Chapter 135

Chapter 135

In early July, the graduation ceremony for Ning University students was held.

The only downside was that some outdoor events, coinciding with Ning City's rainy season, didn’t go as planned.

Yu Chuang hadn’t planned on attending, but after being bombarded with messages from the Counselor, he eventually declined the opportunity to speak as an outstanding graduate, only stepping on stage to accept an award.

At the ceremony, he spotted a face he didn’t quite recognize—Zhou Ji, a Ning University alumnus, introduced as a prominent entrepreneur and distinguished alumnus of Ning City, who also offered a few words of blessing.

Because he won several awards, Yu Chuang had to take the stage multiple times during the ceremony. Zhou Ji noticed him too and, as soon as Yu Chuang stepped off the stage, went out of his way to start a conversation.

"I heard about your situation with Ji Fan."

Yu Chuang wasn’t familiar with Zhou Ji; in the half year he’d been with Ji Mian, he’d only exchanged a few words with him. At this, he only muttered, "Hmm."

Zhou Ji was about to say more when he suddenly noticed Yu Chuang’s nose bridge and was momentarily stunned.

What kind of grudge is this, to even remove a mole after a breakup?

He felt a mix of emotions, thinking to himself: He must still be carrying scars.

"You’re from Ning University too? Ji Fan never told me... If I’d known..." If he’d known Yu Chuang was a junior from Ning University, he would’ve stepped in more when Ji Mian went after Yu Chuang at the Meidun Club.

Noticing Yu Chuang’s disinterest and reluctance to discuss it, Zhou Ji stopped mid-sentence and didn’t speak again for a while. He lit a cigarette and sighed to himself.

Pei Qing also graduated from Ning University; with so much in common, it’s no wonder Ji Mian was so fixated on Yu Chuang.

After exchanging a few polite words, Zhou Ji turned to go.

"He..." Yu Chuang, who’d been quiet until then, suddenly spoke: "How is he... with Pei Qing?"

Zhou Ji turned back, looking surprised. After a moment’s thought, he answered truthfully: "From what Ji Fan’s told me, it seems to be going well."

"..."

"Although nothing’s finalized yet, there’s talk of a marriage alliance between the Pei and Ji Families." Zhou Ji noticed a flicker in Yu Chuang’s eyes and added: "Don’t worry, he probably won’t ask you to come back."

A marriage alliance like this strengthens their business ties. Ji Fan’s feelings for Pei Qing are no secret, and the head of the Pei Family has long wanted to ally with the Ji Family...

Pei Qing’s return makes this the perfect opportunity.

As for whether Pei Qing himself is willing... Though Zhou Ji thinks it’s unfair, as an unloved illegitimate child, how much choice does Pei Qing really have?

"In the future, Ji Fan probably won’t trouble you anymore." After saying this, Zhou Ji hesitated and added: "...If possible, I hope you won’t hold a grudge against him."

He’d never have defended Ji Fan like this before, but now he can’t stand to see him hurt. He’s not sure why.

Maybe it’s because that soft golden hair is so charming.

At this moment, he looked up and carefully observed Yu Chuang’s reaction, and was stunned by what he saw.

The man across from him looked calm, but his eyes were bloodshot, and he was biting down so hard that blood trickled from his lips.

Don’t hold a grudge? It’s way too late for that.

*

Ji Hai is indeed considering a marriage alliance with the Pei Family; his son’s affection is one thing, but he also has his own considerations.

Ji Fan’s been slow since he was a kid, inheriting neither his father’s smarts nor his work ethic.

Ji Hai had once tried to focus on Ji Fan’s studies when he was young, hoping his son would grow into a capable person. However, even by the time Ji Fan reached high school, he remained utterly incorrigible, and Ji Hai finally gave up on that expectation.

But the Ji Family’s legacy still needed someone to inherit it.

Since his son was unreliable, Ji Hai had to look to his son-in-law.

He was quite satisfied with Pei Qing, who had graduated from a prestigious university and had impressive credentials across the board. Although Pei Qing was older than Ji Fan and was a child born out of wedlock... Ji Hai wasn’t after the Pei Family’s wealth. If the Pei Family were willing to spare even a fraction of their wealth to this child, Pei Qing wouldn’t have nothing under his name. Besides, their family wasn’t royalty—a child born out of wedlock was just that!

The Pei Family was wealthier than the Ji Family, but when divided among their children and grandchildren, each might not get as much as Ji Hai.

Ji Hai made no secret of his plans, even speaking bluntly in front of Ji Mian, making the latter’s eye twitch.

Ji Mian felt that with Ji Hai’s reckless pace, perhaps the Ji Family would collapse before the Pei Family’s downfall in five years.

After all, the protagonist wasn’t just Pei Qing—there was also the male lead, Yu Yunkui, by his side!

Two months after Pei Qing returned, Ji Mian and Pei Qing were arranged by Ji Hai and the Pei Family patriarch to go on over a dozen dates, a fact even Yu Yunkui knew about.

According to the system, Yu Yunkui was currently in the stage of unrequited love for Pei Qing. Therefore, whenever Ji Mian and Pei Qing were dining together, there would always be a call from Yu Yunkui that lasted several minutes and couldn’t be hung up.

