MPLB- 34.1

His laughter was hearty, bold and reckless, yet listenable and mesmerizing.

Zhan looked at the man who was running beside him and was completely bedazzled.

He had never seen this side of Yibo which he was so carefree like a child.

Yibo was laughing out loud when he was running!

And Zhan suddenly noticed he had never seen him running before.

This elegant man who was always displaying a cautious and aloof appearance was now holding his hand, running recklessly along the path of the campus.

Those couples in the forest were scrambling to their feet due to fright.

As the saying went “a good conscience is a soft pillow” and there was no need to be scared if one was innocent, therefore it was obvious they were doing something shady.

Not knowing how long had passed, Yibo finally stopped and he walked silently along the path.

Zhan puffed and he noticed Yibo was still holding his hand when he lowered his head.

Zhan face flushed and he jerked his hand back from his grip, keeping a distance away from him, Yibo let him be.

Yibo shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and strolled down the lane.

“Young Master Wang. Is there anything I can do for you?” Zhan started to regret the moment he asked that.

Yibo did not necessarily look for him today as he was still with Yangzi this afternoon. And it was possible he was coming with Yangzi today too.

Even if he did come for her, Zhan seemed to have ended their conversation with that question.

As expected, Yibo refused to answer that kind of question as usual, yet he looked more apathetic at once.

They walked in tandem and Zhan peered at the two shadows stretched by the sunset on the ground.

One shadow was big and long, the other was small and short, looking harmonious against each other.

Yet the truth was, their aura did not get along.

At last, Zhan stared at his back and spoke. “I still have something to do for our club later, therefore I have to—”

“You always refuse to wait for me.”

Zhan was startled by his words and he actually could not response for a moment.

Eventually, Yibo left after picking up a call. Just like how he showed up in the first place, his arrival was abrupt, and his leaving was baffling.

Zhan accompanied him to the backdoor of the school and watched the Maybach car with low-key color left.

His heart seemed to be emptied at once.

Yet he quickly regained himself and turned, heading back to the campus when the shadow of the car went completely out of sight.

A clear and melodious ringtone was heard when he only walked two steps forward.

He looked at the screen and picked up the call cheerfully.

“So, do you want to celebrate with a feast? Didn’t I tell you that we need to wait until tomorrow—”

“Zhan, something’s happened to Yubin.”

Yubin almost got hit by a car at the entrance of the school.

The doctor was applying medicine on him when Zhan rushed to the hospital.

“Thank god Darren reacted fast and pushed Yubin to the side. Or else, it would not be just a small scratch that easily.” Jili’s heart was still fluttering with fear.

Zhan glanced at Darren and he shook his head.

He no longer asked anything and the group of people only left the hospital and rushed back to the office when Darren drove his second-hand seven-seated car.

“What now? Zhan, I think whoever drove that car did that on purpose.” Jili felt horrified the more he thought about that because they were about to cross the street at that time and the car actually barged towards them when it was still green light.

How could it not be planned if it had run the red light and was heading towards Yubin?

Even Zhou Lusi was stunned by Yubin’s performance at the arena today, there must be plenty of people wanting to do harm to him now that he was in the limelight.

“Could it be it was sent by Zhou Lusi?”

Although Xuan Lu did not adore conspiracy theory, what happened to Yubin was obviously abnormal, “I saw her staring at Yubin today at the arena until she was all in a daze, and she was even unable to complete her sketch afterwards.”

“Do you have any idea who Zhou Lusi is? She’s the legend of the comic world at the school. And now, this legend is clearly being shattered by Yubin.”

“It couldn’t be Lusi.” Yubin who had not spoken suddenly whispered.

“And why is that?” Jili thought that Xuan Lu’s words were logical and he looked at Yubin with surprise.

Yubin used to be uninterested to participate in their discussions regarding this and he would just listen to them under normal circumstances.

But why did he join all of a sudden today?

And he defended for Lusi the moment he spoke? What did he mean?

“You know her?” Jili squinted.

The light in Yubin’s eyes dimmed down and he shook his head. “No. But I know it’s not her.”

“Why? Why are you so sure about that?”

Jili questioned, yet Yubin closed his eyes straight and leaned back to the couch, saying blandly, “Let me have a nap first.”

Zhan noticed there was a sense of aloofness in his eyes before Yubin closed them and Zhan was assured Yubin knew her before.

