After Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and the others left, Ye Chen wandered into the Royal Academy alone. With no idea where to go, he simply drifted through the unfamiliar campus, hoping to run into someone he recognized.
"Ye Chen, is that your name?"
A soft voice called out from behind.
Ye Chen turned around to see Dugu Yan stepping out of the guard room near the academy gates.
"I don't feel like arguing anymore," he said flatly, turning his head away. "Just tell me where Xie Yue and the others went."
"Hey, don't get the wrong idea," Dugu Yan said, brushing her bangs aside. "I just wanted to start over. My name's Dugu Yan. I said a lot of things before without knowing the full story. If I offended you… I'm sorry."
Ye Chen glanced at her and replied calmly, "Ignorance isn't a crime. I'm not mad. No need to take it personally."
Dugu Yan gave a soft laugh, clearly relieved. After quietly studying him for a few seconds, she gestured for him to follow her.
"Come on, I'll take you to the VIP guest area."
She surprised him with her warm hospitality, pointing out landmarks and introducing the academy with a cheerful tone along the way.
Just as they neared the VIP lodgings, a loud voice rang out in the distance:
"Xiao Yan! Come here—I brought you something from home!"
Ye Chen followed the sound and saw a tall young man with long golden hair in a Royal Academy uniform waving excitedly.
Dugu Yan's expression didn't change much. "Heh. That's just Li Yang."
"Looks like he wants your attention. You should go," Ye Chen offered. "I can find my way from here."
"It's alright," she smiled. "The dean asked me to personally welcome all exchange students. You're with one of the academies, right?"
"…Yeah. I'm the team captain from Wuhun Hall Academy." Ye Chen lowered his gaze. "I didn't explain myself properly earlier. That was my fault."
"No, you did nothing wrong," she said softly. "The Fourth Prince is arrogant. Someone needed to humble him."
Her cheeks flushed suddenly, and she hesitated for a second before muttering under her breath, "Do you… have a girlfriend?"
"What?"
The words were too soft. Ye Chen didn't catch them.
"N-Nothing!" she stammered, cheeks bright red. Then, without another word, she turned and bolted, disappearing around the corner.
"…What was that about?" Ye Chen muttered, scratching his head in confusion. He shrugged and walked the rest of the way to the guest quarters on his own.
As he stepped into the gated villa community, he heard a familiar voice.
"Ye Chen, you're back!"
It was Xie Yue, standing beside Xu Ning. But something about their posture was… weird. Both of them were half-sitting on the railings, legs crossed awkwardly as if hiding something.
"Yeah," Ye Chen said casually. "I'm back."
The two escorted him to a private villa and let him settle in. It was lavish—clearly a residence meant for honored guests.
Time passed. The moon rose high, casting a silver glow over the Royal Academy. Despite the peaceful night, the villa was far from quiet.
Outside, a slender figure approached silently, heels clicking softly on the stone path. She raised her hand and knocked gently.
Knock, knock.
Inside, no one had fallen asleep yet. Xu Ning was the first to answer the door.
"Who is it?"
"Tianshui Academy."
The moment he heard that name, Xu Ning perked up like a spring-loaded trap. Tianshui?! All beauties! At this hour?!
He practically flew to the door, flinging it open with an enthusiastic smile.
"Welcome! Who are you looking for?"
Trying his best to look suave, he ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the doorframe like some drama character.
The young woman standing before him had short hair, sharp bangs, and a cool, elegant air. Her blue dress shimmered under the moonlight.
"Is Ye Chen here?" she asked politely. "I need to speak with him."
"The captain?" Xu Ning's shoulders slumped a little. "Yeah, he's in the west room on the first floor. Come on in."
"Thank you," she nodded, bowing slightly. The subtle flash of white hair near her temple caught Xu Ning's eye, nearly making him choke.
Before he could get a better look, she'd already slipped past him into the villa, her tall, graceful figure leaving behind a trail of soft perfume.
Staring after her, Xu Ning wiped away the drool at the corner of his mouth.
"Captain's so lucky…" he muttered. "He's a saint… and girls still throw themselves at him. I guess when you look that good, the universe just hands you flowers."
Just as he turned to close the door, another knock echoed from outside.
Knock, knock.
Xu Ning froze. "No way… another one?"
Brimming with hope this time, he opened the door again—and sure enough, a petite girl in a blue dress stood there, beautiful and delicately built.
"I'm looking for Ye Chen," she said sweetly.
"…Of course you are," Xu Ning mumbled under his breath, pointing toward the same room. "That way."
"Thank you! You're so nice."
Another gust of sweet-smelling wind, and she was gone.
Xu Ning sighed and closed the door once more. Surely that's it…
But before he could turn the lock, a finger poked through the crack and pushed the door open again.
Yet another young woman stood outside—this one with long, flowing hair and a stunning figure.
"…He's in the west room," Xu Ning said flatly, not even waiting for her to ask.
"You're amazing. Thank you!"
She smiled, then strolled past him with a soft laugh.
Staring blankly into the night, Xu Ning muttered, "That's three. Surely that's enough…"
But fate wasn't done yet.
A few minutes later, another student from Tianshui Academy arrived.
And then another.
And then another.
By the time five different girls had walked into the villa—all looking for Ye Chen—Xu Ning had given up trying to understand anything.
He closed the door slowly, leaned against it, and stared up at the sky.
"…It's going to be a long, sleepless night."
He glanced back at the west room, where soft laughter and hushed voices filtered through the walls. Eyes filled with envy, he sighed and raised a weak fist.
"Captain… Ole go."