Ji Shu sat in the passenger seat, nervously watching the cramped back seat through the central rearview mirror.
Lu Mingxi’s sullen expression kept shifting, and she almost thought he might make a move. But then she remembered the rumors she had seen online, Chi Yaoxing probably wasn’t someone who would let himself be taken advantage of. Only Cheng Qiuyuan shrank quietly in the corner, silently compressing his space bit by bit.
While keeping an eye on the road, Xie Zhoulin glanced at her from the corner of his eye and said reassuringly, “Don’t worry. This happens all the time.”
He continued explaining, “Lu Mingxi and I have known each other since we were kids, growing up together in the capital. Chi Yaoxing grew up alone in Lais until he was about nine or ten, then he was brought back to Landon, so he started school a few years later than the rest of us. But he’s smart, he skipped several grades and started middle school at about the same age as us. After that, we’ve all been at the same school. Even though there’s sometimes friction, our families know each other well and the relationship is good.”
“I see,” Ji Shu said.
It was the first time she had heard about the family connections between them. By this account, they had known each other for over ten years, childhood friends, with parents who were connected. Among friends, there might be minor rivalries, but their relationships were far closer than ordinary peers.
Only Lu Mingxi, in the back seat, let out a very obvious derisive snort.
Xie Zhoulin remained unfazed and continued driving. Chi Yaoxing ignored everything, pulling his phone out of his pocket to play Tetris.
After leaving in the Pagani, Ji Shu went home for dinner. Once Xie Zhoulin had dropped off the others, he returned to pick her up to go to the hospital.
This time, it was just the two of them in the car, and the atmosphere was much less tense than before.
Feeling slightly apologetic, Ji Shu asked, “President, you haven’t had dinner yet, right?”
Xie Zhoulin replied, “Usually I only eat around eight or nine at night.”
He drove Ji Shu to the hospital entrance, made a quick call, and then said, “You can go up. I’ll wait for you down here.”
Ji Shu hesitated. “I can just call the driver. There’s no need to trouble you for this.”
This time, he didn’t insist. After a simple acknowledgment, he drove off. Ji Shu watched his car disappear before exhaling and texting the driver with the time and location.
If Xie Zhoulin had insisted, she would have found it stranger still. To her, his actions, whether out of convenience or to save her trouble, were understandable. Perhaps he felt a faint sympathy for her, but he had never crossed a line.
Xie Zhoulin clearly had a much stronger sense of boundaries than she did.
Ji Shu put away her phone and entered the hospital building.
The address 223 Langte Street in the city center was the Prime Minister’s residence, and Xie Zhoulin had lived there for as long as he could remember.
Back then, the constant reporters, the surrounding crowds, the stalking paparazzi, it was all unbearably frustrating. He couldn’t be like the Young Duke, living openly in a private estate where outsiders couldn’t enter, flying private planes and yachts, or snapping paparazzi cameras out of annoyance. He had to display the most composed smile, the most proper and restrained demeanor.
Because he was the Prime Minister’s child, every move he made reflected on the Prime Minister’s reputation and honor, even influencing the party’s approval ratings.
Now, his residence was in a villa district three streets away. Yet he knew very well that his ambitious mother had never given up the idea of moving back to 223 Langte Street.
He parked the Pagani in the garage and walked into the house’s foyer.
As soon as he entered, he immediately sensed that something was off. Xie Ruyun was sitting on the sofa, reading the latest issue of NEW TIMES. The atmosphere in the first-floor living room was tense and stiff.
Soon, a housekeeper came to take his backpack and coat. Xie Zhoulin walked over without changing expression, greeted with a “Mother,” and knelt in front of her, back straight.
She didn’t respond, and he didn’t disturb her further, as if accustomed to this ritual.
Only after the woman, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, finished reading the entire newspaper did she lazily hum, “Mm.”
Xie Ruyun carefully folded the paper and set it on the coffee table, took the coffee the housekeeper handed her, and asked, “Did you have a conflict with the Young Duke?”
“It’s not really a conflict, just a minor friction.”
“The dashcam caught him hitting your car’s rear yesterday. This morning, Lu Ruqing called me to apologize. She said the Young Duke’s behavior has been unusual lately and wanted to talk to you about him when she has time.” Xie Ruyun lifted her eyelids to look at him. “The elder of the Cheng family’s birthday is coming up. You know what to say, right?”
“I understand, Mother.”
