Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 71

Chapter 71: You Qinghe

“Can I take off your mask for you?”

After helping Qi Yuan fasten the bracelet, Yang Huaiyuan’s gaze settled on the mask covering Qi Yuan’s face.

In high spirits, Qi Yuan agreed. “Sure.”

With Qi Yuan’s permission, Yang Huaiyuan reached out, his fingers gently tracing the smooth white mask before loosening the ties at the back of Qi Yuan’s head.

Perhaps Qi Yuan had tightened the mask too much earlier, because noticeable pressure marks remained on his cheeks after it was removed. The marks were particularly conspicuous against his pale complexion.

Yang Huaiyuan lowered his gaze, a peculiar emotion flickering in his eyes, but Qi Yuan didn’t notice.

His warm fingers lightly brushed against the pressure marks on Qi Yuan’s cheek.

“Does it hurt?”

Qi Yuan didn’t understand why he was being asked if it hurt. He raised his own hand to touch his face, and when he felt the distinct indentations, he finally understood Yang Huaiyuan’s question.

“No, it doesn’t hurt. I can’t feel anything. It’ll fade soon.”

Qi Yuan’s main worry had been that the mask wasn’t secure enough. If it slipped off during the ball, it would be a disaster.

Still, he had been careful to avoid tying it too tightly. After repeated loosening and re-tying, he had found the most tolerable level of tightness.

At first, it felt a bit strange, but after wearing it for a while, I got used to it.

“Mm.”

“I’ll take you back to your dorm.”

Seeing that Qi Yuan showed no signs of discomfort, Yang Huaiyuan relaxed.

Qi Yuan refused. He hadn’t changed yet, and he still needed to retrieve his things from the lounge.

“No need.”

“I have some business to attend to. You should head back first. If there’s anything you’re worried about at the Academy, I can manage getting back to my dorm myself.”

“See you tomorrow.”

With that, he took back the mask Yang Huaiyuan was holding, waved, and darted down a narrow path leading directly to the banquet hall’s back entrance.

They both knew they had professional courses the next day.

Yang Huaiyuan stood there, watching Qi Yuan’s retreating figure.

He murmured softly, “See you tomorrow.”

His voice was so faint that the wind carried it away.

Nearby, his driver had arrived some time ago but waited patiently, sensing the young master was preoccupied. He didn’t approach until he saw the young man who appeared to be the young master’s friend leave, then drove the car over.

Back in the lounge, Qi Yuan changed his clothes but didn’t immediately leave.

Instead, he sat on the sofa, deciding to wait until the crowd from the banquet hall thinned out before returning to his dorm.

When he’d first entered the lounge, it coincided with students streaming out of the banquet hall, using both the main and back entrances. Not wanting to squeeze through the throng, he decided to linger a bit longer, knowing the dorm wasn’t far from the hall.

Leaning back against the sofa, Qi Yuan lifted his wrist to examine the bracelet. After a moment’s thought, he pulled out his phone and searched for its price online.

He found the exact model with surprising ease.

His body straightened involuntarily as he stared at the price tag.

Good heavens.

That’s absurdly expensive!

Though Yang Huaiyuan had given him gifts before, none were this extravagant.

It was just a silver chain—not even gold—yet it cost more than gold? It could wipe out half his savings!

Qi Yuan couldn’t understand it, nor did he appreciate it.

I guess I’m just too used to being poor, he thought. I’ve never seen anything this fancy. It’s making me question my entire existence.

Just then, the lounge’s thin walls failed to muffle familiar voices that grew steadily louder.

“Boss, the lounge is up ahead.”

“Good thing I brought spare clothes. There shouldn’t be anyone in there now. Change quickly, Boss, and I’ll wait outside.”

It was Xu Yu, You Qinghe’s subordinate.

“Alright,” You Qinghe replied.

His voice was distinctive, and Qi Yuan had interacted with him frequently in the Dreamscape. There was no mistaking it.

Hearing their destination was the Lounge, Qi Yuan panicked slightly.

He really didn’t want to run into You Qinghe. Who knew what kind of trouble You Qinghe might cause?

After all, the last time he’d been chased all over the Academy by You Qinghe served as a stark reminder.

Qi Yuan sprang to his feet, scanning for a hiding spot.

His gaze landed on a large cabinet. He hurriedly opened it and squeezed inside.

Just as he closed the cabinet door, the Lounge door swung open.

Already concealed inside, Qi Yuan let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful for his quick reflexes.

The cabinet’s contents were sparse, mostly piled to one side, leaving enough space for him to sit.

Ever meticulous, he immediately silenced his phone and activated airplane mode for added security.

Overcome with anxiety, his breathing grew heavy. He touched his flushed cheeks, regulated his breathing, and mentally urged himself to stay calm.

Then he heard the sound of shirt buttons being undone.

In the pitch-black confines of the cabinet, the sound was unnaturally distinct.

For some reason, Qi Yuan suddenly found himself thinking about You Qinghe’s physique. He had to admit, her figure was truly remarkable.

Time ticked by, and the air inside the cabinet grew increasingly thin, making him feel noticeably stuffy.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long. You Qinghe finished changing outside the cabinet, didn’t linger in the lounge, and left through the door.

Hearing the door close, Qi Yuan immediately pushed the cabinet open, gasping for breath.

He struggled to crawl out of the cramped space.

Typical Noble Academy cabinet, he thought sarcastically. Even the cabinets are different here. At least the cabinets at home don’t risk suffocating someone.

After catching his breath, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and prepared to leave.

But just then, he ran into You Qinghe returning.

The door swung open.

