Jiang Xunyu’s behavior that day was noticeably off, something even his deskmate Shen Qiuyang couldn’t ignore.

Although Jiang Xunyu was always studious, that day he seemed entirely glued to his seat, not even getting up for a drink of water or a trip to the restroom. Then, oddly enough, he planned on leaving school particularly early, as though rushing home for some grand event.

Finally, at the end of the school day, Shen Qiuyang couldn’t hold back anymore. He coughed lightly to catch Jiang Xunyu’s attention as he packed his things. “Hey, Jiang Xunyu, got some good news lately?”

Jiang Xunyu looked up, momentarily confused. “What?”

“Don’t play dumb,” Shen Qiuyang teased, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. “Look at your expression—you were even smiling while doing homework. Come on, share the good news!”

In truth, Jiang Xunyu’s wide-brimmed hat covered his face entirely, so Shen Qiuyang couldn’t see his expression at all. He was just fishing for information.

Is it that obvious?

Caught off guard by the question, Jiang Xunyu blurted out the truth. “It’s… it’s because Mr. Ji came back.”

“Mr. Ji?” Shen Qiuyang’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean General Ji?! … You really are close with him?”

After Zhuo Xingchang transferred out, rumors had spread throughout the class about Jiang Xunyu’s connection to Ji Yuzhou. Most guesses were fairly accurate, but since Jiang Xunyu was uncertain of Ji Yuzhou’s stance, he neither confirmed nor denied anything. With no solid evidence, the gossip eventually died down.

Shen Qiuyang had always been skeptical. Jiang Xunyu’s aloof, low-profile nature and modest lifestyle didn’t seem to align with the image of someone close to a prominent military figure. Now, hearing his admission, he was utterly dumbfounded.

Jiang Xunyu realized he had slipped up. But having already said it, there was no taking it back. He could only nod faintly, silently praying that Shen Qiuyang wouldn’t ask further.

But this was too big a revelation for Shen Qiuyang to keep quiet about. His eyes were wide with amazement as he stared at Jiang Xunyu. “So… what’s your relationship with him?”

Jiang Xunyu closed his eyes briefly. There was no avoiding it now.

The truth was, he didn’t even know how to define his relationship with Ji Yuzhou.

“…I don’t know.”

Shen Qiuyang: “???”

Fortunately, Shen Qiuyang knew Jiang Xunyu’s personality well enough to understand he wasn’t being evasive. It was likely something he genuinely couldn’t explain. Deciding to change tactics, he asked a different question: “Then… What kind of person is General Ji? You can at least tell me that, right?”

After all, Ji Yuzhou, the youngest Corps Commander in the Empire, was a living legend. If he couldn’t get details about their relationship, Shen Qiuyang figured he could at least glean some insight into the man himself.

Jiang Xunyu thought for a moment and answered, “He’s a good person.”

Shen Qiuyang: “…”

…Well, this conversation was dead.

However, after persistent questioning, Shen Qiuyang managed to get some information out of Jiang Xunyu.

Jiang Xunyu was naturally reserved and never discussed personal matters with outsiders. But since Shen Qiuyang was so enthusiastic, and because he really needed someone to talk to, Jiang Xunyu finally opened up a bit and told him that Mr. Ji would be tutoring him.

Shen Qiuyang’s eyes widened in surprise, and he exclaimed, “I never thought that General Ji would do something ordinary people do. I thought he was above all that, only eating flower petals!”

Jiang Xunyu: “…”

He murmured, “Please don’t tell anyone.”

“Got it, got it,” Shen Qiuyang nodded seriously, his voice still full of surprise. “I just can’t believe it… Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”

Jiang Xunyu nodded, packed his things, and hurried home. He didn’t dare to waste a moment, wishing he could fly just to get there faster. But when he arrived, all the lights were off, and the house was completely dark.

Ji Yuzhou wasn’t home.

Jiang Xunyu felt a wave of disappointment, his body sluggish as he slowly changed his shoes and walked back to his room.

He didn’t turn on the lights and just collapsed onto the bed.

The soft blankets engulfed his body, and a cheerful voice suddenly sounded, “Xunyu! You’re home so early today!”

Jiang Xunyu rolled over, ignoring Xiao C’s chatter, and got up from the bed, turned on the light, and sat down at the desk to study.

Xiao C jumped over to him, blocking the light from the desk lamp, forcing Jiang Xunyu to lift his head.

“What’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?”

“No.” Jiang Xunyu moved Xiao C away from the lamp and continued to write. He held the pen and stared at the question for a while, but no words came out.

Xiao C wasn’t giving up and jumped onto his notebook, “What’s going on? Tell me, tell me!”

Jiang Xunyu was silent for a moment, then put the pen down and said quietly, “Mr. Ji… didn’t come back.”

He bit his lip, his voice heavy. “Do you think he will come back tonight?”

It was the first time Xiao C had seen Jiang Xunyu so dejected, and it panicked a little, flapping its wings in a flurry to comfort him. Its electronic screen kept changing expressions: “He’ll definitely come back. Didn’t you two agree to meet tonight?”

Yes, they had agreed to meet, but just like so many other nights without Ji Yuzhou, Jiang Xunyu returned home to a dark, empty house with no signs of life.

The most painful part was the disappointment after hope, which was worse than simply not being able to get what you wanted.

“…Hmm.”

Jiang Xunyu carefully hid his emotions, as usual, and pulled out the scrap of paper Ji Yuzhou had used to teach him last time. He read it carefully again, then tucked it away carefully.