When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 33. 1.2

Meng Fan Yi turned back and retorted disdainfully, “Everyone knows your little schemes. Don’t show off in front of me. I was scheming before you even knew where you were.”

Lin Yue stared at her, her eyes practically bleeding. She honestly hadn’t done anything to offend Meng Fan Yi and didn’t know why she was always targeted. From their school days until now, wherever Meng Fan Yi was, Lin Yue always ended up humiliated, without exception.

Meng Fan Yi snorted and walked past her to find Guo Feng and seek revenge.

The moment Jiang Yan exited the hotel, she retreated into her coat. She linked arms with Chu Qing Han and leaned against her.

Looking at the blurry road ahead, she gave a self-deprecating laugh. When did I become so fragile? It was just one cup of wine and some forbidden food. Could the reaction really be this fast?

Chu Qing Han opened her coat, tucking half of Jiang Yan’s body inside her clothing. She asked with concern, “Are you still cold?”

Jiang Yan peeked her head out from the collar and smiled sweetly. “Not cold.”

Chu Qing Han smiled, gently kissing the top of her head, her eyes overflowing with affection.

Lost and found again—to be cherished above all else.

Jiang Yan followed Chu Qing Han back to her place.

She didn’t ask what job Chu Qing Han did, but someone who could afford such a large, split-level apartment in the heart of the city must be earning a lot.

The moment they walked in, Chu Qing Han pinned Jiang Yan against the door, kissing her with urgent passion, biting at her lips as if to make up for all the years they had missed.

Jiang Yan was pliant, giving herself over to her, cooperating with her actions.

“Yan Yan, don’t ever leave me again. You don’t know how difficult those three years were. I missed you so much I nearly went insane.”

Jiang Yan felt the same way. The longing was unbearable, and she could only get through the days by looking at her photos.

What happened next was natural. As the two fell into bed, Jiang Yan deliberately asked Chu Qing Han to draw the blackout curtains.

“What’s wrong? Shy?” Chu Qing Han’s voice was teasing; she seemed to be in a good mood.

Jiang Yan smiled back at her. “Yes, I’m shy.”

After a night of abandon, Jiang Yan was so exhausted she couldn’t lift a finger. She finally got some rest as the sky began to lighten.

“Senior, why aren’t you sleeping?” she asked, stroking Chu Qing Han’s face.

Chu Qing Han caught her hand and kissed it. “I want to watch you. What if you run away again?”

Jiang Yan snuggled deeper into her embrace and mumbled, “I won’t. I’ll spend the rest of my days with you.”

She fell into a deep sleep, her thoughts drifting back to the summer she was nineteen.

That September, a memory of cicadas and scorching sun.

…

“Yan Yan, your brother didn’t mean to not pick you up. I have to accompany the professor to an exchange meeting at F University next door. Be a good girl, okay?”

Jiang Yan angrily hung up the phone and dragged her suitcase toward A University.

That big liar, Jiang Yao! He said that as long as she got into A University, he’d cook for her every day. And what happened?

Hmph. A man’s word.

When she arrived at A University, just as Jiang Yan stepped onto the campus, a few boys eagerly approached her.

“Junior, are you a freshman? Interested in joining the Go Club? National team players teach you hand-by-hand. You could become a ninth-dan player in minutes!”

“Get out of the way! Go is too old-school. Come to our Literature and Arts Department! Handsome guys and beautiful girls! We have every type you like!”

“Move aside, all of you! Let the heartthrob of the School of Business be the one!” A decent-looking guy with exaggerated clothing and bleached gray hair walked up to Jiang Yan. He ran a hand through his hair, thinking he looked cool, and handed her a flashy flyer. “Junior, everything else is fleeting. Only dancing can truly relieve boredom. Come to our Street Dance Club! A senior will help you flirt with all the campus heartthrobs!”

Jiang Yan was already irritated from the sun and was now even more annoyed after listening to so much nonsense.

“Excuse me, good dogs don’t block the road!”

The three boys were stunned, then obediently moved aside. One or two muttered that she was hard to get along with.

Jiang Yan thought she was actually pretty easygoing—provided the person was someone she was willing to deal with.

At the freshman registration desk, she quickly signed her name. The sophomore student assisting with orientation looked around and said somewhat awkwardly, “I’m sorry, Junior. The people responsible for orientation all had things come up. Could you wait a bit until they arrive to take you to the dorm?”

