Read Novel Full Chapter 81 – Hunter
Chapter 81 – Hunter
TGCF sponsored chapters (8/10) by Devon Brooker on ko-fi. Enjoy the mass updates and thank you for your support!
The first part of this mass release can be found here
After the Eight Vajra were arrested, the thugs over at No. 14 High completely quieted down. First, no one dared to stick their head out at such a tense time; second, No. 14 High probably thought their reputation had taken a hit, so they cracked down hard on school discipline. For a while, all the troublemakers disappeared without a trace.
Yan Affiliated also returned to its usual calm. The novelty of Han Haoyan, the handsome transfer student, lasted quite a while. This peacock of a guy was just too active—good-looking, seemingly talented at everything, and when the midterm results came out with him ranked third in the entire grade and his name posted on the honor roll, the commotion he stirred up was even bigger than the one Xia Mian caused the previous year. He instantly became a school sensation.
Even girls from other grades came over just to see him. And he had that “central air conditioner”
1 quality: polite and gentlemanly to every girl, leaving them utterly smitten.
This had nothing to do with Xia Mian, but somehow a rumor started that Han Haoyan liked her. Some people even gave them a “golden boy and jade girl couple”
2 nickname.
When Xia Mian heard it, she nearly spat out her water. “Don’t they have anything better to do?”
Sun Yuexin, on the other hand, was delighted. “Haha, Tian Xueya’s probably going to be furious.”
Xia Mian rolled her eyes. “So just to annoy Tian Xueya, you guys are pairing me with that sea king?”
3
“Sea king?” Li Lizhen was puzzled.
Xia Mian thought for a moment—obviously, internet slang was not a thing yet, and air conditioning wasn’t around either. She explained, “A sea king is the master of sea fishing: casts a wide net, hauls in plenty of fish, catches whichever he wants.”
Sun Yuexin thought for a moment. “True, that guy spends all day flirting with girls. He’s no good. Our Xia Mian definitely can’t like him.”
Xia Mian said primly, “Glad you understand. I’m not dating in high school.”
“It’s fine. Like you said, he’s casting a wide net—he’ll probably clear the rumor soon enough. If we can make Tian Xueya angry for a bit, that’s still a win,” Sun Yuexin said.
Li Lizhen laughed too. “Remember that time she instigated Han Haoyan to ‘seek justice’ for her, and instead he just stuck to our Xia Mian? You have no idea how embarrassed she looked.”
Sun Yuexin slapped her thigh in excitement. “Exactly! Just when rumors spread that she and Han Haoyan were together, he clarified they weren’t, and then followed Xia Mian around apologizing and saying he’d take responsibility or whatever.”
“She really lost face that time. Later, people in her class dug into it and found out the whole ‘Tian Xueya and Han Haoyan got together’ rumor started because she deliberately hinted at it without actually saying it. The entire Class 2-6 wanted nothing to do with her after that.”
“But she’s got a thick skin,” Li Lizhen added. “Kept apologizing to Han Haoyan in this meek, servile way, talking about how she was going to change for the better, and so on.”
“Han Haoyan didn’t want to hold a grudge, so he forgave her.”
“Then, supposedly to apologize and thank him, she started bringing him food, drinks, and gifts. I think everyone in the school knows she’s chasing him now.”
At that, Li Lizhen sighed. “Thick skin, high skill.”
Sun Yuexin snorted. “I don’t believe Han Haoyan doesn’t see through it.”
Li Lizhen curled her lip. “He’s enjoying it.”
“That’s it.” Sun Yuexin comforted Xia Mian, “If he’s got that many girls he’s being ambiguous with, he definitely won’t admit to being in a relationship with anyone. This rumor’s so blatant, I bet he’ll clarify it soon.”
Xia Mian laughed. “True. We’re all just friends, after all.”
The three burst out laughing. That was one of Han Haoyan’s classic clarifications: “She’s just a classmate/friend.”
Whether or not Han Haoyan ever clarified about Xia Mian, it didn’t matter. As finals approached, with heavier workloads, the fact that they weren’t in the same class—one in the humanities track, the other in the sciences—meant they barely crossed paths, and the rumor eventually faded away.
Apart from her own and her friends’ grades, the only thing that occupied Xia Mian’s mind was thoughts about getting her ears pierced.
