Breaking Free: Love & Rebellion at Blackthorn Academy.-Chapter 68: ENCOUNTER.

Xu Qingshan wandered through the academy grounds, a scowl forming on his face. He was getting frustrated matter which way he turned, he couldn't find the entrance gate to leave. The academy felt like a maze — walls that looked the same, corridors that twisted into more confusion.

Muttering under his breath, he cut through what looked like a practice field, hoping it would lead somewhere.

Suddenly —Wham!

A football came flying toward him at full speed.

But before it could slam into him, a figure darted out and caught it skillfully.

A girl.

"Hey! Play carefully, will you?!" she shouted across the field, tossing the ball back with an easy flick of her wrist.

Xu Qingshan stared at her, caught off guard. A girl? He had assumed Blackthorn Academy was strictly for boys. Yet here she was — quick, sharp, and completely unfazed.

"Thanks, kid!" he said with a rare smile, brushing imaginary dust from his suit.

"You're welcome!" she called back, already turning to walk away.

Hesitating a second, Xu Qingshan raised his hand, calling after her:"Kid — wait!"She turned, brows lifting slightly."Can you show me where the entrance is?" he asked, a little awkwardly, clearing his throat

"Absolutely!" the girl said with a bright smile, nodding. She turned and motioned for him to follow her, walking at an easy pace across the grounds.

As they walked, Xu Qingshan couldn't help but glance at her curiously. He decided to strike up a conversation.

"Is the school always this chaotic?" he asked, brushing his hands behind his back as he followed her.

"It's not always like this," she replied politely, glancing over her shoulder with a small smile."It's just... lately, a lot of things have been happening. But it's fun, in its own way."

He chuckled under his breath, amused.

Fun?

That was a word he never associated with school life.

"Are there many girls here?" he asked, curiosity creeping into his voice.

She shook her head."Not really. It's mostly boys... I'm one of the few exceptions."

Xu Qingshan watched her, his stern face softening just a little. Such a polite and kind girl... cute too, he thought, a rare warmth stirring in his chest. It was a surprising change from the cold, sharp world he was used to dealing with.

After a few more turns, they finally reached a large, iron gate.

The girl stopped and pointed."Here's the entrance!" she said cheerfully.

Xu Qingshan was about to thank her when a thought crossed his mind. He turned back toward her.

"Hey..." he called. She looked up, waiting patiently.

"Do you know Xu Lingwei?" he asked, voice casual.

The girl blinked, hesitating for a moment as if weighing how to respond. But then she gave a small nod."Yes, I do know him."

Xu Qingshan's mouth curved into a proud smile." He's a good person... make sure to be friends with him, alright?" he said warmly, giving her a soft pat on the shoulder before stepping outside.

Meanwhile, just a few meters away, hidden behind one of the pillars near the gates—

Xu Lingwei, who had been coming to ask the guard for permission to leave campus (along with Xu Wenhan), froze dead in his tracks the moment he saw the scene.

He immediately pulled Xu Wenhan back with him, ducking behind a pillar.

"What happened?" Xu Wenhan whispered, confused by the sudden action.

Xu Lingwei peeked carefully around the pillar, eyes wide.

"My father...? What is he doing with Hua Rong?!" he blurted out in pure shock, gripping the wall like it was the only thing keeping him standing.

Xu Wenhan blinked, trying to follow the situation but failing miserably.

"...Are they... friends or something?!" he whispered, half-joking.

Xu Lingwei, still in disbelief, muttered under his breath: "This is bad. This is really, really bad."

After waving goodbye to Xu Qingshan, Hua Rong started walking back toward the football ground, humming lightly under her breath. But just as she turned the corner near the pillars—

—She caught sight of two very familiar figures awkwardly pressed against the wall like bad spies. One of them had his head tilted at a weird angle, trying to peek out without being noticed.

Her footsteps slowed. She crossed her arms and raised a brow."...What are you doing?" she asked flatly.

Xu Lingwei stiffened.Xu Wenhan straightened up so fast he almost hit his head against the pillar.

"N-Nothing!" Xu Lingwei said a little too quickly, standing up as if nothing was wrong.His face looked calm, but the tips of his ears were burning red.

Hua Rong looked at them suspiciously.

Xu Wenhan, seeing that lying wasn't working, decided to sell out immediately:"We saw you with an uncle," he said, pointing an accusing finger at her.

Hua Rong blinked."Uncle...?"

Xu Lingwei tried to shut him up with a kick, but Wenhan dodged.

"That uncle said he's Xu Lingwei's dad!" Xu Wenhan blurted out before dashing a few steps back.

There was an awkward silence. Hua Rong looked at Xu Lingwei with wide eyes."That was your father?" she asked, shocked.

Xu Lingwei rubbed the back of his neck, looking everywhere except at her."Yeah... kinda."

Hua Rong laughed under her breath."He's... surprisingly nice."

Xu Lingwei made a weird face."He's not."

She tilted her head."But he told me to be friends with you."

Xu Lingwei almost choked. He turned to the sky, mentally screaming. Why would he say something so embarrassing...?!

"He WHAT?!" he blurted out loud, voice cracking slightly.

Xu Wenhan howled with laughter nearby, clutching his stomach.

Hua Rong only smiled sweetly and said, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of you. Your dad personally asked me."She even gave him a fake "responsible senior" pat on the head.

Xu Lingwei looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

.....

Later that evening, Hua Rong stood by the edge of the boxing club, clipboard in hand, her eyes darting between the students who were warming up inside the ring.She let out a small sigh."How should I decide between them?" she asked, mostly to herself, but her voice was loud enough for Xu Wenhan and Xu Lingwei to hear as they checked other club members nearby.

Xu Wenhan leaned over slightly, scanning the students with a thoughtful look."Just choose Bai Xinchen," he said simply."He's good. Not better than Xu Lingwei, of course, but still good."

Hua Rong shook her head, adjusting her grip on the clipboard."Xu Lingwei can't participate in two competitions at once," she reminded him.

Xu Lingwei, who was standing beside her, tilted his head a little and suggested,"Then let's organize a few matches. Whoever wins the most, we pick."

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His tone was calm, clear, almost like he was solving a math problem, and Hua Rong found herself nodding almost immediately."That sounds fair," she agreed, quickly scribbling it onto her list.

Xu Wenhan glanced around at the other club members preparing, stretching, and adjusting their gloves."We'll set up short sparring rounds. That way, we can judge based on skill, not just strength," he added practically.

"Alright, let's get started," Hua Rong said, straightening up and calling the students to gather.