Chapter Nine: New Semester
The last few days with his sister had been a frenzy of passion. They seized every opportunity for intimacy—in the shower, while cooking, even sending the other girls on errands to watch movies together. Lu Li explored every inch of Zou Yameng’s body, from her soft skin and toned abs to her elegant neck and the soft flesh between her thighs. Sometimes he used his fingers, sometimes his tongue, savoring her warmth and responsiveness. Sister Yameng, for her part, indulged him completely, willingly submitting to his every whim.
After a few days of this, even an iron rod would have been ground to a needle. Lu Li finally felt his energy waning.
In the blink of an eye, it was mid-August. Zou Yameng, with much reluctance, bid farewell to Lu Li and boarded her flight back to the Capital City. Lu Li, An Baili, and Wen Hupo watched as the plane disappeared into the sky. He would never forget this summer of sweat and tangled limbs, the intense, melting heat that only his sister could evoke.
There was no further news about Yan Jun. Chu Xiaodong called a few times, saying that even he couldn’t find out which department had taken over the case, only urging Lu Li to be careful. He promised to continue investigating, not just for Lu Li’s sake, but for his daughter’s safety. Lu Li’s heart ached. He shouldn’t be worried about Chu Xiaodong; his future father-in-law was a shrewd and influential politician. What danger could he possibly be in?
In his past life, the news of the Chu family’s demise hadn’t shocked him. He had simply seen the obituary in the class group chat one starlit night, sent a prayer hands emoji like everyone else, and forgotten about it. He hadn’t felt any real connection to Chu Jingyi or her family.
But what about this life?
He couldn’t reach Zhu Xi either. Fortunately, there was progress on Wen Hupo’s end. The day after Sister Yameng returned to the Capital City, the Amber family sent word: the gun was indeed one of theirs, sold through official channels to the Shenzhou Energy Group. Lu Li searched for Shenzhou Energy Group online and discovered it was a massive conglomerate, comprising over a dozen companies, including Shenzhou Heavy Industries, Aurer Group, and Huhai Group. Their businesses spanned almost every product imaginable, many familiar brands falling under their umbrella. The current chairperson was Ms. Yan Rujun. Her online profile contained only a brief summary of her education and work experience.
Did Shenzhou Energy Group want him dead? Or was it a high-ranking executive within the group? Or perhaps just someone acting on their own?
Yan was an uncommon surname. Lu Li’s first encounter with the character had been as a child, watching a TV show about an Empress Yan who committed suicide, the entire nation mourning her death. Sister Yameng had flipped through the dictionary, then told him, in her childish voice, that the character was pronounced “Yan,” and it meant “Yama King.”
Knowing that the assassin was connected to Shenzhou Energy Group gave Lu Li some comfort. At least it wasn’t Zhu Xi. He couldn’t explain why, but he didn’t want her to be the kind of person who treated human life like weeds. At least not the Zhu Xi he knew in this life.
After a few days of anxiety, Lu Li’s life returned to normal. Shootings, assassins, powerful corporations—these words seemed distant and unreal. He wasn’t attacked again.
August passed in a blur. The new school year arrived—his final year of high school. Chuanhai No. 1 High School had already covered all the necessary material by the end of the second year. The final year was dedicated to preparing for the College Entrance Examination. Generally, Chuanhai No. 1 High School graduates had three options: get into a top-tier university through hard work, get into a second-tier university through family connections, or, for the truly hopeless cases, join the family business and live a life of idle comfort.
Lu Li and An Baili didn’t have a choice; they had to rely on their own efforts.
The first day of the new semester was an orientation assembly. The principal would explain the college application process and ask the students to fill out their university preferences, which were supposedly related to the mysterious nine-grade ranking system.
New semester, new look. During the summer break, some of the school’s facilities had been renovated. The gray pathways were now paved with colorful tiles, small steps had been added along the sides, and red banners hung from the teaching buildings. Many unfamiliar faces filled the campus, mostly fresh-faced boys and girls—the new first-year students. In other words, Lu Li and his classmates were now seniors.
“Wow, the school looks so different!” An Baili said with a smile. “I’m a senior now! The juniors have to address me with respect!” She had long abandoned her attempts to look unattractive. She had even gotten a “hime cut” hairstyle for the first day of school. Lu Li didn’t think it suited her, but her beautiful features could carry any hairstyle.