You Qinghe, having dropped his phone, strode in and spotted a young man sitting on the floor with his head bowed, obscuring his face. His slender frame and the pale, faintly pink nape of his neck looked strangely familiar.

He picked up his phone from the sofa, casually slipped it into his pocket, and fixed his gaze on the figure on the floor. He slowly approached, showing no intention of leaving.

Qi Yuan was utterly exasperated, mentally chanting, Leave! Just leave already!

But when he saw those shoes drawing closer and closer, he knew he was trapped.

“Look up.”

“Lift your head,” You Qinghe commanded, his voice echoing down from above. Qi Yuan’s vision swam with darkness.

Qi Yuan refused to speak or lift his head.

Seeing Qi Yuan’s inaction, impatience flashed in You Qinghe’s eyes as he took a few more steps forward.

“Were you spying on me while I was changing?” he asked.

Qi Yuan couldn’t bear this false accusation.

“No!” he retorted immediately, though he remembered not to look up.

“Then why are you so afraid to lift your head?” You Qinghe pressed.

Forced to answer, Qi Yuan said, “I’m ugly. I didn’t want to offend Young Master You’s eyes.”

“I don’t care,” You Qinghe replied.

The impatience in his eyes had vanished. He knew he had finally found the person he had been searching for, as if fate had finally shown him favor.

He reached out, his large hand gripping Qi Yuan’s face with minimal force, easily tilting his face upward.

The blush on Qi Yuan’s face hadn’t completely faded, and his evasive expression struck You Qinghe as pure shyness.

You Qinghe’s mood brightened further.

Bending down, his voice laced with teasing, he said, “If you wanted to watch, you didn’t have to hide. I could have stripped for you.”

Qi Yuan’s eyes widened in shock.

Not that he was particularly surprised; You Qinghe was just that audacious. Nothing that came out of his mouth could ever truly shock Qi Yuan.

“No need,” Qi Yuan refused without hesitation. “And I didn’t sneak a peek.”

He emphasized this last point, eager to refute the deeply embarrassing accusation.

You Qinghe lowered his gaze, studying Qi Yuan’s face.

“Mm-hmm.”

“I believe you.”

Sensing Qi Yuan’s indignant embarrassment, You Qinghe dropped the teasing.

He glanced at the less-than-clean ground and said, “The ground’s dirty. Let’s get you up.”

Releasing his hold on Qi Yuan’s face, he extended his hand, gesturing for Qi Yuan to take it. With considerable reluctance, Qi Yuan grasped You Qinghe’s hand.

Qi Yuan knew You Qinghe was strong; he effortlessly pulled him to his feet. Having braced himself, Qi Yuan stood steadily after rising.

But the moment Qi Yuan stood up and released You Qinghe’s hand, he heard You Qinghe say, “So, that’s what you look like.”

Puzzled, Qi Yuan looked up and met You Qinghe’s gaze.

Those eyes seemed to hold a multitude of emotions, yet Qi Yuan couldn’t discern them clearly.

These emotions of You Qinghe’s stirred a growing urge within Qi Yuan to retreat and escape.

“Can you tell me your name?” You Qinghe asked, finally remembering the matter at hand.

Knowing he couldn’t escape, Qi Yuan abandoned any pretense of hiding. He sighed inwardly and replied, “Qi Yuan. My name is Qi Yuan.”

He then pulled out his phone and asked, “Want my contact information?”

Since he’s definitely going to ask for it anyway, might as well get it over with quickly. He thought. Handle You Qinghe efficiently, then get back to the dorm for some rest. I’m exhausted.

You Qinghe was momentarily taken aback by Qi Yuan’s straightforwardness, but a smile soon flickered across his face.

Xu Yu, who had been waiting outside for his Boss for what seemed like forever, grew increasingly puzzled. He finally approached the lounge and pushed the door open.

What he saw inside left him speechless: his Boss, positively smitten.

What the…?

What the actual…?

He was both confused and curious, but he knew better than to interrupt his Boss’s good fortune. After a lingering glance, he quietly withdrew.

Leaning against the wall, Xu Yu’s mind flashed back to the face of the person opposite his Boss. I’ve definitely seen him somewhere before…

He racked his brain, trying to remember.

Then it clicked: It’s the gorgeous guy I saw by the lake that day when the Boss ordered us to corner him!

After that fleeting first encounter, he had considered seeing Qi Yuan again, but the man seemed to have vanished without a trace. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t find him anywhere and was forced to give up.

A faint suspicion began to form in his mind.

Could this be the person the Boss has been searching for?

Just then, the door swung open.

Qi Yuan didn’t linger. He strode out first, not even glancing back.

Behind him, You Qinghe leaned against the doorframe, watching Qi Yuan’s retreating figure until it disappeared from sight. Only then did he turn his gaze to Xu Yu, who stood beside him.

“Boss, is he the person you’ve been looking for?” Xu Yu asked.

“Mm-hmm,” You Qinghe replied. “It’s him.”

A smile spread across Xu Yu’s face, but a faint unease stirred within him.

“Congratulations, Boss,” he said, his voice laced with forced enthusiasm. “Your wish has finally come true.”

Though his words were congratulatory, there was no genuine joy in his eyes.

He then suggested, “Boss, should we look into his background?”

You Qinghe nodded in agreement. “Yes, let’s do that.”

“Then tell me his name, Boss,” Xu Yu said. “I’ll get right on it.”

“Qi Yuan,” You Qinghe replied. “His name is Qi Yuan.”

The two men left the banquet hall and climbed into a car.

You Qinghe stared out the window, his once-empty heart now brimming with a newfound sense of fulfillment.