Volume 1, Chapter 40: Who Gave You Permission to Touch My Things?

Lu Ning was also surprised after seeing that message.

"Are you his younger brother?"

Ji Mo struggled to climb up from the floor, his typing fingers trembling: "That’s right, I am his cute, obedient, and incredibly talented younger brother. Since when did he take on an apprentice? How come I didn't know?"

Could it be that the girl from the Lu family is really my brother's apprentice?

Ji Mo tentatively asked: "Are you Lu Ning?"

"Yes, I am. Did he mention me?"

Lu Ning hadn't expected that Ji Chiqian’s brother would know of her existence!

Ji Mo felt a triple shock, spewing out countless expletives!

With trembling hands, he called Ji Chiqian. The other side answered instantly, his tone cold: "What is it?"

Ji Chiqian was sitting in his study in front of the computer; he rubbed his temples and exited the program interface.

"Brother, you’re not being fair! You secretly took Lu Ning as your apprentice, and she even pulled off a twelve-hit combo—you never taught me that! Am I even your real brother? I must have been picked up from the side of the road! Boo-hoo!"

Ji Chiqian straightened his expression: "How do you know about this?"

"I logged into your account just now. She was looking for you, and I tricked it out of her."

Only then did Ji Chiqian notice the message Lu Ning had just sent.

His tone was cold: "Log out of the account immediately!"

"You haven't answered why you’re playing favorites by teaching Lu Ning a twelve-hit combo. Do you know she’s my opponent in the upcoming tournament?"

"She learned it on her own. I’m counting to three—log off!"

Ji Chiqian’s tone grew more severe.

After memorizing Lu Ning's ID, Ji Mo logged off reluctantly.

"Brother, you’re so anxious—is she your new girlfriend? I support you in rebelling against an arranged marriage to find true love!"

"Shut up. What did you say to her?"

"I—I didn't say anything, I just told her I was your brother."

Ji Chiqian hung up the phone directly.

He logged back into the game and, sure enough, saw that Lu Ning was online.

For a moment, he actually felt a bit flustered.

In that brief instant earlier, he had almost thought Lu Ning knew who he was.

Ji Chiqian watched Lu Ning online, unable to make a move for a long time.

Lu Ning also found it a bit strange; the account had suddenly gone offline and then came back on, yet there was no activity.

Could it have been hacked?

Who would be bored enough to hack a minor account?

Lu Ning sent a WeChat message to Ji Chiqian: [Master, someone logged into your game account. Was it hacked?]

Seeing her message, Ji Chiqian invited Lu Ning to join the party.

He spoke coolly: "Someone else logged in just now."

"It was your brother; he told me himself. I thought your account had been hacked."

Ji Chiqian’s tone was calm: "It wasn't hacked, don't pay any attention to him."

Lu Ning didn't ask further. While they were running a dungeon, she suddenly said: "The captain of the Qiuqiu Team actually wants to invite me to join his team!"

Ji Chiqian immediately frowned: "When?"

Is that brat Ji Mo looking for a beating?

"Just a moment ago. I saw the captain of the Qiuqiu Team publicly calling out to my sixth brother; I guess it was to provoke him. It was quite unexpected."

Ji Chiqian clicked on the game news and, sure enough, saw that pinned content.

His voice was unhurried: "Don't take it seriously."

"Of course I didn't. The Qiuqiu Team is very strong; they will surely join the national team in the future."

"You aren't bad either!"

Ji Chiqian blurted it out subconsciously.

Lu Ning’s almond eyes widened. He turned his head away unnaturally: "With me here, you will be the strongest in the future."

His tone carried a hint of arrogance.

Lu Ning smiled, pursing her lips: "If there’s an opportunity in the future, I also want to join the national team and bring glory to the country."

In her past life, she never had that chance because the spot was stolen by Qin Xiang.

Ji Chiqian’s tone was calm: "That’s simple. We'll talk about it after you finish your exams."

After they finished the dungeon, Lu Ning logged off.

Ji Chiqian immediately called Ji Mo. The other side answered instantly: "Brother, you finally called me back! I was about to suffocate. What exactly is your relationship with your little apprentice?"

"First: You cannot tell anyone about this, especially family."

Ji Mo straightened his back: "I understand. A good brother would never betray you."

