Jiang Yuan had been walking peacefully, minding his own business, when he suddenly paused and glanced back with a puzzled frown.
Had he imagined it?
Just now... had he heard a girl screaming something like "Mom, I hate you"?
Was it that girl from earlier?
What the hell? Everything had seemed fine moments ago.
Probably just his imagination.
He shook his head, dismissing the thought, and got into the car waiting at the community entrance, heading toward the high-speed rail station.
Jiang Yuan was beginning to realize there were drawbacks to looking too handsome.
From the moment he entered the station to the entire hour-long journey to the provincial capital, seven different women had asked for his contact information or inquired about his relationship status.
That number was terrifying. In the real world, how many people actually had the courage to approach strangers like that?
He politely declined all of them, of course, but used the opportunities to practice his new persona, refining his performance.
When he finally arrived after nearly an hour, he grabbed his backpack and left quickly, leaving several disappointed women behind.
Before he even exited the station, his phone rang.
"Xiao Yuan, have you gotten off the train?" Jiang Yue asked.
"Just got off. Where are you, Sis?"
"I'm at the exit with my best friend. You'll see us the moment you step out!"
"Okay, see you soon."
Jiang Yuan hung up, feeling oddly nervous about meeting his sister.
She was a Seeker—a hunter who had previously suspected something was off about him. Though her suspicions had been dispelled after conducting the devotion ceremony herself, maintaining complete composure was still challenging.
Lost in thought, he reached the exit. Several heads turned immediately.
Jiang Yuan spotted Jiang Yue waving at him, alongside a girl who stood half a head shorter than her.
He took a closer look at the shorter girl. Around 160cm, but quite attractive—an 82/100 by his standards, which meant campus belle or even school goddess level among normal people.
Compared to Chi Zhongyue—that 98/100/98 girl in looks, figure, and temperament whom he'd only encountered once in this world or Earth—this girl was attractive but not ethereal.
Though short in stature, her figure was... formidable. Quite formidable, actually.
She currently had both hands covering her mouth, eyes sparkling like stars as she stared at him with an expression of pure infatuation.
"Sis." Jiang Yuan greeted them as he approached.
Jiang Yue looked surprised, sizing him up with an appreciative grin. "Xiao Yuan, why do you look so handsome today? Not bad, not bad. You truly are Jiang Yue's little brother."
She gestured to the girl beside her, who was still staring blankly. "This is my bestie, Mu Liuying... Hey! Wake up! You're embarrassing me!"
The last part was directed at Mu Liuying, accompanied by an exasperated shove to her shoulder.
Mu Liuying ignored her friend's irritation entirely, looking starry-eyed. "Jiang Yue, you told me your brother was handsome, but you didn't tell me he was this handsome!"
"Jiang Yuan, do you have a girlfriend? If you do, would you mind dumping her?"
Jiang Yuan shook his head with a smile. "I don't have—"
"Ah! Even more handsome when he smiles!!!"
"Waaah! Let me be your girlfriend! Jiang Yuan, Jiang Yuan, let me be your girlfriend!"
"I can do everything! And I have a great personality, plus my family is super rich!"
"I'll buy you whatever you want, I—mmph..."
Unable to listen anymore, Jiang Yue clamped her hand over Mu Liuying's mouth, dark-faced. "If you keep humiliating me, I'll cut ties with you!"
Mu Liuying blinked rapidly, indicating she understood.
Jiang Yue huffed and released her. Seeing that Mu Liuying had finally calmed down, she turned to Jiang Yuan. "Let's go. I booked you a hotel near campus, then I'll take you for some good food!"
"Sounds great, Sis."
The three left the station together, heading toward the parking lot.
Mu Liuying hadn't been exaggerating about her wealth. When they reached the parking lot, an elegantly designed luxury car came into view—a horse-themed vehicle worth over a million yuan.
"Come quickly, little brother, get in~" Mu Liuying opened the passenger door with a sweet smile, actually holding it open for him.
Jiang Yue rolled her eyes but said nothing, climbing into the back seat herself.
Jiang Yuan smiled warmly. "Thanks, Liuying-jie."
"Oh my, such a sweet mouth on this boy!"
