Those bodyguards were truly ruthless; they almost crushed his bones.
“Madman! Are you actually planning to lay a hand on me?”
Song Wenyue began to struggle frantically. “Song Xingqiu! Have you lost your mind? Open your dog eyes and look clearly at who I am. You dare to touch me? I am the future head of the Song family! If you dare to hit me, do not expect to receive a single cent in the future. Even if Grandfather protects you, it will be useless. I will be the one in power over the Song family! You are finished, absolutely finished. Just you wait!”
Song Xingqiu had indeed used force against him a few days ago, but after pinning him to the ground, he had not taken any further action. Song Wenyue had not suffered much physical pain back then. Song Xingqiu had caused more psychological damage than physical harm.
But if Song Xingqiu truly dared to strike him this time!
Song Wenyue’s pride was shattered, and fear flooded his chest. He finally felt terrified.
Song Xingqiu acted as if he had not heard a word. He took a step back on his own, raised his fist, and swung it violently toward Song Wenyue.
Song Wenyue instinctively closed his eyes. He only heard the whistling wind past his ears and the urgent cries of his two lackeys. He no longer had time to feel anger; a massive wave of terror submerged him.
Was he going to be hit? Was he really about to be beaten?
Song Wenyue had never been hit before. Even his father had never laid a hand on him. The fear of physical pain is the most primitive and instinctive fear of humanity.
“Stop!” A clear voice rang out from outside the door. It was steady yet absolute and firm, brooking no refusal.
Song Xingqiu’s fist stopped barely an inch from the tip of Song Wenyue’s nose.
The anticipated agony did not arrive. Song Wenyue opened his eyes tremblingly. First, he was startled by the fist in such close proximity, then he looked toward the person at the door with pleasant surprise. Like someone grasping a literal life-saving straw, he cried out loudly, “Jiang Baixe!”
The newcomer was indeed the Student Council President, Jiang Baixe, who was supposed to be in the Federation for an exchange program. He was also Song Xingqiu’s roommate.
The late autumn in Axelenia had already taken on a chill. Jiang Baixe was not wearing a school uniform. Instead, he wore a high-collared, snow-white sweater with an oatmeal-colored long coat over it. The slim cut made his stature appear even more upright. His handsome, refined face bore a hint of travel-worn weariness, but it was perfectly offset by his excellent poise.
He looked exactly like a noble scion stepped out of a classical art book, as gentle as jade. His meticulous, flawless appearance was entirely out of place in this messy battlefield.
Song Xingqiu observed the sudden appearance of Jiang Baixe with great interest.
Finally, he appeared. Jiang Baixe.
This Student Council President, who should have been thousands of miles away, appeared even more principled than in his profile photos. Pictures, after all, could not capture that aura of noble elegance steeped into his very bones.
Jiang Baixe’s gaze swept lightly over the three people pinned to the ground. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before he quickly regained his impeccable, gentle expression. His emotional control was perfect.
Finally, his gaze landed on Song Xingqiu, and the corners of his lips curved into a precise arc. “Hello. You must be Song Xingqiu, right? I am Jiang Baixe, your roommate.”
He extended his hand, revealing a section of crisp, white shirt cuff at his wrist. His movements were elegant.
Song Xingqiu withdrew his fist nonchalantly, acting as if he had merely been joking with Song Wenyue. He shook Jiang Baixe’s hand. Jiang Baixe’s palm was warm and dry.
Song Xingqiu replied, “Yes. You are Jiang Baixe?”
Jiang Baixe offered a non-threatening, dignified smile that felt like a spring breeze. “I am.”
They quickly let go of each other’s hands.
Looking at the absurd state of the living room, Jiang Baixe asked discreetly, “Did something happen? Why are there so many people here?”
Song Wenyue seized the lifeline, shouting quickly for fear that Jiang Baixe might say something detrimental to him. “Did you forget? You asked us to come to your dorm today to help you tidy up the place!”
He winked desperately at Jiang Baixe. “You said you had a lot of trash to throw away and specifically asked us to come move things for you. Look, Jiang Xing. Jiang Xing even brought a sack.”
Jiang Xing, still pinned to the floor, let out two cooperative muffled sounds and struggled to wave the sack in his hand.
Jiang Baixe’s eyes flickered. He stared at the sack and Song Wenyue for a long time. Even though Song Wenyue’s lie was clumsy and ridiculous, and the scene was extremely bizarre, Jiang Baixe’s perfect face did not show even a hint of embarrassment.
He nodded toward Song Xingqiu and said apologetically, “That is indeed the case. It was my oversight. I forgot to inform you in advance and have caused you trouble.”
Jiang Baixe’s attitude was so natural it was as if it were the truth.
Song Wenyue breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Jiang Baixe was a smart man and helped him cover up the lie. He peeked nervously at Song Xingqiu, fearing the other would continue to press the matter. He was terrified that Song Xingqiu would say more.
After all, there were too many parts of their behavior that could not be explained by this clumsy excuse. For instance, why had Jiang Baixe not given them the bedroom code but instead let them wait in the pitch-black living room? Why was it necessary to bring a large sack?
If Song Xingqiu insisted they enter the bedroom code or organize the items to be transported in the sack right in front of him, the lie would become increasingly pale and weak.
However, strangely enough, Song Xingqiu did not say anything more after hearing their conversation. He offered Jiang Baixe a knowing smile as if he truly accepted the explanation. “So that is how it is. I misunderstood.”
The three of them, Song Wenyue included, let out a collective sigh of relief.
Song Xingqiu’s tone was light as he joked, “Just now, I thought they had stolen the key and hidden in the living room, waiting to ambush me when I was alone.”
He pointed to the sack in Jiang Xing’s hand. “This size is just right to fit someone like me.”
Song Wenyue, Jiang Xing, and Xue Chengyi: “…”
The expressions of all three froze simultaneously. Well, the truth of the matter was exactly that. Song Xingqiu had not gotten a single word wrong. Their expressions became unnatural.
Jiang Baixe’s expression did not change; he maintained a perfect smile. “How could that be? I recall that you and Wenyue are uncle and nephew. How could there be such a great grudge between relatives?”
He added in a gentle tone, “It is possible for classmates to play jokes on each other, though.”
After they finished speaking, they looked at each other. The atmosphere between them was as harmonious and intimate as that of lifelong best friends.
Watching from the side, Wu Hongzhou wiped away sweat that did not exist on his forehead. Wu Hongzhou already knew what kind of person Song Xingqiu was, yet Jiang Baixe was actually able to hold his own for a few rounds against him.
Wu Hongzhou admitted that if he were the one in Jiang Baixe’s position right now, he definitely could not have maintained his current level of dignity. Recalling an hour ago, when he had been dismissive of Song Xingqiu’s evaluation of Jiang Baixe, he had thought Song Xingqiu simply did not understand the man. Now it seemed that he was the one who did not understand this Student Council President at all.
Song Xingqiu said no more. He tilted his chin toward his three bodyguards, signaling them to let go.
The three bodyguards released their hold, and the three of them collapsed on the floor like discarded trash. The bodyguards automatically stood beside Song Xingqiu to prevent anyone from harming him.
The three scrambled up from the ground in a sorry state, having completely lost the desire for revenge. They hurried to hide behind Jiang Baixe.
Song Wenyue glared fiercely at Song Xingqiu while rubbing his aching wrist. Damn it. Although he was not beaten, he would certainly have bruises. Those bodyguards were truly ruthless; they almost crushed his bones!