Chapter 30: A Curious Enthusiasm

"Sorry, I'm in a hurry," said the man with glasses, attempting to sidestep Qin Xuan. But suddenly, he spotted Liu Qianqian following behind Qin Xuan, and his eyes widened in shock. He subconsciously pushed up his glasses, his mouth forming an 'O'.

"Hey, handsome, have you seen Old Hua anywhere?" Liu Qianqian asked sweetly, feigning a cute demeanor.

The man with glasses nodded vigorously, like a pecking chick, then pointed in the direction from which he'd come. "Just over there."

"Oh, thank you." With her question answered, Liu Qianqian felt much better and finally released Yang Weiyang, quickly catching up to Qin Xuan.

Yang Weiyang was instantly freed. He lifted his head and took three deep breaths. Looking around, he saw Qin Xuan and the woman in red gradually walking away, while the glasses-wearing man stared dazedly at the woman's retreating figure.

"What rotten luck. Hey, stop gawking and go buy me a pack of cigarettes," Yang Weiyang demanded irritably.

"What? Who are you?" The man with glasses finally noticed the red-haired guy beside him and snapped back to reality. "Sorry, I'm in a hurry," he said, preparing to leave.

"Damn it, you dare ignore the words of the Emperor of Jinling? Get moving, buy me some cigarettes, or you'll regret it," Yang Weiyang barked, giving him a kick.

"What? The Emperor of Jinling?" The man with glasses froze.

Currently a sophomore, he was a typical bookworm. Since Qin Xuan had only recently arrived, he didn't recognize him. But the title "Emperor of Jinling" was legendary—it had been famous a year ago, the campus overlord of his year.

"I'm going, I'm going... Emperor, what brand do you want?" he asked hurriedly.

"Idiot, why ask so much about cigarettes? What class of smokes do you think the Emperor smokes? Go, I'll wait for you at the school gate." With that, Yang Weiyang strode off.

"But... Emperor, you didn't give me any money!" The man with glasses was stunned.

How unlucky could one get? Worse yet, he knew nothing about cigarettes. Which should he buy? He'd have to get the most expensive, or else he'd be in trouble. He fretted, lamenting that instant noodles would be his staple for the next month.

...

"Beauty truly has its perks. When I asked, he said he was in a hurry," Qin Xuan sighed.

"Of course. Who do you think I am?" Liu Qianqian said proudly, thrusting out her chest. Her eyes suddenly lit up as she pointed ahead, "Look, isn't that Old Hua up there?"

Qin Xuan looked—indeed, it was.

An elderly man in white was practicing Tai Chi beside the flowerbed. Though his hair and beard were snowy, he showed no sign of frailty; his spirit was vigorous, like a young man.

His movements were casual yet steady, making Qin Xuan's eyes light up. Such precision! Grasping the sparrow's tail, high stepping horse—each movement flowed seamlessly into the next, gradually merging with the rhythms of nature, exuding a majestic aura.

"Girl, this old master is no ordinary man," Qin Xuan remarked, turning to find Liu Qianqian gone. He sensed trouble.

Sure enough, a red blur flashed by as Liu Qianqian marched straight toward the old man practicing Tai Chi.

"Are you Old Hua?" she asked, laughing carelessly.

Qin Xuan slapped his forehead. This would be a disaster; such disrespect might ruin everything. Yet, he thought, if the girl couldn't enroll, wouldn't that suit him just fine? He felt a trace of schadenfreude as he strolled forward.

Fate, however, had other plans. The old man was at first displeased by Liu Qianqian's bluntness, but upon seeing her face, he paused, his eyes brightening.

"You... little girl, is your surname Liu?"

"Wow, Old Hua, you're amazing. You even know that," Liu Qianqian exclaimed in surprise.

"Just as I thought, haha," the old man said, finishing his form and finally stopping. He scrutinized Liu Qianqian, unable to look away, murmuring, "So alike, truly alike..."

Liu Qianqian shivered under his gaze. Just then Qin Xuan approached, and she quickly tugged at the sleeve of his robe. "Xiao Qin Xuan, this old man is weird," she whispered.

"Professor Hua, greetings," Qin Xuan said, ignoring Liu Qianqian and saluting the old man. From their exchange, Qin Xuan was certain this was Professor Hua.

"Ah. And you are...?" Professor Hua nodded, reluctantly withdrawing his gaze from Liu Qianqian and looking at Qin Xuan in puzzlement.

"I am Qin Xuan," he replied.

"Oh, Qin Xuan," the old man nodded. "You came with this girl?"

"Yes. We have some matters to consult you about..."

As the two talked back and forth, Liu Qianqian pouted impatiently, "Oh, you're both so slow. Let me say it. My master sent me to find you, to arrange for me to study here."

"Your master?" Professor Hua asked.

Qianqian nodded.

"This..." Professor Hua seemed troubled, but quickly made up his mind. "Alright. Although I usually don't handle these matters, I'll make sure it's taken care of this time."

"Hehe, my master said you'd help, and she was right. You're a good man," Liu Qianqian praised.

Her words made Professor Hua blush. He was usually grave and dignified, often flattered by others, but never in this way. Now, a little girl had declared him a "good man," and he felt his face flush, for the first time in his life.

"Is your master well?" Professor Hua asked.

"Yes, she's fine," Liu Qianqian replied.

"That's good. Ah, by the way, would you like to come to my home for a visit? Qin Xuan, you too," Professor Hua offered warmly.

"Um, that's not necessary," Qin Xuan thought, surprised by the invitation. They barely knew each other, and now he was invited home? That was a bit much.

Liu Qianqian shook her head, "Can we not? I want to go shopping for clothes."

"Alright, another time then," Professor Hua said after a moment's thought, not pressing further. "You can take my phone number. If you need anything at school, just contact me."

Qianqian glanced at Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan pulled out his phone. The girl, like himself when he'd first arrived, didn't have a phone yet.

He recorded Professor Hua's number and dialed it.

"Professor Hua, this is my number. If you need anything, let me know, and I'll pass it on to her. When she has a phone, I'll give you her number."

"Good, good. You're a polite young man," Professor Hua said with a smile, waving them off.

Watching the two depart, Hua Rong's face gradually took on a nostalgic expression, as if lost in memories. He soon shook his head, thinking of his disappointing son, wishing he could slap him twice.

...

"Girl, I wonder what your master and Professor Hua's relationship is. He's so enthusiastic," Qin Xuan remarked as they walked.

"Who knows? Ask my master yourself, I couldn't care less," Liu Qianqian replied, relaxed and unconcerned.

Whoosh!

A sudden rush of wind sounded.

Qin Xuan, sharp-eared, turned his head in confusion, just in time to see a massive basketball hurtling straight for his head.