Wen Hupo, as always, looked unchanged, still wearing her white dress, trailing behind Lu Li and An Baili, her gaze occasionally lingering on Lu Li’s back.
The three of them attracted attention as they walked through the campus, especially from the new students, who pointed and whispered, curious about their identities.
Lu Li was used to being the center of attention, but last year, most of the students knew who they were and didn’t bother them. Today was different.
He was checking the location of their new classroom on the notice board when he heard hurried footsteps. He turned to see a boy with a faint mustache approaching them, a wide smile on his face. He wasn’t approaching Lu Li. He stopped in front of An Baili. “Hello, senior! Do you know where classroom 1101 in Building Seven is?”
Classroom 1101 in Building Seven? Lu Li glanced at the notice board; the location of classroom 1101 was clearly marked in the first column. Did he really need to ask?
An Baili, always timid around strangers, instinctively hid behind Lu Li. Lu Li stepped forward, blocking her, and said calmly, “Classroom 1101 is on the eleventh floor of that building behind you. It’s the first classroom next to the restroom.”
The boy’s smile faltered. “Ahahaha, so it’s right behind me. Are you and this senior classmates?”
“We’re married,” Lu Li deadpanned.
“?”
“We’re married.” Lu Li repeated, in case he hadn’t heard clearly. Wen Hupo, who had been silently watching, burst out laughing. An Baili giggled, her heart swelling with happiness.
“You’re so funny, senior.” The boy gave him a thumbs-up. “I’m Wen You. My father is Wen Shengmin. Our family is in the rubber business.”
I wasn’t joking. Lu Li was about to reply when he heard a cheerful voice behind him. “Lu Li! Baili! Hupo! Over here!” Wasn’t that Silly Goose’s voice?
Ignoring the freshman named Wen You, the three of them turned to greet the approaching Chu Jingyi. It’s been a month. I missed her.
Chapter Ten: Silly Goose’s Condition
Silly Goose looked different today. Her hair was shorter, her uniform seemed to have been tailored, and she wore light makeup, her features delicate and charming. This carefully styled Chu Jingyi was especially lovely, like a ripening apple, the childishness of last year gone, replaced by a more mature air.
An Baili was the first to notice the change. “Jingyi, you’re wearing makeup? And you changed your hairstyle?”
Chu Jingyi stuck her tongue out playfully. “You changed your hairstyle too. I’m giving a speech as a student representative today, so I put on some makeup.” She hesitated, then looked at Lu Li, gathering her courage. “Do I look good?”
Lu Li hadn’t expected her to ask directly. “Of course you look good.” Seventeen or eighteen truly was a transformative age. The girl had matured over the summer break. In the past, Chu Jingyi would have simply waited for him to compliment her.
“Hee hee.” Scratch that, she hasn’t changed at all. Still the same silly smile.
The freshman named Wen You recognized Chu Jingyi and greeted her respectfully, “Hello, Miss Chu.” No one acknowledged him. He hesitated, glancing at An Baili, then walked away. Returning to his group of friends, they crowded around him. “Wen You, how did it go? Did you get the senior’s information? What’s her name? Which class is she in? What does her family do?”
Wen You felt irritated, the image of Lu Li surrounded by girls still fresh in his mind. “No, I didn’t. That guy was unfriendly, really stingy. He’s probably her boyfriend.”
A student council member, tasked with welcoming the new students, approached them. “Roll call has been going on for ages. Why aren’t you at the assembly? What are you doing here?” Wen You sulked, and his friends answered for him, “Wen You has his eye on a senior. He tried to get her contact information, but he was rejected.”
“A senior?” The student council member looked around and spotted Lu Li and his group. He coughed. “Wen You, I advise you to stay away from them.”
“Is that guy someone important?”
“Just think of him as a member of the Chu family.” The student council member didn’t elaborate. “His background is one thing, but Lu… Lu Li is not someone you want to mess with. Do you remember Du Tao, who went to Chuanhai University of Political Science and Law last year? Lu Li completely crushed him. Don’t try anything underhanded; it’ll backfire.”
