Chapter 197

Chapter 197

◎Are You Looking for Me?◎

Gu Mingyu felt that something was amiss. How did his sister know about things that happened over a decade ago? And was her being bullied at school related to the incident involving Guo Xun?

With these doubts in mind, he couldn't focus on his work. During the school's sports day, he came as Gu Mingxi's guardian.

Yulan High School holds a sports day every year, where not only students but also teachers and parents participate in various events, making it a kind of community event.

This sports day doesn't require all parents to attend; usually, those who have time come. Gu Mingxi hadn't planned on her brother or mother coming, so she hadn't told her family. However, when she saw someone sitting in the parents' section for her class during the assembly on the field, she couldn't help frowning.

Gu Mingyu hadn't paid much attention to Gu Mingxi's emotional state lately. He had never led the bullying against Guo Xun, nor had he slandered him. Whether it was the reason for Guo Xun's expulsion from the Gifted Youth Class or the issue of his homosexuality, these were facts, not lies.

Therefore, Gu Mingyu never felt that he was responsible for Guo Xun's death. Guo Xun couldn't handle the pressure and took his own life. Even if his own actions were exposed, he wouldn't be legally responsible for Guo Xun's death.

Now, Gu Mingxi was in an emotional state and might amplify certain reactions. In time, she would figure things out on her own. Could she really ignore him forever? So, Gu Mingyu wasn't worried at all and even waved at her from the stands.

Xiao Ye tugged at Ji Nanxing, who was talking to Chen Shiyi: "Naonao, look, isn't that Gu Mingxi's brother?"

Ji Nanxing turned around. The parents' section wasn't far from the field, and since not all parents had the time to attend, the parents of students from all three grades were seated in the same area.

Ji Nanxing wouldn't participate in the sports day himself, so he hadn't told his family, and naturally, no one from his family came.

Xiao Ye's brother didn't have time to come, but his sister-in-law had taken time off work just to attend.

Xiao Ye was participating in the sports day, running the 3,000-meter race. Fang Li had brought a camera to take lots of photos of him. However, before she could capture his athletic moments, Xiao Ye had already pulled her over to take several photos of him and Ji Nanxing together.

After taking the photos and seeing they had to gather, Fang Li headed to the parents' stands. Xiao Ye, worried about where his sister-in-law was sitting and if she was comfortable, glanced over and immediately spotted Gu Mingyu.

He had never met Gu Mingyu before, but Gu Mingyu looked a lot like Gu Mingxi, like the whole family had the same face.

Gu Mingyu didn't have a feminine appearance; instead, he was quite good-looking, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. Regardless of anything else, he had a handsome face.

Ji Nanxing had excellent eyesight and, following Xiao Ye's direction, immediately spotted Gu Mingxi's brother. Seeing him, Ji Nanxing couldn't help raising an eyebrow.

Xiao Ye noticed his expression and turned to take a closer look: "What's wrong? Is there something else going on with her brother?"

Ji Nanxing: "His luck is up."

Xiao Ye was startled, his curiosity instantly piqued: "Could Yu Sixing really do something?"

Chen Shiyi and Zhang Yuan, sitting nearby, immediately gathered around: "What else is going on that we don't know about?"

Xiao Ye glanced at Ji Nanxing, and seeing that he had no intention of hiding anything, he explained what was going on between Yu Sixing, Guo Xun, and Gu Mingyu: "Although Yu Sixing has given up on targeting Gu Mingxi, he still hasn't abandoned his desire for revenge against Gu Mingyu. But it's not as simple as just wanting revenge. What can he do? Even if he reports it to the police, Guo Xun's suicide wouldn't legally involve anyone else. As for morally, exposing Gu Mingyu and ruining his career and life would only be short-lived. Scandals fade. Do you remember the hot topics from last year?"

Zhang Yuan looked at Xiao Ye with a mix of exasperation: "I was wondering if you'd be called a scumbag. When I saw some groups attacking Gu Mingxi, I held back from telling you."

He had been worried that Gu Mingxi's situation might drag Xiao Ye into it. If Xiao Ye stood up for her, it would only make things worse, making people think she was successfully playing the victim, which would make Gu Mingxi's already difficult situation even worse.

If he didn't help, and Gu Mingxi was bullied severely, people wouldn't blame the spread of rumors but would instead blame Xiao Ye.

Moreover, given Xiao Ye's character, if he knew about this, he wouldn't let Gu Mingxi be bullied because of him. So, no matter what he did, it seemed wrong.

But it turned out there was more to the story, involving a life.

Chen Shiyi: "So, does that mean we can only rely on supernatural retribution? But not everyone gets retribution."

