Xi Jing Military Hospital
In an ordinary nursing room, a young man lay in bed, gazing out at a sycamore tree through the window. Leaves swirled in the autumn wind, occasionally drifting into the room and landing on his face.
To an outsider, this might seem like a typical "melancholic patient longing for the outside world" scene from a movie, but the boy's occasional exclamations of "So spectacular!" and "Amazing!" made the scene rather incongruous.
Other patients in the ward kept their distance, assuming he was mentally unstable.
Yes, this young man was Leon Chen.
At the moment, Leon was doing something beyond the imagination of these patients.
He was using his new super-power—Overlooking Scenery!
Overlooking Scenery was a new ability Leon discovered during his hospital stay, one he found incredibly cool.
On the surface, it seemed like Leon was simply staring out at the scenery, but a closer look would reveal that his pupils had drifted far from their current location.
His vision soared from high above, like an eagle gliding through the sky, capturing everything within a hundred meters of the hospital.
This was Overlooking Scenery!
It felt like being a god overseeing the mortal realm. The only downside was the limited range and distance due to the current level of his watch. It wasn't perfect, but Leon was content.
Through Overlooking Scenery, Leon saw familiar friends entering the hospital gate with fruit baskets. Once they entered the building, his view was obstructed by the structure, but he knew they were coming to visit him. He was about to deactivate Overlooking Scenery when he noticed a black jeep parked in an alley beside the hospital.
Through the window, he saw Isabella Xiang sitting inside, her expression as icy as ever, staring at the hospital building. A man and a woman were talking to her with evident respect.
Isabella finally nodded, and the jeep drove away.
Since being hospitalized, Leon hadn't seen Isabella except for the first day. He deactivated Overlooking Scenery, lost in thought, and shuddered. "It's a miracle I wasn't torn apart for kissing Isabella."
"Leon, what are you mumbling about?"
Several friends walked into the ward.
"I'm just saying I feel bad that you guys visit me every day," Leon laughed.
"Jerk."
"Yeah, we were so worried when we heard you were hurt, but who would've thought you'd be bouncing back in just a few days?" Michael Fang raised a middle finger. "And you've been well taken care of by Serena Su. Makes me want to get shot too."
During Leon's hospital stay, Serena and Lily Lin personally prepared his meals. Leon joked, "I couldn't expect you guys to cook for me, right?"
They laughed.
In addition to his three dorm mates, two new classmates were present.
One was tall and thin, wearing black-framed glasses, named Peter Wen, nicknamed "Gentleman." The other was slightly shorter, chubby, with a round face, named Alex Zhu. They were members of the Supernatural Mystery Research Club.
"Leon, classes have officially started for the freshmen, and all the clubs are recruiting. The president wants you back to handle club affairs," Peter said slowly.
"That 'Ghost witch,' huh," Leon recalled the classic image of a ghost in white with long hair covering the face.
"You know the president has a bad temper," Alex Zhu added with a sly smile. "If you don't come back, we're going to be torn apart."
John Wu mused, "Where have I heard of 'witch ghost' before?"
"I remember! Wasn't there a girl in the freshman year who walked instead of running and still beat all the other girls in the fitness test?" Michael Fang asked in amazement.
"Yes, that's our president," Peter adjusted his glasses, proud.
"Wow, she's a remarkable girl," Michael Fang remembered the girl who walked faster than others ran, becoming a campus topic for a week. She often hid behind her long hair, earning the nickname "witch ghost."
"So, she's your club president, Leon?" John asked.
"Is she really a ghost?" Michael Fang asked excitedly.
"No, that's exaggerated."
"But she does walk like a ghost, haha," Alex Zhu laughed.
"Man, Leon, you've got to introduce us someday."
"Sure, but don't regret it."
Leon and the others laughed, making Michael Fang uneasy.
"Leon!"
A soft voice interrupted them. Serena Su and Lily Lin walked in, Lily carrying a lunch box.
"Alright, we won't disturb the two beauties taking care of you. We're off," the guys teased as they left.
Serena smiled, "What were you guys talking about?"
"Nothing, just club stuff."
"Oh, Leon, you joined the Supernatural Mystery Research Club…" Serena thought for a moment. "Doesn't the school have a mystery club? Why join this one?"
"The other clubs didn't suit me," Leon answered awkwardly.
Serena adorably stuck out her tongue.
Lily set the lunch box down, keeping a half-meter distance from Leon, a subtle detail Serena noticed but didn't question.
"Lily, what club are you joining?" Leon asked.
"Me?" Lily blushed. "Serena recommended me to join a club."
"Which club?"
"The Women's Self-Defense Club…" Serena giggled, covering her mouth.
Leon was taken aback. The Women's Self-Defense Club? The name alone was intimidating for men.
"It's a club that teaches self-defense techniques for women. You'll never guess who the president is," Serena said. "It's your class monitor, Isabella Xiang."
"Oh," Leon recalled Isabella's impressive combat skills. If she were in charge, it would be reassuring.
"Leon, you don't mind me recommending your girlfriend to this club, do you?" Serena winked.
Leon laughed, saying he was more than happy about it.
At six in the evening, the sunset painted the windowsill, making the world look like an oil painting.
More classmates came to visit Leon, including Emma Su and Yvonne Shi. Emma held a bouquet of light purple violets.
"The president heard you were hurt and asked me to check on you," Emma explained with a smile.
Yvonne added, "Lucky guy, the student council president and secretary care about you. You're a rising star in the student council now."
Leon was embarrassed, wanting to say he preferred not being involved with the student council, but seeing Emma's gentle gaze, he changed the topic. "These violets look different."
"Good eye," Yvonne nodded. "These are a new variety cultivated by the university's botanical research lab. Professor Lisa personally developed them… what was the name…" Yvonne struggled to remember.
"Eternal!" Emma explained warmly.
"Eternal?" Leon was puzzled. "What does that mean?"
"Violets symbolize eternal beauty. This new variety was named 'Eternal' by Professor Lisa," Emma said.
The memories flooded back, and Leon instinctively asked, "Is Professor Lisa British?"
"Do you know Professor Lisa?" Emma asked, smiling.
"She's been researching flowers at our university for a long time…"
Leon laughed, "I don't know her, but I'd love to meet someone who can cultivate new flowers."
"When you're discharged, I'll introduce you. I often help her," Emma said, her dimples appearing.
Leon nodded, then shook his head. Whether it was Victoria didn't matter anymore.
"Maybe…"
Leon smiled.