Chapter 24

The weather was getting colder, and Ruan Miao wrapped himself up more and more each day. Xi You joked that he looked like a bear preparing for hibernation. Many of his classmates also cast curious glances at him, perhaps never having seen someone so afraid of the cold.

"I'm cold." Ruan Miao shivered as he walked into the classroom, only relaxing once he felt the warmth of the heating, "It's just the beginning of winter. How will I survive later?"

Ruan Miao had always been afraid of the cold. Every winter, he would layer on thermal clothing, sweaters, and insulated pants, making it difficult to move around. Although it made him look bulky, he preferred staying warm over being cold.

"There are only twenty days left until the final exams. How are you preparing?" Fang Zhi handed his math notes to Ruan Miao and suggested, "I made a test paper for myself yesterday. Do you want a copy?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Ruan Miao nodded eagerly, "Thank you, you're such an angel~~~"

Fang Zhi blushed, "I can't help much, but I can do this. Besides, you're working hard yourself. You moved up ten places in the last weekly test, and the teacher praised you."

Since joining the tutoring class, Ruan Miao's grades had improved rapidly. The first time he reported to the tutoring class, he was surprised to find his physics teacher was actually Yu Wenyan, the infirmary teacher he had met before.

Sometimes the world is indeed small. Yu Wenyan was also surprised to see him but treated him just like any other student. Although the school officially prohibited teachers from offering paid tutoring outside, Ruan Miao and Yu Wenyan mutually agreed to keep each other's identity a secret.

Ruan Miao was a bit curious about Yu Wenyan. Despite being from a wealthy family, why did he choose to earn extra money through tutoring? Maybe his family was strict?

He didn't quite understand these people's thoughts, but Yu Wenyan was a very responsible teacher. His teaching methods suited Ruan Miao well, making complex formulas simple and easy to understand. Under his guidance, Ruan Miao's physics improved rapidly, earning his deep respect.

After the last class, Ruan Miao bid farewell to the tutoring class teacher and headed home. Since He Shangye knew about his tutoring classes, he had arranged for a car to pick him up from the tutoring center for convenience.

When he first found out, He Shangye considered hiring a private tutor for him at home, but Ruan Miao declined, preferring the variety of external tutoring options. He Shangye, seeing his insistence, just patted his head and told him to study well.

He seemed very busy lately, rarely staying home for more than a few days before leaving again. The end of the year brought many company matters requiring his attention. Sometimes, Ruan Miao wouldn't see him for four or five days, making him reflect that being too wealthy might not be so great after all, given the heavy responsibilities and the constant fatigue.

Ruan Miao opened the door and walked in, taking off his coat and preparing to go upstairs. He happened to run into He Shanglu coming down. Since their fight a week ago, He Shanglu hadn't spoken to him. Occasionally, when they ran into each other at home, He Shanglu would give him a disdainful look. Ruan Miao, understanding, avoided provoking him, but it seemed to have little effect as He Shanglu became increasingly irritable around him.

For example, right now.

"Out fooling around again?"

Hearing He Shanglu's provocation, Ruan Miao sighed deeply, "Can't you be more mature?"

"It's just a fight. What guy hasn't had one? Do you really need to hold a grudge and be so petty? If you really can't stand me, I'll come home even later to avoid seeing you, okay?"

Ruan Miao had no patience for this kind of arrogance. Dealing with someone like Xi You was easier, but He Shanglu was difficult, both proud and volatile. He couldn't imagine what kind of amazing girl could handle someone like him in the future.

Clearly wanting to talk, but pretending to be disdainful, this stubborn pride was truly incomprehensible.

"You dare!" He Shanglu glared at him, "It was your fault to begin with, being unclear with Jian Fanyu, and then playing the victim with Big Brother!"

"I wasn't being unclear with anyone, it was your misunderstanding." Ruan Miao took a step forward, as if conceding, "Jian Fanyu is like the moon in the sky. No matter how blind he is, he wouldn't fancy a bumpkin like me. Rest assured."

"It was indeed my fault for starting the fight. So, it's my mistake. Second Brother, please don't be angry, okay?"

He Shanglu's ears twitched, and his expression softened significantly, though he still couldn't admit it openly, "At least you know your place."

