Chapter 163: Chapter 163

"Ah...." A loud scream erupted from the crowd.

"It’s God Liu. How could he...."

Shen You’an froze for a moment, staring at the silhouette shielding her.

Slender, yet resolute.

Like a silent mountain, imparting an indescribable sense of security.

Zhang Shasha was stunned, and in that instant, Liu Runxi swiftly twisted the hand holding the scissors into a reverse grip.

Zhang Shasha cried out in pain, then immediately found her arm pinned and forced to kneel on the ground.

The security captain arrived with his team after hearing the commotion and subdued Zhang Shasha.

By now, Zhang Shasha had regained some presence of mind, her heart filled with panic. She began struggling desperately and shouting in the direction of Leng Yunyang, "Young Master Leng, help me...."

The security captain glanced at Leng Yunyang.

Leng Yunyang raised his eyebrows and said indifferently, "I don’t know her."

The security captain, understanding these figures were not ones to be trifled with, responded, "Since Young Master Leng doesn’t know her, I’ll have to call the police and let them handle this."

The security captain then turned to Liu Runxi, "Mr. Liu, are you alright? Oh no, your hand is bleeding. Let me escort you to the infirmary."

Liu Runxi clenched his fist, concealing his bleeding wound flawlessly.

"I’m fine. If the police need a statement, please contact me."

Without sparing Shen You’an a single glance, he turned and left.

This puzzled everyone, instantly dispelling any romantic notions they might have had.

Perhaps he would have stepped up for anyone in danger. It just so happened that this time, it was Shen You’an.

Leng Yunyang cast a half-smiling glance at Liu Runxi. "You’re not usually the type to meddle."

Liu Runxi shot him a cold glare, the calm surface of his eyes rippling with turbulent undercurrents.

"Leng Yunyang, don’t push my limits."

Leng Yunyang smirked slyly, throwing an arm around Liu Runxi’s shoulder and whispering near his ear, "Your limit—it’s her, isn’t it?"

Liu Runxi’s pupils shrank, and without a word, he brushed off the proximity with indifference. "Your foundation is shaky. If I were you, I wouldn’t be strutting around like a peacock; I’d keep a low profile and bide my time."

With that, he walked away without a care for the chaos he might leave behind.

Leng Yunyang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Oh, someone’s flustered."

He turned his head to steal a glance at Shen You’an, who appeared even calmer than Liu Runxi. Without looking at him, she walked straight past.

"Hey, Leng Yunyang," Gao Yuyue called out, catching her breath as she chased up to him.

"Can you please ask your girlfriends to stay away from the school? What on earth were they thinking this morning, attacking someone with a knife? If Shen You’an had been hurt, I wouldn’t let you off so easily."

Gao Yuyue glared at him threateningly.

Looking at the puffed-up cheeks of the girl in front of him, resembling a little pufferfish, Leng Yunyang raised his eyebrows.

It had been a few months since he last saw these old classmates, and every one of them had changed quite a bit.

"Since when did you get so close to that nerd?"

"None of your business. Next time your girlfriend acts like a mad dog biting people, I won’t hold back."

She flashed her fist threateningly, snorted, and ran off.

Leng Yunyang smirked faintly, lifting his gaze to the sunlight.

The rest of high school was bound to be interesting.

The half-hour before the first class was reserved for morning reading.

The English class representative led the reading.

Both Liu Runxi’s and Shen You’an’s seats were empty.

Wang Chiru, having heard about the incident at the school gate that morning, turned a blind eye to their absence.

The infirmary had just opened, but the on-duty doctor had left to fetch hot water, leaving the space quiet.

Liu Runxi sat silently on the examination stool, his injured hand resting on the desk while his other hand held the English textbook, quietly reciting.

Footsteps sounded behind him. Without turning, Liu Runxi closed the textbook and said, "Doctor, please help me clean the wound."

A shadow fell in front of him, accompanied by a familiar fragrance.

