Chapter 4 Qin Long, Capturing the Dragon?

Wang Xinyou’s car was a real head-turner—a convertible Porsche speeding through the campus of Tianhai University, instantly becoming the center of attention. Yet, the car itself was secondary; the true focus was the person inside.

Though it had only been a little over two months since the start of the semester, freshman Wang Xinyou was already a candidate on the campus beauty list, a veritable celebrity at Tianhai University. Rumor had it that in just a couple of months, she’d already inspired the formation of a fan club to “protect” her.

And now, the car that Wang Xinyou never allowed any man to touch was carrying a man in the passenger seat. News of this spread through Tianhai University like wildfire.

Before long, the campus BBS was abuzz with photos of Wang Xinyou and He Tian sitting side by side.

“A handsome stranger spotted next to beauty pageant candidate—who could he be?”

A single photo and a single question set the forum alight. Bored gossipers of all stripes flooded in, offering guesses both cautious and wildly speculative.

Meanwhile, Wang Xinyou and He Tian had arrived at the Academic Affairs Office.

“Need me to come in with you, handsome?” Wang Xinyou asked with a bit of roguish flair, striking a big-sisterly pose in front of He Tian.

“I’m curious—why bring me here first?” He Tian savored the moment: an ordinary day, attracting no attention, free from peril.

“Tsk… If that idiot hadn’t told me that revenge required me to be an official student at Tianhai University, I’d have brought in a whole squad to deal with him by now!” Wang Xinyou clenched her fist. “Go on, finish the paperwork. Soon you’ll be qualified!”

He Tian smiled. “I don’t recall promising to help you.”

“How could you be so heartless, Brother He Tian?” Wang Xinyou instantly put on a pitiful act.

“Not going to happen… I still want to see what university life is like.” He Tian replied coolly.

“No problem! I promise I’ll show you all around Tianhai University afterward,” Wang Xinyou quickly promised.

“I suppose that’s acceptable,” He Tian said, getting out of the car.

“Hmph… bargaining with me!” Wang Xinyou frowned. “But he really is strong! Chen Long didn’t stand a chance against him!”

He Tian quickly finished the enrollment formalities. Even the director of the office didn’t ask why he was joining so late. He Tian wasn’t surprised; with a direct recommendation from the “Dragon Head,” if anyone dared question him, the leader might as well retire and enjoy his old age.

“Come on, show me around the university first,” He Tian said as he got back in the car.

“Oh, come on, Brother He Tian—can’t we deal with that arrogant jerk first? I swear, I’ll show you around properly right after! Please?” Wang Xinyou’s ability to switch moods was legendary; she was a master of playing cute.

“No,” He Tian replied, staring at Wang Xinyou without hesitation.

“How can you be like this? Are you waiting for me to offer myself to you? You’re handsome and I do like you, but we haven’t known each other long—I need time to get to know you! At most, I could agree to date you for a trial run!” Wang Xinyou continued her act.

“One condition—after this, you listen to me,” He Tian said, holding up a finger, completely unfazed by her antics.

“You want to boss me around?” Wang Xinyou protested.

Having one older sister boss her around was already annoying enough. Now there was He Tian too? No way.

“Am I the same as your sister?” He Tian asked.

“No,” Wang Xinyou admitted.

“Problem solved then,” He Tian spread his hands.

“But I hate being told what to do!” Wang Xinyou pouted, looking pitiful.

“The choice is yours,” He Tian shrugged.

“Fine, but you have to teach that arrogant jerk a lesson! I mean really teach him!” Wang Xinyou’s eyes sparkled as she emphasized her point.

“Do you want his hand or his leg?” He Tian asked casually.

“I just meant… defeating him is enough!” Wang Xinyou was startled. Who threatens to break someone’s limbs so easily?

“Let’s go,” He Tian snapped his fingers.

“Don’t overdo it!” Wang Xinyou started the car but couldn’t help reminding him.

“Are you worried about him?” He Tian chuckled.

“Please! Worry about him? Hardly. I just don’t want any trouble. All right, all right—use your judgment!” Wang Xinyou looked agitated, and the car sped up.

She parked in front of the Combat Gym.

“Kickboxing?” He Tian glanced at Wang Xinyou, genuinely surprised.

“What else?” Wang Xinyou tilted her chin upward.

“I thought you’d claim to have a black belt, white belt, yellow belt, or red belt in something,” He Tian laughed.

“Tsk… not my thing! Come on,” Wang Xinyou said, dragging He Tian along.

“You’re really popular—a campus celebrity,” He Tian observed, noting all the stares focused on Wang Xinyou.

“You’re a celebrity now too,” Wang Xinyou whispered. “A lot of people are after me. Now that I’m holding your hand, be prepared to play my shield!”

