Chapter 32: Yaoxing Academy 32 Part 2

Sure enough, heartache surged in Xun Qian’s eyes. He hurriedly comforted, “Don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll arrange a professional rehab team for you. You’ll recover in no time.”

Xun Ji pressed on. “Rehab is painful and boring. Find someone to keep me company.”

Xun Qian wouldn’t refuse. “Sure. What kind do you want? I’ll arrange it right away.”

Xun Ji revealed his true aim. “Bring Lu Zhou to me.”

Xun Qian fell silent for a moment, clear displeasure in his eyes.

“You got into this mess running off to find him, and now that you’re awake, you want him again.”

Xun Ji guessed Xun Qian must be quite dissatisfied with Lu Zhou, but of course he couldn’t say it was because the System had glitched. He continued persuading. “Even if not for me, for Xiao Ting’s sake, we have to bring him back.”

According to the System, Xun Qian came and went with Xiao Ting every day, clearly getting along splendidly with her.

Xun Qian sighed inwardly. “You think I haven’t tried? Xiao Ting cries at night without Lu Zhou around. I want to drag him back too, but the kid’s vanished without a trace—no leads at all.”

Even Xun Qian couldn’t find him? Xun Ji was surprised. If Lu Zhou was still in the country studying or working, Xun Corporation’s resources should’ve located him.

Wait… in the country?

“System, pull up the original text for me.” He pinged the System mentally.

He vaguely recalled that when he’d first transmigrated, the System had provided a plot summary. It mentioned Lu Zhou getting sponsorship from some conglomerate, studying abroad for three years after high school graduation, then returning transformed to take revenge on all who’d bullied him.

Now, he’d dropped out before finishing high school and gone elsewhere to find his sister—the prior plot had changed massively. Though butterfly effects might alter everything, what if… the sponsorship and studying abroad hadn’t changed?

“Bro, go investigate. Among the conglomerates with main operations overseas, see if any suddenly gained a young confidant in the past three years. Especially… the Xue Family.”

*

News of the Young Master of Xun Family awakening from a three-year coma spread like wildfire overnight through every circle and industry.

With the Little Young Master’s birthday approaching, the Xun Family would host a grand birthday banquet on their private Sea Island. Invitations flew out like snowflakes, summoning prominent tycoons from home and abroad to the island.

Though called a birthday banquet, everyone knew the real purpose. Since the Little Young Master’s coma, voices doubting Xun Corporation had cropped up now and then. Xun Qian had crushed them with iron-fisted means, but as long as the Little Young Master remained unconscious, the whispers persisted.

Now, the rumors were shattered. Xun Corporation would throw a massive celebration to dispel the three years of sickly pall over them and let the precious Little Young Master reappear before the world.

Winter gripped the mainland, but the Sea Island enjoyed eternal spring, comfortable and pleasant. Throngs of people bustled about, shattering the usual tranquility. Lavish decorations turned the island into a radiant Treasure Pearl amid the azure sea.

On the island’s helipad, two private jets touched down with a roar.

A sturdy, lively boy hopped off one plane, looking around before locking eyes on a young man descending from the other. He waved vigorously.

“Hey~! I’m He Ming. Know Gabe Department Store chain nationwide? That’s my family’s!” He Ming greeted enthusiastically. “You’re here for the Young Master of Xun Family’s birthday banquet too, right?”

The young man wore a perfectly tailored bespoke suit, his demeanor cold and reserved. He ignored He Ming entirely and walked straight ahead.

“Hey, hey, don’t be so cold.” He Ming caught up. “This is my first time at one of these elite gatherings—super nervous. We landed together, so that’s fate. Be my companion?”

He claimed nerves, but excitement lit his face.

“What’s your name? From which family?” He Ming’s mouth ran nonstop. “Have you met Xun Ji before? Is he really the spoiled, wicked playboy from the rumors?”

The young man halted.

“…He’s not.” His voice was icy cold, eyes flashing warning. “Don’t spread that rumor anymore.”

“You know him?” He Ming’s eyes bulged. “You didn’t graduate from Yaoxing Academy, did you? My dad wanted to stuff me in back then, but we weren’t big enough yet, and Yaoxing wouldn’t take us…”

He Ming prattled on, missing the young man’s eyes darkening for an instant.

“I’m not a Yaoxing Academy graduate.” He replied. “Also, I’m here representing the Xue Family to discuss business with Xun Corporation, not for any birthday banquet.”

“Xue Family?” He Ming tilted his head, thinking. “The Xue Family that moved most operations overseas a few years back? I heard you offended Xun Corporation and got kicked out. How’d you end up doing business with them again?”

He realized how improper that sounded and abruptly changed tack.

“Anyway, forget that. We’re on this island—nothing matters but enjoying ourselves!” He pointed to a stretch of fine white sand beach.

“See that super fancy setup over there? The birthday banquet starts there later. We’re here—let’s go check it out first!”

The young man started to refuse, but He Ming continued. “The Little Young Master Xun Ji will make an appearance. I gotta see if he’s as handsome as my sister says.”

The young man fell silent, then softly agreed. “Alright, let’s go see him first.”

Three years of turmoil passed. Old wounds, scabbed thick, itched and throbbed madly, craving the knife’s pierce to rip open flesh and churn the blood beneath.