Wen You grew even more frustrated. “Am I that kind of person? I’m just thinking, they’re just boyfriend and girlfriend, not married. Why can’t I compete fairly?”
The student council member sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue. He changed the subject. “Come on, let’s go to the assembly. Afterwards, we can choose our clubs.”
Meanwhile, Lu Li, An Baili, Chu Jingyi, and Wen Hupo walked towards their new classroom. After a month apart, Chu Jingyi had endless things to talk about, from her golden retriever’s bowel movements to her mother losing at mahjong to the plot twists of her favorite TV shows. She chattered incessantly, her gaze frequently drifting towards Lu Li. When he caught her looking, she didn’t look away, simply smiling sweetly, looking adorable. Lu Li suspected that Silly Goose had played a significant role in helping An Baili overcome her insecurities. Her pure, innocent nature was a healing balm.
As An Baili and Chu Jingyi chatted away, Lu Li deliberately slowed his pace, walking beside Wen Hupo.
“Are you still angry?” he whispered.
The golden-haired kitten ignored him.
“I was genuinely curious that day, nothing more.”
“Don’t even start!” Wen Hupo snapped, covering his mouth with her hand. An Baili and Chu Jingyi were right in front of them; she couldn’t let them hear. “You already took advantage of me, why bother explaining?”
“But you’ve been so cold towards me. It makes me sad,” Lu Li said softly.
“That’s because you keep bringing it up!”
“So you wouldn’t be angry if I didn’t mention it?” Lu Li asked, feigning realization.
“…” Wen Hupo fell silent.
“So can I see again next time?” Lu Li’s shamelessness was reaching new heights. “It was too dark that day; I couldn’t see clearly.” Preferably with the lights on next time.
Wen Hupo gave him a look of disdain, refusing to answer.
“Hupo, please…” Lu Li knew that with someone as proud as Wen Hupo, a gentle approach was more effective than force.
“…One last time. Just one more look, and that’s it.” Wen Hupo’s ears turned red. She sighed inwardly. Her boundaries were definitely getting lower. If he had asked her at the beginning, she would have never agreed. But after the first time, the second time didn’t seem so daunting.
The four of them arrived at their new classroom and chose seats near each other. As they unpacked their textbooks, discussing their summer homework, an announcement came over the PA system, summoning all third-year students to the sports field for the orientation assembly. The mention of the assembly reminded Chu Jingyi of something important. She looked at Lu Li, her expression anxious. “Lu Li, are you sure you want to apply to Mulan University? Is that your final decision?”
Mulan University was Lu Li’s carefully considered choice, the university that best aligned with his career goals. Chu Xiaodong had repeatedly suggested Chuanhai University of Political Science and Law, but Lu Li had politely declined. He didn’t want to enter politics, nor did he want to be further indebted to Chu Xiaodong. All universities in Shenzhou were privately funded, each with ties to various corporations. The prestige of a university held significant sway within its respective industry. Chuanhai University of Political Science and Law might be influential in political circles, but it held no weight in the gaming industry.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Li noticed her anxiety.
“Well, my grandfather called last month. He wants me to apply to Capital University…”
Lu Li’s heart sank. He didn’t want her to go to Capital University; they would be separated for four years. “What did you say?”
“I said… I said…” Silly Goose stammered. “I said that Lu Li wants to go to Mulan University, and I want to go to Mulan University too. Grandpa laughed at me… He… he told me to bring you to the Capital City with me, so you could meet him after we enrolled at Capital University.”
The Chu family was powerful; getting Lu Li into the nation’s top university would be a trivial matter. But An Baili would struggle even to get into Mulan University, let alone Capital University. Would they help her too?
“Jingyi, what do you want?” Lu Li asked gently, instead of answering directly.
“I… I don’t want to be separated from you and Baili. I’ll go wherever you go…” she said firmly. “Grandpa… he might scold me… but he wouldn’t be too harsh.”
An Baili, touched, hugged Chu Jingyi. “Jingyi, you’re the best!”
Silly Goose hadn’t finished. “But… but, Lu Li, you have to promise me one thing.”
The sun must be rising in the west. Silly Goose is actually setting conditions?
The three of them looked at Chu Jingyi, curious about her request. She hesitated, then said, her expression troubled, “I’ll tell you after the College Entrance Examination…”
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