Chapter 29

Beijing had no spring or autumn, only winter and summer.
The crisp, refreshing autumn air that everyone talked about existed only in textbooks and literature for the people of Beijing. Just a few days ago, it had been unbearably hot, but after a single autumn rain, the weather no longer felt so scorching.
Gu An’an sneezed and quietly shrank her neck, burying her head even lower.
Lin Niaoniao, holding a bag of millet crisps, peeked out from the classroom’s back door like a mischievous little ghost. She quickly scanned the crowd of students playing games, eating instant noodles, sleeping, or taking selfies and immediately spotted Gu An’an, dozing off.
That silly Gu An’an sat dazed at the very edge of the classroom, her head nodding, eyelids nearly fused together from sleepiness.
She let out two quick little “ptui-ptui” sounds.
Gu An’an sniffled, then looked up in confusion.
On the podium, the middle-aged man with a Mediterranean beer belly was still passionately lecturing about history and current affairs, gushing about his thoughts on the film industry. Gu An’an blinked slowly a couple of times, seeing nothing unusual. Then, she buried her head again, almost ready to rest it on her desk.
“Ptui-ptui, Gu An’an” Lin Niaoniao tossed a crisp at her, “ptui-ptui”
Gu An’an turned around in confusion. Once she saw Lin Niaoniao, she was suddenly startled.
Why was she here?
“Come out for a moment,” Lin Niaoniao whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was watching, then waved wildly at her.
Gu An’an hesitated, sneaking a look at the teacher. The man on the podium was still going on, and none of the classmates were paying attention. Even though it was a public class, she didn’t dare slip out under everyone’s eyes, it was too outrageous, and she was too timid.
She took out her phone and quickly sent Lin Niaoniao a message: [What’s up?]
Lin Niaoniao clicked her tongue. This girl was both timid and bold. When chasing after Lu Xingyu, she’d skipped eighty percent of her classes. Now timid, Lin Niaoniao felt inferior.
[Has your department’s physical exam report come out?]
Gu An’an, who had been sleepy, instantly became alert at this message.
She sat up straight and quickly replied: [No, has yours?]
[Yes.]
[The literature department next door has it too.]
[Have you seen it?]
[Su Ruan’s report was posted on the forum.]
[Her RH is negative. Isn’t that perfect for a heroine? Ridiculous!]
Lin Niaoniao typed quickly, her speed as fluid as cursing in a single breath.
“…”
Even though Gu An’an already knew her mother was RH negative, seeing that Su Ruan was too made her feel a sense of inevitability and indignation.
Little Bird Dependent: [Thank goodness I’m not RH negative.]
Little Bird Dependent: [Otherwise, if Su Ruan ever got kidney failure, uremia, or kidney function loss, wouldn’t I be tied up to donate a kidney?]
Judging by the tone, it was clear she was someone who had read domineering CEO romance novels and knew exactly how to position herself.
“…,” Gu An’an was completely awake now.
Lin Niaoniao, a media-savvy wordsmith, had completely stirred up her emotions with just a few messages. This year’s school physical exam seemed suspicious too, it was sponsored by the Xie family. Why would the Xie family be messing with this?
[Do you know when our Film Academy reports will be out? Any insider news?]
[Please stop, my scalp is tingling!]
[I have the worst luck; the fortune teller said I have a cannon fodder fate!]
[What should I do? Start worrying about my kidneys!]
[Damn it, I’m so healthy, am I just being preserved for Su Ruan? No! Am I RH negative too?]
Though brief, the messages showed she was gradually losing it.
Little Bird Dependent: [I know you’re panicking, but don’t panic yet.]
Lin Niaoniao sent a link.
Gu An’an opened it: the original post showing Su Ruan’s physical report.
The Media College was truly extraordinary; they could get their hands on every bit of gossip and insider information.
Gu An’an scrolled quickly. Su Ruan, only twenty years old, had multiple health indicators outside safe ranges, anemia and seemingly chronic nephritis.
Gu An’an examined the report, hypothesizing what serious illnesses each failed indicator might suggest.
Based on the indicators, cancer was already on the table.
After going through it, Gu An’an thought Su Ruan was doomed within months. She nervously flipped between pages, afraid of missing any outrageous potential illness.
[Oh no, could she have cancer?]
