Chapter 75: Mind Reading (16)

In her consciousness sea, Tong Ling puffed on the electronic cigarette provided by the system, lazily exclaiming, “Learning is truly invigorating, I love it!”

m577 clutched its metaphorical heart and pleaded, “Please stop insulting the word ‘learning’! Look at what you’ve turned a once diligent Student Council President into!”

Tong Ling recalled Gu Li’s appearance after removing his glasses and let out a satisfied sigh, “I suspect those glasses were sealing away his true nature. A reserved person suddenly becoming so enticing.”

m577 pursed its lips, internally muttering: With or without glasses, he’s equally blind.

After finishing her e-cigarette, Tong Ling energetically returned to her physical body, which still lay in bed looking delicate and fragile.

[…]

Delicate? Pah! More like frail!

Gu Li gently tapped on the door, waiting for her permission before entering. His handsome cheeks were slightly flushed, and he carried a tray of food. In a soft voice, he asked, “Lingling, how are you feeling? Are you hungry? Please take a look at this breakfast; if it’s not to your liking, I’ll have someone prepare something else…”

Tong Ling’s face also flushed as she softly replied, “I… I’m fine, there’s no need to have it remade. I’m not picky with food.”

m577 muttered sarcastically, 【Oh sure, not picky at all - what a hearty appetite!】

Gu Li placed the tray beside the bed, his eyes filled with concern. “If anything feels uncomfortable or wrong, please let me know…”

By nature, Gu Li was always solicitous towards others, and now more than ever, he wanted to ensure Yan Ling’s well-being in every aspect.

“There’s no need, I should be going.” As Tong Ling tried to rise from the bed, she noticed Gu Li still nearby and hastily wrapped herself tighter in the blanket. “I…”

Gu Li acknowledged that their relationship had progressed too swiftly, even surprising himself with how far things had developed.

However, he harbored no regrets. For so long, he had adhered strictly to rules and suppressed his desires, unable to express his personal wishes or emotions. Now, having finally met someone he genuinely liked, even if she was his friend’s fiancée, he didn’t want to miss this chance.

With utmost sincerity, Gu Li confessed, “I love you, Yan Ling.”

“From the moment we first met, I felt drawn to you,” Gu Li said slowly, gathering his thoughts. “As our interactions deepened, my affection for you grew stronger, until it became impossible to control myself. I’ve done wrong, and even…” he privately acknowledged having taken possession of her heart.

“I know I have no right to ask for anything more. All I hope is that you won’t avoid me or come to despise me…” Gu Li removed his glasses, gazing directly into the eyes of the young woman before him, “Is that possible?”

Gu Li possessed beautiful almond-shaped eyes; when smiling, their corners lifted enticingly, exuding charm, while at rest, they appeared cool and dignified, conveying a sense of aloofness. Tong Ling believed that without his glasses and with such a stern expression, many students would indeed be intimidated and dare not approach him.

His earnest confession, laying bare his genuine feelings without reservation, undeniably showcased his sincerity.

Tong Ling whispered to the system, “He’s trying to seduce me. He knows I prefer how he looks without his glasses, so he’s deliberately doing this.”

Just as m577 was about to respond that Gu Li is a proper gentleman who wouldn’t engage in seduction, it witnessed Gu Li intentionally leaning closer to its host, displaying a pleading expression on his face.

“Can I?” Gu Li asked again.

Tong Ling couldn’t possibly refuse; with Gu Li’s considerate nature, he would never do anything to make her uncomfortable.

“Mm-hmm,” Tong Ling responded, gazing intently into Gu Li’s beautiful eyes for quite some time.

The corners of Gu Li’s mouth curved slightly as he leaned down, gently kissing the girl’s hair.

“Why don’t you stay here and rest today?” Gu Li said tenderly. “I’ll request leave for you…”

Gu Li deeply desired a relationship with Yan Ling, hoping to openly stand by her side as her boyfriend. However, he knew that at this moment, he could not impose any additional demands on her. Even being able to accompany Yan Ling felt like stolen moments.

He sensed Yan Ling’s affection towards him, but he couldn’t exploit that sentiment to ask such a well-behaved and obedient young lady to defy her family’s wishes. Publicly breaking off an engagement would offend both conglomerates, placing undue pressure on her shoulders—something Gu Li refused to do.

The issue of arranged marriage was his burden to resolve alone; there was no need for Yan Ling to be troubled by it.

“I can attend classes at the academy…” Tong Ling shyly replied, “It’s alright.”

Seeing Yan Ling’s firm resolve, Gu Li acquiesced to her wishes and said, “Then… I’ll escort you to the academy later.”

Gu Li put on his glasses, rose from the room, and left, wanting to avoid making Yan Ling feel tense or constrained by his presence.

Tong Ling didn’t have much to pack; Gu Li had taken excellent care of her. He had already cleaned up for her last night, even giving her a lengthy massage. As expected of the Study God, despite starting with no experience, he quickly applied theoretical knowledge to practice and learned remarkably fast.

Tong Ling dressed neatly in her clean school uniform, washed up, finished breakfast, and then picked up her backpack before opening the door.

Outside, Gu Li automatically took the backpack from her, a hint of hesitation crossing his face. “Perhaps you should stay here instead, or let me take you home. Last night… you didn’t get much sleep…”

“Alright, alright, my dear president,” Tong Ling urged him gently. “If we keep this up, we’ll both be late.”

Uncharacteristically contemplating skipping class, Gu Li murmured, “If we’re late, maybe we shouldn’t go at all.”

Tong Ling didn’t verbally respond, but subtly hooked her pinky finger around Gu Li’s.

