My Supernatural Exes Are Desperate to Win Me Back - Chapter 29 - Graduation, Four Men Reunite...

“Ning? Ning?…” Amidst the rolling smoke, a tall figure in red strides forward.

Xie Yi, unscathed despite the hail of bullets that have riddled his suit, searches for someone as he loosens his collar, his eyes heavy with a fierce glint.

The Red Fox of Mount Tu and the Silver Moon Wolf Clan are at odds; their members can’t even enter the casino… unless a mole has opened a path for them from inside.

However, Xie Yi is in no mood to hunt for moles.

“Xu Xining-!” he roars, deafeningly loud.

He can’t hear Xu Xining’s voice, nor her breathing or heartbeat, which should be impossible.

Unless she’s dead.

Xie Yi grows uncharacteristically irritable.

Surrounded by the Silver Moon Wolf Clan, with Xie Jing absent, Xie Yi becomes their prime target. If they could seriously injure him, perhaps they could take over the entire casino.

Bullets rain densely over the area where Xie Yi stands, their paths nearly intersecting in the air.

A brief silence follows, then a mushroom cloud of dust billows up.

The next moment, a gigantic, mountainous, golden-red nine-tailed fox bursts through the thick smoke.

His appearance is stunning, his elongated eyes shimmering with a captivating golden light, emitting an oppressive aura far more intense than his usual flirtatious demeanor.

He charges into the enemy, leaving only blood and bodies in his wake.

Meanwhile, Xu Xining bravely peeks out from a cabinet, clutching Zhan Xingye’s leg and pulling him inside.

“How dangerous it is outside! Should we run into the gunfire instead of seeking safety?! How much do they pay you to give your life for this casino?!”

To Zhan Xingye, Xu Xining’s strength is no more significant than that of a kitten; he huffs as she struggles to drag him, slipping in place like a kitten unable to move a person… Zhan Xingye obediently follows her back into the cabinet.

…The cabinet is too small, Zhan Xingye’s knees nearly touching the top as he crouches down.

He lowers his head, hands bracing against the sides, while the girl curls up beneath him, her chaotic blonde hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, the ends curling on his knees.

Xu Xining, usually tall, now seems so small curled up.

Xu Xining breathes heavily, whispering anxiously, “Sister, why did you suddenly go out there? It’s dangerous, isn’t it?”

Zhan Xingye murmurs, “…Yeah.”

One hand braced in the gap of the cabinet, unseen by Xu Xining, Zhan Xingye’s palm stretches out countless transparent tendrils that envelop the cabinet completely, sealing off Xu Xining’s scent.

The massive, menacing tendrils, like a writhing nest of snakes, dutifully block bullets and fling away the shooters.

Some tendrils extend throughout the vast underground casino, searching for isolated humans to stuff them individually into metal storage cabinets for shelter.

Zhan Xingye will ensure their safety, but every last one of them will be apprehended by the Administration Bureau and have their memories wiped to forget the demons they witnessed tonight.

Xu Xining wanted to call the police, but her phone was out of service and she couldn’t send a message to Xie Yi.

Zhan Xingye noticed her anxious expression. “Worried about your friend?”

Xu Xining replied, “Yes.” Even the Magician, mortal as he is, would die if shot by a bullet, right?

“He’ll be fine,” Zhan Xingye said emotionlessly. “Do you like him a lot?”

“No, no, no, no, no,” Xu Xining spoke rapidly, “He’s too arrogant and narcissistic. I don’t know why he always thinks everyone should like him. I don’t have someone I like right now, and although it’s rude to say, my exes were all somewhat abnormal…”

She spoke softly and swiftly, as if once she started, she didn’t want to stop.

Zhan Xingye’s gaze was deep; he could see clearly in the dark, the girl’s eyelashes drooping, trembling slightly in his arms.

“Don’t be scared,” he said.

Caught off guard, Xu Xining’s eyes suddenly moistened, and she whispered, “…just a little.”

She wasn’t afraid of bullets or death. Xu Xining, fearless by nature, had developed mild claustrophobia after a stampede incident during a thunderstorm. For a long time, she even slept with the lights on.

It was too dark and too cramped here; she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

Zhan Xingye knew exactly what she was afraid of…

That thunderstorm day, that crowded staircase, he had been right beside Xu Xining.

When the school building suddenly lost power and thunder roared overhead, panic spread among the students, pushing and shoving as they ran to get home.

Caught in the flow of people, Xu Xining stumbled downwards, followed closely by a school delinquent she had clashed with-previously, the delinquent had led a group to bully Xu Xining, only to end up with her head cracked open by a chair Xu Xining wielded.

