Fifteen minutes later.
Lu Zhi followed Shen Qi back to the academy and immediately saw Lu Chengxuan standing by the fountain. He called out, "Brother."
Lu Chengxuan was on the phone. When his gaze, which flickered over, landed on Shen Qi, a distinct killing intent appeared.
Lu Zhi: ...??? Did I see that wrong?
"Little Six, come here," Lu Chengxuan hung up the phone.
Lu Zhi uttered an "oh" and walked forward a few steps, not understanding why Lu Chengxuan's hostility towards Shen Qi was suddenly so obvious. Even he could tell, and Shen Qi must have noticed too.
Lu Zhi couldn't help but sneak a glance at Shen Qi's profile. He found... well, he was as calm and unruffled as ever, showing no emotion.
"Senior Group Leader Shen, the busy man, how do you have time to be a guidance counselor?" Lu Chengxuan expertly lit a cigarette, his usual mature and steady demeanor now tinged with a bit of swagger.
Shen Qi smiled elegantly and lazily, "After only a few days, such deep brotherly affection. It truly makes one envious."
This was the first time Lu Zhi had seen them like this, their eyes filled with invisible killing intent, diametrically opposed. It felt like thunder and lightning were crackling in the air...
Lu Zhi stood between them, looking utterly bewildered.
What on earth happened?
Lu Zhi suddenly stumbled, and Lu Chengxuan hooked an arm around him, pulling him closer. Lu Chengxuan's firm voice sounded in his ear, declaring, "It's right for Senior Group Leader Shen to be envious. This brother is one of a kind in the world. If anyone tries to snatch him, even God himself can't do anything about it."
Lu Zhi: ???
So, Lu Chengxuan had a younger brother complex?
Shen Qi chuckled unexpectedly, "Heh."
Lu Zhi's dark eyes darted, and he saw the unconcealed curve of Shen Qi's lips and his long, well-defined fingers gently rubbing the corner of his mouth.
Shen Qi's lips were a pale shade, but his own caressing had deepened their color. His silver-gray eyes, like a predator's, suddenly captured Lu Zhi's gaze, making his heart race uncontrollably.
Damn, damn, damn!
Lu Zhi had a nagging feeling that Shen Qi was trying to lure him. He repeatedly shook his head, trying to banish the terrifying thought from his mind.
"Indeed, there is only one brother." Shen Qi walked past Lu Chengxuan, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder. He leaned down and whispered something in his ear.
Lu Chengxuan's pupils contracted sharply. He spun around abruptly and roared, "Shen... Qi!"
Lu Zhi hadn't heard the last thing Shen Qi said to Lu Chengxuan, but whatever it was, it must have been important for Lu Chengxuan to explode in such fury.
"Brother, calm down, don't be impulsive," Lu Zhi quickly grabbed Lu Chengxuan's raised arm. He hadn't forgotten where they were, and given Shen Qi's strength, Lu Chengxuan wouldn't stand much of a chance.
Lu Chengxuan turned to look at Lu Zhi's bewildered and worried eyes, then glanced at Shen Qi's darkening gaze. He suddenly kicked a nearby tree and cursed, "Damn it!"
Lu Zhi was startled. Before he could react, Lu Chengxuan grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
"Brother, brother, slow down," Lu Zhi felt it was rude to just leave like this. He wanted to say goodbye to Shen Qi. He turned his head and saw Shen Qi's dejected expression, yet he forced a smile and waved, saying, "It's fine, you go talk to your brother first."
Lu Zhi pursed his lips and nodded.
"What are you looking at? What's so interesting?" Lu Chengxuan walked even faster. Lu Zhi's steps faltered as he followed behind him, saying, "Brother, what are you doing? Walk slower."
Shen Qi stood under the rustling shade of the trees, watching their receding backs. A leaf shadow fell into his eyes, revealing only indifference.
...
In a high-end coffee shop.
"Sir, your coffee," the waitress placed the coffee on the table and left with a slight bow.
Lu Zhi liked to drink coffee but disliked its bitterness, so he added milk and sugar. He took a sip, and the taste was quite good.
