Chapter 6
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“Hello.”
Qi Yan looked up from the Leto Daily page and saw a group of people his age standing in front of him.
And the one who was speaking was standing in the middle.
Qi Yan didn’t recognize any of them.
He lowered his head again and checked the time—Meng Ge couldn’t stay away for too long.
“Are you ignoring me… are you angry?” Jiang Qi bit his lip, looking guilty. “I’m so sorry. I had something to do that day, and Dad was too busy to come with me. We would have picked you up at starport if we could have.”
Tan Rui, who was standing next to Jiang Qi, saw that Qi Yan didn’t even look up. “Jiang Qi didn’t mean to not go to starport to pick you up,” he said impatiently, raising his eyebrows proudly before continuing, “He really did have something to do that day. The notification from Turan Academy came down. Both he and I had to go register, that’s what delayed us.”
Xia Zhiyang, on the side, made an exaggerated expression as if he had a toothache. “Leaving aside other matters, when I entered Turan last year, it took me less than five minutes to register my information on the Starnet. Did Turan change its procedures this year? Or are you guys different from everyone else, that’s why it took you five hours to register your information?
Tan Rui glared at Xia Zhiyang. “You—”
Xia Zhiyang shrugged and laughed. “Me? Did I say something wrong?”
Jiang Qi finally tugged at Tan Rui’s sleeve. “It was my mistake. Regardless of what happened that day, we should have gone to starport.”
Tan Rui stood up for Jiang Qi’s sake. “Just because you didn’t pick him up, why should you apologize so cautiously? He threw a tantrum and doesn’t come home, causing your mom to scold you. Did he ever apologize for that?”
Jiang Qi pursed his lips, a hint of distress flashing across his face. He pulled Tan Rui again, trying to diffuse the tension. “I’m fine, I’ve been scolded before. Just drop it, okay?”
He glanced at Xia Zhiyang and offered a sincere explanation, “We encountered some unexpected issues when logging into the system that day, so it delayed us significantly.”
Xia Zhiyang couldn’t stand Jiang Qi’s pitiful look of being bullied. He rolled his eyes, not bothering to respond.
Jiang Qi’s hand by his side curled up as he looked at Qi Yan, who had been silent all this while. “Do you… do you believe me?”
If Qi Yan answered yes, it would be a slap in Xia Zhiyang’s face. If Qi Yan answered no, it would be even better.
Qi Yan ignored Jiang Qi and instead turned to Xia Zhiyang. “You know him, who is he?”
Xia Zhiyang had just lifted a glass of juice to his lips. Upon hearing Qi Yan’s question, he almost burst out laughing.
Jiang Qi also froze for a moment.
“Hahaha! That’s indeed a good question!” For some reason, Xia Zhiyang felt a bit sorry for Jiang Qi. Not only did he bring his entourage along, but he also went through the whole set of biting his lips, looking dejected, and meticulously crafting micro expressions.
In the end, it all boiled down to one question: Who is he?
Chen Mingxuan, holding a game terminal, also curled his lips in a smirk.
“Brother, I’m Jiang Qi, your younger brother.” Jiang Qi’s momentary disappointment was quickly replaced by a bitter smile. “You’re just pretending not to recognize me because you’re mad at me, right? Even though we haven’t lived together, in my heart, we’ve always been family!”
Qi Yan rested his chin on his hand, a strip of snowy-white fabric peeking out from the cuff of his black suit. His left hand rested on the wooden armrest of the chair, exuding an air of nobility in a very natural way.
He casually tapped his fingertips twice. “I’m an only child. Besides, I don’t get angry at anything or anyone insignificant.”
Jiang Qi stood frozen in place, his body stiffening slightly.
Tan Rui, however, was incensed by Qi Yan’s attitude. He found the snow-white cuffs particularly glaring. He spoke with a disdainful tone, “Is that outfit custom-made by Umber Night Studio?” His smile was mocking. “This must be the first time in your life you’ve taken off those cheap factory-made clothes and put on such expensive handmade garments, right? How does it feel? After experiencing fine clothing, seeing things you’ve never seen before, and tasting food you’ve never eaten, are you unwilling to return to that backwater planet you used to live on?”