Heart warmed, Gu Li took Yan Ling’s hand and led her out the door, still reminding her, “Once you’re at the academy, feel free to message me if anything comes up…”

Tong Ling nodded affirmatively.

“Whatever trouble arises, reach out to me first,” Gu Li said. “Don’t hesitate; I’m more than happy to help.”

Tong Ling nodded again.

Inside the car, their hands remained intertwined throughout the journey. As they approached the academy, Gu Li reluctantly let go, just as he had done last time. He stepped out of the vehicle, instructing the driver to safely deliver Yan Ling to the academy while he walked over on foot.

Gu Li had a busy day ahead, with student council duties and surveillance footage to thoroughly investigate…

Jin Yingyao stood by the academy entrance, scanning the area restlessly.

Recalling yesterday’s events, his anger persisted unabated. When had anyone ever mistaken him for a pervert? It was clearly Yan Ling who made the advances—she forcefully kissed him, it was she who touched him inappropriately. All he wanted was fair treatment; what wrong had he committed?

Students trickled into the academy, but Yan Ling had yet to appear.

Just as Jin Yingyao’s patience was wearing thin, he finally spotted Yan Ling.

She emerged from Gu Li’s family car. This woman…did she go to see Gu Li again yesterday?

Jin Yingyao’s temple throbbed, and he desperately wanted to confront Yan Ling, demanding to know what exactly she had been up to behind his back. However, the memory of narrowly avoiding capture on the street still haunted him. Fearful of repeating that mistake, Jin Yingyao restrained himself, staring intently at Yan Ling’s retreating figure, wishing he could lock her away to prevent further mischief.

Unable to approach Yan Ling directly, he decided to gather information through Gu Li instead.

Jin Yingyao waited patiently for some time until he saw Gu Li entering the academy grounds. He swiftly moved to intercept him.

“Did Yan Ling come to see you yesterday?” Jin Yingyao asked bluntly, knowing that beating around the bush would not yield straightforward answers. “What did you two do?”

Gu Li’s immediate reaction would reveal the truth to Jin Yingyao’s probing question.

As expected, Gu Li initially appeared taken aback, and then his inner thoughts echoed…

[Why hasn’t Jin Yingyao given up on Yan Ling yet?]

Jin Yingyao listened closely to Gu Li’s unspoken words.

[Yan Ling and I… what we did together must remain secret to protect her reputation. Was I too excessive last night? She hardly had time to rest; I shouldn’t have let her come to the academy today. I wonder if she’s tired or sleepy…]

Upon hearing Gu Li’s thoughts, Jin Yingyao felt dizzy with anger. He swiftly grabbed Gu Li by the collar and seethed, “How could you… You scum! Who gave you the right to touch her!”

Gu Li furrowed his brow, visibly displeased with Jin Yingyao’s erratic behavior. “Jin Yingyao, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“You knew she’s Xiao Lingfei’s fiancée, yet you still dared to touch her!” Jin Yingyao glared at Gu Li through gritted teeth, feeling an unprecedented loathing towards his once close friend.

“Yan Ling and I are merely friends. Please refrain from making wild accusations,” Gu Li replied coldly, casting a dismissive glance at Jin Yingyao. “Let go. Are you seriously considering a confrontation here?”

[What has gotten into him? Even seeing Yan Ling get out of my carriage should be none of his concern.]

[Xiao Lingfei himself sees nothing amiss, so why is Jin Yingyao causing such a fuss?]

They were still standing at the entrance of the academy, and due to Jin Yingyao’s outburst, several students had already turned to watch.

Jin Yingyao, face flushed with anger, lowered his voice menacingly. “Do you really think your happiness will last long?” He sneered, “Just wait, she’ll dump you soon enough. You fools are all just toys for her amusement.” With that, he shook off Gu Li’s grip but not before issuing a final warning, “You’d better stay away from her.”

Gu Li straightened his clothes, rumpled by Jin Yingyao’s grasp, and cautioned him back, “Jin Yingyao, if you have no issue with me, then don’t involve Yan Ling in this.”

“There should be limits to childishness; stop causing trouble for others.”

Jin Yingyao, unwilling to waste more breath on Gu Li, saw him merely as another fool deceived by Yan Ling’s beauty. Did he truly believe he could win her over? Ha! There would come a time when he’d regret it bitterly.

With a dark expression, Jin Yingyao stalked away, his mood sour throughout the day. Although he knew some of his friends could also be considered “victims,” the thought of them engaging in intimate acts with Yan Ling without his knowledge left him seething and unable to remain composed.

There was no hope for Gu Li; he was fundamentally different from Jin Yingyao, lacking even the slightest sense of morality.

Gu Li still thought he could hide his secret relationship with Yan Ling. As a man willingly sinking into depravity, perhaps he truly believed he could maintain a long-term intimate bond with her.

Jin Yingyao felt slightly unhinged. Could it be… must one become her lover to have any chance with Yan Ling?

Impossible! There was no way Jin Yingyao would stoop that low!

He couldn’t bear sharing her or allowing anyone else to possess Yan Ling.

It seemed clear now: he needed to expose Yan Ling’s true nature somehow. Xiao Lingfei and others had no idea what she was really like. Once they discovered they were deceived, they would undoubtedly abandon her. Then, Jin Yingyao could work on changing Yan Ling’s mindset, helping her become more normal.

With this plan in mind, Jin Yingyao promptly contacted several detective agencies. Following Yan Ling alone wouldn’t suffice, so he decided to employ professionals to keep a constant watch on her.

No matter what Yan Ling did, he wanted to be immediately informed. If she sought out Gu Li, he’d gather evidence against them, convinced their reckless clandestine affair couldn’t continue unabated!