Chapter 8 Wei Qingqiu!

Yet, faced with the stern rebuke of the beautiful homeroom teacher, Qin Fang, Chu Tian did not so much as turn his head, but strode away without a backward glance.

“Hmph, mud that cannot be molded into a wall!” came the cold remark.

In the far corner of the classroom, Yue Xin watched Chu Tian's departing figure in silence, the disappointment in her eyes deepening.

The Yue and Chu families had long been intertwined; her father, Yue Zhongzheng, and Chu Tian’s father, Chu Zhengqing, had been close friends for many years. Perhaps because of this, the two families had intentions of fostering a closer bond between Chu Tian and Yue Xin.

But Yue Xin had never thought much of Chu Tian, always keeping a polite distance. If it weren’t for her father’s arrangements, she would not have spared Chu Tian even a passing glance.

Now, seeing Chu Tian give up on his preparations for the exam, she only felt her judgment affirmed. Chu Tian, she thought, was fated to be nothing but a useless coward his entire life. How could such a man ever be worthy of her?

…

At the gates of Tianmen No. 1 High School, a Maserati was parked by the roadside, seemingly waiting for someone.

The moment Chu Tian appeared, the car door swung open, and a pair of long, shapely legs clad in high heels stepped onto the sidewalk.

In the next instant, a beautiful woman with waist-length hair emerged from the vehicle. She was tall and slender, her features elegant and refined, exuding a quiet grace. Draped in a deep green, strappy long dress that accentuated every curve of her generous figure, she drew all eyes to herself.

As she stepped out, her gaze never left Chu Tian. She walked straight toward him.

Chu Tian was momentarily stunned; he recognized her at once as Wei Qingqiu, the eldest daughter of the Wei family.

Looking at the matured beauty before him, Chu Tian’s thoughts drifted, carrying him back into unforgettable memories.

His eyes unconsciously fell upon Wei Qingqiu’s right arm. As he expected, at seventeen, Wei Qingqiu had not yet met with disaster—her right arm was still whole and unscathed.

If memory served, before long, Wei Qingqiu would be the target of an assassination attempt. Though she would survive with her life, her right arm would be severed by the killer, dooming her to a life of sorrow as a one-armed beauty.

But in this life, with Chu Tian’s intervention, he would never allow harm to come to Wei Qingqiu.

Just then, Wei Qingqiu had already come to stand before him, her sweet voice drawing him back to reality.

“Mr. Chu, my grandfather sent me to fetch you. Would you do me the honor of returning to the Wei family residence with me?”

She had taken her grandfather’s words to heart—never to show disrespect to Chu Tian because of his youth—and so she bowed deeply in greeting.

Chu Tian remained dazed, staring intently at the beauty before him.

When his answer was not forthcoming, Wei Qingqiu finally looked up, meeting his gaze.

Their eyes locked, and for a long moment, they stood motionless.

Time seemed to slow; both were caught in a strange pause. According to the current timeline, Wei Qingqiu did not yet know Chu Tian—he was a complete stranger in her eyes. She was only puzzled by the way he looked at her, as one might gaze upon a dear old friend after many years apart.

Yet, Wei Qingqiu could not recall ever having any connection with Chu Tian. Were it not for her grandfather, she would not even have known his name.

“Mr. Chu?” she prompted softly, her brows gently furrowed.

“Let’s go, to the Wei residence,” Chu Tian returned to himself, a faint smile appearing on his face.

He remembered his previous agreement with Wei Yuansheng, but had not expected Wei Yuansheng to send his own granddaughter to receive him. For the Wei family's heiress to personally fetch him was an honor indeed.

But what Chu Tian did not know was that Wei Yuansheng had originally intended to come himself. Considering his own sensitive status and the potential for unwanted attention, however, he had decided it would be better to send Wei Qingqiu instead, so as not to cause Chu Tian any trouble at school.

An hour later, at the Wei family’s traditional courtyard.

This was the Wei family’s ancestral home, where Wei Yuansheng resided.

The Maserati came to a halt in front of the villa, and Chu Tian and Wei Qingqiu got out one after the other.

No sooner had Chu Tian alighted than he saw Wei Yuansheng, face ruddy and smiling, waiting by the roadside.

“I, Wei Yuansheng, humbly welcome you, Mr. Chu!” Wei Yuansheng beamed, smoothing his traditional jacket and bowing deeply in respect.

Wei Qingqiu frowned at this. She could not understand why her grandfather would show such deference to Chu Tian—a boy barely in his teens. Could he truly cure her grandfather’s illness?

Her grandfather had sought out every renowned doctor for treatment, but cancer was a death sentence. No matter how skilled the physician, they could only delay the inevitable; a cure was beyond hope.

All the way here, Wei Qingqiu had been appraising Chu Tian. Seated in the passenger seat, he had barely spoken a word, and she could not see what set him apart from anyone else.

“There’s no need for formalities. Let’s go inside,” Chu Tian said with a wave of his hand, displaying little courtesy as he walked straight into the courtyard.

Wei Qingqiu was taken aback.

This was the Wei family’s private residence, yet Chu Tian’s ease and familiarity seemed almost presumptuous.

“Grandfather, who is this Chu Tian, really? He’s far too rude…” Wei Qingqiu whispered angrily in her grandfather’s ear.

Wei Yuansheng quickly raised a hand to silence her.

“Qingqiu, Mr. Chu is a man of profound ability. We must not judge him by ordinary standards.”

Wei Yuansheng was not a narrow-minded man. Though he found Chu Tian’s behavior somewhat arrogant, Chu Tian’s abilities warranted such pride. It was only natural.

Moreover, he was asking Chu Tian to save his life; his very survival rested on Chu Tian’s goodwill. How could he afford to be proud?

In truth, he had misunderstood Chu Tian. Chu Tian was not being arrogant for its own sake; he simply had no patience for empty formalities.

Having lived five hundred years through past and present lives, Chu Tian valued only swift action and vengeance. How could he be shackled by the empty rituals of the mundane world?

Inside the Wei family’s courtyard, in the living room.

Chu Tian seated himself on the sofa without hesitation.

Wei Yuansheng sat beside him, while Wei Qingqiu stood behind her grandfather.

She found Chu Tian’s attitude unbearably rude—even if he had the skill to cure her grandfather, he should not treat him with such disrespect.

But Wei Yuansheng took no offense; on the contrary, his admiration for Chu Tian only deepened.

“Qingqiu, won’t you pour Mr. Chu some tea?” Wei Yuansheng prompted.

Wei Qingqiu walked to the table, bending slightly as she picked up the teapot, reluctantly pouring Chu Tian a cup.

The water was steaming hot, wisps of vapor curling into the air. A delicate fragrance filled the room, refreshing and calming.

“Mr. Chu, this tea is from Changbai Mountain. Please, have a taste,” Wei Yuansheng said, gesturing with sincere politeness.

“I’ll pass on the tea. Let’s speak about your illness first,” Chu Tian replied.

“Mr. Chu…” Wei Qingqiu could no longer contain herself. Her grandfather had offered his finest tea, and yet Chu Tian responded so dismissively—how unbearably arrogant!