Chapter 21: An Attraction Like a Magnet

He Tian returned to the Wang family villa, took out his laptop, and powered it on. His fingers danced rapidly across the keyboard as he worked. Soon, he transferred all of Zhang Tong's and Wu Hao's money into his own account. Naturally, it wasn't a direct transfer; the funds were routed through countless complicated detours, utilizing numerous proxy machines. He Tian was confident that, even if someone tried to track it, it would never be traced back to him.

"Is being a hitman really this lucrative?" He Tian marveled inwardly as he saw that Zhang Tong had amassed a staggering thirteen million dollars. Usually, a single target would fetch a few hundred thousand at most, yet Zhang Tong had accumulated so much—and it was unlikely he hadn't spent any along the way. This was proof enough of how many lives Zhang Tong had taken.

As for Wu Hao, his fortune amounted to only eight million yuan, a world apart from Zhang Tong's wealth. Still, even so, Wu Hao's assets dwarfed He Tian's. He checked his own account—after years of saving, he'd only managed to put together 1.2 million yuan.

"No wonder so many people take the wrong path…" He Tian couldn't help but sigh. The allure of money truly is at the root of so many fundamental conflicts.

———

He Tian rose early the next morning. He started with a ten-kilometer run, followed by a round of shadowboxing, and then settled into stance training to breathe in the sunrise.

In the distance, Chen Long, Hou Qiang, and the other three men exercised, watching with envy as He Tian held his stance and practiced breathing techniques. They understood now what kind of person He Tian was, and with that understanding came acceptance—they stood no chance against him, and that was only natural. They were simply not of the same world.

Wang Xinyou, full of enthusiasm, practiced the move He Tian had taught her the day before, though she kept sneaking glances his way, proof that her mind was hardly focused on the practice itself.

As the sun rose high and bathed everything in gold, He Tian let out a long breath, ending his morning cultivation.

"Stop staring and concentrate! Look at how you’re moving—this is how it’s done… When you swing your arm, use precision and skill! Have you forgotten how to generate force? Stand properly and practice your power generation!" He Tian corrected Wang Xinyou’s mistakes without hesitation, ignoring her pitiful expression entirely.

This strict side of He Tian actually made Wang Xinyou feel a little afraid, and she quickly stopped daydreaming, gathering her focus for the exercises.

She was quite talented, after all, and with a background in free fighting, her progress was swift when she concentrated—especially with He Tian’s guidance. She quickly mastered the basics of the move he had taught her.

"Not bad at all," He Tian said with satisfaction.

"I’m pretty good, right?" Wang Xinyou immediately perked up, her pride evident.

"Good? Fine, I’ll admit you’re good," He Tian replied, having already figured out her temperament. He didn’t mind giving her a bit of praise as a reward for her earlier diligence.

"What do you mean 'admit'? You’re just humoring me!" Wang Xinyou protested.

"Go get ready for school, or you’ll be late," He Tian said, refusing to get drawn into her argument, which could easily spiral out of control.

"Breakfast time!" Wang Xinmeng called out with a gentle smile.

Both had showered and changed.

"From today on, you’re not staying in the dorms anymore," Xinmeng said to her younger sister. "You’ll sleep at home every night. He Tian, I’m entrusting my sister’s safety to you." She’d once worried about Xinyou coming and going alone, but now her concern was for the dangers of living on campus.

Situations change, and so must precautions.

"Understood," Xinyou replied, not objecting. The previous incident—the car accident and shooting—had left its mark. No matter how rebellious she was, her defiance was more about resisting her sister’s strictness than a disregard for her own life.

"He Tian, I’m going to the company today to set everything up. If all goes smoothly, things should be finalized by Saturday. I’ll need you for a couple of days then, so just be prepared," Xinmeng continued.

"No problem," He Tian replied. Having made his decision, he was no longer resistant. Besides, having another identity was like gaining another life—he was actually looking forward to it.

"Oh, right—take this," Xinmeng handed him a bank card.

"Getting paid before I even start working?" He Tian joked.

"It’s not for endorsement—it’s for your equipment. Uncle Hu said the gear is top of the line and expensive. There’s a million yuan in the card," Xinmeng explained, giving him no chance to protest. "Don’t refuse—this is separate from anything else. I’m already grateful you’re protecting my sister, but I can’t let you pay for this out of your own pocket."