“How devious,” He Tian remarked.

“Just a little,” Wang Xinyou grinned.

“Should I let go to prove my innocence?” He Tian asked for her opinion.

“No!” Wang Xinyou knew He Tian well enough to know he’d actually do it.

“All right, I’ll let you take advantage of me this time,” He Tian said, pretending to be put upon.

“Oh, please!” Wang Xinyou rolled her eyes and decided to keep quiet.

“Wang Xinyou’s here! And she’s brought a handsome guy—her hired help?”

“Looks like there’s going to be a show! She must be here to challenge Qin Long!”

“Qin Long’s really got moves—look at him, always on Wang Xinyou’s mind!”

“You wish you could do the same, but you don’t have what it takes!”

…

Hot gossip traveled fast; the number of people in the Combat Gym soared as word spread.

“Qin Long, get out here!” Wang Xinyou didn’t bother with He Tian anymore; as soon as she entered the gym, she shouted excitedly, emboldened by He Tian’s presence.

“She’s here again!”

“Another challenge!”

“This time she’s brought a looker, but can he fight or is it just for show?”

“Dragon’s always got the upper hand!”

…

The gym was crowded, but Wang Xinyou’s shout brought everything to a halt.

“Qin Long?” He Tian frowned.

“What’s up? You know him?” Wang Xinyou caught He Tian’s mutter.

“No,” He Tian shook his head. Still, he decided to be a bit less restrained. The name “Qin Long”—Dragon Tamer—did not sit well with him.

Everything in He Tian’s life was connected to dragons, and this man dared call himself “Dragon Tamer.” It irritated He Tian immensely.

“Xinyou, you’re here!” Soon enough, Qin Long appeared—a tall, handsome guy over six feet, wearing a fitted tank top that perfectly showcased his muscular physique. His face bore a gentle smile, and he spoke to Wang Xinyou in a soft, affectionate tone. Anyone could see what his intentions were. Arrogance? Not a trace.

So that’s why Wang Xinyou saw through him, He Tian realized.

“Wang Xinyou, what are you doing here again?” A tall, shapely girl in tight clothes appeared behind Qin Long, glaring at Wang Xinyou with open hostility and vigilance.

“Shi Ling! My business is none of yours!” Qin Long snapped, clearly unimpressed with the tall girl.

“What does she have that I don’t? Why are you so taken with her?” Shi Ling’s chest heaved, and her eyes brimmed with tears.

“Sorry, Shi Ling, you’re just not my type,” Qin Long replied coldly, rejecting her without hesitation.

“Don’t use that as an excuse! Qin Long… do you know? This is the last chance I’m giving myself—and you!” Shi Ling’s tears finally spilled over.

“What a pity,” Wang Xinyou whispered to He Tian, explaining, “Shi Ling is a second-year, and she’s been chasing after Qin Long for ages but always gets rejected. She’s even on the campus beauty list! Love, huh…” Her tone suggested she was something of an expert on the subject, speaking with the air of someone much older.

He Tian just smiled, entirely uninterested. All this love and hate, chasing and being chased—it was boring to him.

“Qin Long, I hate you!” Shi Ling cried, running from the gym in tears.

The entire gym fell silent. Some of the guys, seeing Shi Ling crying, were heartsick, wishing they could just hold her and comfort her. None could understand why someone like Qin Long wouldn’t like a girl as beautiful as Shi Ling.

“Qin Long is really steadfast in love.”

“Nonsense! Don’t you know why Qin Long refuses Shi Ling?”

“You do?”

“Of course I do!”

“Let’s hear it!”

“Well, seeing as the mood’s just right, I’ll tell you. Qin Long doesn’t dislike Shi Ling—she’s just an ordinary girl. Qin Long’s after someone with power, status, or money! Wang Xinyou fits the bill. Got it?”

“No way—Qin Long’s that pragmatic?”

“Believe it. One good woman could save him years of effort. Qin Long’s all about being realistic!”

…

He Tian’s ears perked up at this conversation, and he found himself even more annoyed with Qin Long. Chasing after a woman for her status—it was an insult to the name.

“You know I don’t have any feelings for Shi Ling,” Qin Long said gently to Wang Xinyou, glancing at He Tian out of the corner of his eye.

“Show some respect, Qin Long. Who are you to call me Xinyou? All you ever did was beat me in a match—what’s so great about that? Today I’ll show you what a real master looks like!” Wang Xinyou’s eyes were full of disdain as she declared this with pride.

He Tian laughed. Clearly, Wang Xinyou saw right through Qin Long’s character—he needn’t have worried.

“And this friend is…?” Qin Long turned to He Tian, smiling disdainfully.

He Tian smiled back. What was it about today—why did everyone keep looking down on him? He really didn’t like this feeling…