Mu Liuying beamed, closing the door for him with impeccable service before happily running to the driver's seat and starting the engine, seemingly in an excellent mood.
"Drive carefully! I don't want to die for no reason!" Jiang Yue complained from the back.
Mu Liuying shot her a fierce look through the rearview mirror, then immediately changed her expression, turning to grin at Jiang Yuan. "Don't worry, little brother. Big sister's driving skills are excellent!"
What could Jiang Yuan do but nod?
Chatting with his sister and Mu Liuying, the car quickly departed.
Their university was called Bingjiang University, ranked around top twenty in the Xiaxia Kingdom—quite respectable.
"Look, that's your Economics College campus. Our college isn't in this area, but it's not far," Jiang Yue explained.
Jiang Yuan followed her gesture. The main gate looked impressively grand, though with classes not yet in session, the campus was nearly empty.
The hotel Jiang Yue had booked was a decent establishment not far from the college entrance. Since Jiang Yuan was here, Jiang Yue had booked herself a room next to his.
"By the way, Xiao Yuan, are you planning to return home after the Faith Praise Ceremony, or stay here until the semester starts?"
Jiang Yue continued, "I personally suggest you stay. You can familiarize yourself with the provincial capital environment. There's nothing for you to do at home anyway, right?"
"And with our parents gone, I don't feel comfortable having you out of my sight."
Jiang Yue's suggestion was exactly what Jiang Yuan wanted, so he nodded. "Sure, actually I was pretty bored at home too."
"I'll rent a short-term apartment out here for the time being, then."
Jiang Yue looked pleased, but before she could speak, Mu Liuying interjected excitedly, "No need to rent! Why rent!"
"I bought an apartment nearby—you can stay there!"
"Your sister and I crash there all the time when we're free. The three of us together!"
Jiang Yuan smiled wryly. Fortunately, Jiang Yue rolled her eyes and said, "That's enough. Be careful you don't scare my brother away."
Then to Jiang Yuan: "I'll rent you a place near campus later, short-term or long-term, whatever you prefer. Live in the dorms or outside, up to you."
"If you need money, tell me. I'll transfer it to you."
Their family was reasonably well-off, and after their parents' death, the siblings had inherited their parents' life savings, currently held in Jiang Yue's account. She gave Jiang Yuan whatever he asked for.
Besides...
As a confidant of the Fourth Transmitter and a mid-tier Seeker, Jiang Yue was hardly lacking money.
Seeing Jiang Yue's stance, Mu Liuying pouted but said no more, afraid of actually frightening Jiang Yuan away.
After returning to the hotel to drop off his backpack, the three had lunch together. In the afternoon, they took Jiang Yuan to rent a two-bedroom, two-living-room apartment—not a short-term rental, but six months paid upfront. He could decide later whether to live in dorms or outside.
With the apartment secured, they hit the nearby shopping mall, buying everything: clothes, shoes, bedding, daily necessities—the works.
Since he had the apartment now, there was no need for the hotel. They checked out and returned to the rental.
By evening, Mu Liuying had gone home, but Jiang Yue stayed.
She would spend the next two days with Jiang Yuan. They hadn't seen each other for half a month, and their previous meeting had been brief.
Plus, she wanted to help him organize the apartment.
Jiang Yuan didn't mind. The more time spent with Jiang Yue, the more trust he could gain, and the better his chances of infiltrating the Shan Min demon organization.
After a busy day, they washed up and retired to their respective rooms.
"Oh right, Xiao Yuan, I'm free tomorrow. Let me see what your current strength is like!"
"I'll check for any weaknesses and teach you. Remember to wake up early!"
"I'll take you to a nearby gym!"
Before sleeping, Jiang Yue said enthusiastically.
"Got it, Sis."
Jiang Yuan certainly wouldn't refuse. He was also glad he hadn't rushed to break through to Early-tier Second-grade these past few days; otherwise, his progress would be too fast to explain.
Back in his room.
Jiang Yuan was contemplating tomorrow's plans when his expression suddenly froze!
His eyes flickered with disbelief and a trace of terror!
That familiar sensation of being watched...
It was back!!!