Chapter 6: A Chase Across Campus

Afternoon classes began, and the teacher lectured while the students chatted with each other. Some of them were playing cards; some were doing live broadcasts, and some were gossiping. There were even a few boys with their feet up on the desk smoking cigarettes. Zhang Chunyu returned half an hour into the lecture, taking a nervous glance at Lin Huai before slinking to his seat.

Wei Qimian frowned as she looked around the classroom and sighed.

"Don't you hate trying to study in this environment?" Lin Huai asked.

"Can you still learn anything like this?" Wei Qimian asked.

Lin Huai smiled bitterly.

"This classroom is a mess. I can barely hear the teacher. We're lucky we're up front or I couldn't hear him at all.”

"Yeah." Wei Qimian sighed. "I doubt the kids in the back row can here anything."

Lin Huai glanced around and sneered.

"I think most of these guys just go to school to hang out. They don't even consider studying or think about what they'll do when they graduate. You shouldn't worry about them so much. Let them ruin their own lives."

"How can you not worry about them?!" Lin Huai's words seemed to touch a soft spot. It was the first time he'd seen Wei Qimian so emotional. "Do you know why Yulan College was founded?"

Lin Huai hesitated.

"Yulan College was founded by the wife of an entrepreneur in this city, Wei Sihai,” he said, “so that students who are poor or have poor test scores could have a better place to learn?"

"Exactly," said Wei Qimian. "The founder of the college was Teacher Zhao Yulan. She was originally a high school teacher. She saw that some poor children couldn't afford to go to school, and some students missed the opportunity to get into a good university by a small margin, then lost their way. She founded this school to keep those disheartened students from losing their passion for learning. "

"I know, Teacher Zhao's ideas were too idealistic," Wei Qimian said softly.

"No, I really respect Ms. Zhao," Lin Huai responded solemnly.

Wei Qimian teared up a bit, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

Perhaps Zhao Yulan's noble that touched him, or perhaps it was Wei Qimian's eyes, but Lin Huai felt an ache at how far her dream had been destroyed. He stood up, looking around the room sternly. The room went quiet.

The teacher paused in surprise. Wei Qimian also looked shocked, but Lin Huai smiled as he looked over at Zhang Chunyu.

"You're all are so noisy. Second Lei was clearly annoyed he couldn't hear the lecture. Right, Second Lei? "

Lin Huai seemed cheerful, but Zhang Chunyu could hear the threat. He sulked. Why was it his fault everyone was chatting? He'd make sure Lin Huai paid later. For now, he took a deep breath and slammed his hands on the table.

"If anyone else disturbs me, I'll kick them out. Do you hear?"

Everyone could see Zhang Chunyu was trying to keep Lin Huai happy, but they couldn't imagine the lord of the class would be afraid of a new student. Still, they didn't dare contradict Zhang Chunyu. The room went quiet. Zhang Chunyu looked at Lin Huai and grinned.

"Are you satisfied, Brother Huai?"

Lin Huai sat down silently, ignoring the rage in Zhang Chunyu's eyes. The lecture continued in silence, even if most of the students still weren't listening. Wei Qimian's eyes were shining.

"Lin Huai, how did you do that?"

Lin Huai pretended to be confused.

"What?"

"How did you intimidate Second Lei? Even the teacher can't control him. Why did he listen to you?"

Lin Huai smiled proudly.

"I already told you. I'm a charming, handsome young man. Indeed, if you’re handsome, you can do whatever you want!"

Wei Qimian chuckled.

"I don't believe you, but I'm not going to complain. If you got a little rough with him... well, the result is good, so I won't hold it against you."

Lin Huai looked at Wei Qimian in surprise. They'd only met today, but Lin Huai could tell that Wei Qimian hated violence. She'd looked upset when she overheard he'd beaten up Zhang Jindong this morning. He'd had to change the subject to music to get back her interest.

Wei Qimian seemed to have guessed what Lin Huai was thinking.

"Of course I think it's best to resolve things peacefully, but if it's coming from the right place, and is changes things for the better, I can understand."

