"Old Principal."
The person who had just arrived was none other than the Old Principal, a figure held in high esteem at Linjiang No. 1 High School.
Back when Muxue was a student at Linjiang No. 1 High School, the Old Principal had waived her miscellaneous fees year after year under various pretexts and had constantly helped her out.
When Muxue was accepted into Imperial Capital University through special recruitment, Mufeng was only in his third year of junior high.
Given Mufeng's academic standing, he would normally never have qualified to attend Linjiang No. 1 High School. It was only after Muxue asked the Old Principal for a favor that things were set in motion.
It was fair to say that the Old Principal was a benefactor to both brother and sister.
"You two caused quite a ruckus, leaving an old man like me to clean up the mess."
"Old Principal, you really can't blame us. They tried to ride roughshod over us—did you expect us just to take it?"
"They got what they deserved. But the reason I'm looking for you isn't because of them."
"Then what do you mean, sir?"
"Sigh, because of Mufeng's little spectacle, seven members of the school team are out of commission—five of them seniors. I'm afraid our school's college entrance examination admission targets this year are going to take a hit."
The Old Principal sighed, wearing a troubled expression.
Muxue, however, was well-versed in the Old Principal's tactics. A quick turn of her mind made his intentions clear, and she chimed in:
"That's easy enough. Whoever started the trouble should be the one to fix it! Why not have Mufeng help you raise those targets?"
Sure enough, the Old Principal nodded in satisfaction. "Mmm, that could work."
Only Mufeng was left completely bewildered. "How am I supposed to help?"
"It's simple. This year, you'll take the college entrance examination and get into Imperial Capital University just like I did," Muxue said casually.
Hearing this, the Old Principal beamed from ear to ear, nodding along in agreement. "Mmm, that's a good plan. Let's do it."
As Mufeng looked at Muxue's calm and unruffled grace, a surging wave of ambition rose within his heart. Getting into Imperial Capital University required two things: combat prowess and theoretical knowledge.
Combat prowess went without saying, and as for theory, he had the brain-enhancing Yixing Formula. By then, let alone worrying about whether he could pass, he might even snatch the title of top scorer in the college entrance examination.
If he wanted to shift Muxue's feelings from familial affection to romantic love, he had to surpass her first.
With advantages as great as his, if he couldn't even surpass Muxue, he might as well just bang his head against a wall and die.
Gazing intently at Muxue, Mufeng asked, "So next year, we'll be alumni?"
"I'll be waiting for you!"
At that moment, the young man and woman exchanged glances, inadvertently forging a promise carved deep into their souls, never to be erased.
The reflection of their gaze was caught in the Old Principal's reading glasses, prompting a warm, kindly smile to spread across his face.
For that fleeting moment, the sight of the three of them standing together on the roof of Linjiang No. 1 High School seemed frozen in eternity.
***
Muxue left. Mufeng collected a 1,000-yuan scholarship from the Old Principal and walked back to his classroom in high spirits to pack his things.
It wasn't easy; his balance sheet had finally turned positive, though he had left a stain on his permanent record in the process. He couldn't really tell if he had come out ahead or taken a loss.
"Mufeng, you were absolute fire today! You totally crushed it!"
As soon as he stepped into the classroom, Lu Lixin rushed over, shouting excitedly, "That solo performance of yours had everyone's blood pumping. You've brought so much glory to us Healer classes!"
"Oh."
"What kind of reaction is that? Are you worried no one's going to want to team up with you anymore? Look, I've been telling everyone that your teammates tried to harm you first and you were just defending yourself, but a lot of people still don't believe it."
"Doesn't matter."
"The principal just made a public announcement saying you have an extremely rare constitution, making you uniquely suited for the Traditional Chinese Medicine class. He said you managed to figure out the Qigong skill 'Golden Bell Shield' entirely on your own from the class's basic Qigong techniques, which is why you're so powerful. Is that true?"
"Maybe."
"Did you know? The principal already announced that next semester you'll skip straight to the senior year and take the college entrance exams this very term. You're going to be a upperclassman soon."
