Chapter 72: Making an Effort
Nan Yu had absolutely no idea that he had once again helped a group of people and earned their heartfelt gratitude.
If he had paid a little more attention, he would have realized that these people had actually appeared in his previous life as well. The difference was that, back then, they had stood on the opposite side from him.
The one who had helped them in his previous life had been Yun Feiyu. But in this lifetime, through a twist of fate, the person they owed their gratitude to had become Nan Yu instead.
Actually, if Yun Feiyu had rejected the suggestion Wuxing Feiwo made when he first saw Yang Zhou, things would never have developed this way.
In the end, they had only themselves to blame.
In his previous life, Nan Yu's relationship with Yang Zhou had been completely different from what it was now, so they had never played this game together.
As a result, Yun Feiyu had never followed Wuxing Feiwo in offending Yang Zhou, and none of what was happening now would have occurred.
Of course, Nan Yu knew nothing about any of this.
After spending some time fooling around near the Peach Blossom Grove outside the main city, they logged off.
The in-game money transfer was left entirely to the game's AI to handle. It would automatically determine everything, and there was no chance of mistakes.
Nan Yu removed his gaming helmet and set it aside.
He hadn't expected that logging into the game on a whim would end with him signing a contract with Marshal Yu.
That had happened far too quickly.
But when he thought about the fact that he would receive five percent of the annual dividends from now on...
It really was wonderful!
After Yang Zhou took off his own helmet, he looked at Nan Yu with a complicated expression.
"Nan Yu... your luck is unbelievable. Who would've thought that we'd run into Marshal Yu and the Crown Prince just from logging into a game?"
Even more unbelievable was the fact that Nan Yu had calmly signed a contract with Marshal Yu without making a fuss about it.
"It really does seem like Mental Power Users with strong mental power have much brighter futures."
Nan Yu gradually came back to his senses from his excitement. Looking at Yang Zhou, his emotions became somewhat complicated.
Yang Zhou was also a Mental Power User.
But his mental power was only Low-Tier.
Even before Nan Yu died in his previous life, Yang Zhou had still remained a Low-Tier Mental Power User...
No.
Yang Zhou had died even earlier than he had.
So until the day he died, he had remained Low-Tier.
Yet Yun Feiyu—that complete piece of trash—had managed to become a High-Tier Mental Power User by using Nan Yu's Nianshen Grass.
Nan Yu thought about it for a while.
If possible...
In this lifetime, perhaps he should accept Yang Zhou as his disciple.
That could also be considered repaying his kindness.
After all, in his previous life, Yang Zhou had been the only person who had reached out to help him at the very end.
And afterward, Bai Zhouyun and the others had murdered him as well.
Although none of that had happened yet in this lifetime, Nan Yu decided to keep it in mind.
Everything would have to wait until after they graduated.
"Alright," Nan Yu said. "I'm heading home. We can play again another time."
Yang Zhou glanced at the time.
"Yeah, it really is getting late. We spent ages inside the game."
Nan Yu stood up and left.
They would see each other again at school tomorrow anyway, so neither of them lingered.
However, as Nan Yu walked toward the entrance of the residential complex, he spotted a very familiar figure standing outside the gate.
Bai Zhouyun.
Sure enough...
He couldn't hold himself back and had come looking for him.
Nan Yu couldn't help recalling the scene he'd witnessed at school not long ago, where Bai Zhouyun had been arguing with Yun Feiyu, then comforting him while he cried.
Just thinking about it made him uncomfortable.
Bai Zhouyun had been waiting specifically for him.
The moment he spotted Nan Yu, his eyes remained fixed on him.
Since he hadn't purchased property inside the complex, he wasn't allowed to enter, so all he could do was wait outside the main gate.
Although he had finally seen Nan Yu...
Nan Yu had arrived by hovercraft.
All he had to do was board the hovercraft from inside the residential complex and leave.
Bai Zhouyun wouldn't even get the chance to speak to him.
Nan Yu had no desire to talk to Bai Zhouyun.
But Bai Zhouyun had already seen him.
There were plenty of people nearby as well.
If he simply ignored Bai Zhouyun and left...
Hm?
Actually...
It didn't seem like a big deal.
Nan Yu took a deep breath and prepared to turn toward the hovercraft docking area.
