The autumn sky over the capital city was a clear, washed blue. Freshmen at Capital University had begun their nearly month-long military training.
As an international student, Ruan Chaoxi did not need to participate in this uniquely Chinese collective activity. Her “ordinary” university life began directly with formal classes.
The first class was “Introduction to Contemporary International Relations Theory,” taught entirely in English. The classroom was not crowded, filled only with international students from various countries.
The course content was not unfamiliar to her. In a way, those abstract theories were footnotes to the environment she had grown up in.
Her father’s dealings with political leaders and generals from various countries, her brother’s maneuvers in the Eurasian capital markets and gray zones, and Miya’s complex games and balances with various forces in border regions…
Those once-vague concepts, which had merely been “family matters” or “things happening around her,” now took on a different flavor when examined through a systematic academic framework.
She could even faintly detect traces of the Mo Family’s activities in certain case studies—a feeling both strange and familiar.
After the morning class ended, Ruan Chaoxi followed the flow of students out of the teaching building. Just as she was about to contact Lu Yao for lunch, a deliberately waiting figure blocked her path.
Jiang Yaoci.
Today, he was dressed in even more eye-catching attire, wearing a smile he believed to be full of charm. In his hand, he carried an elegant Lady M paper bag.
“Ruan Chaoxi, class is over?” His tone was familiar, as if the two were already old acquaintances. “How was your morning class? Introduction to International Relations… hmm… quite an interesting course.”
As he spoke, he naturally extended the paper bag in his hand. “This is a freshly air-shipped Lady M mille crêpe cake. I thought girls like you would appreciate such delicate treats, so I brought one for you. This kind of high-end dessert from New York… probably isn’t something you get to enjoy often back home.”
His words were less about introducing the dessert and more about flaunting his taste, showcasing his wealth, and subtly emphasizing the [gap] between them. The condescending arrogance in his tone was almost palpable.
A few passing students stopped, curiously glancing in their direction. The Lady M bag was highly recognizable, and Jiang Yaoci was already a “celebrity” on campus—enough to draw a small crowd.
Ruan Chaoxi calmly glanced at the bag, then turned her gaze back to Jiang Yaoci’s face, which was practically screaming, “Be grateful! Be surprised!”
An untimely memory flashed through her mind—a casual remark her brother Mo Jinchen had once made: “Some people always try to buy superiority with money, not realizing that in the eyes of truly significant individuals, such things are no different from a child showing off candy wrappers.”
“Thank you, but no.” Her refusal was as straightforward as ever, without a hint of hesitation or flattered surprise. “I don’t have a sweet tooth. Besides, I’ve already made plans to eat at the cafeteria with a classmate.”
With that, she slightly turned to the side, intending to walk past him.
Jiang Yaoci’s smile froze once again.
He had anticipated that she might be reserved, hesitant, or perhaps even delighted—but he had never expected such an indifferent refusal, as if his gesture meant nothing to her.
His prized “taste” and “thoughtfulness”… in her eyes, were they really less appealing than a meal at the cafeteria?
He took half a step forward, still blocking her path, his tone now tinged with obvious displeasure. “This cake won’t taste as good if it sits for too long. Consider it… a small gesture between classmates. Don’t be so distant.”He tried to use the “classmate” identity to close the distance, but his demeanor remained condescending.
“I appreciate your kindness. But I really don’t need it.” Ruan Chaoxi’s attitude was as if she were refusing an unwanted flyer. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”
With that, she no longer looked at him, walking past him directly toward the cafeteria, leaving the expensive Lady M and its visibly displeased owner behind.
Faint, suppressed snickers and whispers drifted from the surroundings. Jiang Yaoci’s face instantly darkened, his eyes swirling with offended anger. He casually shoved the paper bag into the hands of a passing classmate, but the desire to conquer in his heart burned even more fiercely.
The harder she was to get, the more determined he was to have her!
He refused to believe that an international student from a “backward” region in Southeast Asia could withstand his next moves!
In the cafeteria, Ruan Chaoxi found Lu Yao, and the two got their food and sat down.
“I think I saw Jiang Yaoci blocking you again near the teaching building just now?” Lu Yao asked quietly, her face full of concern.
“Yeah.” Ruan Chaoxi thought of Jiang Yaoci’s self-absorbed, charming demeanor and couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “It’s fine. He’s quite amusing.”
