Chapter 040: The Aura of Fame

Su Dieyi stood dazed beneath the pavilion, at a loss for what to do. She had only wanted to help Li Huan, but she hadn’t expected things to spiral so wildly out of control. The way it ended—with that boy uttering threats against Li Huan—left her feeling a pang of guilt.

“Oh, how did it turn out like this? I’m so sorry, Li Huan, I didn’t mean for this to happen…” Agitated, Su Dieyi reached out and grasped Li Huan’s arm, giving it a gentle shake. Her beautiful face was full of remorse, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“It’s all right. There were always issues between us anyway.” Seeing her so pitiable, Li Huan’s heart softened despite himself. He couldn’t help but pat her gently on the head and say, “Don’t worry about me.”

Her silky hair felt cool beneath his palm; the temperature in the center of the lake was clearly a little lower, and the breeze played through her tresses, winding around Li Huan’s fingers. For a brief moment, the scene seemed to freeze in time, and that strange feeling rose again from deep within him. But this time, he understood—it was that kind of warmth and sweetness that only lovers might share.

Su Dieyi, bashful, wanted to pull away, but seeing the clarity in Li Huan’s eyes, realizing he harbored no untoward thoughts, she ultimately did not refuse this closeness. She felt as though she were a little sister who had made a mistake, always forgiven with indulgent affection by her elder brother.

Leaving the islet in Mingli Lake, the two returned to their respective departments. Though Su Dieyi still found it awkward to walk across campus with a boy, she no longer tried every trick as she had in the morning to escape Li Huan’s company.

The afternoon seminar went smoothly, but Li Huan’s interest had waned. He was not the sort to believe that talent alone allowed him to disregard the disdain of others. Having offended the vice president of the Boulder Chamber of Commerce at noon, he was certain that he’d be the subject of lunchtime conversation among those business tycoons—he had no desire to make himself uncomfortable in their presence.

What no one had anticipated was that the renowned master of financial economics took a keen interest in some of Li Huan’s questions. At the end of the seminar, during the networking session between students and entrepreneurs, the elderly scholar, well into his sixties, sought Li Huan out to discuss the topics he’d raised.

This caught everyone off guard, Li Huan included—it felt to him as though he’d stumbled into extraordinary luck. Under the gazes of faculty, students, and the magnates of the Boulder Chamber, he couldn’t help but feel slightly out of place.

It was during his conversation with Du Wenhao that Li Huan learned the renowned scholar had a close friendship with his own mentor. Li Huan had been an outstanding student in his department, even earning a guaranteed place in graduate school. It was then that he met the most influential teacher of his life, whose research project he was invited to join, filling him with hope for the future.

It was Li Huan who wrote the final research report, and perhaps it was this achievement that came to Du Wenhao’s attention. With a recommendation from an intermediary, it wasn’t impossible that Du Wenhao would remember him.

Of course, not everything goes as planned. Though Li Huan had once eagerly anticipated entering graduate school, certain events compelled him to reconsider his future, leading him to decisively relinquish his place—a decision that earned him some criticism from his mentor.

“I heard from Yan Wenxi that you gave up your guaranteed graduate place? For a young man like you, that’s a real pity. Why wouldn’t you seize such an opportunity? Even among those admitted directly, very few ever receive Yan Wenxi’s personal guidance. You’ve thrown your future away for nothing!” Du Wenhao seemed unable to understand. It was as if someone handed you a loaf of bread and a master baker—and you refused even the bread.

“I was honored to have the opportunity,” Li Huan replied. “But I had my own considerations. I know I disappointed Professor Yan, but I believe he’ll understand.” Li Huan wasn’t without regrets—his decision had indeed left him conflicted. But he knew there were things he had to face sooner rather than later.

“Very well. We old men may not agree with you young people, but we won’t force you. If you ever run into trouble, come find me. Here’s my private number.” Du Wenhao handed him an unremarkable business card. He was curious about this young man who had earned such high praise from Yan Wenxi; with the right nurturing, perhaps he could become the next financial luminary.

Li Huan accepted the card with both hands, studying it carefully. There was only a name and a phone number. He slipped it solemnly into his pocket, puzzled as to why such a prominent figure would offer him his card. It couldn’t be solely because of Yan Wenxi’s recommendation.