A pale flash of lightning tore through the sky, illuminating Xu Xining’s face at that instant.

A vicious hatred flashed across the delinquent’s face as she reached out and shoved Xu Xining hard!

Xu Xining didn’t realize someone had deliberately pushed her; she missed a step and fell, overwhelmed by the surging crowd, unable to get up again.

…

In that moment when she was swallowed by the crowd, Zhan Xingye felt as if his heart was empty.

He yelled, madly pushing through the crowd to reach her.

At that time, he didn’t yet know he was an Exotic Species, thinking he was just an ordinary middle school student who could do nothing but desperately shield Xu Xining with his thin back against what felt like an army of stampeding feet.

Xu Xining was trembling, and so was he.

So many people stepping on him, yet he felt no pain, only rage-because those feet were supposed to be trampling on Xu Xining!

He had seen news about stampede incidents; those buried at the bottom could suffocate to death, their ribs crushed, limbs and necks broken, reduced to an unrecognizable mass of flesh.

She was so small and so fragile. If he hadn’t been there, if he had been too late, if those people had brutally stomped over her body… the pain would have been unimaginable.

Just the thought made it hard for him to breathe.

A towering rage and immense fear burned within him like fire.

In that moment, instinct overcame reason, and for the first time in his life, he transformed into his true form. A myriad of dark tendrils erupted from the young boy’s arched back, like thick vines breaking from a cocoon.

Those tendrils tightly wrapped around the girl, blocking even the lightning.

Thus, Xu Xining’s memory held no image of his face, only utter darkness.

And so, despite such a severe accident, Xu Xining miraculously suffered only scraped knees.

…

Thunder roared, and the rain poured down heavily.

Outside the school, a school delinquent held her umbrella and laughed loudly with her close friends amid the noise of the rain: “Did you see how she tumbled down? Hahahaha! She thinks she’s so tough? I want to see if she’s still tough now, being stomped underfoot can’t feel good, right?”

The other two girls turned pale, staring behind her as if they had seen a ghost.

“What’s wrong?” the school delinquent frowned.

She turned around, her pupils suddenly shrinking, and her umbrella slammed into a puddle with a “thump.”

Beneath the pitch-black clouds, the rain fell like a waterfall. Forked lightning illuminated a massive creature at the end of the narrow alley, as tall as a four- or five-story building. Its dark tentacles intertwined and stretched, climbing like a towering, serpentine tree…

Suddenly, the creature lunged at them!

“Aaaaahhhh!!!” The girls screamed in terror, scattering in all directions, “Monster! A monster!!!”

“Wait! Wait for me!” Everyone else had run off, but the school delinquent was left behind.

Her ankle was tightly grasped by a damp tentacle. She had only run a few steps before being dragged back by an irresistible force.

Terrified, she screamed, muddy and scrambling to her feet to run again, only to be pulled back…

The monster, towering above, watched her struggle indifferently.

Zhan Xingye really wanted to kill her. The brutal instincts ingrained in his race made him long to tear her to pieces, but in the end, he let her go.

He thought, if he killed someone, Xu Xining would definitely hate him.

Later, the school delinquent went insane from fear. After returning home, she developed a high fever and rambled incoherently about bizarre, demonic gods. Eventually, her family had no choice but to withdraw her from school and send her to a psychiatric hospital for treatment.

Zhan Xingye finally realized what he was… In the shattered puddles of the rainstorm, he saw his own reflection: a monstrous figure, capable of driving someone insane with fear.

It’s funny, even a monster can fall in love.

Even he found his own feelings disgusting.

In the cramped storage locker of the casino, gunfire roared outside like thunder, occasionally accompanied by the fierce growls of beasts.

Zhan Xingye stretched out his hand awkwardly, trying to comfort the girl curled up in his arms. He fumbled for words, “Relax, I won’t crush you…”

Xu Xining grabbed his hand in the dark, “Come a little closer.”

Zhan Xingye paused, taken aback.

Xu Xining’s voice trembled slightly, yet her tone was firm, “I’m fine. You’re trying not to squash me… that must be uncomfortable for you, right?”

Zhan Xingye looked into her moist eyes, speechless.

In such a tight space, crammed face-to-face with another person, the girl must have been struggling to breathe, yet she still cared if others were uncomfortable.

Zhan Xingye quieted for a moment, then gently adjusted her position so she could relax and lean on him.

Zhan Xingye spoke softly, “Is that better? We should still get out of here.”

“No, let’s not go out,” Xu Xining quickly clutched his hand, thinking to herself that this sister truly feared nothing.