“Chuyue, how is it?” Zhan suddenly glanced at Chuyue who was sitting not far away.

Chuyue was still checking something on the laptop and he only replied at length, “The camera seemed to have broken down during that period.”

He let go the mouse and peered at Zhan. “I’m afraid it’s been destroyed beforehand.”

How could there be such a coincidence?

There must be conspiracy!

The competition had ended today and the categories tomorrow were tracing and coloring, therefore Yubin could finally have a rest. He looked preoccupied tonight.

The wound on his arm was not severe as it was just a scratch. He suddenly stood to his feet and said, “I’m feeling a bit tired today and I’m going back now for a rest.”

“Alright, I’ll let Darren send you,” Zhan said.

“It’s okay I’ll be more careful.” Yubin refused awkwardly.

He seemed to really want his alone time, not knowing it was because he was really exhausted or it was because of something else.

Zhan still wanted to say something, yet he was interrupted by Yubin.

“There’s still contest tomorrow, so I suggest everyone to do the same and have a rest.”

Yubin looked at Chuyue and the others and said blandly, “It’s your warzone tomorrow. I suppose it’s not a problem for Jingyi’ part, but the coloring part is still tricky. So remember to have a good rest.”

Chuyue nodded and replied, “Alright.”

Jili watched him go and was still slightly worried. “You really don’t need Darren’s company?”

“Nah, I’m still not that weak. Plus, Darren can’t possibly be at my side forever. You know, two guys being together.” Yubin opened the door and walked out. He then took out his phone the moment he stepped outside the door.

There was a message on the phone. screen saying I’m waiting for you at the eighth floor of the Restaurant.

She was sitting at the far end corner beside the window at the eighth floor of the Restaurant, wearing a cold shoulder slip dress, elegant and modest like before.

Yubin could not help but give her a second glance when he walked towards her. He only retrieved his glance when she noticed him.

“I can’t believe it’s really you. Yubin.” Lusi waved, gesturing him to sit opposite her.

The corner of her lips curved into a dazzling smile. “I almost couldn’t recognize you when I saw you today. I never expect my former teammate has now become my enemy.”

Yubin did not utter a word, His slightly long hair had covered half of his face, He did not look very energetic and he had the aura of a performance artist with his slightly long stubble.

Yet he was still cleaner compared to the ordinary performance artists.

Lusi stared at his face and her smile faded.

She asked with a whisper, “Why did you leave?”

Yubin still did not speak a word and Lusi was exceptionally patient in her behavior that she even poured him a cup of tea herself.

“Since you’re unwilling to mention the past, then fine, we’ll only eat for today.” She gestured to a waiter and the waiter quickly brought the dishes she had ordered over.

“They’re all your favorites, please help yourself.” She was gentle, even for the whole night.

Yet Yubin glanced at the dishes being pushed towards him and felt slightly bitter.

“So you enjoy drinking wine at night? I’ve specially brought this wine from home and do have a try.” Lusi poured the wine and filled half of the glass and pushed the wine glass towards him. “Try it. You’ll love it.”

Yubin seemed to be blank of what he should do or say, he lifted the glass and gulped it down.

“Nobody drinks so wildly like you. You’re not appreciating my treasure.” She smiled yet she did not feel offended about that and even picked some dish for him using chopsticks.

Yubin completed his meal and did not speak a word until the end.

That whole bottle of wine had all basically entered his stomach too.

His drinking capacity was not really good and he became slightly drunk after finishing the whole bottle of red wine.

And the girl in front of him looked especially attractive.

He rubbed the part between his eyebrows. Although he was a bit dizzy, he was not drunk. He took the last sip of wine and put down the glass, which also marked the end of the meal tonight.

As he was about to greet goodbye, Lusi shot her hand out and grasped his hand which was put on the desk.

“Yubin, do come back and help me. You belong to me after all, why do you want to help others going against me?”

His fingers curled towards his palm subconsciously.

Her hand was warm and soft. Her gentle grasp gave him a sense of being surrounded by warmth and he who was used to loneliness was moved all of a sudden.

Back then, he had wanted to hold her hand, yet she rejected him ruthlessly.

There would always be plenty of brilliant men by her side and his shadow never existed among them.

Yubin wanted to jerk his hand out but Lusi tightened her grasp.

“My days did not go well after you left. None of my project has succeeded for the whole year.” She felt aggrieved and teared up as soon as her nose felt sour. “You know I can’t be without you, and you clearly knew all the success I’ve achieved in the past was due to your unspoken support behind my back.”

