Chapter 13: Fate, Flower Petals, and a Blushing Heart
Wang Dong'er's steps slowed slightly.
His eyes narrowed just a little before his gaze settled directly on her.
It was not because of her beauty alone.
There was something else.
Something difficult to describe.
Not fully visible, yet clear enough to make the atmosphere around her feel entirely different from everyone else in that place.
As for Ji Lin, he did not stop immediately.
Instead, he calmly lifted his gaze toward her.
His eyes swept across her appearance only once.
From the flowing crimson hair…
To the ornaments trailing at her sides…
Then finally to the dark cloth concealing the lower half of her face.
No surprise appeared on his expression.
Yet his gaze lingered on her for slightly longer than normal, as though his mind had noticed something worth remembering.
The girl had already sensed their approach.
Her eyes shifted toward them calmly, and beneath the bright red strands of hair, those steady crimson eyes became even clearer.
She did not move from where she stood.
Nor did she show the slightest sign of unease.
She simply remained there quietly, as though she had expected this meeting to happen sooner or later.
A pink flower petal drifted slowly downward between them.
And in that moment—
The corridor became strangely quiet.
No loud voices.
No distracting movement.
Only a brief silence connecting three people together.
Yet the atmosphere surrounding them made it feel far heavier than an ordinary encounter inside the academy.
Wang Dong'er kept his eyes fixed on her before leaning slightly closer to Ji Lin.
She is not an ordinary student.
His voice remained low, but the caution hidden within it was unmistakable.
Ji Lin did not respond immediately.
He continued looking at her for another moment before finally speaking calmly.
I know.
And with that short answer, he took another step forward.
The girl remained standing where she was.
Flower petals continued drifting around her and through her long crimson hair, making her seem as though she had stepped out from a living painting.
Beautiful enough to attract attention.
Mysterious enough to stir curiosity.
And calm in a way that made her presence feel far more dangerous than it should have been.
Wang Dong'er suddenly felt that this quiet morning would not end peacefully.
Especially because this girl reminded her of what had happened at Sea God Lake.
Without saying a word, she quietly tightened her grip around Ji Lin's hand.
At that moment, the red-haired girl finally spoke.
Her voice was calm as her eyes rested directly on Ji Lin.
My name is Ma Xiaotao.
I am from the inner courtyard.
And I would like to invite you to a private talk.
Ji Lin looked at her silently.
His gaze settled on those beautiful crimson eyes.
They resembled shining rubies beneath the morning light.
Then he answered calmly, All right.
I do not mind.
But I have class right now.
Find me after the lesson ends.
Ma Xiaotao gave a small nod.
Her voice remained just as calm as before.
All right, little brother.
I will come find you later.
Then she turned around and left.
Her crimson hair swayed behind her as flower petals drifted through the air once more.
At that moment, Wang Dong'er immediately looked toward Ji Lin.
Her brows drew together slightly.
And the displeasure in her voice was impossible to hide.
Who is she?
Do you know her?
And what does she want from you?
Ji Lin smiled faintly.
The smile was small.
Yet the teasing hidden within it was obvious.
Well, I do not know.
But I think she fell in love with me at first sight.
And perhaps she wants to become your older brother's wife.
The instant those words left his mouth—
Wang Dong'er pinched his waist hard.
Then immediately stomped on his foot in anger.
Her movements were fast.
Emotional.
You are hateful!
Are you trying to avoid the question?
Ji Lin inhaled sharply from the pain.
His shoulders lowered slightly as he grimaced.
That really hurts…
Then he lifted his eyes toward her once more.
That faint teasing smile still lingered at the corner of his mouth.
All right.
I truly did not lie to you.
I honestly think she wants to be in a relationship with me.
He paused briefly before smiling even more lightly.
What is wrong?
Are you unhappy that your older brother may soon gain a beautiful and powerful wife?
Ji Lin slowly leaned closer to her.
Closer…
Until only a small, dangerous distance remained between his lips and her cheek.
Close enough to make Wang Dong'er's heart pound violently inside her chest.
For a brief moment, she froze completely.
Her eyelashes trembled lightly without her noticing.
She could clearly feel his warm breath brushing softly against her skin alongside the low, alluring voice that drifted beside her ear.
Well…
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
If you were really a girl, I would've thought you were jealous.
Keh…!
And in the very next instant—
Wang Dong'er let out a soft cry, sounding exactly like a startled young girl caught completely off guard.
A deep blush exploded across her face in an instant.
Her eyes widened violently, while her fingers tightened nervously before she stomped hard onto Ji Lin's foot.
You…!
Then she immediately turned around and fled like a frightened little rabbit.
Her hurried steps were visibly unstable from how flustered she had become.
Meanwhile, Ji Lin simply stood there with a faint smile on his face as he watched her run away in obvious embarrassment.
The image of her flushed cheeks and panicked expression lingered briefly in his mind.
After a few moments, he casually slipped both hands into his pockets and continued walking toward the classroom as though nothing had happened at all.
A few minutes later, Ji Lin quietly entered the classroom.
He walked between the rows of desks with calm, steady steps before heading directly toward Wang Dong'er's seat and sitting beside her as though what had happened earlier was nothing worth paying attention to.
But the instant he sat down—
The whispers inside the classroom immediately rose.
What began as soft murmurs quickly turned into a low buzz filled with curiosity and excitement.
Doesn't it look like they fell in love at first sight?
That scene was so romantic…!
Look at Wang Dong'er's face, it's still red!
Ji Lin's eyebrow twitched slightly the moment those words reached his ears.
At the same time, a faint headache slowly crept into his mind.
Honestly, girls' imaginations felt far more terrifying than any real battlefield.
Meanwhile, Wang Dong'er's body stiffened slightly after hearing the surrounding whispers.
The redness around her ears deepened instantly.
Her fingers tightened nervously around the edge of the desk before she quickly turned her face away, clearly trying to avoid everyone's gazes.
Ji Lin glanced at her briefly.
The corner of his lips almost lifted.
However—
His expression soon changed.
His eyes suddenly shifted toward the classroom door before stopping there completely.
Huo Yuhao.
The boy had finally arrived.
Exactly like in the original story.
Ji Lin narrowed his eyes slightly in surprise while quietly observing him.
Even after all the changes that had already happened, fate still seemed determined to push Huo Yuhao toward this place.
Just as expected…
His luck really isn't something that can be underestimated.
Ji Lin muttered inwardly while calmly watching him.
Huo Yuhao cautiously raised his gaze toward the classroom.
His expression carried a trace of vigilance as though he was trying to adapt to the unfamiliar atmosphere surrounding him.
Compared to the other students, his clothes appeared noticeably simpler.
Yet those familiar eyes still contained the same unwavering determination.
But soon, another thought crossed Ji Lin's mind.
What spirit ring did he obtain this time?
Is it still related to that monkey…
Or have the events already changed completely?
While Ji Lin remained deep in thought, several more seconds quietly passed.
Then—
The classroom door opened once again.
An elderly woman stepped inside.
Her appearance was fierce.
Her expression stern and cold.
The sharpness in her gaze felt almost blade-like, causing the atmosphere inside the classroom to freeze instantly.
The surrounding noise nearly disappeared in a single moment.
Under that suffocating pressure, the students unconsciously straightened their backs.
Ji Lin silently let out a sigh the moment he saw her.
He recognized her immediately.
Zhou Yi.
After that—
Everything began unfolding almost exactly like it had in the original plot.
With only one difference.
The seat that should have belonged to Huo Yuhao…
Was now occupied by Ji Lin instead.