She was actually embarrassed to lean on him, as she had never relied on anyone other than Zhan Xingye for support, but it was just too comfortable this way.

Lying like this, there was a small space above her head, and she felt she could breathe again.

“Am I pressing on you?”

“No,” Zhan Xingye replied. “You’re very light.”

“If you’re uncomfortable, just tell me.”

“I’m very comfortable,” Zhan Xingye honestly said.

Their species was almost like a fluid, capable of freely shaping themselves; they would envelop their loved ones or vulnerable young within their bodies for protection.

If possible, Zhan Xingye wished he could take her everywhere with him, knowing she could be in danger at any moment pained him more than anything else.

Now, the entire locker was completely enveloped by tendrils.

To be precise, Xu Xining wasn’t just leaning on Zhan Xingye… she was inside his body.

Zhan Xingye felt incredibly reassured and satisfied, more than he ever had before.

He even selfishly hoped Xu Xining would never leave.

“You really are a good person,” Xu Xining couldn’t help saying as she absentmindedly played with his fingers. “Beautiful, brave, and strong… you should just confess, I think no one could dislike you.”

“I’m not as good as you say,” Zhan Xingye murmured, “I’m very selfish, and ugly.”

“What?!” Xu Xining flared up, “You’re ugly? Who says you’re ugly?! I’ll bite them to death!!!”

Zhan Xingye hurriedly bundled up the ruffled girl.

Had he not been holding her tightly, she might have sprung up in anger, bumping her head and elbows.

Zhan Xingye said, “I mean, on the inside I’m ugly.”

“…Is your heart blacker than others, or is your liver more crooked?” Xu Xining groped around, firmly cupping his face; her pupils dilated in the darkness, shimmering brightly, “I don’t care how much you like him, but you need to love yourself more than you love him!”

Zhan Xingye stared at her steadily, “I can’t do that.”

Xu Xining said, “Then start with a little bit.”

“How?”

“Go confess! How else do you start? If I liked someone, I’d run to tell him!”

Zhan Xingye nodded seriously, “What do you think about at the graduation ceremony?” Her graduation was in just three days.

Xu Xining was startled, thinking to herself, the man you like hasn’t even graduated yet? If he’s this terrible now, what will he be like later?

“That’s great!” Xu Xining said, “The key is, if he rejects you, then you should never like him again!”

Zhan Xingye wanted to say he couldn’t do that either, but he feared upsetting her, so he kept silent.

He paused for a moment, then asked, “You mentioned earlier that there was a problem with your childhood friend.”

“Oh,” Xu Xining shrank her head back and lay down on him again, unconsciously fiddling with his fingers, pondering, “I always thought of him as a very good friend, but then suddenly he changed. Do you understand?”

“I don’t understand.”

Xu Xining sighed, pulled out her phone from her pocket, found a photo of Zhan Xingye, and held it up to him: “What do you think of him?”

Xu Xining wanted to ask, do you think he’s handsome too? But why didn’t I feel that before? I used to cling to him just like I cling to you, but now I’m too embarrassed to make a move. When he looks at me, I can’t even speak. Everything feels awkward, but staying away from him makes me miserable. It’s really tough!

In the darkness, only the light from the cellphone illuminated the girl’s pale face.

Zhan Xingye gently brushed away the stray hairs on her forehead, and slowly said, “I think he seems to really like you.”

…

Huh?

Xu Xining was startled, thinking to herself, sister, you really have an ultimate romantic mind!!

Xu Xining quickly said, “No, no, no, no.”

Zhan Xingye said, “I think he…”

“You don’t understand him,” Xu Xining said firmly. “Xingye could never like me. I used to bully him when we were kids, and even when we grew up, I never treated him like a person.”

After Xu Xining finished speaking, she fell silent herself, her cruel behavior truly heartbreaking to hear.

Zhan Xingye said, “But…”

Xu Xining suddenly pressed against him, listening intently, “It seems quiet outside now.”

The tentacles, engorged with the blood of Exotic Species, bloomed with enchanting red flowers, resembling toxic red snakes lurking menacingly around.

Zhan Xingye said, “We can go out now.”

Xu Xining shifted slightly, then grabbed him again, “Wait, sister, my dress has come undone, can you help me tie it?”

She was wearing a burgundy halter neck dress that day, revealing her shoulders and collarbone, with thin straps crisscrossing at the back of her neck.

Now that the straps had come undone, the girl arched her back, lifting her blonde hair with one hand to expose her delicately sculpted shoulder blades and a large expanse of translucently pale skin, tilting her head to whisper softly, “Can you see?”

