Chapter 680

Extra: Feng Cen

In A City's upper-class circles, everyone knows the Se Clan's name.

One of the four great noble families, its roots run deep in A City; after several generations of accumulation, its industries spread across business and politics, and its connections and wealth are top-tier in A City.

Feng Cen's parents are busy with business year-round, spending little time at home; the household is mainly run by her grandparents.

She has lived in the Se Clan's old residence since childhood, raised single-handedly by her grandparents.

In that area of the old residence live A City's local noble families; the older generation mostly know each other, and stepping out you can always pick up some connection with anyone you meet.

Feng Cen is their only granddaughter; from birth, her grandparents have doted on her excessively, hardly ever imposing restrictions.

This fostered her fearless, unyielding personality—she refuses to lose and will not suffer a loss.

At six years old, Feng Cen was sent to study martial arts.

Originally, the family only wanted her to strengthen her body and stop climbing roofs all day.

Unexpectedly, after just one week of coaching, the trainer told Feng Cen's grandfather: "This child has excellent physical condition and talent; if she keeps training, she will surely achieve results."

Feng Cen's grandfather took it as polite talk from the coach and brushed it off with a smile.

Feng Cen's grandmother, however, took it to heart; thereafter the twice-weekly lessons never stopped.

It wasn't her own request to learn; Feng Cen initially resisted.

Fortunately, the martial arts required for the competition were different from the playful roughhousing she used to do.

After practicing for a week, Feng Cen found martial arts quite fun, she became interested, and voluntarily asked to increase her training.

At the same time, her studies did not fall behind.

Feng Cen stumbled her way to ten years old and won the championship in A City's youth martial arts competition.

That day, she wore a training uniform, held the trophy and medal, shining brightly.

Feng Cen's grandfather was delighted to the point of being unable to close his mouth, boasting to everyone that his granddaughter had won the championship.

Feng Cen's grandmother beamed with pride, saying, "Our Cencen will surely have a great future."

Feng Cen exclaimed triumphantly, "Grandpa, Grandma, this is what I deserve!"

After winning the championship, she began to study sanda techniques.

The new coach was a retired professional athlete, imposing strict demands; she never complained of tiredness, instead training harder and harder, feeling the coach wasn't fierce enough.

At twelve, Feng Cen entered the junior high division of Sheng Luo Middle School.

She was born with a striking appearance, tall and slender, plus her skills; shortly after enrolling, she made a name for herself at school.

No one is unaware that Sheng Luo Middle School has a formidable young lady from the Se Clan.

That day after school as usual, Sheng Ling appeared out of nowhere, hands in pockets, casually saying, "Not bad, Feng Cen—your reputation in A City is truly great; now everyone in Sheng Luo dare not give you face."

Feng Cen kicked him without a word.

Liu Wanwan gloated over his misfortune.

Sheng Ling is Liu Wanwan's childhood friend; Feng Cen also got to know him over the years.

Besides their usual teasing, Sheng Ling bears a secret mission: when Feng Cen causes trouble, he is responsible for summoning Liu Wanwan.

Occasionally, Yu Yu is also dragged along.

Of course, they're just there to watch the show.

Feng Cen's habit of preferring action over words persisted from first grade of elementary school through high school, and her reputation spread all the way to the upper grades.

She has heard many rumors about herself, such as single-handedly beating up a dozen boys or having a fearsome background; these tales are far more exaggerated than reality.

Feng Cen didn't take them to heart.

One week into the start of her first year of high school, she encountered a small-scale blockade on campus.

Several upperclassman girls cornered a petite freshman, asking if she knew sayings like "Sheng Luo's rules: the top rank is the rule" and so on.

Feng Cen leaned against the wall, stretching her limbs a bit.

Then……

One battle made her famous.

This incident was talked about for a long time; Feng Cen easily secured her position as Sheng Luo's school tyrant, surrounded by a flock of admirers.

Feng Cen speaks bluntly; a phrase she often has on her lips is "Nobody cares," paired with her nonchalant expression, making it extremely cutting.

Relying on her status as school tyrant, she began to rectify some bullying incidents.

Sheng Luo has both junior and senior high divisions; many know Feng Cen's temperament and status, and no ordinary person would think of opposing her.

The atmosphere at Sheng Luo improved a little.

Regarding this, Feng Cen felt the illusion that the more she managed, the more things there were to manage.

Thus, she planned to wait until her second year of high school, when Liu Wanwan would arrive, and then together carry out a large-scale rectification anew.

……

When the entrance exam results came out, Feng Cen first noticed Tan Yuzhou, the boy in the neighboring class whose grades ranked just below hers.

He is Tan Jingyan's son; his name often comes up in piano circles, and he has the titles "Arrangement Genius" and "Little Tan Teacher."

Feng Cen has no interest in music; her impression of him is limited to the fact that he almost surpassed her to take second place.

That year, Feng Cen became enamored with celebrity-chasing, spending less and less time at school, and having no interaction with Tan Yuzhou.

At the start of her second year of high school, Feng Cen was surrounded by people, but they dared not do anything to her and soon fled.

She discovered a little student eavesdropping.