"I’ve also approved Chen Long and the others' pay raises. I’ll take care of it," she added with a smile, brushing her hair back.

"Alright." He Tian accepted the card without further ceremony.

Xinmeng was delighted and called them to breakfast. After the meal, Uncle Hu drove her to the company, while He Tian and Xinyou headed to Tianhai University.

Today, they weren’t driving the Porsche—it had been totaled on the ring road. The Wang family garage housed several cars; He Tian chose a rather stately BMW. Truth be told, even this seemed too conspicuous to him, but there were no less ostentatious options.

"Chauffeur, drive!" Xinyou said from the passenger seat, not intending to drive herself. Having witnessed He Tian’s driving skills, she was more than a little intimidated.

"Chauffeurs get paid," He Tian replied, starting the car and pulling out.

"Could you be any more mercenary?" Xinyou scoffed.

"We’re all mortals—what’s the harm in being a little more so?" He Tian chuckled.

"He Tian, do you think I really have the basics of that move down?" Xinyou asked, her eyes bright.

"More or less," He Tian smiled. "But don’t go trying it out on anyone just yet—I’d advise against it."

"Why not?" Xinyou was indeed planning to do just that.

"Your mind is full of this new technique, but you’ve neglected everything you used to know. At best, you’ve grasped the rudiments; you’ve only just scratched the surface. If you spar with someone now, you’ll definitely lose—unless it’s an untrained girl, that’s a different story…" He Tian laughed.

"What about boys? Are you saying I couldn’t even handle an untrained guy? That’s a step back for me!" She had never had trouble with untrained male classmates before.

"What I'm teaching is skill and technique, not brute force. Men are much stronger than you—so you’ll be at a disadvantage. But if you keep up your morning state and add an extra half hour of practice each evening, within a week, I guarantee you’ll master it. Even that Qin Long won’t be able to beat you," He Tian said with confidence.

"Really?" Xinyou was overjoyed. Though He Tian had already taught Qin Long a lesson for her, she longed to do it herself—that would be truly satisfying.

"As long as you keep up your morning discipline," He Tian warned.

"I’ll just take it seriously—hahaha! I’m so happy! He Tian, do you know any even better moves?"

"Plenty! But like I said, you can’t rush it. Follow my plan and I promise you’ll become an expert," He Tian replied. Xinyou had the potential to become a formidable fighter—as long as she didn’t go up against true internal strength masters.

"Hahaha, I’ll be an expert too! Train me hard, He Tian!" Xinyou was eager to excel.

"You said it—don’t blame me for being strict then!" He Tian grinned.

"Just go easy on me, okay? Not too strict!" she pleaded pitifully.

He Tian burst out laughing.

They drove into Tianhai University, parked under Xinyou’s direction, and walked into the School of Economics and Management. The four-story building was somewhat old on the outside, but inside it was modern and fresh.

He Tian and Xinyou were in the same class. Unlike some universities that had no fixed classes, Tianhai’s School of Economics and Management was quite traditional, believing that stable groups fostered deeper friendships. University, after all, was a microcosm of society—a place to begin learning how to get along.

Xinyou was something of a celebrity, a candidate for the upcoming campus beauty rankings, and so drew plenty of attention. As for He Tian, dressed in white casual wear, he looked every bit the legendary "prince on a white horse"—minus the horse. Xinyou attracted the gazes of the men, while He Tian drew the eyes of the ladies. Poetically speaking, they were both like magnets, radiant and irresistible to the opposite sex.

University is the age when youth stirs most vividly; stories between young men and women are the main theme. It was only natural that He Tian and Xinyou were treated this way.

Xinyou led He Tian to their classroom and they sat together.

"I’m jealous of you," Xinyou whispered.

"Why is that?" He Tian asked with a smile.

"Look at all those girls… How are they all so lovestruck? Like that goddess we ran into on Paradise Street—she looked like she wanted to eat you alive!" Xinyou gritted her teeth.

"I think you’ve got it backward. If anything, they should be jealous of you. Look—you’re the one sitting here with me, aren’t you? Aren’t you the lucky one?" He Tian said with a laugh, feeling quite pleased with himself.

"Oh, please… Could you be any more outrageous?" Xinyou rolled her eyes.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she waved her hand excitedly…