This scene caused a greater stir than Li Huan’s earlier rejection of the vice president at lunch. The change in Sun Ximei’s expression was especially striking—she simply couldn’t comprehend the connection between this penniless youth and Du Wenhao.

What kind of person was he? Just a poor country boy, as her son described? That certainly wouldn’t merit Du Wenhao personally handing over his card. Everyone in their circle knew how aloof and proud Du Wenhao was. Those who had his card were few, and even Sun Ximei herself had obtained hers through someone else, never daring to call lightly.

Many began to inquire into Li Huan’s background. This time, it was Fatty’s turn to boast everywhere, even claiming that Li Huan was Du Wenhao’s illegitimate son. Li Huan could only smile helplessly—people would take it as a joke, and he himself didn’t mind.

Yet, in truth, once someone is shrouded in an aura, the environment subtly changes. Many people, intentionally or not, began to approach Li Huan, hoping to gain his friendship—if only because Du Wenhao had, perhaps unwittingly, signaled to all that his connection with Li Huan was significant.

The experience left Li Huan feeling a bit buoyant, enjoying the attention and even relishing the discomfort visible in Sun Ximei’s gaze.

After the seminar, Du Wenhao departed in his car, followed by the other Boulder Chamber executives. Li Huan, too, received warm attention from the college leadership—special treatment he hadn’t enjoyed since relinquishing his place in graduate school.

When Li Huan returned home, Su Dieyi was already preparing dinner. After a quick wash, he flopped onto the sofa and let his thoughts drift. The afternoon’s events left him pensive—if he hadn’t given up that graduate spot, perhaps his life would have been very different.

He shook his head, dismissing the troubling thoughts. Grabbing a bottle of cola, he took a swig—the sharp rush down his throat instantly lifted his spirits, and he couldn’t help but laugh. Wasn’t this life just fine? If he hadn’t given up that place, he wouldn’t be living now in ambiguous cohabitation with a great beauty. All things considered, he was doing quite well.

Working in the bar might not be easy, but it paid decently—and most importantly, it was free. Li Huan never wanted to be just another office worker, dutifully punching the clock.

After dinner, Li Huan tidied up, found a palm-length dagger in his room, tucked it into his belt, and set out for Dancing with Wolves. Tonight, he knew, would be anything but peaceful.

His energy points were fully replenished—150 in all, not a vast amount, but enough for three uses of short-range teleportation, or one long-distance escape. This, he reckoned, would be his lifeline should Brother Dog or Baldy come looking for revenge; he no longer feared dying in the street.

Though not the weekend, the bustling backstreets were thronged with people. Everywhere he looked, fashionable women in short skirts and sheer stockings strolled by, their long legs a feast for the eyes, enough to quicken any man’s pulse.

But Li Huan, preoccupied, paid little heed to the attractive women around him, walking quietly alone, listening to the gentle music drifting from the shops. Before long, he arrived at Dancing with Wolves.

At this hour, the bar was not yet open to the public; only members could come and go as they pleased. As he approached the entrance, the two security guards exchanged a glance, their demeanor noticeably more respectful as they greeted him.

Onstage, staff prepared props for the evening’s performances. Few people occupied the lounge booths. As he entered, Li Huan caught sight of a woman sitting alone in a private booth in Section One. As he passed, he glanced over and saw her absorbed in her phone, her face half-hidden from view.

Her skin was flawless and luminous; under the bar’s ambiguous lighting, it took on a dreamy quality. Around her slender neck hung a piece of emerald jade, glowing softly against her skin.

Li Huan paused—this was the mysterious woman who had spoken up for him last time. Of course, it was possible she hadn’t meant to help him at all, but had merely been annoyed at having her own enjoyment disrupted.

Perhaps sensing his gaze, the woman looked up, her eyes betraying no surprise. She lowered her head and resumed scrolling through her phone, as if Li Huan weren’t even there.

He felt no embarrassment at being ignored. The woman’s aura seemed to suggest she was perpetually indifferent to her surroundings—a mysterious, tranquil presence who was, nonetheless, impossible to overlook.