Zhuo Youran was taken to the infirmary for a thorough checkup. Luckily, his injuries were not severe, though several blue bruises were left on his skin.
The school doctor, surnamed Song, was a young woman in her twenties. From the moment Ji Yan walked in, she kept her brows furrowed, staring at him.
Although she had never met Ji Yan in person before, she recognized this school celebrity at a single glance.
Did you hit him?
Ji Yan scratched his head apologetically, taking it as a silent admission.
Song He rolled her eyes.
She had come to work at the school infirmary right after graduating with her master’s degree. Back then, most students who came here only suffered from headaches, mild fevers, or at most, heatstroke and fainting.
Ever since Ji Yan enrolled, the number of students injured for unknown reasons had noticeably increased.
Just from listening to the gossip spread by the students visiting the infirmary, Song He had already pieced together a thorough understanding of Ji Yan’s character.
Petty, easily offended, prone to violence… Regardless, she had an extremely deep impression of this figure.
It was just a pity that his family was far too wealthy; he was malignant to such a degree, yet he still hadn’t been expelled.
It’s very common for you to beat someone into the infirmary, but bringing someone to the infirmary yourself is a first.
Song He mocked Ji Yan without the slightest courtesy while checking if Zhuo Youran had any other injuries.
She wasn’t afraid of him holding a grudge, and she had even thought of a hundred retorts ready for when he lost his temper in embarrassment.
Although all those wrongdoings were the fault of the original body owner, inhabiting this shell made it hard for Ji Yan not to feel personally involved.
Sorry for causing you trouble. I really didn’t act like a decent human being in the past.
Song He’s movements checking the wound came to a sudden halt. That’s none of my business! He just walked up and punched himself!
So, Doctor Sister, can you prescribe some medication for him now?
When Ji Yan spoke, he wore a warm smile. The small mole at the corner of his eye shifted slightly upward with his gently curving eyes, making people involuntarily follow his gaze.
Song He froze for a moment before managing to say: Uh… I suppose so.
Ji Yan’s eyes curved even further.
Then thank you for the trouble.
Based on his years of social experience, he had summarized a set template: a sweet form of address coupled with a polite smile could always make the other person cool down quickly.
This trick was especially effective when the other person was a girl.
Applying this once in the morning and once at night, Song He placed a medicine box with blue packaging on the glass table, her tone still carrying a bit of an attitude.
She felt that Ji Yan definitely wasn’t up to any good.
Thank you… Could you also please get him some medicines for stopping bleeding, reducing inflammation, and treating bumps or sprains? It’s best if we have some for both internal and external use.
Do you think this is a farmers’ market?! Song He frowned impatiently. Wait, you’re not planning to beat him up again, are you?!
Zhuo Youran’s body stiffened instinctively, and he quietly retreated half a step to put some distance between himself and Ji Yan.
Ji Yan realized that his image in other people’s minds couldn’t be changed overnight. He sighed helplessly: Just consider it that way.
Song He was so angry she couldn’t speak for a moment.
This person was simply too shameless!
After holding it in for a bit, she turned around to retrieve the medications, deliberately picking out the most expensive ones. In no time, she packed up two large, full bags.
One bag contained what Ji Yan had requested, while the other contained Band-Aids, gauze, povidone-iodine…
These are on the house. I hope you never have to use them! Song He handed the bag containing the gauze and iodine to Zhuo Youran. Also, take my advice and transfer to another school as soon as possible!
As they walked out the main door of the infirmary, Ji Yan took the bags from Zhuo Youran’s hands.
Zhuo Youran opened his mouth to say something, but his voice was so quiet that Ji Yan had to lean in close to listen carefully.
Seeing Ji Yan so close to him, Zhuo Youran became even more nervous, stammering as he spoke.
No… no need for so much…
It will be used.
Zhuo Youran’s body trembled once again.
Ji Yan didn’t notice his fear, feeling only concern for him.
If nothing unexpected happened, the number of times he would be bullied in the future was still plenty.
Aside from himself, the primary recurring villain, there would be quite a few tool characters contributing their efforts to advance the main characters’ romantic progression…
Upon dropping Zhuo Youran off at the bottom of the Grade 10 teaching building, Ji Yan took off the watch that the original owner wore every day and handed it to him.
Pawn this for money, and don’t go to part-time jobs anymore.