Ji Mian had never met Yu Yunkui, but he guessed he was probably already on the latter’s blacklist.

Ji Hai, on the other hand, shook his head and sighed at him, “If you’d just show some initiative, I wouldn’t have to hand the Ji Family over to an outsider!”

“…”

Ignoring his complaints, Ji Mian headed to the Pei Family for his meeting.

When he arrived at the Pei Family, Pei Qing was sitting in his music room practicing the piano.

Ning City summers were rainy, and today was no exception. Accompanied by the rhythmic patter of rain against the window, Ji Mian sat beside Pei Qing’s piano, fortunate to be the only audience member for the day.

After finishing a piece, Pei Qing turned his head and smiled slightly at the young master with transparent ulterior motives.

He was well aware of the Pei Family’s intentions. The reason he hadn’t refused Ji Mian’s repeated invitations and visits was partly because he couldn’t resist openly without alerting the Pei Family, and partly because he was considering whether to play along...

The Ji Family and the Pei Family’s businesses were tightly interwoven. Leveraging the Ji Family could indeed accelerate his plans significantly.

Looking at the young master beside him, whose clear eyes betrayed his infatuation, it seemed he could be easily manipulated, completely within his control.

“Affection Points +30, contributor: Pei Qing.”

An image suddenly crossed Pei Qing’s mind, and he frowned. He was still undecided, but Yu Yunkui’s reaction to this matter was quite intense...

Better not, he thought.

After all, he and Yu Yunkui were in a cooperative relationship, and he should consider the other’s opinion. Moreover, the Ji Family wasn’t in their original plan. When it came to revenge, it was more satisfying to do it himself.

His fingers pressed the piano keys, playing a random sequence of notes.

“Affection Points +560, contributor: Yu Chuang.”

The sound of the piano and the notification chimed one after another, leaving Ji Mian stunned.

Apart from the previous world where his mission target happened to be Luo Ye, it was rare for Affection Points to exceed five hundred.

Moreover, according to the system’s speculation, the points Yu Chuang could contribute now were already cut by a third.

“Affection Points +200, contributor: Yu Chuang.”

"300 Affection Points added, courtesy of Yu Chuang."

The situation was still unfolding.

Ji Mian grew nervous, his heart pounding with unease. Why the sudden spike?

He lost focus on the piano music, lingering absent-mindedly until evening, when the chauffeur drove him back to the Ji Family.

As they approached the community entrance, the headlights briefly lit up a shadowy figure in the rain.

Ji Mian’s heart lurched. "Stop!"

The chauffeur stopped, glancing at him curiously in the rearview mirror.

Through the car window, Ji Mian stared intently outside. The night was deep, and it was raining. He could barely make out the distant figure.

It was Yu Chuang, standing there.

Li Song was efficient. After sending Yu Chuang away that night, he had revoked Yu Chuang’s access, as instructed, the very next morning.

Now, he was barred even from the outermost gate.

In the darkness, Yu Chuang appeared to turn his head.

For a moment, Ji Mian felt their eyes meet.

It was an illusion; they couldn’t see each other clearly.

"Young Master?" The car had been idling for a while, and the chauffeur couldn’t help but remind him.

Ji Mian’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

He wanted to take the drenched man home.

Finally, he rasped, "Let’s go in."

Yu Chuang silently watched the black car disappear into the community, seeing the gate slowly close. The corners of his eyes were red, perhaps from the rain or emotion.

He knew Ji Mian was inside, fueling his curiosity about what Ji Mian was thinking during those few minutes when the car stopped. Perhaps he was watching a spectacle.

Yu Chuang felt ridiculous. He had decided to leave, but Zhou Ji’s words lingered.

Standing outside for a while, a car suddenly stopped beside him, and a familiar voice rang out:

"Mr. Yu?"

Yu Chuang turned his head, and the car window on the driver’s side rolled down, revealing Li Song’s face.

"What are you doing here?" Li Song asked with concern.

Yu Chuang didn’t answer.

Li Song opened the car door and got out, holding an umbrella. He didn’t open it, instead walking up to Yu Chuang in the rain and handing it to him, saying, "I was just heading home. Take this."

Yu Chuang didn’t intend to take it, but when he saw the rain was about to soak Li Song’s hair, which was streaked with a few strands of white, he reached out and took it, murmuring a thank you.

The rain rolled down his nose, gathering into large drops at the tip before falling to the ground with a plop. He opened the umbrella.

Li Song felt a pang of pity but, recalling Ji Mian’s orders, stayed silent.

A few seconds later, Li Song softly advised, "You should head back now," then turned and got back into the car.

The car pulled away, and Li Song drove around the block once, not heading home as he had said.

The car stopped near the entrance of the community, and Li Song turned off the headlights, seeing that the person nearby hadn’t left yet.

Only then did he glance back at the young man in the back seat who had remained silent the entire time, sighing inwardly.

The car sat there for a full twenty minutes before the figure at the entrance, umbrella in hand, slowly walked away.

Yu Chuang had left.

For the next few years, he never appeared before Ji Mian again.