“Amusing?” Lu Yao widened her eyes. “Chaoxi, don’t be fooled by him! These rich playboys are just in it for fun. In the end, it’s always the girls who get hurt!”
“Not that kind of amusing.” Ruan Chaoxi shook her head, put down her chopsticks, and gestured. “It’s like… a type of bird, you know? Brightly colored, loves to show off, thinks everyone should admire its feathers. But actually… well, it’s quite noisy and… rather shallow.”
She couldn’t find a better word to describe that superficial “charm” built on material wealth and family background.
Lu Yao was stunned for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. “A peacock! That analogy is perfect! Yes, yes, that’s exactly it! Hahaha!” She laughed until tears nearly welled up in her eyes. “Chaoxi, you’re so perceptive! Many of us girls have complained about how tacky he is in private, but no one put it so… sharply and hilariously!”
After laughing, she grew a little worried again. “But Chaoxi, you should still be careful. Even a peacock might peck when provoked.”
“I know.” Ruan Chaoxi replied, but in her heart, she didn’t take Jiang Yaoci seriously at all.
In the environment she grew up in, she had seen too many truly inscrutable, powerful figures.
People like her father, whose authority was felt without anger; like her brother, whose smiles concealed daggers; like Miya, who was silent yet in control of everything, a blend of ruthlessness and gentleness…
Someone like Jiang Yaoci, a “peacock” who only knew how to flaunt, could only be categorized as amusing but dull in her rich experience of observing people.
As they chatted and laughed, Ruan Chaoxi quickly pushed this “peacock” to the back of her mind. She was more concerned about the time on her phone.
She still had classes in the afternoon.
And then, until nine o’clock tonight, there were still several hours to go.
She picked up a bite of vegetables with her chopsticks, but her gaze seemed to pierce through the noisy crowd in the cafeteria and the campus scenery outside the window, drifting far to the south.
Myanmar… it must be the brightest, hottest time of day right now…
Miya… what is he doing now?
Is he at the training ground, or handling those “official matters”?
Would he be thinking of her too?
Her right thumb lightly brushed over the ring on her middle finger.
Nine o’clock tonight, please come quickly.She wanted to hear his voice, even if it was just a few simple words of concern.
…
At the same time, eastern Shan State, Myanmar.
The air was hot and humid, filled with the scent of dust, sweat, and a faint hint of rust. The atmosphere was completely different from the autumn campus of Jing University.
Samia stood before the command platform, with the latest intelligence briefings and operational maps spread out in front of him. Complex arrows and symbols were marked on them in red and blue pencil.
Aides and staff officers gathered around him, reporting on various matters. Brief reports in Burmese or Shan occasionally crackled through the radio communications.
“…The Third Battalion encountered sporadic resistance 12 kilometers southeast of Mong Pawk. It has been cleared. The seized goods and lists are being verified.”
“‘Rat’s’ information has been largely confirmed. He is a lieutenant in the logistics department and has been detained.”
Samia didn’t speak, only tapped a location on the map with his finger—a spot marked with a code name.
“Here, clean it up. As usual, leave no traces that could be linked to the Mo Family.”
“Yes, sir!”
Everyone present understood the meaning of “clean it up.”
This wasn’t a military operation but something darker and more thorough—a “pruning.”
Eliminating traitors, cutting off overly greedy tentacles, and maintaining the Mo Family’s absolute control and balance of interests in this region, along with its dependent forces.
The process often involved interrogation, execution, and silent disappearances.
For now, official duties were temporarily concluded.
Samia reached out and tapped the encrypted tablet beside him. The green dot on the satellite map remained in the “Jing University” area.
What was his Xixi doing now?
Was she eating? With that girl who had reminded her? Did the cafeteria food suit her taste?
The autumn in Jing City was dry—had she been drinking enough water?
Had that noisy local boy, who was like a peacock, bothered her again?
Countless fragmented questions swirled in his mind, but there were no answers.
The screen could only feed him cold coordinate numbers and the words: 【Vital Signs: Normal】.
His finger lightly touched the green dot, as if doing so could bring him closer to her presence, thousands of miles away.
This feeling of everything about her slipping beyond his control filled him with an unprecedented sense of vulnerability and fear.
He glanced at the time.
There were still eight hours until nine o’clock in the evening.