Chapter 61: Mind Reading (2)

Even Gu Li couldn’t bear Jin Yingyao’s foolish behavior.

From the moment he entered the club, it was as if Jin Yingyao had taken some strange drug. His expression twisted while staring relentlessly at Yan Ling, displaying sheer embarrassment and disgrace.

“My apologies, something must have upset him today…” Gu Li stepped out from behind his desk, expressing sincere regret to Yan Ling. “Please don’t take his actions seriously.”

With those words, Gu Li gave Jin Yingyao a meaningful look, signaling him to come forward and apologize.

Jin Yingyao remained speechless, unable to snap out of his shock until he heard their inner thoughts once more.

Tong Ling:[Ugh, why is this guy so annoying here? And Gu Li even apologizes for him, but why… Does he mean that much to Gu Li? No way! Gu Li should value me above all others!]

Gu Li:[I really wish I could tell Yan Ling I don’t know this fellow, too bad…]

Jin Yingyao took several deep breaths. He opened his mouth, desperately wanting to inform Gu Li that the seemingly pure and beautiful girl before them was actually harboring sinister intentions towards him, filled with terrifying thoughts—a true deviant…

However, Jin Yingyao couldn’t bring himself to say it. Firstly, he had no concrete evidence to prove that Yan Ling was problematic, and secondly… revealing his telepathic ability was out of the question.

No one would willingly expose their innermost thoughts to others. Since acquiring this power, Jin Yingyao resolved to guard his secret for life.

Ever since gaining the ability of telepathy, Jin Yingyao had encountered various unsavory thoughts, as every person harbors some degree of darkness within them… But! Not a single individual, not one, could match this woman’s… her sheer depravity!

Jin Yingyao struggled to maintain control over his facial expressions, aware that if he didn’t compose himself quickly, Gu Li would mercilessly kick him out of the club.

He couldn’t leave. He dared not let Gu Li be alone with Yan Ling, fearing that Gu Li might fall under the allure of her outward appearance, leading to potentially disastrous consequences.

Jin Yingyao needed to keep a close watch on them, ideally separating the two and distancing Gu Li from Yan Ling.

“My apologies,” Jin Yingyao lowered his hand, subtly tucking his slightly trembling fingers back into his pocket. “I mistook someone else just now.”

Jin Yingyao knew his excuse was flimsy, but he couldn’t think of a better reason on such short notice.

After apologizing, Jin Yingyao paced around the club for a moment. Eventually, he decided to sit opposite the girl. His head had been buzzing continuously, making him wonder if he might have misheard earlier.

“It’s quite alright.” The girl smiled warmly.

Her long hair cascaded down in glossy raven-black waves, her features were delicate and lovely, with soft pink lips slightly curved upwards. Her gaze exuded warmth and kindness.

She was beautiful, without any sharp edges; her appearance instantly conveyed comfort and attractiveness upon first glance. Her poise was graceful, even more refined than most high-born young ladies. Even Jin Yingyao could not deny that Yan Ling possessed captivating charm.

Her beauty and gentleness would naturally evoke fantasies in people, imagining whether she truly embodied the ideal maiden as suggested by her outward appearance.

However, this assumption hinged on one crucial factor: they hadn’t heard her inner thoughts.

Why is this annoying guy sitting across from me? What does he want? If only he’d get a clue and hurry up, leave us alone! Don’t disturb my time with Gu Li! Such were the thoughts running through the girl’s mind, yet when she noticed him looking at her, she maintained a flawlessly friendly smile.

Jin Yingyao’s expression nearly crumbled. Did this woman not know who he was? Even if considered eccentric, she couldn’t be so disdainful towards him!

Gu Li didn’t expect Jin Yingyao to linger here. Not only had Jin Yingyao just made a spectacle of himself, but even under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t voluntarily approach a girl he wasn’t familiar with.

Due to concerns about girls constantly bothering him, Jin Yingyao often used the HR club as a sanctuary for peace and quiet. So why would he choose to idle here instead of resting in his own room?

Gu Li thought, “[Could it be… that Jin Yingyao has an interest in Yan Ling?]”

