Everyone slumped back to their seats. A few students pulled Su Ou away from the window, saying, "Come on, let's go. There's nothing to see anymore."
The two walked along the campus' shaded path.
"Sir, why did you look for me?" Wen Ling smiled awkwardly and pointed behind her. "If there's nothing urgent, can I go back to class?"
Actually, she wasn't that keen on studying...
"Do you forget my name already?"
"Hehe..." Wen Ling's facial muscles twitched.
They had only met once, just helping bind a small animal's leg together. They had only used a small handkerchief that dirtied him. Why should she remember him?
What was happening these days? Why were men so self-important and narcissistic?
Lian Kang poked Wen Ling's forehead lightly, a hint of irritation in his voice. "What kind of memory do you have? I told you several times to call me Brother Cheng!"
"Oh, Brother Cheng, Sir..."
"Brother Cheng! Just Brother Cheng! Drop the 'Sir' part!"
"..." Wen Ling's face fell.
What was this? Calling a man she barely knew "brother" was so awkward. She couldn't bring herself to do it.
Besides, Liao Kai had warned her never to call other men "brother," as it might trigger their primal instincts.
"Ha ha, Brother Cheng, if there's nothing else, I really need to go. My next class is important..."
"I have something, of course, and it's important."
Lian Kang grabbed Wen Ling's small hand and led her to the side.
"Hey, Brother Cheng, let go of me. I can walk myself... Let go..."
Lian Kang ignored her protests and held her tightly.
He led her to a flashy sports car parked outside the school gate before letting go.
He opened the car door, took out a small box, and handed it to Wen Ling. "Here, for you."
Wen Ling waved her hand. "Brother Cheng, I won't accept anything from you. We're not that close."
"What are you thinking? This is Xiao Mi Li, the puppy I asked you to take care of. I'm too busy with work to look after it properly."
Xiao Mi Li?
What was that?
Curiosity piqued, Wen Ling took the box and opened it.
"Huh! Wow! Hmm?" Wen Ling's face showed a myriad of expressions as she poked the puppy's nose with her finger. "Ha ha, its nose is so cold! Hee hee, it's licking me."
The puppy, about the size of a palm, was chubby and snow-white, with bright, gem-like eyes.
"It's so adorable! Hey, little guy, you're called Xiao Mi Li, right? Ha ha, you're so lovable."
Wen Ling had already picked up the puppy and began stroking it.
Lian Kang watched Wen Ling's innocent demeanor and grinned slyly.
This girl was somewhat cute, but... unfortunately, she was the woman Bai Haonan liked.
"Xiao Mi Li will be in your care for a few days. I'm very busy lately and fear I might neglect it. That wouldn't be good. People who keep pets should treat them like family. If we can't love them properly, we don't deserve to have them. Don't you agree?"
Wen Ling agreed wholeheartedly. "Brother Cheng, you're a good-hearted person! I share your view!"
Lian Kang looked at the puppy he had just bought and said, "Can you take care of it for a few days? Once I'm less busy, I'll come and take it back. Can you do that?"
Wen Ling's eyes widened. "Sir, you mean... you want me to take care of Xiao Mi Li?"
It was obviously a delicate, purebred dog. Could she afford to take care of it? She had heard that some purebred dogs were very particular about their food and lived better than humans.
Lian Kang seemed to read Wen Ling's thoughts and pulled out his wallet, taking out a wad of cash and handing it to her. "Xiao Mi Li is very picky. It eats mostly chicken liver and drinks milk. It's quite expensive. Here's its living expense. I saw how loving and patient you were yesterday, so I trust you with Xiao Mi Li. Please don't disappoint me."
In one hand was the dog, and in the other, money.
"This..."
Something felt odd about all this.
A strange man she had only met once suddenly handed her a dog to take care of. Wasn't this unusual?
"Sir, I don't think I can handle this responsibility. You should find someone else. I'm afraid I might not treat Xiao Mi Li well..."
Although the white puppy was very cute, Wen Ling returned it to Lian Kang.
She could barely take care of herself, let alone an expensive dog. She'd be exhausted.
The puppy's round body was so adorable!
Lian Kang didn't take the puppy back. Instead, he checked his watch and said hastily, "I have to go to a meeting now. I'll check on Xiao Mi Li later."
He got into the car.
What?
He was really leaving the dog with her?
"Hey, hey! Sir! Sir! Wait! Please stop! The dog, the dog, your dog! I can't take care of it!"
The car window slid down slightly, revealing Lian Kang's satisfied smile. He blew Wen Ling a kiss. "Please take good care of it. If it goes missing or loses weight, I'll hold you accountable! Bye!"
The fancy car sped away.
"B-bye your head!" Wen Ling stomped her foot in frustration, looking at the puppy and the money in her hands. She sighed sadly. "Is this guy crazy? How could he entrust his own dog to someone else so easily? Oh, what bad luck!"
