As the saying goes: When a person is down on their luck, even drinking cold water can choke them! Li Yundong felt like he was experiencing precisely that sentiment now.

He looked with a mixture of frustration and amusement at Yan Hua, whose face was a mask of accusation and seething jealousy, and managed, “She and I are just ordinary friends.” After speaking, he immediately felt that wasn't quite right. What ordinary friends?

This impudent girl had actually injured that little sweetheart before, and he hadn't even settled the score with her yet! He was only refraining from causing trouble out of respect for Ziyuan!

Li Yundong then amended, “Well, perhaps not exactly ordinary friends.” This statement, which Li Yundong thought would clarify things, only served to make him sound like he was over-explaining, tantamount to damning himself with his own words. Yan Hua let out a cold sneer.

“Then it seems you’re intimate friends?” Seeing this fellow clinging to him like a mad dog, Li Yundong felt a surge of cold anger, yet he desperately wanted to avoid conflict. He had only just brought down He Shao with a bolt of lightning, and the heavenly tribulation hadn't even fully passed.

This was hardly the time to invite further complications. Li Yundong couldn't help but snap at Ruan Hongling, “Hey, what are you doing?

Stop causing me trouble!” Yan Hua exploded in fury, lunging forward to shove Li Yundong with both hands, shouting, “Are you even a man? Why take your anger out on a girl?

Face me if you have the guts!” Seeing physical aggression initiated, Li Yundong responded with a cold snort, flicked his wrist, and Yan Hua went flying as if he were a kite. The surrounding onlookers saw Li Yundong barely raise an arm, without seeming to exert any significant force, yet Yan Hua was launched over a meter high and sent sailing four or five meters away.

When Ruan Hongling saw Yan Hua airborne, fearing Li Yundong might escalate things further, she sprang forward. Her movement was graceful and fluid, her clothes fluttering, as she intercepted Yan Hua mid-air, landing softly.

As the saying goes, the layman watches the excitement, but the expert watches the technique. These students only perceived Ruan Hongling’s agility and swiftness—a blur of motion that placed her four or five meters away, steadying Yan Hua by his shoulders, like a hidden master of martial arts.

They immediately erupted in loud cheers. Some were practically vibrating with excitement, their minds already conjuring headlines for the school forum’s gossip section, destined for a top sticky post tonight: “Beauty Newcomer V.

Legendary Figure,” “Is the Beauty Stronger, or is Li Yundong More Formidable?” “Exclusive: Li Yundong’s Mysterious Lover Surfaces,” “For a Love Etched into Bone, Forgoing the Call of Elite Universities Just to Follow Her Footsteps,” and “Beauty, Top Scholar, Legend: That Unspoken Love Triangle.” These non-experts thrived on the drama, some even shouting encouragement: “Fight! Go at him!” However, Li Yundong, observing the sheer elegance of Ruan Hongling’s movement, recognized the solid fundamentals beneath her poise.

The way she handled catching Yan Hua—effortless and light—indeed carried the bearing of someone from an established lineage. He was silently admiring her skill, but the words Ruan Hongling spoke next nearly made his nose crooked with exasperation.

After catching Yan Hua, Ruan Hongling patted his shoulder and said, “Are you sick? Why pick a fight with him?

Are you his match?” Yan Hua’s face flushed deep crimson, and he stammered, “A gentleman resolves things with words, not fists!” A few students nearby scoffed, “Oh, please. Weren’t you the one who threw the first punch just now?” Ruan Hongling had sparred with Li Yundong twice before, losing both times decisively.

Afterward, their arguments and verbal sparring sessions had left her with absolutely no advantage. The memory still made her teeth ache with frustration.

Hearing Yan Hua’s comment, Ruan Hongling sneered, “If you can talk your way out of an argument with him, I’ll admit defeat and call you formidable!” Yan Hua’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this. “Really?” With that, he puffed out his chest and arrogantly declared to Li Yundong, “Li Yundong, do you dare debate me?” Yan Hua had represented his high school in national debate competitions and even won the title of Best Debater.

His verbal prowess was legendary, bolstered by a lifetime of wide reading. He was supremely confident in his rhetoric and held utter disdain for students from this third-rate university.

Li Yundong, on the other hand, was never one to waste energy on mere verbal sparring. If confronted by someone like Wu Hao, who sought murder and plunder, he wouldn't utter a word before launching a fatal strike, annihilating both body and soul.

He had once called down celestial lightning to destroy He Shao, utterly obliterating the powerful official’s descendant. He was certainly not known for mercy.

Why would he stoop to trading insults with Yan Hua? Ignoring Yan Hua completely, Li Yundong fixed Ruan Hongling with a furious stare.

In his view, this girl was deliberately seeking trouble, deliberately complicating matters when he needed quiet cultivation. She was infuriating!

“Ruan Hongling!” Li Yundong roared, “Are you asking for another beating? Why are you stirring up trouble for no reason!” His words were unintentional, but they struck a chord with the listeners: Wait, why did he say ‘again’?

When Li Yundong glared at her, Ruan Hongling felt an involuntary tremor of fear and instinctively took a step back. This male student had completely suppressed her even before he reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

Now that he was successful, there was no contest! Seeing the flicker of fear in Ruan Hongling’s eyes as she looked at Li Yundong, Yan Hua felt a mixture of rage and jealousy.

