Chapter 27: The Spinning Top

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Jiang Xiaofei wandered through every corner of the campus, and after a thorough observation, he was left in awe. He realized that this national university was truly vast—if he were to describe it, the phrase “as far as the eye can see” would fit perfectly.

The campus life was especially vibrant and colorful: there was even a swimming pool, an arcade, and a cinema. Had he not researched the university online beforehand, he would have suspected this was an elite private school.

However, there was one phenomenon that seemed particularly rampant. As he walked, Jiang Xiaofei noticed couples under the shade of trees, whispering sweet nothings to each other, and even engaging in more intimate acts. He didn’t interfere, knowing that college offered freedom in love, but he couldn’t help feeling a pang of envy at how happy these couples seemed.

It was nothing like his relationship with Junyao, who was often away because of various commitments, leaving them meeting again only after long separations.

Shaking his head to dispel such thoughts, Jiang Xiaofei headed toward the sports field.

Perhaps it was because of the heat, but the field was nearly empty, no students playing basketball, only a few scattered about for leisure.

Just then, Jiang Xiaofei’s attention was drawn by a group of students not far away. Peering through the crowd, he saw two students playing with spinning tops.

They wielded sticks with long cords attached, striking the tops to keep them spinning and crashing them into each other—it was rather amusing to watch.

As Jiang Xiaofei gazed at the scene, a look of reminiscence came over his face. In his childhood, spinning tops had been his favorite game. But unlike the fancy tops these students had, his was handmade by his grandfather from wood.

He remembered once bringing his top to play with the village children, his heart full of joy, only to have them avoid him.

Jiang Xiaofei understood—they were afraid of the strange illness he carried.

Though he knew the reason, it still left him heartbroken for quite some time.

He shook off these sad memories and walked over to the two students playing with the tops.

At the moment, the two were deeply engrossed in their game, and the small crowd of onlookers was equally captivated, not noticing Jiang Xiaofei’s approach.

One of the young men, wearing a white shirt, laughed at his opponent, who was dressed casually: “Lin Fan, your top can’t possibly beat mine. Look at it—it's about to die!”

A ripple of laughter spread through the onlookers, and even Jiang Xiaofei couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s so funny? Stop laughing,” Lin Fan retorted, his face darkening at the jeers.

He glanced down at his own top, then shot the other youth a cold look. “Ye Zichen, don’t get cocky. It’s not over yet—we’ll see who wins.”

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“Go, Blazing Lion King!”

Muttering to himself, Lin Fan struck his top with the corded stick.

Instantly, the top spun at high speed, colliding directly with Ye Zichen’s.

With a sharp crash, Ye Zichen’s top was knocked back dozens of meters, its spinning slowing, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Ye Zichen sneered, “Lin Fan, your top has no attack power at all. Just wait to lose.”

He then whipped his own top with his stick, setting it spinning fiercely, and sent it crashing into Lin Fan’s top, bringing it to a halt.

Seeing Lin Fan’s top knocked over, Ye Zichen grinned triumphantly. “Ha! You lost! Pay up—the ten thousand yuan.”

Lin Fan protested, unwilling to accept defeat. “One more round!”

Ye Zichen’s reply was cold. “Even if we go again, you’ll lose. Don’t tell me you’re trying to weasel out?”

“You—” Lin Fan was so choked with anger he couldn’t speak.

At that moment, Jiang Xiaofei stepped forward and asked Lin Fan with a smile, “Hey, could I try your top for a bit?”

Irritated and upset, Lin Fan responded coolly, “Do I know you? Why should I let you play?”

Jiang Xiaofei frowned slightly, then smiled. “What if I could help you beat him?”

“Really?” Lin Fan looked at him in disbelief, as did the onlookers, all regarding Jiang Xiaofei with new interest.

Could this guy be up to the task? After all, Ye Zichen was a top master—he’d even won a championship recently.

Ye Zichen himself smiled, his lips curling into a playful smirk as he watched Jiang Xiaofei.

Ignoring the crowd’s scrutiny, Jiang Xiaofei said to Lin Fan, “If I don’t beat him, I’ll pay the ten thousand for you.”

“All right, I hope you’re really a top expert and can help me get some payback.” Lin Fan nodded and handed Jiang Xiaofei the stick with the cord.

“Thanks, classmate,” Jiang Xiaofei said, taking the stick. Without hesitation, he struck the fallen top on the ground.

In that instant, the crowd was stunned. Even Lin Fan was speechless. The top, which had been lying lifeless, seemed to come back to life at Jiang Xiaofei’s touch, leaping up as though fully revived.

The top spun at incredible speed, the air around it forming what looked like a miniature tornado, barreling straight toward its opponent.

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With a loud crash, the opposing top was sent flying.

For a moment, everyone was struck dumb, as if their throats had closed up in shock. The sight of the top being blasted away was so astonishing, it felt like they had seen a ghost.

It took a while before they snapped out of it, their faces filled with awe and fear as they looked at Jiang Xiaofei.

In their minds, this young man must be from the honors class, or perhaps even the “monster” class—how else could he possess such skill?

Lin Fan, realizing something, looked nervously at Jiang Xiaofei, but then broke into a fawning smile. “You’re incredible! If I offended you earlier, please don’t take it to heart!”

Jiang Xiaofei frowned, then, seeing the looks the others were giving him, finally understood.

“Could my identity as a mage be exposed? That can’t be—how could these ordinary students possibly know?”

Perplexed, Jiang Xiaofei smiled at Lin Fan. “It’s nothing. I didn’t take your words to heart at all.”

Lin Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Ye Zichen, seeing his top had been sent flying out of sight, looked sullen, but the thought of Jiang Xiaofei’s prowess filled him with fear.

Just then, a sharp female voice rang out.

“Whose damn lousy top hit my car?!”

The voice was loud and furious, like the roar of a lion, echoing across the entire sports field.

Everyone turned to look.

Through their gaze, a flashy Lamborghini sports car was driving in from the entrance.

The car’s arrival instantly drew the eyes of countless male students, who stared wide-eyed.

“The violent campus queen, Xie Xuanxuan, is here! Run!”