Chapter 14: Injured Yet No One Would Take…

After lunch, the three of them went to the lounge to rest.

The Azure Dragon lounge was spacious, equipped with everything from billiards and board games to books, and offered an abundant selection of coffee, fruits, and desserts. Since no annoying people would come to disturb them, everyone would choose to rest here during lunch if they had nothing else to do.

“Mira.” “Mira, you’re here.”

When everyone saw Xia Mi La enter, they politely greeted her.

The formation of this so-called faction wasn’t due to deep emotional bonds between members, nor was it because the leader possessed extraordinary charisma. In reality, it was still rooted in interconnected family interests.

Those in this lounge either had family businesses connected with Han Lin or were partners of Xia Hong. Usually, they shared benefits and exchanged information.

As for the neutral faction, there were free spirits like Park Young-hyun who didn’t want to take sides, but there were also many who were hindered by the threshold those who wanted to join but couldn’t get in.

For example, there was one such person right now.

Xia Mi La and her two companions sat down at a desk by the window. Song Ya-yun picked up a fashion magazine, Xu Lian Yi was reading a financial report, and Xia Mi La randomly pulled out that day’s morning newspaper. She had barely glanced at it when her phone rang.

The person on the other end was very humble, earnestly begging Xia Mi La to come out and meet him.

Xia Mi La stood up.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Lian Yi looked at her curiously. “Who’s looking for you?”

“Senior Yongmin.”

“Ah, him again.” Xu Lian Yi stood up. “I’ll help you turn him away.”

“It’s fine.” Xia Mi La pressed her shoulder down. “I’ll go handle it myself this time.”

She took her phone and walked out of the lounge.

Xu Lian Yi watched her retreating back as she sat back down, her expression somewhat indignant.

She felt that this was clearly something Jin He had caused, yet Mira always had to step in to mediate for him.

“Senior Yongmin?” Song Ya-yun beside her also asked. “He still hasn’t given up?”

Even Song Ya-yun knew about Sun Yongmin. He had been wanting to join the Azure Dragon Hall for a long time.

Actually, his family’s company was a supplier to one of Han Lin’s subsidiaries, and their cooperation had been quite pleasant. However, Sun Yongmin had once carelessly offended Jin He severely. Despite apologies, he never gained forgiveness and remained excluded from Jin He’s circle.

Being outside the circle meant many messages reached him with delays. If this continued, his inheritance rights might even be snatched away by his illegitimate younger brother. After facing numerous rejections from Jin He, Sun Yongmin had shifted his target to Xia Mi La since last semester.

Xia Mi La was famously gentle, kind, and easy to talk to. Sun Yongmin thought that as long as he showed enough sincerity and earnestness, moving the young lady’s compassionate heart would be much easier than persuading Jin He.

Jin He’s faction, with Xia Mi La and her backing from Xia Hong, was actually slightly stronger than Zhao Taihe’s faction. Unfortunately, Xia Mi La was so immersed in her role as Jin He’s fiance that she only revolved around him and didn’t pay much attention to other matters. In the past, to avoid angering Jin He, she always had Xu Lian Yi dismiss him.

Sun Yongmin wasn’t very optimistic about today’s outcome either. But he had no choice he still had to try.

Holding a gift prepared for Xia Mi La, he waited patiently at the entrance.

When the door opened, it was Xia Mi La herself, which surprised Sun Yongmin.

“Miss Mira.” He quickly stepped forward to greet her.

The two went to the second-floor terrace to talk.

Sun Yongmin indeed repeated his previous request he wanted to join the Azure Dragon Hall. As long as he could join, he was willing to do anything and would henceforth follow Miss Mira’s lead unquestioningly.

This amused Xia Mi La.

She accepted the gift from Sun Yongmin’s hands: “Senior, there’s no need for such humility.”

Sun Yongmin was one year older than Xia Mi La, being her senior by one grade, but even in front of Xu Lian Yi, he obediently used honorifics.

“I…” No one is born understanding everything. Sun Yongmin was simply afraid of these young masters and ladies, never knowing when he might accidentally offend someone.

He could only offer an ingratiating smile before Xia Mi La.

“Senior, don’t worry.” Xia Mi La didn’t beat around the bush. “This matter really isn’t a problem.”

“Really?Sun Yongmin’s face lit up with surprise.

“Mhm.” Xia Mi La nodded slightly. “You just need to wait patiently a little longer.”

Sun Yongmin’s expression turned bitter: “Ah, waiting…”

He had already waited so long.

Xia Mi La chuckled softly to comfort him: “This time it won’t take long, senior.”

Sun Yongmin wanted to ask more, but found himself holding his breath at the sight of the girl’s face so close to his.

That delicate, gentle profile like a blooming flower.

Everyone already knew Xia Mi La was beautiful, but in this moment, she seemed to carry an aura she hadn’t possessed before, appearing even more beautiful.

Not daring to entertain improper thoughts, Sun Yongmin quickly lowered his head.

“Then… alright.” He acquiesced.

Thinking about it calmly, Xia Mi La had no reason to brush him off.

If she didn’t want to deal with him, she could simply have Xu Lian Yi reject him directly.

So he expressed his thanks and prepared to leave.

While turning to go, he kept pondering Xia Mi La’s words.

Waiting… was it because some change was imminent?

This semester indeed had many new developments. Would the change be because of Jin He’s twin brother, or because of the new transfer student?

At this thought, he paused mid-step, turned around, and walked back to stand before Xia Mi La.

Xia Mi La wasn’t wearing her badge today either, but absolutely no one at school would question her status.

