After being helped up, blood indeed welled up in his palm.
The glass shard was deeply embedded, causing a piercing pain. Zhang Cheng grimaced and hissed sharply, then looked up to meet Tang Zhiwu’s innocent gaze.
His ferocious expression quickly stiffened before gradually softening.
“Zhang Cheng, are you okay?” Having made eye contact, Tang Zhiwu politely inquired.
Zhang Cheng was overwhelmed by the unexpected attention, cycling through three expressions in a second before breaking into a smile. “I’m fine, it’s just a minor injury.”
While the male students looked utterly confused, only the girls from the history department understood why Zhang Cheng had fallen.
It seemed Tang Zhiwu’s “man-repelling system” had activated again.
Aside from Tang Zhiwu, who hadn’t gotten to know any of the guys, the other girls had all exchanged contact information to varying degrees.
Declining the boys’ offer to escort them back to campus, Ke Jiuyyao thoughtfully arranged rides for the other girls but chose to accompany Tang Zhiwu on a leisurely stroll through the streets, enjoying the cool evening breeze.
“What were you and Zhang Cheng talking about earlier? He got so worked up,” Ke Jiuyyao asked, linking arms with Tang Zhiwu as they navigated the park’s winding paths.
The dinner had stretched into the evening, leaving the park sparsely populated and free from the earlier noise and stifling heat. Walking together, the two rediscovered a long-lost sense of ease.
“Nothing much,” Tang Zhiwu replied, leaning her entire weight against Ke Jiuyyao like a boneless creature, humming contentedly. “He came over to chat about history on his own. You can’t blame me for his fall.”
Ke Jiuyyao pursed her lips and poked Tang Zhiwu’s forehead in exasperation. “With an attitude like that, how do you expect to find a boyfriend? Even a sports major went out of his way to learn about history just to get closer to you.”
Hearing the criticism, the girl beside her fell silent.
Not one to let silence linger, Ke Jiuyyao grew even more animated, halting their walk. She pulled the languid girl upright and faced her, chiding, “Then tell me, what type do you actually like?”
As her words faded, a cloud veiling the moon drifted away.
Silvery moonlight spilled onto the ground, illuminating the two standing figures. The rustling leaves in the park cast shifting shadows around them.
A glimmer of that crystalline light seeped into Tang Zhiwu’s eyes as she slowly looked up, gazing directly at the hanging moon. Her fair, delicate face softened under its glow.
“Xu Ge.”
Abruptly, the quiet girl spoke, uttering the two words without context.
“Huh?” Ke Jiuyyao was baffled, staring questioningly at the girl bathed in moonlight.
“Xu Ge,” Tang Zhiwu repeated, lowering her head and glancing sideways at Ke Jiuyyao, a slow smile curling her lips. “I like the Xu Ge type.”
Her smile was breathtakingly beautiful, enough to momentarily mesmerize even Ke Jiuyyao, who had known her for so long.
Shaking off the spell, Ke Jiuyyao recalled the answer and shook her head in disbelief. “Hopeless.”
Her exasperated expression made Tang Zhiwu burst into laughter. She playfully slapped Ke Jiuyyao’s shoulder. “What’s wrong with you? What do you mean by that?”
Ke Jiuyyao scrutinized Tang Zhiwu carefully, shaking her head and nodding in turn. “You’re right. It seems only someone as decisive and powerful as Commander Xu Ge could tame a little demon like you.”
Taking it as a joke, Ke Jiuyyao reached out her hand, palm facing upward.
“Give me your phone. The moon is so bright tonight—I have to take a photo of you.”
Tang Zhiwu opened her bag, took out her phone, and placed it in Ke Jiuyyao’s palm, emphasizing repeatedly, “Make sure it looks good. If it doesn’t, I’ll break your legs.”
Unable to stand her chattering, Ke Jiuyyao quickly opened the camera, directed Tang Zhiwu to strike a pose, and crouched down to take several photos.
No editing skills were needed—Tang Zhiwu radiated a beauty that screamed, “I don’t need filters.”
After reviewing the photos, Tang Zhiwu nodded in satisfaction and loudly praised her personal photographer.
As it was getting late, the two didn’t linger long before parting ways on the street, each catching a ride home.
The villa was eerily quiet, and even the usually lively Tie Jun was confined to the garden.
Tang Zhiwu sat alone on the sofa, staring blankly at the sparkling chandelier overhead.
Suddenly, snapping out of her thoughts, she took out her phone and opened the residents’ group chat.
The lost-and-found post had garnered many new replies, with almost all residents responding.
Yet, not a single one came from the owner claiming the item.
Tang Zhiwu took a deep breath, glanced sideways at the jade pendant resting on the table, and couldn’t resist picking it up.
That cool sensation washed over her again. Tang Zhiwu traced the cloud patterns carved into the jade pendant and whispered with a pout,
“Since no one wants you, you can stay with me. I quite like you.”
Indeed, Tang Zhiwu had been captivated by the jade pendant from the first glance. Despite being accustomed to all kinds of jewelry and jade ornaments, she still found this pendant exceptionally unique.
Just looking at it made her breathe more easily.
She picked up the pendant and headed straight for the bedroom on the second floor.
Apart from companionship, Mrs. Tang had given Tang Zhiwu everything.
In terms of material possessions, she had been especially lavish.
The bedroom was clearly designed with care—a soft, spacious princess bed with all bedding made of silk, and layers of thick, luxurious pink curtains hanging gracefully.
The entire room followed a white-and-pink European style, with white carpets covering the floor.
Floor-to-ceiling windows, a vanity table, a dressing room, a bathroom…
It had everything one could need, and even things one didn’t.
Tang Zhiwu entered the room, casually placed the jade pendant on the bedside table, and went into the bathroom to shower. After a quick wash, she finally collapsed wearily onto the large bed.
Sinking into the soft mattress, she picked up her phone and posted a photo from today’s shoot by Ke Jiuyyao on her social media feed.
Seeing how late it was, Tang Zhiwu put down her phone, curled up under the covers, and closed her eyes.
In no time, she was fast asleep.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Xu Ge had also finished tidying up and lay down on his bed.
Dressed in a black sleeping garment, he leaned against the golden nanmu bed specially bestowed by the emperor, idly playing with the mysterious jade pendant. His dark pupils were unfathomable, lost in thought.
The pendant, which had remained still for a long time, suddenly began to vibrate gently, emitting a faint white glow.
Xu Ge’s gaze sharpened, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed as he stared intently at the jade pendant that had shown unusual movement.
After a moment, a sealed envelope appeared on the jade pendant.
Xu Ge gently placed the jade pendant in front of him, then picked up the envelope.
His slender hands opened the envelope, retrieving two items from within.
A piece of paper and a strangely textured hard card.