Chapter 113
Zhang Xiangyun reached up to touch his neck, looking at Mei Liangyu with amusement: "You're so blatantly using golden lightning to attack people. Don't tell me you want to get points deducted and sent to Mechanism Island again?"
Mei Liangyu didn't respond, just lifted his eyelids slightly and looked at him with an arrogant expression.
Nian Qiuyan played with the Divine Wood Sign broken into two pieces in his hands, smiling gently: "The only one getting points deducted would be the person who struck first."
Zhang Xiangyun shrugged with a carefree attitude: "It's not my Divine Wood Sign anyway."
The dining hall manager knocked on the window and poked his head out to shout: "Kong Yiyi's order!"
"Here." Nian Qiuyan tossed the Divine Wood Sign in his hand upward, stepping past Zhang Xiangyun and Luo Fu to get the food box.
The Divine Wood Sign thrown into the air made a crackling sound. Two visible golden threads collided, and the broken wooden sign overlapped again. The golden threads twisted into a symbol, returning the oppressive trigram formation Zhang Xiangyun had just used on Mei Liangyu back to him.
Zhang Xiangyun's dark eyes glanced back, sweeping over Nian Qiuyan who walked past him toward the back. He reached out to grab the Divine Wood Sign floating in the air and completely crushed it to powder.
The two Technical Arts School disciples seemed able to cast trigrams and set up formations in mere moments.
The dining hall manager reminded them: "This is a place for eating, not fighting."
Nian Qiuyan smiled and nodded: "You're absolutely right."
He looked back and gave Mei Liangyu, who was ready to beat someone up, a meaningful look.
Only then did Mei Liangyu walk past Zhang Xiangyun and continue forward.
Zhang Xiangyun wasn't interested in the girls' quarrel ahead. He turned to Luo Fu and said: "Let's go. I've lost my appetite."
Nian Qiuyan watched the two leave the dining hall before turning to follow Mei Liangyu.
......
Gu Qian also ignored the men who had started fighting behind him and walked straight toward Yu Sui and the others, frowning as he asked: "What are you all doing?"
He looked at Yu Sui, whom he hadn't seen for many days. Seeing her perfectly fine without any injuries, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Qian stepped forward, naturally positioning himself beside Yu Sui.
"Brother Gu." Qian Ying bit her lip and called out. Seeing Gu Qian only raise an eyebrow slightly, she obediently dispersed her protective energy and said quietly: "I just had a small argument with Senior Sister Kong. But the Little Princess actually struck Sister Shu with a slap."
Yu Sui had hit someone, which surprised Gu Qian somewhat. He softened his voice: "Sui Sui."
Shu Chujun was Xun Zhiya's person. Hitting Shu Chujun in front of Xun Zhiya was indeed somewhat inappropriate.
"She was being sarcastic first. I was eating peacefully here, but she had to come over and say all sorts of things." Yu Sui turned to look at Gu Qian, her bright, watery eyes gleaming. She looked both indignant and truly hurt: "Even me buying Li Jin Shuang a dress became my fault. What sense is there in Shu Chujun's words? She just dislikes me, and so does Qian Ying."
Just as Qian Ying was about to explain, Yu Sui spoke first: "Qian Ying dislikes me because of Third Brother, but she doesn't live with me, so I can still bear it. But Shu Chujun and I are in the same dormitory. We see each other constantly. When I try to talk to her and Xun Zhiya, they ignore me. Only Li Jin Shuang pays attention to me, but Shu Chujun wants Li Jin Shuang to stop playing with me."
Yu Sui's eyes were moist, as if tears were flickering, and she lowered her head slightly, her tone very dejected: "Brother Gu, back at the National Academy, I was an ordinary practitioner, so being isolated by others was understandable. But now I'm also a Nine Schools practitioner. Being isolated and mocked by them, I get angry too."
Gu Qian's heart trembled at her words, his gaze softening completely. He didn't care at all about who had struck first, and even felt somewhat guilty, wondering how he hadn't noticed Yu Sui's grievances earlier.
Kong Yiyi nearby also felt her heart soften watching this. Hearing Yu Sui's words and seeing her tearful gaze, she empathized with the injustice in her words and wanted to stand up for her.
But Shu Chujun was going crazy listening to this. She said in a trembling, angry voice: "Nangong Sui, what nonsense are you spouting! Where did I..."
"Brother Gu, if you think I did wrong, just let her hit me back." Yu Sui looked up at Gu Qian, but her gaze carried a stubborn hint of "I didn't do anything wrong," which made her appear even more wronged and pitiful.