Zhan Xingye was silent for a moment, his voice a bit hoarse, “…I can see very clearly.”

He reached out to hook the strap by Xu Xining’s neck. The strap was slippery and thin, and his fingertips unavoidably touched the delicate side of the girl’s neck, struggling to grasp it.

Zhan Xingye’s fingers began to tremble, and other tentacles also became disobedient, seemingly having minds of their own.

Xu Xining found it ticklish and couldn’t help but giggle, “Sister…” her voice soft and sweet, like cooing.

Zhan Xingye’s hands shook even more, both anxious and flustered, and with a sudden force, he snapped her strap.

Xu Xining: ?

Zhan Xingye: I’m really to blame.

It’s okay, even with just one strap left it can still be tied, just a bit shorter…

Their species, though seemingly cumbersome, are actually extremely dexterous, their bodies nearly a uniform fluid, with each tentacle tip possessing extraordinary flexibility and sensitivity.

If he wished, he could even extend his fingers into any mechanical lock, the tips flowing and extending under his subtle control, touching the mechanisms inside the lock, no matter how complex, even a bank vault door could be easily unlocked.

Just a strap.

Just…

With a “pop,” the last strap also broke.

Zhan Xingye silently looked at the piece of fabric in his hand.

He took off his uniform jacket, wrapped the girl with her bare back, and awkwardly fastened the buttons one by one, “I’ll take you home.”

Xu Xining returned home and was puzzled to find that the Good Man was not around. It was over an hour later when she heard the sound of claws scratching at the door.

Opening the door, she complained, “Where have you been? Are you digging holes now? How did you even get out?”

The fox leapt up and tightly hugged her… leg.

Feeling soft-hearted, Xu Xining picked it up, muttering, “You’re so dirty, big guy. Did you roll around in a mud pit at midnight? Never mind, I’ll give you a bath.”

Two days later, Xu Xining received a package at her door. Inside was a red halter dress identical to the one Zhan Xingye had ruined.

She quickly messaged Diana: [Sis, did you come to my place? Why didn’t you tell me? I haven’t returned your top yet!!]

Xu Xining lifted the black uniform to take a photo, only for a familiar object to tumble out of the pocket.

A transparent flower, resembling crystal-no money to spend.

Xu Xining was stunned.

Having grown up surrounded by various jewels, she had always favored this unique flower. At first glance, it might not be as dazzling as gemstones, but upon closer inspection, it exuded a chilling purity, like ice or frost.

She had asked Aunt Lan to find it, but even Yulan, who had an acute sensitivity to fashion elements, had never seen it. This flower seemed nonexistent worldwide.

It was a small mystery surrounding Zhan Xingye. Xu Xining had pestered him about it as a child, but he had stubbornly kept his lips sealed, refusing to utter a word despite her persistent coaxing.

Xu Xining could only conclude that it was a secret known only to Zhan Xingye-and a very important one at that.

Once, a boy who had helped Xu Xining asked her for this flower as a token of gratitude. Thinking she had plenty, she gave him one, only for Zhan Xingye to witness it and become upset.

That was the only time in twenty years that Zhan Xingye had been angry with her.

His face remained as expressionless as ever, yet it was colder and harder than usual.

Xu Xining was flustered; someone who never got angry suddenly being upset was quite intimidating.

Even when angry, he would still escort Xu Xining home.

Not only did he take her home, but he also carried her backpack…

Yet he wouldn’t look at her!

When Xu Xining spoke to him, the boy silently turned his face away, exposing a cold, taut jawline like a tightened string.

Xu Xining pretended to trip with an “ouch,” causing Zhan Xingye to immediately turn and reach out to help her, only to realize he’d been tricked. He withdrew his hand, turning away again.

Xu Xining clung to his hand, pleading, “Okay, I didn’t mean to give it to him. I didn’t know no money to spend was so important.”

Zhan Xingye replied sullenly, “It is very important.”

His instincts, etched into his genes, vaguely understood that it was a flower that bloomed because he loved her-a gift for a beloved, a courting token for their kind.

Yet she had given it to someone else.

The girl stormed into her friend’s house, boldly extending her hand, and demanded, “Please give me back that flower. It’s really important to me!”

Her friend couldn’t help but retort, “It’s just a flower. Once you give something away, you can’t just ask for it back.”

With unwavering conviction, the girl declared, “Well, with me, Xu Xining, there’s a reason! I insist on taking it back! You can decide if you still want me as a friend! If you don’t give it to me, I’ll just take it!”

In the end, the girl did snatch the flower back, breathlessly knocking on Zhan’s family’s door. As she knocked, she shouted loudly, “Xingye, Xingye, I got the no money to spend back! I’m returning it to you!”

