Chapter 16

A few seconds later, Li Zhe finally snapped out of it, his expression contorted: “She’s not…”

Before he could finish, Shang Yan had already walked out of the fountain pool, carrying the trembling girl in his arms.

With each step, water dripped from his pants onto the ground.

Silence enveloped the surroundings.

Not a single student dared to speak at this moment.

—

The boy holding the girl stood there, his eyes like a cold abyss, and even a passing glance made the students feel a chilling sensation in the late summer sun.

But what silenced them even more was the face of the girl in Shang Yan’s arms.

Exquisite, enchanting, flawless.

Contrary to all expectations of scars, disfigurement, or birthmarks…

None of that applied.

As soon as the students saw her, their minds went blank.

Aside from astonishment, there was no other feeling.

As they regained their senses, low murmurs broke out around them uncontrollably.

“Oh my god–”

“Who said she was an ugly monster before??”

“Blown away.”

“If she’s considered ugly, then there’s no girl worth looking at in the whole school.”

“If I had known, I would’ve gone in to rescue her earlier damn it–she’s too beautiful!”

“…Competing with Shang Yan for someone, brother, you’re quite bold, huh?”

“Uh…”

“…”

As the echoes faded, Shang Yan’s gaze grew colder.

He turned to the side, stepping onto the edge of the fountain pool, and in front of all the students, he sat the girl in his arms sideways on his straight thigh.

Previously clutching his shirt subconsciously when lifted, Su Miao Miao now felt the warmth around her recede, instinctively lifting her face to look at him.

“Master…?”

Her voice was soft, tinged with a hint of helplessness from being pulled out of the water and a suppressed quiver of tears.

Shang Yan’s gaze deepened suddenly.

In that moment, countless unknown thoughts flickered through his mind.

Ultimately, his eyes held two pools of dark ink.

Shifting his gaze to the still-dazed Qi Wenyue beside him, the boy said, “Give me the jacket.”

“Huh?… Oh, okay.”

Qi Wenyue snapped back to reality and quickly handed over the jacket Shang Yan had thrown to her earlier.

Shang Yan took it with one hand.

With a slight pause in his movement, he lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze dark and intense as he looked at the girl on his arms, who seemed uneasy about her movements.

“Stay put.”

“…”

The hoarse and deep voice intimidated Su Miao Miao where she stood.

The arm supporting the girl’s slender shoulders withdrew, picking up the jacket and draping it over her already soaked hoodie.

The warmth of the boy’s fingertips, slightly burning, as he gathered the collar, inadvertently brushed over the girl’s fair and beautiful collarbone, causing Su Miao Miao to look up at him.

Her gaze met a pair of pitch-black eyes.

As dark as they were, it felt like they could pull her in.

Su Miao Miao was stunned for a few seconds.

Then, following her instincts, she shivered slowly, raising her head again, only to meet his intense gaze.

She couldn’t comprehend Shang Yan’s gaze.

But her intuition told her not to probe further, as it could lead to trouble.

Shang Yan stood with his gaze lowered for a moment.

The usual smile was absent from his cold, pale, and sharp profile.

After a while, he changed his mind and gave a tug to the jacket he had already gathered.

“Swish–”

Suddenly, everything went dark for Su Miao Miao.

…

The small head covered by the jacket lifted in confusion, hesitated for a moment, seemingly not understanding why it was suddenly covered so securely.

As the onlookers witnessed the whole process–

Li Zhe: “?????”

Other students: “……..”

Without hesitation, Shang Yan scooped up the child settled on his arms, and began walking towards the edge of the encirclement.

Li Zhe hurried to follow his beloved little beauty, but as he took a couple of steps, Shang Yan’s cold voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Take them to the office.”

Li Zhe was taken aback.

Realizing, he turned his gaze towards Qiao Xinyi and the other girls who were already standing nearby.

Qiao Xinyi and the others snapped out of their daze, their eyes filled with alarm as they subconsciously stepped back.

Li Zhe sneered, “What took you so long? Just now you remembered to run?”

His voice lowered, “You could evade the first time, but not the second… Shang Yan said to take you to the office, which is already lenient. Or do you want to follow the path of the previous unfortunate ones?”

…

Remembering the origins of Shang Yan’s untouchable reputation at No. 3 Middle School, the girls paled.

After a moment, they looked defeated, their lips trembling slightly as they nodded in acceptance and fear, following Li Zhe to the office.

———

On the other side.

Shang Yan walked along the tree-lined path towards the Technology Building, holding the girl in his arms.

He was already one of the most prominent students in recent years, with almost everyone at No. 3 Middle School familiar with his appearance and rumors.

With their slightly disheveled appearance and intimate gestures…

Although the jacket shielded the girl in Shang Yan’s arms, preventing others from seeing their faces clearly, passing students were surprised and whispered as they watched.

Feeling the intense gazes even through the jacket, the girl huddled her shoulders tighter, instinctively pressing her cheek against the fabric.

