Chapter 88 Yun Cheng: "Stay away from that person from now on."

"Who are you?"

Cui Ying spoke with a slight hesitation, looking at the slender young man bowing to her with a puzzled expression.

The young man, dressed in the same white robe as the other students, with his hair tied up with a headscarf, looked up, his expression clearly nervous, and stammered, "Earlier, when you were passing through the intersection of West Market Street, a scholar's purse was snatched by a pickpocket, and you helped him get it back..."

Upon hearing this, Cui Ying's eyes flickered slightly as she carefully examined his face. Suddenly, a bright smile bloomed on her face: "I remember now, it's you! You also got into Luming Academy? Straighten up, there are so many people watching."

Her tone was generous and natural, without any air of self-importance or benefactor. Instead, it was familiar and put people at ease.

A faint blush rose on the young man's fair cheeks as he straightened up and said, "It is indeed I. If it weren't for your righteous help that day, I probably wouldn't even have had enough for my daily meals, let alone be able to enroll in Luming Academy. You left in such a hurry that day, and I have never had the chance to thank you in person. I feel guilty about this."

As he spoke, he bowed again.

Just as Cui Ying helped the person up, a straightforward female student next to her couldn't help but laugh and say, "My dear classmate, next time you repay a favor, remember to find out before you come over. Don't keep calling me 'Miss.' Cui Niangzi is already married, and according to etiquette, you should be called 'Madam.'"

The young man was visibly taken aback, a fleeting hint of disappointment crossing his face before quickly concealing it and replacing it with utmost respect. He hastily changed his words, saying, "I was rude and presumptuous. I was unaware that Madam was present. Please forgive me."

He was handsome, with a refined and scholarly air, and was very polite, which attracted the attention of many young girls. The girls curiously asked him about his name, dormitory, and where he lived.

However, Cui Ying's mind wandered away.

Just now, when the young man blocked her way, she felt a slight tingling sensation on the back of her neck, as if a gaze was fixed on her back, making her feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

Now that she had the chance, she instinctively turned her head, her gaze sweeping towards the observation platform at the edge of the training ground behind her, where the corridor and pine trees provided shade—

Sunlight streamed down, casting dappled shadows on the trees. The corridor was deserted, with only the mountain breeze blowing between the pillars, bringing a chill.

"What's wrong, Sister Cui?" The girl beside her noticed her unusual behavior and asked softly.

Cui Ying turned around, suppressing the inexplicable suspicion in her heart, and smiled, saying, "It's alright, just take a look."

...

As evening fell and all classes ended, the setting sun bathed the white walls and gray tiles of the academy in a warm golden hue, while wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys and the aroma of food wafted from the dining hall.

After eating and drinking his fill at the dining hall, Cui Ying chatted and laughed with the students for a while, and then prepared to go down the mountain to go home before it got dark.

As you walk to the front hall of the academy, and just past a lush pine tree, you see a person leaning against the pink wall by the crabapple gate, arms crossed, as if waiting there on purpose.

Even from a distance, Cui Ying felt the person's figure looked familiar. As she got closer, she saw the familiar face and stopped in her tracks: "It really is you?"

She stepped forward, her gaze lingering on Xiao Qiyu, filled with suspicion: "What are you doing here?"

Xiao Qiyu was also dressed in a narrow-sleeved riding outfit today, the clean lines of which outlined his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He looked up when he heard the voice, his posture unchanged, but his chin was noticeably tense again, as if he was restraining something.

"I took on a job to help train the new students for a few days." His tone was flat, revealing no emotion.

"What a coincidence." Cui Ying was clearly in a good mood and talked to him a lot more. "They also invited me to teach polo and riding to the students in the West Courtyard."

"Yes, it is quite a coincidence," Xiao Qiyu replied, his voice low and drawn out at the end. He naturally followed Cui Ying's steps, his gaze falling on Cui Ying's face. The setting sun cast a faint shadow in his eyes, making them appear deep and unfathomable.

Cui Ying was preoccupied with looking at the stone steps beneath her feet, completely ignoring him, and said to herself, "Do Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother know you've come to the academy? If they do, they'll definitely be so happy they'll pester you to have a match. And Sixth Brother, if he knew you were here, he'd definitely—"

"Who was that student who spoke to you at the drill ground this morning?"