"Mmm."
As Lu Lixin made a great fuss, the other students were drawn over. They formed a circle around Mufeng, looking at him with complicated expressions.
If Mufeng before his class advancement had been a clueless nobody, and Mufeng right after advancement had pulled off a stunning upset that put him a cut above ordinary students like them...
Then Mufeng after today had become an existence they could only look up to in awe.
At that moment, Gan Lijing stormed over with a vicious expression and demanded:
"Mufeng, I never took you for such a ruthless monster! Xie Dahaio was your best friend, yet you ambushed him while he was protecting you and broke all four of his limbs. Are you even human?"
"Are you sure he was protecting me?"
"He was standing right behind you, guarding your back! Only the best of friends entrust their backs to one another. He tried so hard to protect you, trusted you so completely, and yet you turned out to be so despicable."
Mufeng let out a silent sigh. He had made a mistake—he shouldn't have bothered trying to reason with an idiot. Waving his hand as if shooing away a fly, he said impatiently:
"Whatever."
"Get lost. I don't want to talk to morons; talking to you too much lowers my IQ."
Hearing this, Gan Lijing became even more arrogant, convinced that what she believed was the absolute truth.
"Hah! Hit a nerve, did I? Can't refute it, can you? You're nothing but a despicable, shameless coward!"
Mufeng picked up his things and left. Skipping straight to the senior year next semester meant he wouldn't be in the same class as this idiot anymore—which was fantastic.
"Humph, running away because you have no place to hide? It won't do you any good to run! I'm going to expose your despicable actions and let everyone see your true colors!"
Believing that Mufeng had fled under a barrage of her insults, Gan Lijing instantly felt vindicated and triumphant.
Her gloomy mood all day long was entirely because of this Mufeng.
First, she had run around handling school team paperwork for him, only to be humiliated in return. Then, when she went to Xie Dahaio looking for comfort, she got yelled at, and shortly after, Xie Dahaio had all four of his limbs broken.
Good grief, Xie Dahaio was the guy she had a crush on, and now his miserable state was entirely Mufeng's fault. Quickly conjuring up wild imaginations of how despicable and shameless Mufeng must be, she had come looking to settle the score.
And the result was just as she had anticipated: Mufeng had been left speechless by her cross-examination and had tucked his tail and fled.
For the rest of the day, she went around telling everyone about Mufeng's despicable behavior, completely sweeping away her pent-up frustration.
In high spirits, Gan Lijing returned home as usual, where her father, Gan Gaoping, had come specifically to see her.
"Your school produced an outstanding Traditional Chinese Medicine professional. I heard he's even in your class—how is your relationship with him?"
"There is someone like that, but..."
"Your grandfather's illness hasn't improved despite consulting countless priests. Now that an exceptional Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner has finally appeared, I'd like to invite him to examine your grandfather. Since he's your classmate, I'll leave this matter in your hands."
"No way! That Mufeng is a despicable, shameless villain. We absolutely cannot go to him."
"Why?"
Gan Lijing recounted the version of the truth she had convinced herself of.
Gan Gaoping frowned dubiously. "Is that so?"
With absolute certainty, Gan Lijing nodded and said, "That's exactly how it is!"
After thinking for a moment, Gan Gaoping picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Old Principal, it's me. There's something I'd like to consult you about. It's like this..."
A moment after finishing the call, Gan Gaoping flew into a rage:
"You brainless idiot! It was Xie Dahaio who colluded with everyone present to try and harm Mufeng, and he ended up getting what he deserved when Mufeng fought back.
Look at you—hanging around that Xie Dahaio has made you lose your mind! It's a good thing his limbs got broken; don't ever have anything to do with him again, lest you end up sold and still helping people count their money.
Furthermore, that Mufeng is immensely talented in Traditional Chinese Medicine and managed to comprehend related skills entirely on his own. If your grandfather's illness drags on any longer, he won't make it.
I don't care what method you use—whether you go apologize or go beg him—you are going to bring him back to examine your grandfather!"
"What?!"