Unconsciously furrowing his brow, Gu Li decided to sit next to Jin Yingyao, also facing the young girl directly.

Gu Li continued, “[Regardless of what Jin Yingyao might be thinking, we cannot make our guest feel uncomfortable. I hope Jin Yingyao won’t cause any trouble.]”

Jin Yingyao remained silent, feeling indignant—after all, wasn’t he staying for Gu Li’s safety?!

As soon as Tong Ling saw Gu Li take a seat across from her, her smile grew wider, accompanied by various “thoughts” surfacing within her mind.

Tong Ling mused, “[Ah~ now he’s closer. How much I want to remove his glasses, kiss his eyelashes, and watch those teary eyes plead with me for mercy.]”

[It’s not enough; the distance between us is still too great. Why didn’t he sit next to me, allowing me to savor his scent…]

[He’s truly beautiful; wouldn’t he look even more stunning if kept in my bedroom? I’d have him obediently waiting for me every day when I return home. I’ll take good care of him, carefully feed him, dress him, and accompany him in doing anything he desires. I will fulfill all his needs…]

Gu Li noticed that the person beside him was trembling slightly again. He glanced at Jin Yingyao, observing him with his head bowed, clearly not in his usual state.

Placing a hand on Jin Yingyao’s shoulder, Gu Li asked with concern, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Jin Yingyao shook his head and cleared his throat. Just as he was about to respond, he heard—

Tong Ling: [Damn, damn, damn… Why touch him? Why show concern for him? It’s unnecessary, this man’s existence is utterly redundant!]

Involuntarily shuddering, Jin Yingyao jerked away from Gu Li’s hand. “I’m fine, just haven’t fully recovered after the competition. Still experiencing some… muscle cramps.”

Gu Li found himself increasingly puzzled by Jin Yingyao’s behavior. “If you’re feeling unwell, don’t force yourself. You should go back and rest.”

“No need, I don’t require rest!” Jin Yingyao immediately sat up straight. As a man, how could he be intimidated by a delicate girl whom he could easily handle with one hand?

Jin Yingyao strove to avoid sidelong glances and looked directly at Yan Ling, asking, “What brings you to our club?”

He glanced at her chest; she wasn’t wearing an HR membership card. “You aren’t a member of our club.”

Only then did Gu Li realize that Jin Yingyao didn’t know Yan Ling. During her previous visit, Jin Yingyao had been sound asleep in his room. With the unexpected incident just now, he hadn’t had a chance to introduce them properly—it was his oversight.

“This is Yan Ling, a fellow student here for Xiao Lingfei,” Gu Li quickly added introductions for both sides, “And this is Jin Yingyao…”

Tong Ling interjected, “I know who he is—the sole heir of JS Group. He has impressive achievements in various competitions like fencing, horse riding, archery, and more. Many classmates in my class idolize Jin.”

On the surface, the girl praised Jin Yingyao, but internally she thought, He seems rather lacking in intelligence and doesn’t read the atmosphere well. Handing over JS, such a top-tier conglomerate, to him won’t lead to issues? And this person is actually the leader of S4? Indeed, my classmates’ judgment isn’t quite up to par.

Jin Yingyao’s eyelid twitched; he had never been accused of being unintelligent before. Although his academic achievements couldn’t match Gu Li’s, they consistently ranked within the top ten. Moreover, his scores in sports subjects far exceeded others’. How could one question his classmates’ judgment?

Yan Ling… The name sounded familiar, waiting for Xiao Lingfei, does that mean…

Instantly, Jin Yingyao recalled what his good friend had mentioned about the planned marriage alliance between the Xiao and Yan families. “You’re Xiao Lingfei’s… fiancée?!”

How could Xiao Lingfei’s fiancée be this woman?! If she was already engaged to Xiao Lingfei, why were her thoughts filled with another man—and those kinds of… thoughts?!

Tong Ling tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear, her cheeks slightly flushed as she shyly responded, “The engagement hasn’t been finalized yet, Jin classmate, so there’s no need for such a title.”

