Chapter 21: Are You Out of Your Mind? Went to Class Seven to Chase Girls

When Song Kai saw it was someone he knew, he immediately grinned widely and waved at Liu Miaoyu.

Liu Miaoyu glared angrily at Song Kai, then slumped over her desk, cursing him in her heart for being a scoundrel and as clingy as sticky candy. She began to worry—what if Song Kai tried to blackmail her over what happened at the hotel last time? What if he wanted to drag her back to another cheap hotel? Should she go, or refuse? Just thinking about that hazy night and the soul-consuming pleasure made her cheeks flush crimson.

Song Kai found it odd. Why did Liu Miaoyu always look so furious whenever she saw him? Not cute at all. Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it and borrowed a textbook from the student in front, settling down to study seriously.

At noon, after lunch, Song Kai continued reading mathematics. Just then, a graceful figure approached. Song Kai looked up—it was Liu Miaoyu. She wore simple light blue jeans and a loose school uniform top. Honestly, this outfit was quite basic, but somehow, on Liu Miaoyu, it made her look unexpectedly pure and beautiful.

"Hey, hello, looks like we really have a fated connection," Song Kai said, grinning and taking the initiative.

"Fated connection, my ass!" Liu Miaoyu slapped the book in front of Song Kai, pointed at him, and whispered fiercely, "You bastard, what exactly do you want? Let me tell you, don't even think about threatening me!"

"Threaten you? What are you talking about, you... Are you crazy!" Song Kai stared at Liu Miaoyu's forehead, his brows furrowing.

Hearing him call her crazy, Liu Miaoyu grew even angrier, feeling a bit aggrieved. She was a girl, drugged by someone, and somehow ended up spending the night with Song Kai. That alone was bad enough, but now Song Kai wouldn't let her be, even chasing her into the classroom!

When she confronted him, he insulted her instead!

Her eyes reddened. She pointed at Song Kai, gritting her teeth. "Fine! I'm crazy! Listen, Song Kai, if you ever tell anyone about what happened, I'll end my life right in front of you—and I’ll make sure you don’t survive either!"

With that, Liu Miaoyu turned to leave.

"Hey, wait..." Song Kai hurriedly grabbed her hand.

"Let go of me!"

"No, you've misunderstood. When I say you're crazy, I mean you’re actually sick," Song Kai now realized why Liu Miaoyu always avoided him.

Liu Miaoyu turned back, glaring at Song Kai, her anger nearly boiling over. "What do you mean?"

Song Kai quickly released her hand. "Don’t get worked up, Liu Miaoyu. Have you been somewhere unclean recently? I mean, like a graveyard or a murder scene—anything like that?"

"Huh?" Liu Miaoyu was furious, but at his words, her shoulders shrank. She looked at Song Kai with a serious, frightened expression. "Did you... notice something? What did you see?"

Song Kai lowered his voice. "Your brow is tinged with blue, your glabella shows a shadow, and the fire at your cheeks is weak—your heart fire is fading."

Liu Miaoyu rolled her eyes. "Speak plainly!"

Song Kai nodded, "Basically, it looks like you’ve encountered a ghost. Have you recently felt inexplicable fear at night, had recurring nightmares, and been exhausted during the day?"

Liu Miaoyu's face changed entirely. She leaned in close to Song Kai and whispered, "Song Kai, have I really encountered a ghost? Everything you said is true. And I keep dreaming about scenes from the Republic era—it's terrifying. My classmates say it's just stress from the college entrance exam, but I know it’s not."

Seeing how frightened Liu Miaoyu was, Song Kai took her hand and squeezed it tightly. "Don’t worry, it’s normal to run into ghosts. Just find a Taoist priest to exorcise it for you. And don’t walk outside at night."

"Are ghosts really real?" Liu Miaoyu was on the verge of tears, but Song Kai acted as if it were nothing.

Song Kai nodded. "Ghosts are perfectly normal. Taoism says pure yang without yin is called ‘spirit’, pure yin without yang is called ‘ghost’, and when yin and yang combine, you get ‘human’. Humans and ghosts are essentially the same, just different forms of energy. Why be so afraid?"

"Enough, enough, stop rambling. You sound like a Taoist yourself."

"I actually am a Tao—well, I’ve read some basic Taoist books," Song Kai quickly corrected himself.

"Can you help me get rid of the ghost?" Liu Miaoyu looked at him, anxious and desperate.

Song Kai thought for a moment. "Getting rid of the ghostly aura on you is simple, but I’ll need supplies—like cinnabar and yellow paper. I don’t have those."

"After school, I’ll take you shopping!" Liu Miaoyu said immediately, feeling she’d grabbed onto her lifeline.

"Alright," Song Kai agreed.

Just as he finished, a woman's shriek rang out.

Song Kai and Liu Miaoyu were startled. They turned to see Liu Miaoyu’s deskmate, Li Lan, clutching her chest, wide-eyed as if she’d seen an alien.

"Why are you screaming?" Liu Miaoyu was speechless.

"You... you two... your hands... Oh my, how romantic!" Li Lan squealed, starry-eyed.

