Chapter 220

Words : 1032 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

"Ji Tingzhou, you absolute monster!" That was the only thought running through Ji Nian's mind as she spotted the young royal heir waiting there. Of course, she didn’t dare say it out loud—only venting silently in her head before meekly telling his father she’d found him and hanging up. "Sorry, have you been waiting here all day?" "I’m Ji Nian." "Why didn’t you go inside?" She even glanced toward the security booth. How unreliable could they be? A student stood here all day, and no one noticed? And the teachers—didn’t anyone know he was arriving today? A flurry of questions flashed through her mind. Realizing the person before him was the one he’d been waiting for, the young heir’s face showed a flicker of surprise before his lips pressed together and his brows furrowed. "It’s not your fault." "I haven’t been to school in a long time. It’s... unfamiliar." "And the rules here might be different from my country." "I thought someone would come to get me." A trace of melancholy crossed his pristine face. Ji Nian’s heart ached for him. She pictured the tiny figure wrapped in bandages, not an inch of skin unharmed, lying weak and broken in a hospital bed—all because of a deranged adult. Now, after finally recovering and mustering the courage to return to school, he’d been left stranded, standing alone with his backpack, quietly waiting for someone who never came. Her heart shattered all over again. Once more, the thought echoed: [Ji Tingzhou, you absolute monster (╥_╥)] "School’s already over for today. How about I take you to register tomorrow?" While she’d been rushing off to make the call, a flower petal had landed in her hair, pinning down a stray lock. The boy—taller than her by half a head—gazed at the white petal sitting triumphantly on her unruly hair and softly replied, "Okay." His hand lifted, fingers more delicate and refined than most boys’, and plucked the mischievous petal with precision. Careful not to touch a single strand of her hair, he pocketed it before Ji Nian could question the gesture. Lowering his lashes, he redirected her attention. "My ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍name is Lu Jinghuai." "Hello, Ji Nian." His tone held a faint oddity in that last line, but Ji Nian didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she marveled to her system about how well-mannered he was. After waiting an entire day, he still spoke so gently. Truly the upbringing of royalty. "I’m really sorry you had to wait so long." "If you don’t mind, would you like to come over for dinner?" "My dad texted me, but I didn’t get the message for some reason, so I didn’t know you were coming. He feels awful about it. He’d be thrilled if you joined us." No way she’d admit Ji Tingzhou had completely forgotten. Lu Jinghuai’s silver-gray eyes brightened visibly. "Would that be alright?" "I don’t want to intrude." Ji Nian waved her hands. "Not at all!" "Thank you." He pressed his lips together, gratitude and anticipation mingling in his expression. As they talked, Ji Nian gradually adjusted to his face—at least now she could meet his eyes without feeling dizzy. [Uncle Lu has some nerve, just leaving him here alone without even an escort.] Leading Lu Jinghuai toward her family’s car, Ji Nian stewed over it. Inside the security booth, the head guard exhaled in relief as the commotion’s source finally departed. "Finally, he’s gone." A newcomer asked, "Who’s gone?" Unscrewing his thermos, the guard gulped down some mung bean soup. Despite the air conditioning, he fanned himself with his hand. "Kids these days are weird, I tell you." "See that blond kid earlier?" "He showed up this morning in uniform but wouldn’t go in. Asked his class, and he said it was his first day. Checked the system—no records, couldn’t clear the gate." "Told him to call the teacher in charge to escort him." "Guess what he said?" The other guard leaned in. "What?" "He insisted on waiting for someone who hadn’t arrived. Asked who, and he just said it was ‘someone important.’ Strangest part? Called the higher-ups, and they said to let him do whatever." "Seriously... Kid’s got looks but no sense. If no one shows, just leave! He actually waited the whole day?" "Who knows..." ... "Can you wait a moment?" Just as they neared the car, Lu Jinghuai stopped. Ji Nian turned. "Hmm? Need the restroom?" System: !!! Shocking—Ji Nian actually said ‘restroom’?? Not ‘take a dump’ or ‘pee’?? Since when did she use such refined language?! Lu Jinghuai shook his head. "No, just a small thing." His smile didn’t show teeth—subtle yet effortlessly captivating. Only fourteen... It was hard to imagine what he’d grow into. "Sure, hand me your bag. I’ll hold it." She reached for his backpack. This time, he hesitated. His pale fingers tightened on the straps before relinquishing it. "Thank you." Taking it, Ji Nian frowned at the unexpected weight. What did he pack for his first day? Rocks? Lu Jinghuai turned back, retracing their steps—not toward the school, but along the overgrown flowerbed bursting with blossoms, slipping into a narrow alley veiled by hanging jacaranda branches. The alley was cramped, pavement cracked with stubborn weeds. A figure crouched near the exit, hidden by foliage, jolted upright at the sound of footsteps—only to freeze at the sight of silver-gray eyes that seemed to smile even at rest. As expected, he too fell under Lu Jinghuai’s spell. "Hello." "Why were you watching Ji Nian?" Pushing aside the obstructive branches, Lu Jinghuai looked down at the face now too swollen and bruised to recognize. Caught off guard, Li Yuan scrambled up, forgetting his awe. "H-how the hell did you—?!" He brandished a utility knife, its tip trembling toward Lu Jinghuai. Lu Jinghuai blinked slowly. And smiled. "Because..." "I was watching her too." So he’d noticed immediately. The filthy rat lurking in shadows, leering at her with ill intent. His eyelids lifted— In the next instant, his hand snapped forward, seizing Li Yuan’s wrist with casual precision. A sharp twist. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH—!!!" The sound of bones cracking was followed by a pig-like screech of agony echoing through the narrow alley.

Chapter 220

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