The blush on the girl’s fair complexion, coupled with her bashful demeanor, further enhanced her beauty by several points.

Jin Yingyao appeared somewhat dazed, feeling even more incredulous and shaken in his perception of her. How could such a girl be a pervert…

Noticing that Jin Yingyao’s conversation had drawn attention from several students in the club, Gu Li disapprovingly reminded him, “Watch your words.”

[If Yan Ling weren’t exceptionally outstanding, merely being identified as Xiao Lingfei’s fiancée would bring her considerable negative repercussions.]

[It seems I need to take extra care of her, ensuring no rumors spread before their relationship is officially confirmed.]

Jin Yingyao was speechless.

His expression turned sour, wishing he could shake Gu Li by the shoulders to snap him back to reality! Take care? Gu Li wanted to look after Yan Ling? Wasn’t he inviting trouble upon himself?! Why hadn’t Jin Yingyao ever seen Gu Li bother with caring for others before? When did the Student Council President have such leisure time?

“Shouldn’t you be busy with Student Council affairs?” Jin Yingyao couldn’t let Gu Li continue interacting with Yan Ling; his level of interest was far too high!

“Xiao Lingfei’s… No, this Yan classmate,” Jin Yingyao felt an unprecedented weight on his shoulders. He couldn’t allow Yan Ling to harm Gu Li, nor could he bear seeing his good friend marry someone like her. “I can attend to Yan classmate myself.”

“It’s not urgent work,” Gu Li lightly adjusted his glasses. “Are you suggesting I can’t handle those matters?”

[Jin Yingyao is acting too suspiciously. Why is he being so proactive around Yan Ling?]

[She’s Xiao Lingfei’s future fiancée; Jin Yingyao should maintain distance!]

Jin Yingyao: …Shouldn’t it be you who needs to keep your distance?!

Tong Ling: [I want Gu Li by my side. Can Jin Yingyao please step aside!?]

Jin Yingyao: Hah, don’t even dream of it. I won’t let you harm my friend!

The atmosphere between the three abruptly grew tense.

With Jin Yingyao constantly interrupting their conversation, Gu Li found it hard not to suspect Jin Yingyao’s intentions. Additionally, Jin Yingyao’s initial unusual behavior towards Yan Ling did not reassure Gu Li enough to leave them alone together.

Breaking the tension was the entrance of a young boy into the club room.

The boy had golden hair and blue eyes, with skin fairer than snow. His deep-set features were exquisitely delicate, and his emerald-green eyes sparkled like pure gems—a beautiful youth reminiscent of Adonis from Greek mythology.

Lu Yifan, the most esteemed individual in S4, possessing royal lineage.

Fluent in multiple languages, Lu Yifan’s father was an elite lawyer, and his mother was a high-ranking princess of the Olay royal family. The princess had an excellent relationship with the Olay Queen, and as a result, Lu Yifan grew up alongside the royal princes and princesses. Due to the Queen’s fondness for him, his status was nearly equivalent to that of a prince.

Despite his noble background, Lu Yifan displayed no arrogance. Upon entering the club, he cheerfully greeted everyone, then swiftly moved towards the sofa. With curious eyes, he circled around the trio before finally focusing on Tong Ling and grinned, “I remember you, you’re the campus goddess everyone talks about! You are… Yan Ling, right? Did I get your name correct? I rarely ever forget people!”

Being called a goddess by such a princely beauty made Tong Ling chuckle softly, “Hello, Lu classmate.”

At this greeting, Lu Yifan immediately frowned, “I don’t like being called ‘Lu classmate.’ Just call me Yifan; everyone else does, so you should too.”

Even when frowning, Lu Yifan looked adorable, making it hard not to comply with his request.

Tong Ling, undeterred, responded smoothly, “Hello, Yifan.”

Satisfied, Lu Yifan nodded and glanced at Gu Li and Jin Yingyao sitting nearby. Changing direction, he joined them on the bench and eagerly asked, “What’s everyone talking about? Include me! Bring me in!”

Jin Yingyao desperately wished for Lu Yifan to run away quickly!

