C78 The Old past

"Dressed in rags from a street stall, you're a far cry from the watch aficionado I remember. Not even a single timepiece on your wrist?"

Qin Buyi observed the pair before him.

The man was Wang Qiang, and the woman, Hsu Ning.

He hadn't anticipated crossing paths with them here. His glance shifted from Wang Qiang to linger on Hsu Ning.

Hsu Ning was Qin Buyi's former girlfriend, his only one.

During his glory days at school, she had gravitated towards him.

But once Qin Buyi was forced to leave school, she swiftly cut him loose.

The intimacy they once shared was abruptly transferred to another, teaching Qin Buyi a harsh lesson in reality.

With Qin Buyi, Hsu Ning had been gentle and compliant, like a bird nestled close.

After discarding him, her words became sharp and scornful to the extreme.

Wang Qiang, once a lackey trailing behind Qin Buyi, reportedly came from a wealthy family.

His demeanor took a complete turnaround after Qin Buyi's departure from school.

Gone were the days of flattery and respect, and he even managed to snatch away Qin Buyi's girlfriend, Hsu Ning.

Rising from the bench, Qin Buyi prepared to walk away.

Their presence shattered the nostalgic tranquility of his return to his alma mater.

Qi Yun trailed behind Qin Buyi, seemingly entertained by the unfolding drama.

Wang Qiang stepped in front of Qin Buyi with a haughty air, "It's hardly proper to walk away without a word upon meeting an old acquaintance, don't you think?"

Hsu Ning approached Qin Buyi, looking him up and down with a sneer, "How can you bear to be seen in such tawdry attire?"

Qin Buyi replied icily, "Step aside."

Wang Qiang let out a derisive snort, "Do you still see yourself as the Qin Buyi who once reigned supreme? It's time to wake up."

He continued with mock thoughtfulness, "Now, why might you be here? Don't tell me you're applying to be a school security guard?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, it would be quite the understatement to say that Headmaster Qin taking a job as a security guard is beneath his talents."

"Here's an idea: find a secluded spot, kneel, and beg me. Then, I might let you sweep the schoolyard and play janitor."

Wang Qiang burst into laughter after his suggestion, his eyes gleaming with mockery as he gazed at Qin Buyi.

Hsu Ning pressed herself against Wang Qiang with an ingratiating smile, but he shoved her away.

Stumbling, Hsu Ning fell to the ground. Wang Qiang sneered, "Bitch, don't touch me."

Hsu Ning picked herself up, cautiously saying, "Brother Qiang, please, don't be mad."

Then, pointing at Qin Buyi, her demeanor shifted to one of disdain, "I've had nothing to do with this loser for ages."

"Just look at his pathetic state, with that old man tagging along."

"Don't even get me started; that old man is a perfect match for you. He can pick up trash while you sweep the yard."

Qi Yun had been enjoying the spectacle until Hsu Ning's words included him, darkening his mood instantly.

It had been years since anyone dared to speak to him like that, especially now that he had reached the Combination Stage.

Wang Qiang's mood slightly improved after Hsu Ning's remarks. He looked down on Qin Buyi and taunted,

"See that? The woman you once loved desperately is now nothing more than my dog."

Qin Buyi watched Wang Qiang and Hsu Ning with amusement. Given his current mindset and level, he found it beneath him to take issue with the likes of Wang Qiang and Hsu Ning, mere mortals in his eyes.

Qin Buyi sidestepped Wang Qiang's attempt to block him and continued on his way.

"Hmph, it's been a while, and it seems your temper has only gotten worse," Wang Qiang scoffed, noticing Qin Buyi's indifference. Anger flared within him.

He lunged to grab Qin Buyi's shoulder.

But how could an ordinary man with no cultivation whatsoever hope to lay a hand on Qin Buyi, with his advanced skills?

Qin Buyi subtly shifted his stance, easily dodging Wang Qiang's clumsy attempt.

He had no interest in stooping to Wang Qiang's level, but Wang Qiang mistook Qin Buyi's evasion for fear.

Fueled by this misconception, he raised his leg, aiming a kick at Qin Buyi.

"Bang!"

A crisp sound echoed as Qin Buyi withdrew his leg.

Wang Qiang, like a tumbling gourd, was sent flying dozens of meters by Qin Buyi's kick, finally coming to a halt against a trash can.

Hsu Ning, with a look of concern, rushed to Wang Qiang's side and helped him up, asking, "Brother Qiang, are you okay?"

"Smack!"

Wang Qiang delivered a slap across Hsu Ning's face, cursing, "This is all your fault, you wretch. Now go slap him."

Dazed from the blow, Hsu Ning heard Wang Qiang's command and unsteadily approached Qin Buyi.

Wang Qiang watched the scene unfold with a smug glint in his eye and taunted, "Qin Buyi, will you really strike the woman you once loved?"

Hsu Ning, her face twisted with spite, directed her fury at Qin Buyi, "You're pathetic. Brother Qiang hitting you is a sign of respect. Who gave you the right to hit back?"

She raised her hand to strike Qin Buyi.

"Bang!"

Yet another sharp crack resounded as Qin Buyi pulled back his hand.

Hsu Ning found herself slapped right back next to Wang Qiang.

"You... You dare to hit me! You're going to pay for this," she seethed, clutching her swollen cheek.

"Security! Security! There's an assault happening here!"

At Hsu Ning's cries, several security guards clad in uniform approached.

The head security guard inquired, "Teacher Hsu, Teacher Wang, what seems to be the problem?"

Qin Buyi's confusion cleared with the guard's words.

He had been puzzled, thinking that after all these years, they should have long since graduated. How could they still be at the school?

It turned out they had become teachers.

Hsu Ning, nursing her face, accused, "It was him. He hit me."

Wang Qiang chimed in, "This man's identity is unclear. He barged into the campus and assaulted us. I suspect he's a terrorist."

The chief security guard glanced at Wang Qiang, mindful of his background, then turned to Qin Buyi and said, "Sir, please come with us."

"Hey! Xu, Wang, what are you two up to over here?"

A woman's voice called out.

Qin Buyi recognized the voice instantly and turned to see his former college mentor, Wang Jing.

Wang Jing's eyes landed on Qin Buyi and with a look of surprise, she exclaimed, "Qin, what brings you here?"

Wang Jing had no trouble recognizing Qin Buyi on sight, simply because he was exceptionally brilliant.

So brilliant, in fact, that his academic prowess had once eclipsed that of every other student in his department and even his entire class, dimming the shine of many others in his wake.

At Huaxia's most prestigious university, a place teeming with the cream of the crop, outshining such a multitude of talents was no small feat.

Back then, Wang Jing saw great potential in Qin Buyi and even hoped to advance her own career based on his academic success.

But in his junior year, an unforeseen event occurred: Qin Buyi decided to drop out.

Despite earnest attempts to dissuade him, Qin Buyi left the university amidst the bewilderment of his teachers and peers.

And with his departure, Wang Jing's aspirations for career advancement crumbled.