Volume 1, Chapter 22: Lu Ning Is Actually a Hidden Powerhouse

Lu Ning huddled in his arms, looking dazed and foolish.

Ji Chiqian looked down, seeing only her smooth forehead. Her wet hair fell between them, and the spreading water stains made her clothes slightly translucent.

His throat moved slightly as he let her go. "The clothes are new and unworn. You'll have to make do with these shoes for the day."

Seeing the clothes he had placed in the entryway, Lu Ning blushed. "Thank you."

Seeing her unguarded expression, Ji Chiqian couldn't help but lecture her again: "Don't open the door for anyone at night from now on."

"Because I knew the person knocking would definitely be you." Her gaze was resolute and calm.

Meeting her eyes, Ji Chiqian looked away for a moment, saying awkwardly, "Remember to lock the door."

Standing at the entrance, Lu Ning curled her lips slightly. She looked back at the unfamiliar room; she was about to start a new life.

While lying on the bed charging her phone, she discovered dozens of missed calls, almost all from her second brother. There was also a call from her sixth brother, but it had hung up after only three rings.

She opened WeChat and saw a message from her second brother: [Ningning, where on earth are you? Can you stop being stubborn? Come back, and I'll make your sixth brother apologize to you!]

[Ningning, you should know that if you're in A City, you won't be able to hide for long. If Eldest Brother finds out, the consequences will be unimaginable.]

[Ningning, we're family. Can you really not forgive us for such small frictions and conflicts?]

Seeing these words, Lu Ning's eyes turned cold.

Not even a little bit.

The next day, she went to school.

Lu Ning took a taxi to school with Ji Chiqian. She looked back at him and said, "I'm going to class now."

Ji Chiqian watched her walk safely into the school before withdrawing his gaze.

A luxury car pulled up alongside them, and Gu Zifeng poked his head out. "The Lu family was searching like crazy last night. It's just a pity they ran into us; otherwise, Lu Ning wouldn't have been able to hide or escape."

The people in the Lu family were not to be trifled with.

Ji Chiqian pressed his thin lips together, seemingly deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Lu Ning went straight to her classroom.

But as soon as she reached the door, people started screaming: "Lu Ning is here! She's the master who pulled off that twelve-hit combo in the competition yesterday!"

"Oh my god, what exactly is her relationship with the rumored master King? I'm so curious!"

"Idol, can we take a picture with you?"

Lu Ning hadn't expected so many people. Feeling a bit flustered, she nodded. "Sure."

Suddenly, many people crowded around, and some even asked for her autograph. The classroom entrance was bustling, packed three layers deep.

Qin Xiang arrived at the classroom just then. Seeing Lu Ning being treated like a star, she felt a surge of jealousy.

She clearly had over a hundred thousand followers online and was much more famous than Lu Ning. These ignorant losers!

Unable to stand it, Qin Xiang walked over.

Qin Xiang spoke hypocritically, "Sister Ningning, you didn't come back all night last night. Where did you go? Second Brother was worried sick. Even if you're throwing a tantrum, you shouldn't gamble with your own safety."

Lu Ning knew the "white lotus" would stir up trouble.

Sidekick Number One immediately chimed in, "Xiangxiang, this Lu Ning is just an ingrate. Relying on yesterday's win, she thinks she has the capital to be arrogant, so she ran away from home."

Sidekick Number Two rolled her eyes. "I think Lu Ning is having an affair with the school doctor and is now living with him. So young and already knows how to seduce men."

Lu Ning raised her eyelids. "No wonder everyone says you two have foul mouths. I've finally seen it for myself today."

Noticing something in her peripheral vision, Qin Xiang immediately said, "Sister Ningning, you don't know how envious I am that your family worries about you so much, yet you are still so willful and temperamental. It really isn't right."

"Are we that close? Stop acting. There's no one here to watch your performance. Aren't you tired?"

"Lu Ning, how can you talk like that? Xiangxiang was worried about you all night too. It was clearly your fault; are you not even allowed to be criticized?"