Zhan Xingye opened the door, and the girl, leaning on her knees and panting, held up the flower and smiled at him.

The setting sun filtered through the transparent petals, casting a glow on her sweaty face, making her eyes glisten like crystals, as if all the world’s brilliance had settled upon her.

Zhan Xingye stared at her, usually so reserved and indifferent, yet when he looked at her, his gaze was deep and intensely warm.

He softly said, “You keep it. This flower is something only I have.”

“And I will always give it only to you.”

…

Xu Xining recalled past events, feeling even more puzzled.

How come this sister has it too?

It turns out, she’s not the only one who has it?

Perhaps the sister’s flower came from Zhan Xingye, or maybe it’s the other way around, or perhaps they both share a secret. But regardless of which…

Xu Xining fiddled with the flower stem, feeling inexplicably a bit downhearted.

She couldn’t help but slap her forehead, thinking, “Xu Xining, Xu Xining, why take a child’s promise seriously? Just recently, you resolved to maintain pure friendship, and now you’re fixated on someone else’s flower!”

Zhan Xingye can give it to whoever he wants; why should she care?

After some downtime, Xu Xining converted her evaluation into an electronic file and sent it to Xie Jing.

Xie Jing sent an apology, explaining that the attack on the underground casino was carried out by their family’s rivals. There were no human casualties (though quite a few demons perished), and the casino was severely damaged in the raid, remaining closed for a long time. He expressed regret for the scare she experienced.

Two days later, Yu Yuanyuan came running to Xu Xining, ecstatic, “I wasn’t fired! Lindberg withdrew the lawsuit! Editor Wen only docked my last month’s salary!”

“That’s great!” Xu Xining exclaimed with delight, “It must have been Aunt Lan who helped you…”

Yu Yuanyuan chimed in, “It must have been your mother who helped me…”

Xu Xining waved her hand dismissively, scoffing, “Miss Lin was kind enough not to completely ruin you for my sake; she’s not that generous.”

Yu Yuanyuan didn’t know what to say.

She vaguely sensed that Yulan and Lin Wei were both superior and friends, and since it was someone else’s family affair, whatever Yulan did must have had Lin Wei’s approval or tacit consent.

But she didn’t voice it, instead tightly hugging Xu Xining, “Thank you, Princess Xixi. No matter who helped me, it was you who helped me.”

On the day of the graduation ceremony, the weather was exceptionally clear, with not a cloud in the sky.

According to the schedule, the morning was set for taking graduation photos and receiving diplomas. In the afternoon, there would be a performance, and in the evening, Wenjuan University would host its traditional costume ball. Legend has it that couples who dance the last dance together will love each other forever.

The gates of Wenjuan University were wide open, and people flowed in like a stream. Large patches of pansies swayed in the breeze, and the mimosa trees were in full bloom. Graduates in their caps and gowns gathered in small groups, taking pictures by the library and the lakeside.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce drove through the gates, and the security guards at the booth stood up to salute as they recognized the license plate.

The windows were tinted dark, and in the shadowy backseat, a pale, handsome man watched the laughing and playing graduates outside, each scene piercing his heart.

If she were still alive… she should be wearing a gown like this, laughing freely in the sunlight, right?

“According to the schedule, the performance in the auditorium starts in half an hour,” the driver asked. “Mr. Huo, where would you like to go now?”

Huo Ting closed his eyes, unwilling to look any longer, and leaned back in his seat. “Nowhere. I’ll wait.”

…

Outside the car window, a girl in a black gown with a pink collar ran by like the wind, her golden hair shining as if it were merging with the sunlight.

Under the shade of the trees behind the auditorium stood two figures, one tall and one short. The tall one had golden hair and blue eyes, wearing elegant gold-rimmed glasses and a refined black suit that accentuated his graceful stature.

The short one was also in a suit, with a bald head that resembled a peeled potato.

“She’s here,” Wen Nansen said with a smile, turning back under the tree.

“Professor Zheng!!” The girl ran over, one hand holding her square academic cap and the other clutching a camera. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”

“Want a photo?” Professor Zheng eagerly grabbed her camera. “Perfect timing, Teacher Wen is here. I’ll take one of you two!”

Xu Xining: “…Huh?”

Before she could react, Professor Zheng had already pulled her to stand next to Wen Nansen.

Zheng Hongyun’s face was flushed with excitement as he held the camera, urging, “Stand closer, closer, yes, that’s it, Teacher Wen, put your arm around Xining, a little more intimate!”

Xu Xining was internally screaming: …Please! You’re my advisor!!!

