Chapter 10: Xun Tuizhi, The Lapdog

Qin Muchu felt his face grow hot. He thought Chen Xiaoxiao had come specifically to see him, but he never expected her to be looking for that Fool Yang. His previously high spirits instantly fell to rock bottom. The obvious contrast between his earlier self-satisfaction and the current situation was like a thorn piercing his heart. He felt like a fool…

“You again, Yang Qi!”

Qin Muchu directed all his anger at that name. Adding fuel to the fire couldn’t be worse than this.

Chen Xiaoxiao felt a little awkward. She didn’t expect things to turn out like this. She wanted to avoid it, but it happened anyway. Her attempt to be clever had backfired. Her expression remained fairly calm as she said to the approaching student council member, “Go call him out, please. Ask him about the incident where he was beaten up last week.”

Hearing this, Qin Muchu’s expression softened a bit. He understood that Chen Xiaoxiao was looking for Yang Qi because of student council work. As for why Chen Xiaoxiao hadn’t called Yang Qi earlier, he thought it was probably because she was worried he might overthink it, or maybe she had forgotten while chatting with him.

He started feeling good about himself again.

But this self-consolation didn’t fully restore Class Monitor Qin’s expression to normal. He forced a slight smile at Chen Xiaoxiao, then walked into the classroom. He had no desire to stay there any longer.

“Xiaoxiao, did I do something wrong?” The female council member sensed the awkward atmosphere and scratched her head as she asked.

“It’s fine. Go in and call Yang Qi out.”

Chen Xiaoxiao signaled with a smile, but inside she felt both amused and exasperated.

The female council member entered Class 3, Grade 3 and called out Yang Qi, then left with an embarrassed smile.

“I’ll take a few minutes of your time. I’m here to ask you a few questions about last week’s incident. Let’s talk over there.”

Chen Xiaoxiao pointed to the window at the end of the corridor. Yang Qi followed her. After asking a few questions, Chen Xiaoxiao suddenly asked, “Was that you this afternoon?”

Yang Qi knew exactly what Chen Xiaoxiao was referring to. His instinct was to say no, but upon further thought, wouldn’t that be admitting guilt without being accused? If it wasn’t him, how would he even know what she was asking about? So, he pretended to be slightly confused and asked back, “Huh? What?”

Chen Xiaoxiao looked serious, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yang Qi. “The person who threw a stone and hit the thief this afternoon was you. I saw it!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ve got the wrong person, haven’t you?” Yang Qi wore a look of confusion, but his mind was crystal clear. Even if she really saw him, he absolutely could not admit it. If this woman found out, that fierce girl would definitely know too, and it would cause a huge stir, which wouldn’t be good. At the same time, he was praying that the damn Golden Paper wouldn’t trigger any mission.

“It’s a good deed. Why won’t you admit it? Are you afraid others will know you can hit people with flying stones? I’m not a gossip.” Chen Xiaoxiao decided to bluff all the way.

“A good deed? Then I definitely can’t just claim it. If I admit to something I didn’t do, wouldn’t I be taking credit that belongs to the real good person? I don’t do things like falsely claiming merit.” Yang Qi shook his head.

“Really wasn’t you?” Chen Xiaoxiao still stared into Yang Qi’s eyes.

“Really wasn’t me.” Yang Qi felt a bit uncomfortable under such intense gaze. This woman’s eyes were too beautiful. He said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

“Wait.”

Chen Xiaoxiao stopped him. “Forget it. Since you refuse to admit it, I won’t push you anymore.” She sighed and added, “Qin Muchu’s family is very powerful, and he’s quite a petty person himself. You’d better avoid him. Don’t confront him head-on. In the end, you’re the one who’ll suffer.”

“Most guys hearing this would feel uncomfortable, defiant, then puff up their chests, full of heroic spirit, ready to fight against the spoiled rich kid and the school bully to the bitter end. But I won’t. I know this is good advice.” Yang Qi showed a smile. “Besides, I’m also someone who doesn’t want to stir up too much trouble. I really want to get through high school peacefully and get into a good university.”

“But you’re not someone who’s afraid of trouble either, right? If someone pushes you too far, you’ll still stand your ground, won’t you?” Chen Xiaoxiao found Yang Qi’s gaze again and met it.

“Don’t pretend you understand me so well. Even if you are a Goddess, you can’t do that.”

Yang Qi flashed an extremely sunny smile, gave a clear laugh, turned around, and left.

Chen Xiaoxiao watched Yang Qi’s retreating back, was slightly stunned for a moment, then snorted coldly and shook her small fist. This was the first time someone had teased her like that.

Soon it was the next day, and the Ten-School Joint Examination began. The proctors were all from other schools.

Yang Qi entered the exam hall, full of confidence. His problem-solving speed was extremely fast. He finished each subject in under half an hour. However, maintaining a rigorous attitude, Yang Qi still reviewed his answers twice. He didn’t leave the hall, choosing instead to close his eyes, rest, and practice the Meditation Technique inside the exam room.

There were four exam subjects in total: Chinese, Mathematics, Liberal Arts Comprehensive, and Science Comprehensive. Foreign language was an elective and not included in the college entrance exam scope. There was no division into arts and science streams; all subjects were tested.

The practice of the Meditation Technique aimed to train Psychic Energy and temper the mind. The effects listed after [Psychokinesis] were all related to the mind and spirit. For example, the effect obtained at the second level was Hypnosis, whose strength was related to Psychic Energy. Not to mention the later, more astonishing effects like Dream Construction, Emotion Control, and so on.

