Chapter 379

Chapter 379

◎Familiar Yin Energy◎

At the start of the new semester, Ji Nanxing didn’t keep as low a profile as before. The car he drove on move-in day made staying under the radar impossible, not to mention some classmates took pictures of both the car and the people getting into it.

Ji Nanxing’s mother also frequently appeared at charity galas and occasionally in media reports, making her identity easy to uncover with a little digging. Add to that Ji Yuanting, who was already well-known in the fashion industry and often posted family photos—though Ji Nanxing’s face was never fully shown in them—and it didn’t take long for his background to spread.

The youngest son of the Ji Group, a Top Science Scorer, wealthy, handsome, and brilliant—what a charmed life.

“Today I snuck past their training area and caught a glimpse from afar. The one who practically glowed under the sunlight was him. Say what you will, but the guy is seriously good-looking!”

“After seeing the photos, I prefer the guy behind him. His smile is so radiant.”

“Don’t even think about it, sis. They’re together. The way he stares at him feels like he’s trying to bore a hole through him.”

“What?! The young master’s already taken this early?”

“I’ve been following the ‘Great Demon King’ for a long time. In all his photos, their youngest has always been protected, never showing his face. Never thought I’d fail at chasing the star (the Great Demon King only attends haute couture shows—way out of my league) but end up so close to his brother. I’m tempted to ask for an autograph.”

“The world is one giant looks-obsessed game. This year’s freshmen have so many handsome guys.”

“I want to experience what it’s like to have a rich young master as a friend.”

“Me too!”

A string of “+1” replies followed, and the post’s comments quickly surpassed a thousand.

In the campus stir-fry restaurant, Zhang Yuan showed his phone to Ji Nanxing, displaying the trending post. “This is the power of a rich young master’s clout. Three days into the semester, and you’re already a campus celebrity.”

Xiao Ye placed a peeled shrimp into Ji Nanxing’s dipping sauce dish and glanced at Zhang Yuan. “You have so much free time to follow gossip like this?”

Zhang Yuan shrugged. “It’s not me—it’s my roommates. They’ve been talking about you guys nonstop in the dorm.”

Xiao Ye grew wary. “Why are guys chatting about us?”

Zhang Yuan chuckled. “Curious about what it’s like to be friends with a young master. I didn’t dare speak up, but even if I did, they probably wouldn’t believe me.”

In their imaginations, being friends with someone like Ji Nanxing would mean experiencing a life of luxury—maybe receiving designer bags or watches as casual gifts, or giving thousand-dollar tips.

But Ji Nanxing was too normal. They ate street food, split travel costs, knew about supermarket discounts in the evenings, and looked for discounted tickets in advance. He wasn’t spoiled or domineering, nor did he look down on others because of his privileged background.

So much so that they often forgot Ji Nanxing was a billionaire heir.

In their limited understanding, someone like him should be flying on private jets, sailing yachts, attending elite international universities, and rubbing shoulders with princes, princesses, or socialites—not wearing scratchy camouflage uniforms or eating stir-fry dishes that cost less than a hundred yuan combined.

Ji Nanxing ate the shrimp Xiao Ye had peeled for him and smiled. “What’s so special about being friends with me? I don’t have three heads or six arms.”

Xiao Ye added, “People just have too much free time. Once classes start, they won’t have the energy to gossip.”

Zhang Yuan turned to Ji Nanxing curiously. “Why the sudden high profile this semester?”

Throughout high school, aside from his academic achievements, Ji Nanxing’s background was only vaguely known as “well-off.” Even some of his classmates weren’t aware of the full extent. Now, his identity had been exposed right at the start of university—very unlike his usual style.

Ji Nanxing replied, “Because the environment is different. In high school, the competition was about grades, university admissions, and recommendations. The worst malice was bullying.”

That kind of malice was straightforward, undisguised. What made it terrifying was that the victims, equally powerless, could only endure helplessly—like sinking in quicksand with no escape.

Looking back after ten or twenty years, even if the harm suffered cannot be erased, returning to the past with an adult mindset transforms being trapped in a swamp into standing at its edge—already possessing the strength and courage to turn away.

His life experience and maturity allow him to handle such matters with composure, so he never worries about such things happening to him. Even if they did, he has the means to resolve them firmly, making any extra precautions unnecessary.

Ji Nanxing: "But university is different. The interpersonal dynamics are more ruthless and pragmatic, the competition more cutthroat and real, and malice learns to hide better. No one wants a venomous snake coiled in the dark, so it's better to nip that in the bud."

He doesn’t want to waste time on meaningless social games. When the gap is too vast, even those harboring malice won’t dare act. Isn't peace better? Hunting ghosts daily is tiring as it is.

Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but give Ji Nanxing a thumbs-up: "Impressive."

He hadn’t considered this angle, thinking instead that with Ji Nanxing’s background exposed, he’d become a golden ticket in people’s eyes—how many who’ve grown tired of striving would latch on at the slightest hint of advantage?

