Chapter 228

Words : 1075 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Five minutes later, Ji Nian understood the reason. It turned out that when the Li family came to handle the withdrawal procedures, some students who arrived early in their class had seen it. As the news spread, everyone soon found out. Question: What did Li Yuan do? Answer: He crossed Ji Nian. So Li Yuan’s withdrawal could only be related to Ji Nian. However, that wasn’t even the most shocking news—the real bombshell was this: Li Yuan’s family company was exposed for product issues, their stocks plummeted, and partners abandoned them one after another. At this rate, they’d likely declare bankruptcy soon. There were also anonymous rumors from a classmate claiming to be Li Yuan’s relative, saying he had been sent to a juvenile detention center for unknown reasons. Everyone was buzzing with disbelief. A friend of the girl who had been bullied into leaving school by Li Yuan immediately shared the news with her, and the two girls cried tears of relief over the phone. After much speculation, the prevailing theory among the students was simple: Ji Nian. And when they saw her walk into the classroom unharmed, acting as if nothing had happened, the theory gained even more credibility. “What’s going on?” Shen Qingtang asked proactively. “Class rep! Li Yuan dropped out...” someone close to her answered. Shen Qingtang showed little surprise. “Oh? Then we’ll need to rearrange the duty roster later.” The classmate: “...That’s not the point.” “We were just wondering... if Ji Nian might’ve been the one who took care of him for everyone.” All eyes turned to Ji Nian. The petite girl in her summer uniform slung her backpack over one shoulder and casually tied up her wavy long hair. Hearing her name, she blinked in confusion. “It wasn’t me.” “I didn’t do anything.” “Student Council President Gu Xiuyuan was there yesterday—maybe it was him.” Remembering Ji Nian’s close relationship with Gu Xiuyuan, the class nodded in understanding. If it was the Gu Family’s doing, that made sense. But a few sharp-minded students suspected the truth wasn’t as simple as Ji Nian made it seem. Soon, the commotion faded as the morning exercise bell rang, and the matter was set aside. Ji Nian skipped the exercises. After receiving a message from Lu Jinghuai, she hurried to the school gate to meet him. This time, the newly arrived young royal finally had someone waiting for him. Before first period, the homeroom teacher walked in, startling the class into groans, assuming he was taking over the lesson. “Hey, what’s with the attitude?” “You think I enjoy stealing your class time?” He tapped a rolled-up book against the podium. “I’m here to bring back one of your peers.” “We have a new student. Come on, show some enthusiasm.” Then he waved toward the door. The moment a pair of white sneakers stepped inside, Ji Nian—seated at her desk and scrolling through her phone—saw a new message pop up on her screen: I’m here. Immediately, the classroom fell into stunned silence as everyone gasped audibly. Ji Nian looked up just in time to see a boy in the same white shirt and navy-blue trousers as her stride in, accompanied by the hum of cicadas and rustling leaves. Her gaze met his shimmering silver-blue eyes, like sunlight dancing on the ocean. Standing at the front, Lu Jinghuai smirked at Ji Nian in front of the entire dazed class. The teacher sighed, rubbing his temples. He’d expected this. Even he had been stunned when he first saw Lu Jinghuai—of course these kids would be worse. No doubt, Lu Jinghuai would now be his top priority in preventing early romances. But seating arrangements were a problem. Even if he did nothing, just sitting there would be enough to distract everyone. Scanning the room, he noted the few still-composed faces: Shen Qingtang, He Xiang, and Ji Nian. Shen ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍Qingtang was out—after yesterday’s incident with Li Yuan, she probably didn’t want to sit near any boys right now. That left He Xiang and Ji Nian. “He Xiang, stand up.” He Xiang rose from his seat. The teacher turned to Lu Jinghuai, who seemed to glow under the classroom lights, and softened his voice. “Lu Jinghuai, you’ll sit beside him.” Lu Jinghuai nodded politely. “Understood, sir.” As for why the teacher didn’t seat him near Ji Nian? Hah. Did he think I didn’t notice their little exchange earlier? They clearly know each other. He Xiang, who had sat alone for a long time, didn’t mind the new arrangement. He even pulled out a chair for Lu Jinghuai. “Thanks.” He Xiang simply nodded in response. Shen Qingtang and Ji Nian had already met Lu Jinghuai yesterday, so they were somewhat immune to his striking looks. But He Xiang, seeing him for the first time, remained unfazed. The reason was simple: He was face-blind. Everyone looked the same to him—until Ji Nian smiled at him for the first time. That was the only moment he truly understood what “beautiful” meant. Shen Qingtang, like the others, couldn’t help but follow Lu Jinghuai’s movements. But unlike them, when she noticed both He Xiang and Lu Jinghuai instinctively glancing toward Ji Nian after sitting down, her expression turned complicated. As the teacher snapped everyone out of their daze, Shen Qingtang sighed and muttered under her breath: “...What a mess.” The first period was torture for Class 1-2. When the bell finally rang, Ji Nian didn’t even get a chance to speak to Lu Jinghuai before he was swarmed by classmates. Ji Nian: “...” Watching the crowd swallow him whole, she retracted the foot she’d been about to step forward with. [At least the young royal won’t feel lonely. Even after being away from school for so long, he’s still popular.] “Ji Nian, do you know him?” A familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned to see He Xiang, his uniform collar crumpled and name tag nearly falling off—clearly shoved aside in the rush. The sight was both pitiful and amusing. Ji Nian couldn’t help but laugh. “What happened to your collar? Your name tag’s about to drop.” He Xiang looked down, adjusting it awkwardly. Only then did Ji Nian answer his question. “Oh, Lu Jinghuai?” “Yeah, I know him. He’s the son of one of my uncles.”

Chapter 228

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