Noble Academy's Mob Character: Reborn as the Campus Heartthrob - Chapter 80
Forget it.
Qi Yuan chided himself for dwelling on pointless thoughts. It’s all in the past. What’s the use of thinking about it? There are no answers, just wasted energy.
Train tickets for the Lunar New Year were notoriously difficult to secure. He had to put in a considerable effort to snag one, and even then, his success was partly due to Weilika Academy’s early holiday break compared to most other schools.
Thank goodness I got a ticket, he thought. Otherwise, I might not have made it home for the holidays.
Dragging his suitcase, he headed toward the Academy gate. Since the final exam hall was close to the gate, he’d packed his suitcase beforehand, planning to leave straight from the exam.
Academy maintenance crews cleared the snow-covered roads daily, but a fresh, soft layer had fallen overnight, crunching softly underfoot.
He hadn’t walked far when he heard someone call his name.
“Qi Yuan.”
Puzzled, he turned to see Yang Huaiyuan sitting in his car, the window rolled down, a gentle smile on his face.
“Let me give you a ride to the station,” Yang Huaiyuan said. “It’s snowing heavily, and it’ll be hard to find a taxi.”
Qi Yuan considered the offer. He was secretly delighted but felt compelled to maintain a veneer of modesty.
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?”
“No trouble at all, it’s right on my way,” Yang Huaiyuan said.
Since Yang Huaiyuan had already gone to such lengths, Qi Yuan decided to drop the pretense of modesty, lest his hesitation be taken seriously and he be left stranded.
“Then thank you, Huaiyuan.”
After Qi Yuan agreed, the driver got out to stow his suitcase in the trunk. While handling the luggage, he made sure to thank the driver as well.
Qi Yuan watched the driver secure the suitcase before getting into the car.
The heater was cranked up inside, and it wasn’t long before Qi Yuan started feeling warm. He removed his scarf and took off his coat, revealing a black turtleneck sweater underneath.
His physique was quite good, and the turtleneck sweater enhanced his refined air.
“Qi Yuan, this is a gift for your little sister.”
Yang Huaiyuan produced a jewelry box, opening it to reveal a dazzling bracelet studded with pink gemstones. It sparkled brilliantly and was strikingly beautiful.
“Just tell her it’s from her Big Brother’s good friend.”
“During the Lunar New Year, my grandfather’s birthday celebration falls right in the middle, so I can’t easily leave. Otherwise, I’d really have liked to spend New Year’s Eve with you and meet your beloved little sister.”
“What a pity about the timing.”
“So, would you mind delivering this for me, Qi Yuan? Would that be alright?”
The gemstone bracelet looked incredibly expensive. True to form for a young master from a wealthy family, Yang Huaiyuan’s generosity was extravagant.
Qi Yuan had already accepted numerous gifts from Yang Huaiyuan, but receiving them himself was one thing; having his little sister accept them was another matter entirely.
He hesitated, unsure whether to accept the bracelet on Qi Meng’s behalf. Knowing her personality, he suspected she wouldn’t be pleased upon seeing the bracelet; instead, she’d likely worry about its implications.
“Huaiyuan, you don’t need to go to such lengths,” Qi Yuan said, hoping Yang Huaiyuan would understand that he didn’t need to try so hard to please him. After all, Qi Yuan knew he could never reciprocate those feelings.
Yang Huaiyuan’s expression remained unchanged, leaving Qi Yuan unsure whether his words had registered.
Perhaps I’m being too hasty, Qi Yuan thought, pausing to gather his thoughts before speaking again.
“Qi Yuan, we’re friends, aren’t we?”
Qi Yuan nodded.
Yang Huaiyuan: “Then please accept this small token of my friendship.”
Torn, Qi Yuan fidgeted with his fingers, still unable to make up his mind.
Seeing his indecision, Yang Huaiyuan lowered his gaze. “You know I don’t have many friends,” he said quietly. “Is it wrong for me to want to treat my friends well?”
Hearing this, Qi Yuan reached out and accepted the jewelry box.
“Thank you on Qi Meng’s behalf, Huaiyuan.”
The small box fit perfectly into his coat pocket.
On the way to the train station, they chatted casually about amusing incidents at the Academy.
The driver maintained a smooth ride, and before Qi Yuan knew it, they had arrived at the station.
After getting out, he took the suitcase the driver handed him.
Qi Yuan waved at Yang Huaiyuan, who was still in the car. “Goodbye, Huaiyuan.”
