Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Foxy Wiles, an Unpresentable Paramour

The force of the door flying open sent a gust of wind billowing the white curtain beside the infirmary bed.

The scene within was visible for only a flash.

But the male standing at the door clearly saw Jiang Qingli sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands braced at her sides, as a gentle, handsome young man knelt before her.

What sent Qin Muye into a blind rage was the sight of the girl’s foot resting on the male’s thigh, which was clad in suit trousers.

The white of her skin against the black of his trousers created a stark contrast.

’No matter how you look at it, this is completely improper.’

’I knew it!’

’That sly fox Baili Jing would definitely try something with Jiang Qingli behind my back!’

’He must have seduced her into putting her foot on him!’

’Shameless seduction!’

What made him even more furious was that Jiang Qingli was completely oblivious, even asking with some confusion, "What are you guys doing here?"

"What do you think?"

Suppressing his rage, Qin Muye strode forward and yanked the curtain aside.

But he froze the moment he got a clear look at the scene.

Baili Jing’s other hand, which had been blocked from view by Jiang Qingli, was holding ointment and cotton swabs. As Qin Muye drew closer, he saw that Jiang Qingli had minor scrapes on her ankle and calf.

"What’s wrong, Muye?" Baili Jing frowned, feigning confusion. "You seem so angry."

Qin Muye: "..."

Qin Muye barely stopped himself from scoffing.

’That sly fox has to be doing this on purpose. Using that tone of voice to make me misunderstand, waiting for me to barge in, and then acting all magnanimous and benevolent...’

’For someone who’s never even spent the night in the female master’s room, he’s certainly desperate to play the part of the primary husband.’

But Qin Muye wasn’t a complete idiot. He smoothed the anger from his face, sat down beside Jiang Qingli, and grabbed her hand to inspect it from every angle.

"What are you looking at?" Jiang Qingli asked.

"Checking if your hand is hurt." It was as if Qin Muye’s eyes had turned into a scanner, wanting to map and store every detail of her skin.

"My hand isn’t hurt." The tips of Jiang Qingli’s ears grew warm. She tried to pull her hand back, but he held fast. Her gaze subconsciously drifted to Baili Jing, who was tending to her other injuries.

The young man’s eyes were lowered, his expression focused and serious, and his movements became even more gentle.

Qin Muye huffed and said to Jiang Qingli, "The other one."

Anyone with eyes could see he had no intention of leaving.

Jiang Qingli felt a little awkward, with one male holding her ankle and another her wrist.

Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly heard a CLICK.

She turned her head to see a top student in a white and platinum uniform closing the door and walking slowly toward them.

The presence of the three males made the spacious infirmary feel cramped and crowded.

Unseen undercurrents swirled between them.

Jiang Qingli, still unaware of the animosity between the males, asked Yuan Shiyao, "You’re here too? Does the student council need me for something?"

At her question, the other two males looked up at Yuan Shiyao in unison.

Though one was smiling and the other was expressionless, their desire for him to leave was perfectly clear.

Yuan Shiyao paused.

He suddenly felt like an outsider, excluded by the others.

But he was prepared for Jiang Qingli’s question.

Yuan Shiyao began calmly, "On behalf of the student council—" His gaze fell upon Jiang Qingli’s eyes, and he faltered. For some reason, he added, "—and my older brother, I’ve come to visit Jiang."

Qin Muye’s brow furrowed. "Who are you? And who’s your brother?"

Yuan Shiyao: "..."

"Yuan was with the other student council members who just took Yu Chenglan away. His older brother is also one of Qingli’s Beast Husbands," Baili Jing explained, clearly well-informed about every man in Jiang Qingli’s life. "He’s currently conducting an inspection in the Ninth District and won’t be back in Central City for a while."

Hearing this, Qin Muye let out a cold huff.

Qin Muye had thought Yuan Shiyao looked familiar from the moment he walked in.

Now he finally understood why.