Unexpectedly, Bai Zhouyun was shameless enough to call out his name.
"Xiao Yu!"
Immediately, everyone nearby turned to look.
Following Bai Zhouyun's gaze, they all looked toward Nan Yu.
Within seconds, many people recognized Nan Yu.
Then they recognized Bai Zhouyun as well.
But the expressions they directed toward the two men couldn't have been more different.
When they looked at Nan Yu, it was as though they were looking at a priceless treasure.
Every one of them wished they could snatch him away and marry him to their own son.
When they looked at Bai Zhouyun...
It was as though they were staring at a pile of garbage.
Everyone secretly felt indignant.
How could someone like Nan Yu end up matched with a useless piece of trash like Bai Zhouyun?
By now, as Nan Yu's reputation continued to rise, nearly every influential family on the Capital Star had begun wishing he belonged to their household instead.
They would happily cherish him like a precious jewel.
Yet Bai Zhouyun simply refused to act like a normal person.
Back then, Nan Yu had been the one relentlessly chasing after Bai Zhouyun, while Bai Zhouyun had looked down on him and ignored him.
Now...
It seemed the situation had completely reversed.
Had Bai Zhouyun finally realized Nan Yu's value?
Was he getting anxious and trying to hurry their marriage along so that their relationship would become official?
That way, after securing Nan Yu, he could continue fooling around outside without worries.
Nan Yu took another deep breath and silently reminded himself not to get angry.
Absolutely don't get angry.
If he got angry now...
Forget it.
Since Bai Zhouyun had already called him over, he might as well hear what he had to say.
It wouldn't take much time anyway.
Besides, with so many people around, Nan Yu didn't believe Bai Zhouyun would dare lay a hand on him.
The previous kidnapping case had ended so strangely that almost everyone involved had been left confused.
Although the place where Nan Yu had been imprisoned was extremely secure and well hidden, apart from the few patrol robots he had seen inside the cave at the very beginning, there hadn't been another living thing anywhere along the way.
That had actually surprised him.
But since he couldn't think of any explanation, he hadn't bothered dwelling on it.
The military was still investigating the matter.
Once they uncovered anything, they would certainly inform him.
If that was the case...
Why should he waste his own energy worrying about it?
Though still dissatisfied, Nan Yu walked over to the gate.
"Do you need something?"
Bai Zhouyun looked somewhat awkward.
Seeing the impatience in Nan Yu's eyes, he immediately realized things weren't looking good.
"Xiao Yu... can we find somewhere private to talk?"
The corner of Nan Yu's lips curled upward into a cold smile.
"When Yang Zhou and I left school earlier today, we happened to pass by a certain place."
"You know what we saw?"
He deliberately didn't specify where "that place" was.
He simply asked the question.
Bai Zhouyun froze for a moment before instinctively asking,
"What?"
Nan Yu smiled.
"We saw you arguing with Yun Feiyu."
"The two of you seem pretty close. Always fighting, making up, breaking apart, then getting back together."
"Even I was getting anxious watching you."
"How about I act as a witness for the two of you?"
The moment Bai Zhouyun heard that, tiny beads of sweat instantly appeared across his forehead.
"No... that's not..."
"He wasn't in a good mood at the time. I was only comforting him. Nothing else happened."
Listen to that.
What a scumbag's excuse.
Even the passersby secretly eavesdropping nearby thought Bai Zhouyun sounded like a complete jerk.
Nan Yu looked at him expressionlessly.
"Do you think I don't have a brain?"
Only after speaking did Bai Zhouyun realize just how misleading his explanation had sounded.
"The truth is... he's about to be expelled."
"He was feeling terrible."
"He came to me hoping I could help him, but I couldn't."
"The school's decision is final."
"I told him there was nothing I could do."
"Then he started crying."
"I only comforted him."
"There really wasn't anything else."
Only when Bai Zhouyun mentioned expulsion did Nan Yu remember.
The same thing had happened in his previous life.
It had been precisely because of this incident—and because their relationship had still been very close—that everything afterward had unfolded.
Yun Feiyu had repeatedly cried in front of him, acting pitiful.
Eventually, Nan Yu had decided to let him use the Nianshen Grass.
To solve his urgent problem of being expelled, Nan Yu had even accepted him as his disciple.