Jiang Qi interjected at the opportune moment as Tan Rui’s words trailed off. “Stop it, he… he was just joking.”
Although that was what he said, he felt an unusual sense of satisfaction deep inside.
Despite being the pampered young master raised in the Qi family, why did all those people’s attention focus on Qi Yan?
Why did this person’s appearance make his mother lose her composure and steal all his limelight?
Tan Rui continued to speak on his own, “Oh, by the way, you might not even know about Turan Academy. Let me put it this way, coming from a backwater planet like yours, the chances of you getting into Turan, in this lifetime or the next, are slim to none!”
He raised an eyebrow, elongating his tone. “Oh, but then again,” Tan Rui brushed away imaginary dust from his collar, “Daydreaming might get you there faster.”
Laughter immediately erupted around them.
Meanwhile, a middle-aged woman with a somewhat serious expression entered through the main door.
Jiang Yunyue greeted her with a beaming smile. “Vice Principal Caroline! It’s been a while.”
Caroline, dressed in a simple black evening gown, nodded in acknowledgment. “Sorry for being late.”
Jiang Yunyue quickly responded, “Not at all, your presence alone is an honor to me.”
At that moment, laughter erupted from a corner, drawing the attention of many in the lobby.
Jiang Yunyue noticed Caroline glancing over and added with a smile, “That’s my son chatting with his friends. He just got into Turan Academy this year.”
“Ah, I see.”
Suddenly, Caroline’s gaze fixed on someone seated in a chair. She turned to Jiang Yunyue and said, “Sorry, I just spotted someone I know. Please excuse me for a moment.”
Jiang Qi was the first to notice Caroline approaching.
Caroline was the Vice Principal of Turan Academy. After Jiang Yunyue sent out the invitation, she received a reply from Caroline’s assistant, stating that Caroline might not be able to attend that evening. Jiang Qi felt somewhat disappointed.
Someone nearby nudged Jiang Qi’s arm, unable to conceal their envy. “Jiang Qi, you’re really something. Even Vice Principal Caroline is attending your celebration banquet!”
Jiang Qi made an effort to remain composed, but a smile still leaked out from the corner of his lips. He spoke in a casual tone, “I’m not that influential. The vice principal’s presence here is simply out of consideration for my parents.”
Tan Rui was also excited.
Seeing Caroline approaching, he put on his most polite smile. “Hello, I’m Tan Rui, from Turan Acad—”
However, Caroline bypassed them and went straight to Qi Yan, extending her right hand adorned with black lace gloves. She spoke gently, “Hello, I’m Caroline, the Vice Principal of Turan Academy.”
Qi Yan gently shook the hand that Caroline offered, neither humble nor arrogant, and politely replied, “Hello, I’m Qi Yan.”
As she withdrew her hand, a smile softened Caroline’s usual seriousness. “I heard you were here. The principal called me twice to make sure I came to see you. He’s quite worried, fearing you might struggle adjusting back in Leto after your return. He also remembered the attack last time, and was worried that it would leave a shadow on you.”
Qi Yan shook his head. “I’m fine. Is the principal’s arm fully healed?”
“It’s been fine for a while,” Caroline complained playfully, “But he keeps using it as an excuse, leaving us to handle the school’s affairs while he enjoys his leisurely days.”
Jiang Yunyue, who came along with Caroline, listened to their exchange with a slight stiffness in her expression, but she still smiled generously. “Vice Principal Caroline knows Qi Yan?”
Caroline looked at Qi Yan with confusion. “They don’t know?”
She turned to Jiang Yunyue. “Qi Yan is a student at Turan Academy, starting his second year in the AI program.”
“Is my brother also a student at Turan?” If one listened closely, they would detect a slight tremor in Jiang Qi’s voice.