How would Ning Shaobai plan to help her with it?
…
The Rong family’s villa.
Ning Shaobai sat on the sofa, fiddling with the medical kit in his hands. Rong Xin, sitting next to him, could hardly believe his luck. “Brother Bai, you’re really going to pierce my ear?”
After hesitating briefly between mung beans, red beans, and soybeans, Ning Shaobai chose the soybean with the largest surface area. He turned, raised his hand, and said, “Give me your ear.”
Rong Xin leaned over obediently, visibly touched, “Brother Bai, you’re just the best! You don’t know—when I said I wanted to get my ear pierced, so many people laughed at me, and my dad even yelled at me.”
“Didn’t expect you’d be the one to support me in the end!”
“That Hong Kong actor in the photo you gave me looks so cool with a stud earring!”
“My face shape’s like his—it’ll definitely look good on me too!”
Ning Shaobai listened to his rambling without commenting, just slowly rolling the soybean over his earlobe and asking, “Does it hurt?”
“It doesn’t. Brother Bai, you can press harder. Otherwise, how long are we going to be rubbing like this?”
“Like this?” Ning Shaobai applied a bit more force.
Rong Xin reflexively furrowed his brows, and Ning Shaobai immediately lightened his touch.
Rong Xin was a little surprised. “It’s fine. I can handle a little pain.”
Ning Shaobai said nothing, but he kept adjusting the pressure carefully.
Rong Xin noticed, feeling flattered. “B-brother Bai… you being this gentle with me, I’m not used to it.”
Ning Shaobai ignored him, still rolling the bean with focused precision. It went on for quite a while. Rong Xin’s neck was starting to ache from stretching, and seeing how gentle and patient Ning Shaobai was, he grew bold. “Brother Bai, your arm must be tired holding it like that. How about I lie on your lap? Would save you some effort.”
Ning Shaobai finally glanced at him, expressionless. “You sure?”
Rong Xin suddenly sensed a murderous aura for no reason and quickly sat properly again. “Heh heh, just kidding.”
Ning Shaobai withdrew his gaze and went on. Once Rong Xin’s neck had gone completely stiff and his earlobe had gone numb, he opened a small box, revealing a row of gold-tipped needles inside.
Rong Xin was instantly moved again. “So that’s why you’ve been fussing over these lately—making sure the tips are sharp enough, hard enough to pierce through, and gold-plated so they won’t cause allergies—just so you could pierce my ear?”
“Brother, you’re too good to me.”
Seeing Ning Shaobai casually pick up one shaped like a pin, Rong Xin felt it was too plain. He pointed, “Brother, that snowflake one looks nice. I want that one.”
Ning Shaobai ignored him and did as he pleased.
Rong Xin just felt his earlobe lifted—and then it was done.
“Does it hurt?” Ning Shaobai studied his reaction.
“It’s in already?” Surprised, Rong Xin quickly grabbed the nearby mirror and looked. “Brother Bai, so awesome! That was very fast—I didn’t feel a thing.”
Delighted, he turned the mirror left and right, then tilted his head for Ning Shaobai to see. Looks great! Is it cool enough?”
Ning Shaobai, head down packing the medical kit, replied nonchalantly, “Cool.”
Rong Xin held up his other ear. “Brother Bai, I’ve decided—I want four piercings.”
Ning Shaobai pushed his head away. “One is enough.”
Rong Xin was shocked. “Who gets just one? If not four, at least two!”
Ning Shaobai looked him over. “It’s cooler for men this way. Two is for women.”
Rong Xin pouted, “You just made that up, didn’t you?”
Then, a realization hit him. “You just don’t want to bother, do you?”
Ning Shaobai said lightly, “Guess?”
“You’re too much!” Rong Xin was fuming.
Ning Shaobai shrugged. “Can’t help it—my patience has run out.”
Rong Xin glared, angry but not daring to speak. After experiencing Ning Shaobai’s gentle handiwork, how could he endure having anyone else do it?
“In a bit, apply some iodine yourself,” Ning Shaobai said as he packed away the medical kit. When he stood, he added, “Once a day. If there’s any inflammation or discomfort, tell me right away.”
Rong Xin sighed, his mood settling—Well, Brother Bai still cares about me.
A person who usually hates trouble personally pierced my ear just because I’m afraid of pain—what more could I ask for?
