Luo Wenchuan had appeared beside Yun Xingze at some point. His tall frame shielded Yun Xingze from the surrounding gazes as he glared coldly at Chi Yu. “Pay back what you owe, you and Su Zinan both. Stop bothering Yun Xingze.”
Su Zinan’s voice trembled. “I don’t have that much money.”
“Then drop out.”
Luo Wenchuan’s icy tone cut through Su Zinan like a knife.
Chi Yu quickly interjected, “I’ll pay it back! Xingze, can you just listen to me for a second? I didn’t mean to.”
“If you didn’t mean to, then you’re just stupid.” Luo Wenchuan didn’t give Chi Yu a chance to speak, standing like an impenetrable wall between him and Yun Xingze.
Chi Yu flushed at Luo Wenchuan’s rebuke. The surrounding stares and whispers seemed to mock him, leaving him utterly humiliated.
Yun Xingze stared blankly at Luo Wenchuan, who shielded him from the onlookers, wrapping an arm around him in a protective embrace that radiated safety.
By the time Yun Xingze processed what was happening, Luo Wenchuan had already led him away.
Chi Yu’s voice chased after them, “Xingze, don’t go! I’ll give you more than 690,000 Xingze!”
Lu Ranxu frowned at Chi Yu, “Shut up already. How about paying back the money before you start running your mouth?”
Chi Yu’s face instantly turned ashen, rendered speechless.
Luo Wenchuan led Yun Xingze to a secluded area near the cherry blossom grove where few people passed by.
Yun Xingze swallowed hard and said in a small voice,
“Senior, sorry to trouble you again. ”
Yun Xingze couldn’t help feeling that he always encountered Luo Wenchuan at his most disheveled moments.
“If you don’t want to talk to them, just stay away,” Luo Wenchuan said softly, his calm gaze resting on Yun Xingze. “If there’s anything you need to settle with them, I’ll handle it for you.”
This was typical of Luo Wenchuan, always standing by Yun Xingze’s side in his own gentle yet resolute way.
And unlike loudmouths like Chi Yu who boasted “I’ll treat you right,” whenever Yun Xingze became aware of Luo Wenchuan’s kindness, the senior had already quietly taken care of everything.
Perhaps this was another reason Yun Xingze found him impossible to resist.
“Thank you, Senior,” Yun Xingze said gratefully.
“The weather’s nice today,” Luo Wenchuan remarked, glancing around. Cherry blossom petals drifted down in the mild breeze, bathed in warm sunlight, carrying a gentleness that mirrored his own. “Don’t let them ruin your mood.”
Yun Xingze nodded. “I won’t.”
“Oh, by the way.” Luo Wenchuan suddenly changed the subject, looking at Yun Xingze as he spoke slowly, “I forgot something back at the arena.”
Curious, Yun Xingze asked, “What was it?”
Luo Wenchuan, dressed in his school uniform, reached into his trouser pocket as if retrieving something.
“Close your eyes for a second,” Luo Wenchuan said, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. Though his expression remained neutral, there was a hint of seriousness in his tone.
Yun Xingze couldn’t help laughing. “What’s this? So mysterious.”
Still, he obediently closed his eyes and waited for Luo Wenchuan’s next move.
A few seconds passed.
“Pop.”
A soft sound burst above Yun Xingze’s head, startling a few small birds from the trees.
Yun Xingze’s eyes flew open to see Luo Wenchuan holding a small party popper, having stepped back a few paces before pressing the button right above him.
Confetti and cherry blossom petals cascaded over Yun Xingze’s head, shimmering in the sunlight and drawing an expression of delighted surprise from him.
“Wow, Senior, you’re so silly,” Yun Xingze laughed while complaining. “Did you pick this party popper up from the arena floor?”
“Yep,” Luo Wenchuan replied with feigned solemnity. “Found it lying around. Seemed a waste not to use it, so here you go.”
This was yet another rare instance of Luo Wenchuan joking around. As Yun Xingze watched the paper snowflakes and pink petals drift down, the regret he’d felt earlier missing out on the grand celebration was now completely dispelled.
Luo Wenchuan put away the popper, his narrow eyes fixed on Yun Xingze. “Congratulations on making the school team, little mecha engineer,” he said, the corners of his lips curling upward.
Yun Xingze scratched his head sheepishly. “I never thought I’d actually get in. I was just aiming for the win streak bonus.”
Noticing bits of confetti caught in Yun Xingze’s hair, Luo Wenchuan reached out to brush them away.
The moment his slender fingers grazed Yun Xingze’s hair, the air between them seemed to grow warmer under the sunlight.
Their eyes met.
Yun Xingze was momentarily stunned, then Luo Wenchuan quickly withdrew his hand and said nonchalantly, “Congratulations on winning the 500,000-credit prize.”
The lingering sensation on Yun Xingze’s head remained as he curved his lips into a smile and replied, “I hope you’ll lead the school team to even greater achievements this year, senior.”
Luo Wenchuan pressed his lips together, his gaze sweeping over Yun Xingze’s head before lowering to meet his eyes. After a long pause, he gave a soft “Mm” in response.