Jiang Yan couldn’t stand the scorching sun, but losing her temper at a girl wasn’t her style. So, she put her hands on the table, leaned in close to the girl, and asked, “Senior, why don’t you just tell me the dorm location? I’ll go myself.”

Her facial features were stunning—the kind that was beautiful individually, and world-class together, perfect from every angle.

The sophomore girl blushed at being flirted with in this manner. She quickly pointed in a direction. “Go straight down this road, past the two teaching buildings and the cafeteria, and then turn left. That’s the dormitory area. The girls’ dorm is pink; it’s easy to spot.”

Jiang Yan straightened up, not forgetting to give the girl a wink before leaving.

“I’m off then, Senior. See you around.”

The girl dazedly said, “Oh,” then suddenly realized something and quickly averted her gaze.

She was just flirted with by another girl! How embarrassing!

But that junior was truly beautiful. Her skin was so fine, without visible pores, and her features were lovely, especially her eyes. Staring at them made you feel subconsciously drawn in.

“Ahhh! Why am I crushing on another girl?!”

Jiang Yan walked a short distance and spotted Chu Qing Han on a set of steps.

She recognized Chu Qing Han. Her brother had shown her a photo and said this senior would pick her up.

The photo didn’t do her justice. The air around her in person was truly unique, as if emanating a cool stillness that unconsciously softened the harsh sunlight shining on her.

She walked over, and Chu Qing Han noticed her too.

Chu Qing Han lowered her eyes and looked at Jiang Yan for a few seconds, then said, “You’re Jiang Yao’s sister, aren’t you? He asked me to pick you up. Come with me.”

Her voice was cool and indifferent, matching her demeanor. Jiang Yan followed behind her. She wanted to say something suggestive to get her attention, but after racking her brain, all she could manage was, “Senior, what’s your name?”

Chu Qing Han stopped and turned to look at her. “Didn’t your brother tell you my name?”

Of course he had, but Jiang Yan wouldn’t admit it.

“No, my brother just said he’d find a beautiful senior to pick me up. It seems my brother wasn’t lying. Senior, you truly are beautiful, more beautiful than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Chu Qing Han ignored her flattery, turned, and continued walking. “My name is Chu Qing Han.”

Jiang Yan happily ran a couple of steps to walk beside her. “My name is Jiang Yan. It’s nice to meet you, Senior Chu.”

Chu Qing Han didn’t say anything more. She dropped her off at the dormitory building and left.

She seemed very busy, answering a phone call just a few steps away. Jiang Yan looked at her stunning figure walking away, a smile playing on her lips.

It looked like her university life wouldn’t be boring.

The dorm was on the seventh floor. Jiang Yan carried her suitcase up. A girl behind her was startled, then secretly lamented how weak she was.

It was a four-person dorm, but only one other person had arrived. Jiang Yan later heard from the student that the other two were local students who lived at home.

Jiang Yan thought that was fine; two people would have more freedom.

Her roommate, Meng Fan Yi, was an outgoing, cheerful, and very familiar girl.

“Yan Yan, I’m going to walk around the campus and get familiar with the environment. Do you want to come with me?”

Jiang Yan was lazy—if she could sit, she wouldn’t stand; if she could lie down, she wouldn’t sit.

“Sweetie, you go ahead. I need to rest. I’m too tired.”

Meng Fan Yi gave an “OK” sign, checked her reflection in the mirror, touched up her lipstick, grabbed a parasol, and walked out.

“Yi Yi, wait a minute!” Jiang Yan called out just before she closed the door. She suddenly sat up with a quick move.

She changed her mind. Walking around might lead her to bump into Chu Qing Han.

“You want to come with me now?” Meng Fan Yi asked with a smile.

“Mhm, let’s go get some fresh air.”

The two walked downstairs together, their high good looks attracting countless onlookers.

Jiang Yan’s beauty was self-evident. Meng Fan Yi was also a rare beauty, though she was shorter than Jiang Yan and her presence was overshadowed by Jiang Yan’s.

At the dorm entrance, Meng Fan Yi handed the parasol to Jiang Yan. “I’ll bother you to hold the umbrella, tall girl.”

“Can I refuse?” Jiang Yan never used an umbrella when she went out. After all, she’d eventually get pale again after getting sunburnt.

“No, you can’t. Holding an umbrella is the basic respect one shows to summer.”

