Chapter 33

Faced with Li Rongyu's aggressive attitude, Principal Zhang, who already despised students who broke rules and discipline, immediately made the fairest and most positive decision for the school. This punishment meant that Shen Zongming would not be able to earn a very good score in the upcoming Centennial School Anniversary competition. Likewise, a year later, he would have no chance of successfully receiving admission offers from those world-renowned universities that placed excessive importance on students' school performance and social responsibility—unless Diwan High School revoked Shen Zongming's major demerit before he submitted his application.

It could be said that Diwan High School's decision would directly affect the rest of Shen Zongming's life.

With no way to undo the outcome, Zhou Linyin and Sun Minqiu could only seize on Li Rongxiu's unsightly kick in the footage, turning what could originally have been considered "self-defense" into "excessive defense." At least after being utterly defeated in this direct confrontation, they had managed to leave the Li family somewhat sullied, which was a small consolation.

As for Shen Yujun's kick in the footage... First, Shen Yujun was a member of the Shen family; as the saying went, one brush could not write two different "Shen" characters. Second, the history of the Shen family allowing the Wang family to drive Shen Lixue to her death for profit, as well as Shen Yingbo embezzling the shares that had originally belonged to Shen Lixue, still hung before the eyes of Wancheng's wealthy families. Therefore, no matter how much the other members of the Shen family regarded Shen Yujun as a thorn in their side, and no matter how hateful his siding with outsiders seemed to the women of the Shen family, it could not change the fact that the Shen family owed his mother and therefore could not "hold it against" a child.

Thus, Zhou Linyin and Sun Minqiu could only secretly curse Shen Yujun and his "shameless mother" as harbingers of misfortune while pinching their noses and pretending not to see what Shen Yujun had done. The Shen family had always upheld this kind of wealthy-family practice of swallowing broken teeth along with blood.

Moreover, the Li family's mother and son both openly and subtly spoke up for Shen Yujun. In the end, the school only gave him a written warning—though in Li Rongxiu's mind, perhaps the warning was meant to remind Shen Yujun not to get carried away next time and kick someone quite so far away.

Of course, if Zhou Linyin and Sun Minqiu had known where Li Rongyu had obtained the evidence he used to "threaten" the school at the meeting, they might have forced the school to expel Shen Yujun even if it meant making the Shen family a laughingstock among Wancheng's wealthy families once again.

Seeing the ugly expressions on the two Shen women's faces, Li Rongxiu, worried about Shen Yujun's situation, failed to notice the silence of his mother, Zhuang Meiru, and his eldest brother, Li Rongyu. He once again invited Shen Yujun to go home with him.

"No need." Sensing the Li mother and son's rejection of him, Shen Yujun firmly refused the invitation once again. Seeing Li Rongxiu unconsciously frown in disapproval, Shen Yujun hesitated for a moment before saying with great difficulty, "I'll go find Li Jiuying later. As long as the Shen family sees me with Li Jiuying, they definitely won't dare pursue this matter."

After saying that, Shen Yujun suddenly felt relieved. It was as though a huge stone had been lifted from his heart.

This was the first time he had revealed his social connections to a "stranger" who knew absolutely nothing about his past and had almost no deep interests tied to him.

This was the first time Shen Yujun had felt the urge to stop hiding in the shadows and watching everyone, to stop manipulating everything behind the scenes, and instead step forward to face the storm head-on.

Because when facing someone as proud and pure as Li Rongxiu, Shen Yujun suddenly felt ashamed of himself. He felt as though he were a filthy rat hiding in a gutter. Someone like him, constantly hiding and running, had no right to stand shoulder to shoulder with Li Rongxiu. No right to be Li Rongxiu's friend.

There were many realities that had created this situation. It was related to Li Rongxiu's identity and status, to the affection Li Rongxiu received within the Li family, and also to Li Rongxiu's own character and temperament.

Yet the last point was the one Shen Yujun was least willing to admit.

Because deep down, Shen Yujun already knew clearly that no matter how many resources he held, no matter how many secrets he possessed, no matter how much profit those secrets could bring him, and no matter how ruthless and decisive he became after shedding his disguise, making others fear him, that disguise was like a thick glass shell that completely separated him and Li Rongxiu into two different worlds.

One was in heaven, the other on earth. One was a cloud, the other mud.

So Shen Yujun rejected his old habit of hiding beneath the Li family's wings while continuing to disguise himself and scheme. Impulsively yet resolutely, he chose another uncertain future.

And the reason that had brought all this about had nothing to do with any benefit. It was merely a fleeting impulse born in a young man's heart.

Li Rongxiu looked at Shen Yujun, who seemed to have made some kind of decision and had suddenly become a little sharper. He shrugged indifferently and stopped insisting on his invitation. Since Shen Yujun had revealed Li Jiuying's identity, Li Rongxiu, who believed he understood the Shen family's nature well enough, no longer worried about Shen Yujun's safety or circumstances.

Naturally, he had no idea that the slightest flap of a butterfly's wings was about to alter such an enormous future.

Meanwhile, another factor behind this storm, the Li family's younger uncle, sat expressionlessly in the Li family study as he held a transoceanic phone call with his direct boss for over an hour. At the end of the call, Li Bingru said calmly, "Please rest assured, Boss. I will definitely find the Judy you mentioned."

Chapter 33

Before leaving the school, Li Rongxiu accompanied his family to the infirmary to visit Shen Zongming, who had just regained consciousness. Looking at the pale "culprit" lying on the hospital bed, with a bruise on his cheekbone where it had struck the ground and looking even more bedraggled as a result, Li Rongxiu kindly swallowed the mocking words he had prepared long ago and offered him a few words of comfort instead.