At least he knew that many good people don't get rewarded, while bad people live happily and comfortably. Although Ji Nanxing said that some things would be settled in due time, some people live their whole lives without seeing the bad guys get what they deserve, which is frustrating.

Zhang Yuan: "The timid ghost in that small, dilapidated building was actually the former genius? After more than ten years, his old flame has returned, still determined to seek revenge for him. This is such a heartbreaking love story."

Chen Shiyi sighed: "Lovers are fated to be apart."

After lamenting for a while, they continued to curiously ask: "You said his luck has dried up, is retribution coming?"

Ji Nanxing nodded: "You could say that."

Hearing this, the others lost interest in the track meet: "Can you tell us what's going on with him now? If it's revealing heavenly secrets, then forget it."

Ji Nanxing said: "It's not exactly revealing heavenly secrets. A person's luck can be seen as a kind of energy, and energies can interact with each other. That's why being around negative people drains your luck, while being around positive people boosts it. His luck has actually been influenced by Guo Xun all along."

Chen Shiyi raised his hand and quietly voiced his doubt: "But Guo Xun is dead, and he's become an earthbound spirit in that small, dilapidated building. He shouldn't be able to follow Gu Mingyu and influence him, right?"

Ji Nanxing: "But he took something from Guo Xun, and it wasn't just mere money or belongings. It was something crucial enough to determine the rest of his life. This created a karmic bond between him and Guo Xun. Plus, Guo Xun is dead, filled with resentment and unresolved grudges. Do you think Guo Xun's aura is positive or negative?"

Chen Shiyi suddenly understood: "It can work like that?"

Ji Nanxing: "Of course. Everyone is born with a certain amount of fortune. Those with meager fortune can't bear heavy luck, and those with fragile lives can't endure great blessings. That's why professions like fortune-tellers exist—to measure and balance one's fate through proper methods. Gu Mingyu used to be able to handle the negative influence Guo Xun brought, but this is like a balloon. Once it's punctured, it deflates, and a deflated balloon can't hold up against anything."

Legally speaking, Gu Mingyu is not the direct killer of Guo Xun. Even if his report was the last straw that broke Guo Xun, since Guo Xun committed suicide, Gu Mingyu doesn't need to face legal consequences.

But from a karmic perspective, Guo Xun's family background was the cause, Gu Mingyu's report was the cause, and those who bullied Guo Xun under Gu Mingyu's influence also played a part. All of this culminated in Guo Xun jumping to his death. Among these, Gu Mingyu took over Guo Xun's spot for the guaranteed placement, making him the person most deeply entangled with Guo Xun.

Xiao Ye handed a handful of peeled pine nuts to Ji Nanxing, leaning into their conversation circle: "What will happen to Gu Mingyu?"

Ji Nanxing ate one himself and popped another into Xiao Ye's mouth: "Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed."

Hearing this, Chen Shiyi and Zhang Yuan immediately lost interest. Since Ji Nanxing said retribution was coming, they could just wait and see.

Only Xiao Ye was grinning like an idiot, opening his mouth toward Ji Nanxing: "Come on, toss me another one."

Ji Nanxing gathered the handful of pine nuts and casually pushed Xiao Ye's head away: "Get ready, the 3K race is about to start."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sports class representative ran over: "Quick, Xiao Ye! The 3K race is gathering, go warm up at the back!"

Xiao Ye stood up, stretched, and smiled at Ji Nanxing: "Watch me snag a first-place medal for you."

Every event at their track meet had medals. Though they weren't worth much—not gold or silver—they were still a symbol of honor. Participating in an event meant you had to bring something back.

Xiao Ye went to warm up, but before leaving, he reminded Ji Nanxing: "Just sit here and wait, don't go over there. It's too crowded, and I don't want you getting squeezed, got it?"

More importantly, many people at this school had their eyes on his Ji Naonao. He was afraid someone might take advantage of the crowd to get close to Ji Naonao. After all, he was the one who always wanted to take advantage, so it was hard not to project that onto others.

Ji Nanxing waved his hand, and Xiao Ye was pulled away to the warm-up area.

As soon as Xiao Ye arrived, a few people who were already warming up quietly gathered together, seemingly discussing him. Xiao Ye vaguely heard something about Qi Kang and athletes.

Qi Kang was the guy who had already graduated from high school, the one who got beaten up twice by Xiao Ye when he first entered the school.

Judging by the muscle lines on their legs, their slightly taller-than-average height, and their robust builds, they were probably athletes too.