Yet, it never occurred to him that Ji Nanxing’s perspective was entirely different.

With limited time for lunch and afternoon military training still ahead, the three finished their meal and headed back to the dormitory. However, Zhang Yuan’s dorm was in a different building, so they split up halfway.

After Zhang Yuan left, Xiao Ye asked, "Is You Shuang’s situation really troublesome? I saw you frown when you met him this morning."

Ji Nanxing: "Not exactly troublesome, just odd. Given the level of Yin energy on him, he should already be too weak to get up—but he made it through military training. That defies logic."

You Shuang is drenched in Yin energy, his face deathly pale—not the mark of sudden death, but of severe Yang depletion. Of the three flames within him, only a dying ember flickers atop his head.

Ji Nanxing tried dispelling the Yin clinging to You Shuang, but it clung stubbornly.

As Ji Nanxing walked, puzzling over the case, he suddenly stopped.

Xiao Ye: "Figured something out?"

Ji Nanxing looked at Xiao Ye: "I just realized why his condition feels so familiar."

Xiao Ye: "Familiar?"

Ji Nanxing: "Doesn’t he remind you of me? I used to be drenched in Yin energy just like him. Any Taoist with the Sight would’ve confused me for a wandering spirit. But my master helped suppress the Yin and taught me cultivation—I learned to pass as ordinary. He’s like the old me, someone unable to control his own Yin."

Xiao Ye: "How do you mean 'like you'? I don’t see it."

Ji Nanxing: "Not about looks."

Xiao Ye: "Even beyond looks, he’s nothing like you."

Ji Nanxing poked him: "So help me check him out?"

Xiao Ye: "Me? How?"

Ji Nanxing: "Get close to him. See if your Yang can dispel some of his Yin."

Xiao Ye strode ahead: "No way. My Yang’s reserved for you."

Ji Nanxing chased after him: "Just a quick test. I’ll make it worth your while."

Xiao Ye didn’t run fast—they’d just had lunch, after all—and was quickly caught. He didn’t resist, letting himself be pulled close: "Ji Naonao, have you forgotten how we got so close in the first place?"

Ji Nanxing: "Because you’re shameless?" With that clingy persistence, if not for needing warmth early on, he’d never have let someone cross personal space lines so easily.

Xiao Ye protested: "Ji Naonao!"

Ji Nanxing laughed: "I hear you. I know what you mean. I just want to figure out what’s going on with him. My charms failed, and you’re the strongest Yang powerhouse around. Unless… I find someone else? This campus is packed—surely I can track down another strong Yang type. Let me think—"

Before he could finish, Xiao Ye hooked an arm around him: "Find someone else? Where'd you even start? No way. Over my dead body!"

Ji Nanxing: "If you won't let me try, then at least help me test it out."

Xiao Ye gave him a look that said *I really have no choice*: "Alright, just for a second—but you owe me."

Ji Nanxing: "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

He used to be so compliant. Now that things were official, he actually needed coaxing—totally milking the perks of being loved.

The two returned to the dormitory building. Ji Nanxing didn’t go back to his own room, instead following Xiao Ye into his dorm.

They had only been in military training for two days and weren’t even staying overnight in the dorms, but since they spent the day together during training, they often came back during lunch breaks to rest. Sometimes Ji Nanxing went to Xiao Ye’s room, sometimes Xiao Ye went to his. Either way, they were always together. Both rooms already had a pretty good idea about their relationship.

Xiao Ye placed the iced milk tea he bought on the table: "Got some drinks for everyone. Grab whichever you want."

The one grinding dragons in the game immediately rushed over: "Dude, you're a legend! Thanks! Next round's on me."

Xiao Ye casually picked up a cup and nudged You Shuang with the back of his hand: "Here. Go ahead."

You Shuang quickly put down what he was holding and took it, smiling sheepishly: "Thanks, you shouldn't have."

Xiao Ye chuckled and handed the last cup to the guy glued to his textbook.

Gan Lang, still reading without looking up, said: "Too much sugar harms your health and slows your brain while killing focus. No thanks."

Rude? He shot the offer down flat. Not rude? He did say thank you.

Xiao Ye just shrugged it off, poked open the seal, and drank it himself. Then he gave Ji Nanxing a look, silently asking if he noticed anything.

Ji Nanxing shook his head and pulled out his phone to send him a message: "No luck. Your yang energy didn’t get rid of the yin on him."

Xiao Ye grinned as he read the message: "See? I *told* you it wouldn’t work. I’m just your fated match—pay up!"

Ji Nanxing replied: "Fine, reward is you telling me a bedtime story tonight."

As soon as he sent it, Ji Nanxing bolted out of the room. Xiao Ye read the message, slapped his milk tea down, and chased after him: "Ji Nanxing!"

Watching the two run off, one after the other, You Shuang couldn’t help but smile. Couples are *so* ridiculous.