Chapter Sixty-Six

Xiao Jian grew displeased, his tone tinged with anger. "How dare you address Brother Zhang by name? Do you realize his status here is—" Before he could finish, Zhang Yan interrupted, signaling him to stop. After all, it wasn’t easy to find someone willing to converse, and Zhang Yan didn’t want their positions within the Tianyuan Team to spoil the moment.

Zhang Yi looked at them, puzzled. "Zhang Yan, are you from here? How come I’ve never seen you before?" It was understandable—Zhang Yi hadn’t met Zhang Yan since joining the Tianyuan Team, nor did he know Zhang Yan’s standing within it.

Zhang Yan smiled. "It’s normal you haven’t seen me. I was recuperating in the ward and didn’t show myself. If Brother Xiao hadn’t brought me out, I’d still be in my room."

Xiao Jian slapped his forehead. "You’re impossible to find, Brother Zhang. If you want to leave alone, at least tell me in advance instead of vanishing without a word. How am I supposed to explain this to Coach Tian Nan?"

"Just say I snuck out on my own," Zhang Yan laughed. "The coach won’t lay a hand on me anyway. If anyone’s in trouble, it’ll be you, Brother Xiao."

Zhang Yi tried to suppress his laughter but couldn’t help a snicker, which Xiao Jian heard. Seeing the fearsome look on Xiao Jian’s face, Zhang Yi immediately composed himself; after all, Xiao Jian’s temper wasn’t as gentle as it would be after he passed away.

Zhang Yan wheeled himself over to Zhang Yi and turned to Xiao Jian. "I have something to discuss with this young brother. Could you step outside for a moment?" Though worried for Zhang Yan, Xiao Jian didn’t refuse and instead stood at the doorway, keeping an eye on him.

Turning back, Zhang Yan spoke quietly to Zhang Yi. "Did you notice anything about Xiao Jian just now? Be honest—I won’t tell him." Zhang Yan had observed Zhang Yi closely, noting the subtle changes in his expression and body language when Xiao Jian entered.

Caught, Zhang Yi admitted, "You saw right through me. All right, I’ll say it: I wanted to challenge Senior Xiao Jian, but I lack the strength. He told me if I want to challenge him, I need confidence in my abilities."

When Zhang Yan heard Xiao Jian’s demand, he burst into loud laughter. Zhang Yi looked at him, confused. "Why are you laughing? Do you think I can’t beat Senior Xiao Jian?"

Zhang Yan stopped laughing. "Don’t believe his nonsense. That talk about strength is just an excuse to avoid fighting you. He’s simply too lazy for a match. You can challenge him now—take it from me." He patted Zhang Yi’s shoulder, encouraging him.

With the truth revealed, Zhang Yi’s blood surged with excitement. Xiao Jian, watching from the side, felt his luck had run out. Hearing Zhang Yan spill everything, an ominous feeling crept over him. When Zhang Yi approached, he wanted to run, but as a senior he couldn't simply flee.

Zhang Yi raised his fist to Xiao Jian. "Senior! Let’s duel. Now I can tell you—I have the strength to defeat you."

Seeing Zhang Yi ready for battle, Xiao Jian refused to back down. "Very well, I look forward to your performance. Let me change into my uniform first." With that, Xiao Jian headed for the locker room. Zhang Yi waited, nerves taut—at last, he would duel his senior.

Zhang Yan, still in his wheelchair, chuckled quietly. He left the matter to them, content to watch from the sidelines—the clash promised to be entertaining.

This is all Zhang Yi could recall. He only remembered being defeated by Xiao Jian’s quick, scattered attacks, and his memory faltered thereafter; no matter how hard he tried, the events that followed remained elusive.

"This is everything I know. I truly don’t remember what happened afterwards, no matter how much I try." Zhang Yi walked to the window, gazing out as the rain began to fall.

Both Li Li and Wang Tianqi found themselves drawn into Zhang Yi’s tale. Those few simple words contained layers of emotion—neither had experienced the pain of losing a friend.