After the little student came out, she thought, "This person is really good-looking; their personality should be fine."

In fact, her judgment was correct; the person matched the note she had given them.

Feng Cen first confronted Tan Yuzhou face to face during the winter break of her second year of high school, at a municipal music competition.

Liu Wanwan heard about this and brought Mu Youyu to watch the competition.

She curiously tugged at Feng Cen's sleeve, "Why did Tan Yuzhou come here to hold the competition? Before, he seemed to always be in C Shi or abroad? Never mind holding it, but now that he's here, there are still so many people..."

Feng Cen casually explained, "He's Tan Jingyan's son, nothing strange."

Mu Youyu also wasn't sure why Tan Yuzhou had come; he was two years older than her and only came to C Shi in high school.

After the competition ended, Tan Yuzhou took first place, and the three of them ran into him backstage.

He was lowering his head to collect the sheet music, looked up and saw her, paused for a moment, then turned to Mu Youyu, "Ah You."

Mu Youyu waved, "Hello, Tan ge."

Feng Cen had long known that Mu Youyu knew Tan Yuzhou, noticed the latter looking at him, and politely said, "Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon." After Tan Yuzhou returned the greeting, he stepped aside to clear the passageway.

Not long after, Mu Youyu returned to C Shi.

Because of an academic competition, Feng Cen and Tan Yuzhou interacted more, and Tan Yuzhou even took her to see Mu Xi's concert.

The two gradually became friends.

After graduating senior high, Feng Cen followed the path arranged by her family, did not take the college entrance exam, and planned to go abroad to study for a few years.

Unfortunately, during the summer break, her grandmother fell seriously ill, and the Se Clan was thrown into chaos.

During that time, Feng Cen felt low, spoke little, and saw no one except Liu Wanwan, Yu Yu, and Mu Youyu.

After careful consideration, she chose a domestic two-year plus overseas two-year study program, deciding to stay domestically first to accompany her family.

In July, A City held a concert, with Tan Yuzhou attending as the main act; during it, Feng Cen accidentally suffered a minor injury and was sent to the hospital for bandaging.

Tan Yuzhou stayed by her side the whole time, and their relationship improved considerably over that summer.

Feng Cen had already come to regard him as a trustworthy friend.

After the summer ended, Feng Cen entered A University directly via its recommendation quota, majoring in finance.

In her freshman year, she balanced academics and social life, her grades remained top tier, her network stayed active, and she was never lacking company.

During that time, she dated several boyfriends, all good-looking; the longest relationship lasted no more than a month, the shortest only a week.

Tan Yuzhou and she attended the same school but different majors; whenever Feng Cen ended a relationship, he would promptly send a message like, "Heard you broke up, are you okay?"

Feng Cen always found it novel, since breakups were usually her initiating them after getting bored, so what help could she need?

Each time she said she didn't need help, he only replied with a single "good" and then left her alone.

The following April, Feng Cen experienced her first passive breakup.

The boy who initiated the breakup was named Chu Ang, in her class, refined-looking, mild-mannered, the sort elders tend to like.

Chu Ang's reason for breaking up was vague, saying he wanted to focus on his studies.

This was a boy she actually liked quite a bit, and Feng Cen felt strange, vaguely sensing something off.

Later she learned that Chu Ang was a fan of Tan Yuzhou, having followed his performances since middle school.

Not long before they broke up, Chu Ang had a meal with Tan Yuzhou, after which his attitude changed.

Under Feng Cen's questioning, Chu Ang stammered the truth: "Teacher Xiao Tan said our personalities aren't compatible, being together is bad for both of us, he's absolutely right! I'd better not affect you."

"Teacher Xiao Tan?"

Feng Cen was furious, went straight to confront Tan Yuzhou: "Tan Yuzhou, what do you mean? What right do you have to interfere in my affairs?"

Tan Yuzhou offered no explanation, "You two really aren't suited."

"Whether we're suitable is for me to decide; what's it to you?"

Tan Yuzhou said nothing more.

At that moment, Feng Cen thought he was not quite right in the head, angrily berated him, and then unilaterally declared they were through.

In the final two months of her freshman year, Feng Cen was busy with transferring schools; during that time she dated a guy she knew from high school, merely to accompany that friend as a pretense.

After Tan Yuzhou found out, he gave no reaction.

In the second week of summer break, Tan Yuzhou suddenly messaged saying he wanted to apologize in person, arranging to meet at a luxurious hotel in Nancheng.

Feng Cen felt curious—this person had stayed silent after she'd berated him like that, yet now he was the one initiating a meeting?

She wanted to see what game he was playing, so she agreed.

Upon arriving at the hotel private room, Tan Yuzhou was already seated inside.

He wore a formal outfit, posture upright, the dishes were all Feng Cen's favorites, and two cups of fruit tea were set out.

Seeing this, Feng Cen wasn't as angry; she sat opposite him, arms crossed leaning against the chair back, "Go on, how do you want to apologize?"

Tan Yuzhou pushed the fruit tea toward her and said gently, "Have something to drink first."

Feng Cen didn't take it, "Just say what you have to say."

