Hearing Yang Yu's explanation, Jiang Shuyue's emotions instantly became incredibly complicated.
A favor?
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Those two words made her cheeks burn with pain.
All along, she had regarded Yang Yu as her only rival, the greatest enemy standing between her and the throne of first place in their grade.
She had secretly observed him countless times, trying to gauge him, treating his hard work as a provocation against her.
On the day of the Job Transfer, when she saw Yang Yu's bedraggled state, she had actually felt secretly pleased deep down.
Giving him that sword had been less about helping him than about alms from a victor—a condescending pity used to display her far-ahead position and declare the end of their long competition.
She had thought Yang Yu would sense that disdain and resent her for it.
But he had not.
Not only had he not held a grudge, he had treasured that arrogant handout as though it were a genuine favor.
Only then did she realize that the person she had always regarded as her sworn enemy had not only left her far behind in strength, but also possessed a breadth of mind and character she could never hope to reach.
Her so-called competition might not have even been worth mentioning in his eyes.
In this world, where everyone valued only benefits and strength, such openness and sincerity in letting bygones be bygones seemed extraordinarily precious.
Looking into Yang Yu's calm eyes, she no longer felt the humiliation she had felt before.
All her jealousy, resentment, and competitive spirit collapsed in that instant, washed away completely.
All that remained was an indescribable bitterness and gratitude.
She silently stepped forward, extended a slightly trembling hand, and accepted the Ice Crystal Staff.
"...Thank you."
Jiang Shuyue's voice was soft, almost too quiet to hear.
She gripped the staff tightly, lowering her head and no longer daring to look Yang Yu in the eyes.
This scene left the other two people in the hospital room with very different thoughts.
Jiang Zhenshan, who had just sent his daughter out and then secretly watched through the crack in the door because he could not stop worrying, now had his eyes light up!
There was something going on! There was definitely something going on!
He was overjoyed inside.
Although this staff was only Rare-level, its quality was not considered top-tier.
But the gift might be small, yet the sentiment was profound!
Even at a time like this, Student Yang Yu still remembered his daughter's tiny, insignificant help back then. What did that mean?
It meant Xiao Yue was in his heart!
This was simply fantastic news!
As long as they could get on Yang Yu's good side, not to mention one Talent Enhancement Scroll—even ten would be worth it!
Jiang Zhenshan was so excited that he nearly laughed out loud. He quickly covered his mouth and continued peeking.
Meanwhile, Yang Yan, who was leaning against the wall, watched her younger brother's little performance with a gleam in her eyes.
Not bad, you brat!
He usually seemed so clueless, but he actually knew what he was doing around girls!
First, he displayed invincible strength and shattered the other party's pride, making her look up to him with awe and reverence.
Then he offered a small favor, using a gift beyond her expectations to instantly break through her psychological defenses!
This routine was practically textbook-level!
Yang Yan nodded in satisfaction, feeling that her younger brother was finally no longer just a battle-obsessed blockhead.
At that moment, a sharp ringtone shattered the atmosphere in the hospital room.
Yang Yan took out her terminal and glanced at it, her brows immediately knitting together.
She answered the call.
An urgent order seemed to come from the other end, and Yang Yan's expression turned serious as well.
"Understood."
She said only those three words before ending the call.
"Sis, what's wrong?" Yang Yu asked with concern when he saw her expression.
"An emergency task from the school. I have to go back right away."
Yang Yan sounded displeased. Clearly, she was very unhappy that this sudden task had interrupted her lesson for her younger brother.
She walked to the bedside and looked at Yang Yu, whose entire body was wrapped in bandages, her gaze complicated.
There was heartache, helplessness, and above all, frustration that he had failed to meet her expectations.
"Don't push yourself so hard again."
She sighed, and her tone finally softened. "You were lucky this time. What about next time? And the time after that?"
"I understand, Sis." Yang Yu felt the concern in his sister's voice, and warmth filled his heart.
He knew that although his sister scolded him fiercely, she worried about him more than anyone else.
"Sis, be careful on the way." A trace of concern also showed in Yang Yu's eyes.
Anything that could make Imperial Capital University issue an emergency recall could not be a trivial matter.
Just then, Jiang Zhenshan, standing by the door, rolled his eyes as a brilliant idea came to him.
An incomparably enthusiastic smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Miss Yang Yan, if you have business to attend to, please go right ahead!"
Jiang Zhenshan strode quickly to the bedside and patted his chest in assurance. "You needn't worry about Student Yang Yu at all! He has trouble moving around right now. How can he manage without anyone to care for him? Why not let my daughter Shuyue stay and take care of Student Yang Yu's daily needs? What do you think?"
This suggestion stunned all three people in the hospital room.
Yang Yu was the first to react, and he immediately refused.
"No! How could that be okay?"
Frowning, he said, "Uncle Jiang, that would trouble Jiang too much. Besides, she needs to level up and prepare for the college entrance exam. I can't hold her back."
What kind of joke was this, having a girl take care of him?
That was far too awkward!
"Ah, that's nothing, nothing at all!"
Jiang Zhenshan quickly waved his hand. "Compared with your health, Student Yang Yu, what does losing a few days of leveling matter? Shuyue will have plenty of time to catch up in levels later!"
Yang Yan watched the scene with great interest. She glanced at the flushed and flustered Jiang Shuyue, then at her brother's resistant expression, and suddenly smiled.
She thought this idea was absolutely perfect!
"Why wouldn't it be okay?"
The moment Yang Yan spoke, her tone carried an unquestionable dominance.
She shot Yang Yu a glance and said with a grin, "You're taking her with you. Are you afraid she won't be able to level up? Before you got Legendary Grade Equipment, you could already solo a Nightmare Dungeon. What's wrong with taking this little girl through a dungeon a couple of times?"
Yang Yu was instantly speechless.
"No... that's different..."
"I said it's fine, so it's fine!"
Yang Yan did not give him any chance to argue and made the decision directly.
She bent down and whispered into Yang Yu's ear in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Brat, I've created the opportunity for you. Whether you can seize it depends on you. If you can't even win over a girl, don't ever say you're Yang Yan's little brother!"
After saying that, she straightened up and nodded to Jiang Zhenshan and Jiang Shuyue.
"Then it's settled. I'll leave my younger brother in your care."
Before her words had even faded, her figure began to turn illusory, and ripples spread through the surrounding space.
The next second, she vanished from the hospital room without a trace.
All she left behind was a bewildered Yang Yu and Jiang Shuyue, who stood rooted to the spot, utterly at a loss.
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