She moved closer to him and pulled his hand closer to her heart. “Yubin, please come back to me. I beg you.”

Her tear flowed down her cheek and seemed to accidentally fall on the back of his hand. It was chilly, and the chillness diffused straight into his heart.

Yubin had no idea when had he left the restaurant and when had he entered a room with her.

He watched the perfect girl before him, and the goddess in his heart taking off her clothing one after the other in front of him.

She slowly exposed her naked body in his line of sight, His breaths turned irregular and heavy, and he did not know when he had extended his hands.

“Yubin, I’ll dedicate myself to you. After today, I’m all yours. Could you come back to me?”

Yubin froze and his arms were inexplicably stiff. He was hugging her in a daze, hugging the body he longed for like a dream.

If it was a dream, he hoped he would not wake up from it ever. Let it forever be as it was.

Yet a thorn was stuck in his heart. And it was an extremely long thorn.

He trembled and his heart experienced series of stabbing pain whenever he thought of that, “Why did you…. be with him?”

He finally asked with a hoarse voice. It was the only sentence he spoke tonight.

Lusi was startled, She did not expect him to still remember that and it turned out he really left her team, or even disappeared from it due to that.

“Yubin, it’s all my fault. I apologize. I promise I’ll never do the same thing again in the future.” She put her arms around his neck and breathed beside his ear.

“He threatened me back then, that if I don’t be with him, he’ll harm my team. He even threatened to ruin your hands.” She pouted and her thin lips swept across his ear, making him tightening his muscles.

“You’re the soul of our team and the irreplaceable part of me. What should I do if your hands were truly ruined by him?”

“You did that… for me?” Yubin clenched his fists, His breaths were still quick and heavy.

“Certainly. Everything I did was to protect you. Do you still not trust me?” She clung to him and suddenly pushed him down, pressing against him.

“Yubin, it’s already pointless to talk about these any longer. There’s no one by my side and the place would always be yours forever.”

She ran her fingers on his face and he felt a rush of dizziness, She lowered her head and landed her kiss on his cheek.

“Yubin, I’m yours, and would always be yours!”

“Lusi…”

“You’re finally willing to call my name now?” She smiled. Her face was inexplicably beguiling and nice-looking.

“Yubin, could we start all over again? Leave Xiao Zhan that ugly beast and come back to me. Let’s start all over again.”

…..

Zhan felt a surge of uneasiness.

No matter he was reading comics or writing scripts, he failed to gain peace of mind.

“Is it alright to let Yubin leave by himself?” Jili was anxious since Yubin nearly got run over by a car at night and now he insisted to leave alone.

“It’s going to be fine.” Chuyue consoled him.

“This place is so near to school. If anything happens, we’ll know,” Yet Jili still felt something was wrong and he glanced at Zhan.

“Zhan, I think he’s behaving a little weird tonight, What do you think?”

“I have no idea.” Zhan let go his mouse and looked towards him. As he was about to say something, his phone’s message ringtone rang.

He took his phone and tapped the message alert, and he was startled.

Jili became nervous at once and asked, “Zhan, could it be that Yubin…”

Zhan nodded and looked at them. “Yubin says he wants to leave our club.”

….

There was basically no suspense for the contest next morning. Jingyi brought his usual skills into play without making a mistake.

Since no team would be eliminated in this contest, no one had paid much attention to it, as long as they could perform well like they used to.

It all depended on both Chuyue and Jili’s performance in the afternoon now.

It was just that when Jingyi returned after finishing the competition and everybody rested in the classroom, the atmosphere of the whole team was absolutely dreadful.

“Why did he quit all of a sudden? What’s going on? Is he being kidnapped?”

Xuan Lu was baffled by Yubin’s decision to leave their team at the point when they were about to make into the top five, His leaving had cast a tremendous disaster on top of them, Even if Jili and Chuyue could complete their part later in the afternoon and make into the top five, they were destined to lose without a lead drawer for tomorrow’s final.

“How come? Zhan, are you sure it’s really him who says that? Have you called him?”

“I have, but he didn’t pick up. But someone’s seen him in the morning and he looks fine.” Zhan’s words consoled them but also pushed them to the edge of despair at the same time.

“So, it really is Yubin who wants to quit. But why during this crucial moment?” Jili was upset and Xuan Lu was looking despondent.

