscape self’s ‘crossing the river and dismantling the bridge’ act?

He decided to lie back down, closed his eyes, and refused to pass judgment.

Given their power and influence, they’ll undoubtedly find me soon after discovering I’ve moved, Qi Yuan thought. That much is clear.

But there was nothing he could do.

I’ll stall for as long as possible, he vowed. By the time they find me, I’ll be long gone from this damned Dreamscape.

Just as he was lost in thought,

Knock-knock.

A knock at the door shattered his concentration.

Startled and suspicious, Qi Yuan rose and cautiously approached the door. He leaned in, peered through the peephole, and saw who was knocking.

A dim light hung high in the hallway outside. Its faint glow illuminated the man standing at his door, and Qi Yuan squinted to make out his features.

A black suit and slicked-back hair.

His face was somewhat blurry, but its sharply defined contours hinted at handsome features.

When the door remained unopened for an extended moment, the man knocked again, as if certain Qi Yuan was right behind it.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and deliberate: “Qi Yuan, open the door.”

His voice was deep and husky, like the rich resonance of a cello, making Qi Yuan’s ears itch slightly.

This door’s soundproofing is absolutely terrible, Qi Yuan thought sarcastically.

This wasn’t a familiar voice.

At least, not the voices of the other four; Qi Yuan remembered their voices clearly.

So, could this stranger be No. 1?

To confirm, Qi Yuan pulled out his phone and sent a message to No. 1.

Qi Yuan: Is that you?

A reply came almost immediately.

X (No. 1): It’s me.

Qi Yuan paused for a moment, then made up his mind to open the door. This person was likely the key to escaping the Dreamscape.

With no information, focus on listening and probing, he reminded himself.

He opened the door and let go. A tall figure pulled it open wider and stepped inside.

With practiced ease, the man retrieved slippers from the shoe cabinet and changed his shoes.

Now Qi Yuan could see the man’s features clearly.

He wore a well-tailored black suit that fit perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and upright posture, giving him an air of composed confidence.

After changing his shoes, the man turned around.

His features were strikingly deep-set, the shadows emphasizing their sculpted contours, and his pale blue eyes gave him a distinctly mixed-race look.

“You look a bit pale,” the man murmured, his warm hand cupping Qi Yuan’s cheek. “Still angry?”

“And you’ve even moved out.”

He didn’t expect an immediate answer.

His gaze swept over the small apartment.

“This place is too cramped.”

“Qi Yuan, even when you’re furious, you shouldn’t punish yourself. It breaks my heart to see you like this.”

The man lowered his head, gently pressing his forehead against Qi Yuan’s, a gesture of helpless surrender.

I’m not punishing myself, Qi Yuan silently protested. I really like this place.

A ripple of amusement flickered in Qi Yuan’s blue eyes. “If you’re not, that’s wonderful.”

He lowered his lashes, his voice coaxing, “If you’re not angry anymore, come home with me, okay? I promise I’ll never let those people you dislike come near you again.”

“So, break things off with them and come home with me.”

Qi Yuan was floored. His eyes widened involuntarily, unable to restrain their reaction.

This guy knows I’m playing multiple sides, right?

Wait, is that even reasonable?

Is the key to escaping this Dreamscape just doing what this man says? Break it off with the other four and go home with him?

Qi Yuan hesitated, but after a moment’s thought, he decided to give it a try.

Just as he was about to agree, the slightly ajar door swung open.

It was You Qinghe.

“Baby, are you alright…?”

Her words choked off mid-sentence at the sight of the two men’s intimate posture. Her face darkened.

Gritting her teeth, she snarled, “Qi Yuan, you kept me away just to be with him?”

You Qinghe was furious.

Qi Yuan: “………”

He stepped back, creating distance between himself and the man, and gazed at the ceiling, at a loss for words.

He then turned a puzzled look toward You Qinghe. Wait, didn’t I already brush her off? Why is she here?

You Qinghe, realizing her impulsive outburst, still refused to give up on Qi Yuan.

“Baby, did I do something wrong? You’re moving and you didn’t even tell me.”

“Whatever it is, I can fix it.”

He took a few steps forward, but the man blocked his path.

The man regarded You Qinghe coldly, recognizing him instantly.

So it’s the You Family brat. This should be easy.