Jiang Feng wasn’t very familiar with the campus, so he simply stopped at a quiet spot and said indifferently, “If you have something to say, say it here.”
Ye Qingxuan’s lips curved into a bitter smile. She had thought Jiang Feng would take her to a café for a chat over coffee or perhaps a wine bar to talk over a glass of red wine. After all, Jiang Feng was well-versed in leisure and entertainment—he had always enjoyed such refined pastimes. Yet, she hadn’t expected him to bring her to a place like this.
The bitterness faded quickly. Collecting herself, she said, “Jiang Feng, actually… I came to apologize.”
“Apologize?” He frowned.
“Yes,” she said. “I hope you can forgive Minmin for her careless words. She didn’t mean what she said, and I hope you’ll overlook the trouble it caused you.”
At Chen Siran’s birthday party, Xu Minmin had blurted out—right in front of Qin Junlin—that Ye Qingxuan had something to say to Jiang Feng. Though her intention was to help Ye Qingxuan avoid further distress over Qin Junlin’s affairs, her good intentions had backfired, thrusting Jiang Feng into the spotlight.
Even though Qin Junlin hadn’t made trouble for Jiang Feng yet, Ye Qingxuan couldn’t shake the feeling that he wouldn’t let the matter slide. Days had passed, but the thought still unsettled her. That was why she had sought Jiang Feng out—to explain Xu Minmin’s actions and ask for his forgiveness.
Jiang Feng had heard Xu Minmin’s loud declaration that night and knew Qin Junlin’s attention had fallen on him because of Ye Qingxuan. But he hadn’t dwelled on it.
To him, Ye Qingxuan’s apology was unnecessary. After all, the old Jiang Feng had pestered her countless times before. If Qin Junlin had a problem with him, it would have existed long before this incident.
With a faint smile, Jiang Feng said, “It’s a trivial matter. And if anyone should apologize, it should be Xu Minmin—not you.”
Ye Qingxuan smiled wryly. “Minmin only said it because of me. If not for my situation, she wouldn’t have spoken like that.”
Jiang Feng was slightly surprised. Though he had harassed Ye Qingxuan many times in the past, it had only been out of infatuation with her stunning beauty. He knew little about her as a person.
In his memory, Ye Qingxuan had always been an untouchable goddess—aloof and distant. Even though their paths had crossed before, he had never understood her character.
Hearing her words now, he realized that beneath her pride, she had a kind heart. He couldn’t help but admire that.
“Alright, I accept your apology,” he said. “Was there anything else? If not, I’ll head back to class.”
Ye Qingxuan froze, staring at him in disbelief. The sense of unfamiliarity grew stronger. What’s wrong with him? she wondered. Does he really have no interest in talking to me anymore?
If not for Jiang Feng’s past persistence, she might have thought they were complete strangers.
And his excuse—returning to class—left her even more baffled. It reminded her of the time she visited the Jiang residence, only for him to claim he needed to study. Back then, she had found it absurd.
But was it really absurd? She wasn’t so sure anymore.
Since Jiang Feng had made his stance clear, she had nothing more to say. Nodding lightly, she replied, “I’m sorry for disturbing you. You can go back to class. If any trouble arises because of this… please call me.”
With that, she handed him a business card before turning to leave.
Jiang Feng took the card, initially tempted to toss it away. He didn’t foresee any future interactions with her. But after a brief hesitation, he slipped it into his pocket.
When he returned to the classroom, the lecture had already begun. He entered through the back door and took a seat in the last row.
Yuan Lang, ever the busybody, immediately scooted closer, grinning mischievously. “Buddy, unless my eyes deceived me, that woman who came to see you was Ye Qingxuan—the most beautiful woman in Yanjing, right? You’re really aiming to sweep all the beauties of the capital off their feet, huh?”
Jiang Feng was slightly surprised that Yuan Lang recognized Ye Qingxuan. “You’ve mistaken her for someone else,” he replied flatly.