Two days passed in a flash, and the joint exam ended. During this time, Yang Qi’s [Psychokinesis] training value had reached twenty-five percent. Although it couldn’t compare to absorbing Energy Stones, it was still significant progress. Yang Qi estimated that without Energy Stones, he would need to meditate for about half a month to level up.

Naturally, he had also been practicing the Body Forging Technique, which could increase the training value for [Body Secrets]. The training value was now close to ten percent. Comparatively, the Body Forging Technique allowed for easier gains in training value than the Meditation Technique.

“How’d the exams go?”

Lu Liangjie popped up from somewhere, put his arm around Yang Qi’s shoulder, and asked with a grin.

“Should be pretty good,” Yang Qi replied with a smile.

“Lucky you. Not obsessing over minor details this time, your grades are bound to improve a lot. I’m definitely going to be in the bottom few again. Ugh, forget these annoying things. Come on, let’s get Chen Gong and the others. I’ll treat you guys to a meal.”

Ruiyun High School was very large, covering over 400 acres, bigger than many regular college campuses. It was a nationally and provincially renowned high school. Ruiyun had three canteens, located in the north, south, and center of the school. Each canteen had two floors. The second floors all offered made-to-order stir-fries.

Given that Lu Liangjie could boast daily about becoming a rich godfather, his family naturally had some financial backing. It was said his dad ran a company in Shanghai, the largest city in Huaxia. Lu Liangjie called Chen Gong over, gathering all six roommates, and they marched in a grand procession towards the second floor of the central canteen. He ordered quite a few dishes, putting on an air of “I’m a rich guy, come be my friend.”

Yang Qi had never participated in any roommate gatherings before. This was his first time, and it felt quite warm.

“Look, Young Master Lu is treating again, huh?” a sudden voice came from the side. “Still so carefree, Young Master Lu. Rich and influential, often able to show off your wealth, treat your roommates to meals, and flaunt your superiority along the way.”

The voice was clearly ill-intentioned, its words barbed, prodding at the youthful pride of these high schoolers. Even knowing it was deliberately sowing discord, it still felt irritating.

The owner of the voice was Xun Tuizhi. A few companions were with him. He walked over and pretended to just notice Yang Qi, feigning surprise. “Isn’t this classmate Yang Qi? Huh, never saw you eating with Young Master Lu and the others before. Oh, I get it. Young Master Lu must be treating you now that you’ve become smart. I say, Young Master Lu, that’s not right of you. So you’re the type who shuns fools and loves the clever? That’s so snobbish!”

“Xun Tuizhi, that’s enough!” Lu Liangjie’s face flushed red with anger. He slammed the table and stood up.

Xun Tuizhi ignored him and continued his own way. “Or maybe, after becoming smart, classmate Yang Qi has started learning to take advantage of the rich Young Master Lu and freeload off his meals? Tsk tsk tsk. Smart people are indeed smart people.”

“Xun! Are you finished or not!”

Lu Liangjie’s eyes were now red too, on the verge of exploding. He glared at Xun Tuizhi with wide, angry eyes.

“Oh, Young Master Lu, what’s wrong? Did I hit a sore spot? Want to get rough with me?” Xun Tuizhi wore a look of disdain. “I know you, Young Master Lu, have the heart and the strength, but unfortunately, you lack the guts.”

“You damn lapdog, relying on your master’s power!”

Lu Liangjie, young, spirited, and filled with rage, couldn’t take this provocation. He shouted and was about to charge at Xun Tuizhi for a fight to the death, but a hand pressed down on his shoulder, immobilizing him. The hand, naturally, belonged to Yang Qi.

“Finished your noise-making?”

Yang Qi gave a light press, and Lu Liangjie sat back down in his seat. Yang Qi really didn’t want trouble, but he absolutely wouldn’t stand by and watch someone be insulted because of him. He looked at Xun Tuizhi, his expression slightly cold. “I know you’re here for me. No need to provoke them with your words. What do you want? Say it.”

“Classmate Yang Qi, what do you mean by that? What, can’t classmates chat and joke around anymore?” Xun Tuizhi snorted coldly, sneering at Yang Qi’s act of standing up.

“Xun Tuizhi, I bet quite a few people mistake your surname for ‘Gou,’ don’t they? Xun Tuizhi, the lapdog. It really suits your role.” Yang Qi’s voice turned completely cold. “I’m quite curious what brand of dog food your master feeds you, what brand of chew toy he uses, to make you so sharp-tongued, biting anyone you see. Logically, if a dog bites me, I shouldn’t stoop to its level. But, you better remember this clearly: Push me too far, and I won’t care if your master is Qin Muchu or whoever. Even if you’re just a piece of dog crap, I’ll make you regret ever being excreted!”

“You… Yang Qi!”

This time, it was Xun Tuizhi’s turn. His face flushed red, his eyes went bloodshot, and a wave of fury surged through him. He pointed a finger at Yang Qi, gritting his teeth, looking as if he wanted to eat him alive.

As for Lu Liangjie’s expression, it was a sight to behold. His earlier great anger transformed into great delight. He felt immense admiration for Yang Qi’s skill at cursing, like gazing at a towering mountain or an endless flowing river. He returned Xun Tuizhi’s earlier words in full: “Classmate Xun Tuizhi, what do you mean by that? What, can’t classmates chat and joke around anymore?”

“Good, good! Lu Liangje, looks like you’re determined to oppose Class Monitor Qin!” Xun Tuizhi glared at Lu Liangjie. Upon hearing this, Lu Liangjie froze for a moment, bit his lip, and didn’t say a word.