“Not bad, not bad. The first step was quite perfect.”
Ji Qingchan lay sprawled on the sofa, one leg bent and the other dangling lazily, her long hair cascading loosely.
She held a pink notebook in one hand and a pen in the other, marking a large, satisfied red checkmark after
“Step One: Befriend Jiang Chi.”
Ji Qingchan rubbed her chin, realizing that reality had deviated slightly from her plan.
Originally, she had envisioned a scenario where she would “accidentally” twist her ankle, and Jiang Chi, out of gentlemanly courtesy, would help her up.
But who would have guessed he wasn’t the least bit chivalrous? He didn’t even glance at her before walking away.
Then came the unexpected trio of troublemakers-despite being beaten up by her multiple times, they still dared to lurk around her school.
But as luck would have it, this mishap allowed her to successfully befriend Jiang Chi under the identity of “Ji Qingchan.”
With this thought, Ji Qingchan—no, Ji Yuenian-closed the pink notebook.
This notebook had a name: The Practical Handbook on How to Make Jiang Chi Cry His Eyes Out.
Ji Yuenian cared deeply about her pride!
Anyone who dared to humiliate her would face the wrath of her fists!
Chen Jiajia and Jiang Chi had made her lose face in front of the entire school.
Though it was said that a real man shouldn’t stoop to fighting women, and Ji Yuenian never hit women either, she still had to reclaim her investments.
This was something her older brother, Ji Haotong, had taught her personally.
For example, she had previously gifted Chen Jiajia a designer bag worth 4,000 yuan, along with a pile of cosmetics, and treated her to high- end restaurants multiple times.
Now, it was only fair to demand an AA split, right?
What? Gentlemanly manners?
What a joke!
She could switch between male and female identities at will—what did she care about gentlemanly manners?
Gentlemanly manners might manipulate Ji Yuenian, but they couldn’t fool Ji Qingchan!
As for Jiang Chi…
You don’t have a girlfriend, do you?
You don’t have someone you like, right?
You don’t have a girl you’re pursuing, correct?
Then I’ll just create one for you!
You made me lose face in front of the whole school over a woman-if I don’t repay blood with blood and tooth for tooth, Ji Yuenian won’t be able to swallow this anger!
The handbook outlined a three-step strategy:
Step One: Befriend Jiang Chi.
Step Two: Charm Jiang Chi and manipulate him into confessing his feelings.
Step Three – the most crucial step: Reject him harshly in front of the entire school during his heartfelt confession, declaring that she preferred Ji Yuenian, the athletic senior from the sports department, over a pretty-faced loser like Jiang Chi!
Theoretically, once these three steps were completed, Jiang Chi wouldn’t just lose face-he’d be reduced to tears, utterly heartbroken.
Just imagining her sworn enemy clinging to her leg, weeping and begging her not to leave him, made Ji Yuenian burst into a gleeful, pig- like chuckle.
Beep beep beep!
The vibration of her phone interrupted Ji Yuenian’s fantasy.
Six-Heaven Assistant: “Bro Ji, class has started. The teacher’s taking attendance-why aren’t you here yet?”
Moonlight Eternal: “Just a few political science lectures. Skipping them won’t hurt. I’ve already maxed out my credits this semester-no risk of failing.”
Wanzhou Yongxing Academy was technically a high school, but after educational reforms, it adopted a credit-based system.
As long as students earned enough credits each semester and avoided major disciplinary issues, they could graduate without failing.
Even if the teachers disliked them, there was nothing they could do about it.
“The Moon Lingers Eternal: ‘Saw those three bullies harassing and extorting female classmates again at school today. Was about to teach them a lesson, but they all slipped away in the blink of an eye. Tell the guys-if anyone spots the bully trio after school, tag me with their location. I’ll buy you a pack of smokes as thanks.’”
“Sixth Heaven’s Aid: ‘Bro Ji, you’re a real one. Bow of respect JPG.’”
After settling matters with Su Tian, Ji Yuenian opened his notebook and jotted down some details in his guide-ahem, his Jiang Chi Taming Manual.
Closing the notebook again, Ji Yuenian rubbed his tired eyes and checked the time on his phone, only to realize it was already noon.
His stomach growled incessantly, demanding attention.
Grabbing his meal card, he headed for the door but paused abruptly.
Glancing down at his bare upper body, he frowned. Walking around shirtless in the dorm was fine as a guy, but now…
Ji Yuenian’s expression darkened as he changed back into his regular clothes.
Ordinary clothes hung oversized on “Ji Qingchan,” the loose shirt accentuating her curves, especially the two perky “bunnies” on her chest.
Shooting them a disdainful look, she tightened the waistband of her pants-then, with a crisp clink, a silver coin arced gracefully through the air, landing in a calloused palm.
“Honestly, I prefer this strong, capable body over that weak, soft girl’s form any day,” Ji Yuenian muttered, flexing his powerful wrists after reverting to his original form.
Leaving the small room, he descended the stairs and made a beeline for the school cafeteria.
The old storage building on campus was a relic-cobwebbed, overgrown with weeds, and rumored to have survived a major fire two decades ago.
Half-condemned and tucked away in a remote corner, it saw little foot traffic, save for the occasional student fetching teaching supplies.
Its primary function was storing worn-out equipment, which was exactly why Ji Yuenian had turned it into his second secret base.
The lack of surveillance nearby was a bonus, ensuring no one would connect “Ji Yuenian” with “Ji Qingchan.”
Imagine a girl walks in, a guy walks out.
Once or twice might go unnoticed, but any more than that…
Ji Yuenian had no intention of spending the rest of his life on the wrong side of federal prison.
To celebrate the first successful step in taming Jiang Chi, he swiped his meal card and loaded up on a feast: curry rice, boiled beef with double chili, half a steamed chicken, and a basket of translucent soup dumplings.
The curry, rich and golden, melded with fragrant rice, while the tender beef, steeped in fiery broth, set his taste buds ablaze.
The chicken, cool and succulent at first bite, yielded to a satisfying chew, bursting with umami.
The dumplings, delicate and springy, released a gush of savory broth with each bite.
After savoring the lavish meal, Ji Yuenian grabbed an iced bayberry juice to go and lit a cigarette.
Just as he was about to head back to the dorm, his phone buzzed.
Through the haze of smoke, he pulled it out.
Kang Yiyouwei: “Old Ji, your turn to haul water.”
The Moon Lingers Eternal: “Got it.”
After finishing his cigarette, Ji Yuenian stubbed out the butt and tossed it into the trash bin.
After signing the payment slip with the dormitory supervisor, he effortlessly hoisted the heavy water jug and climbed straight up to the 8th floor without stopping.
Ji Yuenian’s dorm, Room 802, was located on the top floor.
Though many students had requested the installation of an elevator, the school—as schools often do―preferred spending money on less practical things.