Why Do All the Villains Look at Me Like This? - Chapter 89

As Meng Xuexiao walked toward the dueling platform, he suddenly stopped, turning to glance back at the man behind him.

Yao Huai leaned against the back of his wheelchair, waving when he saw Meng Xuexiao looking his way.

Meng Xuexiao immediately felt his steps grow heavier, as if they carried the weight of his entire family’s hopes…

“Hiss…” No matter how he thought about it, it just felt wrong.

Just a dozen steps from the dueling platform, Meng Xuexiao was stopped by his mentor.

The mentor had been watching the D Group boys waving to the crowd from the platform, but when he spotted Meng Xuexiao, he rushed over.

“What are you doing here? Get back immediately! Blades have no eyes on the battlefield—what if you get hurt? The duels in class are nothing like the virtual combat you practice in the study hall.”

The mentor’s panicked demeanor was as if he had seen a tender infant sticking its head and hands out of a window, with a 30-meter drop waiting outside.

Yet, clearly… even the D-Class and E-grade students were standing around the competition platform, waving flags and cheering, observing the match up close.

At that moment, the D Group boy noticed the commotion. He effortlessly vaulted over the railing beside the platform and stopped the teacher. “Teacher, you’re being too cautious. This level of caution is practically a constraint.”

“I saw him standing alone in the corner earlier, but he kept staring at us. He definitely doesn’t just want to watch us have all the fun.”

Then, he turned to Meng Xuexiao.

The boy wasn’t familiar with Meng Xuexiao, having only noticed him watching from afar earlier. Now that Meng Xuexiao had approached, he finally got a clear look at the young man’s face: milky-white, as if a touch would leave a red mark; his eyelashes were so long and curled that one couldn’t resist the urge to stroke them.

Instantly, the boy’s face and neck flushed crimson.

This… they’re even more beautiful than the singing and dancing students at the neighboring school.

The neighboring school had a cooperative relationship with the Federation Military Academy, but instead of producing soldiers, they trained ceremonial attendants—young men and women who would send troops off to war and host celebratory banquets for returning soldiers.

In just a few seconds, the boy went from questioning his teacher to understanding him, and finally, becoming him.

At that moment, the boy genuinely felt that Meng Xuexiao was too delicate for a rough place like the competition stage.

What a pity it would be if he were accidentally injured or his skin were scratched.

He flashed Meng Xuexiao a radiant smile, “My roommate just recorded a video of my fight. Want me to copy it for you? After class, you can use it as a reference when you practice in the study hall. It’ll definitely help.”

As he spoke, he wagged his finger mysteriously. “I can even give you a secret bonus—a little extra training on the side.”

The next moment, he pulled a marker from his pocket.

“Want me to sign something for you?”

Immediately, the male fans began to jeer.

“Damn it! You wouldn’t even sign for us back then!”

“Is this some kind of ‘beauty privilege’?!”

Meng Xuexiao glanced at the marker in the boy’s hand and slowly shook his head, “I’m not here for an autograph.”

His voice was soft but crystal clear.

Gradually, the jeering crowd fell silent. Even the popular D Group boy’s eyes flickered with confusion.

“I want to challenge you.” Meng Xuexiao pulled a letter from his pocket. The formal language was impeccable, and a fingerprint at the bottom showed meticulous preparation.

At the Federation Military Academy, challenges were second only to duels in importance.

The D Group boy froze, unsure whether to accept the challenge. “This… what if…”

…

Second Floor of the Classroom

“Delivering a challenge letter? Imparting the secrets of challenge?”

“Is this the power of a God? What role is He playing? The boy next door?”

“Nothing special.”

The tone was harsh, like an instructor criticizing a failing cadet.

If the first floor was the competition and training area, the second floor was the true observation deck. Normally, this area was tightly locked, only opened for major school events when school leaders and the Principal would appear.

At this moment, two figures sat on the plush sofas of the vast observation deck. Steam and the fragrant aroma of tea rose from the white porcelain cups.