Liu Runxi froze, instinctively looking up.

Shen You’an had already reached for the rack, retrieving alcohol and cotton swabs. With tweezers, she soaked a swab in alcohol.

Her movements were deft. In the morning light, her serene side profile radiated a soft golden glow, like a painting—quiet and beautiful.

Liu Runxi was momentarily dazed. Shen You’an took hold of his injured hand, pressing the damp cotton swab to the wound without hesitation.

A burning pain spread from the wound, but Liu Runxi didn’t even frown, simply staring at her intently.

After cleaning the wound with alcohol, Shen You’an soaked more cotton in iodine, preparing to apply it.

Liu Runxi lowered his lashes and suddenly withdrew his hand, radiating cold detachment.

"You should go. The school doctor will deal with it later."

Shen You’an yanked his hand back without arguing. "Why talk so much nonsense."

She applied the iodine to the wound, this time much gentler.

Liu Runxi pursed his lips. "Don’t feel guilty about it. I would’ve done the same for anyone."

Shen You’an replied, not lifting her head as she carefully wrapped his wound with gauze.

"But still, thank you for stepping in."

Once the wound was bound, Shen You’an remarked, "Tch, it’s a bit ugly. Let’s make do for now. Come back in three days to change it, and don’t let it get wet."

She slung her backpack over her shoulder, leaving the infirmary without looking back.

Liu Runxi sat frozen, watching her figure disappear into the distance.

His other hand lightly brushed the gauze wrapped around his injured hand, as if it still held traces of warmth from her touch.

Delicate wisps drifted into his heart, stirring the tranquil lake within, making it restless.

The abrupt ringtone from his phone broke the silence.

He didn’t need to look to know who was calling.

His eyes darkened briefly with irritation. Liu Runxi took a deep breath, then answered once he’d calmed.

"Xixi, are you hurt?" A woman’s concerned voice came through the phone.

Liu Runxi’s gaze remained cool, fixed on the gauze in his palm.

"Who would dare harm you? I won’t let them...."

"Enough." He interrupted impatiently.

"How long are you planning to keep monitoring me?"

"Xixi, how can you speak to your mother like that...."

"It was just an accident. Don’t think of using your influence to retaliate, and stop targeting my classmates. They’re innocent. You know my limits. Push me, and I’ll do whatever it takes."

He hung up without hesitation.

Slowly exhaling the tension in his chest, Liu Runxi sighed deeply, gripping the gauze-wrapped hand.

As if holding on to the remnants of an ephemeral warmth.

At lunchtime in the cafeteria.

Gao Yuyue couldn’t stop venting about the morning’s events at the school gate, frequently throwing displeased looks at Leng Yunyang.

"He’d be better off staying home. Every time he shows up, trouble follows."

Across from her, Shen You’an ate quietly.

Gao Yuyue counted grains of rice, then suddenly spotted Liu Runxi and lit up. "Don’t you think Liu Runxi is kind of interesting?"

Shen You’an shook her head. "Not really."

"He’s your savior; you could at least say something nice about him."

At that moment, Liu Runxi approached with his tray.

Gao Yuyue quickly offered him a seat beside her, smiling. "Sit here."

Liu Runxi gave a polite nod. "Apologies."

Then walked past her without stopping.

Feeling snubbed, Gao Yuyue stabbed her rice furiously. "This guy dares to refuse an invitation from a beauty."

Liu Runxi carried his tray to Ren Chong’s table, sitting across from him.

Ren Chong stammered nervously, "L-Liu... God Liu."

Liu Runxi pulled a repaired phone out of his uniform pocket, sliding it across to Ren Chong.

"It’s fixed. Everything on it is still intact."

Ren Chong stared at the phone in surprise. It looked as good as new, with no sign it had ever been shattered.

He opened the photo album, relieved to find his cherished pictures of his idol still there.

Grinning, he shook the phone and said, "Thanks a lot, God Liu."

Across from him, the young man’s thick lashes lowered silently.