Gu An’an, on the verge of tears: [I checked, seems like her time is short!]
Lin Niaoniao crouched at the classroom door, watching Gu An’an scare herself to death, rolling her eyes in disbelief. Did this girl really have a little mental issue? Why be so scared of Su Ruan? Even if Su Ruan died tomorrow, it had nothing to do with her! Even if every cell in Su Ruan’s body was sick, no one could force her to donate organs.
Moreover, even if she wanted to donate, the blood types would have to match. The odds of two unrelated people sharing the same blood type were slim, what was there to fear?
“Ptui-ptui, ” Lin Niaoniao waved, “Come out, I have big news for you.”
Gu An’an had never dared skip class, but now, fearing for her life, what class was worth attending? Sneaking a glance at the podium, the old man was still spitting and hadn’t noticed them at the door.
Determined, she closed her book and swiftly slipped out of the aisle.
At the door, Lin Niaoniao grabbed her arm and pulled her along.
They rushed out of the Yifu Building. Lin Niaoniao claimed she was taking Gu An’an to a spectacular event and dragged her toward the school’s back gate.
Beijing Communication University’s back gate led to Q University. Several universities in Beijing were close to each other: Q University, Beijing University, and even Beijing University of Technology. It was like a cluster of schools, a campus zone.
Lin Niaoniao knew people at Q University (well, she knew people everywhere) and was even familiar with the security guards. She guided Gu An’an straight into the campus, precisely finding the Q University club incubation center, then around to a huge dojo where the cheers could shatter glass.
“What’s happening?” Gu An’an felt completely out of place.
“Kendo competition,” Lin Niaoniao greeted the staff and led them openly into Q University’s Kendo Club.
The dojo was enormous, rivaling an indoor basketball court. Two groups in kendo uniforms sat outside, intently watching two people spar with foils.
The stands were packed, not only with Q University students, many girls from other schools had come to watch. Q University was heavy on science and engineering; boys were numerous. It wasn’t easy for girls to appear at a temple club; pretty girls were rarer still. Seeing them, the boys put on their peacock displays. Gu An’an was handed a pile of snacks by a delicate boy wearing glasses as soon as she sat down.
Lin Niaoniao pointed at one of the sparring pair: “Your Lu Xingyu is over there.”
“Hey, he’s not mine,” Gu An’an emphasized. “I’ve broken up with Lu Xingyu two months ago. I’m a noble singleist now.”
“Ah?” Lin Niaoniao was shocked; the CP she had fervently monitored had broken up? Her snack wasn’t even tasty anymore.
Gu An’an shrugged helplessly. “He doesn’t like me. I’ve been a licking dog for a year already; more love would be impolite.”
Rushing here, expecting excitement, but it turned out to be the boring male supporting character drama. Gu An’an was bored; this plot only entertained Su Ruan, the heroine. As ordinary passersby, they had no immersion.
She just wanted to see her own physical report.
Thinking of this, Gu An’an remembered Xie Jinxing.
Since the Xie family sponsored it, asking Xie Jinxing might get her the report early.
Since adding this person as a friend, they had only exchanged a few words.
Scrolling down her list, Gu An’an finally found the golden retriever profile. The dog grinned stupidly, looking completely unrelated to Xie Jinxing.
It had been a while since she last saw Xie Jinxing in the new place, well, only half a month.
While she hesitated, Lin Niaoniao bumped her elbow.
Gu An’an snapped back, and Lin Niaoniao exclaimed, “Look at that, her figure is amazing! Damn, there’s a stunner among these science nerds at Q University?”
“Damn, the mask covers her face too well!” Lin Niaoniao lamented.
Gu An’an glanced and was shocked too.
Her figure was unbelievable!
The waist, chest, hips, shoulders, long legs…Gu An’an immediately forgot how to properly text Xie Jinxing and ask for her report without awkwardness.
Next to her, Lin Niaoniao had already taken out binoculars.
Gu An’an: “...” Professional as always. Impressive!
Lacking equipment, Gu An’an used her new phone to zoom and photograph the nearly 1.9m tall person. Snap, snap, snap.
Lin Niaoniao admired her: “As expected, can’t do things properly, but you’re clever in other ways!”
Gu An’an looked at her binoculars and gave a knowing glance: “Of course, you’re good too.”
“Did you capture that rare male physique and perfect hips?”