Tan Rui clenched his fist, speaking with difficulty. “But he has never appeared at Turan.”
“It’s the principal’s arrangement.”
Caroline didn’t answer their questions further, turning back to Qi Yan. “Both the principal and I are looking forward to seeing you at Turan when school starts.” Without hesitation, she revealed another piece of information about the principal, “By the way, there’s a special book room in the library, filled with rare books he’s collected over the years. If you’re interested, you can ask him for the password.”
Qi Yan nodded. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”
After Caroline left, Xia Zhiyang heaved a sigh of relief and sprawled ungraciously on the table, unconcerned about his image. “The vice principal is really terrifying! Even scarier than the principal!” He then whispered to Qi Yan, “When Vice Principal Caroline arrived, Tan Rui and Jiang Qi were about to vomit blood from agitation!”
Qi Yan pondered for a moment. “Why would they vomit blood?”
Xia Zhiyang carefully examined Qi Yan’s expression and found that he was genuinely confused. He froze for two seconds, then suddenly leaned back, struggling to suppress his laughter, his shoulders shaking. “Hahahaha! If I were them, I wouldn’t just be so angry I could vomit blood, I would vomit three liters of blood on the spot!”
Meanwhile, Qi Yan noticed that while the attention of the people in the lobby was drawn to Caroline, Meng Ge had reentered through the side door.
Taking a sip of water, Qi Yan thought to himself that the conversation must have ended. Lu Fenghan should be back soon.
As Caroline was engaged in conversation with Meng Ge, everyone tactfully refrained from approaching to avoid interrupting.
Leaning against a round table, Tan Rui observed Qi Yan from a distance. “Jiang Qi, are you okay with this?”
Jiang Qi glanced in Qi Yan’s direction and sighed. “Regardless, he’s still my brother.”
Tan Rui sighed inwardly, feeling frustrated. “You may see him as family, but he may not see you the same way. He was late just now, perhaps intentionally, to tarnish your impression in Colonel Meng Ge’s eyes. You’re too naive to apologize for him.”
Jiang Qi lowered his head and whispered after a moment, “But Tan Rui, what can I do? You know, my mom wants me to please him, to build a good relationship with him.”
Tan Rui fell silent, his gaze suddenly falling heavily on the table decorations nearby. After a pause, he asked Jiang Qi, “Is that the ‘Voice of the Forest’ your dad bought last year?”
Following his gaze, Jiang Qi saw a small ornament on the table, intricately decorated with various colored gemstones and diamonds, about the size of a palm and less than a centimeter thick. It had been displayed in the lobby as a decoration.
He understood Tan Rui’s plan but pretended not to. “Hmm, I remember that ornament was quite expensive.”
“Expensive?” Tan Rui chuckled. “Even better.”
After reading today’s Leto Daily, Qi Yan casually picked up a silver fork and spun it between his fingers with dexterity.
Suddenly, someone approached from behind and snatched the silver fork from his hand, placing it aside. “Aren’t you afraid of pricking yourself?”
An aggressive aura filled the air.
Qi Yan instinctively sniffed—
A faint smell of… smoke.
Did Lu Fenghan just smoke outside?
Qi Yan didn’t touch the silver fork again. He looked up at Lu Fenghan. “You’re back.”
Lu Fenghan returned to his seat. “Yeah, I’m back.”
Qi Yan nodded. “Let’s go then.”
He had achieved his purpose for coming here.
Seeing Qi Yan raise his hand again and adjust his black tie, Lu Fenghan asked, “What’s wrong?”
Qi Yan furrowed his brow lightly. “Stuffy.”
Was it because the floral scent in the air was too strong?
Lu Fenghan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He really was Little Delicate.
The two stood up, and Xia Zhiyang and Chen Mingxuan had no intention of staying any longer. They followed Qi Yan towards the direction of the exit.
Just a few steps away from the door, Tan Rui suddenly strode over. “Hold on! Planning to leave after taking something?”