“Heh… heh…” Yuan Lang chuckled under his breath. “Whether I’m wrong or not, I’ve decided—you’re my kind of guy. Let me treat you to lunch. Consider it settled.”
Jiang Feng almost laughed. This guy really is something. It was their first day meeting, and Yuan Lang was already offering to buy him a meal. Either he had too much money to burn, or he had ulterior motives.
Still, Jiang Feng didn’t mind. He could tell Yuan Lang meant no harm, so he nodded in agreement.
As soon as class ended at noon, Yuan Lang dragged Jiang Feng away. Liu Hong, who had been watching them closely, smirked coldly as they left.
True to his word, Yuan Lang treated Jiang Feng—to the school cafeteria. After the meal, Jiang Feng excused himself and headed to the library.
For most students, university life was about freedom—staying up late gaming, dating, and enjoying youth. But for Jiang Feng, time was his most precious resource. He couldn’t afford to waste a single minute. Every second had to be spent absorbing the knowledge he desperately needed.
Jiang Feng quickly picked out a few books he wanted and found a random spot to sit, planning to spend two hours in the library. But the moment he settled into his seat, a sharp voice snapped behind him:
“Hey! Who said you could take my seat?”
Frowning, Jiang Feng turned to see a girl standing behind him. She had a round, slightly chubby face with large, expressive eyes brimming with irritation. She glared at him, clearly trying her best to look intimidating—but her naturally cute features undercut any real menace.
Her hair was tied into a mess of tiny braids, and she wore overalls with a tank top, blending youthful rebellion with her already playful charm.
Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow. “Are you talking to me?”
“Who else? A ghost?” she shot back, pointing at him. “You’ve got some nerve. I was gone for one minute, and you stole my seat. Now get up!”
Her voice had risen enough to draw annoyed glances from nearby students, disturbed by the commotion in the otherwise quiet library.
Jiang Feng’s frown deepened. What’s this crazy girl’s problem? He had no patience for pointless arguments. “I didn’t know you were sitting here. If you’d asked nicely, I might’ve moved. But now? Find another seat.”
The girl bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean? I was being nice! You’re just a jerk with zero manners!”
Jiang Feng sighed. “Yeah, I’m a jerk with no manners. Now, unless you plan to stand there all day, move. You’re wasting my time.”
Pei Ruoxi was fuming. As a self-proclaimed “youthful, universally adored beauty,” she was used to getting her way effortlessly. Yet this guy not only stole her seat but had the audacity to act annoyed? Was he blind?
But his stubbornness made it clear: he wasn’t budging. She shot him a final glare, then—like flipping a switch—turned sweetly to the boy beside Jiang Feng. “Hey, could you give me your seat?”
The boy stammered an eager yes, but the moment he stood, Pei Ruoxi slammed her books down, her tone sharp. “Then hurry up!”
Red-faced, the boy scrambled away. She plopped onto the chair, tossing Jiang Feng a triumphant look: See? I don’t need you.
Jiang Feng ignored her entirely. To him, she was just an immature girl seeking attention—pathetic, really. He opened his thread-bound copy of Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases, quickly absorbed in Zhang Zhongjing’s medical theories.
Pei Ruoxi seethed at being ignored. She glared harder, muttering about his “obviously defective eyesight,” but Jiang Feng remained unmoved. After several failed attempts to provoke him, she started doubting herself. Had her charm faded?
No way. Every morning, the mirror confirmed she was still “lethally adorable.”
Grinding her teeth, she stared daggers at him, determined to break his act. Then she noticed the books beside him: The Profound Secrets of the Suwen by Liu Wansu and Filial Piety in the Confucian Tradition by Zhang Zihe.
She recognized Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases—anyone could name that—but the other two were obscure, even among traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
Her eyes widened. Was this guy for real?
“Wow. Trying way too hard to look smart,” she scoffed under her breath.