Chapter 325: Stop Bullying Me

Tao Ran raised his head and called out to the class.

"The two from the enrichment program, go to the meeting."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian stood up from his seat. He didn't agree with that phrasing—what did they mean, the two from the enrichment program?

He'd long since left the enrichment program, and now they were seating him at the same table as the enrichment students?

Whatever, the bigger picture comes first.

Both of them holding homework, they walked out of the classroom one behind the other. They happened to see other classrooms too, with people trickling out one after another.

In the dim hallway, Yu Zhiyi and Jiang Nian kept a certain distance between them.

Pudding, pudding.

No, it was tap-tap-tap.

Jiang Nian was wearing sneakers that made almost no sound when he walked, unless the floor was too dry. Only then would they go squeak-squeak-squeak, emitting a sharp friction sound.

Yu Zhiyi was different—she loved wearing shoes that made a tap-tap sound when she walked.

Maybe she thought it was cute.

Although... she did indeed have the credentials to act cute, but Jiang Nian didn't fall for it, and couldn't help quickening his pace.

"Hey, wait for me!" Yu Zhiyi was getting a little anxious.

Jiang Nian heard her and suddenly squatted down, as if bending to tie his shoelace.

Seeing this, a faint smile tugged at Yu Zhiyi's lips. She thought to herself that this guy really was all bark and no bite, so concerned about saving face.

But the next second, just as she walked up beside Jiang Nian—

Her vermilion lips parted slightly, a "let's go" not yet out of her mouth—when she saw the boy suddenly sprint off in a short-distance stance, BOOM BOOM RUMBLE!!

In the blink of an eye, he had already floated down to the stairwell of the fourth floor.

Yu Zhiyi was dumbfounded, standing dazed in the middle of the hallway.

No way, what kind of person is he!

He's a lunatic!

The huge commotion from Jiang Nian's takeoff drew the attention of teachers on the same floor; several teachers poked their heads out of their classrooms.

In the class closest to Yu Zhiyi, a teacher stood at the door with an unhappy expression.

"If you're going to a meeting, then go, don't disturb the other students during evening self-study!"

"I... it wasn't me." Yu Zhiyi had no way to explain, hemmed and hawed for a while, then left the hallway with quick steps, her face red.

Going down the stairs, she clenched her teeth in fury.

"Jiang Nian, you bastard!"

Jiang Nian loitered outside classroom 304 for half a minute and found that Song Xiyun had already left.

Just as he was about to head down the stairs, he looked up and saw Yu Zhiyi coming down. Straight-up calling out her name—a classic scene, except the other party's grievance was a bit intense. "Who ticked you off?" Jiang Nian's face was blank.

Hearing this, Yu Zhiyi nearly fainted from anger.

"You tell me!"

"I'm not your boyfriend, why would I guess your little sister." Jiang Nian was speechless. "Forget it, say it or don't, I'm leaving first."

"You!" Yu Zhiyi's head buzzed instantly. She stomped down the stairs a few quick steps, caught up with Jiang Nian, and questioned him.

"Just now in the hallway, why did you run?"

Jiang Nian was startled, turned his head to glance at Yu Zhiyi.

"Which rule says I can't run?"

"I..." Yu Zhiyi's words stuck in her throat. "The teacher didn't catch you, she caught me, so you owe me one!"

"Then I'll pay you back another day." Jiang Nian made an airy, vague promise.

Yu Zhiyi had originally expected Jiang Nian to argue with her, but instead her punch landed on cotton; she couldn't really say anything more.

"Fine."

Today she was wearing a white turtleneck fitted sweater, her exaggerated curves especially eye-catching, with a khaki jacket thrown over it.

Her face looked pure and innocent; at one glance her aura was both innocent and alluring.

The stairwell wasn't very spacious; the two had originally been walking one in front of the other. Yu Zhiyi deliberately walked alongside him, making it feel especially crowded.

After walking a while, Jiang Nian stopped, unable to bear it any longer.

"You're fat, you're fat, you go first."

"You're the fat one!" Yu Zhiyi's fists clenched, she couldn't help retorting, "I'm actually really skinny, this is pure slander."