He didn’t know the exact price of this watch, but he knew how vain the original owner was. Anything worn out to show off was bound to be extraordinarily expensive; even selling it secondhand should fetch a decent sum.
He thought for a moment and instructed: Whatever you do, don’t let your family know.
A gambling-addicted father, a weak mother, a blood-sucking older brother, and a pitiful him.
If this sum of money were discovered by them, it was far too easy to guess whose hands it would end up in.
Zhuo Youran was extremely surprised. He couldn’t understand why Ji Yan was helping him to such an extent.
It’s too expensive; I can’t take it.
Ji Yan, however, shoved the watch directly into his palm.
Why be so polite? Just pay me back when you have money in the future.
Zhuo Youran was thin-skinned and was no match for his persistence. After several rounds of pushing and pulling back and forth, he honestly accepted the watch in the end.
Watching Zhuo Youran head upstairs, Ji Yan suddenly realized that he still didn’t know where Class 7 of Grade 11 was located.
However, First High School didn’t have many teaching buildings, so it shouldn’t be hard to find.
The school’s area wasn’t particularly large, but the greenery was excellent. The trees lining the road were all thick and lush, fully showcasing the heritage of a century-old school.
Because the weather was too hot, there weren’t many people strolling outside. Ji Yan sauntered along at a leisurely pace, listening to the continuous chirping of cicadas in the tree shade, his footsteps slowing down subconsciously.
A huge sycamore tree was enclosed by wooden stakes, and a person-high bulletin board displaying outstanding students stood prominently in front of the fence.
On it were photos of outstanding students updated every academic year. Among the numerous ID photos of high schoolers wearing school uniforms and glasses, one person’s photo stood out remarkably.
While everyone else tried their best to pose nicely for the photo to look energetic, this person alone had a relaxed expression, his chin slightly raised, with a faint, indiscernible smile at the corner of his mouth.
Ji Yan’s eyes drifted to the line of text underneath.
Shen Que, Grade 11, Class (7).
Ji Yan couldn’t help but lean closer to take a look.
The Shen Que described in the book often kept a cold face, lacking a smile even when showing concern for others. Coupled with the fact that his punches hit the thugs right to the bone, Zhuo Youran had been afraid of him for quite a long time.
When reading the novel, Ji Yan had substituted the faces of various cold, overbearing CEOs, which was a completely different style from the wild and uninhibited image in the photo.
However, it had to be said that he was better looking than all the human beings Ji Yan had ever seen before.
When 2D characters were handsome, they really showed no restraint whatsoever.
Can an ID photo make you drool too?
Ji Yan was startled by the voice that suddenly sounded behind him, and turning around, he was startled a second time by a handsome face brought very close to his.
Shen Que seemed very satisfied with his reaction. He straightened up, shoved both hands back into his uniform pockets, and the contempt on his face remained as constant as ever.
Do you want to scrape it off and tape it to your bedside? he said in a flat tone, his light-colored eyes revealing sarcasm.
How come I didn’t realize he had such a venomous tongue when reading the novel…
Ji Yan felt the embarrassment of being caught red-handed, but he quickly calmed down. His image as an infatuated simping follower was deeply rooted; swooning over a photo actually fit his character setup quite well.
He looked at the photo once more.
This picture is just average; it hasn’t reached the level where I’d keep it in a private collection.
He felt his retort was just right, but unexpectedly, Shen Que lowered his head, his gaze sweeping over Ji Yan’s face.
Ji Yan felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at, his Adam’s apple moving involuntarily.
Hmm, your acting skills have improved.
Shen Que’s face carried a half-truthful praise.
If you keep pretending, I might actually start believing that bed photo was Photoshopped by someone else.
Ji Yan: …
Was I really that wretched?
Shen Que suddenly reached out and grabbed his collar, the disgust in his eyes unhidden.
Do you really think that no matter what you do, I will just turn a blind eye?
Ji Yan choked and coughed twice from the tightening collar, unable to pry Shen Que’s hand off even after using every ounce of his strength.
Let go first, let’s talk properly.
If he hadn’t spoken, it might have been fine, but as soon as the words left his mouth, his collar was gripped even tighter.
Talk properly? Shen Que sneered. Are you even worthy?
Seeing that force wasn’t working, Ji Yan simply pressed his fingers onto the back of Shen Que’s hand and stroked it gently.
