That Peculiar Vision
Zuo Xingyan’s unusual behavior had indeed drawn quite a bit of attention, but most people still believed Su Yuning didn’t possess the charm to bewitch him. So it was only considered “suspected.”
Zhang Zhi was one of those who refused to believe it. Although he had heard about the incident, his feelings for Su Yuning had become uncontrollable, and he couldn’t resist confessing his love downstairs.
Little did he know that instead of waiting for the object of his affection, he ended up encountering Zuo Xingyan, the god of misfortune.
Upon hearing who Zhang Zhi’s confession was directed at, Zuo Xingyan immediately kicked him away, snatched the flowers from his hands, and crushed them into a mangled mess. “You? Want to pursue her?” Then, without another word, he proceeded to beat Zhang Zhi mercilessly.
Just as Zhang Zhi was on the verge of losing consciousness, Zuo Xingyan’s friend hurriedly stepped in to intervene. “Brother Zuo, Brother Zuo, a few more hits and he’ll really be done for. The Zhang family is, after all…”
At that moment, Su Yuning quietly made her way downstairs, curious to see what was happening. But someone in the crowd, sharp-eyed, spotted her and shouted, “Su Yuning is here!”
In an instant, all eyes turned toward her.
Su Yuning was still wearing her pink strawberry-patterned pajamas, with matching slippers on her feet. Under the gaze of so many people, her first thought was: Thank goodness I’m wearing underwear underneath!
Zuo Xingyan also looked up.
Earlier, he had been like an enraged, ferocious lion, but when his eyes met Su Yuning’s timid gaze, his entire demeanor gradually softened.
“…Su Yuning.” His Adam’s apple bobbed a few times before he finally managed to speak.
He stared at her and, as if unable to control himself, took two large strides toward her.
Su Yuning thought he hadn’t had enough of beating people up and was about to turn his fists on her. Instantly, her legs went weak with fear.
Looking at the muscular lines of his forearms, if he really landed a hit on her, she’d probably breathe her last right then and there.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Quan Ling frowned and stepped in front of Su Yuning, who timidly clutched her clothes and hid behind her, peeking out cautiously.
Zuo Xingyan didn’t even glance at Quan Ling. With a light push, he shoved the vibrant and beautiful woman aside, grabbed the terrified and trembling Su Yuning, and stared at her, his gaze gradually becoming infatuated.
How could this messy bun be so adorable… How could these short eyelashes be so cute… And her nose, her lips…
“W-what are you doing! Hitting people is illegal!”
Damn! Even her voice is this cute!
Zuo Xingyan lifted her up, looking down at Su Yuning’s panicked, trembling eyes. Ignoring her feeble struggles, he suddenly set her down, steadied her, then bent down and flashed her a brilliant smile. “Hello, Su Yuning. Let me introduce myself. I’m Zuo Xingyan, 19 years old, single, no hidden illnesses, no bad habits. Would you like to be my girlfriend?”
Su Yuning’s limbs, which had been flailing like a crab’s, froze.
She looked left and right, confirming that he was indeed speaking to her. And as far as she could tell, there didn’t seem to be a second person named Su Yuning present…
“Um…” she stammered softly, “A-are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?”
Up close, she noticed that Zuo Xingyan had sharp eyebrows and bright, dark eyes. When he smiled, two dimples appeared at the corners of his mouth—a completely different face from the violent one he had worn while beating someone up earlier.
“Of course not.” He moved even closer. Su Yuning shrank back, trying to retreat, but someone suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist. Startled, she looked up and met Zuo Xingyan’s gleaming white teeth as he smiled innocently. “It was love at first sight. Be my girlfriend.”
“No, no, no.” Su Yuning leaned back as far as she could, shaking her head desperately. She struggled with all her might, but Zuo Xingyan’s grip remained unyielding. He even watched her struggles with amusement, clearly enjoying the sight.
Su Yuning exhausted herself, yet those arms remained as strong and scorching as hot iron. Noticing the onlookers’ curious expressions, she paused her futile struggle and whispered, “Let’s not talk about this now. I suggest you go to the hospital first, to check your eyes and your… your brain…”
She couldn’t finish. Zuo Xingyan’s gaze was so intense it seemed like he wanted to devour her.