At least, officially.
In reality, they had simply remained close friends.
After returning to this lifetime, Nan Yu had barely paid attention to either of them.
Right from the beginning, he had found excuses to sever ties with them.
Only now did he learn that Yun Feiyu was about to be expelled.
"I see."
"That makes sense."
"He's not even a Low-Tier Mental Power User now."
"No matter how outstanding his grades are, he can't remain at this academy."
"But being expelled doesn't mean the school will simply throw him out."
"They'll arrange for him to transfer to another school that's more suitable."
"So what's there to be upset about?"
"The Royal Military Academy isn't some joke."
"Even if he somehow graduated from here, what then?"
"Do you really think any military legion would recruit him?"
"I'd guess they're transferring him to a teachers' university or something similar."
"His theoretical grades are excellent."
"He'd be far better suited to becoming a teacher."
"In my opinion, that's the path that fits him best."
Nan Yu paused briefly before continuing.
"Or..."
"Does he think the school's arrangement isn't good enough?"
That was exactly how things had happened in his previous life.
When Yun Feiyu had tearfully complained to him, he had mentioned a teachers' university as well, though he hadn't gone into detail.
Still, if it was recommended by the Royal Military Academy, it had to be one of the best teaching universities available.
If Nan Yu had been in Yun Feiyu's position, he would have accepted without the slightest hesitation.
After all, the words "Military Academy" weren't there for decoration.
The vast majority of graduates either joined the military or entered combat-related professions.
Someone like Yun Feiyu, whose theoretical knowledge far surpassed everyone else's but whose mental power simply wasn't sufficient...
Wasn't staying here just a waste of his talents?
After finishing, Nan Yu even asked Bai Zhouyun,
"Don't you agree?"
Bai Zhouyun was left completely speechless.
After a long moment, he nodded.
"You're right."
"That's exactly what I told him."
"But he insists on staying at the academy."
"I can't do anything about it."
Nan Yu looked at him.
"So you came to ask me for help?"
How unexpected.
In his previous life, he had personally offered to accept Yun Feiyu as his disciple.
Yet in this lifetime...
Bai Zhouyun had actually come to plead on Yun Feiyu's behalf?
Unexpectedly, Bai Zhouyun shook his head.
"No."
"I didn't come because of him."
"I came because I have something I want to say to you."
"I don't know if you could spare me a little time."
By now, Nan Yu had calmed down.
He looked at Bai Zhouyun with growing impatience.
Yet...
He also felt that something about Bai Zhouyun was different.
Not long ago, Bai Zhouyun had still carried himself with complete arrogance.
No matter how remarkable Nan Yu became, he had looked down on him.
But now...
It was as though he had become an entirely different person.
"What exactly do you want to say?"
"Can't you say it here?"
"I don't want to be alone with you."
Bai Zhouyun's eyes dimmed slightly.
"I know."
"You're still angry."
"But that's alright."
"This time, I truly came to apologize."
"I'll prove it through my actions."
"You're so outstanding."
"If I'm going to be your fiancé, I can't keep falling behind."
Nan Yu stared at him as though he had seen a ghost.
"Y-You're..."
"You really want to work hard?"
Seeing the shock on Nan Yu's face, Bai Zhouyun knew his approach had worked.
"Yes."
"One thing you said was absolutely right."
"At the Royal Military Academy, anyone without matching strength will eventually be eliminated."
"And with someone as outstanding as you as my fiancé..."
"If I don't work hard..."
"Someone might steal you away."
As Nan Yu listened to Bai Zhouyun speak with that warm, gentle smile...
Goosebumps spread all over his body.
Was this real?
Seriously?
Was Bai Zhouyun actually saying these things?
This was terrifying.
Had Bai Zhouyun been possessed?
How had he become completely different from before?
Wait...
If he himself could be reborn...
Could someone else have been reborn too?
But that wasn't right.
Even if Bai Zhouyun had also returned from the future...
He would never treat Nan Yu like this.
Before Nan Yu died in his previous life, Bai Zhouyun's eyes had been filled with unmistakable hatred and murderous intent.
So...
What exactly was going on?
Could the changes Nan Yu had made since his rebirth really have caused such an enormous butterfly effect?
He didn't know.
