Xun Luo's cigarette slipped from his lips and landed on the concrete with a faint hiss. His confident mask shattered as he stumbled backward, eyes wide.
"W-what… what did you do? H-how did he get hurt?"
Even Lin Quizu stood frozen, her heart hammering.
I didn't even see Yang Kai move his hands or legs… so how did that guard fly back like that?
Yang Kai's expression remained calm as his gaze shifted to the second bodyguard.
They didn't see my attack because I used the secret language spell. With my current strength, I can only channel that spell through one body part at a time.
The second bodyguard felt an icy shiver crawl up his spine.
No… he's stronger than us. Far stronger.
Before the bodyguard could move, Yang Kai blurred—disappearing from where he stood and reappearing right in front of the man. The speed was unreal, almost supernatural. His right hand shot out, clamping around the bodyguard's neck like an iron vice.
Yang Kai turned his head slightly toward Xun Luo, his voice low in thought.
I won't kill anyone… not yet. My strength isn't enough to take on an entire country. If I kill him and try to escape, I'll make the whole nation my enemy.
But then he felt the limp weight in his grasp. The second bodyguard's head lolled forward—he was already unconscious. Yang Kai released him quickly, letting the man crumple to the floor.
Xun Luo's panic boiled over into fury. He pointed a trembling finger at Yang Kai and shouted to the last of his guards.
"What are you waiting for? He—he killed my men! Beat him to death!"
The third bodyguard stepped forward, his face twisted with determination.
"Now surrender. Your strength isn't enough to defeat me."
Behind him, Xun Luo's mouth curled into a wicked smile.
Hah… no matter how strong he is, this guard is the best fighter in my family. He'll crush him.
But before Xun Luo could finish savoring that thought, a blur of motion erupted. A body sailed through the air and crashed to the ground at Xun Luo's feet, the impact echoing through the parking lot.
Xun Luo's eyes went wide with disbelief as he looked down at the unconscious man sprawled before him.
"H-hey… how can you lose to him? Get up!"
It was the third bodyguard—felled by a single, unseen strike.
On other side, Yang Kai continued his calm advance, each step measured and unhurried.
Xun Luo's anger turned frantic. He lashed out, kicking the fallen guard in desperation.
"Bastard, wake up!"
But the man didn't stir. Only the echo of Xun Luo's kick and Yang Kai's approaching footsteps filled the tense, silent air.
Lin Quizu's voice rang sharply across the parking lot, filled with urgency.
"Yang Kai, don't kill him—he's the son of a powerful man!"
Yang Kai halted in front of Xun Luo. The arrogant young master, stripped of his composure, stumbled backward and fell onto the pavement, landing on his backside.
"You… you poor bastard," Xun Luo stammered, pointing a trembling finger at him. "Don't touch me, or my father will kill you—even if you're already in hell!"
Yang Kai's expression darkened, a sly, dangerous smile tugging at his lips.
"Hell," huh? Son of a bastard… the hell you're talking about was my home.
He crouched down in front of Xun Luo, eyes glinting, and began patting the man's pockets.
"P-please don't kill me!" Xun Luo pleaded, voice cracking. "Take what you want—just don't kill me!"
Yang Kai's hand slipped into a pocket and came out holding a pack of cigarettes. Standing, he gave a lazy shrug.
"Alright then. I'll take this. Goodbye."
He slipped the pack into his pocket, turning his back on the trembling Xun Luo.
It's something new—I want to try it. If I remember correctly, it's called a cigarette.
As he reached the red sports car, Lin Quizu rushed to meet him, her face flushed with worry. She quickly looked him over, her hands hovering near his arms.
"A-are you hurt anywhere? This… this was all because of me. I dragged you into my problems."
Suddenly, a golden-yellow system screen flickered to life before Yang Kai's eyes:
---
[Host, Lin Quizu's Favorability Increased By 9]
[Current Favorability: 32]
---
Lin Quizu gently inspected his hands for injuries. Yang Kai pulled his hand back casually.
"Don't worry. I'm not hurt."
He stepped past her, opened the passenger-side door, and slid into the seat.
"Let's go. You're driving now."
