Chapter 24: Mu Ziye Dumps Jiang Yiran at the Infirmary

Jiang Wuyang did not take these things to heart. She cast him a faint glance and maintained a strategic silence. Watching the veins on Jiang Yiran’s forehead bulge, she even found it slightly amusing. He hadn’t cared when he should have, and now that she no longer needed his interference, he was crawling back, begging for attention. Ignoring him further, she lifted her foot, prepared to head back to class.

Just then, she saw Jiang Yiran’s figure suddenly sway, and he collapsed straight toward her. Many people noticed this scene and were deeply shocked, unable to understand what had happened to this top science student. Because they weren't close by, they could only watch with bated breath. Subconsciously, Jiang Wuyang wanted to dodge to the side. However, looking at the smooth marble floor—though it was covered in enough dust to provide some friction—she knew that if he fell like that, it would be quite a mess.

In the final moment, Jiang Wuyang’s conscience got the better of her. While she did step aside, she kept one hand gripping Jiang Yiran’s arm. Jiang Yiran was heavy—very, very heavy—and Jiang Wuyang couldn't hold his weight; instead, she was nearly dragged down with him. Her body teetered. Gritting her teeth, she tried to let go, but she discovered that Jiang Yiran was clutching her tightly, and no matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free.

Jiang Wuyang closed her eyes. Forget it, she thought, her heart feeling slightly crushed. Just let it be. If he drags me down, so be it.

Unexpectedly, the anticipated fall never came. A crisp, cool scent of mint wafted over, and Jiang Yiran’s body was steadied. Sensing something was wrong, Jiang Wuyang cautiously opened one eye. She locked gazes directly with Mu Ziye, who was looking down at her. Startled, she gave a little jump and immediately stood up straight.

"What a coincidence, Mu. How come you’re here?"

The corners of Mu Ziye’s mouth curled slightly in a mocking smile. "Yeah, quite a coincidence. Came here for class. You too?"

Jiang Wuyang didn't know what was wrong with her, but she felt inexplicably nervous. "Ah, right. Since it’s such a coincidence, I’ll reward you by having you take Jiang Yiran to the school infirmary. He doesn't seem to be feeling well."

Mu Ziye glanced at the unconscious Jiang Yiran, his mouth twitching slightly. This didn't look like he was just "not feeling well"—he looked like he was halfway to the afterlife. Still, Mu Ziye agreed. After all, the guy had collapsed right in front of his classroom; he could treat it as a good deed for the day. Seeing Mu Ziye agree, Jiang Wuyang breathed a sigh of relief.

She pried Jiang Yiran’s hand off her own and placed it onto Mu Ziye, saying with great trust, "Okay, then hurry along. I’ll wait for you in class."

Mu Ziye: "?? I’m going alone?"

Suddenly, this good deed didn't seem so necessary after all. Jiang Wuyang looked at him with a strange expression. "Otherwise? Can’t you handle it by yourself?"

Mu Ziye immediately straightened his back. A man must never admit he can't handle things! But to be left alone with a creature like Jiang Yiran? Forget it. Drooping his eyes, he didn't say anything more. He waved over one of his followers to go with him. Forced by Mu Ziye’s usual status as the classroom bully, the follower didn't dare refuse and trotted over, breathless. The two of them supported Jiang Yiran and headed toward the infirmary.

Jiang Wuyang squinted and smiled, shouting toward their retreating backs, "When you get back, I’ll treat you to bubble tea."

Mu Ziye huffed indignantly. Who cared about her lousy bubble tea?

The infirmary wasn't very far from the teaching building—only a five or six-minute walk. They dumped Jiang Yiran onto a chair in the infirmary, waiting for the doctor to notice him, and turned to leave. The follower standing nearby was dumbfounded, looking from Jiang Yiran to Mu Ziye, then back again. Seeing Mu Ziye about to walk out the door, the follower grew anxious, spinning in place and shouting at Mu Ziye’s back, "Brother, you’re just leaving? We’re not going to look after him?"

Mu Ziye waved his hand nonchalantly. "He’s not going to die. What’s the rush? Just wait for the doctor to find him."

The follower: ...He didn't dare leave, and he didn't dare move. He just wanted to die. Dejectedly, he sat down in a chair next to Jiang Yiran.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before the school doctor heard the commotion and slowly walked out from the inner room. "What’s the matter, students?" The doctor, wearing a white coat and a mask, focused his gaze on Jiang Yiran, who had lost consciousness and was slumped in the chair.

"Oh, it’s like this. He collapsed in front of our classroom, Science Class A, for some reason. Doctor, please take a look at him. I have to go to class." The follower spoke at high speed, clearly eager to leave.

Just then, Jiang Yiran groggily opened his eyes. Seeing the figure in front of him, he subconsciously grabbed the person’s wrist. His grip was so strong that the follower felt a sting of pain. The follower squeezed his eyes shut; he wanted to run, but he couldn't get away. He steeled his resolve and pried Jiang Yiran’s fingers off one by one, leaving red marks on his skin that showed just how much force had been used.

Even the most good-natured person would be angry now. He spoke quickly, "Doctor, please check him out properly. He’s Jiang Yiran from Grade 12, Science Class A. If there’s a problem, just contact their homeroom teacher. I’m leaving." With that, he hurried back to class as if a ghost were chasing him.

Jiang Yiran heard the voice and groggily opened his eyes, subconsciously calling out Jiang Wuyang’s name. But a shred of remaining reason told him that the tall silhouette in front of him could absolutely not be Jiang Wuyang. He forced the name back down his throat.

The doctor stepped forward and used an infrared thermometer to check Jiang Yiran’s temperature. When he saw 39.5°C, he was startled. "This child—why did he wait until he was this sick to come in? If he’d come any later, his brain would have been fried."

Back in class, Mu Ziye was walking directly toward Jiang Wuyang with a clear goal in mind. Jiang Wuyang was chatting with her classmates, completely unaware of Mu Ziye approaching with such intensity. Her delicate features were full of smiles, and even Mu Ziye couldn't help but curl his lips as he watched her. After coming to his senses, he forced the smile away. He didn't think Jiang Wuyang looked good when she smiled. It was ugly, he told himself.

"Hey, don't forget what you promised me," Mu Ziye said, walking up to Jiang Wuyang with an incredibly arrogant air.

Everyone looked at Jiang Wuyang with curiosity. Jiang Wuyang felt embarrassed; the way Mu Ziye said it made it sound like something illicit. "I know, I know. It’s just a cup of bubble tea, right? I’ll treat you after class. Order whatever you want, okay?"

"Okay," Mu Ziye whispered, a smile hidden on his lips.

"Oh, right, what about that classmate? Ask him what he wants to drink too, and I’ll order it all together," Jiang Wuyang said, still thinking of the classmate who had helped.

Mu Ziye frowned, his tone blunt. "He doesn't want any."

The classmate who had just rushed back was standing at the door, looking stunned: All these years of affection and time had been wasted on the wrong person! The classmate watched their interaction, completely bewildered. If he remembered correctly, Mu Ziye was the troublemaker of the class. His grades were average—just enough to get into Class A—but he never worried about falling out because his old man would just pay for his way. That was why Mu Ziye was so rampant in class; it was rare to see him acting so submissive.

What kind of power did this Jiang Wuyang have to make Mu Ziye so obedient toward her?