Xiao Qiyu suddenly spoke, his gaze fixed intently on Cui Ying's face.

Cui Ying paused for a moment before realizing that he was referring to the slender young man.

Although she felt his question was abrupt and that interrupting her made her very unhappy, she still said frankly, "I ran into him by chance in the West Market before. His purse was robbed, and I helped him out. I didn't expect that he would also be admitted to the academy. I came here today specifically to thank him."

After she finished speaking, she raised an eyebrow with some displeasure and glanced at Xiao Qiyu: "What's wrong? Is there something amiss?"

When Xiao Qiyu met her clearly hostile gaze, the corners of his mouth twitched very slightly, as if he were smiling, but there was no warmth in it.

"nothing."

He uttered three words, walked straight past her, his clothes stirring a cool breeze, and disappeared outside the Begonia Gate in an instant.

Cui Ying looked at the Begonia Gate, her brows furrowing involuntarily. She felt that this person was acting strangely today.

...

For the next few days, Cui Ying would go to Luming Academy to give lectures.

She was by nature a lively person, and the vibrant atmosphere of the academy, with students chatting and laughing around her, made her feel good and she had long forgotten about her unpleasantness with Xiao Qiyu.

That day, after the polo lesson ended and the students dispersed, Cui Ying stayed behind to tidy up the field, picking up the scattered polo sticks one by one, holding them in his arms, and preparing to take them to the room where the equipment was stored.

The batons were numerous and heavy, making it quite difficult for her to carry them all by herself.

Just as the clubs were about to slip from her arms, she was about to call for a student's help when a pair of hands reached out from the side and caught the teetering clubs.

Cui Ying looked up and saw a handsome face, and couldn't help but smile and say, "It's you."

The young man nodded and greeted her respectfully: "I have met you, Madam."

"No need for formalities," Cui Ying adjusted the remaining polo bats in his arms, gave him some, and walked side by side with him toward the equipment room. "Last time there were too many people talking, I didn't hear you clearly. What's your name again?"

"My name is Yun Cheng," the young man replied, his voice gentle.

“Yun Cheng…”

Cui Ying repeated it softly, then smiled and said, "This name is really nice, clear and bright, it suits you very well."

Yun Cheng lowered her head slightly, her ears turning a faint red: "It was my father who named me. He said that on the day my mother gave birth to me, the sky was exceptionally clear and bright, so he named me Cheng."

"Then your father must love you very much," Cui Ying said casually.

Yun Cheng's eyes dimmed, her voice softened, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips: "Yes, my father treated me very well. When I was young, he taught me to write the first character. But he was too young and passed away before I grew up."

Cui Ying paused, then immediately turned to look at him, her eyes full of apology: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought up your sad story."

“Madam, please don’t do this,” Yun Cheng quickly shook her head. “You are unaware of the situation; it was I who lost my composure.”

Cui Ying racked her brains, just about to say something to comfort him, when she saw Yun Cheng's gaze suddenly freeze, looking at the side and behind her, his expression slightly serious.

She turned her head following his gaze and saw Xiao Qiyu standing a few steps away under the bamboo grove. His dark riding clothes almost blended into the swaying shadows. His gaze was fixed on Yun Cheng's face, sharp as a blade, tracing his features and expression inch by inch. His already dark pupils became even more deep and unfathomable, like an ancient well.

As their eyes met, Xiao Qiyu strode over, his imposing aura pressing down like dark clouds looming over a city.

Yun Cheng subconsciously took two steps back, looking flustered, but in a brief moment she straightened her back and forced herself to stand firm.

Upon reaching the two, before Cui Ying could even ask a question, Xiao Qiyu reached out and snatched the polo stick from Yun Cheng's arms with such force that Yun Cheng nearly fell.

Cui Ying frowned immediately: "Xiao Qiyu, you—"

Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Qiyu's free hand suddenly grabbed her wrist with such force that it caused her wrist bone to ache slightly.

Xiao Qiyu didn't say a word, but pulled her up and strode towards the artifact room.

There were still some students coming and going, their curious gazes already beginning to fall.

Cui Ying didn't want to lose her composure in front of everyone, so she suppressed her anger and patiently followed in his footsteps, only turning back to give Yun Cheng, who was standing there in a daze, an apologetic smile.

