Chapter 44: Jokes on Campus

Xu Chenyi was utterly unprepared as a cloud of white powder swiftly engulfed his entire face. He tried in vain to shield himself with his hands, but it was no use. The dry white powder covered his head and face, filling his eyes, nose, and mouth until he looked like a snowman.

“Who the hell is it? Cough, cough—” Xu Chenyi shouted, only to be sent into a fit of coughing from the powder in his mouth.

“Aren’t you old enough to know better? Still playing with fire?” Gu Xiangnan scolded sternly, holding the fire extinguisher. “You’ll wet the bed tonight, you know that? Fire safety and theft prevention are everyone’s responsibility. You’d better remember that. If I hadn’t arrived in time, you’d be in serious trouble! Aren’t you going to thank me?”

Zi Xiaoyin hadn’t understood at first. Now, seeing Xu Chenyi had been played for a fool, she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Xu Chenyi nearly lost his temper. He had gone out of his way to find a master at wooing women, offered money and effort, and prepared this whole romantic confession—only for this brat to ruin everything!

“Who the hell are you?” Xu Chenyi roared, eyes blazing.

Gu Xiangnan feigned a start, shuddered, and aimed the fire extinguisher at him again. Xu Chenyi staggered back several steps under the renewed blast. The extinguisher soon sputtered empty. A few people helped Xu Chenyi steady himself.

“You messing with me? Who the hell are you?” he shouted furiously. “Do you have any idea who I am? In Jiangning, who would dare cross the Xu family?”

Someone nearby chimed in, “That’s right! This is the Xu family that controls every hospital in Jiangning!”

“You’re finished. After you graduate, not a single hospital will hire you.”

“Hurry up and get on your knees. Beg Young Master Xu for forgiveness.”

Xu Chenyi’s pride swelled at these words.

“Oh?” Gu Xiangnan seemed to consider it.

Zi Xiaoyin’s heart tightened—was this boy about to get into trouble?

She urged Gu Xiangnan, “You should go. This really has nothing to do with you.”

She turned to Xu Chenyi. “This is between us. Don’t take it out on someone else.”

“Haha, fine! If you agree to be my girlfriend and move in with me tonight, I’ll let him off.” Xu Chenyi shamelessly laid out his demands.

Gu Xiangnan’s expression darkened. “Very well. I’d like to see just how powerful the Xu family really is.”

He strode calmly to Zi Xiaoyin’s side and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Listen up—she’s my girlfriend now. From now on, you’re not allowed to even look at her.”

Zi Xiaoyin stiffened, unused to any physical contact with a boy. She was both nervous and shy.

Xu Chenyi exploded with rage. “You’ve got some nerve! How dare you touch my woman?”

He lunged at Gu Xiangnan, but with a simple wave of Gu Xiangnan’s hand, a gust of wind surged straight at Xu Chenyi. Strangely, it was as if an invisible barrier of wind stood before him—no matter how he struggled, he couldn’t approach Gu Xiangnan.

Gu Xiangnan changed his gesture, sending a palm strike through the air. Instantly, Xu Chenyi felt a chill sweep over him. His Givenchy shirt and trousers disintegrated into tatters, falling to the ground, leaving nothing but his SpongeBob underwear.

The onlookers recoiled in shock, but upon spotting the cartoon underwear, a few couldn’t help but snicker.

“Stop laughing!” Xu Chenyi cried, hastily covering himself.

He jabbed a finger at Gu Xiangnan. “You just wait! This isn’t over!”

With that, he fled in panic. The crowd parted to let him through.

Gu Xiangnan, still with his arm around Zi Xiaoyin’s shoulders, swaggered into the teaching building.

The corridors were crowded with students searching for their classrooms. When they saw an unfamiliar boy with his arm around the campus beauty, many stared in astonishment.

“She’s rejected so many suitors—who is this guy? He’s really lucky!”

“What’s going on?”

“Where’s Young Master Xu? Someone’s stolen his girl!”

Gu Xiangnan felt perfectly at ease, but he could sense Zi Xiaoyin’s tension. He stopped and withdrew his arm.

“Um, sorry about just now. I didn’t ask your permission before putting my arm around you.”

“It’s all right. I should be thanking you for helping me out,” Zi Xiaoyin replied with a smile.

Her smile made Gu Xiangnan feel a little dizzy; for once, he stammered, “No need to thank me. I just can’t stand people who try to force others.”

Just then, the bell rang for class. Gu Xiangnan quickly asked, “Do you know how to get to the School of Acupuncture and Tuina?”

“I’m a student there. Come with me!” Zi Xiaoyin answered.

They went up to the second floor, where the School of Acupuncture and Tuina’s classrooms were located. Zi Xiaoyin stopped at one door and turned to him. “I’m a freshman. Which class are you in?”

“I’m in this class too,” Gu Xiangnan replied, figuring it didn’t matter which class he chose.

Zi Xiaoyin was surprised—she’d never seen this classmate before. Could he be a transfer from another major?

As the two entered, their arrival sparked a flurry of whispers.

The girls murmured, “That face should be illegal!”

“He looks just like a fresh-faced idol!”

“Who is he? I want his entire profile in one minute.”

Because of their delay, all the seats at the front were taken. Zi Xiaoyin led Gu Xiangnan to the last row.

The boys stared intently at Zi Xiaoyin. Their goddess rarely spoke to anyone, let alone sat so close to a stranger. Many grew more disgruntled the more they thought about it.

Cao Guang, who sat in the second row, clenched his fists. He’d arrived an hour early to save the perfect seat not only for himself, but for Zi Xiaoyin, imagining she’d be touched by his thoughtfulness—just like in the dramas where beautiful romances always begin.

But when Zi Xiaoyin entered and saw the seat he’d saved, she simply said there wasn’t enough room for the two of them.

Cao Guang glanced back, catching a full view of Gu Xiangnan’s face. It was a good-looking face—almost familiar, like a celebrity he couldn’t quite recall.

Just then, the teacher entered. It was Professor Han, here to teach “Tuina Techniques.” He strode energetically to the podium, eyes alight with excitement. Clearing his throat, he addressed the class solemnly:

“Students, I have good news. The principal has invited a genius professor to our school—a master of long-lost traditional Chinese medical arts. You are fortunate indeed. If you can master even thirty percent of his techniques, you’ll become leaders in the field of Chinese medicine in our country.”

The students buzzed with excitement.

“Wow, amazing! We’re so lucky!”

“Teacher, where is this professor?”

Professor Han sighed, “You’ll have to wait a few days. Once the principal returns, the professor should arrive.”

Gu Xiangnan thought, “...But I’m already here, aren’t I?”