Both appeared remarkably young. One wore the school uniform, while the other was clad in a crisp black military uniform—Shen Zekai and Wu Zian, whom he had been waiting for.

Shen Zekai couldn’t help but be astonished by Wu Zian’s transformation.

The Wu Zian he remembered had never even bothered to wear his school uniform properly, a violent force who bulldozed over everyone. Now, he was meticulously buttoning his military uniform all the way to the top.

Moreover, he was calmly observing the situation alongside Shen Zekai, even offering detailed commentary.

The Military Department truly was a place that forged character.

Adjusting his strategy, Shen Zekai lowered his gaze slightly. “Oh, then if you were in his position, what would you do?”

“Of course, I’m just speaking hypothetically. I hope I haven’t offended you.”

After all, during their earlier conversation, Wu Zian had already stated that he no longer held the same interest in Meng Xuexiao as before.

This was precisely why Shen Zekai could now sit here calmly and discuss matters with Wu Zian.

The Wu Zian of the past had been far too domineering. On one hand, he bullied Meng Xuexiao, while on the other, he retaliated fiercely against anyone else who dared to mistreat him. Even now, Shen Zekai couldn’t quite grasp what Meng Xuexiao had truly meant to Wu Zian back then.

“Me?” Wu Zian spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of leadership. He picked up the teacup from the table and gently blew on it.

“To put it simply, this is just a continuation of what happened before.”

After testing the water’s temperature and finding it satisfactory, he took a sip.

“Through a series of coincidences, Meng Xuexiao left the academy, only to return later, reliving a version of his past experiences.”

“If what you say is true—that Meng Xuexiao was forced to flee and ended up wandering the Empire—he must have witnessed far more perilous situations. In that case, the minor ostracism he faces at the Federation Military Academy should hardly faze him.”

“But he still cares, to some extent. It’s clearly a knot in his heart. Like a child who couldn’t afford cake because of poverty, who, even after becoming wealthy, still tears up at the sight of it.”

“Then why not just untie the knot right in front of him? With an irresistible force.”

Shen Zekai swallowed his tea, the cup clattering against the table as he set it down.

He lowered his gaze, acknowledging the remarkably rational and comprehensive analysis. It was as if an expert, detached from the situation, had dissected everything with clinical precision.

Is this what they mean by “the bystander sees the game”?

Almost as soon as the thought crossed his mind, a sudden commotion erupted from below.

Shen Zekai blinked in surprise, realizing a group had entered the classroom. Leading the way were the Principal and another man in full military uniform.

The Principal of the Federation Military Academy was a notoriously stern figure, usually appearing as a cold, bespectacled old scholar who rarely smiled. Yet now, he was engaged in animated conversation with the man beside him.

The Principal quickly spotted Meng Xuexiao, approached him, and extended his hand. “You must be Chairman Meng? A true prodigy. Major General Lu was just telling me about you.”

Chairman Meng?!

When did Meng Xuexiao become a chairman?

But when they saw the man in military uniform standing beside the Principal, many students and even some teachers realized what was happening. Could it be that Meng Xuexiao had forged ties with the Military Department during his time away from the academy?

While the Federation Military Academy and the Federal Military Department were officially partners, the academy relied heavily on the department’s support in many areas. Their relationship was more like that of a father and son.

The students’ eyes darted around as they began plotting for themselves and their families.

Getting closer to Meng Xuexiao was a must. Perhaps they could start by inviting him to be their teammate in the Mecha Operation Class? Or maybe they could have him represent their group in competitions!

After all, who would dare to cross someone valued by the Military Department?

As everyone schemed, Shen Zekai suddenly narrowed his eyes, noticing the unit insignia on Major General Lu’s shoulder. It was identical to the one Wu Zian wore, though slightly lower in rank, indicating that Lu was Wu Zian’s deputy.

Shen Zekai immediately turned to the person beside him, his sudden movement nearly knocking over the white enamel cup on the table. Though the cup only wobbled, a few drops of scalding tea splashed onto the back of Shen Zekai’s hand. Yet he didn’t even flinch.