Rage, because it seemed Li Yundong really had disciplined Ruan Hongling before, otherwise why the word ‘again’? Jealousy, because despite Li Yundong’s harsh treatment, Ruan Hongling eagerly followed him to this third-rate school.

He showered her with attention and flattery, yet couldn't earn a single smile. Where was the justice in that?

Where was the law? Yan Hua squared his shoulders and loudly announced, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here!” Ruan Hongling let out a derisive chuckle, thinking to herself: Who do you think you are?

Just a bookworm. Though Li Yundong was annoying, he was a Golden Core inheritor, a talent so supreme that even Sister Ziyuan would praise his innate genius.

How could a fool like you compare? Her slight scoff made Yan Hua instantly feel underestimated.

Hiding his resentment, he loudly challenged Li Yundong, “What skill is there in bullying a girl? Come at me if you have the nerve!” Li Yundong burst into laughter at his persistence.

“Is bullying a bookworm like you considered skill now?” Yan Hua gave a cold smile, preparing his rebuttal, but then saw Ruan Hongling turning and walking toward the cafeteria exit. Yan Hua immediately abandoned his feud with Li Yundong and scrambled after her.

“Hey, don’t go! Hongling, where are you going?” Ruan Hongling turned and shouted back, “Bookworm, where I go is none of your business!

Stop following me, you’re irritating me!” With that, she quickened her pace toward the exit. Yan Hua looked crestfallen.

“Hey, why are you calling me a bookworm too?” Ruan Hongling stopped, planted her hands on her hips, and declared loudly, “Yes, you’re not a bookworm, you’re an idiot, you’re an imbecile. Do you understand now?” Yan Hua was stunned.

“When did I offend you now? Hey, don’t leave!

Explain yourself! What did I say or do wrong this time?” The two gradually moved out of sight.

Li Yundong watched their retreating figures, shook his head, snorted inwardly, and sat back down to focus on his rice. Feng Na, sitting beside him, adopted a thoughtful expression and remarked, “Sigh, Li Yundong, Li Yundong.

Why is it that trouble finds you wherever you go?” Li Yundong cried out in protest, “How is that my fault?!” Cheng Cheng clasped her hands together in a girlish prayer gesture and said with a smile, “You think if you keep a low profile, trouble won’t find you? It’s useless.

A man as brilliant as you, no matter where he is, shines like a firefly in the dark—so distinct, so outstanding! Your melancholic eyes, your flowing hair, your effortlessly dashing posture, and even the braised ribs in your rice bowl have utterly captivated me…” She didn’t finish before Feng Na burst into laughter, and Li Yundong couldn't help but chuckle too.

He tapped Cheng Cheng and Feng Na lightly with his chopsticks. “You two, you’re just looking for more chaos, aren’t you!” It was only then that he noticed Jiang Xiuxiu beside him, staring at him wide-eyed and speechless.

He offered an apologetic smile. “Sit down.

Why aren’t you eating?” Jiang Xiuxiu jumped, as if waking from a dream, and finally reacted. She remembered the things she had just said to Li Yundong, and her face instantly flushed crimson.

Forgetting her meal entirely, she covered her face and bolted out the door. Li Yundong watched her departure, opened his mouth as if to call her back, but Feng Na couldn’t resist laughing.

“Forget it, don’t call her. She’d only be embarrassed if she stayed.

Who told her to mistake Feng Jing for Liang?” Li Yundong shot her a look. “Isn’t this all because of your mischief?” Feng Na immediately feigned innocence.

“How is that my fault? She didn’t give me a chance to speak, did she!” Li Yundong laughed and chided her, “You’re still trying to argue?

Do you still want my support to become Student Union President? Be careful, or I won’t cast my vote for you!” Feng Na instantly plastered on a fawning smile.

“Don't be like that!” As they chatted and laughed, just as Li Yundong was finishing his meal, he suddenly remembered something. He asked, “By the way, have you seen Zhou Qin?” Feng Na looked momentarily puzzled.

“Zhou Qin? Isn’t she in your class?

Why ask me?” Li Yundong explained, “I haven’t seen her all day. I don’t know why.” Feng Na dismissed it casually.

“Maybe she had something else to attend to?” Li Yundong’s mind immediately turned to their shared history, and his brow furrowed deeply: I wonder how Zhou Qin is doing? I hope my affairs haven’t caused her serious trouble.

Li Yundong never worried that Zhou Qin would betray him. He knew her character was strong; her word was her bond.

Whatever she promised, she would deliver; her composure was truly that of a woman no less capable than any man. Besides, if Zhou Qin had betrayed him, he would already be fleeing across the country, not sitting here calmly finishing his meal.

“Sigh, I owe her a huge favor,” Li Yundong thought to himself, letting out a quiet sigh. Feng Na noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?

You seem preoccupied. Is it about Zhou Qin?” Li Yundong preferred not to discuss the matter with these two girls.

It wasn't a lack of trust, but mentioning it would likely draw immense trouble and disaster upon them. Zhou Qin could weather it thanks to her powerful background, and he could always retreat to become a reclusive cultivator based on his own abilities, but these two girls, lacking such connections, would certainly meet a tragic end.

Li Yundong shook his head. “Nothing, just a few things I need to ask her about.” Feng Na said comfortingly, “Maybe she’ll be back in a few days.

Don’t worry.” Yet, for some indefinable reason, a sense of unease continued to prickle at Li Yundong. He sighed softly.

“I certainly hope so!”