After the photo, Professor Zheng wasn’t satisfied and shouted, “Wait, I’ll throw some flowers to set the mood…” The nearly seventy-year-old bald man bent over, struggling to pick up mimosa flowers, adopting the stance of a wedding photographer.

Xu Xining: “…”

Standing in the summer breeze, surrounded by the sound of cicadas, she suddenly felt a bit dazed.

This year was not only her graduation but also the last year for Zheng Hongyun and Wen Nansen at Wenjuan University.

One stayed for her, and the other came for her.

From a young age, she had always dreamed of Teacher Wen attending her graduation ceremony. She imagined herself exuding the maturity of autumn fruits, while he, as always, would be impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, saying to her…

Wen Nansen turned with a smile, “Congratulations on your graduation, Xu Xining.”

His voice was gentle and mellow, like the fragrance of flowers brewed in summer, just as it had been four years ago at her high school graduation.

Xu Xining felt a pang of nostalgia, as if struck by the passage of time. She rubbed her nose and said, “Thank you, Teacher Wen, really. For all these years.”

“Here we go!!” Professor Zheng exclaimed, holding a bundle of flowers. “Ready! I’m going to toss the flowers!”

With a flourish, Professor Zheng threw the flowers into the air, and then… a sudden gust of wind swept them all away.

Professor Zheng let out a despairing cry like a startled groundhog, “Ah-my flowers-”

There was something uncanny about this wind.

Wen Nansen frowned slightly, looking into the distance.

A tall man with long legs approached, smiling amidst the shower of flowers. The wind lifted his hair, revealing his carefree brow and eyes. “Oh, did I come at a bad time?”

The wind was Xie Yi’s doing.

He couldn’t stand seeing Xu Xining and Wen Nansen holding hands, taking photos, and even tossing flowers… Such a flamboyant gesture was something he felt only he could pull off.

Xu Xining, recognizing the person behind Xie Yi, exclaimed in delight, “Old Xu!! Why didn’t you call me when you arrived so I could pick you up!”

Old Xu, rarely seen in formal attire, looked quite dashing in his suit, reminiscent of his youthful charm. He chuckled, “I ran into Xie Yi at the entrance. He was so enthusiastic, he just brought me right in.”

Xu Xining discreetly glared at Xie Yi, “Very enthusiastic indeed.”

“Look at him, doesn’t he resemble Doctor Xie! He’s Doctor Xie’s twin brother!” Old Xu eagerly introduced to Xu Xining, “I called out to him, only to realize I had the wrong person, haha.”

Xu Xining thought to herself, like father, like daughter. I made the same mistake, and not only that, I threw a cup of coffee right in his face.

Wanting to swiftly bypass her father’s introduction of her ex, Xu Xining quickly pulled Zheng Hongyun over, “This is my mentor, Professor Zheng.”

Old Xu hurried forward to greet him, but Zheng Hongyun was quicker, grasping Old Xu’s hand and shaking it vigorously, “Ah! You must be Xining’s father! You’re truly remarkable!!!”

After all, this was the father of his mentor’s wife, which, in a way, made him akin to a grandfather!

Old Xu was taken aback, “You’re remarkable, even more remarkable!”

Everyone was so enthusiastic upon seeing him today!

Professor Zheng promptly introduced Wen Nansen, “This is Teacher Wen Nansen. He’s deeply knowledgeable, well-versed in academia, dedicated, wealthy, of excellent character, and single.”

He almost added, “I think you’d make a great son-in-law!”

Old Xu, unsuspecting, cheerfully patted Wen Nansen on the shoulder, “No need for introductions. How could I not know Teacher Wen? I’ve known Nansen for years!”

Professor Zheng suddenly realized, clapping his hands and laughing, “Right, right, as it should be.”

Old Xu felt puzzled again. How did knowing Teacher Wen become something that should be?

Professor Zheng enthusiastically led Old Xu to the auditorium to secure seats, leaving Xu Xining, Wen Nansen, and Xie Yi standing awkwardly like an equilateral triangle.

One was a real ex, the other a fake ex.

“You two don’t need to get acquainted,” Xu Xining declared decisively, waving her hand dismissively. “Let’s disperse.”

“Hey, hey, why not get acquainted?” Xie Yi chuckled, pulling Xu Xining into his embrace, adjusting her graduation cap with a gentle touch. “Come on, introduce us.”

“Wen Nansen, the leader who shut your window last time,” Xu Xining reluctantly explained. “Xie Yi, the brother of the psychologist I introduced to you.”