Xiao Qiyu noticed her smile, so he tightened his grip and quickened his pace, almost dragging her into the dimly lit room of artifacts.

The room was filled with a raw, pungent smell of dust.

As the door slammed shut, Cui Ying flung Xiao Qiyu's hand away.

"Xiao Qiyu, what's wrong with you now? What exactly do you want to do!"

Cui Ying rubbed her red wrist and glared at him.

With his back to her, Xiao Qiyu placed the baseball bats one by one into the wooden frame, his movements calm and orderly, but the veins on the back of his hands bulged and jumped.

Without looking up, he said in a very deep voice, "Stay away from that person from now on."

Cui Ying was taken aback, then laughed angrily: "Who? Yun Cheng? Did he kill someone or commit arson? Why should I stay away from him?"

Xiao Qiyu finally turned around. His jade-colored face appeared particularly pale and cold in the dim light, but his phoenix eyes were eerily black, revealing a hint of damp ghostly aura.

"Who you want to talk to and laugh with is none of my business."

He spoke in a low, sharp voice, enunciating each word clearly: "Only him, no."

"Why?" Cui Ying met his gaze, her eyes clear and bright, unyielding. "Give me a reason."

"There's no reason why," Xiao Qiyu said coldly.

Cui Ying was so angry that she was dizzy and didn't even want to argue with him anymore.

"Xiao Qiyu, who are you to me? What makes you think I'll listen to you? You're far too confident in yourself."

Cui Ying coldly uttered these words, not wanting to get entangled with him any further, and turned to open the door and leave.

The moment her fingers touched the latch, a powerful force suddenly struck her from behind.

Xiao Qiyu suddenly grabbed her shoulder, turned her around, and slammed her against the cold door.

His back slammed against the door frame with a dull thud.

Unable to move, Cui Ying's anger intensified, and she shoved him wildly with both hands: "Xiao Qiyu! Let go of me!"

Xiao Qiyu braced his arm against her ear, not letting go, but instead pressing his body even closer, his scorching breath overwhelming her.

"Promise me, and I'll let you go," he whispered.

"Go to hell! Why should I agree to that!"

The two were extremely close, so close that Cui Ying could see the curve of his lips and the shape of his Adam's apple bobbing.

The intense pressure fueled her anger. Unable to break free, she steeled herself, her almond-shaped eyes widening, and threatened fiercely, "Will you let go or not? If you don't, I'll spit in your face! I'll disgust you to death!"

Xiao Qiyu's brow twitched slightly, and he tilted his head to look at her, as if in provocation.

"Don't think I can't do it!"

Cui Ying licked her lips, trying to produce saliva: "I'll throw up right now!"

The next moment, a scorching heat hit my face.

Xiao Qiyu lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Cui Ying was stunned.

This kiss was fiercer and more forceful than any before. Before she could even react, her teeth were pried open. Without the slightest hesitation, it charged straight in, conquering and taking over.

With a buzzing sound in her mind, Cui Ying felt as if all her strength had been drained away, and her body went limp uncontrollably. A strange, tingling, itchy sensation arose from her tailbone and spread throughout her body, leaving only her powerless hands to put up a desperate resistance.

Her fingertips turned white as she tried to push him away, but his chest was like an impenetrable wall, and she couldn't budge him no matter what she did. Instead, she could feel his rapid and powerful heartbeat as her palm pressed against his chest.

Each strike was deafening.

Xiao Qiyu noticed Cui Ying's struggle, and with his free hand, he gripped the back of her neck. His large palm was enough to completely envelop her slender neck, and his fingertips, calloused from years of wielding weapons, gently scraped against her skin, causing her to tremble. Yet, the strength in his palm was not weak at all, forcing her face to be raised high.

The sound of water between their lips broke the air as he cupped her face and deepened his kiss.

The sounds of students laughing and playing came from outside the door, footsteps approached, and clear voices could be heard—

"Mrs. Cui played polo really well just now. I want to learn her turn and hit the ball next time!"

"You'd better sit properly on the horse first, or you'll fall flat on your face!"

"Haha, don't laugh at me..."

Laughter and footsteps were right outside the door, so close it seemed they would burst through at any moment.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Dear reviewer, all of you are above the neck. Wishing you a happy life and all your wishes come true [crying emoji]