“Yes.”
“Send me all of them later?”
“OK.”
They exchanged a look. No words were needed.
Unfortunately, the person was intimidating, his presence overwhelming. Though not short, around 1.83m, he was solidly built. His kendo outfit puffed out. Standing next to him, others seemed to be suffocating.
He finished multiple matches in ten minutes, each opponent sent flying like hitting whack-a-moles.
After leaving, the dojo erupted. Some girls murmured for him not to leave, but a real man didn’t look back; he was gone in an instant.
Lin Niaoniao and Gu An’an exchanged a glance and quickly left the stands.
Q University’s club incubation center differed greatly from Beijing Communication University. Q University was wealthier, likely from more sponsorship and donations. Their venue was large and well-designed.
The incubation center had a long corridor connecting the laboratories.
Even seniors who focused on research participated enthusiastically, promoting holistic development.
Gu An’an followed Lin Niaoniao, not knowing anyone.
Thanks to Lin Niaoniao’s extreme networking skills and Gu An’an’s naturally “passable” face, they entered the lab building effortlessly. No one stopped them as they disappeared around corners.
Coincidentally, they found Su Ruan outside the men’s bathroom on the first floor, crying.
Su Ruan truly appeared everywhere; it wasn’t surprising. Lin Niaoniao was about to speak loudly, but Gu An’an covered her mouth.
Su Ruan was talking to someone, tears flowing like faucets.
The person facing her was familiar: Lily, Xie Jinxing’s legal assistant.
Lily wore a professional business suit and gold-rimmed glasses. Her neat short hair made her look like a cold, ruthless AI battle robot. Opposite her, Su Ruan cried like a small creature whose nest had been destroyed.
Listening closely, they understood the situation.
Su Ruan had agreed to exchange her studies for a chance to get her mother’s kidney surgery but reconsidered when meeting in person. She said the kidney source was too far, claiming she couldn’t bring her seriously ill mother across Beijing to the border for surgery.
Her reasons were valid: her mother couldn’t handle the journey, and the border was unsafe. She requested the donor’s kindness, asking if the kidney could be transferred to Beijing for surgery. If the donor didn’t want to cover the cost, she could sell blood to pay.
Su Ruan argued logically: “I’m RH negative. My blood is rare. I can sell it for a lot. Please, I can cover the cost; please help…”
Lily, holding her briefcase, towering and cold, said: “Sorry, this is the exchange condition. No negotiation.”
“Three days to consider,” she added.
“Why?” Su Ruan asked, confused. She had accepted hope but couldn’t get full support even after offering to pay.
“If you refuse, Miss Su, that’s your choice,” Lily said, rationally scary.
Su Ruan had cried a liter of tears, but Lily didn’t budge. She couldn’t rebel, there was no rich heir to save her.
Her tears fell drop by drop, filled with anger others couldn’t understand: resenting the obstacles, Lily’s cold refusal, and the donor’s conditional assistance.
“Contact me tomorrow if you haven’t decided,” Lily said, leaving without waiting.
Gu An’an and Lin Niaoniao watched in awe, realizing the coldness of adult society.
Lin Niaoniao felt sympathy for Su Ruan; to gain a kidney but lose her studies was like trading the future for family.
Gu An’an was more curious why Lily was the intermediary. Could the donor be Xie Jinxing? He wanted Su Ruan gone from Beijing?!
The thought shocked Gu An’an, but considering Xie Jinxing had spent 100,000 a month to deal with Su Ruan, it seemed plausible.
Had he already decided he couldn’t tolerate Su Ruan near him?
Wait, why?
Gu An’an felt confused; less than a month had passed, yet the plot seemed incomprehensible. Why send Su Ruan away at such a cost?
She remembered the school blood type check.
Damn! Could his kidney source be linked to that?
Goosebumps rose; suddenly, she didn’t dare face Xie Jinxing.
Had the domineering CEO quickly crossed into illegality? Could she report him now?
No, reporting might mean Xie Jinxing would catch her first.
Thinking of these terrifying possibilities, Xie Jinxing’s image became frightening.
She pulled Lin Niaoniao and ran faster, not wanting to linger anywhere the male or female leads might appear. She feared Xie Jinxing would appear next, holding her physical report: “You’re RH negative too, An’an. Can you help your uncle? I need a kidney from you.”