"You're not as rigid as I thought," Lin Hiai said with a laugh.

Wei Qimian couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm still to young to be a stickler! I just don't like everyone turning a good school into something horrible."

Wei Qimian's eyes fixed on Lin Huai, curious.

“Why do I feel like you know me?"

Lin Huai’s heart began to beat harder. Wei Qimian really was the daughter of a business tycoon. She was perceptive, and she'd noticed something was off. He couldn't just admit that though. It would be humiliating to be spotted on the first day of his mission.

Lin Huai pretended not noticed anything and laughed, "We're desk mates!” he says with a laugh. “Is it that weird to have learned a bit about you?"

Wei Qimian stared harder, like she was trying to see into his soul. Finally, she looked away.

"We should pay attention to the teacher."

Lin Huai acted as if nothing happened , but he was relieved. Wei Qimian was too sharp to be tricked.

Lin Huai spent the afternoon cautiously. Lin Huai had the feeling Wei Qimian wanted to ask more, but Lin Huai avoided her.

When the bell rang, the students filed out of the class one by one, he asked Wei Qimian to wait for him. Lin Huai pretended to ask the teacher some academic questions to wait until the classroom was empty. Wei Sihai had ordered Lin Huai to stay with Wei Qimian. He needed to do his best to earn his keep.

As soon as he reached the first floor, Pu Chengji ran out to meet him. He rushed over to Lin Huai, panting.

"Brother Bei, you need to run away. Big Lei has gathered more than thirty people to take you down. If you get caught, you'll be dead!"

"This is so ridiculous,” Wei Qimian said, voice trembling with anger. “How can the older students bully people casually? I'll go and reason with them!"

Lin Huai grabbed Wei Qimian's arm, heart racing. Wei Qimian's skin is so soft and smooth.

Wei Qimian was also flustered. Even as a child, she'd never been around any men who weren't family. Lin Huai didn't notice her blush.

"Do you think you can reason with people like that?” he asked bitterly. “They don’t even listen to the teacher. What makes you different?"

Wei Qimian opened her mouth, not sure what to say.

"What would you do then?" she asked.

"What would I do? Run, of course. There are more than thirty people out there. I'd be a fool to try and fight them! Let's go. We’ll go out the back window!"

Lin Huai looked to Pu Chengji.

"Until I've dealt with this, we have nothing to do with each other, alright?"

Pu Chengji’s face was pained, but he nodded. He was useless in a fight and didn't have the courage to face a strong enemy like Big Lei. Even Second Lei was too frightening for him.

Lin Huai led Wei Qimian towards the window, letting her to jump out first, then jumping out himself. As his feet hit the ground, he heard a shout from the first floor.

"Damn it! Don't let Lin Huai escape! "

"I'm going to murder him!"

"Brother, catch him and give him to me!"

Lin Huai turned around. There were around thirty people in the hall. Most of them held metal rods in their hands. Zhang Chunlei stood in front. He was half a head taller than Second Lei. He held a machete in his hand, and he charged in front with murder in his eyes.

Lin Huai could have made short work of them, but it would reveal his identity. Wei Qimian was smart enough to know his skills weren't normal. She was already suspicious. Lin Huai could not take the risk. Lin Huai grabbed Wei Qimian's hand.

"Let's go!"

They sprinted into the backyard of the faculty building. There was a fence that he could jump to get away, but it was still 100 meters out. He'd only made it about ten meters when Wei Qimian fell with a yelp, holding an injured ankle. Lin Huai scooped her up.

"Ah, what are you doing?!"

"Carrying you!" Lin Huai shouted.

Lin Huai sped up. He ran directly for the fence like his feet were on fire. Wei Qimian was watching Lin Huai's face quietly.

“Being this calm in the face of danger, you've got a good future ahead of you."

Lin Huai flew up like smoke rising towards sky, landing on top of the wall. Lin Huai laughed at the flushed look on her face.

"If I have a good future, so do you. We're a good team. Now get ready for me to jump. Hang on tight!"