Jiang Yan: “…”

Finally, Jiang Yan resigned herself to holding the umbrella for her roommate, though much of her own body remained exposed.

After walking around twice, she still hadn’t seen Chu Qing Han. Jiang Yan felt a bit dejected. Just as she was about to go back, Meng Fan Yi pulled her toward a crowd.

“Why are so many people gathered over there? Let’s go check it out!”

Jiang Yan was dragged along and was pleasantly surprised to find Chu Qing Han there.

She stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the back of a chair, listening to a boy next to her speak.

Meng Fan Yi squeezed her way in. Realizing it was the recruitment drive for various departments of the Student Union, she eagerly signed up.

Jiang Yan wasn’t interested in any of that. Her goal was clear: Chu Qing Han.

So, she walked around the other side and feigned surprise. “Senior Chu, what a coincidence! I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

The boy who had been talking to Chu Qing Han originally intended to mock Jiang Yan’s cliché approach to striking up a conversation. He looked up, saw her stunning beauty, and immediately handed her the registration form next to him.

“Junior, why don’t you join our Student Union? That way, you can see Senior Qing Han every day.”

Jiang Yan shook her head. “No, thank you, Senior. I’m not a very group-oriented person, and I find it hard to collaborate with others. I’d probably just cause you trouble.”

The boy thought to himself, She’s so beautiful; I’d tolerate the trouble.

Jiang Yan was all smiles, radiating charm to everyone. Chu Qing Han lifted her eyes and looked at her. “If you’re not joining the Student Union, what are you doing here?”

“I came with my roommate. She’s filling out the form.”

Just then, Meng Fan Yi looked up. Seeing their eyes on her, she flashed a big smile. “Hello, Senior! I’m Yan Yan’s roommate. My name is Meng Fan Yi. Please remember me, Senior.”

Chu Qing Han said nothing more, assuming Jiang Yan would leave soon. But Jiang Yan just stood there, her gaze fixed on her.

“Aren’t you going back?”

“I feel like the senior must be bored like this. I’ll keep you company.”

Chu Qing Han: “…”

I’m not bored at all; all these people coming and going are giving me a headache.

Meng Fan Yi grew impatient and went off to explore by herself. Jiang Yan waited until Chu Qing Han finished before approaching her.

“Senior, when are you going to eat? Can you take me with you? I’m not familiar with the school and can’t find the cafeteria.”

Chu Qing Han was expressionless. “Is that the only reason you waited for me until now?”

Jiang Yan hooked her arm into Chu Qing Han’s, smiling brightly. “Not exactly. I just wanted to treat the senior to a meal, to thank you for helping me today.”

“No need. Even if Jiang Yao hadn’t asked me, it’s part of my job.”

After saying this, Chu Qing Han gently pulled her arm away, putting a step of distance between them.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to the cafeteria.”

Jiang Yan was a little disappointed but didn’t dare push her luck. She kept one step behind Chu Qing Han as they walked to the cafeteria.

“Senior, what would you like to eat? I’ll get it for you.” Jiang Yan was eager to show her affection.

“Just get your own food. I usually don’t eat dinner.”

“Dieting?”

“No, I don’t have an appetite.”

Jiang Yan pulled out a chair for Chu Qing Han and taught her some health tips. “Not eating dinner can easily lead to stomach problems. You should eat a little something.” Then she turned and walked toward the serving counter.

Chu Qing Han watched her back, feeling that this child was different from Jiang Yao’s description.

Didn’t he say she was quiet and didn’t bother people?

Which part of this is quiet?

Jiang Yan got food for Chu Qing Han first: a bowl of preserved egg and lean meat congee and a few light, simple side dishes.

“Senior, you haven’t eaten dinner before, so your stomach might not be able to handle it well. Eat something that’s easy on the stomach.”

Chu Qing Han’s eyes twitched slightly. She wanted to tell her that she didn’t eat preserved eggs.

But Jiang Yan didn’t give her a chance to speak, turning around to get her own meal.

When she came back, her plate was covered in bright red dishes—clearly very spicy.

Jiang Yan ate a few bites and saw Chu Qing Han hadn’t touched hers. She asked, “Is it not to your liking? Should I go get you something else?”

Chu Qing Han slowly picked up her spoon and said plainly, “No need. Don’t waste food.”

Seeing her start to eat, Jiang Yan began eating her own meal as well.

Chu Qing Han forced herself to eat one spoonful, finding it less unpleasant than she’d imagined. This led to a second, and a third.