She lifted the puppy, gazing into its timid eyes. "Xiao Mi Li, you must despise your dad, right? Look, he just left you and ran off. Looks like your sister will have to take care of you..." She walked back to the school, warning Xiao Mi Li as she went. "Listen, Xiao Mi Li. My place is very clean. You're not allowed to pee or poop anywhere. If you make a mistake, your sister will pinch your little ears..."
Suddenly, she remembered that Su Ou disliked animals and found furry creatures disgusting.
Oh no, what should she do? Should she kick Su Ou out because of the dog, or would Su Ou kick her out for bringing a dog?
She returned to the classroom, causing a five-minute-long chorus of shrieks.
"Ahh! So cute!"
"Cute overload!"
"His little butt is so round!"
"Let me see, let me see!"
All the girls went wild, passing the tiny puppy around.
Su Ou recoiled, scolding Wen Ling angrily. "Hey, Cool Water, are you out of your mind? Where did you find this trash? Get rid of it!"
Didn't she know that Su Ou hated small animals? Animals shed fur and pooped... Ugh, how disgusting!
"Ou Ou... Can you take care of it for a few days? It's so cute."
"No way! Either the dog leaves or I do!"
Wen Ling was about to cry. "What should I do? The man earlier insisted I take care of his dog for a few days. He had to leave in a hurry and didn't even leave a phone number. How can I contact him?"
"What did you say? Whose dog is this? The one belonging to that Asuka-looking guy?"
Su Ou perked up, grabbing Wen Ling and repeatedly questioning her. "Are you saying this cute, beautiful, and clean puppy is that man's pet?"
The contrast was too great!
"Mmm, it's his..."
"Oh, why didn't you say so earlier? I could tell this puppy was different. It's the pet of that handsome man. Just like its owner, the dog is also dashing. Come here, Mommy will hug you..." Su Ou snatched Xiao Mi Li, rocking it back and forth, then leaned in for a kiss. "Your daddy's gone to work, so Mommy will take care of you..."
Boom!
Both Wen Ling and all the girls were stunned.
Bai Haonan was attending an important business cooperation meeting in England. He had just eloquently pointed out the flaws in the opposing party's proposal, leaving everyone sweating. Leaning back in his chair, he enjoyed the triumph.
Suddenly, he wondered if Wen Ling's cold had improved. Did she still have a runny nose?
This girl was so careless. She hadn't even taken any vitamin C tablets. He decided that when he returned, he would adjust her diet, adding various nutritional supplements and healthful porridge to her daily routine.
Taking a break, he stepped out to a quiet spot and made a call to China.
Luo Yuan played a mobile game nearby while guarding his boss.
"Yes, it's me. ...Buy her the best, most fashionable phone available, something a girl would like... Yes, deliver it to Wen Ling."
His tall, slender silhouette was reflected on the large glass window as he spoke softly, his voice gentle and almost intoxicating.
Luo Yuan's eyes widened in shock...
Damn!
He didn't expect Wen Ling to have such profound influence over the boss, who usually focused solely on work. The boss had actually stepped out specifically to arrange for a new phone for Wen Ling.
Tsk tsk, the boss's cold and heartless image was ruined by Wen Ling.
Ending the call, Bai Haonan gazed at the scenery below for a moment.
Wondering... what expression would Wen Ling have when she received the new phone?
Would she cheer and jump for joy?
Or would she stare with her clear, wide eyes in surprise?
While Bai Haonan arranged for the purchase of the phone, Wen Ling was performing at the Golden Empire nightclub.
Her song and dance routine received enthusiastic applause from the audience, her graceful and stunning appearance captivating everyone.
After descending from the stage, Wen Ling was panting from exhaustion.
Of course, jumping and singing at the same time would tire anyone out.
"Butterfly! Another fantastic performance tonight! Butterfly, come, let's hug."
Xiao Chun swayed his hips like a woman, giving Wen Ling a passionate embrace.
As Xiao Chun removed Wen Ling's makeup, he said, "Butterfly, do you ever think you might become a famous singer someday? I think you sing better than the popular stars now!"
"Ha ha, that would be nice. I heard singers make a lot of money, earning tens of thousands of dollars in a day!"
Xiao Chun pressed his face against Wen Ling's as they both looked in the mirror. "Then, dear Ling, let me be your manager."
Wen Ling stuck out her tongue. "Forget it. If you were my manager, I'm afraid you'd run off with my money and your saxophone to some faraway corner, becoming a pair of wild lovebirds."
"How could I do that? I have big dreams, you know. I want to save money, get a breast augmentation, and undergo sex reassignment surgery."
"Hahaha, get a breast enhancement so your saxophone can touch you properly. Remember to scream in response."
"Wen Ling, you're the worst! Underestimating me... I know how to scream now..."
The two chatted freely backstage, laughing loudly from time to time.
Without the drinking companion sessions and with a peaceful daily income of five hundred yuan, Wen Ling felt much more relaxed. In her heart, she was very grateful to the generous benefactor who foolishly paid for her year of serving alcohol.