His ears were flooded with the girl’s syrupy words of affection, which had now shifted towards an even more deranged obsession with Lu Yifan after previously fixating only on Gu Li.

[Such a delicate little prince, so beautiful. He should be bound by silver chains around his wrists, securely tethered to the bedpost.]

[I want to leave various vivid marks on his body. Will he cry? Will he sing for me? My lovely Yifan, could you become my most adorable bird?]

[The outside world is unsuitable for a bird like him to survive. I’ll groom his feathers, cleanse his body, ensuring those gem-like eyes forever hold a smile. Yes, a smile just for me—that’s the Yifan I desire…]

Jin Yingyao didn’t want to listen further, but he couldn’t help it. With growing anxiety, he looked at the oblivious pair beside him, torn and unsure of what to do amidst this torment.

When Jin Yingyao overheard Lu Yifan’s thoughts, his irritation became nearly unbearable.

Lu Yifan thought to himself, “It’s rare to find a girl with such impeccable manners and striking looks. A goddess of the academy, it seems quite intriguing.”

Jin Yingyao was speechless.

They’ve all been deceived by appearances!

“Everyone, why aren’t we talking?” Lu Yifan asked, puzzled. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to chat with me! Please don’t go silent just because I arrived; it makes things awkward for me.”

Lu Yifan felt he was being very friendly, but seemingly due to his status, no one at the academy initiated conversation with him, which greatly troubled him.

“Not at all,” Tong Ling reassured gently, without disappointing Lu Yifan. “I was thinking, Yifan, you seem exceptionally happy today. Did something good happen?”

Lu Yifan’s eyes immediately lit up, and he gave Yan Ling a thumbs-up. “You caught on! Want to guess what the good news is?” He then turned to the others nearby, urging, “Don’t just stand there, take a guess too!”

Under normal circumstances, Jin Yingyao would never engage with Lu Yifan. While Lu Yifan’s character wasn’t bad, his major flaw was that he talked incessantly.

Whether it was due to being cooped up too long within the royal household or simply Lu Yifan’s innate chattiness, once given a topic, he could ramble endlessly on tangents.

Fortunately for Lu Yifan, his noble status and striking appearance compensated; otherwise, few would tolerate him.

Jin Yingyao had once complained to Xiao Lingfei that those girls swooning over Lu Yifan hadn’t truly interacted with him yet. If they did, they’d soon lament: “Such a beautiful person, what a pity about that mouth.”

Jin Yingyao felt extremely uneasy around Yan Ling; otherwise, he would have gladly let Lu Yifan torment her.

Lu Yifan messaged: [Heh heh, they definitely don’t know—I’ve signed everyone up for the drama club’s new play rehearsal. This way, we can all perform together on stage!]

Jin Yingyao stared incredulously at the message.

Can’t this guy give them a break? Decorating the HR society with such exaggerated flair is one thing, but even when joining the drama club, he couldn’t resist dragging them along…

“Gu Li, weren’t you still pondering what performance we should present for the upcoming academy celebration?” Before anyone could respond, Lu Yifan eagerly offered a hint, “I’ve got an idea for us! Since we need to contribute a performance anyway, just trust me—it’ll be perfect!”

As representatives of Saint Hieria’s S4, they were expected to participate in every school event, at least to some extent. With their competitive nature, they aimed for nothing less than perfection; hence, they rarely settled for half-hearted efforts.

Before Jin Yingyao could conclude Lu Yifan’s “guess-who-guesses” game, the girl across from them spoke up, “Is it a theatrical performance?”

Lu Yifan’s eyes widened genuinely with surprise. “How did you guess? Quickly, tell me—how on earth could you figure it out without me saying anything?”

Tong Ling pointed discreetly at Lu Yifan’s uniform pocket, where a corner of the drama club’s promotional poster peeked out. “You must have just come from the drama club and then rushed here to share the good news with Gu, Jin, and the others.”

[My adorable Yifan, I wouldn’t overlook any part of him. He truly is such an innocent child; please show more of those endearing expressions.]

[Wow, as expected from our School Goddess! She’s incredible!]

Jin Yingyao felt a pang in his stomach… It started hurting again.