As the synapses in Jun Yang’s brain connected and processed the information in that question, his mouth moved as if on instinct to form the word, “Ye…”

Feng Qi’s question led to an image forming in Jun Yang’s mind. He imagined the man’s powerful arm curled around his shoulder as they stood side by side. Feng Qi would lean into his ears to whisper things that could send tingle down his spine, kinda similar to what was happening in real time.

The image left its mark and for Jun Yang, it felt… right.

Right then, the bells of Xing Ming Academy pealed and the shrill sound drilled into Jun Yang’s mind and it shattered the mental image that he had of the two into a millions piece. When that happened, Jun Yang could have sworn he felt a part of his heart twitch as if it was poked by a needle.

Then, rationality returned. He quickly changed what he was about to say and instead the sentence that came out was, “What, what are you talking about? Why don’t you go and harass someone else and leave me alone!”

Jun Yang shoved Feng Qi away. The latter staggered back for a few steps before he managed to steady himself.

Jun Yang made use of this opening and escaped from the alley. Jun Yang’s footfall matched the rapid beating of his heart. For a reason that he could not explain, he was feeling rather flustered and unsettled after his encounter with Feng Qi.

That was not a feeling that he appreciated. He was someone who had a close control over his life and Jun Yang did not appreciate having someone within his close proximity who could mess that up so easily.

As he made his escape, Jun Yang perked his ears up and paid attention to the direction behind him. He did not hear any chasing footsteps and as much as he tried to ignore it, there was that brief sting of disappointment.

“Good morning, Jun Yang!” A cheery voice greeted him from a far. It successfully pulled Jun Yang away from the weird experience that had arrested him so.

Jun Yang turned to the voice and saw a young woman waving and smiling at him. Her name was Pei Ling and she was the youngest daughter of the influential Pei family. Pei family and Jun family had been family friends and business partners for years and their families practically ruled everything within the city.

She had long black hair cascading down like a waterfall down her back. She wore the same uniform as Jun Yang but the bottom part was different because hers was a skirt while Jun Yang’s was a pair of pants. That was the uniform for students at Xing Ming Academy.

The smile on the girl’s face was polite but not too big as if even the tilt of her lips was a calculated measure. One never saw a moment where Pei Ling was not in complete control of herself. As the young lady of a prestigious family, Pei Ling had a childhood where she was trained in every aspect of how a young lady should properly conduct herself.

She had a presentable face but oftentimes, those who conversed with her would feel like they were merely interacting with someone wearing a mask. She would smile and nod as dictated by the social convention but there was an air of well-hidden insincerity behind her mannerism.

Pei Ling had a slim and tight body from close monitor of her diet and exercise.

If Jun Yang was the most popular male student at Xing Ming Academy then Pei Ling was definitely his female counterpart. Due to this perfect match, many students at the school believed that they were a couple. Even though they had heard about the rumours, neither party said anything to prove or disprove it.

One would assume this would create an awkward situation between the two but Jun Yang did not let mere rumours get in the way of his friendship with Pei Ling.

Yes, friendship was the keyword here. Due to the connection between their families, Jun Yang and Pei Ling were childhood friends. Even now, Jun Yang never saw her as someone who was more than that.

He knew that there were some parties who would be delighted if they turned their relationship romantic but temporarily, Jun Yang had no interest of pursuing that.

Pei Ling settled in next to Jun Yang. He greeted her back with a nod of his head.

She noticed the discomfort on the young man’s face. Pei Ling turned around and saw not far away from them, Feng Qi leaning against the wall that he had pinned Jun Yang against earlier. There was a smile on his face that suggested there was not a worry in this world that could bring this young man down.

Other people might see a swathe and carefree young man but all Pei Ling could see was a good-for-nothing ruffian.

In a tone that was caring but not intrusive, Pei Ling asked, “Has that boy been bothering you again? Do you need me to call the security for you?”

The well-buried condescension that was laced through Pei Ling’s voice pricked Jun Yang but he made sure to not let it show on his face. He shook his head and explained, “We just bumped into each other while we were on our way to school. He didn’t bother me.”

Pei Ling sighed and continued, “I really do not understand why the school still has not expelled someone like him. He barely comes to class and as impolite as it is to point this out but he is simply not from the same world as we are.”

Pei Ling was referring to the wealth gap between them and Feng Qi. Xing Ming Academy was a prestigious school and that was reflected in its tuition fee. Most of the students there come from rich families and Feng Qi appeared to be the only anomaly.

Some were curious about his presence there but none got too close to find out like they were afraid that poverty was contagious.

For the most times, Feng Qi also left them be and the only person that he would approach was Jun Yang.

“Hey, Jun Yang!” Feng Qi called after him. Acting on instinct, Jun Yang stopped moving. At the same time, he heard Pei Ling tut under her breath before stopping next to him as well.

As he wondered why Feng Qi called his name, the young man yelled at the top of his long, “Fyi, I only harass people that I like…”

Jun Yang was initially confused but later he realized the young man was answering his previous question. Before Jun Yang could process the implication within that proclamation, Feng Qi added, “Plus, you look so cute when you’re flustered! So it's really your fault I can't help myself!”