The interview with Xiao Mengyu was quite remarkable.
Whatever the female reporter asked, Xiao Mengyu immediately understood what was expected, skillfully expanding on the topic, hitting the key points, and providing intriguing insights.
Shen Ye, watching from the side, felt bored and wanted something to eat. When he turned his head, he noticed Qian Rushan staring at him.
—So boring. Hurry up and start the exam already.
Suddenly, the entire private room trembled.
A figure crashed through the wall, tore across the room, smashed through the rear wall, and flew out.
“Watch out!”
Qian Rushan reached out to grab Shen Ye, but Shen Ye instead grabbed both reporters and instantly moved outside the private room.
With a loud crash, the private room collapsed.
Qian Rushan landed lightly beside Shen Ye, observing the afterimages still dispersing from his rapid movement. He remarked in surprise, “Impressive footwork. Have you improved again recently?”
His sharp eyes instantly judged that with such movement techniques, Shen Ye was guaranteed to pass the upcoming exam. His mood brightened at the thought.
This level of footwork…
He glanced at Xiao Mengyu. Xiao Mengyu seemed to understand what he was thinking and gave a slight nod.
So it really was Xiao Mengyu who taught him!
“Sharp eyes. As expected of my perceptive mentor.” Shen Ye put down the two terrified reporters and gave Qian Rushan a thumbs-up.
“You think you’re a prized steed?” Qian Rushan grinned.
“Good mentors are common, but true talent is rare. You should cherish me.” Shen Ye replied.
A few banquet staff members rushed over in a panic to explain.
—Two young heirs from noble families had been sparring at the banquet and accidentally crashed into the private room, causing it to collapse.
The sparring naturally stopped.
The two culprits, accompanied by their elders, came over to personally apologize to Qian Rushan.
Since they were showing him such respect, Qian Rushan couldn’t press the matter further.
He sighed inwardly and glanced at Shen Ye.
—The noble families will go to any lengths. You’ve witnessed it firsthand now.
Shen Ye met his gaze.
—If they can even tear down a private room, there’s no escape. Should I just fight outright?
“Protect yourself. I’ll be watching over you,” Qian Rushan said in a low voice.
“Alright.” Shen Ye nodded.
“No need to fight,” Xiao Mengyu suddenly said.
“Why not?” Qian Rushan asked.
“I’m already engaged in battle with him. No one else can interfere.” Xiao Mengyu pulled out a card and waved it in front of Qian Rushan.
Qian Rushan was momentarily stunned before sighing in admiration.
Xiao Mengyu’s reputation in swordsmanship was well-known.
Ordinary noble heirs wouldn’t dare face her in combat.
After all, if they lost an arm or leg, it would take a long time to heal and regain full mobility.
And if they lost their head…
Then it would be over.
—This kid Shen Ye really has some guts!
“That’s good. Rest up tonight, and when the final evaluation is done, perform well in the exam.” Qian Rushan said.
Shen Ye and Xiao Mengyu both nodded.
The next moment—
A melodious female voice, as gentle as a spring breeze, echoed through the hall:
“Isn’t this the Shen family’s boy?”
Shen Ye followed the voice and saw a dignified noblewoman standing at the center of the banquet hall.
Time had left no marks on her, making her look as though she were still in her twenties.
Shen Ye could only gauge her status from her dignified and solemn attire.
The people around her clustered like stars around the moon—
As she walked toward them, it felt as though the entire banquet hall moved with her.
“Ah, let me introduce him,” Qian Rushan braced himself and said, “This is a newcomer to our Mortal Martial Group, someone I’ve been mentoring—his name is Shen Ye.”
“I know him.” The noblewoman nodded.
Qian Rushan continued, “This is Lady An from the Jiangnan Song family. She—”
“No need to introduce me,” Lady An interrupted with a smile. “Shen Ye, your uncle mentioned something to me recently. Do you remember?”
“What was it?” Shen Ye asked.
“He said that when you were young, you loved raising dogs, often training vicious ones to attack people. Once, when we visited the Shen family, you even released the dogs for some fun.”
Lady An spoke casually, as if reminiscing.
Shen Ye thought back for a moment.
When he was young…
Didn’t he actually protect two girls from the Song family against a vicious dog?
And now that had turned into him training dogs to attack people?
But in this situation, she was a respected elder, and this was a conversation between senior figures.
If he hastily stepped forward to argue, who would believe him?
—She was publicly questioning his character.
He never intended to stir up trouble.
—He didn’t want to let down Qian Rushan’s arrangements or Xiao Mengyu’s goodwill.
But—
I was already hiding in the private room, and you still had to drag me out.
“That was so long ago. I don’t remember, but we couldn’t afford to raise dogs.” Shen Ye replied.
A young man standing behind Lady An sneered, “Who are you trying to fool? The Shen family can’t afford dogs?”
Lady An also gave him a meaningful look.
“We were really poor. Just recently, when I was sick, my father begged my uncle for a Bone Nourishing Pill, but he was refused and even thrown out.” Shen Ye said earnestly.
The two reporters at the side were practically glowing with excitement, their devices recording continuously.