"Ah."

The two of them saw more students heading to the meeting downstairs, so they joined the procession heading toward the administration building.

"We're the dark horses." Yu Zhiyi said softly to Jiang Nian in the crowd, "Are these people all the same?"

"Yeah, potential-stock sis."

Yu Zhiyi:

Jiang Nian's gaze swept through the crowd; he didn't see Song Xiyun. She was probably ahead, so he couldn't help quickening his pace.

"Let's take the elevator later, I know the administration building well." Zhang Xiaofan walked beside the three of them, clearing the way, looking especially attentive.

"Students aren't supposed to take the elevator, right?" The speaker was a girl named Lv Xuan, wearing a thin light-colored down jacket.

Her features were delicate, her figure tall and slender, her aura like a flower on a lofty peak.

"Who cares, we'll deal with it if we get caught." The boy was named Sheng Zeyang, his expression cavalier. "Let's go up first, no need to tire ourselves out."

The two were from the same class, Gao San Liberal Arts Olympiad Class 2.

Their grades in the class were upper-middle; they happened to be called together to attend the meeting, and Zhang Xiaofan was merely an ordinary friend of theirs.

"It's fine, if there are leaders around, you two just go ahead." Zhang Xiaofan thumped his chest, striking a noble, righteous pose.

Upon hearing this, Sheng Zeyang's brow smoothed out, and he said happily,

"Then sorry for the trouble."

The girl hesitated for a moment, then also said a line.

"Thanks.

Zhang Xiaofan grinned so wide his mouth almost split to the roots of his ears. His diligent ass-kissing was certainly not because he was a pushover.

Rather, these two were connections to a higher circle he found extremely hard to get close to. He usually had to hold them up high, and even if he wanted to wait on them hand and foot... there wasn't much chance.

Sheng Zeyang came from a well-off family; his father had bought a place in the most expensive neighborhood in the city. He ran five or six companies, and the family had deep connections.

By comparison, Zhang Xiaofan was just a small household with a factory back home. He had a few minor connections, but mainly it was just having a lot of money.

But unless money reached a certain level, it still faced all kinds of limits. Being rich didn't mean being omnipotent.

Just one Sheng Zeyang alone was enough to make him try his hardest to get close.

Not to mention Lv Xuan. Money wasn't hard for people like them to get. Even Sheng Zeyang had to respect Lv Xuan's decisions.

These two had known each other since high school, and their relationship had always been good.

Zhang Xiaofan, on the other hand, had only gotten to know Lv Xuan through the fun-loving Sheng Zeyang. They occasionally went out to play together, and he was in charge of handling things.

The two had their own circle, but they couldn't keep spinning around in a small one forever. At seventeen or eighteen, they were all at an age that loved having fun.

Often at times like these, Zhang Xiaofan's usefulness would come to the fore.

Finding people, finding venues, keeping the two of them company.

The three walked toward the elevator. A few students had already taken the elevator up. So the three stood there, chatting as they waited.

While talking, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly spotted Jiang Nian walking over from afar.

He instinctively clenched his teeth, itching to return that day's humiliation on the spot. But the moment he thought of the other's fighting ability, he immediately calmed down again.

He thought of the "Happy Person Yields Principle," telling himself he had everything. Jiang Nian was just a poor ghost; he wouldn't lower himself to the same level.

A person doesn't fight a stray dog to the death.

So, brimming with superiority, he yielded.

Only this shift in his expression was caught by the observant Lv Xuan. She turned her head to look at Jiang Nian, a hint of puzzlement in her eyes.

The youth strode through the corridor, back straight. His facial features were distinct, his brows and eyes slightly lowered, the corners of his eyes a touch long.

His gaze swept lightly over the three of them, his pupils very dark. Even though it was only a brief pass, there was still a feeling of being watched.

Good-looking was good-looking, but he seemed somehow familiar,

So, taking advantage of the gap while waiting for the elevator.

Lv Xuan asked, "Do you know that person?"

