Dragon Raja 4; Chapter 134: Su Xiaoquian’s Spring Strategy (8)

Dragon Raja 4

“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. The Execution Bureau didn’t send me to deploy you; they sent me to tell you that you’re being reassigned to organize alchemy records from the Persian period in the library. You probably understand why—the city affected by the vortex is Lu Mingfei’s hometown, and the elemental disturbance is likely connected to him. You and Lu Mingfei are currently enemies, so the Bureau doesn’t want you two confronting each other. That’s why they’re giving you this unimportant task,” Babré paused. “But I also received a call from Parsi, the secretary in the Italian division. Caesar personally requested that you accompany him to China.”

“The board member is giving me a headache again,” Abbas sighed, ruffling the hair he had just combed. “Looks like I’ll be going to China, after all.”

“You should think carefully, President. If you leave for China, you’ll be openly defying the Execution Bureau’s orders, and you’ll likely face punishment when you return.”

“Could you just tell them I left for Chicago before you arrived? Parsi’s call came in a few minutes before yours.”

“But you won’t be able to use the CC1000 hotline, and you’ll have to get through several security gates to leave the campus. Planning to jump the walls?”

Abbas gave Babré a sideways glance. “You see, now you’re the Lionheart president, and you outrank me in EVA. Would it trouble you?”

“I’m just fulfilling my duty by warning you,” Babré replied, sliding his student ID across the table. “There’s a train leaving in fifteen minutes. Run, and you’ll make it.”

“If I get in trouble, we’ll both end up getting punished. Sorry about that,” Abbas said, bowing slightly before grabbing his travel bag and preparing to run.

“We’ve still got a couple of minutes to chat,” Babré said, catching Abbas by the wrist. “You know, a lot of people say that you were never truly the Lionheart president, just the vice president of the Student Union.”

“That’s impossible. Caesar and I are friends, sure, but we’re also competitors!” Abbas said seriously, though his face rarely managed to look truly serious.

“But look at it this way: Caesar sends an invitation, and you’re ready to disregard the Execution Bureau’s orders. Why not just merge the two societies? After all, Lu Mingfei’s probably about to get expelled anyway. Then I could manage both societies, and I’d be the ultimate king of Cassell College.” Babré smirked.

He was being tactful; the harsher truth was that the former Lionheart president seemed like Caesar’s caretaker, more than anything else.

“I’m not giving up my principles just because it’s Caesar! Hahaha!” Abbas laughed, though his laughter felt somewhat forced, so he scratched his head again. “But Caesar’s a friend, and the Execution Bureau is an organization. When it comes to choosing between a friend and an organization, I’ll always choose my friend. I imagine the board member feels conflicted too. He thought of me in this situation, so I have no reason not to help him. Besides, I want to see the guy they call ‘another version of me’—in Chu Zihang’s hometown.”

Babré nodded slightly. “Understood, President. I know this has been a lot for you, but believe in yourself, because we all believe in you. You’re the one who led us through great battles. I’ve seen you stand on the brink of life and death more than once, but you never backed down.”

“Hahaha, I’ve thought about retreating! But by the time I do, it’s usually too late. Next time, next time—gotta catch that train!” Abbas dashed off.

Lu Mingfei supported Su Xiaoqian as they made their way through the neighborhood. It was only a few hundred meters, but Su Xiaoqian vomited three times. Even during the car ride home, she had her head out the window, throwing up.

The four of them had downed four bottles of red wine and two bottles of whiskey—no wonder she was sick. By the end of the night, even Lu Mingfei was stunned. In his memory, besides Su Xiaoqian, the other two girls had always claimed that just one beer would knock them out.

After downing a glass of whiskey, Liu Miaomiao even shoved the keyboardist aside and banged out a tune. Clearly, the piano princess was still a piano princess—playing the flute was just a side skill.

Luckily, Su Xiaoqian’s driver was there to take everyone home, starting with Chen Wenwen, since Zhao Menghua had been frantic when he couldn’t find her and had even gone to her house.

Lu Mingfei felt guilty, but Liu Miaomiao assured him, “Don’t worry, Senior Lu. It’s just Zhao Menghua—I’ll take care of him!”

When Zhao Menghua arrived, face dark, ready to check the car, Liu Miaomiao coldly said, “What’s with the face? I’m the one who got your girlfriend drunk. What are you going to do about it?”

Zhao Menghua immediately deflated, grabbed Chen Wenwen without a word, and left. Lu Mingfei didn’t even have to get out of the car.

That’s when Lu remembered that Liu Miaomiao had once dated Zhao Menghua. The world was too chaotic, and so many things were a blur in his mind.

On the way to Liu Miaomiao’s house, the fierce Liu Miaomiao suddenly started crying. Lu Mingfei knew why, so he just patted her shoulder and let her lean on him.

Finally, it was time to drop off Su Xiaoqian. The driver could have taken them all the way to the door, but Lu Mingfei said it was too much trouble to drive into the dark, quiet villa complex. “I’ll walk her the rest of the way—you wait here.”

The driver, understanding, handed him a large umbrella and said, “The greenery in this neighborhood is nice. A walk in the rain could be quite romantic.”

“Tonight was great, wasn’t it? I hope I didn’t scare you off! Let’s do it again sometime!” Su Xiaoqian laughed, playfully patting Lu Mingfei’s chest before sliding down, as if boneless.

Lu Mingfei quickly grabbed the drunk girl, making sure she didn’t end up lying in the puddles while wearing her expensive Prada suit.

