Chapter 010: Xun Tui Zhi, the Lackey

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Qin Muchu felt his face burning, thinking Chen Xiaoxiao had come specifically to find him, but he didn't expect her to be looking for that Yang fool. His originally high spirits plummeted to the bottom, and the stark contrast between his previous self-satisfaction and the current situation felt like a thorn in his heart. He felt like a fool.

"Yang Qi, it's you again!"

Qin Muchu vented all his anger on this name, as if pouring oil on the fire.

Chen Xiaoxiao looked slightly awkward. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way. She wanted to avoid the situation but ended up making it worse. Her expression remained calm as she said to the student council member who approached, "Go and call him out. Ask about the incident from last week."

Hearing this, Qin Muchu's expression eased somewhat. He understood that Chen Xiaoxiao was looking for Yang Qi for student council business. As for why Chen Xiaoxiao hadn't called Yang Qi earlier, he thought she might have been afraid he would overthink it, or even that she had forgotten while chatting with him.

He felt good about himself again.

But these self-comforting thoughts didn't fully restore Qin Muchu's expression. He forced a smile at Chen Xiaoxiao and walked into the classroom, no longer in the mood to stay.

"Sister Xiaoxiao, did I do something wrong?" The female student council member felt the atmosphere was off and scratched her head, asking.

"It's nothing, go in and call Yang Qi out," Chen Xiaoxiao smiled, though she felt a mix of amusement and frustration inside.

The female student council member went into Class 3-3, called out Yang Qi, and then left with an awkward smile.

"I'll only take a few minutes of your time. I'm here to ask you a few questions about last week. Let's talk over there."

Chen Xiaoxiao pointed to the window at the end of the corridor, and Yang Qi followed. After asking a few questions, she suddenly said, "Was it you this afternoon?"

Yang Qi knew exactly what Chen Xiaoxiao meant. He instinctively wanted to say no, but then thought that if he did, wouldn't he be admitting it? If it wasn't him, how would he know what she was asking about? So he pretended to be slightly surprised and asked, "Huh? What?"

Chen Xiaoxiao's expression was serious, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yang Qi. "The person who threw the stone at the thief this afternoon was you. I saw it all!"

"I don't know what you're talking about. You must have the wrong person," Yang Qi said with a puzzled look, though he was clear in his mind. Even if he was seen, he absolutely couldn't admit it. If this woman found out, that fierce woman would definitely know too, and it would cause a big fuss. At the same time, he was praying that the damn golden paper wouldn't trigger any tasks.

"This is a good deed. Why won't you admit it? Are you afraid others will know you can throw stones at thieves? I'm not a gossip," Chen Xiaoxiao decided to keep pressing.

"Good deed? That's why I can't just claim it. If I did, wouldn't I be taking credit from the real hero? I won't do such a thing," Yang Qi shook his head and said.

"Really not you?" Chen Xiaoxiao still stared into Yang Qi's eyes.

"Really not me," Yang Qi felt uncomfortable under her gaze. Her eyes were too beautiful. "If there's nothing else, I'll go now."

"Wait."

Chen Xiaoxiao stopped Yang Qi and said, "Forget it. Since you won't admit it, I won't press you anymore." She sighed and added, "Qin Muchu's family is very powerful, and he's quite petty. It's best to avoid him. Don't confront him head-on; you'll be the one to suffer."

"Most guys would hear that and feel uncomfortable, then puff up their chests and declare they'll fight the rich kids and school bullies. But I won't. I know you mean well," Yang Qi smiled. "Besides, I don't want to cause too much trouble. I just want to get through high school quietly and get into a good university."

"But you're not the type to back down, right? If someone pushes you too hard, you'll still confront them, right?" Chen Xiaoxiao found Yang Qi's gaze and met it.

"Don't act like you know me so well, even if you are a goddess," Yang Qi gave a bright, sunny smile, laughed heartily, and turned to leave.

Chen Xiaoxiao watched Yang Qi's back, slightly stunned, then coldly snorted and waved her fist. This was the first time someone had teased her like that.

The next day, the joint exam of ten schools began, with invigilators from other schools.

Yang Qi walked into the exam room, full of confidence. His problem-solving speed was incredibly fast, and he finished each subject in about half an hour. However, he reviewed twice with a rigorous attitude and chose to meditate and cultivate his mental techniques in the exam room rather than leave.

The exam subjects included Chinese, Math, Humanities, and Sciences, with foreign languages being elective and not counted in the college entrance exam. There was no division between humanities and sciences, and all subjects had to be taken.