Lady An curled her lips slightly, looking at this seemingly honest boy. She couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Sick? Why didn’t you tell me? The Song family may lack many things, but we can certainly spare a Bone Nourishing Pill.”
“Huh? I was on the verge of dying, and you didn’t even know? Seems like you’re not that familiar with my affairs.” Shen Ye smiled.
Qian Rushan silently applauded the clever retort.
—If you didn’t even know that, how dare you so confidently claim that I trained vicious dogs years ago?
Lady An’s smile faded, her expression calm and composed. She said in an even tone, “So, you left the Shen family to take the high school entrance exam on your own?”
“Yes, I’ve already signed with the Mortal Martial Group.” Shen Ye smiled and nodded.
“I still have a guaranteed admission slot. Why don’t I give it to you? That way, you won’t have to take the exam.” Lady An offered warmly.
“That would be wonderful. Thank you for your kindness.” Shen Ye responded happily.
“The Song family can also cover all your expenses during high school.”
“Wow, you’re truly a saint.” Shen Ye clapped his hands.
“But there’s one condition,” Lady An said.
“Please go ahead.” Shen Ye replied.
“No matter what happens in the future, you must stay away from Qing Yun. She and you are from two different worlds. Some things should remain in childhood—don’t entertain unrealistic fantasies.” Lady An’s voice was as gentle as a spring breeze.
The moment the name “Qingyun” was spoken, the entire banquet hall fell silent.
Everyone listened to Lady An’s words, waiting for the outcome.
The next second.
Shen Ye’s face lit up with excitement, looking as if he had just won five million.
“Stay away from Qingyun? Sure, no problem at all! As long as you give me that guaranteed admission spot, I have absolutely no problem with that!”
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.
Many people looked at Shen Ye with disdain.
—So this is what kind of person he is.
Not surprising.
With his status, how could he dare to go against the Song family’s wishes?
“Then it’s settled.”
Lady An nodded in satisfaction.
Shen Ye paused. The excitement on his face gradually faded, replaced by a gentle smile.
“But, I have a small question.”
“Go ahead,” Lady An said.
“Who is Qingyun?” Shen Ye asked seriously.
All discussions ceased.
People stared at Shen Ye with complicated expressions.
He looked utterly confused, glancing around before finally settling his gaze on Lady An.
“Lady An, you are dignified, magnanimous, and kind-hearted. If you don’t want me to associate with someone, then that person must be problematic.”
“How about this—”
“Give me a full name and a photo. If I ever see this person, I will definitely stay far away.”
He said with a smile.
A young noble couldn’t hold back and shouted, “You don’t know Song Qingyun?”
“I don’t,” Shen Ye replied.
“No, you two met when you were four or five years old,” another young man said.
“Do you remember things from when you were four or five? Tsk, tsk, you have a great memory. I don’t remember a thing.” Shen Ye spread his hands and smiled.
Silence.
Everyone fell into silence.
Even Qian Rushan was quiet.
To be fair, things that happened at four or five years old could indeed be forgotten when one grows up.
He—
Didn’t remember.
Which meant he couldn’t have deliberately raised a dog to bite Song Qingyun.
Nor could he have used this incident as a way to get close to Song Qingyun.
—He didn’t even remember who she was!
And in reality, they truly hadn’t seen each other for many years.
So what could they say about him now?
What accusation could they make?
Shen Ye glanced around, then suddenly smacked his forehead. “Oh no, did I say something wrong?”
“Sorry, Lady An, but I really don’t know Song Qingyun.”
“So there’s no need to offer me guaranteed admission in exchange for anything.”
“—Because I don’t even know her.”
This was a grand banquet for new elites making their debut.
Yet he said it just like that.
It was the truth.
And even if it wasn’t, from this moment on, it became the truth.
By saying this, he had completely shut down any possibility of using childhood connections to tie himself to Song Qingyun in the future.
So—
He hadn’t seen Song Qingyun for a long time, and he wouldn’t see her in the future either.
That was the outcome.
For him to say this and do this, he had either truly forgotten or simply didn’t care.
It was laughable that everyone had been scheming, making arrangements, and creating such a huge scene.
Even Lady An had come personally.
Yet this young man—
He didn’t want this connection.
He didn’t want the guaranteed admission.
He wanted nothing.
He didn’t care.
—He had forgotten.
If he had no desires and no intentions, then what reason was there to attack him?
In the silence.
Lady An stared at Shen Ye and finally spoke. “You really don’t remember Song Qingyun? She is the eldest daughter of the Song family. I am her aunt.”
“Your niece? No, I don’t know you, and I don’t know her either.” Shen Ye shook his head repeatedly.
“Fine, and you don’t want the guaranteed admission either?” Lady An asked.
“I don’t want it—but there’s one thing. Lady An, you are highly respected and incredibly powerful. I wonder if you could do me a favor.”
Before she could respond, he continued,
“I was seriously ill not long ago, almost died. After I survived, a police chief named Luo said he would protect me.”
“But he died.”
“My best friend also died.”
“I don’t know why, but so many people around me have died.”
“Do you know why?”
“Someone of your stature can investigate things far better than a middle schooler like me. You must know something.”
“Can you seek justice for them?”