“Oh, did you go see my brother?” Xie Yi squinted his charming eyes, teasing with a mix of concern and mischief. “Nansen, if you’re sick, you should get treated promptly, don’t let it become serious.”

“Thanks for your concern,” Wen Nansen replied calmly. “I’ve never seen you around her.”

Xie Yi boasted, “I was her, just recently, boyfriend.”

Xu Xining didn’t even look up, “Fake.”

Wen Nansen smiled, slowly repeating, “Oh, fake.”

Xie Yi: “…”

Damn, holding onto that, huh? What’s wrong with fake? Is real so great? Still got dumped!!

Xie Yi clicked his tongue against his cheek, scoffing, “At least I wouldn’t delude her with memories.”

Wen Nansen calmly pointed out, “At least I seek her consent, rather than hiding my identity and lurking around her.”

Xie Yi felt a sting in his heart, retorting, “At least I didn’t make her feel like she needed treatment!”

“She doesn’t know the reason, but you do, don’t you? How could you say such a thing?” Wen Nansen’s voice was gentle yet carried a hint of stern rebuke, his gaze like the moonlit pine forest, serene and deep.

“…I once considered you a friend, knowing she was my wife.”

Xie Yi suddenly panicked.

Damn it, Xu Xining is right here, is this something you should say?!

Xu Xining: Already tuned out.

She fiddled with her phone, barely acknowledging, “Uh-huh, you two really hit it off, keep chatting, I’ve got to go.”

Xie Yi reached out to grab her, “Where are you going?”

Xu Xining shook off his hand, skipped away, waving, “Xingye said he’s here, I’m going to meet him!” With that, she dashed off, her golden hair gleaming joyfully in the bright sunlight.

“…Zhan Xingye.” Xie Yi gritted his teeth, “A blooming octopus, damn Demon!”

“Aren’t you a Demon?”

Xie Yi gritted his teeth, “Damn Spirit!”

Wen Nansen had no interest in verbal sparring, “He’s dangerous and powerful. I checked the spirit compendium, there’s no matching species.”

“Isn’t the spirit compendium supposed to include pre-creation creatures?” Xie Yi clicked his tongue, “Getting weirder, is he even supposed to exist on Earth?”

“Who knows.” Wen Nansen headed towards the auditorium, the wind lifting the hem of his suit, his voice carried softly by the breeze, “Maybe he’s from beyond the stars.”

Zhan Xingye walked through Wenjuan University, dressed in a simple white T-shirt and straight-cut jeans, carrying a shoulder bag, blending seamlessly into the crowd of students.

…On second thought, he really was a graduating student, though his school was affiliated with the Aberration Management Bureau, and his Graduation Thesis was titled “Research on the Application of Jiangshi Corpse Poison in Biological Deactivation during Exotic Species Eradication.”

“Zhan Xingye! Zhan Xingye!!! Hey!” A girl called out to him, repeating his name several times.

Zhan Xingye, eager to meet Xu Xining, reluctantly stopped and turned to look.

“Are you deaf?” the girl snapped.

In the sweltering heat, she was oddly dressed in a long-sleeved dress, as proud as a black swan, flaunting the jade necklace around her neck. “Are you going to the auditorium to watch the performance?”

Zhan Xingye replied, “Yes.”

The girl haughtily said, “What a coincidence, I’m the host. You’ll see me on stage.”

Zhan Xingye asked, “Do I know you?”

The girl seemed deeply insulted, exasperatedly saying, “How could you not know me!? I’m Shen Shiqing!!!”

Previously, she had proudly shown off her Golden Rose, only to be publicly exposed by Xu Xining, resulting in a cut on her arm that left a scar even after months of healing. Otherwise, why would she wear long sleeves?

“Three years as classmates! We even met at the class reunion last month!” Shen Shiqing couldn’t stand Zhan Xingye’s blank expression, furiously saying, “Xu Xining hit me!”

“Oh. It’s you.”

Shen Shiqing: “…” Is your brain only capable of remembering Xu Xining?!

This was indeed a misunderstanding.

Zhan Xingye didn’t have a brain to store memories; his memories were evenly distributed throughout his body. However, he deliberately placed more important ones closer to his core… like everything related to Xu Xining.

Although he had a photographic memory, whenever his tentacles were injured, the memories stored in the severed parts couldn’t be retrieved.

Perhaps one of those severed parts contained memories of Shen Shiqing, but it was ultimately insignificant.

“She dislikes you, so why are you looking for me?” Zhan Xingye said coldly.

“Are you close with her?” Shen Shiqing hadn’t even had a chance to speak with him at the last reunion. “Don’t think she’s still some Lins Group heiress; I’ve investigated! After her parents divorced, Lin Wei cut ties with her. She’s long been a fallen phoenix, yet she dares to act like a princess and hit me!”

