Chapter Sixty-Nine: My Name Is Yi Qiu

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“You seem… not just pretending, but genuinely fond of the atmosphere in my home?” As they exited the apartment complex, Qin Anyi suddenly spoke.

“Pretending? Who told you I was acting?” Wang Yiran clasped her hands behind her back, watching Qin Anyi with amusement, making him a little awkward.

“Ahem… Pretending to be my girlfriend—isn’t that acting?”

“I seem to recall I always said I was your classmate, and you introduced me as such,” Wang Yiran blinked her large eyes, continuing to tease Qin Anyi, raising her brows lightly.

“I’ll hail a taxi for you. Go home on your own.”

“Hey, don’t be like that. I’m a weak girl, especially one so beautiful and charming. Aren’t you afraid I might encounter danger if I go alone?”

“If you really meet someone bad, it’s the bad guy who should be worried,” Qin Anyi replied without budging.

“Alright, no more jokes. You’re right. I do really like the atmosphere in your home. Materially, your family is quite ordinary, but it has something I lack—warmth I haven’t felt in so long.”

Wang Yiran half-lifted her head, gazing at the faint stars above the city’s nightscape, speaking with a trace of melancholy.

“Warmth? What do you mean?” Qin Anyi felt a pang of compassion. He didn’t understand Wang Yiran’s world, nor what burdens might be hidden beneath her eighteen-year-old body that should be enjoying the bloom of youth. But he knew he felt for her.

“Hmm… The feeling of close family gathered together, knowing someone cares and worries about you, and even… the simple comfort of ordinary days, living without having to think too much. You know, for some people, just striving daily for life is the greatest luxury.”

Qin Anyi raised his brows, saying nothing, quietly watching Wang Yiran.

She stared dully at the stars, continuing, “Maybe you think it’s sentimental. Many people pursue richer material lives their whole lives, while those born with it never cherish it.”

“Isn’t that so?” Qin Anyi countered.

“Perhaps. It’s just a matter of perspective. I was taught from childhood to become a qualified Dragon Rider, because my father is one of the most powerful Dragon Riders. I had no childhood, no free time, everything fixed in place, until they thought I should enter society for experience, and only then did I start living like a normal person. That was the year I met Changqing Yi.”

Wang Yiran leaned lightly on Qin Anyi’s shoulder, a bitter smile on her face. “Since childhood, I’ve had everything money could buy. Everyone told me the country is my everything, and my existence is for the day I bear the glory of the Dragon Riders.”

“You can’t understand. Back then, I thought the same way. My only goal was to become the greatest Dragon Rider, to give everything I could for this country. With that belief, I accepted every arrangement from my family, including the fiancé.”

“But once I started experiencing life on my own, I found everyone around me so different. And I realized the world isn’t just simply divided into good and evil, right and wrong. Their lives are materially poorer than mine, but in reality, their lives are far…”

That mysterious person’s only reason for helping must be just that. But why would an honored Dragon Rider become a prisoner in the detention center? And it was clearly voluntary, not wanting anyone to know… Intriguing…

“Alright, enough. I’ve been far too sentimental in front of you lately. I’m going home. Tomorrow you’re meeting Weidong’s father?”

Wang Yiran recovered quickly, her face returning to a gentle smile.

“Mm. Since Weidong said so, I’ll definitely go meet him.”

“Alright then, our training resumes the day after tomorrow. You owe me a week’s worth of time. Also, Weidong’s father is already among high-ranking officials. He vaguely knows about the Dragon Group but isn’t qualified to know much. Keep your distance; the Dragon Group must remain transcendent in the system.”

After speaking, Wang Yiran left Qin Anyi’s shoulder, flagged down a taxi, waved to him, and departed.

Qin Anyi watched the taxi recede, shook his head, and sighed. Once a peaceful life is disrupted, restoring it becomes a luxury…

But he still wasn’t ready for the coming storms. Deep down, he still saw himself as an ordinary high school student. Yet, the series of events had shaken him. That peace, and the comfort that matched his name, were drifting further away, beyond reach…

Turning to head home, he noticed someone standing at the neighborhood gate. It wasn’t yet seven, and most residents were at dinner, so few people moved about and little traffic passed, making this person’s presence at the gate all the more conspicuous.

Qin Anyi frowned, his instincts sensing a dense danger. He didn’t slow his pace, walking steadily, eyes discreetly sizing up the figure.

“Kirin, can you analyze the data from my line of sight on that person?”

“Unable. Target has no specific actions, no premise for analysis.”

The distance wasn’t far. Qin Anyi took a dozen steps and stood before the figure, who showed no intention of moving aside, so Qin Anyi stopped.

“Excuse me, could you please move?”

“You are… Qin Anyi?” The person raised his brows and spoke.

Only then did Qin Anyi see the man’s face clearly. He had to admit, he was far more handsome than any movie star, with heroic features and a powerful presence.

“I don’t know you,” Qin Anyi replied, trying to appear calm.

“My name is Yi Qiu. I am Wang Yiran’s fiancé.”