Xiao Ye stretched while flashing a big grin at them, causing the group to quickly avert their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

Xiao Ye turned to his class's sports representative: "Do I look scary?"

He was so handsome, and he wasn't a monster. Why did they act like they'd seen a ghost when they saw him?

The sports representative smiled expressionlessly: "..."

Don't you realize how intimidating you are?

The school's track is roughly eight laps for a three-kilometer run. Each grade competes only within their own grade. Seventeen people at the starting line make for quite a crowd. They all bolt out at once, and by the third lap, gaps start to appear.

By the fifth lap, many are already dragging themselves forward on sheer willpower. After all, it's about participation, just being part of the crowd.

Only three athletes and a few others with good stamina are still running strong, naturally including Xiao Ye. He hasn't even hit his final sprint yet. By the sixth lap, he notices Ji Nanxing in the crowd cheering by the track, even though he was told not to come.

Xiao Ye jogs over, his breathing still steady: "I told you not to come, didn't I?"

Ji Nanxing shakes the water bottle in his hand: "I brought you water. Or would you rather have some from a pretty girl?"

Xiao Ye grins foolishly again: "No way. Wait for me at the finish line, I'll be there in no time."

With that, he takes off like a gust of wind. Eight laps around the track are a breeze compared to his nightly five-kilometer runs!

With little competition, most are just going through the motions, not really trying. The few athletes jogging at a leisurely pace feel a gust of wind whip past them. Looking closer, they see Xiao Ye, who had been running casually, suddenly kick into high gear.

The athletes exchange glances. They can already hear their coach chewing them out for not being able to outrun an ordinary student. Startled, they immediately pick up the pace to catch up.

The casual run suddenly turns intense as they accelerate. Among the cheers, Xiao Ye's name rings out the loudest, as he's the most handsome and popular.

Ji Nanxing waits at the finish line, watching Xiao Ye come into view from a distance. Xiao Ye holds up seven fingers, signaling one lap to go.

The athletes chase desperately behind him. Xiao Ye laughs as he sprints ahead. Fang Li, up in the stands, keeps snapping photos with her camera. While the photos can't capture the synchronized cheers for Xiao Ye, they do capture the figure racing desperately towards the finish line.

As they hit the final lap, the cheers swell louder. Many, caught up in the excitement, get an adrenaline rush, bursting with energy.

Xiao Ye's training is for fitness, not professional racing. He knows how to exert force to reduce sports injuries but hasn't studied how to achieve maximum speed. Thus, in the final lap, the athletes visibly catch up.

Just as they are about to overtake, Ji Nanxing at the finish line shouts: "Xiao Ye! Faster!"

Despite the entire field shouting Xiao Ye's name, Ji Nanxing's voice isn't loud, but Xiao Ye hears it clearly. At that moment, the ranking becomes irrelevant. He hears Ji Naonao calling him, so he sprints with all his might towards him.

Xiao Ye is undoubtedly the first to cross the line, the moment captured in Fang Li's camera.

Xiao Ye laughs and lunges at Ji Nanxing, hanging onto him. The sports representative rushes over, wanting to help Xiao Ye walk it off. After a long run, one shouldn't stop immediately; a little walking helps the body adjust.

But Xiao Ye clings tightly to Ji Nanxing, waving off the representative: "I don't need you, my little desk mate is enough."

Then, fearing his full weight might crush Ji Nanxing, he quickly stands more steadily, smiling broadly: "First place gold medal, did I keep my promise?"

Ji Nanxing glances at the others panting heavily and raises the water bottle: "Want a drink?"

Xiao Ye takes the bottle, opens it, and sips slowly, then slings an arm over Ji Nanxing's shoulder: "Help me walk a bit, I'm exhausted."

Ji Nanxing pokes his waist lightly: "Just three kilometers. Next time run five before complaining."

Xiao Ye exclaims: "Ji Naonao, you're so cruel! Three kilometers isn't enough to complain about?"

They laugh and walk off the field, making way for the next group of seniors about to run.

Fang Li snaps several more photos, reviewing them later. She captures Xiao Ye breaking the line, rushing to hug Ji Nanxing, their shared smiles, and their departure arm in arm. She plans to edit the photos, send a copy to Xiao Ye, and another to her grandmother. Having received her grandmother's allowance, she feels obliged to do something in return.

Fang Li just sits down when the person next to her suddenly stands up.

She looks up curiously. Someone has appeared on the steps behind them, quite handsome with glasses, smiling at the person who just stood up. But Fang Li senses a hint of a cold smile in his expression.

Seeing Gu Mingyu's shocked and flustered expression, Yu Sixing adjusts his glasses and smirks: "Were you looking for me?"