He glanced out the glass window at the bustling street. The afternoon breeze rustled the treetops.
"How have you been getting along at school these past few days?" After Lu Chengxuan left the academy and entered the coffee shop, he had resumed the calm and composed demeanor Lu Zhi was familiar with.
Lu Zhi nodded and briefly recounted his experiences at the academy over the past few days, then asked the question that was on his mind.
"The Great Clock of Void and Reality. It's a very powerful treasure. You should know that the Dragon's Cage, besides being fraught with danger, also holds many opportunities. Treasures are one such opportunity, and their abilities are the most unique. Their holders are also exceedingly rare." Lu Chengxuan took a sip of coffee and said slowly, "The Great Clock ranks third among all known treasures."
Lu Zhi was taken aback. His fingers tightened slightly on the coffee cup coaster, "Third? Not fifth?"
Logically, the novel's content should not be wrong. He knew about the Great Clock of Void and Reality. From the protagonist Qin Huai's perspective, it had been mentioned multiple times, stating that this treasure was somewhat special. Qin Huai had always wanted to obtain it but didn't know who possessed it.
"I'm not clear about the treasure's uses. After you explained it to me today, I have a rough idea," Lu Chengxuan stroked his chin and said, "Void and Reality. Perhaps that's the most unique aspect of this treasure, but it depends on how the holder manipulates it."
Lu Zhi nodded absentmindedly, his eyes fixed on the coffee, lost in thought. He felt he had been somewhat naive in his thinking.
A novel is made up of words.
In a real novel world, do people truly follow the plot of the novel unswervingly?
Could it be that after he became 'Lu Zhi,' everything would become different?
"What are you thinking about?" Lu Chengxuan's question interrupted Lu Zhi's contemplation. "Are you and Shen Qi... close?"
Lu Zhi subconsciously hummed in agreement. Thinking about how Shen Qi had prepared clothes and delicious food for him today, and although his words were still cold, his actions were very heartwarming. He then smiled, his eyes sparkling, and replied, "Brother, Teacher Shen seems difficult to get along with, but he's actually a good person."
The sarcasm on Lu Chengxuan's lips turned into a sigh as he saw Lu Zhi's bright black eyes. "You've only known him for a short while, and you can already see a person's true nature?"
Lu Zhi clearly sensed that Lu Chengxuan had a strong opinion of Shen Qi and asked curiously, "Brother, ever since you came back, why do I always feel you have hostility towards Teacher Shen?"
Lu Chengxuan clicked his tongue, raised a hand to ruffle his slightly messy hair, and as he lowered his hand, he inadvertently hooked his collar. He then saw the red floral embroidery hidden beneath the collar and frowned, "Why haven't I seen this outfit on you before?"
When Lu Zhi had moved to the guild, he had only had two or three sets of clothes. The clothes bought for him by Chu Shiling and Li Mei at the clothing store did not have embroidery on the collar.
"Ah, these are clothes Teacher Shen lent me," Lu Zhi awkwardly adjusted his collar and said, "My clothes got dirty, so I had to wear Teacher Shen's for now."
Lu Chengxuan's expression visibly darkened as he said, "Stay away from him."
Lu Zhi looked utterly bewildered, "Huh?"
Lu Chengxuan, recalling what Shen Qi had said to him, was furious. He spoke with serious and earnest conviction, "That guy isn't a good person. Don't be alone with him."
Lu Zhi didn't know what was wrong with Lu Chengxuan, but he nodded anyway and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Brother, what did Teacher Shen say to you that made you so angry?"
Lu Chengxuan's veins bulged. He glanced at Lu Zhi's clear, bright, and naive eyes, then sighed, "It's nothing. After we finish our coffee, I'll take you back to the academy."
The two brothers chatted in the coffee shop for an hour before Lu Chengxuan sent Lu Zhi back to the academy. Watching his brother's receding back, Lu Chengxuan lit another cigarette.
Wisps of white smoke rose, blurring Lu Chengxuan's vision, but they couldn't make him forget what Shen Qi had said to him.
The way he slept, he looked delicious.