But he decided to wait and see.
"You really mean that?"
Bai Zhouyun's expression became solemn.
He looked completely sincere.
"Yes."
"I know everything I did before hurt you."
"But I'll change."
"I'll treat you well."
"I've already asked my parents to hire a special training instructor for me."
"And they've arranged for a Mid-Tier Mental Power User to remove my mental contamination."
"Just wait."
"I'll prove it to you."
"Of course..."
"I'd much rather have you be the one removing my mental contamination."
"But..."
"I know you're still angry."
"So I won't ask for that."
"Just wait for my good news."
"You don't have to believe me right now."
"I only hope you'll give me a little time."
"I'll show you very soon."
Nan Yu simply stood there in silence, watching Bai Zhouyun turn around and leave.
He honestly didn't know what he was supposed to say.
Everything had gone completely beyond his expectations.
Was this really still the Bai Zhouyun he knew?
Apart from his appearance...
It was as though he had become an entirely different person.
Could the butterfly effect caused by his own rebirth really be this powerful?
Not long after Bai Zhouyun left, Yang Zhou came running over in a hurry.
"What happened?"
"That bastard Bai Zhouyun came looking for you again?"
Seeing Nan Yu standing there motionless, Yang Zhou's alarm bells immediately began ringing.
"Nan Yu?!"
Nan Yu jumped in surprise at his shout.
"What are you yelling for?"
Yang Zhou stared at him anxiously.
"What happened just now?"
"You were standing there in a daze!"
"Did Bai Zhouyun brainwash you?"
"This is bad!"
"Quick, think about Marshal Yu!"
"Think about the Crown Prince!"
"Think about your two—"
"No, your three older brothers and your father!"
"And think about all those geniuses at school!"
"Which one of them isn't better than that guy?"
"How could you let yourself be fooled?"
Nan Yu suddenly snapped back to reality.
"Huh?"
Had...
Had he really started seeing Bai Zhouyun in a slightly better light just now?
What was going on?
Bai Zhouyun had joined forces with Yun Feiyu in his previous life to destroy his entire family.
They had murdered him and left him without even a corpse.
There was no way...
No matter what...
He should hate them to the core.
How could he have possibly been swayed by just a few casual words from Bai Zhouyun earlier...
"Something seems wrong."
It couldn't have been a mental attack. Nan Yu's current mental power was already close to that of a High-Tier Mental Power User, so it was impossible for him to be bewitched by Bai Zhouyun.
Then what exactly was it?
Why had he actually developed even the slightest change in opinion toward Bai Zhouyun just now?
If this continued for a long time, would he really return to Bai Zhouyun's side again?
Ah, how terrifying.
Absolutely terrifying!
He did not want to be with trash like Bai Zhouyun.
So it would be better to have as little contact with Bai Zhouyun as possible during this period.
Even worse, Bai Zhouyun still had that unclear, tangled relationship with Yun Feiyu right now...
Wait, wait, wait.
Why was he thinking in the wrong direction again?
Even if Bai Zhouyun completely cut ties with Yun Feiyu now, it still would not affect his decision.
Yang Zhou asked, "Are you alright now?"
Nan Yu rolled his eyes.
"Do I look like something's wrong with me? Of course I'm fine. Don't make such a fuss. I just thought it was strange."
"After all, the Bai Zhouyun I've seen these last two times feels completely different from before. If the old him was a spoiled young master who looked down on everyone and had pride higher than the sky, then now he actually seems like a good kid who's actively trying to improve."
The corner of Yang Zhou's mouth twitched.
"A good kid?"
Nan Yu said, "I only said he seems a little like one. Alright, don't worry. I definitely won't repeat the same mistake. Okay, go back. I should head home too."
Yang Zhou stared at him with great concern for a long time before finally watching him board the hovercraft and leave the residential complex.
After Nan Yu's hovercraft left the complex, Yang Zhou immediately sent a message in a chat group, briefly explaining what he had just seen and heard.
There were only five people in this chat group: Nan Yun, Nan Zhen, Fu Yu'ang, Butler Nan, and Yang Zhou.
The five of them had secretly created this chat group behind Nan Yu's back for the purpose of sharing information related to Nan Yu.