A simple acknowledgment, yet it carried a firmness that had never been there before.
Hidden within Luo Wenchuan’s eyes was an anticipation Yun Xingze couldn’t see.
With all ten rounds of the mech competition concluded, the organizing committee was now busily tallying the final scores.
Yun Xingze could finally enjoy a well-deserved break.
During this time, Chi Yu attempted to reach out to him, but Yun Xingze rejected every approach.
He Haoming also conveyed his apologies through intermediaries, but Yun Xingze offered no response.
The outcome of the trio’s reselling scandal remained unclear, but Yun Xingze’s account did receive a transfer from Chi Yu, accompanied by a message expressing deep remorse.
Yet even this failed to move Yun Xingze.
He Haoming spent these days consumed by regret and frustration, his temper worsening dramatically. His previous dislike for Yun Xingze had now transferred entirely to Su Zinan with tenfold intensity.
Su Zinan’s misdeeds once again flooded the forums. While many expressed sympathies for Yun Xingze, they universally condemned the actions of Chi, Su, and He, who became the targets of widespread criticism.
Su Zinan didn’t dare drop out of school, knowing Luo Wenchuan would pursue the debt regardless. The consequences of fleeing would likely be far more severe.
So, he endured his pariah existence, working tirelessly to repay Yun Xingze while secretly weeping at night; all traces of his former arrogance gone, along with any schemes to harm others.
The mech competition results were about to be announced.
Dubbed “Glory Day” by Stellar Naval Academy students, this occasion featured military officials presenting certificates, medals, and prize money to the newly selected school team members.
The ceremony would also showcase highlight reels of the competitors’ performances, making it a celebrated event among cadets.
Everyone eagerly anticipated Glory Day.
Lu Ranxu was so excited the night before that he couldn’t sleep, repeatedly telling Yun Xingze, “Tomorrow’s the day we witness history! You’re going to bring honor to your ancestors!”
Yun Xingze cared little for glory his mech had sustained scratches during the match with He Haoming and needed repairs.
Besides, he still owed Zhuo Feiyue money. The 500,000-credit prize was all that mattered to him.
News of Yun Xingze’s impending participation in the awards ceremony reached the Yun household the evening before Glory Day.
Yun Changsheng (Yun Xingze’s father), Qin Shuang (his mother), and younger brother Yun Wu were having dinner together.
Yun Wu, currently attending an elite high school and soon to advance further, carried the family’s hopes as their Alpha heir.
“Eat more, Yun Wu,” Qin Shuang urged, piling food onto his plate. “Alphas need nutrition for growth. Don’t end up skinny like your brother.”
Yun Wu frowned slightly, not entirely agreeing with Qin Shuang’s words, but he remained silent.
A domineering mother, a father buried in work, and a love-struck older brother. This family made Yun Wu feel suffocated.
Yun Changsheng said to Yun Wu, “You’ll definitely get into Starsea Military Academy next year. When that happens, you must make your father proud. Strive to join the academy team like that kid from the Chi family and compete in the national league. If you perform well, you might even catch the eye of the Imperial Army! General Chi will also help you.”
“Didn’t the Chi family already break off the engagement with us?” Yun Wu frowned. “Why do you keep bringing them up?”
Hearing this, Qin Shuang snapped, “Who said it’s broken off? Chi Yu is just young and impulsive. What Alpha isn’t a little wild in their youth? Making mistakes is perfectly normal. You know how spoiled your brother is. Our family can’t afford to lose ties with the Chi family.”
Just then, the Yun family’s butler, Zhang Shu, hurriedly entered the villa.
“Mr. Yun, Starsea Military Academy has sent an invitation to our family,” Zhang Shu said with surprise. “It seems they’re inviting us to attend the Glory Day awards ceremony.”
“What nonsense is this?” Yun Changsheng took it casually. “Inviting us to present awards? Well, our Changsheng Corporation is a major company. We’re more than qualified to award military academy students…”
Zhang Shu coughed twice. “This ceremony has always been presided over by generals.”
Yun Changsheng rolled his eyes. “Then why invite me?”
Qin Shuang frowned beside him. “Could it be that Yun Xingze has caused trouble again?”
“No, no,” Zhang Shu quickly shook his head. “I heard it’s because the young master achieved excellent results in this year’s mecha tournament, so they’re inviting you as family to attend.”
The living room fell into stunned silence.
“W-what?” Yun Changsheng stammered in disbelief. “You mean… Yun Xingze? He participated in the mecha tournament? The one exclusively for Alphas?!”
Qin Shuang also exclaimed, “That’s impossible! There must be some mistake!”
Zhang Shu hastily shook his head. “Absolutely not. I confirmed it, it’s definitely the young master.”
Yun Changsheng hurriedly tried opening the invitation, his hands trembling slightly from shock, taking a while to manage it.
Qin Shuang asked anxiously, “Is it real? What ranking did he get? Did he make the top hundred?”
Yun Wu also set down his chopsticks, his expression a mix of astonishment and curiosity.
The moment the invitation was opened, Yun Changsheng’s eyes widened in shock.