"Yes, yes." Ruan Miao agreed, "So you're not angry anymore? There's no point in us fighting. It's not like we have a deep-seated hatred. You've been angry for days, isn't that enough?"

He pursed his lips and let out a soft hum. "It's just because you won't admit you're wrong."

"You're so stubborn." Ruan Miao teased with a smile. "I can't believe you're a year older than me; you act more like my younger brother!"

Suddenly, they were back to being friends as if nothing had happened. Among all the people around Ruan Miao, besides Fang Zhi, He Shanglu's thoughts were the easiest to read. Ruan Miao cherished this stepbrother. If taking a step back could make him happy, then it was worth it.

After holding it in for a week, He Shanglu finally let go of his grievances. The people around him seemed more pleasant again. Seeing Ruan Miao back to his usual self in the morning, He Shanglu knew that Ruan Miao's character wouldn't change overnight, but he didn't mind.

Ruan Miao's high school life in this world gradually got back on track. His adaptability was excellent. Even if he initially struggled, he managed to find his footing and turn a difficult situation around. Things were looking up.

If his parents and brother in the other world knew, they would probably be happy for him.

Now, he had gotten used to having lunch with Jian Fanyu. When Ruan Miao realized this, they had already formed a steady group of four: Ruan Miao, Fang Zhi, Xi You, and Jian Fanyu. They ate lunch together every day. Jian Fanyu always had various sweets for Ruan Miao, and Ruan Miao couldn't resist the temptation of sweets. His face had grown rounder.

Jian Fanyu was very satisfied with this, feeling as if he was openly raising a small pet.

Fang Zhi quietly shrank his shoulders, instinctively avoiding Jian Fanyu's gaze. He stole a glance at Ruan Miao, who was obliviously munching on cake, and couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Jian Fanyu's gaze towards Miao Miao was as frightening as that of a hungry wolf.

But he was supposed to be the high and mighty campus prince.

After the evening self-study session, Ruan Miao suddenly had a stomachache, probably from eating too much at dinner. He left his bag on the desk, sent a message to the driver asking him to wait, and then rushed to the restroom. He came out ten minutes later.

By then, most classrooms were empty, and the building was dark. Walking through the corridor, Ruan Miao felt a chill down his spine. He couldn't help but recall scenes from horror movies, fearing that something strange might appear.

Even though he had experienced death once, Ruan Miao was still not immune to such fears. He quickened his pace, went back to his classroom, packed his bag, turned off the lights, locked the door, and hurried downstairs, especially afraid that someone might be following him.

But the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen. Just as Ruan Miao reached the bottom of the building, he heard a faint noise from the back of the school building, like a girl's scream, but it wasn't very clear.

Various scenes from horror movies flashed through Ruan Miao's mind again. He thought it might be his imagination and started to leave, but after a few steps, he heard the sound again.

This time it was clearer. It sounded like a girl.

Ruan Miao hesitated. He looked back at the dark school building. In horror movies, the protagonists always turned back to check. He didn't want to act foolishly.

But he heard the girl's faint cry for help. Though it was just one sentence, it reached his ears.

Ruan Miao was torn. He struggled internally for a moment before he couldn't go against his conscience. He quietly turned back and followed the faint sound, eventually reaching the garden behind the school building.

The school had a large garden where many students liked to stroll and recite their lessons, and couples often met there. Ruan Miao rarely went there. He cautiously moved forward, hiding behind flower beds, and in the dim moonlight, he saw Sang Wei.

Sang Wei was being dragged by two boys. Her mouth was covered, preventing her from making much noise. Her face was tear-streaked and terrified.

Ruan Miao was stunned. How could someone dare to kidnap a person at school in the middle of the night? He instinctively took out his phone to call the police, but in the dark, even a little light from the phone might give him away, let alone making a call. He might be discovered before he could finish speaking.

He quickly sent a message to the driver, asking him to call the police and then come to the school to find him.

After quietly putting down his phone, Ruan Miao looked at Sang Wei again. Her mouth was still covered, and the two boys had their backs to him, so he couldn't see their faces. But he saw one boy raise his arm and slap Sang Wei's face. The crisp sound echoed loudly in the night.

The other boy then kicked Sang Wei to the ground and seemed ready to kick her again.

Ruan Miao's blood boiled. Seeing two boys violently beating a girl was the height of cowardice. He couldn't stand it any longer.