Zhang Xiaofan was flattered. Lv Xuan rarely spoke to him directly. At most she'd give a simple response, let alone take the initiative to ask a question.

"I know him. That guy's called Jiang Nian. He used to be in the regular science class, but a while back he got bumped up to the Olympiad Class 3."

"He's pretty arrogant, and pretty violent too. His personality's not great, like he's mentally ill or something, hard to get along with."

Listening to Zhang Xiaofan's highly subjective, even somewhat extreme assessment,

Lv Xuan's eyelid twitched involuntarily. She was certainly a person with her own views. She picked up on the fact that the two didn't get along, and that Zhang Xiaofan was the more arrogant one.

Personality not great, hard to get along with.

A person understands themselves best; they can't describe something they haven't seen. Since Zhang Xiaofan put it that way, it was most likely that Jiang Nian could keep him in check.

This did make Lv Xuan a bit surprised. After all, Zhang Xiaofan's private style of doing things — she had heard a bit about it too. It was downright domineering.

But that fresh-looking youth who had just passed by could make Zhang Xiaofan give... that kind of assessment.

"You said he's in Science Olympiad Class 3?" Sheng Zeyang raised an eyebrow, his expression a little odd. "You're not mistaken?"

"Yeah, that's right." Zhang Xiaofan looked puzzled, but didn't dare ask more.

Lv Xuan glanced at Sheng Zeyang, saw his strange expression. At first she found it odd, then after a few seconds suddenly remembered.

Wasn't so-and-so also in Class 3?

Li Qingrong.

The moment she thought of Li Qingrong, the little pride Lv Xuan had was completely ground down. Not a shred of pride left — utterly crushed across the board.

She had heard a bit about the Li family's ups and downs over the years, and naturally also knew a little of Li Qingrong's past deeds.

The biggest incident among them was a certain clash that had almost been officially classified.

What exactly had happened, she had only caught a few lines of gossip in passing. So many years had gone by, the impression was long gone.

She turned her head to look elsewhere, thinking she'd ask her uncle when she had the time.

"Hey, Jiang Nian, slow down!" Yu Zhiyi ran over from the elevator entrance, tap-tap-tap, bringing with her a touch of captivating charm.

Zhang Xiaofan froze, mechanically turning his head to look at Yu Zhiyi, who had already passed. Staring at her back, his eyes involuntarily went wide.

Huh?

No way, how does Jiang Nian know... someone so... so...

He went through a moment of speechlessness, as if his brain had been eaten by zombies. Could they be boyfriend and girlfriend? They didn't look like it.

Obviously the two girls at the late-night stall last time were prettier, but if he had to pick... well, then again, the face actually....

Zhang Xiaofan was still in the throes of a mental storm, his mindset having shifted from resentment to bitter envy.

Why?!

So what if he's good-looking?

According to the Happy Person Yields Principle, he was the happier one. Richer, and had more... damn it!

Compared to Zhang Xiaofan, who was green with envy, Sheng Zeyang only had a momentary lapse, then smiled with interest.

Lv Xuan felt nothing in particular, blinked, and her expression returned to calm.

"Why are you walking so fast?" Yu Zhiyi asked.

"Looking for someone." Jiang Nian answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Yu Zhiyi suddenly realized he had an appointment with someone. Her eyes widened involuntarily as she stared at him with an incredulous look.

"Are you this excessive?"

"What?"

"Everyone else sits together with their own class, so it's convenient to team up for the meeting, and you're telling me I'll have to sit here alone later?"

"Mm."

"Go to hell, Bai Yanlang!" Yu Zhiyi exploded with rage, couldn't help but shove him, then immediately went off to find someone to team up with.

To this, Jiang Nian was unmoved.

He himself was about to go on his "date," so what was Yu Zhiyi doing here carrying on?

The administrative building, all the way up to the sixth floor.

Jiang Nian walked straight into the large conference room, and was immediately squinted by the glaring white light, only adapting after a few seconds.

He searched the conference room for a while, and found Song Xiyun in a corner by the window. She sat alone in a position toward the middle-rear, with a boy sitting beside her.

Jiang Nian's eyelid twitched slightly, and he walked straight over.