Hiding within the jacket, the gentle breath brushed past the boy’s slender neck, finally touching the skin at the small exposed collar area.

The breath seemed amplified.

Initially cool, then slightly warm, and after a moment, it turned scorching hot–

Like a branding iron, heating up Shang Yan’s fingertips and arms as he held the girl.

Lowering his eyes, his gaze dark as ink, his thin lips forming a sharp curve.

After what seemed like an eternity, he suddenly heard a muffled voice from under the jacket–

“Are you… peeking at me?”

Shang Yan was taken aback.

Then, remembering how he had asked her the same question before, Shang Yan smirked.

“So what if I am?”

“…”

The boy responded openly, though his voice carried an inexplicable hoarseness.

Su Miao Miao wrinkled her nose in annoyance.

…

Next time, she would also be so self-assured.

Feeling a bit irritated, she pulled her shoulders back tighter, breathing even closer.

In the dimness under the jacket, the girl’s lips inadvertently brushed against the boy’s collarbone under his shirt.

On the long neck, the Adam’s apple rolled lightly.

Shang Yan’s temple twitched, glancing sideways.

“Don’t get so close.”

His voice suddenly hoarse, almost menacing.

The girl in his arms stiffened.

After a moment, she slowly lowered her gaze.

Unaware of this, Shang Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

…

This was no walk in the school’s tree-lined path, it felt more like crossing through a hellish inferno.

Shang Yan carried Su Miao Miao into the Technology Building.

As they walked, the gazes and whispers surrounding them finally quieted down.

As they climbed the stairs, the girl, who had been silent for a while, tilted her face slightly upwards.

After hesitating for a few seconds, she finally spoke.

Her soft voice carried a hint of sadness in her nasal tone.

“Do you… hate me?”

Shang Yan paused his long strides.

Lowering his eyes.

“Why would you ask that?”

The girl didn’t respond.

Recalling the moment when Su Miao Miao fell silent, Shang Yan understood.

“I told you not to get too close, it’s for your own good.”

Su Miao Miao looked puzzled.

“For… what?”

…

Shang Yan pressed the tip of his tongue against his upper palate, then after a moment, he chuckled hoarsely.

“Kid, what should you call me?”

Su Miao Miao hesitated for two seconds, then tentatively and softly said, “Master…”

“Say it again.”

“Master.”

Su Miao Miao obediently repeated it but was even more confused.

Finally, Shang Yan carried her up to the third floor.

As he turned into the corridor, he seemed to smile as he sighed.

“Remember, you should call me this often in the future.”

“Why?”

“To remind me.”

“…………?”

Su Miao Miao’s confusion lingered without a chance to voice it again, as Shang Yan kicked open the door to the training group’s office.

—

“Tieba can no longer be accessed.”

“Old Luan, next time don’t be so quick with your hands; I didn’t even get a chance to see what was happening!”

“Wenze, remember to erase the traces of the ‘backdoor’ you opened, just in case they trace it back to the training group, Brother Yan won’t spare us.”

“Right, right, that’s the most important. But after this blackout, I really wonder how little Su is doing…”

The intense discussion abruptly stopped when the door opened.

Heads peeked out from behind each computer:

“Brother Yan, you—uh, this is…”

Seeing Shang Yan’s disheveled, water-stained appearance, and the small figure he covered snugly with his coat, a few of the guys in the group were somewhat stunned.

“The kid fell into the water.”

Shang Yan didn’t stop; he carried the girl further inside.

“What the heck??”

“…Is she alright?”

“Damn, who’s the daredevil that even dared to mess with our little Su!?”

*bang*

The conversation was cut off by the slamming of the inner room’s door.

A chilly voice came through the crack in the door—

“Tieba’s cleanup better be done well. If they trace it here, you guys can kneel outside holding the computer hosts.”

“…”

The guys at the door looked at each other.

The office’s inner room was originally a small storage plus rest area, with a narrow single bed at the very end.

After entering, Shang Yan didn’t go elsewhere but directly laid the child on the bed.

He casually drew the curtains.

Turned on the light.

When he turned around, the child sitting on the bed had already pulled off the coat he had draped over her.

Her half-dry, half-wet chestnut curls clung next to her delicate ears, her soaked clothes outlined her long-concealed slender figure, and her limbs were neatly placed at the edge of the bed.

She said nothing, just quietly looked at him with her black, wet eyes, her lovely face tranquil.

Her silence was almost deadly.

Shang Yan’s gaze darkened as he looked away.

He walked over to the wardrobe, took out a new, still-packaged casual white shirt, thought for a moment, and took out another.

“No towels, use these to dry off.”

He placed the two shirts next to the single bed where the girl sat, then leaned on the bed edge, looking down at the child.

After staring for two seconds, he grinned.

“Are you really not afraid of me at all?”

The girl blinked, her gaze clear, like a pristine lake.

“Not afraid… Thank you, Master.”

She evidently remembered his earlier instruction.