Shen Shiqing scoffed, “Now you must see what kind of person she really is, right?”

Zhan Xingye said, “I don’t want to hit you.”

Shen Shiqing: “?”

Zhan Xingye walked past her expressionlessly, “So, stay away from me.”

Shen Shiqing stood there for a while, finally understanding Zhan Xingye’s meaning.

How absurd, does he like Xu Xining that much? So much that he doesn’t even care about anything else?!

Fine, very well, Shen Shiqing thought bitterly.

You like watching Xu Xining, don’t you? Then I’ll make sure she makes a fool of herself, so you can watch to your heart’s content!

Zhan Xingye walked towards the grand auditorium, having already pushed Shen Shiqing out of his mind.

His shoulder bag was filled with flowers.

Today, he was determined to confess to Xu Xining. She herself had said that the graduation ceremony was the perfect occasion. Yet, as the moment approached, he still hadn’t figured out what to say, leaving him feeling anxious and flustered.

From a distance, he saw a blonde girl in a neat graduation gown, her hair tied in a thin braid that hung beside her face, looking incredibly well-behaved.

In front of her stood a nervous boy, holding a large bouquet of roses, cornering her against the wall. “Xu Xining, I’ve actually liked you for four years. I really like you. Please be my girlfriend!”

Damn, someone beat him to it.

The girl was adept at handling confessions, spouting nonsense with ease. “Sorry, but my family is really poor. We owe two million, and I have three younger siblings waiting to be fed…”

The boy looked troubled. “You’ve used that excuse before…”

She coughed twice, patting his shoulder. “I have a secret I can’t tell. I might not live more than two years after graduation…”

The boy looked even more troubled. “They say you’ve been saying that for seven years…”

Xu Xining: “I don’t like men.”

“Last time, a lesbian confessed to you and failed, then cried and posted on the forum,” the boy said. “She said you don’t like women either.”

Xu Xining lied through her teeth: “That’s right, I just don’t like people.”

The boy was amused by her. The girl was like a beautiful ragdoll cat. When she was willing to be close, she was so sweet it made one’s heart itch. When she wasn’t, she was infuriatingly indifferent.

Even when infuriating, she was beautifully infuriating.

“Xu Xining, I really like you.” The boy gathered his courage and stepped forward, trying to take her hand.

A chill wind blew, and the boy suddenly felt a cold sensation on the back of his neck.

He turned around and saw a pair of cold, black eyes.

…

Zhan Xingye stared at him expressionlessly.

The boy’s silence was deafening. “Hey, I’m confessing here… Could you not stare at me?”

Zhan Xingye said coldly, “She’s not into your type.”

The boy, unwilling to lose face in front of the girl he liked, stubbornly asked, “What type does she like then?”

Zhan Xingye replied coolly, “She likes someone who can beat her pursuers half to death.”

Boy: ?

Zhan Xingye: “She likes someone who would cut off their own hand for her.”

Boy: ?

Zhan Xingye: “She likes someone who would set a street on fire because she got hurt.”

Zhan Xingye lifted his eyelids with a hint of pride, speaking slowly, “Can you do that?”

Boy: ??????

Murder, arson, and self-mutilation-was it really that extreme?

Xu Xining was quite shocked.

After twenty years of influence, Xingye had finally learned to lie through his teeth with his eyes wide open!

Zhan Xingye was serious. He had spent the night studying the insane and obsessive male lead from “Empty Gun,” earnestly learning his behavior. Any character that Xu Xining liked must have something worth emulating! Zhan Xingye regarded him as a role model for his life!

“Empty Gun” had a similar scene where the male lead caught someone else confessing to the female lead. He sneered, grabbed the person’s collar, and pinned them against the wall, extinguishing a cigarette on their face, saying, “Can’t you see she’s my woman?”

Zhan Xingye took a step forward, grabbing the boy’s collar.

Xu Xining: “Wow.”

He looked slender and lean, but his grip was unbelievably strong. The boy’s feet nearly left the ground as he stammered, “D-d-don’t do anything rash!”

Zhan Xingye had no cigarette, so he settled for patting the boy’s face, his expressionless face cold and aloof. “Do you see it now?”

The boy was scared out of his wits. “S-see what?”

Zhan Xingye remained expressionless. “She’s my good friend.”

Boy: …

Damn, you’re making such a fuss over a good friend? I thought you were going to fight, and this is it?!! I’m her good friend too, did I say anything?!! Is being a good friend that impressive?!!