Chapter 28 “Just Give Me This One…

It’s completely different now.

Jin Can hadn’t expected to return here with her so soon.

Though time was tight, the lounge had been cleaned and arranged perfectly.

He hadn’t visited other lounges and had nothing to compare it to, but judging by the faintly proud expression on Xia Mi La’s face, he could tell she was very satisfied.

No wonder she felt this way.

From the start of school until now, after nearly a week of being passive, she had finally made a brilliant move.

Even the privileged life of Xia Hong’s young lady wasn’t entirely carefree – this he had known for a long time.

“Hmm.” He nodded. “Completely renewed, very beautiful.”

The smile on Xia Mi La’s face grew even more radiant: “If you ever feel bored in the future and don’t know where to kill time, you can occasionally come here to relax.”

Jin Can raised his eyebrows slightly: “Occasionally?”

Xia Mi La looked at him and laughed: “I thought you didn’t really like staying in such places. Of course, if you like it, you can come anytime.”

“Would it be convenient for outsiders to come in anytime?” Jin Can casually scanned the surroundings again. “Wouldn’t it be better to give me a badge?”

Xia Mi La studied him seriously, unsure if he understood the implications of what he was saying.

But she felt he probably did understand.

When she had brought him to Azure Dragon Hall before, he hadn’t even been willing to enter at the door, proving he was someone with clear boundaries.

Jin Can certainly knew.

Forming alliances for common interests, dividing territories for shared reputation – these things existed everywhere. It was just that the interests in Busan hadn’t been as substantial as they were now.

So he looked at Xia Mi La with completely candid eyes, because he truly meant what he said.

But Xia Mi La didn’t mean it that way. She had invited him purely as a friend, not to recruit him to take sides.

“Your position is somewhat special,” she said to him frankly. “You might just be casually making a decision, but people will interpret it in various ways, which could bring you some trouble.”

Jin Can looked at her and countered: “Didn’t you say that in school, I can do whatever I like?”

That was what she had told him before school started.

She had been hinting to him then that with his background, he didn’t need to defer to anyone in school or be swayed by anyone – he could boldly be himself.

It seemed he had completely understood at the time, and had been implementing it quite well.

Xia Mi La couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Watching her laugh, Jin Can also curved the corners of his mouth, then he pointed at her chest: “Just give me this one.”

“Really, you’re something else,” Xia Mi La said while removing her own badge, then stepped forward and carefully pinned it to his school uniform.

Many people around them witnessed this scene.

“Oh my,” Song Ya-yun patted Xu Lian Yi, “Is Jin Can joining us? Mira is really amazing.”

Xu Lian Yi looked up at the two upon hearing this.

“I don’t know,” she said, knowing Xia Mi La very well. “Mira didn’t seem to have that intention originally.”

But like this, it was quite good too.

Overall, her impression of Jin Can was much better than that of Jin He.

Xia Mi La pinned the badge onto Jin Can’s clothes and gently smoothed his collar. “There,” she said.

Just as she spoke, her phone rang in her pocket.

It was Zhao Taihe calling.

“Congratulations,” his laughter came through the phone. “Shouldn’t we spend more time building our relationship? We might have opportunities to collaborate in the future.”

“I’m hosting a party on Saturday. I’ll send you an invitation then,” Xia Mi La asked. “Would you honor us with your presence, Young Master Zhao?”

“Of course,” Zhao Taihe agreed readily. “I would never refuse an invitation from Miss Mira.”

They exchanged pleasant laughs, both maintaining a somewhat formal, business-like tone. After chatting for a few more moments, they ended the call.

Xia Mi La’s phone remained busy. After everyone at school saw the video, many called or messaged her to inquire.

For instance, Sun Yongmin immediately reached out.

Though he couldn’t get into the Azure Dragon Hall, joining the Vermilion Bird Hall was acceptable. While the future prospects were still unclear, following Xia Mi La was undoubtedly the right move.

He wasn’t the only one who thought this way.

Although the Vermilion Bird Hall had its own entry requirements, at least they were clear-cut, unlike the Azure Dragon Hall where admission sometimes depended on Jin He’s whims.

Consequently, some members of the Hanlin Faction who couldn’t enter the Azure Dragon Hall came over to join the Vermilion Bird Hall.

To their surprise, it turned out to be a worthwhile decision they hadn’t expected Jin Can to be there as well.

Since they had some past conflicts with Jin He, this presented a perfect opportunity to build a good relationship with his younger brother.

When members of the Azure Dragon Hall heard the news, they couldn’t hide their jealousy. “How could Mira accept just anyone? Is she trying to compete with us?”

Of course, there were dissenting opinions as well. “They were originally part of our Hanlin Faction. If you ask me, A He is being too narrow-minded. Even if there were disagreements, he should prioritize the bigger picture.”

A little later, Jin He found out as well.

He didn’t need to make any special inquiries the moment he returned to the classroom, he saw it. He saw the Vermilion Bird Badge on Jin Can.