The cultivation of mental techniques aimed to strengthen mental power and refine the mind. The effects of [Mind Control] were all related to the mind and spirit, such as the hypnotic effect at the second level, which was related to mental power. Not to mention the more advanced effects like dream construction and emotional control.

Two days passed quickly, and the joint exam ended. During this time, Yang Qi's [Mind Control] cultivation value reached 25%, which, while not comparable to absorbing energy stones, was still a significant improvement. Without energy stones, he estimated it would take about half a month of meditation to level up.

During this period, he also practiced the Body Cultivation Technique, which could increase the cultivation value of [Body Secret]. His cultivation value was now close to 10%. Compared to mental techniques, the Body Cultivation Technique was easier to gain cultivation value.

"How did the exam go?"

Lu Liangjie suddenly appeared, put his arm around Yang Qi's shoulder, and asked with a grin.

"Should be pretty good," Yang Qi smiled.

"You're doing well this time. You're not being stubborn, so your grades will definitely improve. I'll probably still be one of the last few. Forget about these annoying things. Let's go, call Chen Gong and the others, I'll treat you to a meal."

Ruiyun High School was large, covering over 400 acres, larger than most universities. It was a well-known high school nationwide. The school had three dining halls, located in the north, south, and center of the campus. Each dining hall had two floors, with the second floor offering small stir-fries.

Lu Liangjie, who often boasted about becoming a godfather, came from a family with some means. His father was said to run a company in the first-tier city of Shanghai. Lu Liangjie called Chen Gong and gathered the six roommates, heading to the second floor of the central dining hall. They ordered many dishes, and Lu Liangjie acted like a rich kid, inviting everyone to be his friend.

Yang Qi had never participated in a gathering with his roommates before, and this was his first time, feeling quite close.

"Lu Dasha is treating us again, huh? Still so generous, always showing off his wealth and treating his roommates to meals to show off his superiority," a sudden voice came from the side, clearly not friendly, with a hint of provocation, stirring up the young and hot-blooded high school students. Even if they knew the words were meant to provoke, they still felt uncomfortable.

The owner of the voice was Xun Tui Zhi, accompanied by a few friends. He walked over, pretending to just notice Yang Qi, and said in surprise, "Isn't this Yang Qi? Hmm, I haven't seen you eat with Lu Dasha before. Oh, I get it, it must be because Lu Dasha saw you get smarter and decided to treat you. Lu Dasha, that's not right of you, favoring the smart and despising the foolish, how superficial!"

"Xun Tui Zhi, that's enough!" Lu Liangjie's face turned red with anger, and he slammed his hand on the table, standing up.

Xun Tui Zhi ignored it and continued, "Or maybe Yang Qi got smarter and started taking advantage of the rich Lu Dasha, freeloading on his meals? Tsk, tsk, tsk, smart people are indeed smart."

"Xun, are you done yet!"

Lu Liangjie's eyes were bloodshot, on the verge of exploding, glaring at Xun Tui Zhi. But he was held back by a hand on his shoulder, which was naturally Yang Qi's.

"Finished making noise?"

Yang Qi gently pressed Lu Liangjie back into his seat. He didn't want to cause trouble, but he wouldn't stand by and let others be humiliated because of him. He looked at Xun Tui Zhi with a cold expression and said, "I know you're targeting me, so there's no need to provoke them. What do you want? Just say it."

"Yang Qi, what do you mean? Can't classmates chat and joke around?" Xun Tui Zhi sneered, mocking Yang Qi for standing up.

"Xun Tui Zhi, I bet many people see your surname as 'Gou' (dog). Xun Tui Zhi, lackey, it really fits your identity," Yang Qi's voice turned cold. "I'm curious what kind of dog food and chew toys your master feeds you to make you so sharp-tongued, biting anyone you see. Normally, being bitten by a dog shouldn't bother me. But remember, if you push me too far, I don't care if your master is a morning glory or a chameleon. Even if you're just a pile of dog poop, I'll make you regret being excreted!"

"Yang Qi, you!"

This time, it was Xun Tui Zhi's turn to have his face turn red, his eyes bloodshot, and his anger boiling over. He pointed at Yang Qi, his teeth clenched, as if ready to pounce.

Lu Liangjie's expression was a mix of emotions. His initial anger turned to satisfaction. He was impressed by Yang Qi's ability to insult, which flowed like a river, returning Xun Tui Zhi's words: "Xun Tui Zhi, what do you mean? Can't classmates chat and joke around?"

"Fine, fine! Lu Liangjie, it looks like you're determined to oppose Qin Dabanzhang!" Xun Tui Zhi glared at Lu Liangjie, who was stunned for a moment, then clenched his teeth and remained silent.