Shu Chujun screamed internally. This woman playing the white lotus and acting weak!
She said angrily: "Fine! Then let me hit you back!"
In her fury, Shu Chujun stepped forward but was intimidated by Gu Qian's cold glare as he turned toward her. Qian Ying reached out to stop Shu Chujun, knowing that if Shu Chujun really tried to hit back, Brother Gu would intervene too.
Gu Qian positioned himself in front of Yu Sui, coldly eyeing the furious Shu Chujun who wanted to retaliate.
Shu Chujun angrily pointed at Gu Qian: "You believe whatever she says?"
Gu Qian said: "Yes."
Shu Chujun continued angrily: "Nangong Sui is completely exaggerating! It's not as dramatic as she claims!"
But Gu Qian said: "Then what Sui Sui said is the truth."
Kong Yiyi sheathed the sword she had drawn a few inches and said to Yu Sui: "Don't live with them anymore. Transfer to my place. Let's see who dares bully you then."
Mei Liangyu and Nian Qiuyan had already come over but stood at a moderate distance without interfering. Hearing Kong Yiyi's words, Nian Qiuyan couldn't help but lower his head and smile.
Yu Sui's gaze quickly swept over Mei Liangyu, who was standing slightly behind. She caught sight of him also looking at her with a leisurely expression, his gaze carrying a hint of amusement.
Mei Liangyu thought how rare this was, his Junior Sister actually striking first.
Looking at her current luminous eyes and wronged, hurt appearance, just one glance would make you feel that everyone else deserved to die, making you want all those who troubled and annoyed her to disappear completely.
Mei Liangyu patiently watched her insincerely manipulate others.
"Brother Gu, I won't make things difficult for you. I'll transfer out myself and not live with her." Yu Sui said sullenly: "I could convince myself about Shu Chujun because we're not familiar, but even Qian Ying is like this... Plus with the Wen Yanghui incident, people around you will only dislike me more and more. I won't cause you trouble."
Qian Ying hadn't expected to take a fall here too. What she feared most was angering Gu Qian with her actions. She looked at Gu Qian with some anxiety in her expression.
"Sui Sui, you're thinking wrong. Wen Yanghui dragging you into this and severely injuring you was Wen Yanghui's fault. His death has nothing to do with you." Gu Qian turned to look back at Yu Sui with a serious expression: "Actually, it's my fault for failing to stop Wen Yanghui."
He also noticed Mei Liangyu not far away and thought this wasn't a good place to talk, so he lowered his voice: "Sui Sui, let's go outside and talk."
Mei Liangyu tilted his head toward Nian Qiuyan, who then called out loudly: "Yiyi, you got your food. Time to go."
Only then did Kong Yiyi turn around. After walking a few steps, she looked back and said to Yu Sui and Li Jin Shuang: "You two should come with me. If you stay any longer, there's definitely going to be a fight."
Kong Yiyi's words gave Yu Sui a legitimate reason to turn and look at Mei Liangyu.
Mei Liangyu's gaze was still on her. When Yu Sui looked over, he lightly glanced at Gu Qian standing beside her, then said unhurriedly: "Junior Sister, Master wants you to come with me to the Ghost Way Saint Hall. Now."
Gu Qian coldly looked at Mei Liangyu. Saying such things at this moment, who would believe that?
He was about to retort when he saw Yu Sui walking toward Mei Liangyu. Gu Qian froze, then said urgently: "Sui Sui, he's lying to you."
"Brother Gu." Yu Sui turned back, her eyes slightly red as she looked at him: "Let's talk when we have time later."
Gu Qian was stopped by this backward glance, momentarily stunned and confused in his heart, with a hint of unwillingness.
After arguing with Sheng Hao that night, Gu Qian had reflected and realized that since Yu Sui came to Taiyi, he had indeed neglected her somewhat. This shouldn't be the case.
Seeing Yu Sui approaching him with slightly red eyes, Mei Liangyu watched her intently for a moment when she reached him. Then he reached out to gently wipe the corner of her eye, brushing away nonexistent tears, his words bewitching: "How pitiful you look, bullied almost to tears."
Shu Chujun, held back by Qian Ying, was so angry she nearly rolled her eyes to the sky. Who was bullying whom? And Nangong Sui had the nerve to cry?!
Gu Qian watched with veins pulsing at his temples, saying coldly: "Mei Liangyu, keep your hands to yourself."
Mei Liangyu's gaze swept past Yu Sui to look contemptuously at Gu Qian.
Yu Sui tugged at his sleeve without looking back, saying quietly: "Senior Brother, let's go."