"All right." Tan Yuzhou nodded, his expression finally turning solemn, "What happened before was my fault; I shouldn't have interfered with you and Chu Ang, Cen Cen, can you forgive me?"

"..." Feng Cen leaned back and looked at him, "Is that all?"

Tan Yuzhou didn't evade, "Besides, it's all my fault; should I compensate you with myself?"

"?" Feng Cen couldn't fathom his thoughts, too lazy to continue arguing.

She picked up the fruit tea on the table, ready to rise, "Since you have nothing to say, I'll leave first."

Tan Yuzhou didn't detain her, silently watching her stand and following behind her.

Reaching the elevator doors, Feng Cen's body swayed slightly, and she silently cursed: "..."

When she woke, Feng Cen found herself lying in bed, her wrists wrapped in soft cloth, her ankles shackled with gold chains too short to reach the door.

Tan Yuzhou sat in a chair beside the bed, silently staring at her.

Seeing her awake, he gave a smile, "Cen Cen, are you hungry?"

"."

Feng Cen stared at him for a few seconds, confirmed she wasn't dreaming, and her anger flared: "Tan Yuzhou, do you have a screw loose? This is illegal!"

Tan Yuzhou lowered his eyes, voice low: "Right, I know."

Feng Cen took a deep breath, seeing that something was off with him, afraid he would do something even more irrational, she didn't dare scold him again, "Let me go, I can pretend it never happened."

Tan Yuzhou refused: "No."

……

Over the next few days, Feng Cen was confined to the room, and Tan Yuzhou treated her like a doll, personally handling everything.

If she didn't eat, he would patiently feed her; if she broke a bowl, he would silently clean up, never getting angry.

Feng Cen's phone had been confiscated by him, cutting off her contact with the outside world.

The phone was also unlocked by Tan Yuzhou himself, the password being her birthday.

Day after day, he replied to all her messages for her, maintaining the facade of a normal life for her.

No one had found her yet, Feng Cen was exasperated, spending all day either throwing tantrums or cursing him.

Tan Yuzhou patiently coaxed her.

Feng Cen also tried hitting him; he let her strike, then after she finished, he embraced her and softly said, "Being with me, I'll give you whatever you want."

Feng Cen sneered: "Including your life?"

Tan Yuzhou wasn't annoyed, his eyes full of sincerity, "Yes."

Does life‑giving literature really exist?

Feng Cen smiled, "Really?"

"Yes."

……

After a pleasant exchange.

The blade sank into Tan Yuzhou's shoulder, blood seeping out.

Tan Yuzhou didn't dodge, merely looking at her, even the corners of his mouth turning up.

Feng Cen felt her scalp go numb from his expression, pulled out the knife and tossed it aside, then lifted her foot to kick him in the chest.

The blood‑lightheaded Tan Yuzhou fell backward.

Feng Cen panted, squatted down and shoved him, "Hey, sleeping isn't allowed here, don't die on me, don't drag me into this."

No response, she tried the chain on her ankle, couldn't open it, so she went to get his phone.

Neither fingerprint nor face unlock was set; only a password, she tried several times, all incorrect.

On her last attempt, she tried her own birthday, and the screen lit up.

Feng Cen's stomach churned, feeling nauseous.

She flipped through the contacts, seeing no one she knew, after a moment's thought she didn't choose to call the police, opened his favorites, and dialed the number labeled "Brother Mu Xi".

After the call connected, she tried to stay calm and explain a few things; Mu Xi only said, "Wait."

Less than half an hour later, Mu Xi arrived with people and smashed the door open.

What met her eyes was a floor covered in striking bloodstains, the unconscious Tan Yuzhou on the ground, and Feng Cen playing with her phone.

Mu Xi frowned tightly, face full of resentment, lifted her foot and kicked the prone Tan Yuzhou hard, "Don't play dead."

……

Feng Cen was rescued, and afterward Mu Xi handled everything, sending Tan Yuzhou abroad…

At the start of sophomore year, Feng Cen smoothly transferred to C University, still studying finance.

Mu Youyu and Yu Yu were also at C University, the three of them occasionally meeting for meals.

One day, Mu Youyu came to her college to wait for her after class.

The two went together to the parking lot, and Feng Cen suddenly turned back, saying a phrase she often said in high school: "From now on, I've got you."

Mu Youyu replied as before: "Sure."

Feng Cen's smile grew ever more radiant; being with Mu Youyu, she had always felt at ease.

She had never been the type to deliberately maintain relationships; true friends were few, but each was someone she herself had chosen, and once she recognized them, she would protect them to the end.

Liu Wanwan, Yu Yu, Mu Youyu… she felt fortunate to have made these friends.

If she had to define friendship, Feng Cen felt it was probably—family hand‑picked by herself, just like blood ties, surpassing all fleeting, illusory love.

——

——

——

Next chapter prepares to launch the brothers' side stories, including Jun Chenling, Qing An, and Mu Xianyan, order unspecified.

Among the brothers, only the eldest brother, Mu Nian, has a love line!!

Some close brothers, or those with good relations, might be written together, this is familial affection!!