Lin Quizu hesitated only a moment before nodding. She walked around to the driver's side, opened the door, and started the engine. The red sports car roared softly to life, reversing smoothly before pulling out of the parking lot.
Forty-two minutes later, the car glided to a stop in front of Jinan University. Inside, Yang Kai gathered his bags of clothes and shoes.
"Well, let's call it a day," he said, reaching for the door handle.
Lin Quizu gave a small smile. "Yeah. Bye, then."
Yang Kai stepped out, closing the door behind him. The red sports car purred away, disappearing down the road.
Nearby students, recognizing Lin Quizu's distinctive car, began to murmur.
"Hey, who's that guy?" one whispered.
Another leaned in. "He just got out of Goddess Lin's car… could he be her boyfriend?"
A third voice joined in, uncertain but intrigued.
"Yeah… it sure looked like it."
One of Yang Kai's classmates, standing in the group, narrowed his eyes and spoke quietly.
"Wait—that's Yang Kai from Class 3D."
The whispers spread like wildfire, the scene searing itself into the university's gossip mill.
Yang Kai stood outside Jinan University, glancing at the familiar buildings as the cool night breeze brushed past him. Then he turned toward the hostel, his expression thoughtful.
Good… by morning, everyone will already be whispering, wondering if Lin Quizu and I are a couple or at least close friends. That's exactly what I wanted. It's the reason I asked her to drop me off here—once people see us together, rumors will spread. She'll have no choice but to come looking for me tomorrow.
Eight minutes later, he arrived at an older section of the campus. The dim hallways smelled faintly of detergent and old wood as he climbed to the third floor. Reaching his shared room, he pushed the door open and stepped inside, his bags in hand.
Three of his roommates sat hunched over their desks, pens scratching furiously across notebook pages.
"What are you guys writing?" Yang Kai asked, kicking off his shoes as he walked further into the room, clothes and shoe bags swinging at his side.
Bon Min didn't look up, his hand flying over the page as he copied from Chen Zu's notes. "Don't you know? We skipped five days of lectures, stayed in the hospital, and now that weirdo wants an apology letter."
Chen Zu, himself copying from Hang Chen's notes, grumbled, "Ahhh, when I graduate, I'm gonna make that guy eat shit."
Hang Chen, searching for templates on the computer, chimed in, "You're right, bro. I'm with you."
Yang Kai dropped his new clothes onto his bed, scanning the room. "I'm starving. Can someone go out and get some food?" He climbed up onto the bed, glancing at his old college bag.
Bon Min turned halfway to respond but froze when he noticed Yang Kai staring at the bag. "We brought it with us when you left campus that day," he said.
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "Thanks for bringing it back."
Suddenly, the three roommates straightened, closing their notebooks in unison.
"Hey, we'll finish this later—let's enjoy ourselves first," they said together.
Hang Chen pushed his chair back, stretching. "I'll go grab something to eat," he announced as he headed toward the door.
"Tell me how much it costs, and I'll pay you," Yang Kai called after him.
But Hang Chen waved him off and disappeared into the hallway.
Ten minutes later, he returned, balancing four steaming packs of egg fried rice. The smell filled the room as the four of them settled onto the floor, sitting cross-legged in a circle. They dug in hungrily, the sound of chopsticks against the cartons filling the air.
Yang Kai chewed thoughtfully. I wasn't all that hungry back at the restaurant earlier… but now I'm starving.
Suddenly, Bon Min frowned and asked,
"Hey… doesn't Yang Kai look different today?"
Chen Zu and Hang Chen both turned to study Yang Kai's face. After a moment, they nodded in unison.
"Yeah, his face really does look different."
Yang Kai didn't even pause as he kept shoveling food into his mouth.
"You guys must be going blind. Stop staring at your little chu chu all day long, or you'll forget what your own buddy looks like."
When they finished, each of them leaned back with a satisfied burp before climbing onto their beds. Yang Kai lay on his side, facing the wall. "Thanks, guys," he said quietly.
There was no reply at first. Then a familiar, teasing voice broke the silence, arrogant yet warm.
"You bastard, go to sleep—or we'll drag you into another card game."
Yang Kai chuckled softly, closing his eyes. The real owner of this body… had some truly great friends.
And with that comforting thought, he drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.