Since Yang Zhou was usually the person who spent the most time with Nan Yu at school, he was also the one they questioned most often.
Yang Zhou began typing nonstop, sending dozens of messages in a row as he retold what had just happened, adding plenty of embellishment along the way.
Fu Yu'ang: "I knew Bai Zhouyun definitely wouldn't be able to hold back."
Nan Yun: "I'm going to beat him up."
Nan Zhen: "He seems to have gone home already. Let's wait until tomorrow."
Fu Yu'ang: "By the way, how did Xiao Yu react? Did he really waver like you said?"
Yang Zhou: "Of course! I saw him looking dazed at the time. When he talked about Bai Zhouyun, although what he said was basically the same as before, his tone was obviously much softer. That means there's a problem. A huge problem!"
Nan Yun: "I'm heartbroken. That garbage Bai Zhouyun came to harm our little brother again. I definitely won't let him off tomorrow."
Yang Zhou: "You can beat him up, but if Nan Yu really has changed his opinion of him, and later finds out that you beat Bai Zhouyun up for no reason, he might not get angry now, but he might get angry in the future."
Nan Zhen: "We'll talk about the future when the future comes. Right now, we need to deal with what's happening now!"
Fu Yu'ang: "I'll investigate what exactly has happened to Bai Zhouyun recently. I'll tell you all when I find out."
Nan Yun: "Go quickly. If there's anything shameful, remember to tell us as soon as possible. That will determine how hard I beat him tomorrow."
Yang Zhou looked at the chat history in the group.
Good, good.
There were still many people standing on his side.
And...
Speaking of which, aside from this chat group, he had another chat group as well.
Everyone in that group also used their real names.
When he opened that chat group, he discovered that someone was already talking about this incident.
Once they noticed Yang Zhou had come online, questions immediately flooded in one after another.
There were more than five hundred people in this chat group, all students from their school.
At first, he hadn't even known such a group existed. Later, someone had mentioned it to him.
At that time, aside from Yun Feiyu, Yang Zhou had been the person closest to Nan Yu.
This chat group existed specifically to discuss the relationship between Nan Yu and Bai Zhouyun.
Back then, although Yun Feiyu had been closest to Nan Yu, he had also been close to Bai Zhouyun, so no one had invited him into the group.
But Yang Zhou was different.
Yang Zhou skimmed through the chat history before beginning to speak.
Yang Zhou: "It's exactly as you all said. Bai Zhouyun is way too shameless. He actually came to that place..."
He continued adding fuel to the fire in the group, saying bad things about Bai Zhouyun.
But he still had some bottom line.
Although he exaggerated certain parts a little, most of what he said was basically true.
As for some things he hadn't heard, he simply filled them in himself.
But based on his understanding of Bai Zhouyun, he was sure he wasn't wrong.
Yang Zhou happily chattered away in the chat group.
Meanwhile, Bai Zhouyun had already left and returned home.
After arriving home, he saw his grandfather sitting in the main seat.
His heart skipped a beat.
But then he gritted his teeth and walked over.
The uneasiness in his heart also showed on his face.
"Grandfather..."
Old Master Bai said, "You're back? Sit."
Bai Zhouyun quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Since he was being told to sit, things probably wouldn't be too bad.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his parents hiding behind a corner in the distance, gesturing at him.
He immediately understood.
"Grandfather, I went to see Xiao Yu today and told him about my determination. He seemed to have changed his opinion of me a little. His attitude when speaking to me wasn't as stiff as before."
Old Master Bai's expression improved considerably.
"Isn't that exactly how it should be?"
"Do you finally understand now how much of a bastard you were before?"
"Do you know that the entire Empire now knows there is someone called Nan Yu on the Capital Star?"
"I've even heard that some people have already formed groups and come to the Capital Star, saying they want to propose marriage to Nan Yu."
"Every single one of them is either filthy rich or connected to the great families of the Capital Star in some way."
"Putting those people aside, do you have any idea how many people on the Capital Star itself are coveting Nan Yu?"
"Only you didn't take him seriously."
"Now you finally understand?"
Bai Zhouyun lowered his head.
"I understand, Grandfather."
"From now on, I'll get along with him properly and strive to have the two of us marry as soon as possible."
That was exactly what Old Master Bai wanted.
Marriage as soon as possible!