However, whether Li Rongxiu was naturally equipped with a "taunt" skill or for some other reason, his consolation not only failed to have a positive effect, but made Shen Zongming even angrier. Li Rongxiu could only shrug helplessly, then leisurely leave beneath the nearly murderous gazes of Zhou Linyin and Sun Minqiu.

By the time Li Rongxiu arrived at the Evening City Grand Hotel that evening, all his companions, including Li Jiuying, already knew what had happened outside the dormitory building that afternoon. Everyone expressed sympathetic concern over Li Rongxiu's experience, which he gladly accepted. Li Jiuying smiled and said, "But don't worry. As a member of the royal family, I'll also be attending the Centennial School Anniversary held by Diwan High School. When the time comes, I'll give you my vote—hopefully that will make up for the points you lost because of the written warning."

Li Rongxiu: "..."

If Li Jiuying had not brought it up, he really would have forgotten about it.

After thanking Li Jiuying once again, Li Rongxiu casually asked, "Where's Shen Yujun? At school, he told me he would come find you today. Hasn't he arrived yet?"

Li Jiuying smiled faintly. "He still has a few things to take care of, but he'll probably come back tonight when it's time to sleep."

Li Rongxiu nodded and did not press the matter further. Zhao Qijun, however, interjected with interest, "So Brother Jiuying is also a guest invited to Diwan High School's anniversary celebration. It looks like Brother Jiuying will be staying in Wancheng for a while this time."

Li Jiuying nodded with a smile. Zhao Qijun did not continue exchanging pleasantries with him. Instead, he turned to Li Rongxiu and suddenly said, "The production crew had someone look into it. They said this Wednesday, next Saturday, and the final day of this month are all auspicious dates, perfect for holding the launch press conference. So Director Zhang asked me to ask Young Master Xiu which date you think is best. We'll settle on that one."

Li Rongxiu waved his hand carelessly. "You decide. As long as it doesn't delay filming or post-production. Either way, I have to see the completed film at the ceremony on the anniversary day."

Zhao Qijun nodded and got up to make a call, though his peripheral vision still discreetly glanced at Li Jiuying.

Li Jiuying glanced back at Zhao Qijun, secretly amused by his little maneuver, but he asked with interest, "I've also heard that Diwan High School is making an anniversary film. You youngsters certainly know how to stir things up."

Although everyone present was a spoiled young master, aside from Li Rongxiu, who had been so indulged by his family that he looked at everything in a straightforward manner, the rest had grown up in the complicated environment of wealthy families. Regardless of their schemes and calculations, they at least possessed basic social awareness.

Seeing that Li Jiuying was somewhat interested in the film, Allen Yaksa and the others immediately chatted more about it. It was not until Zhao Qijun returned with his phone in hand that he smiled at everyone and said, "I just spoke with Director Zhang. We've decided to set the launch press conference for next Saturday. Does anyone have any objections?"

Naturally, no one objected. Then Zhao Qijun turned and kept blinking at Li Rongxiu, hoping he would try inviting Li Jiuying to attend their press conference. Although Li Rongxiu did not think much of Zhao Qijun's little scheme, he still extended the invitation to Li Jiuying with an indifferent attitude, emphasizing, "If you don't have anything else to do that day and would like to come join the fun."

Zhao Qijun's idea was actually very simple. Since Li Jiuying was already prepared to support Li Rongxiu's team at the anniversary ceremony, they might as well make a bigger deal out of it. Let everyone see that Li Rongxiu had won the support of the Empire's Ninth Prince in such a short time. This would not only highlight Li Rongxiu's ability to build connections, but also influence the other invited guests at Diwan's anniversary celebration whose positions were relatively neutral or inclined toward the capital. It would kill two birds with one stone.

One had to know that among Diwan's standards for evaluating students, great importance had always been placed on their ability to expand their networks. If Li Jiuying, the Empire's Ninth Prince, truly chose the launch press conference for Above the Elite as his first official public appearance shortly after arriving in Wancheng, the impact and sensation it would cause in Wancheng would be anything but ordinary.

Zhao Qijun's calculations were excellent, and his method was equally straightforward. In Li Jiuying's experienced eyes, this nakedly utilitarian mindset and fiercely loyal desire to protect his master were not irritating at all. Instead, they felt refreshingly candid. Of course, that was also because Li Jiuying had already intended to support Li Rongxiu. After only brief consideration, he readily accepted Li Rongxiu's invitation.

After receiving Li Jiuying's affirmative answer, Zhao Qijun once again sprang from his seat and rushed outside to make several calls. This time, he not only reminded the production crew for Above the Elite once more, but also cautiously called the public relations company, demanding that they strictly control the scale and taste of the launch press conference and ensure that its stature matched the identities and statuses of all the guests.

Li Rongxiu did not ask many questions about Zhao Qijun's series of actions. Put positively, this meant he did not employ people he doubted, and once he employed them, he trusted them. This was an essential quality for a good boss with personal charisma who could inspire the abilities of his subordinates.

After the topic of inviting guests came to an end, Li Jiuying suddenly asked, "Have you considered how to distribute—or rather, use—the box office profits after the film is released in order to maximize the benefits?"

The young masters could not help looking at one another. Li Rongxiu said, "We haven't thought that far ahead yet. At this stage, just handling the filming has kept us too busy to look after ourselves. Where would we find the energy to worry about something at least half a year away?"

Li Jiuying smiled faintly, toying with the wineglass in his hand as he said meaningfully, "But in my impression, Top Students, who represent the highest level of education at Diwan High School, should be intelligent people with foresight and a plan for everything. Not mediocrities who take things one step at a time. I believe my view also represents that of most of the invited guests. If you want to stand out among a group of outstanding people, then you must strive for perfection in every part of your plan—especially the most important finishing touch."