Before Li Li could speak, Wang Tianqi entered, restless in the observation room and now standing before Zhang Yi. "Are you telling the truth? I’ve never heard such a moving story."

"I haven’t told you everything. I really don’t know what happened after, so if you want to know, ask Senior Xiao Jian," Zhang Yi replied calmly.

Li Li said, "Your friend was frail until death, wasn’t he? His only wish was to live freely, but he never got his chance?"

Her words carried a gentle sorrow, a touch of reflection.

Zhang Yi turned to her. "You aren’t him; you’ll never feel that pain. He’s gone, living only in memories, and he’ll never return. I don’t want this happening again. Don’t blame me for warning you." Zhang Yi left the ward, Wang Tianqi following close behind. Li Li lingered by the window, lost in a swirl of emotions.

Having left the hospital, Zhang Yi had already packed his bags and was ready to go home. Wang Tianqi hurried after him. "Why not keep an eye on her? Aren’t you afraid she’ll run away?"

"If she does escape, there’s nothing I can do. She’s skilled, and all that talk would’ve been for nothing," Zhang Yi said coolly.

"Sounds like you trust she won’t leave. At least give a reason," Wang Tianqi pressed.

Zhang Yi took a deep breath. "She doesn’t want to be a sickly person, so she won’t think of running away. That’s my opinion. If she did want to be sickly, she’d be finished." With that, he wheeled his suitcase away, leaving Wang Tianqi standing there.

"I just want to know—what happened next in your story?" Wang Tianqi wanted Zhang Yi to continue what he’d told Li Li, but Zhang Yi couldn’t remember, so if she wanted answers, she’d have to seek out Xiao Jian, who was sure to explain.

…

By four in the afternoon, Yu Xingyue had arrived at Sun Ying’s school. To pick up Sun Ying, Yu Xingyue left work half an hour early, but someone else’s jealousy was stirred—even if Sun Ying was his future sister, this was excessive pampering. Lin Zimo was quite displeased.

Yu Xingyue didn’t know what to do. Lin Zimo’s sudden temper was a mystery, though all the shop assistants knew Lin Zimo was jealous and kept quiet; only Yu Xingyue was left bewildered.

Thinking about it, Yu Xingyue decided not to dwell. Leaving work early only brought Lin Zimo’s questioning, and he didn’t dare recall the look Lin Zimo gave him as if wanting to get rid of him—he still felt uneasy.

"It was my haste. I’ll have to explain things to Lin Zimo later, lest she misunderstand again." For now, he set aside Lin Zimo’s matter—school was letting out.

Three minutes later, students began pouring out the gates. Yu Xingyue waited among the crowd for Sun Ying, and sure enough, Sun Ying hurried over when she saw him, not wanting Yu Xingyue to worry.

When Sun Ying reached him, Yu Xingyue noticed she carried baskets in both hands, filled with books, crystal balls, and other items. "Little one, where did you get all these things? Tell me the truth!"

Sun Ying sighed. "These were given to me by the boys in my class—not just my class, even the boys from the neighboring class."

"Why are they giving you gifts?" Yu Xingyue asked.

"They said tomorrow is May 20th, the online Valentine’s Day, and they wanted to prepare gifts early. I’d feel bad refusing," Sun Ying replied, aggrieved.

"Well, even you’re flaunting your spoils. I must be blind!" Yu Xingyue thought, but quickly regained composure. "Get in the car—open your gifts at home."

"Big brother, are you jealous? It’s okay, I’ll share half with you," Sun Ying said with innocent cheer.

Yu Xingyue shook his head. "No, these are from your classmates—I wouldn’t feel right opening them. Get in."

"Um… Big brother… Today I’d like… I want to stay at your place tonight," Sun Ying stammered.

"Really?" Yu Xingyue was stunned. "Wait, what did you just say?"

"I don’t want to go back to that villa. I’m tired of that home—I want to stay at your place," Sun Ying pleaded, gazing at him with hopeful eyes.