Shang Yan chuckled lowly, his eyelids drooping, his dark pupils shadowed.

He stood up straight.

“I’ll have someone buy you some sweatpants later. Change out of all the wet clothes to avoid catching cold.”

“Okay.”

The girl bowed her head, responding softly.

As Shang Yan was about to turn away, he seemed to remember something and stopped.

“Change the inside when you get home.”

Su Miao Miao looked up bewildered, “What inside…”

Shang Yan turned his gaze back, his look teasing.

His gaze drifted down.

Shang Yan snapped to attention, chuckling helplessly as he looked down.

“Kid, you…”

Before he could finish, the inner room door burst open—

“Bro Yan, School Beauty Shu Wei is here—what the hell!!”

“…”

*BANG!!!*

The door was slammed shut again.

The sound was thunderous.

Shang Yan was silent for a few seconds, then laughed wryly.

He lowered his eyes to look at Su Miao Miao, who appeared innocently in his arms, his eyes sparkling as if sprinkled with tiny stars.

“Kid… are you trying to set me up, hmm?”

Su Miao Miao pursed her lips, her gaze slowly shifting away.

“…I’m not.”

“Be good, it’s best not to think about it.”

Shang Yan lowered his gaze, propped himself up, and stood by the bed.

Before turning away, he seemed to remember something, turned back with a lazy smile at the corner of his eyes.

“And indeed, I do prefer 36Ds, you don’t make the cut.”

“…”

After saying that, Shang Yan crisply turned and left the room.

Only when he had closed the last sliver of the door behind him did his composed demeanor dissolve, leaning against the wall.

The young man lowered his eyes and let out a bitter laugh.

This is definitely not okay.

Shang Yan, don’t lose your mind.

After giving himself a bit of a “mental pep talk,” Shang Yan looked up to find the rest of the group staring at him with peculiar expressions.

Recalling the recent intrusion, Shang Yan’s gaze shifted to Wu Hongbo.

Wu Hongbo shrank his neck and chuckled nervously, “Brother Yan, just now… what was that…”

“What was it?”

Shang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly.

“…” Wu Hongbo trembled, his eyes darting around.

Shang Yan sneered, “She’s just a kid… Can you think straight?”

Wu Hongbo was thoroughly embarrassed.

Shang Yan stretched his legs and lazily walked over to the side, picking up the office phone from the desk.

“Send a pair of new sweatpants to the school.”

“Not for me, for the girl to wear.”

“…then bring a couple, let her choose.”

After hanging up the phone, Shang Yan turned back around, the room still in silence.

He raised an eyebrow, “Anything else?”

The group exchanged looks.

Wu Hongbo raised an arm.

“Speak.”

Wu Hongbo: “School Beauty Shu Wei is outside.”

A chill ran through Shang Yan’s smile.

After standing for a moment, he walked over to the door.

As he opened the door, sure enough, Shu Wei was standing right across from it against the wall.

“…Shang Yan.”

Shu Wei’s eyes lit up, her gaze sweeping inadvertently behind Shang Yan.

Shang Yan scoffed softly, leaning against the doorframe and kicked the door wide open—

“Looking for someone?… Why not come in directly?”

His dark eyes carried a faintly cold mood.

Shu Wei looked at him aggrievedly, “I heard about what happened to your disciple, but I didn’t have them do it, why are you lashing out at me…”

Shang Yan looked away silently.

Shu Wei bit her lip, “I’ve already apologized once for lying to you about that time in the bamboo grove… can’t you stop being angry with me?”

“Angry?” He scoffed lightly, turning his gaze away, “You’re thinking too much.”

Shu Wei clenched her teeth and directly asked, “Then why have you been growing colder towards me since that day?”

“…”

Silence filled the corridor.

Even Wu Hongbo and others in the room perked up their ears upon hearing the commotion.

Shang Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Shu Wei, did you forget what I said at the beginning? I won’t deny it—I swapped three years of peace. But I also told you, we won’t have anything…”

As his words trailed off, someone opened the door of the inner office—

A girl with delicately beautiful features and slightly curled chestnut hair walked out.

Her pale, bare feet touched the ground as she carefully glanced around the paused group in the outer office, looking for Shang Yan and softly asking.

“Master, my shoelace is broken, could you…?”

The moment Su Miao Miao saw Shang Yan, she also noticed Shu Wei outside the door.

—

Shu Wei stared at her in shock.

Su Miao Miao quickly pursed her pale lips, swallowing the rest of her words. She lowered her head and then hesitantly looked at Shang Yan.

“Master?”

The room fell deadly silent.

All eyes turned to her.

—The girl wore only an oversized white shirt that was several sizes too large for her slender figure, hanging down over her snow-white thighs.

Below the empty shirt, her slender, smooth, and fair legs were visible.

They carried a visually enticing allure, hard to look away from.

Outside, Shu Wei regained her composure with a stiff expression.

Meanwhile, Shang Yan’s face darkened.

He turned and strode toward the girl.