That Wonderful Encounter
The next day’s cultural class was speech and debate, while the sports class was golf. Both of these were Su Yuning’s weakest areas among her weaknesses.
Worried that Zuo Xingyan might actually come looking for her, she simply lay in bed, claiming a stomachache, and skipped class to sneak out of school and look for part-time work in the nearby commercial district.
Quan Ling urged her to go to the infirmary and even wanted to take leave to accompany her, but Su Yuning refused.
Taking advantage of the fact that all the students had gone to the debate venue, she quietly slipped out of the dormitory, only to be stopped by a security guard at the gate.
“Miss, do you have a pass? Without a pass issued by a teacher, we can’t let you out during class hours.”
Su Yuning was dumbfounded. Clutching her phone, she pleaded desperately, even pulling the emotional card. “Uncle, I’m not like these rich students—I have to work to support myself. Since we’re both chosen laborers, struggling workers, please let me out. I’ll definitely come back tonight! And if anyone finds out, I promise I won’t drag you into it!”
She swore earnestly.
It wasn’t that she had no money at all. The bank card Madam Quan gave her contained a staggering sum, but that money wasn’t hers.
Her own parents regularly sent her living expenses, but it was never enough. Life was tight, especially since the cost of living in the capital was terrifyingly high. A single meal in the cafeteria would have covered her entire monthly expenses back home. Fortunately, the meal fees were already included in the tuition, which Madam Quan had paid in full upfront. Otherwise, she’d be a millionaire in debt by now.
She widened her eyes, trying to look as pitiful as possible.
To her surprise, the security guard’s expression changed as soon as he heard her words. He straightened his back, making the BMW car key at his waist more conspicuous, and said somewhat unhappily, “Who’s a laborer? I’m a local resident of the capital! After retiring from the military, I couldn’t stand staying idle at home, so I took this easy job to pass the time. I own two properties!”
Su Yuning: …Alright.
She had been mistaken. The security guards at a prestigious school like this definitely weren’t ordinary guards either!
So, she was the only poor person in this entire school?
The security guard waved his hand. “Hurry back now. I need to go make some tea in the security office.”
Su Yuning: “…”
There were so many rich people in the world—why couldn’t she be one more?
Dejected, she hung her head and turned back, dragging her feet as she walked. Hearing the sound of a car behind her, she glanced back just in time to see the security guard, who had been about to go make tea, instantly snap to attention at his post, his expression serious and focused. He opened the school gate, allowing a black Maybach to glide silently inside.
Vehicles had their own dedicated lane, and it briefly passed by Su Yuning before moving on.
Su Yuning knew at a glance that this must be another young master or young lady arriving late. She moved aside, inching back slowly like a turtle.
“Stop the car.”
Just as the Maybach passed by, a voice came from the back seat.
The driver promptly hit the brakes. “Young Master?”
Through the rearview mirror, he could see his young master leaning to the side, staring intently out the window, his gaze fixed.
Most of the time, he was lost in his own world. But just now, he had suddenly looked up, his eyes still unfocused and dazed. However, the moment they landed on that dejected figure, he seemed to freeze for a moment. Only when the figure was about to disappear from view did he urgently speak up.
The car had barely come to a stop when he impatiently opened the door and strode out.
The Maybach suddenly halted. Su Yuning didn’t look up until a pair of straight legs appeared in her line of sight, drawing her attention to the newcomer.
Her gaze traveled upward—those legs were really long.
And straight.
Further up, a narrow waist and broad shoulders, with skin so delicate and pale it seemed untouched by sunlight. Light-colored tousled hair fell over his forehead, and his irises were similarly pale, making him look like a little prince from an ivory tower.
Su Yuning stared, mesmerized.
Wow! A face of divine beauty! The goddess of beauty has descended!
The beautiful little prince looked down at her, his voice gentle and soft, though at the moment he seemed agitated and even a bit incoherent. “Are you Aphrodite or Hathor? … No, no, you are… my Adeline! … Do you like ‘Ballade pour Adeline’?”
Su Yuning: Huh?
She looked up blankly into a pair of beautiful eyes, their owner glowing with excitement, though his expression seemed a bit foolish.
Thinking back on what he had just said, ignoring the strange and incomprehensible parts and focusing on the last question, Su Yuning frowned. “No, I don’t. The sprinkler truck that used to pass by my building played that song every day, and it was really loud.”
The little prince pursed his lips, unconsciously squeezing his fingers tightly. The pain helped him regain his composure. Steadying himself, he remembered Su Yuning’s earlier pacing at the gate and asked, “Are you in some kind of trouble? If I can help, I’d be glad to.”
He spoke nervously, watching her with anticipation, but as soon as his eyes met Su Yuning’s, he pursed his lips again and looked away uncomfortably.
Sunlight spilled over his hair, making it soft, glossy, and shimmering with fine highlights. Su Yuning squinted as she looked up at him. Perhaps her gaze lingered too long, because a faint blush spread across his ears.
But she was overjoyed—what a fortunate turn of events! This little prince was truly a godsend!
She nodded eagerly and asked hopefully, “I want to leave, but I don’t have a pass. Can you take me out?”
Her bright, sparkling eyes made Lu Ji’s heart skip a beat. He turned his face away awkwardly and nodded. “Sure. Where are you going? I’ll take you.” He took two large strides to the car door and pulled the handle—
“No, no, I can manage on my own once I’m out the gate.”
Lu Ji’s fingers paused, and his tousled hair fell forward, hiding the disappointment in his eyes.
Su Yuning glanced at his flawless skin, which looked as delicate as freshly fallen snow. She was almost worried it might get damaged by the sun. Hesitantly, she asked, “Um, do you need to get back in the car?”
Lu Ji shook his head, abandoning the idea of getting in. “Then I’ll walk you out.”
“Thank you so much!”
Her tone was cheerful.
They walked side by side, keeping a polite distance between them. Lu Ji, taking advantage of his height, stole glances at her. Even just looking at the top of her head made the air feel fragrant and the world seem wonderful.
He wished this path could go on forever, but all too soon, the security guard, recognizing him, opened the gate for Su Yuning without even asking.
Su Yuning pouted slightly and waved goodbye to Lu Ji.
Even after she had walked far away, Lu Ji remained standing there, staring blankly at her retreating figure.
The driver had waited for a long time without seeing the young master return. Noticing him standing under the blazing sun, he hurried over with an umbrella to shield him. In just that short while, Lu Ji’s face had already turned pink from the sun.
This young master of the Lu family is the family’s treasured darling, pampered and spoiled since childhood—who would dare let him feel the slightest discomfort?
The driver glanced worriedly at the flush on his face, then noticed him staring fixedly at the young girl’s retreating figure. After a moment’s thought, the driver lowered his voice and said:
“This area is quite remote, and the surrounding neighborhoods are all affluent. That young lady looks rather plainly dressed, with no driver to pick her up. It’s impossible to hail a taxi here—if she wants to get out, she’d probably have to walk for hours.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than he watched in astonishment as the young master—usually quiet, indifferent to the outside world, and even somewhat reclusive and withdrawn—suddenly brightened up. “Let’s go, we’ll give her a ride!”