“Mm.” Xie Ruyun responded calmly. “I trust you won’t disappoint me in this matter.”
“Thank you for your trust.”
She slowly finished her coffee and continued, “I also trust you won’t cause any negative gossip, right?”
“…”
“I know you carry a heavy sense of responsibility,” Xie Ruyun said after a pause. “But people aren’t small animals. Everyone should handle their own pain and emotions independently. You shouldn’t be getting close to her, much less helping her. And you know the consequences if the paparazzi capture it and it spreads.”
“You need to hold yourself to the standards of living at 223 Langte Street, Xie Zhoulin. Your father gave up his musical theater career to fully support me, and you shouldn’t let our efforts be tainted.”
“…I understand, Mother.”
Xie Ruyun looked at him intently, then said nothing more. She stood up from the sofa and instructed the housekeeper, “No need to prepare dinner for him. Let him go to his room at ten o’clock.”
The housekeeper replied with an obedient “Yes.”
Xie Zhoulin said nothing, quietly kneeling, head lowered, staring blankly at the floor. His black hair fell over his eyes, casting a shadow that made it impossible to read his expression.
Two hours later, he staggered slightly as he used the sofa for support, then slowly went upstairs to his room. He refused the housekeeper’s offer to dress his wounds, covering his knees only with an ice pack while opening his phone.
Almost immediately, he received a message, a detailed patient medical record.
His fingers didn’t pause as he clicked to download the file.
Ji Shu had prior experience with psychological counseling. She hadn’t gone into great detail with the therapist, only describing her symptoms once and receiving the necessary medication.
She took the medicine as prescribed and was pleased to notice that the impact of ADHD on her had lessened considerably. She found it easier to concentrate while working on problems.
After school that afternoon, she exchanged messages with Cen Xuan while heading to the stadium.
From a distance, she saw her friend. Although not tall, Cen Xuan jumped impressively high. Upon spotting Ji Shu, she bounced excitedly and ran over, linking her arm with Ji Shu’s.
Ji Shu noticed the red banner in Cen Xuan’s arms and asked, “What’s this?”
Cen Xuan explained, “It’s a cheer banner for Chu Jiayi! When she goes on court, you hold this end, I’ll hold the other, and we’ll lift it up to cheer her on!”
Ji Shu looked at the words printed on the banner and suspected that Chu Jiayi would be even more embarrassed than she herself would be.
“Today is the tennis club’s internal promotion match. If she wins, she can join the Flandre Tennis League and get a chance to compete abroad this summer,” Cen Xuan said seriously. “Not only that, it will look great on her résumé. Maybe a coach will notice her even before next year’s national team selection and pick her directly.”
She gestured to herself with her thumb. “That’s how I got selected for the track team, after all.”
Ji Shu complimented her in response, “Wow, that’s impressive.”
Cen Xuan excitedly led her into the tennis club.
With less than half an hour to the start of the match, the venue was crowded and buzzing. The cheering team practiced slogans loudly on the sidelines, the air full of youth and sweat. For Ji Shu, who had never participated in club activities in her life, it was a completely eye-opening experience.
“Where’s Chu Jiayi?” Cen Xuan looked around anxiously. “That girl isn’t hiding because she’s shy, is she? Ji Shu, wait here, I’ll go find her.”
Ji Shu nodded. She went to the vending machine to buy a few bottles of water, planning to share them later.
When she turned her head, she saw Xie Zhoulin walking toward her with several student council members.
The boy wore a white tracksuit, a headband, and wristbands. Spotting her in the crowded area, he greeted her first.
“What a coincidence,” Ji Shu smiled, handing him a bottle of water she was holding.
The boys nearby exchanged glances and sneered mischievously, “Here to watch our president play, huh?”
Ji Shu suddenly remembered that Xie Zhoulin was the tennis club president. She felt a little embarrassed: “Actually, I’m here to watch a friend’s promotion match.”
“Sure, sure,” the boys behind them knowingly smirked. Xie Zhoulin, however, seemed not to hear them at all. He naturally thanked her, then twisted open the bottle she handed him and took a sip.
Ji Shu felt all eyes on her from every direction, as if she were being scrutinized through a sieve.
A prickling unease crept over her, and she wanted to leave quickly. But Xie Zhoulin instead stepped forward with her, subtly creating space between them and the crowd. He asked, “How does it feel? Has your focus improved?”
Ji Shu nodded, grateful: “Thank you, President. If the student council needs anything, just let me know.”
