Vol. 1 - Ch. 155 - Old acquaintance

Han ShuYi was ultimately sent to the hospital for a checkup---after all, a pulled muscle could range from a minor inconvenience to something serious.But HuMing wasn't concerned about ShuYi's injury. In his opinion, this wasn't ruthless enough. If anything, Han ShuYi had held back.

If the person pulling the strings behind the scenes never showed up, it wasn't feasible for him to keep wasting time clashing with Han ShuYi.

He needed a way to provoke Han ShuYi further, to push him to his limit.

Shouldering his backpack, HuMing was lost in thought when a light tap on his back startled him.

Turning around, he saw Xia XiaoXi grinning mischievously.

"HuMing, do you want to go to the shops nearby to buy figures today? I still haven't gotten my Yukinoshita Yukino figure!"

"I'm not into anime merch. Go by yourself," HuMing replied, waving her off without much interest.

If anyone overheard HuMing turning down Xia XiaoXi's request, they'd probably fume at him for squandering such a golden opportunity.

Going out together? Wasn't that practically a date? A perfect chance to deepen her affection for him!

But Xia XiaoXi puffed out her cheeks in a mock pout, her expression full of reproach.

"Come on, why not? Just keep me company, okay? I was planning to sneak out alone anyway. It's so boring shopping by myself."

Her candid admission left HuMing slightly speechless. So, she usually snuck out on her own?

If the people responsible for watching over her found out, they'd probably cough up blood in anger.

"Miss Xia, do you even take your safety seriously? Don't forget your identity is pretty sensitive. What if something happens to you while you're out?"

"No worries! I can handle myself! Let me tell you, I'm pretty skilled in sanda!"

(TL: Something like Muay Thai or Kick Boxing)

Her words brought back memories of the time she had rescued Ye QiuXue. Those swift and 

sharp moves of hers clearly weren't amateurish.

Even so, her skills didn't guarantee she'd be safe if trouble arose.

Shaking his head, HuMing clearly disapproved of her carefree attitude. Xia XiaoXi, however, pouted even more dramatically. Sёarch* The NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Fine, I'll just go by myself then!"

With that, she spun around and marched toward the school gates.

But after only a few steps, she abruptly turned back.

She stretched out her hand toward HuMing and said, "Your contact info! You promised you'd give it to me if we crossed paths again!"

HuMing sighed in resignation and wrote down his phone number and chat handle for her. Xia XiaoXi took the note like it was a priceless treasure, fiddling with her phone excitedly.

The two parted ways at the school gate, but before she left, HuMing couldn't help but notice the man sitting in the driver's seat of Xia XiaoXi's car.

The man was staring at him with an intense, scrutinizing gaze.

HuMing met the gaze head-on, showing no intention of backing down.

...

"Miss, who was that boy just now?"

"Oh, just a friend! What do you think? My friend-making skills are pretty great, huh?" Xia XiaoXi replied, eagerly inputting HuMing's number into her phone and waiting for him to accept her 

friend request.

The driver chuckled lightly. "Miss, everyone here is eager to be friends with you. I still remember the stir you caused on your first day at school."

But as he recalled the boy he had just locked eyes with, his smile faded slightly.

Something about that boy felt... unusual.

"Well, exceptions do exist. The first two people I met here didn't even know who I was! I was so discouraged back then!"

Thinking about it now, Xia XiaoXi still felt a little bitter. Despite being so popular at school, the first two people she encountered had no idea who she was!

As for Ye QiuXue, ever since she'd asked her about HuMing, their conversations had completely stopped.

Word had it that Ye QiuXue was now in JingDu, diligently pursuing her studies. She seemed to be working very hard.

The thought of enduring such a tedious academic environment made Xia XiaoXi shudder.

Freedom and a carefree life---this was what suited her best.

"Oh, by the way, Miss, you've met the young master of the Han family, haven't you?"

"Yeah, I've met him. Han ShuYi, right? He strained a muscle during gym class today and was sent home."

"The old master's suggestion is for you to visit the Han family. After all, the two family heads are old acquaintances, and the Han family is a dominant force in this city. With their support, things will go much smoother for you here."

"Ugh... Dad's playing that card again? Fine, I'll go when I get the chance."

Xia XiaoXi didn't particularly care about such arrangements, though she was no stranger to social niceties.

After all, during her idol days, she'd heard plenty of sordid tales about the entertainment industry's underbelly. She considered herself one of the lucky few who didn't fall into its darker depths.

Glancing at her phone, she noticed HuMing still hadn't accepted her friend request.

Propping her chin in her hand, she let her mind wander, imagining the two of them teaming up to fight evil across the city in thrilling adventures.

...

Of course, HuMing wasn't nearly as righteous as Xia XiaoXi imagined. At that moment, he was staring at his phone, reading a message he had just received.

Liang Feng had informed him that no trace of the transaction involving the billiard hall Han ShuYi had purchased could be found.

The only concrete detail was a short note: Han ShuYi bought it.

But the channels through which he acquired it? Unknown.

At the time of the purchase, Han ShuYi was still living in the countryside. How could he have pulled off such a substantial deal?

And through what means did Han ShuYi learn about his lineage and eventually return to the Han family?

Closing his eyes, HuMing's thoughts drifted to the mastermind orchestrating everything behind the scenes.

It was possible that this figure had been laying plans long before he was even born.

If that were true, then the original host of his current body must have had an extraordinary background.

From Zhao Wei's account, HuMing learned that only two children were born in the maternity ward that day.

One was him, and the other was Han ShuYi.

If that was the case, then the remaining child---Zhao Wei's son---where was he now?

This web of clues seemed shrouded in a dense fog. Without relentless effort to peel it back, the truth would remain obscured.

It was precisely this sense of mystery and determination that led HuMing to return here.

"HuMing?"

A calm voice interrupted his thoughts. He instinctively turned to see Kang Xin standing nearby, her expression steady, as if she had something on her mind.

"Kang Xin? What a coincidence."

"Not really. This is my route home."

HuMing froze for a moment. He felt that since Kang Xin had started forming her own opinions, her presence had become more assertive.

Despite that, her words stirred a wave of nostalgia in him.

He couldn't deny it---he missed the kids at the orphanage.

Though he knew their lives were much better now, he still wanted to check on them.

Unfortunately, his current identity didn't permit him such freedoms.

"Well, I should head home."

"Wait..."

Kang Xin called out, stopping HuMing in his tracks.