It was obvious that Jiang Sui didn’t look well, and Lu Yunze couldn’t help but feel a surge of worry in his heart.
“Did something happen on your way to buy drinks?”
He had waited a long time and still hadn’t seen her come back. Lu Yunze had almost gone out to look for her. She finally returned, but something still felt off.
Lu Yunze hurriedly brought her into the classroom and even pulled out a chair for her.
Seeing him fuss over her like this made Jiang Sui burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at?” Lu Yunze’s face turned green.
“I was just thinking, Young Master, you really look like a servant right now.”
“…”
Being called a servant by an actual servant, Lu Yunze lost his mind for a moment, muttering over and over that he shouldn’t have worried about her.
After laughing, a hint of heaviness flashed in the depths of Jiang Sui’s pale violet eyes.
If she told him the truth, it might expose her whereabouts and attract enemies.
Thinking back to that rainy night, Jiang Sui felt that Lu Yunze’s strength was still far from being able to handle things on his own. Letting him act on his own was definitely not an option right now.
Jiang Sui quickly composed her expression and forced a smile:
“I’m fine, Young Master, I just almost tripped on the stairs.”
“Huh?”
Lu Yunze was stunned.
“Are you really that careless?”
Jiang Sui immediately puffed up her cheeks, “Can’t I make mistakes sometimes? I even made sure to protect your drink, Young Master. That really hurt my feelings.”
Seeing her like this, Lu Yunze couldn’t help but believe her. After all, everyone makes mistakes. If he kept nitpicking her faults, he’d only be making trouble for himself.
Taking the Coke from her hand, Lu Yunze twisted off the cap and took a big gulp.
“Where are you going, Young Master?”
“The Guidance Teacher wants to see me. I have to go to the Office for a bit. You can go home first.”
“Will you be coming back, Young Master?”
“I will. It’s still early—I want to practice a bit more.”
With that, Lu Yunze left. Besides him, the other students in the classroom also trickled out one after another. Soon, only Jiang Sui was left.
“Finally, some peace and quiet.”
Jiang Sui sat at the piano, imitating Lu Yunze’s posture, and began to fiddle with the keys.
“That was really close just now. I almost got found out.”
Luckily, she still had the Black Cat by her side. With just a glance, the two of them understood each other’s intentions.
She just hoped those two mysterious people wouldn’t get jumpy at the sight of a cat. Otherwise, the Black Cat would be in trouble.
The monotone notes echoed through the empty classroom. The seat beneath Jiang Sui was still warm, lingering with Lu Yunze’s body heat.
The piano keys felt a little sticky—probably from the sweat on Lu Yunze’s fingers.
“If only you worked as hard at improving your strength as you do at practicing the piano, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”
Or better yet, if Lu Yunze’s strength could just grow on its own over time, Jiang Sui could focus solely on attacking his heart and raising his affection.
But there was no such easy thing in this world. Not only did she have to win his heart, she also had to nurture his strength. She had to be careful and cautious every step of the way. If she made a mistake and ended up getting Lu Yunze killed, her entire plan would be ruined.
As the last note danced from Jiang Sui’s fingertips, the Club Classroom door swung open.
Back so soon?
Jiang Sui stood up in surprise, then froze when she saw who it was.
It wasn’t Lu Yunze, but a stranger. He was thin, with a head of flowing permed hair, looking like a rather laid-back person.
His gaze swept the room and finally settled on Jiang Sui, lingering for half a minute before he smiled:
“Sorry, I didn’t expect anyone to be here at this hour.”
“And you are?” Jiang Sui asked calmly.
“I’m Jin Shun. You should’ve heard my name before.”
Jin Shun?
The name did sound a bit familiar.
Jiang Sui searched her mind for any matching information, then her eyes widened slightly.
She remembered—there was a rich kid named Jin in the freshman year. Ever since he enrolled, he’d been high-profile, skipping classes every day, always surrounded by a bunch of fangirls and lackeys.
