Chapter 62 - 61: Unprecedented Urgency, Double-Standard Shaoyuan
Chapter 62: Chapter 61: Unprecedented Urgency, Double-Standard Shaoyuan
Hearing this name, Sister Xu paused. For a moment, she couldn’t figure out why the young lady of the Xu family had the surname Shi, but she didn’t pry. She merely said, "I’ll have to trouble Miss Shuangqiao for a photo of Miss Changying. Rest assured, I’ll only let A Yuan take a look. It absolutely won’t be leaked."
She knew that these prominent families were highly protective of their offspring. Unless it was a young master or lady who was already very high-profile, it was absolutely impossible to find the personal information of these family members online.
"No problem," Xu Shuangqiao agreed readily.
The two added each other on WhatsApp, and Sister Xu soon received a photo.
It was a candid shot. The girl was looking at the camera rather perfunctorily, her face devoid of any expression. Yet, even so, it couldn’t conceal her breathtakingly exquisite beauty.
Sister Xu couldn’t help but zoom in on the photo. Even someone as critical as her couldn’t find a single flaw on this face.
"Sister Xu?" Qingyuan called out, her voice still a bit weak. "Have you found her?"
"I found her, A Yuan. Look, what a beautiful girl." Stepping into the hospital room, Sister Xu couldn’t help but marvel, "I thought you had already made me immune to beauty. I wonder if she has any intention of entering the entertainment industry."
When Qingyuan saw the photo, her heart skipped a beat once again.
"The girl’s name is quite nice, too. It’s Shi Changying," Sister Xu said. "Using ’Changying’ as a name is truly grand."
"Shi Changying..." Qingyuan murmured. She abruptly looked up. "A member of the Xu family... why is her surname Shi?"
For the first time, her voice carried a certain sharpness.
"I’m not sure. I was wondering the same thing." Startled, Sister Xu shook her head. "Perhaps she took her mother’s surname. Who can really explain the inner workings of these wealthy families?"
To her surprise, Qingyuan immediately got out of bed. "Let’s go. To the Xus’ home."
"Now?" Sister Xu was taken aback. "Your fever just broke, and the wind in Jianghuai is strong right now. You might catch a cold again."
Qingyuan’s tone left no room for argument. "Right now. I’ll just wear more clothes, but I must go now."
"Sigh. A Yuan, you..." Sister Xu stomped her foot in frustration. "We’ve already confirmed that the girl is the young lady of the Xu family. It’s not like she’s going to run away. Why are you in such a rush?"
Qingyuan had already changed her shoes and was putting on her coat. Without explaining, she simply said, "In short, I’m going to the Xus’ home right now."
"Fine. Once you’ve made up your mind, wild horses couldn’t drag you back," Sister Xu conceded. "There are still quite a few reporters at the main entrance. We’ll leave through the back door."
Qingyuan gave a hum of agreement. "Don’t let them spot us. I don’t want to make the news again."
Meanwhile, at Jianghuai High School.
After lunch, Shi Changying took a leisurely stroll around the campus. She made another trip to the small grove. Unfortunately, she only saw couples dating; there was no sign of Meng Qi’an, the former school tyrant.
After entering the teaching building, she didn’t return to her classroom but headed up to the rooftop.
A tall and slender figure was already standing there.
Shaoyuan was leaning against the right wall with one leg bent. He was on the phone with someone, his expression utterly indifferent.
Evidently, he heard the footsteps and knew someone had entered the area. His gaze shifted from the distant skyscrapers and landed on the girl.
His eyes remained cool and aloof, devoid of any warmth. Unlike his usual smiling demeanor, he now exuded a daunting chill.
Shi Changying narrowed her eyes and met his gaze calmly, showing no intention of backing down.
However, she had no interest in eavesdropping on other people’s phone calls. She walked to the other side and leaned against the railing to enjoy the scenery.
Therefore, she didn’t notice that although Shaoyuan was still on the phone, his eyes remained locked onto her, no longer looking at anything else.
It was unknown what the person on the other end of the line said. Shaoyuan shifted his weight to his other leg and casually uttered three words: "Then kill them."
The other person was shocked into silence. It took a full dozen seconds before they cautiously asked, "What... what did you say?"
"Kill them," Shaoyuan repeated, finally curling his lips into a smile. "Did you not understand?"
"U-understood!" the other person’s voice trembled. "The matter has been fully reported. I won’t disturb you any longer."
The call ended, carrying a distinct sense of someone fleeing in panic.
Only then did Shaoyuan’s expression revert to its usual languid state. He asked, "Why the sudden visit to the rooftop?"
"The scenery is nice," Shi Changying replied lazily.
Shaoyuan stood beside her, also looking down at the sports field below. "Isn’t it because the novel that treasure box gave you said this is the school tyrant’s territory?"
The "treasure box" he referred to was Lu Mi.
Shi Changying turned her head, just in time to meet his gaze.
There was a sense of divinity about him, yet this divinity existed merely to suppress the demonic nature deep within his bones.
"I like standing in high places," Shaoyuan suddenly remarked. "The scenery here is indeed quite unique."
A gust of wind blew past, causing Shi Changying to shiver. She pulled her clothes tighter. Just as she was about to leave, a school jacket was draped over her shoulders.
Shaoyuan’s voice was faint. "It’s already late autumn. Keep warm."
Shi Changying was very accustomed to being waited on, so she didn’t feel the slightest bit uncomfortable. Catching a whiff of a faint, elegant fragrance, she asked, "What scent is this?"
Shaoyuan seemed not to expect this question. He raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "Amber orchid."
Shi Changying nodded and headed downstairs first.
Shaoyuan followed behind her, maintaining a polite distance.
The two walked into the classroom.
Song Qingmu looked up. "Young Master, it’s only ten degrees today! How can you just wear short sleeves? You—"
His voice came to an abrupt halt when he saw the oversized school jacket draped over Shi Changying.
The entire class fell dead silent, everyone finding this scene a bit bizarre.
The windows in the classroom were closed tight, making it much warmer than the rooftop.
After sitting down at her desk, Shi Changying tried to return the jacket to Shaoyuan.
Shaoyuan didn’t take it. "Keep it on. Sudden temperature changes easily lead to illness."
So, Shi Changying used his jacket as a blanket, rested her head on the desk, and began her midday nap.
Song Qingmu and Lu Mi looked at each other, conversing with their eyes.
Song Qingmu’s eyes signaled, "Are our minds just too filthy? Senior Sister and the Young Master are both acting so calm!"
Lu Mi’s gaze shot back, "It must be! We’re overthinking it. The Young Master often takes care of his classmates. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this!"
At two o’clock in the afternoon.
Housekeeper Xu was directing the gardeners to prune the trees and flowers when the doorbell rang, shattering the afternoon tranquility.
"Don’t slack off, keep working. If I catch anyone slacking, don’t blame me for docking your pay!" Housekeeper Xu warned before going to open the door.
Outside the main gate stood Qingyuan, wearing a hat, a face mask, and sunglasses that completely obscured her features.
However, it was evident that her clothes were high-end custom couture. Coupled with her extraordinary aura, her identity was undoubtedly far from ordinary.
Housekeeper Xu paused in surprise. "You are—"
Qingyuan took off her mask and sunglasses, revealing a face made for the silver screen. "This is the Xus’ home, right? I’m looking for someone."