CHAPTER 554: 217 ZI BU YU: STRANGE POWERS AND GODS_2

His gaze lingered on the last painting, the girl’s unparalleled beauty eternally captured by the brush, yet the slight wrinkle at the edge made the young man instinctively furrow his brow.

His fingertips carefully smoothed the wrinkle, as if treating an exquisite treasure.

He opened the sketchbook, took out a few drawings, and placed them in a box, sealing them once again.

Just like sealing away the young man’s unspoken thoughts.

Silently waiting in a dark, sunless corner, waiting for the day to see the light again.

The young man’s slender fingers gently caressed the lid, his gaze tender as water.

"Wait for me."

~

It snowed all night, and the next day was bright and clear.

Liu Runxi rose early and, while going downstairs, encountered his father sitting at the dining table reading the morning paper.

"Good morning."

Liu Qingfeng smiled at him.

"Congratulations on achieving a gold medal in the CMO."

Liu Runxi sat down, and a servant brought him a milk sandwich.

"Thank you."

Liu Qingfeng put down the newspaper, looking at his son: "I heard from your mother that you’re going to accompany Miss Yu to Qingxia Mountain today?"

Liu Runxi’s face showed no emotion, always so calm and indifferent, he lowered his eyes and said softly, "Yes."

Liu Qingfeng frowned: "If you don’t want to, I’ll talk to your mother."

Liu Runxi: "No need, I’ve already agreed."

"But..."

"Dad, please have breakfast; you’re almost late for work."

Liu Qingfeng sighed.

This child is too sensible.

After breakfast, they left the house together.

Liu Qingfeng went to work.

Helian Yu had arranged a car waiting at the door for Liu Runxi.

It was Thursday today, also December 29th.

Students had school until the next day when the holidays would begin.

Students who just returned from the winter camp had two days off.

Tomorrow night, Lanya High School would hold a New Year’s Eve party, which students only needed to attend on time.

Liu Runxi went to the hotel to pick up Yu Ruohuan first.

He waited at the hotel entrance for half an hour, during which Yu Ruohuan did not appear.

Sun Wei was getting a bit impatient, occasionally glancing back at Liu Runxi, who was sitting in the back seat.

Today he was both driver and bodyguard, tasked by the mistress to ensure the young master’s safety on the Qingxia Mountain trip.

Yet the young master was calm and unhurried, holding a book and reading with great interest, as if he could wait this way forever without worry.

Sun Wei took a careful glance, noting a few large characters on the cover.

"Tao Te Ching"

What kind of book is this? Metaphysics or destiny theories?

Sun Wei shook his head, unsure.

In his eyes, the young master was a godlike figure.

Nine o’clock came, yet Yu Ruohuan still hadn’t appeared.

Sun Wei couldn’t help but remind, "Young master, the road to Qingxia Mountain is quite difficult. It’s best to set off early; otherwise, a day might not suffice."

In winter, it gets dark early; the mountain road is hard to navigate, and after five o’clock, it becomes even more difficult.

Without lifting his head, Liu Runxi said, "No rush."

At nine-fifteen, Yu Ruohuan finally emerged from the hotel.

By her side, a pair of twin siblings shadowed her closely, along with two inseparable bodyguards.

Sun Wei immediately got out of the car and opened the back door.

"Miss Yu, please get in."

Yu Ruohuan looked at the boy quietly reading inside the car, raised her eyebrows.

"Hi, Liu."

The boy’s tone was plain: "It’s not early."

Yu Ruohuan cheerfully got in.

Jing Zhan intended to sit in the front passenger seat, but Yu Ruohuan’s gentle gaze landed on her, so Jing Zhan pursed her lips and obediently got into the car behind.

Jiao Long sat in the front passenger seat, while Jing Huan and Yun Long got in the car behind.

Yu Ruohuan brushed her skirt and smiled, "I thought you wouldn’t come."

"It’s my parents’ orders."

Yu Ruohuan casually added, "The words of a matchmaker."

After speaking, she realized the joke wasn’t funny, and pouted.

Liu Runxi remained unresponsive, reading his book with an expressionless face, gradually making Yu Ruohuan feel bored.

"Are you this dull when you’re with Shen You’an too?"

Yu Ruohuan clearly felt the temperature inside the car drop, yet she continued with her potentially provocative remarks.

"The last question in this CMO exam, the Stokes Equation, rumor has it only Shen You’an solved it. Do you feel content being ranked behind him?"

"For a miss born to reign supreme, acknowledging others’ excellence is indeed difficult; I understand you, but I am not you."

The young man turned a page, calm and indifferent.

Yu Ruohuan puffed up her cheeks, then slowly smiled.

"Liu Runxi, my interest in you is growing."

"No, you’re just jealous of Shen You’an and want to experience the thrill of conquest through me, but unfortunately, you will never succeed."

Yu Ruohuan raised her eyebrows: "Well, let’s just see."

She admits that Shen You’an is a genius, yet this boy in front of her was only one step away from solving the Stokes Equation; his mind is not to be underestimated either.