’A few days ago, this was the guy who brought Jiang Qingli to the door of the shooting range classroom.’

’And before that, the two of them were alone in an empty classroom for a long time.’

’This "older brother" and "student council" business is probably all just an excuse.’

’This guy is just some boy toy Jiang Qingli is keeping on the side!’

’Someone who can’t even be brought out into the open.’

Qin Muye lifted his chin, his attitude growing even more arrogant. "You were there just now, weren’t you? Tell me everything that happened, down to the last detail."

Yuan Shiyao frowned.

He could sense that Qin Muye was targeting him.

’But I don’t understand, when did I ever offend Qin Muye? He doesn’t attend aristocratic gatherings; we’ve hardly ever even met.’

As Qin Muye spoke, Yuan Shiyao saw him tighten his grip on Jiang Qingli’s hand, pulling her closer to his side.

Yuan Shiyao raised an eyebrow in understanding.

’Ah, so he’s just a jealous, useless waste of a male. The moment someone gets near his female, his primal beastly instincts kick in, terrified someone will steal her away.’

’I’d heard this Seventh Prince was erratic, but he’s just as boring and crude as the rumors claimed.’

Yuan Shiyao reined in his thoughts and briefly recounted what he knew of the situation.

As he listened, Qin Muye’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter. He shot to his feet and started walking out, cracking his knuckles. POP, POP.

"Where are you going?" Jiang Qingli asked.

"Don’t worry." Qin Muye, already at the door, waved over his shoulder without turning around. "I’m going to teach him a lesson."

Without waiting for a reply, he was gone.

Yuan Shiyao: "..."

’It’s not like anyone said they were worried about him.’

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

Yuan Shiyao recalled his purpose and was about to bring up the student council matter with Jiang Qingli when the door was knocked on again.

"Come in," said Jiang Qingli.

The door swung open impatiently. Qin Muye jerked his chin at Yuan Shiyao. "You. Come with me."

Yuan Shiyao frowned. He wanted to refuse, but worried Qin Muye’s recklessness would blow the situation out of proportion, so he had no choice but to go.

Before leaving, Yuan Shiyao followed proper etiquette and bid farewell to the other two.

As he spoke to Jiang Qingli, he gave a slight bow, feeling Qin Muye’s eyes fixed on him the entire time.

Yuan Shiyao scoffed internally.

’How ridiculous.’

’It’s not like Jiang Qingli is some peerless beauty or has an incredible Superpower. Does he really think every man will fall head over heels for her?’

He straightened up, his face impassive and his back ramrod straight.

"By the way," Jiang Qingli said, offering him a polite smile. "Thank you for helping me today."

Yuan Shiyao froze for a second, his gaze dropping to look at her.

The water on her face had dried, leaving her skin fair and clear, free of makeup. A faint, lovely blush, like that of a rose, dusted her cheeks. When her eyes curved into a smile, it was as if they held hidden stars, tempting one to get lost in their depths. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

As he straightened up, his index finger brushed lightly against the tips of her hair.

In that instant, Yuan Shiyao caught the rich fragrance of roses.

The normally calm and self-possessed young man was lost in a daze for several seconds before he forcefully reined in his thoughts.

"You’re welcome," Yuan Shiyao said in a low voice. "It is my duty."

His calm tone was no different than usual, but his voice was a little raspy.

After saying this, Yuan Shiyao turned and left.

Pushing the door open, Yuan Shiyao and Qin Muye walked side-by-side in the direction of the disciplinary office.

Qin Muye was pressing for details, while Yuan Shiyao gave vague, noncommittal answers.

’That was the second time she’s thanked me, wasn’t it...’ he thought belatedly.

His long fingers rubbed together unconsciously, as if he were caressing delicate rose petals.

「Meanwhile, in the infirmary.」

Baili Jing disposed of the medical waste, then looked up and smiled at the girl.

He said in a soft voice, "It’s just the two of us again."