Quan Ling was blocked by Zuo Xingyan’s friends and couldn’t get through. Su Yuning turned her pleading eyes to Chu Shuangshuang, only to meet her shining gaze and meaningful expression.
It seemed to say, “Who knew someone so ordinary could really be a seductress?” and “I knew it! You really are from the mystical arts. Admit it, did you cast a spell on my crush?”
Su Yuning felt like crying but had no tears. What was all this?!
Although she had once dreamed such Mary Sue dreams, read plenty of romance novels about domineering male gods falling for ordinary girls, and fantasized about becoming a wealthy young mistress herself, Su Yuning knew very well that fantasy and reality were different. There was a vast chasm between her and this school, as well as everyone in it. Quan Jianqian and Madam Quan’s friendliness had come forcefully and inexplicably, not even allowing her to refuse.
Everything she had now felt like a castle in the air, liable to collapse at any moment.
She couldn’t understand the cultural classes taught at the Aristocratic Academy. Activities like painting, piano, horseback riding, and golf were things she’d never had the chance to learn before. She was completely blank in these areas, relying entirely on teachers and classmates to teach her from scratch during lessons.
The dormitory she lived in was larger than her entire home, and selling her wouldn’t even cover the cost of a coffee table.
“There are too many people here. Let’s talk alone.” The arm around her lifted effortlessly, forcing Su Yuning’s feet off the ground.
Quick-witted, she grabbed the door handle, clinging to the doorframe with both hands and feet. “No, I won’t go. It’s nighttime, and I need to sleep. I don’t want to go with you…”
The latter part was spoken very softly, and Zuo Xingyan didn’t catch it. He leaned in closer. “Hmm?”
Fortunately, security arrived just then. Of course, they couldn’t forcefully disperse these students—each one was someone they couldn’t afford to offend.
The security guard tried to clear the crowd, but no one paid him any attention.
Seeing the awkward security guard, Su Yuning felt a sense of solidarity with the common folk.
Zuo Xingyan ruffled her hair. “Fine, go back and sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
He turned to the crowd. “What are you all doing? Back to your dorms!”
Only then did the crowd disperse.
Who said anything about talking tomorrow?!
Su Yuning grumbled inwardly, pouting. Little did she expect Zuo Xingyan to have eyes in the back of his head—he turned around and caught her displeased expression.
It amused him.
Hey! This girl is just too adorable!
That little expression of hers is so endearing. It made his heart itch, as if scratched by a kitten’s paw. He really wanted to pull her into his arms and give her a good squeeze!
“Brother Zuo, stop staring, you’ve scared the little girl away.”
Several other tall, long-legged guys crowded around, chattering away: “Yeah, Brother Zuo, tone it down a bit. Your gaze looks like you want to eat her alive.”
It was the first time anyone had seen Zuo Xingyan show interest in someone of the opposite sex, and everyone present was curious—what was up with his taste?
In their circle, there were so many beauties—cute types, sexy types, cheerful types, glamorous types—you could close your eyes and pick one at random, and any of them would easily outshine this little brat.
Others didn’t dare say it to his face, but there was always that one reckless fool who blurted out: “Brother Zuo, what’s up with your taste? That little brat has neither looks nor figure, and she looks kinda dumb and not too bright—” Before he could finish, Zuo Xingyan punched him, breaking his nose.
Zuo Xingyan flexed his blood-stained fist. “Say it again, I dare you.”
The fool, now lying on the ground with blood gushing from his nose, covered his face and didn’t dare make a sound. The others exchanged glances and laughed nonchalantly. “Brother Zuo, don’t be angry. This idiot just can’t stand seeing others get into relationships. He’s a single dog himself and gets jealous of anyone with a girlfriend.”
Zuo Xingyan sneered and kicked the guy on the ground, making him grunt in pain.
He scanned the crowd. “Who gave you the nerve to talk trash about Su Yuning? If I hear it again, you won’t need your tongue either.”
Everyone fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances.
Was Zuo Xingyan… serious?