Only then did Mei Liangyu withdraw his gaze and leave the dining hall with Yu Sui.
Nian Qiuyan grabbed Kong Yiyi, restraining her frequent backward glances at the drama, deliberately keeping distance from the two behind them.
Li Jin Shuang didn't leave. She looked at the silent Xun Zhiya and said quietly: "Saint Maiden, may I have a word with you?"
Shu Chujun said angrily: "What trick are you trying to pull now?"
But Xun Zhiya said: "Alright."
"Saint Maiden!" Shu Chujun wanted to stop her, but Xun Zhiya and Li Jin Shuang walked outside.
As Xun Zhiya passed Gu Qian, she looked up at him. Gu Qian was also looking at her. Their gazes met, but neither spoke.
The originally lively dining hall suddenly became deserted.
Qian Ying looked at Gu Qian with some hesitation, saying quietly: "Brother Gu."
Gu Qian glanced at her, rubbing his forehead with some irritation: "You're targeting Sui Sui too?"
Qian Ying shook her head: "I'm not. I am somewhat wary of the Little Princess because of Sheng Hao, but that's all."
Gu Qian said: "Sheng Hao is Sheng Hao, Sui Sui is Sui Sui."
Qian Ying bit her lip in difficulty, lowering her head: "I know that, but the Little Princess now clearly has a barrier in her heart toward you, Brother Gu. She's closer to Mei Liangyu and his group."
"She won't." Gu Qian looked toward the dining hall entrance, his expression cold.
......
Yu Sui followed behind Mei Liangyu.
After walking for a while, the two separated from Nian Qiuyan and Kong Yiyi, heading in the direction of the Ghost Way Saint Hall.
"Why did Senior Brother come too?" Yu Sui asked from behind.
Mei Liangyu said: "I came with Nian Qiuyan. Kong Yiyi said she'd be late returning from the dining hall. Xing Chun is starving to death, so he asked us two to come urge her."
After finishing, he stopped and turned to look at Yu Sui.
Yu Sui had been walking leisurely behind him. Seeing him turn, she stopped and blinked at him.
At this moment, her demeanor was natural and relaxed, her steps light and cheerful, completely different from the melancholic grievance she'd shown in the dining hall.
"You change faces pretty quickly." Mei Liangyu smiled.
Yu Sui pointed at herself with an expression that said "what are you talking about?" completely refusing to admit it.
With Mei Liangyu, Yu Sui didn't feel the psychological burden of pretending.
On the nighttime path, a few stone lamps were lit. The Ghost Way School's main gate was ahead. There weren't many people on the road, and in the tranquility, only the cool night breeze gently blew past.
Mei Liangyu asked: "How did you make your eyes red?"
"Practice a few times and you'll learn." Yu Sui said honestly: "To play pitiful, you need to master the look of wanting to cry but not crying. Most people soften when they see it, though I only fool Brother Gu. Others won't soften toward me."
Mei Liangyu had this strange competitive streak: "Why don't you try fooling me?"
Yu Sui laughed with a "pfft," her eyes filled with mirth as she looked at him: "Do I need to play pitiful to make Senior Brother soften toward me?"
"Of course not. You don't need to pretend for me to be soft on you." Mei Liangyu and Yu Sui tacitly continued walking forward together. He heard Yu Sui say: "I only play pitiful when I'm being the bad guy."
Mei Liangyu chuckled softly: "How bad can you be?"
Yu Sui thought for a moment and hummed, drawing out the sound before answering: "Bad enough to kill and commit arson."
Mei Liangyu glanced at her and reached out to ruffle her hair. When Yu Sui looked over, he said: "I knew you wanted to kill me back in the Three Thousand Divergent Paths."
Yu Sui's gaze flickered as she said: "Senior Brother."
"This world isn't that good to begin with. It's fine if you're a bit bad. If you think I'm a threat to you and want to kill me, that's okay too." Mei Liangyu withdrew the hand that had been ruffling her hair and turned to look at Yu Sui: "Who told me I really do like you quite a bit?"
Yu Sui stopped in place without moving, her dark eyes fixed on Mei Liangyu as he walked past her. The memory in her mind was still frozen on that moment when their gazes met, Senior Brother's expression and eyes when he said those last words, reflected in the depths of her eyes, still not faded.
How strange.
Time seemed to slow down considerably, making her unconsciously replay what had happened the moment before.
Mei Liangyu walked a few steps forward. Not seeing anyone follow, he turned back to look and raised an eyebrow slightly at the person standing in place. His narrow, slightly upturned eyes carried hints of bold, amused satisfaction, as if quite pleased with the effect his words had just achieved.