"So you were here."

Song Xiyun had originally been wondering whether to change seats. To get a bit farther from the boy beside her—she didn't know him well and didn't really want to chat.

Yet the other party was quite the talker, chattering nonstop from the moment they left the classroom until now.

Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice.

She jerked her head up and saw Jiang Nian standing right beside her seat. His expression didn't look happy; he was looking down at her with lowered eyes.

"Huh?"

"What 'huh'? Not happy to see me?" Jiang Nian pouted, thinking that in that case his "creditor mode" would activate.

"No....." Song Xiyun lowered her head.

The boy from Class Four found Jiang Nian vaguely familiar, stared for a few seconds, then recognized him. He was immediately a bit displeased, but still asked.

"Do you want to sit here too?"

Jiang Nian didn't answer him, just kept staring at Song Xiyun.

"I want to sit in the back, what about you?"

Song Xiyun kept her head lowered, her fingers unconsciously scratching at the test paper. She took a deep breath and said in an extremely small voice.

"I..... I'll also sit.... in the back."

"What a coincidence? Willingly, I hope?" Jiang Nian asked with a smile, though the smile on his face looked rather fierce no matter how you looked at it.

"Y.... yes." Song Xiyun nodded.

Then she stood up with her head lowered, holding her homework, just about to leave. She wasn't paying attention and bumped right into Jiang Nian.

"S.... sorry."

"No worries, I'm not some bad guy." Jiang Nian finished speaking, turned his head to look at that boy, and suddenly revealed a smile with special meaning.

The two of them left, and Liao Shutao couldn't help but clench his fist.

That smile of Jiang Nian's with special meaning had lodged itself in his heart. The meaning was complex, containing many things.

Showing off, mocking.....

The conference room was very large, and people were still entering. On the stage of the conference room, a row of tables and chairs was covered with red cloth, with a row of microphones set up.

"Ah, students, find seats nearby. Try to keep your seats together; the last few rows are not allowed to be occupied."

The two found a spot on the other side and sat down next to each other.

Song Xiyun had just sat down, still keeping her head lowered. Her gaze wandered over the test paper she'd brought, as if she were a hostage being coerced.

Jiang Nian poked her arm and asked, puzzled.

"Why are you so nervous?"

"N.... not nervous." Song Xiyun hadn't known Jiang Nian was also attending the meeting, and was a bit flustered by his sudden poke.

Her rosy little mouth parted slightly, and to prove she really wasn't nervous, she even raised her head and quickly glanced at Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian was so amused by her that he laughed—did he really look that scary?

"That guy just now, is he from your class?"

"Mm." Song Xiyun nodded.

"How's your relationship? I think I might have offended him just now." Jiang Nian scratched his cheek, "Don't let him corner me after school and beat me up."

Song Xiyun heard this and let out an "ah."

"Not close, but he probably wouldn't, also...

She wanted to say the other guy couldn't beat him either, but didn't want to extend that topic. She was well aware this was Jiang Nian saying it on purpose.

"Alright, wronged a good man then." Jiang Nian said it casually, "But what if he comes over later?"

"Says he's from the same class too, so they can look out for each other or something."

Song Xiyun was dumbfounded—she didn't know the meeting required answering questions,

so she said..... it's pretty big here."

Jiang Nian couldn't stand watching anymore, and directly spoiled the correct answer for her.

"Just tell him to get lost."

Song Xiyun's heart skipped a beat, and she shrank her body toward the other side of the chair again.

"O.... okay."

", he's coming." Jiang Nian said.

"Huh?" Only now did Song Xiyun truly panic—she had never said harsh words to a classmate, let alone.... telling them to get lost.

However, when she looked around, she realized Jiang Nian had tricked her.

"…Stop bullying me."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian dared not agree.

"No, what you're saying…"

*Ding*—the quest panel popped up. A prompt told him the quest was complete, and the reward skill, Verification, had officially taken effect.

Jiang Nian immediately stopped talking, activated 【Verification】, filled in the answer, and asked.

"Song Xiyun, do you have a hereditary family disease?"