“Senior, my roommate went to meet a friend. Let’s go for a walk.”

Chu Qing Han: “I have a meeting at eight.”

Jiang Yan: You’re heartless!

“Then, Senior, can you walk me back to the dorm? I don’t remember the way.”

Chu Qing Han was starting to doubt the caliber of this year’s freshmen.

Although the admission score had dropped by a dozen points, they surely hadn’t admitted an idiot.

The cafeteria was only a ten-minute walk from the dorm building. She didn’t believe someone who could get into A University couldn’t remember such a short route.

Jiang Yan walked very slowly. She wanted time to pass as slowly as possible so she could spend more time with Chu Qing Han.

No matter how slow she walked, the journey had to end. Standing in front of the dorm building, Jiang Yan held out her phone to Chu Qing Han.

“Senior, let’s add each other on WeChat. It’ll be easier to keep in touch.”

Chu Qing Han: “Is that really necessary?”

“Yes, very necessary! If you don’t add me, I’ll be sad for days.”

Chu Qing Han watched her wink and put on a show of feigned sorrow, which was hard to watch. She scanned her WeChat QR code.

“Senior, you can set my nickname as Yan Yan or Yan’er—anything works.”

Chu Qing Han turned and walked away. She tapped her screen a few times, finally setting the nickname as “Naughty Kid.”

Jiang Yan returned to her dorm feeling satisfied. Before going to sleep, she sent Chu Qing Han a “Good Night” cat emoji.

The next day was the dorm clean-up. The day after that, military training began. Jiang Yan, noticeable for her height and good looks, was very popular among the girls. She was always gentle with them, quickly gaining many admirers. Even the sophomores and juniors heard her name and came to the training field to see her.

Throughout the month-long military training, Jiang Yan didn’t see Chu Qing Han once. She seemed genuinely busy. Her WeChat replies were often delayed or non-existent. Jiang Yan would send ten messages for every one she received.

After military training ended, her classmates were busy joining clubs to enrich their university lives. Jiang Yan, however, either attended class or returned to the dorm to play games. She even got into an argument with someone online over whether PC games or mobile games were superior, leading to an arranged one-on-one challenge in League of Legends (LOL).

But her computer was still with Jiang Yao, so she couldn’t take the challenge. After evening study session, she snuck out to an internet cafe to play the solo match.

After five rounds, she was completely dominant. The person on the other side finally stopped trash-talking and asked Jiang Yan if she could help them rank up.

Jiang Yan checked the time. She couldn’t go back to the dorm now, so she figured she might as well play games all night, gaining ten stars.

As dawn approached, she briefly dozed off at the table. As a result, she was late.

She sprinted back. The Dean of Students was standing at the school gate, holding a notebook. Seeing her approach, he sternly asked, “Are you a student here? Why are you late?!”

Jiang Yan pretended to be calm and walked right past him. “I’m not. You have the wrong person.”

She then climbed over the fence and went inside.

She did this frequently in high school. She was a little emotional that she was still doing it in university. She leaned against an old locust tree, catching her breath.

“One point deducted for being late. One point deducted for climbing the fence. One point deducted for improper appearance.”

A cool voice rang out. Jiang Yan looked up and saw Chu Qing Han seriously writing something down.

Jiang Yan’s heart leaped with joy. She quickly ran over, trying to butter her up. “Senior, long time no see! How have you been lately?”

Chu Qing Han ignored her words and said, “The deduction notice will be sent to your class advisor later. If you have anything to say, you can talk to her.”

Jiang Yan quickly grabbed her arm. “No, no, no! Our class advisor will kill me!”

Chu Qing Han pulled her arm away, looked at the dark circles under her eyes, and asked coolly, “What were you doing last night?”

“I was in the dorm, of course. What else could I be doing?”

Chu Qing Han: “I checked the dorms last night. Only one person was in your room.”

Jiang Yan: “…”

“Not going to tell the truth? Then you can go talk to Teacher Zhao.”

The thought of her class advisor, Zhao Lili, made Jiang Yan’s teeth ache.

If she went, wouldn’t she be lectured to death?

“I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you! Senior, don’t be so heartless!”

Chu Qing Han continued walking, periodically checking the cleanliness of various corners of the campus.

“I had a challenge with someone yesterday, and I played video games all night.”

Chu Qing Han: “Your brother still…”