“Ahhhh… help…”
Gu An’an imagined in horror, wanting to explode on the spot, every cell and hair screaming. She ran, yelling: “Xie Jinxing, this maniac, he’s going to take my kidney!”
Lin Niaoniao laughed, letting her drag her along. She asked: “Who’s Xie Jinxing? Why are you shouting his name?”
“You wouldn’t know,” Gu An’an said.
Lin Niaoniao shrugged, letting her type with one hand.
She quickly live-streamed Su Ruan’s tragedy to their gossip groups.
The gossipers, like fat koi in a wishing pool, waited eagerly. Explosive news instantly made the groups erupt.
They imagined over-the-top scenarios, even drafting a dramatic romance novel for Su Ruan and the unknown donor.
Lin Niaoniao laughed, amused by the beautiful wording, though slightly immoral.
Gu An’an ran down the long corridor of Q University’s laboratory building. The place was already sparsely populated, so even the slightest noise was amplified. She only called out once, but the sound carried far and even echoed.
At the end of the corridor, in the men’s locker room, two tall men quietly walked out.
Xie Jinxing glanced at his phone with one hand. His kendo uniform had long been removed, replaced with simple casual clothes that made him look much younger. His other long hand combed his hair back slowly. Next to him, Qin Jiashu, also having changed out of his kendo uniform, watched in shock as two girls ran frantically down the corridor.
If he had heard correctly, the girl had just shouted “Xie Jinxing” three times, right?
Qin Jiashu had just washed his face; his bangs were still wet, dripping.
Blinking, he glanced at Xie Jinxing strangely. “Didn’t expect you to volunteer as a Northern Myanmar park agent?”
Xie Jinxing’s eyes seemed to say: Are you stupid?
He lifted his head, his rosy lips curling into a sarcastic smirk, and coldly said: “Go get treated if you’re sick.”
Qin Jiashu: “…” This temper! Heaven will surely send someone down to deal with you sooner or later!
“So, who’s the little girl?” he asked again.
Xie Jinxing glanced over. The girl wasn’t running fast, one arm was dangling, throwing off her balance, making it particularly inconvenient to run. A full minute had passed, and the two of them still hadn’t exited the lab building.
The girl’s black hair was tied in a high ponytail, bouncing with each step, lively and youthful.
He tugged at his soaked collar; the fabric clinging to skin felt uncomfortable. “A girl from home.”
“Oh?” Qin Jiashu knew Xie Jinxing had a niece, but given his authority at home, no junior would dare to call him by name like that, right? “So…you’re actually pretty kind at home?”
Qin Jiashu’s smile was dazzling: “She even called your full name, hey…”
Xie Jinxing didn’t bother to respond. Qin Jiashu hadn’t seen the girl’s face but was genuinely curious.
Lily had just circled around and returned to the lab building.
She respectfully stood three steps away from Xie Jinxing, reporting the outcome of negotiations with Su Ruan: “Boss, she cannot accept this exchange condition and requests to speak with you once.”
Xie Jinxing was unsurprised, merely instructing Lily: “Arrange for the hospital doctor to discuss with Su Ruan again.”
“Yes.” Lily immediately went to handle it.
Qin Jiashu watched her leave, then turned to Xie Jinxing and clicked his tongue.
…
That night, Gu An’an finally got her physical examination report.
Thank heavens she was type O blood.
Grateful to the plot gods for sparing her, Gu An’an knelt on the bed and performed a proper kowtow to the sky.
Thinking that the fate gods had favored her today, she decided to treat herself to some crayfish and bamboo shoots. Before she could even enjoy three seconds of happiness, just as she was about to order her delivery, the dog downstairs suddenly started barking excitedly. Normally, the dog was well-behaved and rarely barked. Puzzled, Gu An’an quietly went downstairs to give the dog some attention and calm it.
On the stairs, she suddenly met the gaze of a handsome man in the living room holding a large dog.
He wore a casual dark gray sweatshirt, his hair freshly washed and falling smoothly. He half-crouched on the carpet, one pale hand stroking the golden retriever’s head, and looked at Gu An’an, casually asking: “So, saying ‘Xie Jinxing’, was that name easy for you to say?”
Gu An’an: “…”
Her brain froze for a moment. Huh? What… what’s going on???