Wu Zian had clearly stated he was no longer interested in Meng Xuexiao!

Then what was the point of this whole charade?

Could it be to put his previous theories into practice, to see if his deductions were correct?!

What a joke!

Wu Zian merely lowered his head, slowly stirring his tea with the spoon resting against the cup’s rim.

The tea was made from premium leaves, its unique fragrance filling the air. But Shen Zekai had no mind to appreciate it.

Meng Xuexiao gazed at the Principal’s outstretched hand. The hand was weathered with wrinkles and bore scars from wartime service—what the Principal’s generation would call “badges of honor.”

For students of the Federation Military Academy, a handshake from the Principal was considered the highest form of recognition and honor.

Even Meng Xuexiao had once felt this way, let alone the fact that he had been offered a position as Chairman of the Academy’s board of directors.

It was like manna from heaven, one stroke of good fortune after another, each more desirable than the last.

But now, he no longer cared.

He had faced the Enforcer and the Bloody Artist, witnessed the Empire’s ruler in his awe-inspiring dragon form, larger than a Starship, and then encountered Yao Huai, whom even Raven and Shen Zekai combined couldn’t fully restrain.

He had always felt his experiences were lacking, but now that he had seen enough, he truly felt like a mayfly in this vast universe. What did it matter how much he possessed?

If he died, if he remained imprisoned in some corner of the Empire, none of it would matter.

All he had ever wanted was to survive.

Initially, he had longed to return to the Federation Military Academy, a persistent obsession since his capture by the Empire. It seemed like the only thing he could grasp in the midst of crisis, a symbol of safety.

But when he finally returned to the Alliance Military Academy and witnessed the chaos that had unfolded during his absence—the power struggles between Raven and his faction—even Meng Xuexiao couldn’t turn a blind eye to the academy’s descent into turmoil.

He had to admit that with Raven and his ilk around, whether it was the Federation Military Academy or any other place, it seemed all the same to him—no longer suitable for a peaceful life.

Before, he had been like a traveler in the desert, desperately seeking a safe haven, only to discover it was a mirage.

He found the situation somewhat laughable.

From the moment he transmigrated, Meng Xuexiao had dedicated himself to survival, striving to be an inconspicuous ordinary person in this high-risk world. Yet, after endless twists and turns, after fleeing again and again, everything seemed to have returned to square one.

If retreating at every turn wasn’t working, then perhaps… it was time to make some changes?

Starting with the matter at hand.

When he handed over the challenge letter, he could feel his heart pounding faster than ever before.

It wasn’t just initial excitement, but also… fear.

The gap between them was simply too vast. The old Meng Xuexiao would have instinctively avoided confrontation, just as he had when he saw Raven, Zhuoyue, and Huai Sui—his first thought had always been to run.

But Yao Huai had just leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Must be annoying, having to deal with us every day?”

“This time, why not try turning our disadvantage into an advantage, and then… tighten the noose around our opponent’s neck?”

“And then… give a gentle tug.”

The silver-haired man gestured at his own neck, as if pulling an invisible chain.

As he whispered, he leaned slightly sideways, as if resting his head on Meng Xuexiao’s shoulder. From certain angles, it looked as though he were deliberately making himself appear shorter than Meng Xuexiao.

It was utterly unbelievable.

Utterly absurd.

Yet, in a way, it struck a nerve.

In the end, Meng Xuexiao didn’t return the Principal’s handshake, “I’m sorry, but I… am not a member of the board of directors.”

He fixed his gaze on the boy from Group D, “Will you accept my challenge?”

“Clang!” The spoon struck the teacup with a sharp, clear sound, and half a cup of hot tea splashed directly onto Wu Zian.

The man in military uniform shot to his feet, several buttons on his neatly fastened jacket popping open to reveal his heaving chest.

In a corner on the first floor, Yao Huai, half-reclining in his wheelchair, raised the bottle of water Meng Xuexiao had just bought for him in a silent toast to Wu Zian.