His voice was quite loud, quickly drawing everyone’s attention, including Colonel Meng Ge and Vice Principal Caroline.
Feeling delighted, Tan Rui hastened to catch up with Qi Yan, reaching out to grab his wrist.
However, halfway there, he was suddenly grasped firmly.
Upon looking up, he saw a tall, imposing man standing steadily beside Qi Yan, his fingers gripping the arm Tan Rui had reached for, as if cast in iron.
After a sharp pain, his fingertips went numb, and the veins on his arm bulged with a bluish hue.
Tan Rui tried to break free but found himself immobilized, unable to move or make a sound.
In less than half a minute, his back was already soaked with sweat.
Seeing Tan Rui being restrained, Jiang Qi hurriedly pleaded, “Please let him go! He’s just too impatient!”
Jiang Yunyue walked over, timing her words well. “Jiang Qi, what’s going on?”
Jiang Qi bit his lip, avoiding eye contact. “Mom, nothing’s wrong.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me?” Jiang Yunyue gently patted Jiang Qi’s shoulder. “If there’s anything, you must tell Mom and Dad.”
Jiang Qi glanced at Tan Rui, appearing reluctant and somewhat embarrassed as he spoke. “I just found out that the ‘Voice of the Forest’ Dad bought last year is missing.”
Jiang Yunyue was surprised, unable to contain her voice. “The ‘Voice of the Forest’ is missing?”
“Hmm,” Jiang Qi nodded, “Tan Rui said… he saw Qi Yan take something from that table as he was walking by. He also saw that Qi Yan was about to leave, so he chased after him without thinking.”
After speaking, he stepped past Tan Rui and Xia Zhiyang, catching sight of Qi Yan.
Qi Yan’s gaze met his, calm and cool, his features finely chiseled.
“How could it be possible? Qi Yan wouldn’t steal anything,” Jiang Yunyue gasped, covering her mouth, then double-checked, “Could Tan Rui have been mistaken?”
People around them began to gather, murmuring quietly.
Under Lu Fenghan’s imposing presence, Tan Rui swallowed hard. “Maybe I was mistaken. We could just search Qi Yan’s pockets to find out, couldn’t we?”
Xia Zhiyang’s expression turned grim. “Tan Rui, don’t act all righteous!”
“Feeling guilty, huh?” Tan Rui snorted. “Just as expected from someone from a backwater planet, never seen anything good, and when they do, they want to sneakily take it! If you’re so capable, why don’t you—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Qi Yan reached into his pocket and pulled out a palm-sized object, shaking it. “Is this what you’re talking about?”
Tan Rui didn’t expect Qi Yan to produce it himself. Catching a glimpse of Vice Principal Caroline’s stern expression, he became somewhat excited. “See? The item was stolen by you!”
At that moment, the hand gripping his arm suddenly released.
Lu Fenghan glanced at Qi Yan’s expression, confirming there were no tears, then chuckled lightly. “Are you finished speaking?”
Tan Rui moved his numb arm and lifted his chin. “The physical evidence is here, are you still going to argue? Shameless!”
Lu Fenghan remained silent. He lowered his head and casually tapped on his personal terminal.
A blue light shimmered seconds later, and everyone present recognized it as a video projection.
Images were projected into the air, and the playback began.
The moment Tan Rui saw the content of the footage, his pupils dilated in shock!
The footage showed Qi Yan’s back as he seemed to walk through the crowd.
Shortly after, someone approached Qi Yan, stealthily slipped a palm-sized object into his suit pocket, and quickly departed.
Lu Fenghan turned off the projection.
“Sorry for the inconvenience. As a bodyguard, my personal terminal always has the video recording function on.” Lu Fenghan remained calm, enjoying the sudden change in Tan Rui’s expression and the pale face of Jiang Qi, before making a sincere suggestion.
“You might want to consider studying courses in Microexpression Psychology and Microexpression Performance Studies at Turan Academy, or if they’re not available, then make good use of the Starnet.”
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Thanks for the update