Old Man Song couldn't see the Evil Qi, but he clearly saw the jade pendant in Qin Ruan's hand gradually becoming crystal clear.
The jade pendant he had held before was like it was covered in a layer of dust, its quality mediocre. Now, it has become a top-quality jade, an item of great value.
Qin Ruan stood up, her thumb lightly brushing against the jade pendant in her hand.
The next moment, she placed the jade on the table.
"Done."
Her tone was calm, indifferent.
After speaking, she turned to leave.
"Miss, please wait!"
Old Man Song picked up the jade pendant from the table and hurried after her.
Qin Ruan looked back, her eyes hinting at her confusion as if she was asking if there was anything else he needed.
Old Man Song bowed slightly, his tone anxious, "My surname is Song. I've been running my stall on Tongsha Sky Bridge for many years, people call me Song the Semi-Immortal, may I ask if you could leave your contact information?"
He wasn't clear on Qin Ruan's actual power yet, but the scene of her taking action had left a deep impression on him.
For all these years, he had seen a good number of people of great skill, yet he had never come across anyone who could perceive the form of the Evil Qi with the naked eye.
Old Man Song instinctively wanted to seize this opportunity, knowing that missing it would deix lead to lifelong regret.
Qin Ruan lightly furrowed her eyebrows, her eyes surveying the Tongsha Sky Bridge. Something seemed to have crossed her mind, a milder expression on her face.
She gave him her phone number with a smile, affirmatively stating, "We'll see each other again soon."
...
Capital City, Shengshi Academy.
The university at the start of June, just as usual.
Students walked together in groups, their movements relaxed as they walked around the campus. Perhaps they were heading to morning classes, or maybe heading to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Qin Ruan stood in the long-missed campus preciously dressed with an indifferent expression. Her eyes were distant.
After lifetimes of reincarnation, spanning a hundred years, she was back here.
Shengshi Academy was the highest-ranking university in the Capital City and even the whole country. Most of the students studying here were from wealthy and powerful families, their identities not simple.
As for Qin Ruan, it was through the Qin family's money that she got the opportunity to attend this renowned university.
In her past life, she didn't even last six months at Shengshi Academy before she was disgraced by Han Xian, and her daughter, Han Kexin. Her reputation was tarnished, and she was forced to drop out.
"Well, well, look who we have here? I can't be mistaken, surely?"
There was a crisp laughing sound from behind, the tone carrying a mischievous glee and a barely detectable intimacy.
Qin Ruan turned her head and saw three girls standing nearby.
"So it really is you, Qin Ruan."
The one who spoke was the girl in the center, her burgundy wavy hair, dressed sexy, her whole demeanor exuding a seductive air.
"You guys go ahead, I'll call you later." The girl with burgundy hair waved her companions off.
"See you later then."
The two girls left with a laugh.
Qin Ruan stared at the burgundy-haired girl, her face solemn, her eyes reflecting surprise, her eyebrows furrowed tightly together.
"Qin Ruan, what's with that expression?" The girl with burgundy hair walked toward Qin Ruan, her face seeming a bit displeased, "It's only been a few days, and you don't recognize me?"
"Senior Ling." Qin Ruan smiled and greeted as she loosened her furrowed eyebrows.
How could she not recognize her?
This was the only girl who had shown her kindness in the last life, among all the elites in the Academy.
Ling Xiaoxuan, a member of the Ling family, one of the Six Aristocratic Families.
Ling Xiaoxuan walked up to Qin Ruan, lightly patting her shoulder and casually looping an arm around her.
Seeing the hint of blue in Qin Ruan's eyes, she expressed her worry, "What happened? You look so pale as if you didn't rest well last night?"
Qin Ruan lowered her eyes slowly, hiding her unease.
Before coming to the academy, she had changed into new clothes; a beige turtleneck sweater and white casual pants, completely covering any traces left from the events of the night before.