He helped Su Xiaoqian to a vine-covered pavilion and sat her down. Not far ahead, the lights of Su Xiaoqian’s villa were still on.

As her drunkenness began to wear off a bit, Su Xiaoqian stared blankly ahead, then flashed him that seductive smile, the kind that seemed to say, “Come chase me if you dare.”

“Senior Lu, you didn’t stop me from going home just because you had something to say, did you? I’m all ears!”

“I knew you weren’t that drunk,” Lu Mingfei said calmly.

“It’s probably inherited from my dad. My job requires me to entertain clients. Without a good alcohol tolerance, how could a girl like me handle drinking alone with others? Plus, I’m not bad-looking, am I?” Su Xiaoqian tilted her head.

“That day, my uncle asked if I’d be willing to return to China, saying it would be comfortable here, with so many female classmates liking me. He even mentioned you specifically, saying Su Xiaoqian is the best—beautiful and capable, running her family’s business at such a young age. But I know you don’t really like me; you only see me as a good classmate.”

“How do you know… Ah, I mean, why are you suddenly bringing this up?” Su Xiaoqian was flustered, becoming a bit tongue-tied.

“I’m just relaxing, chatting with you. I’m probably leaving soon, and it’s rare to catch up with an old classmate.”

“Then I won’t joke around. Don’t be disappointed, but I don’t think Chen Wenwen and Liu Miaomiao truly like you either. You’re more like a mascot to us all.”

“Was I… really that much of a player in high school?” Lu Mingfei scratched his head. “I mean, you know, being popular among the girls.”

“How could you be a player?” Su Xiaoqian was taken aback. “You were famous for being a nice guy! Remember when Chen Wenwen was hospitalized with lupus? The school organized visits, but most people stopped going after a while. Only you kept visiting her weekly. All you two ever talked about was Duras. After she recovered and became a pretty girl again, everyone wanted to be close to her, but when she was at her worst, you were the only one discussing Duras with her. That’s why she thinks you’re the best senior in the world.”

“Didn’t I also do a performance with Liu Miaomiao? It felt pretty flirty, like something a player would do.”

“That was a school assignment! You two were performing in front of foreign guests, and Liu Miaomiao was so nervous she made a few mistakes. It was you who pulled her back on track. Among the three of us, I’m the one with the most real connection to you, right? You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

“What connection?” Lu Mingfei was startled, thinking, Crap! I asked the wrong person! Turns out the main character was her all along!

Su Xiaoqian slowly leaned closer, until their faces were almost touching. “Senior Mingfei, are you worried about something?”

Lu Mingfei stared nervously at her flushed face, her fluttering eyelashes like the wings of a bird.

“Something’s a little off with me, right?” Lu Mingfei tapped his head. “Some things are a bit fuzzy, so I wanted to know what I used to be like.”

“What were you like? You were the big star of Shilan Middle School! The mascot everyone adored! The fool everyone liked to joke around with!” Su Xiaoqian burst out laughing. “Don’t overthink it. You never dared to flirt with girls—if anything, girls flirted with you!”

“Then why does everyone keep making these jokes with me…” Lu Mingfei sighed in relief.

“Because you’re that person everyone feels comfortable joking with,” Su Xiaoqian said. “You were nice to everyone. The girls all loved talking to you. As for the guys, I’m not sure, but they were probably a little jealous. What are you so worried about?”

Lu Mingfei smiled but didn’t answer. The worries he had were things he couldn’t explain to Su Xiaoqian. He was afraid that if he lived in another timeline, he might become someone he would despise. He wondered if, in the countless possible worlds the little devil spoke of, he could still hold onto the parts that made him “Lu Mingfei.” If he ever had the chance to develop relationships with many girls, could he still love someone genuinely and carefully? Would he still feel others’ pain? Would he still be willing to risk his life for someone he truly cared about? If another version of him could abandon all these things, could he still call himself Lu Mingfei? Even he would look down on himself then.

“Alright, I need to head back now. If I don’t, my parents will think I’m staying out all night!” Su Xiaoqian said. “Remember to text me!”

“If you’re fine, I won’t walk you back. Thanks, little angel.”

“Thank me for what?” Su Xiaoqian laughed loudly. “Thank me for telling you that none of us really liked you? Senior, you’re such an idiot!”

Lu Mingfei looked up. Su Xiaoqian stood in front of the pavilion, her hands behind her back, holding her high heels, standing on her tiptoes barefoot, and she turned to look at him.

“I said I don’t like you now, but that doesn’t mean I won’t in the future. Girls are meant to be pursued! But the one you want to chase isn’t me!” Su Xiaoqian grinned mischievously.

Her hair was black, her outfit was black, but her face, calves, and the hands holding her shoes were all pale white. She was dressed in just two colors, black and white, yet she shone brilliantly.

“Do you know who I want to chase?” Lu Mingfei asked, watching the little angel, who seemed sharper yet more adorable now that she was sober.

“I know that look, it’s the look of a lovesick puppy!” Su Xiaoqian ran off into the rain without looking back. “Don’t go back to that hospital! You’re not sick at all. If you are, it’s just lovesickness!”

As she ran toward her villa, Lu Mingfei suddenly waved and shouted, “Little angel! You’ve always been the prettiest and most amazing girl among us, and now you’re even prettier and more amazing! Don’t be afraid of those who want to bully you!”

He opened his umbrella and turned to leave. From behind, he heard her shout, “Alright! We all need to become better people!” Lu Mingfei guessed that Su Xiaoqian was waving at him from the balcony, but he didn’t look back.