His gaze shifted and then landed on Xia Mi La.

Since they had run into each other, Xia Mi La extended an invitation as well. “We’re having a Vermilion Bird Hall party on Saturday. You should come and join us.”

Jin He glanced at her but didn’t say a word, turning and walking away.

Xia Mi La was long accustomed to his self-important rudeness, so she stopped Jin Can, who wanted to confront him, and shook her head at him.

Jin He remained in a sour mood for the entire afternoon, all the way until school ended.

Pei Duo Xing felt the same.

Although she wore the Azure Dragon Hall badge and remained under Jin He’s protection, avoiding any further physical violence, the cold shoulder she received was a form of violence in itself.

Aside from Jin He and Cui Zhe, no one else spoke to her properly.

They either mocked her sarcastically or treated her as if she were invisible, completely ignoring her.

She felt somewhat exhausted and complained quietly to Jin He on their way home from school, but he didn’t pay any attention.

“A He,” Pei Duo Xing looked at him, “are you even listening to me?”

“Huh? What?” Jin He finally snapped out of his thoughts.

Pei Duo Xing was a little upset. “What are you thinking about? You’ve been distracted this whole time.”

Jin He was thinking about the Vermilion Bird Hall. He didn’t know why, but he was quite bothered by the whole situation.

So he said to Pei Duo Xing, “Do you know how many people I dislike have joined the Vermilion Bird Hall?”
He didn’t know if this was some new method Xia Mi La had devised to get his attention.

“Oh, really?” Pei Duo Xing, however, showed no interest in the Vermilion Bird Hall. She said casually, “Then have A-Zhe help you handle it.”

Jin He actually nodded and decided to send Cui Zhe to investigate tomorrow and see what was really going on.

Despite thinking this, his mood remained sour when he returned home.

He had dropped Pei Duo Xing off first, taking a detour before coming back. By the time he arrived, Jin Can had already changed out of his school uniform and was sitting in the living room in casual clothes.

Jin He instinctively glanced at Jin Can’s chest he wasn’t wearing the Vermilion Bird Hall badge at home.

But Jin Can himself, Jin He felt, was already a provocation just by standing in front of him.

He recalled how Xia Mi La had sat protectively beside Jin Can at the party and strode over to him.

“I don’t know what you’re scheming,” he said to Jin Can, “but don’t think that standing by Mira’s side means you can replace me.”

Seeing a face so similar to his own constantly hovering around Xia Mi La was truly infuriating.

He had long wanted to warn him.

But Jin Can wasn’t the type to take a beating without fighting back.

Even back in the orphanage, no one could force him to bow his head, let alone now.

He stood up, facing Jin He directly, and was a few centimeters taller.

“You’re worrying a bit too much,” he said to Jin He. “Since you’ve decided to break off the engagement, Mira has nothing to do with you anymore. So, just mind your own business. Whatever I want to do or whatever Mira wants to do is none of your concern.”

His tone was flat, his eyes carrying a faint chill.

It wasn’t until Jin Can had finished speaking and walked away that Jin He processed the warning undertone in his words.

He was instantly furious.

How great, he thought, that someone like Jin Can, who came back from an orphanage with no upbringing, could so casually step all over him.

The next two days were much the same, with the main topic at school still being the Vermilion Bird Hall.

Xia Mi La’s move this time was swift and decisive, hinting at a shift in the wind.

“Is the Xia Hong Faction really cutting ties with the Hanlin Faction? Are Xia Mi La and Jin He really calling off their engagement?”

“Does Xia Mi La not like Jin He anymore? Is that even possible?”

“Maybe it’s another tactic to win a man back.”

“Come on, it’s not like she needs Jin He now.”

“Yeah, Jin Can has already joined the Vermilion Bird Hall.”

“If I were Xia Mi La, I’d choose Jin Can too. He’s handsomer, more obedient, like a blank slate.”

“KK, is this some kind of substitute romance trope?”

Cui Zhe followed Jin He’s orders to investigate the Vermilion Bird Hall. Of course, he was personally quite interested in the matter as well.

So one noon, he stepped through the doors of the Vermilion Bird Hall for the first time.

The difference in style between the Vermilion Bird Hall and the Azure Dragon Hall was immediately noticeable.

The Azure Dragon Hall’s decor had also been designed by Xia Mi La. She had put a lot of effort into it back then. Though it was just a lounge, entering it gave one a cozy, comfortable feeling that made them reluctant to leave.

The Vermilion Bird Hall before him was even more lavish.

Cui Zhe had an eye for quality. His gaze swept over the room not just the furniture, but even the small decorations casually placed here and there, the paintings hanging on the walls, were all luxury items.

It’s unclear whose design was behind the Vermilion Bird Hall’s layout, but Xia Mi La had never been one for such overt extravagance before.

At this moment, Xia Mi La was seated at a desk, a slim laptop open before her, a pair of silver-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.

When she saw him, a faint smile touched her lips.

She seemed to have returned to her former gentle and tender self.