This creepy behavior made even himself feel sick, and naturally, it successfully disgusted the other party as well.
Shen Que frowned and instantly snatched his hand back.
Ji Yan’s throat felt dry and raw; he coughed twice before finally catching his breath.
Shen Que saw through his motive as well, unable to help but sneer cold-heartedly.
In the past, Ji Yan would also accidentally create physical contact, but taking advantage so blatantly was a first.
To think of using this method to force him to let go- was he getting smarter, or had he finally realized how annoying he was?
Ji Yan straightened his crumpled collar, sighed, and made his stance clear.
All those things in the past were due to my young ignorance. From now on, let’s go our separate ways. I won’t pester you relentlessly anymore!
Shen Que: Do you think I’d sooner believe your words, or believe that Ah Dai can recite ‘On the Admonition of the Former Prime Minister’?
Ah Dai?
Ji Yan remembered it being mentioned in the book, it seemed to be the German Shepherd raised by Shen Que.
This guy really had a way of insulting people.
One in the window frame vase, one in the ceiling light.
Huh?
Ji Yan was somewhat confused.
In the future, before installing pinhole cameras, research how to make them more hidden. Finding them this easily gives me no sense of accomplishment.
Photoshopped bed photos, installing pinhole cameras…
Just how many more surprises of the original owner were there that he didn’t know about?
The weather was too hot, and the sweat drops on Ji Yan’s forehead were even more abundant than before. He raised his hand to wipe them away, thinking of finding an excuse to slip away first.
Coincidentally, the class bell rang at this exact moment, and Ji Yan felt like he had received a grand reprieve.
One second, two seconds…
Shen Que didn’t move.
Ji Yan didn’t dare to move either.
It would be embarrassing if he walked in the wrong direction.
After a stalemate lasting half a minute, Ji Yan was the first to speak up.
Are you not going back to class?
Shen Que still held his arms crossed, showing no sign of hurry whatsoever.
The one who doesn’t have the face to keep standing here doesn’t seem to be me.
Ji Yan was speechless; it felt like this guy would die if he didn’t mock someone.
With such a repulsive personality, he really didn’t know why the original owner had liked him for so long.
Brother Yan! Shi Xuan came running over from the direction of the equipment room. I heard you brought that new transfer student to the infirmary?
It was a deliberately loud shout, followed by a deliberate glance toward Shen Que before raising his eyebrows at Ji Yan.
Ji Yan used the motion of wiping his sweat to cover half his face with his hand, pretending not to see him.
Yet Shi Xuan ran straight to his side, his desire to perform bursting at the seams, looking as if stars were practically shining in his eyes: Brother Yan, you’re so kind-hearted!
Ji Yan really couldn’t understand what this person was trying to do, but he wasn’t completely useless either.
Hey, you, escort me back to class.
Shi Xuan was startled at first, but then his brain worked at high speed, quickly understanding Ji Yan’s intention.
Those nerds in Class 7 were always relying on their good grades to look down on everyone, not even bothering to respect a handsome and wealthy second-generation heir like Brother Yan. Brother Yan must be wanting to re-establish his dominance over those fools in his class.
Brother Yan, wait for me to call a few more people!
As he said this, he was about to pull out his phone, but Ji Yan hurriedly stopped him: No need, you alone can handle a minor thing like this!
Shi Xuan froze, and then felt deeply moved.
That’s right, showing off power doesn’t depend on numbers; his own image and presence were completely sufficient!
He puffed out his non-existent pectoral muscles and escorted Ji Yan all the way toward Grade 11, Class 7.
Brother Yan, you’re awesome!
Facing his sudden outburst, Ji Yan was a bit baffled: Huh?
Taking that transfer student to the infirmary!
Shi Xuan had an excited look on his face.
You must have known Young Master Shen was nearby! If he saw you being so caring toward the new student, he would definitely like you even more!
Ji Yan: …
Sure enough, the people who hang around the original owner aren’t very bright in the head either.
The scorching, intense sunlight continuously squeezed what little moisture remained in the tree leaves, dazzling people into feeling a bit drowsy.
Shen Que walked unhurriedly beneath the shade of the trees, watching the two figures walking one behind the other with great interest.
It seemed he had had some misunderstandings about Ji Yan before.
This childhood friend of his wasn’t simply stupid; his mental state probably wasn’t quite normal either.