“Miss Mira, whatever you need, you can order me to do it.” His tone was resolute. “I’m on your side.”

Quite clever.

Xia Mi La looked at him and smiled: “Alright.”

After Sun Yongmin left, Xia Mi La didn’t immediately return to the lounge.

The weather was nice, so she stayed to get some fresh air.

Sun Yongmin’s gift was a box of candy. Limited edition candies handmade by a Michelin master that the female lead particularly liked.

He had certainly given expensive gifts before, which the female lead had politely declined without even looking at them.

This box of candy clearly showed more thought than those expensive jewels, since this master didn’t make candy regularly.

Xia Mi La opened the tin box and casually put a piece in her mouth. Leaning her arms casually on the railing, she leisurely looked down and spotted Jin Can strolling slowly below.

“Acan.” She called out to him.

Jin Can paused mid-step, looked up to locate her, then changed direction and walked toward her.

They gazed at each other across half a floor’s distance one on the terrace, one below it.

Xia Mi La leaned forward slightly, looking down at him: “What are you doing? Where are you going?”

Jin Can tilted his head up. “Zhao Taihe’s people asked to meet me behind the sports field.”

“Ah…” Xia Mi La thought to herself, that troublemaker why would he summon someone behind the sports field if not to intimidate them?

“Do you need help?” she asked. “You don’t have to go.”

“No need,” Jin Can replied.

It wasn’t his first day at school; he understood these situations perfectly. They might want to bully the new student, but who would end up intimidating whom remained to be seen.

He’s quite arrogant. Xia Mi La recalled the scene back in Busan where he took on five opponents alone… He certainly had the capital to be arrogant.

Given his status, even if Zhao Taihe and his crew started something, they wouldn’t go too far. With this in mind, Xia Mi La nodded at him. “Go ahead then.”

Jin Can raised his hand slightly. “See you later.”

Xia Mi La smiled. “See you later.”

Jin Can walked away, his figure gradually disappearing from view. Xia Mi La remained standing there, leaning against the railing while humming a tune. Soon enough, she saw Pei Duo Xing approaching.

Pei Duo Xing’s steps lacked Jin Can’s carefree ease; she seemed burdened with worries.

Xia Mi La wasn’t familiar with her, so she didn’t call out.

Instead, it was Pei Duo Xing who paused upon seeing her, momentarily stunned.

The young lady Xia Mi La daughter of Xia Hong, whose name had been constantly mentioned lately stood right before her.

Leaning against the second-floor railing, her black hair cascading over her shoulders shimmered with a soft glow. Her fair skin and gentle eyes exuded tranquility.

Though both wore school uniforms, Pei Duo Xing could never carry herself with such natural ease. Those born with silver spoons inherently possessed confidence and composure. In this aspect, Xia Mi La even surpassed Jin He by far.

Their eyes met. Xia Mi La’s expression remained unchanged still gentle and composed. Yet Pei Duo Xing felt uncomfortably exposed. Her school uniform was indeed secondhand; though not overly worn, it clearly didn’t fit properly.

The insecurity of wearing ill-fitting clothes magnified in this face-to-face encounter with Jin He’s fiancée. She quickened her pace and hurried away like escaping.

This formidable supporting female character from the original comic who had caused the female lead much suffering evoked no emotional response in Xia Mi La as she watched her depart.

She watched Pei Duo Xing walk into the distance, observing her choose the right path at the fork ahead.

Soon, noisy footsteps approached as several boys came over, glancing around as if searching for someone.

Failing to find their target, they noticed Xia Mi La standing there.

They politely greeted her before asking, “Mira, have you seen Pei Duo Xing? The new scholarship student. Did she pass by here earlier?”

Today was certainly eventful.

“Yes,” Xia Mi La naturally pointed left with her fingertip. “But I didn’t pay much attention. She might have gone that way.”

“Thanks, Mira.” The group expressed gratitude and continued chasing after Pei Duo Xing in the direction she’d indicated.

Three groups of people, coming and going in haste.

The candy in Xia Mi La’s mouth slowly dissolved. She decided to return to the lounge.

This reminded her of Jin Can again, wondering whether to call him directly or contact Zhao Taihe instead.

While hesitating, she saw Jin Can walking back.

His handsome face was bruised again. Xia Mi La spotted him from afar and called out with a laugh, “Come up, I’ve been waiting for you here.”

Jin Can obediently climbed the stairs, where Mira stood waiting by the second-floor landing.

“Let’s go,” she said to him. “I’ll take you to the lounge to treat your wounds.”

“Azure Dragon Hall?” Jin Can asked.

“Mhm.”

“Can anyone just go in there?” he pressed.

Mira fell silent briefly.

If just anyone could enter, how would they maintain that sense of superiority?

“No need for treatment,” Jin Can said. “These injuries are nothing.”

Mira understood then that he didn’t want to go to that lounge.

She didn’t push him.

“Alright, we won’t go,” she said. “Let me show you around here instead.”

As she spoke, she opened a small metal tin and held it out to him.

“Mhm,” Jin Can acknowledged but didn’t reach for it.

He wasn’t particularly fond of sweets.

“Kids always need candy to comfort them when they’re hurt,” Mira said. “Try one, these are really good.”

He wasn’t a child…

Jin Can glanced down at the candy tin.

The candies were beautifully made, with vibrant gradient colors, translucent and polished like little gemstones.

He reached out and took one.

Besides, when he was young, no one had ever offered him candy to comfort his hurts.

Author’s Note:

———————-

There, there [head pat]