Eyes now brimming with gratitude, he said to Ning Shaobai, “Brother Bai, don’t worry. I’ll make sure to keep a close watch on Mohe’s new project!”
Meeting his emotional gaze, Ning Shaobai paused for a moment. He then nodded. “I see. I’ll leave it to you.”
A renewed invigoration surged through Rong Xin.
…
With her last exam done, Xia Mian headed home, thrilled that the break was starting tomorrow.
At the entrance of the alleyway, she spotted Ning Shaobai in the distance, heading home from work. Her eyes turned sly, and she put a finger to her lips toward the three little ones at the doorway who had spotted her running over, then slipped behind the corner of a wall.
Before long, she heard Ning Shaobai’s footsteps approaching. She suddenly leapt out. “Boo!”
Ning Shaobai seemed startled, but he didn’t move his feet, so she barreled straight into his arms.
Xia Mian froze for a second, while the kids burst into peals of laughter.
Chenchen laughed, “Uncle got scared!”
Huizhu cackled, “Sister Mian got scared too!”
Xiao Feng ran toward them. “Auntie!”
Xia Mian quickly tried to step back, but found her waist held in place by Ning Shaobai. She was still processing the situation when that arm slid upward, grabbing her by the collar.
Like a kitten grabbed by the scruff, Xia Mian obediently retreated. Once she was a full meter away, he let her go with disdain. “What are you, a child?”
Her eyes rolled slyly, and she pounced again, “Boo!”
Ning Shaobai leaned back, raising a hand to flick her forehead.
Xia Mian dodged nimbly, grinning from ear to ear. “Dr. Ning, you scare so easily.”
He seemed to be hit by the mark. Couldn’t be bothered to argue, he walked straight ahead.
Xia Mian quickly caught up and leaned close. “Dr. Ning, pierce my ears tomorrow.”
“It’s a birthday gift, so of course you get it on your birthday.” Ning Shaobai extended one finger to her shoulder, slowly pushing her away. “It’s hot. Keep your distance.”
His obvious disdain instantly triggered Xia Mian’s mischievous side. She stepped even closer, grabbed his wrist to keep him from dodging, and whined, “Oh, please~ What if it bleeds on my birthday?”
“Dr. Ning, just do it tomorrow, okay~”
Ning Shaobai lowered his gaze to her hand.
Xia Mian instantly tightened her grip, clearly refusing to let go unless he agreed.
The corner of his mouth suddenly curved. Xia Mian blinked in surprise, wondering why, when his eyes narrowed dangerously. “You don’t trust me?”
Any doubt in her mind vanished in a heartbeat. “I trust you, of course I do! No one is more trustworthy than our great Dr. Ning!”
“But tomorrow’s better, don’t you agree? After a week, the holes will be healed, and I can wear pretty earrings for my birthday. Perfect!”
Ning Shaobai refused flatly. “Not perfect.”
She glared at him, the little tuft of hair on her head practically bristling in protest. Ning Shaobai burst out laughing. Reaching up, he tugged on her tuft. “Relax. I promise you’ll be wearing beautiful earrings that day. Had them custom-made for you.”
“Or, if you’re not afraid of pain, we can do it right now.”
“Oh, so that’s it?” Xia Mian expertly switched on flattery mode. “I knew it! Dr. Ning, you’re so thoughtful, you must have had a plan all along.”
“My bad for being impatient.” She let go of his arm, grabbed the fan from Xiao Feng, and fanned him ingratiatingly. “Dr. Ning, still hot?”
Ning Shaobai smiled faintly—and replied without hesitation, “Hot!”
Xia Mian: “…”
Author’s Note:
The best hunters always appear in the guise of prey.
Ning Shaobai: “Don’t pounce on me.”
Xia Mian: “I’m pouncing!”
Ning Shaobai: “Don’t touch me.”
Xia Mian: “Touching you!”
Ning Shaobai: “Don’t take off my clothes.”
Xia Mian: “I’m taking off—… huh??”
Central air conditioning (中央空调): Internet slang that describes a man who flirts with many women despite claiming to be in a committed relationship.
Golden boy and jade girl (金童玉女): Idiom that means a perfect match between an excellent man and woman.
Sea King (海王): Player. Slang for those who play around instead of committing to a relationship.