Yang Huaiyuan waved back. “Mm, see you later.”
“Qi Yuan, I hope we can spend New Year’s Eve together next year.”
Qi Yuan smiled faintly. “We will.”
“As long as you’re free during the holidays, you’re welcome to come over anytime.”
“But my cooking skills aren’t great. You’ll have to eat whatever my Little Sister makes.”
Yang Huaiyuan: “No need for her to cook—I’ll take care of it.
“My culinary skills are chef-certified, you know. Qi Yuan, you can look forward to it.”
Qi Yuan: “Really? If you put it like that, Huaiyuan, I’m actually quite excited.”
With that, he glanced up at the sky. Though it was only noon, the sky was dark and heavy, hinting at another heavy snowfall.
“Enough chatting.”
“It looks like the snow’s going to get heavier. Hurry home, drive carefully, and stay safe.”
Yang Huaiyuan nodded. “You too. Text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.”
Qi Yuan: “Will do.”
“This time, really, goodbye.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he turned and dragged his suitcase into the station.
Yang Huaiyuan watched until Qi Yuan’s figure disappeared before instructing the driver to leave.
The biting winter wind couldn’t dampen the extravagant revelry of the wealthy.
Every year, during the winter and summer breaks at Weilika Academy, the upper echelons hosted lavish banquets—ostensibly to foster goodwill, but more bluntly, to advance family business interests.
Nightfall crept in silently.
He Zhou, stepping out for a breath of fresh air, had draped a heavy overcoat, tailored to match his suit.
Standing on the balcony, he lit a cigarette.
He didn’t inhale, merely watched it burn to ash.
He Zhou detested these banquets, but attendance was unavoidable. In business, information was paramount; without mingling with other families, how could he gather the intelligence he needed?
Moreover, his wings were not yet fully formed; the time to spread his wings and soar had not yet come.
Just as he was savoring the tranquility, it shattered.
“President, I knew I’d find you here.”
It was Liang Tingxuan.
He’d dyed his hair again, the stark white now even more striking against his round face, framed by large, cat-like eyes.
Liang Tingxuan sauntered over to He Zhou, grinning.
“President, why do you always come to this balcony for fresh air? Why not try a different spot?”
“This place is freezing in winter. You should at least find somewhere warmer to avoid catching a cold. It’s pure torture getting sick.”
He Zhou was a creature of habit. Liang Tingxuan, having grown up alongside him, understood this well. Yet, during idle moments, he couldn’t resist teasing He Zhou about it.
“It’s perfectly fine here,” He Zhou replied curtly, conveying his disinterest in moving.
“Alright then,” Liang Tingxuan conceded, waving his hand in mock resignation.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he asked, “President, do you remember me telling you about the You Family’s youngest son going crazy searching for someone at the Academy?”
He Zhou remembered. The commotion had been quite public, piquing his curiosity slightly. “Did he find them?”
“He did indeed,” Liang Tingxuan confirmed, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “President, care to guess who he was looking for?”
He Zhou immediately sensed the malicious intent behind the question. Without hesitation, he named the person: “Qi Yuan.”
“He was searching for and has already found Qi Yuan. That’s what you wanted to tell me, isn’t it?”
He Zhou turned to regard the Vice President, whose innocent-looking face belied his true nature.
“So, how do you want me to deal with him?”
“If I actually make a move against him, I’d be playing right into your hands.”
“And then you’d swoop in to pick up the scraps after we’ve torn each other apart, wouldn’t you?” He Zhou’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
Liang Tingxuan maintained his cheerful facade. “President, you’ve seen right through me. My sincerest apologies.” His expression suggested, You know, but I won’t change.
He Zhou’s head throbbed.
No wonder, he thought, when I returned to the Academy last time, even though only a few people knew I was coming back and I’d asked them to keep it quiet, the news spread like wildfire across the entire campus.
It must have been this brat’s doing.
“When did you start liking Qi Yuan?” he asked.
The smile vanished from Liang Tingxuan’s face.
He answered earnestly, “At first sight.”
He repeated, “The very first time I saw him, I fell in love with him.”
“It felt like I’d loved him in a past life. That thought just suddenly popped into my head the first time I laid eyes on him.”
He Zhou fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking.
“Then let’s compete fairly.”
“We both know neither of us will give up, right?”
“And one more thing: no more petty tricks.”
“Let’s leave it at that.”
With that, he turned and left, leaving Liang Tingxuan standing alone.