Xie Zhoulin, rarely smiling, gave a brief one and reminded her, “It’s best to resolve this before finals. Next semester, the university prep classes will start, and the school will offer some AP courses. If you’re interested, you should decide soon.”
Ji Shu didn’t mention her plans to apply to schools abroad. She simply nodded, then said, “Thank you, President… My friend’s match is about to start, I need to go find her.”
After saying goodbye to Xie Zhoulin, Ji Shu, under the intense gaze of the girls around her, dashed away from the venue.
She pulled out her phone and messaged Cen Xuan: “Where are you?”
After a while, Cen Xuan replied with a breathless voice note.
“I couldn’t find Chu Jiayi in the club’s lounge or changing room. I’m heading to the second floor of the P section of the gym to look now.”
Her voice grew anxious, almost tearful: “She hasn’t replied to messages or answered her phone. Where could she be?”
Ji Shu quickly responded: “Don’t worry yet. Try to remember if she ever mentioned where she might go. We’ll split up and search.”
Ji Shu happened to be near the gym’s Q section and entered the building. The first floor, a vast space, was used for first-year PE classes. The second and third floors had changing rooms, dance rooms, and lounges, while the fourth and fifth floors held equipment rooms and the medical room.
She scanned the first floor but saw no sign of Chu Jiayi. She checked each room on the second and third floors, still nothing. Hastily, she went up to the fourth floor and finally heard some commotion outside an equipment room.
She crept closer and peered through the slightly ajar door.
About four or five girls were gathered together, laughing and talking, surrounding a girl lying on the floor.
Ji Shu recognized her, the girl being bullied was Chu Jiayi.
They were all wearing tennis club uniforms, each taller than the next, with lean, defined muscles. Two of the girls held Chu Jiayi’s wrists, while another pressed her calf with her knee, keeping her completely immobile. The ringleader casually hoisted a tennis racket, tossing a ball in her hand and squatting down to hit Chu Jiayi’s cheeks with it.
“Second-year and still this useless? Can’t even hold your hands properly?”
“All that height for nothing, hahahaha…”
“Sister An said she didn’t want to see her on the court. We just need to lock her in here so she can’t participate in the promotion match. Anyway, I heard she doesn’t have many friends in the club, no one will come looking for her.”
Ji Shu’s heart pounded like a drum outside the door. She glanced at the time, less than ten minutes before the match began, and didn’t have time to overthink.
She reached out and pushed the door open.
In an instant, all eyes turned toward her, filled with malice and hostility, and the atmosphere tensed immediately.
Ji Shu’s heart raced, her back slick with cold sweat. Swallowing, she forced herself to remain calm and held up her student council badge, signaling: “What are you all doing? Don’t you know the equipment room is being inspected today?”
The ringleader stepped forward, suspicious. She was taller than Ji Shu, leaned down to check the badge, then glanced at Ji Shu’s face.
Once satisfied, her expression shifted slightly, she straightened up, put down the racket, and bowed respectfully: “Hello, senior.”
As she bent, the others nervously followed suit.
“Hello, senior!”
The ringleader’s eyes flickered as she smiled and explained, “Senior, this person took some of our things, so we wanted to lock her in here to teach her a lesson. Sorry if we disturbed your work.”
Ji Shu nodded, hands folded behind her back, and went to check on Chu Jiayi. Fortunately, she had arrived in time, the girl’s face was a little red and swollen, but otherwise uninjured.
Ji Shu tapped the floor lightly with her shoe and commanded, “Why are you still lying there? Planning to sweep the equipment room with your face? Get up and leave.”
Chu Jiayi slowly got up, glancing at Ji Shu without a word, then turned and pushed the door open to leave.
The tennis club girls were visibly shaken. Seeing Ji Shu scan the room and find nothing wrong, they finally exhaled in relief.
“We’re An Chun’s friends,” the ringleader said, approaching, blinking and whispering, “Could you… let today slide?”
Ji Shu remembered the name, first-year socialite, daughter of a cabinet minister, school’s “party queen.” The line of boys who chased her could circle the entire Flandre Academy.
She cleared her throat, pretended to think carefully, and then said slowly, “Alright… but let it be the last time.”
The girls were overjoyed, bowing to see her off. Ji Shu stepped out of the equipment room, and after a few steps, she began to walk quickly, turning a corner on the fourth floor, she ran into Cen Xuan.