Liu Miaoyu looked down and realized Song Kai was still gripping her hands tightly. She quickly pulled free.

"Are you crazy? Why are you holding my hand?" Liu Miaoyu snapped, messing up his hair in a fit of anger.

Li Lan giggled. "So romantic! Our class monitor is in love and didn’t tell us—such secrecy! Your boyfriend even switched classes for you, how sweet!"

"Nonsense, Song Kai was just checking my health," Liu Miaoyu hurried over and grabbed Li Lan’s arm. "Lan, please don’t spread rumors. There’s really nothing between us."

Li Lan kept giggling, and the two girls went back to their seats to chat and play. Half the girls in the class congratulated Liu Miaoyu, and soon she was laughing and mingling with them all. The few effeminate boys huddled at the window, discussing studies.

The whole class was harmonious.

Song Kai suddenly liked this class—a world apart from Class Three of Senior Year Three. He lowered his head and continued reading, determined to bring honor to Class Seven, or at least not hold them back.

...

After school in the afternoon, Song Kai stretched lazily, satisfied with his progress—he’d finished mathematics, and next up was English, Chinese, biology, and so on. Those subjects he could master with just a glance.

"Let’s go." Liu Miaoyu came over with her backpack, looking especially graceful and pure. Her big eyes glanced at Song Kai. "You treat my illness, I’ll buy you dinner—anything you want."

Song Kai nodded. "Deal. I need to replenish myself... Oh, right, help me move my desk and books."

They headed together to Class Three of Senior Year Three on the first floor.

Inside Class Three, Zhou Ran sat bored at her desk, packing her bag and sighing to herself. She had no idea where Song Kai had gone! He’d left in the morning and hadn’t returned at all. She hadn’t realized how much she missed him until he was gone—now, with her idiot cousin absent, her heart felt strangely empty.

If only Mom could accept her cousin, then he wouldn’t have to rent a place by himself, or be chased by debt collectors from the casino.

How pitiful.

Zhou Ran sighed.

At the back, Chen Haijun and his friends were buzzing with excitement. Chen Haijun squinted with satisfaction. Today’s plan had hit a small snag—they couldn’t get Song Kai expelled—but at least they’d driven him out of Class Three!

Tonight, he’d visit their homeroom teacher, Ma Bo, with a little red envelope, hoping to be reassigned to a seat next to Zhou Ran!

Heh heh heh!

Chen Haijun watched Zhou Ran’s back, swallowing hard. Such a beautiful, flirtatious girl—maybe he could get her into bed before the college entrance exam.

"Brother Jun, where do you think that idiot Song Kai’s gone?" Yan Tao asked, snickering.

"Who cares, as long as he stays away from our class flower. Just thinking about how he fingered Zhou Ran in class makes me want to chop him up."

"Heh, now that Song Kai’s gone, Brother Jun will have a chance to show off his golden finger."

The boys at the back all flattered Chen Haijun.

He smiled smugly.

Just then, two people entered at the door.

"Brother Jun, Song Kai’s back," Yan Tao said nervously.

Chen Haijun looked over.

Song Kai was walking into the classroom, accompanied by a woman—a stunningly beautiful and pure woman.

Chen Haijun rubbed his eyes in disbelief, stunned. "Damn, isn’t that Liu Miaoyu!"

"It really is Liu Miaoyu, the top student in our grade, the goddess of Senior Year Three."

"Gulp—why is the goddess here? I want her autograph!"

The boys at the back went wild.

Chen Haijun sensed trouble.

Song Kai walked to his desk, greeted Zhou Ran, "Hey, you’re still here."

"You bastard, where have you been!" Zhou Ran stood up, looking at Song Kai.

Liu Miaoyu naturally stood beside Song Kai. She glanced at Zhou Ran and suddenly smiled, "Hey, Zhou Ran, you and Song Kai used to be desk mates?"

"Miaoyu?" Zhou Ran looked at Liu Miaoyu, then at Song Kai. "You two... know each other?"

"Of course." Liu Miaoyu casually patted Song Kai’s shoulder. "Song Kai switched to Class Seven today. I’m here to help him move his desk."

"Hmm?" Zhou Ran looked at Song Kai, then burst out laughing. "Song Kai, you sly dog! Quietly going after the school goddess—I underestimated you!"

Song Kai looked at Zhou Ran, speechless. "Cut it out. Oh, so you know Liu Miaoyu."

"Obviously. We’re both academic stars—you wouldn’t understand, slacker!" Zhou Ran snorted.

Song Kai pursed his lips. "Alright, alright, you two carry the desk, I’ll move the books."

"What’s in it for me if I help?"

"I’ll treat you to dinner tonight, the best place, your choice," Song Kai promised.

"You’re broke as hell," Zhou Ran scoffed.

Song Kai laughed heartily. "Relax, Liu Miaoyu’s paying."

Liu Miaoyu laughed too. "Alright, my treat. Let’s get to work."

Song Kai carried a stack of books, while the two girls lifted the desk. The three of them joked and laughed as they left the classroom, leaving behind a crowd of boys—all eyes and drool on the floor...