Sixth Brother, Lu Liu, also walked over, looking at Lu Ning with a complex expression.

He hadn't needed to drive Qin Xiang to school today, but he had come anyway, driven by some inexplicable impulse. After all, he knew Lu Ning would definitely be at school today.

He hadn't slept a wink last night. He had actually been forcibly isolated by her; what was this supposed to mean?

Seeing Lu Liu appear, Lu Ning wasn't surprised. "Doesn't Qin Xiang often stay out all night with you guys?"

Qin Xiang's eyes reddened with grievance. "Sister Ningning, how could you say that?"

"Lu Ning, what nonsense are you spewing? Xiangxiang is my sister! Apologize to her right now!"

Lu Ning's expression was cold. "She was the one who started spewing nonsense; I'm just learning from her."

Qin Xiang's voice carried a sob. "I—I didn't mean it like that. You misunderstood."

Lu Liu, who had been trying to restrain his temper, lost control. "Lu Ning, look at what you've become! Didn't you stay with that school doctor last night? That’s a fact!"

Lu Ning watched him quietly, her eyes calm and motionless.

After Lu Liu finished speaking, he instantly felt a pang of regret, but with so many people watching, he didn't offer an explanation.

Lu Ning only found it ridiculous. "That has nothing to do with you."

She turned and walked toward the classroom.

"Stop right there! What do you mean it has nothing to do with us? Your wings are getting stronger, aren't they? You just won a revival match, don't let it go to your head."

Lu Ning sneered, not looking back.

She sat at her desk, completely ignoring the people outside.

Lu Liu watched her detached demeanor, his heart filled with rage. But he didn't dare do anything extreme, as he was still in his quarantine period and shouldn't even be at school to begin with.

Seeing this, Qin Xiang said deliberately, "Sixth Brother, it's my fault for asking Sister Ningning too many questions and making her unhappy. But I was just worried that she might do something foolish out of spite."

"I know, you're doing it for her own good, but she doesn't appreciate it."

Lu Liu was annoyed. "Lu Ning's temper is so big now, she doesn't give anyone face, like a completely different person. What exactly does she want us to do to be satisfied?"

A flash of mockery crossed Qin Xiang's eyes. Lu Ning had started keeping her distance a long time ago; had he only just realized something was wrong?

To her, this was naturally a good thing.

She changed the subject. "Sixth Brother, how do you plan to handle the situation with the school doctor?"

"Of course, I'm going to make that man pay the price!"

Lu Liu went straight to the principal's office. This matter required an explanation.

Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Qin Xiang returned to the classroom.

As she passed Lu Ning, she whispered, "Sixth Brother went to see the principal."

Lu Ning's face changed. Sure enough, she had brought trouble to Ji Chiqian.

She stood up, but the English teacher walked in. "Class begins."

Lu Ning had no choice but to sit back down. She was distracted throughout the entire lesson.

When class finally ended, Lu Ning went out to call Ji Chiqian, feeling worried.

Ji Chiqian answered quickly, his voice calm. "What's wrong?"

"My sixth brother went to the principal. You might be in trouble, but don't worry, I'll go explain everything clearly."

"Kid, you don't need to worry about adult matters!"

The man's tone was firm, almost arrogant.

Lu Ning almost thought she had misheard, as this man was usually quiet, cold, and very reserved.

Yet, she inexplicably believed him.

After hanging up, Lu Ning returned to her seat and began to review with peace of mind.

With a little over a month left until the college entrance exam, she would soon be free.

After school, Lu Ning packed her bag, intending to go to the infirmary.

However, at the classroom door, she saw her second brother, Lu Nanfeng, holding a massive teddy bear.

Lu Ning's steps faltered.

Lu Nanfeng walked up to her. "Ningning, you performed brilliantly in the revival match. I prepared a gift for you. Congratulations, and I look forward to your outstanding performance in the finals."

The finals?