It was said that he’d changed girlfriends several times in just one semester. Some even speculated he didn’t actually want to date—he just wanted to play around and toss people aside.
In short, rumors about him were everywhere, and none of them were good. He was the kind of person you couldn’t laugh around.
More importantly, compared to his name, it was his voice that sounded even more familiar to Jiang Sui.
This guy… could he be one of the two people on the Rooftop just now?
“Ah, I was just planning to check out all the club classrooms, didn’t expect an extra surprise here.”
Jin Shun’s voice interrupted Jiang Sui’s thoughts.
This Young Master strode toward her, wearing a roguish, devil-may-care grin.
“Are you in the Music Club?”
“No.”
“Then you’re just visiting too, what a coincidence. Why don’t we be friends?”
Jin Shun reached out his hand. Jiang Sui glanced at it but didn’t react at all.
After a few seconds of awkwardness, Jin Shun covered the malice in his eyes with a forced smile and asked her name.
“Jiang Sui.”
“Jiang Sui, right? Are you a freshman too? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
Jin Shun had been on the prowl all semester, from his own year to upperclassmen about to graduate—he’d seen plenty. He thought he’d have to look outside for better prey, but it turned out there was still a surprise right here.
Just in terms of looks, the girl in front of him was no less beautiful than any of his previous girlfriends. At first sight, Jin Shun couldn’t help but let his eyes roam over Jiang Sui.
“Your name sure is famous, Jin,” Jiang Sui replied with a slight smile.
“Ah, it’s all just empty reputation. Plenty of people are out there smearing me on purpose.”
Jin Shun put on a sorrowful face.
“I’m really just looking for my true love, but I haven’t found her yet.”
“I heard it was you who dumped them?”
“I didn’t dump them—I just knew when to cut my losses,” Jin Shun said, plastering on another big smile, changing expressions faster than flipping a page. “Those girls were only after my money. None of them really liked me.”
“That’s pretty sad for you, Senior.” Jiang Sui was growing impatient and turned to leave.
Ever since Jin Shun came in, she felt she couldn’t stay in this classroom any longer.
“Wait, Jiang Sui.”
Jin Shun ran to block her path again.
“Since fate brought us together, we should at least be friends. Let’s exchange contact info, so we can keep in touch. I only told you those things just now, you know. Don’t worry, I won’t let you lose out—I’ve got plenty of money.”
He kept spouting fake-sincere words while obviously lusting after her body. Was there anyone more disgusting?
Jiang Sui didn’t bother acting anymore and replied coldly:
“Jin, I don’t need that many friends. Also, you’re in my way. Could you move?”
“Tch, don’t you understand what I’m saying?”
Jin Shun’s eyebrows shot up.
“I can pay you, alright? Name your price, I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“…” Jiang Sui looked at him as if he were an idiot.
If she wanted an ATM, she already had Lu Yunze. Who needed this guy to show off?
Seeing her stay silent, Jin Shun’s expression grew uglier. He shoved his hands in his pockets, reverting to the cocky attitude he had when he walked in.
“Are you avoiding me because you really don’t want to get close, or is there some other reason?”
“I don’t like the rumors about you, Jin.”
“Is that so?”
Jin Shun pinched his chin.
“But why do I feel like you have another reason? Jiang Sui, there’s something I want to confirm.”
Jin Shun narrowed his eyes in a smile.
“Do you like to hang out on the Rooftop?”
He’s testing me… Is he about to make a move?
Jiang Sui pressed her lips together.
He was close enough that, if she caught him off guard, a single slash with the Remnant Moon Scythe could turn him into ‘Jin·Shun.’ But cleaning up afterward would be a pain—security cameras had caught him entering the classroom.
The pressure grew stronger. Jiang Sui moved her hand behind her back, ready to grip the handle of the Remnant Moon Scythe.
Just then, a hand landed on Jin Shun’s shoulder and yanked him backward.
A familiar figure stepped in front of Jiang Sui, solid and reliable as a mountain.
“Who are you, and what are you doing getting so close to her?”