120. A New Beginning (Six Thousand Words—Please Vote Monthly)

Zhong Yun spent the next day resting at home while his parents were away at the office. For once, he decided to give himself a break, skipping his "combat simulation training" to play a space strategy game he had only tried once before.

He never expected that Liu Yunqi’s brother would pay him a visit.

"Your family isn't exactly short on money now; why do you still live in a place like this?" Yang Yunrong asked, his face filled with disdain the moment he stepped into Zhong Yun's home.

*Damn, this guy has quite a few issues,* Zhong Yun thought, rolling his eyes. "I'm afraid I'll catch a disease if I live in a place that's too nice."

"What kind of disease?" Yang Yunrong turned to look at him.

"Affluenza," Zhong Yun replied, pouring him a cup of tea.

"Hmph." Yang Yunrong let out a cold snort, showing no intention of drinking the tea. "I came here today on Yunqi’s behalf, and I also have a few things I want to ask you myself."

*I should have just served him some cheap tea; it’s a waste of good leaves,* Zhong Yun muttered to himself, though he said aloud, "Ask away."

Yang Yunrong’s nose suddenly twitched. He let out a surprised sound, picked up the teacup, sniffed it, and exclaimed, "Yunqi actually gave this to you?"

Given Zhong Yun’s family background, it would have been impossible for him to purchase this "Heart-Cleansing Soup" anywhere. Yang Yunrong couldn't think of any other explanation than his younger sister having gifted it to him.

Zhong Yun rolled his eyes. "If you aren't going to drink it, pour it out. Don't waste my stuff."

Yang Yunrong drank the cup in one gulp, then pulled a memory stick from his pocket. It was a device similar to a flash drive, used for storing data.

Zhong Yun looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

"This is your new identity. Memorize the details; don't leave any loose ends," Yang Yunrong instructed.

"A new identity?" Zhong Yun scratched his head. "Did Yunqi ask you to give this to me?" He plugged the memory stick into his portable computer and began browsing through the files.

Yang Yunrong didn't stand on ceremony, picking up the pot of "Heart-Cleansing Soup" and pouring himself another cup.

"You guys are really efficient," Zhong Yun praised sincerely. He had only mentioned to Liu Yunqi yesterday that he didn't want the media to expose his status as a survivor of the *Tongguang Star*. Less than a day later, a fresh, brand-new identity had been created for him.

"Though, I don't think this matter required the personal attention of Young Master Yang," Zhong Yun said, closing his laptop.

"There are a few things you need to be aware of. Most of the old Zhong Yun's records have been wiped, but some data couldn't be changed. There are still a few flaws, though I suspect it won't be a major issue," Yang Yunrong continued. "You can't go back to Pearl Academy. I've found you a new school; you'll start as a transfer student tomorrow. You know Moon Lake Private Academy, right?"

Zhong Yun snapped his fingers. "I know it. Isn't it right across from Pearl Academy?"

"First-year high school, Class One. Remember that," Yang Yunrong said, finishing the pot of tea.

Zhong Yun eagerly refilled it for him. Even though Yang Yunrong was helping him for his sister's sake, he still appreciated the gesture.

"Now, for what I wanted to ask you," Yang Yunrong sat up straight, looking serious. "I am asking on behalf of the Military Department, so you had better answer honestly."

Zhong Yun stuck out his tongue. The Military Department? That was a heavy weight to throw around, but he had already guessed what Yang Yunrong would ask. "Ask away. I will tell you everything I know."

"Good." Yang Yunrong stared deep into his eyes. "When exactly did you return to Woll? How did you return? Why are there no entry records for you at customs?"

Zhong Yun repeated the story he had told Chen Wen the day before, adding a few more details for good measure.

***

After listening, Yang Yunrong’s expression remained unchanged, but he fell into deep thought. Seeing his reaction, Zhong Yun felt a small sense of relief, thinking he had managed to talk his way out of it.

Yang Yunrong was indeed not suspicious; he could find no motive for Zhong Yun to lie. Zhong Yun’s sudden appearance on Woll Star was truly bizarre. If it had been anyone else, they would have been hauled off by the National Security Agency long ago. But if he had done that, his sister would have surely fought him tooth and nail. Even with an imagination ten thousand times more vivid, Yang Yunrong would never have guessed that Zhong Yun possessed a spacecraft from a civilization superior to their own.

Having received his answers, Yang Yunrong didn't stay long. Once he finished the second pot of tea, he took his leave. Before he left, Zhong Yun slipped him a small bag of the "Heart-Cleansing Soup."

Zhong Yun didn't forget to return favors. Although Yang Yunrong’s attitude could be unbearable at times, he wasn't truly unlikeable. At the very least, for Yunqi’s sake, Zhong Yun didn't want their relationship to become too strained.

When Zhong Pingjiang and his wife heard that their son was transferring to Moon Lake Private Academy, they had no objections. While Moon Lake didn't have the prestige of Pearl Academy, it was still a top-tier institution. The two schools simply had different focuses; Moon Lake was an elite private school with tuition over twenty times higher than Pearl Academy.

Tian Hai and Chen Wen were quite excited. Since the schools were so close, it was practically the same as being in the same building.

"By the way, do you guys know which school Yunqi is in? I forgot to ask her last night," Zhong Yun said, the thought suddenly occurring to him.

"Liu Yunqi was specially recruited by Pearl Academy early on. We didn't tell you because we figured she wanted to surprise you," Chen Wen explained.

The next day, Zhong Yun headed to school with his bag over his shoulder. After seven months away, stepping back into a vibrant campus felt quite emotional. The heart-pounding, death-defying life he had been living was gone, and this feeling of normalcy was wonderful. Watching the high school girls in the campus wearing skirts and showing off their slender, fair legs, Zhong Yun couldn't help but let out a low whistle.

"What are you whistling at? Whistle again and I’ll slap you dead."

There were always flies in the world that ruined one's mood. Watching a boy with multicolored hair and an incredibly arrogant expression wrap his arm around a girl with long legs, Zhong Yun felt a bit annoyed. He glanced at the girl—she was quite