TCFGBH Chapter 116

The much-anticipated duel finally came to an end.

Online rumors flared up again, but compared to before, the school remained relatively calm. As military academy students, they had seen too much and could easily tell whether the duel had been staged.

Xia Yan was very strong.

At least stronger than Huo Ruihe.

And with Huo Ruihe’s speech during the declaration and the two incidents where accusations suddenly arose against Xia Yan, the students began to sense an underlying conspiracy.

Time passed steadily, and two major events occurred during this period.

The first was, of course, the upcoming National Mecha League.

Held once every three years, this military academy competition was one of the Empire’s most prestigious events. When the time came, countless cameras would broadcast the matches live.

Winning the championship would mean wealth and fame within easy reach.

The second major event was the rare arrival of a transfer student at the Empire Central Military Academy.

Most military academy students were trained from a young age, undergoing rigorous preparation to survive future battlefields. Even those with unconventional backgrounds had to formally apply, pass the entrance tests, and enroll as new students.

Only a very few prodigies were granted exceptions to this rule.

Curious students flocked to the mecha department to catch a glimpse.

“…I used to live on a garbage star, so this is my first time on the capital star,” the transfer student explained.

“Why did you transfer here?” someone asked.

“I’m not too sure either… I met a friend online who said I had great talent and recommended that I come to study here,” the boy said, blinking as if suddenly recalling something. He opened his smart device. “Oh, right! This is something I designed.”

A fifteen-inch virtual screen displayed his design, with every line and detail clearly rendered.

The design was clean and minimalistic, with each stroke targeting critical points. It enhanced the weapon’s power while reducing its energy consumption.

The mecha design students stared at it, unable to look away. In the next moment, they snapped out of their daze and swarmed around the boy, bombarding him with questions.

“Wow! You’re amazing! Did you teach yourself all this?”

“No wonder you got in as a special transfer student—your talent is incredible.”

“You shouldn’t casually share your designs like this. What if someone steals them?” a concerned student advised him.

The boy, with curly red hair, almond-shaped cat-like eyes, and cheeks slightly puffed, looked incredibly innocent and adorable, triggering everyone’s protective instincts.

“I did take a few online courses,” he replied shyly with a bashful smile. “But we’re all classmates—this is just a simple design. Who’d be interested in it?”

The students: !!!

Where did this naive sweetheart come from? They had to protect this new classmate!

Other students from different departments, driven by curiosity, also gathered. Although they couldn’t understand the design, it seemed very impressive. With the mecha league fast approaching, everyone was eager to find skilled teammates.

However, the truly exceptional players had their own circles, and ordinary students stood no chance of recruiting them.

Now, out of nowhere, this naive and talented newcomer appeared. If they didn’t act quickly to recruit—no, sincerely invite—him, then when would they?

Ian, true to expectations, seemed agreeable and easygoing. No matter what others said, he responded with wide, innocent eyes and a sweet smile, as though he didn’t know what rejection even meant.

Unable to hold back, someone took the initiative to ask, “Ian, have you decided on teammates for the mecha league?”

“Well, um…” The boy hesitated, looking embarrassed. “Actually, I… I plan to team up with my boyfriend.”

“You just got to this school! I know you probably haven’t…” The person stopped mid-sentence as the meaning of Ian’s words sank in. “…Boyfriend??”

Ian nodded with a sweet smile. “Mm-hmm! I came to this school just for him.”

The surrounding students immediately perked up.

Who could resist the allure of gossip?

“How did you meet him?”

“What year is he? What’s his name?”

“Does he know you’re here?”

Faced with their barrage of questions, Ian looked shy yet radiant, his eyes sparkling with love as he spoke fondly of his partner.

“We met online…”

His voice was soft and gentle, and though he seemed bashful, he quickly shared the full story with a few concise sentences.

In his recount, he explained that he met a young man named Xu Yan through a mecha blueprint. After Xu Yan’s passionate pursuit, the two became a couple.

During their relationship, they were deeply in love, going to movies together, visiting exhibitions, and exploring famous attractions while trying out trendy restaurants.

However, for some unknown reason, Xu Yan hadn’t logged into the star network in the past few days.

Feeling deeply uneasy, Ian happened to receive an invitation to study here, so he came to find him.

The crowd: “…Could it be that you’ve fallen for a scammer who’s playing with your feelings?”

“No way,” Ian quickly defended his lover. “He’s a very good person—gentle, kind, and he loves me very much. Our relationship is great, and I’m sure he’s a good person.”

The crowd: “…”

Damn it! This is exactly what someone hopelessly in love with a scammer would say!!!

The boy lowered his gaze, his eyes clear and sharp, completely devoid of the naivety from moments before. Relationships don’t end just because one person says so—after all, who decides the breakup without mutual agreement?