"Second: Lu Ning doesn't know who I am yet. Do not expose my identity."

"Understood. After all, there are so many gold-diggers these days; hiding your identity helps develop a pure relationship! But isn't the future sister-in-law still a minor? Brother, you actually like minors!"

Ji Chiqian’s tone was impatient: "Neither of those things is true. Don't ask more questions, and don't do anything unnecessary. Understand?"

Ji Mo shrank his neck: "Okay, I got it."

It was just a few questions, why so angry?

After giving those instructions, Ji Chiqian asked quietly: "You want to invite her to join your team?"

"Ah, I had that thought, but more than anything, I wanted to annoy that guy Lu Liu. He has no talent, yet he’s so full of himself! I heard he doesn't get along with this sister, so I was just taking advantage of the situation."

"If you want to poach her, wait until she finishes her exams. Don't do it now; it will affect her."

After Ji Chiqian hung up, Ji Mo immediately added Lu Ning as a game friend, wanting to find out what kind of relationship this girl had with his brother!

He had never seen a girl around his brother before.

And he had never seen his brother be so good to a girl!

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Lu Ning watched the countdown written in the classroom reach zero. She had finally arrived at this day.

The path she took wrong in her past life would be corrected starting from here.

After school, Lu Ning went straight to the infirmary.

Gu Zifeng waved his hand: "Little Lemon, the exams are tomorrow. Are you nervous?"

"Not nervous. If anything, I'm looking forward to it."

Lu Ning looked at Ji Chiqian. He was sitting in a chair, wearing a white coat, looking cold and aloof.

But she knew that Ji Chiqian was a good person.

She met his gaze.

Ji Chiqian saw the anticipation in her eyes; she was easy to read.

His voice was calm: "Good luck."

"I will."

Lu Ning smiled: "Then I’ll be going now. Bye."

She came here just to hear him say those two words.

After all, apart from Ji Chiqian, she figured no one would genuinely wish her luck.

After Lu Ning left, Gu Zifeng clicked his tongue twice: "Such an obedient and smart little apprentice, it makes me want one too."

Ji Chiqian didn't speak, closing his eyes to feign sleep.

"Brother Qian, after her exams are over, shouldn't you be heading back? Surely you can't guard her for the rest of your life?"

Ji Chiqian slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as deep and impenetrable as ink.

The rest of her life?

He hadn't really thought about that question; he just did what he wanted to do.

—

The college entrance exams began.

Lu Ning slept well that night and was in high spirits the next day.

She went to the dining hall for breakfast, where the kitchen had prepared "champion noodles" for good luck.

However, Qin Xiang was coughing weakly, looking as if her cold hadn't fully recovered.

Lu Nanfeng was worried about Qin Xiang: "Are you okay? How come it hasn't gone away after a whole month!"

The housekeeper immediately stood up for her: "It’s all because she caught a severe cold from getting caught in the rain before."

Hearing this, Lu Ning pretended not to hear.

None of her business!

Qin Xiang tried to smooth things over: "Second Brother, it’s just that my health isn't very good, and I happened to catch a cold in the rain. It’s just that I’m not strong enough."

"Xiangxiang, don't think like that. Just do your best; don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Lu Ning kept her head down, eating earnestly, completely ignoring the people beside her. She had prepared for so long and was finally heading into battle.

She wouldn't let anyone or anything affect her mood.

Lu Nanfeng personally drove them to school for the exams.

A heavy rain started on the way; the air wasn't as sweltering, but the traffic was jammed!

Qin Xiang wore a sickly expression: "Sister Ning, I wish you success in your exams."

Lu Ning turned her head to look out the window without answering.

Qin Xiang bit her lip, feeling aggrieved. She snuck a glance at the passenger seat, but Lu Nanfeng said nothing.

If this were in the past, Lu Nanfeng would definitely have lectured Lu Ning!

She had worked hard for a month, yet she still hadn't changed anything!

The car arrived outside the school.

As Lu Ning got out of the car, the stationery in her bag fell to the ground.

When she bent down to pick it up, she suddenly realized there was a problem with the stationery—they were all defective products!

Lu Ning panicked for a moment. How could this be?

She looked up at Qin Xiang; besides her, no one else could have done something like this.