Yet Darren closed the window and glanced at them, and he said, “Those people are gone.”

“Who?” The people were startled and did not get what he meant.

“Someone’s been watching us since last night. Jingyi was also being watched when he went to the competition this morning.”

“What?” Jingyi was horrified and he immediately glimpsed through the window.

They were at the first floor and the window was facing the laboratory building behind.

“I saw someone spying on us when I sent you back to your room last night.” Darren pursed his lips.

“Now I get it. You ask me and Jili to stay together no matter how because you’re scared someone would harm us?” Chuyue pondered and instantly felt intimidated. “But why didn’t you stay with us afterwards?”

“I notice they had no intention to make any move after that. They’ve been solely watching us for the whole morning.”

“And why is that?”

Chuyue was confused. If they did not intend to make a move, what was the purpose of watching them? Wasn’t that just energy-consuming?

“Yet it’s pointless to watch us now. Without Yubin, even if we do make into the top five, we don’t have the capability to make into the top three.” Xuan Lu lied on the desk and she was so dispirited that she could not raise her head.

Not to mention Yubin was so famous that whenever people thought of September Drawing Club, their captain Xiao Zhan was not the first thing that came into their mind but Yubin, the talented drawer.

As long as Yubin did not show up during tomorrow’s final, the judges would probably know that Yubin had left their club.

What value did this club have when the most famous Yubin was gone?

Their score would certainly be low at this point.

And how could they find another lead drawer during this crucial moment?

Jili also lied on the desk with a despondent look, “What should we do?”

“Although Yubin is not here, at least your safety is guaranteed, right?” Zhan smiled and gave his calf a kick. “Be more positive.”

Yet Jili was still keeping a long face. How could he be positive? Everybody had lost their hope when Yubin quitted.

Since those who wanted to harm them could have a rest now, their safety was indeed guaranteed. Yet they really needed Yubin, Jili sobbed in his heart.

Time passed by slowly. After having lunch and resting for a while.

Xuan Lu then led Chuyue and Jili to the registration counter again.

This time, the whole team set off together and Zhan led the others to the hall.

Everybody cared strongly about the last game before being shortlisted into the top five.

No matter how tomorrow’s situation would be, they had to make into the top five first at least.

“It’s Yubin!” Jili suddenly exclaimed and pointed at the entrance of the hall.

“Gosh! Why is he with Lusi’s team?” Xuan Lu could not believe her eyes.

Chuyue was in a daze too.

They had imagined every single possibility of his reason of leaving, yet none of it was what they saw before their eyes.

“Could it be he has joined Lusi’s team?”

“This is too much!” Jingyi’ eyes flamed and he strode to him.

Yubin seemed to not notice them. He only noticed Jingyi when he faced him.

“Yubin, why did you do this?” Jingyi grabbed his collar with his eyes red due to rage.

“What benefit did this woman give you? How dare you follow them?”

They were classmates and they had behaved like strangers to each other from the start until they joined Zhan’s team, Eventually, they got along like brothers. He had treated Yubin as his brother, but what about Yubin? If they were brothers, why did he betray them at this point of time?

“What are you doing?” Jili pulled a long face after a moment of shock, “What are y’all doing? Hurry up and pull him away!”

Their teammates only reacted then and they quickly rushed forward, dragging Jingyi away to the outside.

“No!”

Zhan came with the whole team.

Darren stepped forward and his stern expression had frightened their opponents, making them release Jingyi.

Jingyi still wanted to rush forward yet he was held back by Darren.

“Calm down!” Zhan shot him a glare.

Jingyi was red in the eye yet he finally calmed himself down, He only scowled at Yubin with rage and disappointment, Jili almost cried too. He never expected him to follow Lusi.

“This… this is going too far!” Jili could not say any more words to scold him. His voice turned hoarse when he spoke. He choked and could say nothing more.

Xuan Lu held him and was speechless against Yubin.

A clever fowl picks its own habitat. Who could have accused Yubin for being wrong? For his capability, he might have more space for improvement when he joined Lusi’s team.

After all, their club was only established less than a month ago.

Even if there was a huge potential, they still appeared as a small team.

Yet it was different for Lusi’s team as her team had matured enough to be compared to a big art studio.

Who could accuse Yubin for choosing a better environment and a better team?

Zhan peered at Yubin and asked with a straight face, “You’ve really made your decision?”