“Ji Shu!” Cen Xuan anxiously grabbed her arm. “How’s it going over there? Have you found Chu Jiayi?”
Ji Shu quickly explained the situation in a few words. “She should already be at the match by now. You don’t need to worry too much.”
Cen Xuan finally let out a sigh of relief, but her nerves were quickly on edge again. “What about you? I thought the equipment room in Q Area was always checked by first-year student council members, but your badge…”
Ji Shu, still catching her breath, didn’t have time to explain. “I probably tricked them for now. Once they realize, they’ll come after us. You go find Xie Zhoulin, I can hold them off a little longer.”
Cen Xuan bit her lip and nodded. As if confirming Ji Shu’s words, the nearby corridor erupted with chaotic footsteps and angry shouts.
“She tricked us! She’s a grade above, when did second-years start inspecting Q Area?”
“I told you, An Jie had everything arranged with the student council… That badge can’t be real, right?”
“She’s dead meat! How dare she deceive us!”
Ji Shu sprinted up the stairs, but the group quickly spotted her and gave chase, full of fury.
On the third floor of the loop-shaped gym, Lu Mingxi lazily bent down to pick up a drink that had fallen from the vending machine.
Suddenly, the commotion from the opposite floor caught his attention. He looked across the hall and saw several girls from the sports clubs seemingly chasing someone.
The girl being chased was petite and slender, but her explosiveness was astonishing. She darted through the stairwell like a rabbit, weaving back and forth. The deep red sunset gradually moved above the building, the light and shadows shifting, casting her panicked, agile form in a soft, bright glow.
Her cheeks were flushed, sweat drenched from running, yet her gaze remained focused, reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling, almost disorienting way.
Lu Mingxi choked on his drink, liquid rising in his throat, and began coughing violently.
…Ji Shu? She’s in trouble again?
Several of his followers hurried forward to help, but Lu Mingxi shook his head. He gave Jiang Zhaoming a meaningful look, Jiang froze for a moment before instantly understanding.
By this point, Ji Shu’s energy was nearly spent. Her lips pale, she rounded a corner and happened to see Jiang Zhaoming. Her eyes immediately lit up.
“Jiang Zhaoming!” she hurried over, grabbing his wrist. “I need your help.”
She was panting, lowering her voice, trying to sound steady. “Don’t say anything extra later. If anyone asks, just pretend Lu Mingxi is nearby and will be here soon…”
Jiang Zhaoming felt his wrist heat up and suddenly couldn’t meet her gaze.
No sooner had he nodded than the group of girls appeared at the stairwell corner.
They stormed forward, but when they saw the boy beside Ji Shu, they froze mid-step in shock. “Jiang Zhaoming!?”
The girl leading the group hesitated for two seconds, then stomped down the stairs and stood in front of them. She looked at Ji Shu and demanded loudly, “What’s your relationship with him?”
Ji Shu’s chest heaved. She hadn’t fully caught her breath yet, and just as she was about to speak, Jiang Zhaoming furrowed his brow and stepped in front of her, shielding her. “The Young Duke is nearby. Whatever you want from her, you’d better be polite.”
The girl glanced suspiciously at the two of them, then after a moment, sneered, fixing her gaze on Ji Shu. “You think I’d be fooled by you a second time? I’ve never heard of anyone like you in the Young Duke’s circle.”
Ji Shu finally steadied her breathing. She stepped forward and lifted her gaze directly at the girl. “If there’s no one like me, does that mean An Chun exists?”
“You—”
Ji Shu cut her off calmly and reasoned, “Chu Jiayi has already gone to her match, and your plan has already failed. You might as well give up now. The student council might even let you off this time.”
The girl snorted scornfully, stepping closer to Ji Shu. “You want to use the student council to pressure us? You think I’d believe that? Let me tell you, even if the real student council showed up, it wouldn’t do a thing—”
“Would it?”
A teasing, crisp laugh suddenly came from behind Ji Shu.
Her back stiffened instinctively. The sound of footsteps approached from behind.
A weight pressed down lightly on her shoulder, and a familiar scent reached her, this time carrying a refreshing hint of sparkling water. In her peripheral vision, she saw a flash of pale pink, and the school uniform tie of the approaching figure hung loosely over one shoulder as he bent closer.
Lu Mingxi raised the can in his hand toward the group of girls. The color drained from their faces in an instant, leaving them pale. He smiled leisurely and said,
“If the student council doesn’t work, how about me?”