Chapter 4: Encountering an Acquaintance
However, in this life, he had never technically met this person before, so he couldn’t afford to let any flaws show.
“And here I was wondering who it was. It’s just you, you weakling.”
Being called a weakling naturally didn’t sit well with Bai Zhouyun. “Zhang Yun, did no one ever teach you how to speak properly?”
Zhang Yun’s status was actually quite similar to Bai Zhouyun’s, and the Zhang family’s overall strength was arguably a bit inferior to the Bai family’s. So why did Zhang Yun dare to go head-to-head with Bai Zhouyun like this?
It was because while the Zhang family themselves lacked sufficient power, Zhang Yun had an incredibly capable elder sister. She had married into the Imperial family, and her husband was no deadbeat—he currently served in the military as a Lieutenant General. With such a massive backer, as long as the Zhang family didn’t actively seek their own destruction, they were safe from any major trouble.
Zhang Yun knew exactly where he stood. He disliked Bai Zhouyun and took every opportunity to needle him verbally, though he never actually resorted to physical violence.
“Heh, truly, no one ever taught me to be polite when speaking to a weakling like you. Why don’t you tell me—among our peers, who else hasn’t become a High-Level Yineng Zhe yet?”
“Besides you, it’s just those twenty or thirty students at the bottom of the class rankings. They all had the sense to repeat a grade, but you sure are thick-skinned! A Middle-Level Yineng Zhe actually had the audacity to move up a grade with the rest of us without a shred of self-awareness…”
As he spoke, Zhang Yun noticed Nan Yu, who had been standing silently to the side. He felt the boy looked familiar but couldn’t quite place where he had seen him.
Suddenly, a lackey following behind him leaned in and whispered a few words into his ear with a sly expression.
Zhang Yun had a moment of sudden realization. “Ah! So this is the Nan family’s Middle-Level Jingshenli Zhe, Nan Yu. Truly, seeing you is better than hearing a hundred rumors. I thought you looked familiar, but I didn’t dare confirm it until now!”
Nan Yu’s impression of this Zhang Yun was actually quite good because the man had helped him in his previous life. It wasn’t during the time when Nan Yu had status and power, but rather when he was being schemed against by Bai Zhouyun and Yun Feiyu.
When he was being cursed by thousands and even his status as a High-Level Jingshenli Zhe couldn’t save his reputation, this Zhang Yun had helped him once. Perhaps it was just a whim, but Nan Yu found Zhang Yun quite likeable because of it.
“Hello. This should be our first time meeting, so how could I look familiar to you…?”
Zhang Yun immediately tossed Bai Zhouyun aside. “Actually, I’m in the same year as Nan Zhen. We’re on speaking terms. I’ve seen your photo at his place several times. I didn’t expect you to be even more easy on the eyes in person!”
To be honest, under normal circumstances, there was nothing wrong with Zhang Yun saying such things. However, the problem was that Bai Zhouyun—the one with an active engagement to Nan Yu—was standing right there.
Bai Zhouyun was a man, after all, and hearing Zhang Yun speak this way made him extremely angry.
“What did you say?!”
Seeing Bai Zhouyun’s face turn red with rage was a novel experience for Zhang Yun, as he had never seen him this upset before.
“Oh? You’re angry? Then come and hit me!”
Zhang Yun remained as obnoxious as ever. Seeing this, Nan Yu’s mood improved considerably. He watched with great interest as Bai Zhouyun’s face flushed with fury, yet the man didn’t dare to step forward and strike Zhang Yun.
If Zhang Yun were a Middle-Level Yineng Zhe like him, he certainly would have gone over to throw a punch. Unfortunately, Zhang Yun was a High-Level Yineng Zhe. Although he was still young and his combat prowess couldn’t compare to the veteran High-Levels, Bai Zhouyun knew he was no match for him.
“Zhang Yun, how can you be so thick-skinned? Xiao Yu is my fiancé. Don’t you dare flirt with him, or I’ll have the right to sue you!”
The genuine smile Zhang Yun had held while looking at Nan Yu vanished, replaced by a mocking sneer as he looked at Bai Zhouyun. “Wow, you’re so impressive. I’m so scared! Since you’re so powerful, go ahead and sue me right now. Go on, go!”
One had to understand that there wasn’t a soul on the Capital Star who didn’t know the Nan family had a precious treasure. The number of people who felt envy, jealousy, and hatred toward a piece of trash like Bai Zhouyun was countless!
If he dared to sue, not only was there no evidence now, but even if there were, all that would await Bai Zhouyun was endless humiliation.
Nan Yu stood to the side watching the farce. It had reached a sufficient point; if they delayed any longer, he feared things might change.
“Alright, it’s about time.”
Only then did Bai Zhouyun remember that his purpose for coming to the Heiye Senlin this time was to take Nan Yu inside to gather medicinal herbs in preparation for Nan Yu’s upcoming pharmacy courses.
“Hmph, consider yourself lucky this time.”
Nan Yu’s mouth twitched. He wasn’t sure who was the “lucky” one escaping a disaster here.
Zhang Yun watched Nan Yu’s retreating figure with a bit of reluctance and snapped a photo of his back.
If it were a photo of his face, the other party certainly wouldn’t allow it, but a shot of his back was no problem.
After taking the photo, Zhang Yun waved at him. “Nan Beauty, we’ll meet again!”
Nan Yu raised an eyebrow and looked back at him with interest. He didn’t speak, only offering a small smile before turning to follow Bai Zhouyun into the Heiye Senlin.
Zhang Yun was left behind, stroking his chin as he savored the moment.
“Mm… the beauty’s smile is truly too stunning.”
Before Zhang Yun could fully recover, he saw someone approaching from a distance. He immediately wiped the improper look from his face. Within a second or two, he looked as though he had become a disciplined soldier.
His entire being exuded nothing but seriousness and efficiency.
“Brother Yuan!”
Yuan Qiyang looked at him coldly. “Time is short. Follow me.”
Zhang Yun replied, “Yes!”
Zhang Yun followed behind him, secretly wiping away a handful of sweat.
Who was this Yuan Qiyang?
While Zhang Yun’s capable sister had married a Lieutenant General of the Imperial family, Yuan Qiyang was the Imperial Crown Prince of their Empire!
He was only able to follow Yuan Qiyang here to handle affairs thanks to his sister. Even though it was a small matter and Yuan Qiyang simply needed a guide, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.
Fortunately, that scene just now hadn’t been witnessed by him. Otherwise, if the Crown Prince saw him acting like such a frivolous playboy, he would surely never give him a kind look again.
Zhang Yun followed him cautiously, letting out a heavy sigh of relief in his heart.
But what Zhang Yun didn’t know was… Yuan Qiyang had seen everything that happened between Nan Yu, Bai Zhouyun, and Zhang Yun. He had even seen Nan Yu’s smile when he looked back.
For some reason, as the Crown Prince and the future successor of the Empire, he never lacked for people around him. Over the years, many Middle-Level Jingshenli Zhe had desperately tried to be with him.
Yet, he had always remained unmoved.
Translator’s Note:
Hi guys! Hope you enjoyed the introduction of Zhang Yun. He’s such a “troll” character, but in a fun way. Also, we finally get a glimpse of the Crown Prince, Yuan Qiyang! In the raw, “Yuan” is a royal surname here. The term “Ruoji” (弱鸡) literally means “weak chicken,” which is why I translated it as “weakling.” It’s a common insult for someone who is physically or rank-wise inferior.
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