Xiang Wan returned to the academy and found a deserted lawn to lie down on, gazing at the sunlight piercing through the clouds through gaps in her fingers.
The sun bestows its warmth on all beings equally, yet the joys and sorrows of humankind do not intersect; even the warmest light cannot penetrate the mottled dead sea at the bottom of one's heart.
"It's lunchtime, what are you doing here hiding by yourself?"
The sudden voice above her startled Xiang Wan into sitting upright immediately.
She looked back suspiciously, following a pair of long, straight legs upward, and met a pair of teasing eyes.
Mu Zi'an, the academy's number one dangerous person: an unlearned and spoiled second-generation, with a not-so-clean family background, a pretty decent face, wielding his family's wealth, and living a life of extravagance even wilder than those in the society at a young age.
Xiang Wan's first instinct was to stay away from him.
As she stood up intending to leave, Mu Zi'an suddenly said, "I know about your current predicament; having your family destroyed, people killed, and property taken away must be difficult to bear, right?"
Caught off-guard by this hit to a sore spot, Xiang Wan's steps faltered, and she subconsciously bit her lip hard.
Seeing her obviously struck by his words, Mu Zi'an's lips curled into a sly smile, he leaned in and draped his arm over her shoulder: "I can help you. That Zuo Xingyun, he's really nothing special..."
Xiang Wan flung his hand off in disgust, surprised emotions causing ripples in her heart. How did this guy know so much?
She didn't show it on her face, her expression neutral as she asked, "Why would you help me?"
Mu Zi'an's gaze drifted over her delicate, fair neck. Splinters of sunlight filtered down through the branches above her, as if her long eyelashes were adorned with the light, revealing an extremely attractive profile and the intricate, crisscrossing network of tiny blood vessels beneath the thin skin of her small ears.
His eyes were too brazen, prompting Xiang Wan to step back immediately, creating distance between them, her face full of wariness.
Mu Zi'an, with a crooked smile, said, "I've been watching you for a long time, but I won't press you. I'll give you time to consider whether you want to be with me or not. If you've decided, come find me by twelve o'clock at the hotel tonight."
So he's just an asshole driven by lust!
Xiang Wan turned away angrily to leave but was stopped.
Mu Zi'an carelessly lifted his hand to remove the blade of grass from her hair, but his words caused turmoil: "I have dirt on Zuo Xingyun. I know he's been in jail before, is that enough for you to trust me?"
Xiang Wan was taken aback. When had Zuo Xingyun been in jail? Could it be during those eight years he was away?!
Mu Zi'an saw the shock and indecision on her face.
Assured as if she would definitely keep the appointment, he pulled out a hotel key card, tracing her neck provocatively and sliding it down into her neckline: "Think about it, come to me tonight..."
Xiang Wan slapped his hand away in embarrassment and anger, the key card falling to the ground.
Mu Zi'an, not seeming to care about her reaction, smiled ambiguously and turned away: "Remember, before midnight. I won't wait past the hour!"
Xiang Wan stared at the key card on the ground as if looking at a poisoned fruit.
After weighing the pros and cons for a long while, she still picked up the key card with reddened eyes…
That evening.
Xiang Wan watched as the clock on the wall pointed to ten, feeling somewhat anxious and restless inside.
Before going to meet Mu Zi'an, she had to confirm the truth of his words. The obvious way was to start with Zuo Xingyun, but at this time, Zuo Xingyun still hadn't returned.
Luckily, five minutes later, Zuo Xingyun's car pulled up at the front door.
Hearing him return to his room and close the door, she ran downstairs barefoot, stopping Achen at the exit of the garage.
Naturally, she wouldn't be so foolish as to ask Zuo Xingyun directly.
The garage was dimly lit, and Achen was startled by Xiang Wan wearing a white nightgown: "Miss... you'll scare someone to death like this."
Xiang Wan looked around cautiously to ensure no one else was present before she spoke softly, "You've been following Zuo Xingyun for quite some time, right? I remember you; you've been working for him since eight years ago."
Achen pondered for a moment: "All told, it's been nine years, Miss. What do you ask this for?"
Xiang Wan knew that the people working for Zuo Xingyun were all very astute; beating around the bush wouldn't work on them, so she had to be more crafty in her questions: "What did Zuo Xingyun go to jail for?"