Chapter Seven

"I remember donating over 400cc of blood last night. That shouldn't warrant a hospital stay, right? I know my own body well," Yu Xingyue asked.

The male doctor shook his head and said, "I've seen too many patients as stubborn as you. They claim to know their own bodies, yet they end up lying here anyway. You are suffering from anemia. You must avoid greasy food and stick to a light diet. You'll be feeling much better in two or three days."

"Anemia... isn't that a condition that only affects women?"

"You know too little, young man. Who said only women can have anemia? It is rare to see it in men, but in this hospital, you are the first one to donate yourself into an anemic state," the male doctor replied, his face full of smiles.

Yu Xingyue couldn't tell if he was being mocked or teased, but he was certain the doctor was actually concerned. "Could you please give me my phone? I need to make a call."

"Why do you need to make a call? Are you planning to escape the hospital?" the doctor asked.

"Do you think I'm in any condition to escape?" Yu Xingyue looked at himself. The once-sturdy frame he had possessed was now gaunt and thin, though not quite skin and bones.

"Fair point. Your phone is with me. I'll report your status first; if you're doing well, you can be discharged." The doctor turned to leave, but Yu Xingyue stopped him.

"I haven't asked for your name yet. What should I call you?"

The doctor turned back, a doting smile on his face. "Me? How should I put it? I'm just an ordinary medical worker. My name is Shota Inoue." With that, he left the room.

"Shota Inoue, a nice name. Are all Japanese people born in the wilderness?" Yu Xingyue wondered. He had watched a TV drama where a segment claimed Japanese people were born in the wild, explaining names like Tanaka (in the field), Inoue (above the well), and Matsushita (under the pine). Ever since seeing that, the naive Yu Xingyue had assumed it to be true. Right now, however, the most important thing was to call Luo E and tell him he was safe so he wouldn't worry.

Once the call connected, Yu Xingyue immediately said, "I'm at the hospital. Drive over and pick me up; I'll wait at the entrance."

That was the sequence of events from last night to this morning. Seeing Yu Xingyue's current state, Luo E realized he hadn't fully recovered and would likely run into trouble if he went to class. Without waiting for Yu Xingyue's consent, he called Liu Hailizi to ask for leave.

Upon learning what happened, Liu Hailizi agreed to let Yu Xingyue take the day off, provided he returned to class tomorrow. However, she insisted he could not fall behind in any subject. She decided to have a classmate write two sets of notes—one for themselves and one for Yu Xingyue—so he could quickly catch up.

Having not been disturbed, Yu Xingyue slept soundly with a faint smile on his face. After dropping Sun Ying off at school, Luo E drove Yu Xingyue away.

When Sun Ying arrived at the classroom, a large crowd was discussing something. One person immediately approached her and asked, "Yingying, did you hear about Ouli Qiaoyue being harmed last night?"

Sun Ying looked shocked, mostly because she misinterpreted the word "harmed" as "murdered."

"What happened to Ouli Qiaoyue?" she asked, wondering if she had misheard.

"The news this morning said Ouli Qiaoyue was attacked by Honda Haoyun and rushed to the hospital for emergency care. Thankfully, she was pulled back from the brink of death. It really scared me," the female classmate said.

"I thought you said she had been killed?" Sun Ying asked.

"Killed? You must have misheard. I said 'harmed.' It seems your hearing could use some work," the classmate replied.

"Phew, as long as she's okay." Sun Ying sighed with relief that Ouli Qiaoyue was still alive. This was the second time she had heard the name "Honda Haoyun" from her classmates. It seemed she would need to find some free time to investigate this person.

Everyone in the school, including the new students, knew of Honda Haoyun. He was a demon who haunted their nightmares. Some cursed him for his lack of upbringing, but what use is lecturing a street thug? It would only bring trouble upon oneself.

During class, the girls in Yu Xingyue's classroom were whispering about his absence. Some guessed he had transferred because he couldn't handle the pressure; others thought a family emergency had kept him away. Wang Tianqi was also worried. In Japan, apart from her bodyguards, Yu Xingyue was the only person she knew. Without him, she felt insecure.

Liu Hailizi soon addressed the class: "Xingyue-kun is not feeling well today, so please don't spread rumors. He will fall behind if he misses class, so is there anyone who can help copy today’s notes and deliver them to his home?"

Immediately, half the class raised their hands. Wang Tianqi was stunned. How could an average-looking guy like Yu Xingyue be so popular? Had he really captured so many hearts after knowing them for only a day?

She cursed inwardly, "Well played, Yu Xingyue, you heart-stealing scoundrel. How can a jerk like you have so many women? Just wait until you come to school tomorrow; I'll deal with you then. Hmph!"

Liu Hailizi noticed Wang Tianqi sitting in the middle of the crowd with her hand down, looking out of place. She said, "I'll choose. Tianqi-chan, who sits behind Xingyue-kun, please help him with the notes."

Wang Tianqi wanted to refuse immediately. "I won't! We're just ordinary friends, not what you think!"

Her reaction left the whole class looking at her in confusion. Realizing she had overreacted, Wang Tianqi lowered her head, afraid to look at anyone. As a spoiled, wealthy heiress, she didn't know why she was intimidated by the gazes of students from ordinary backgrounds. At home or with friends, she was full of authority, but here, she was just another student.

Liu Hailizi smiled. "I know you are acquainted with Xingyue-kun. The others aren't familiar with him, and you are the only one in the class who understands him, so please help him finish the classwork."

Put this way, Wang Tianqi found it hard to refuse. Liu Hailizi was right; besides her, who else knew Yu Xingyue's personality? To be honest, their relationship was barely an acquaintance, and despite being "friends," the tension between them was palpable.

The reason for the tension was undoubtedly Wang Tianqi's overbearing nature, which Yu Xingyue loathed. Though she was trying to change, she couldn't control her temper. After arriving in Japan, she learned to restrain herself, telling herself that getting angry was bad for her skin.

She had no choice but to accept the arduous task. Writing two sets of notes was a pain. She thought to herself, "I'll keep a tally of this debt and settle it tomorrow."

Considering Yu Xingyue was unwell, she decided not to bother him today, but tomorrow was a different story.

After class, Liu Hailizi gave Wang Tianqi the address of Yu Xingyue’s villa. There was still an afternoon left of school, but during the break, Wang Tianqi searched the address on her phone and found it easily.

"Living near Akihabara? He must be doing quite well," she thought. Akihabara was a place she had always wanted to visit but never had the time.

...

The search had been going on for several days, and everyone was discouraged by the lack of news about Wang Tianqi. Except for Zhang Yiqu, who had gone to double-check some information, everyone else sat on the chairs in the Tianyuan Dojo, resting.

Lin Zimo complained, "When will this game of hide-and-seek end? Wang Tianqi, stop hiding and just come out already."

Chen Siyu added impatiently, "Does she really think she's still a wealthy heiress in this weather? She has a hundred bodyguards and is still this willful. When I find her, see how I deal with her!"

Yu Li, leaning on Chen Siyu's shoulder, nodded. "Mm."

Chen Siyu felt the vibration of Yu Li's "Mm" and looked at her immediately. "Yu Li, did I hear that right? Did you just make a sound?"

Lin Zimo explained, "What's so strange about that? As far as I know, Yu Li only makes 'mm' or 'ah' sounds when she's angry or anxious. You didn't know that?"