"Father, you must help me!" In a spacious yet somewhat dim room, Wu Qianyun stood with his head bowed before a middle-aged man.
"Xiaoyun, how many times have I told you not to treat them like ordinary bodyguards? You've truly disappointed me!" Wu Heyan looked at his son, a wave of frustration and regret surging within him.
"Father, you didn't see how miserable I was! Look, I still have a huge lump on my head." Wu Qianyun stood up and pointed to the white bandage on his head, seething with resentment. "It's all that bastard's fault! I was caught off guard, how could I have thought so clearly at the time?"
"And you still refuse to repent! Do you even know who he is? What his background is? Recklessly engaging in a fight over a woman—how can I ever trust you to take over the company in the future?" Wu Heyan's voice rose in anger.
"That guy's just a nobody, otherwise why would he take Chuchu to such a cheap place for a meal?" Wu Qianyun defended himself.
"A nobody? Use your head and think! Why would the bodyguards stand idly by, unwilling to help you?" Wu Heyan's fury flared, his hand itching to slap his son.
"Could it really be because of him? Impossible! It must have been because of Chuchu." Wu Qianyun stubbornly refused to believe that man had any significant background.
Wu Heyan sneered coldly, "The Chu family may be influential, but they don't command enough power to make those bodyguards back off. Think carefully, did those two bodyguards act strangely?"
"Ah?" Wu Qianyun fell into contemplation. "It seems... they did glance at him before leaving."
"Exactly! They must know him, which means they understand his strength and were unwilling to offend him. This shows what? It shows that we are far inferior to him! Now, do you still think he's just a simple nobody?" Wu Heyan guided his son with measured patience.
"But father, Chuchu..." Wu Qianyun couldn't bear to see such an opportunity slip away.
"Shut your mouth! From now on, she has nothing to do with you. I'm warning you, don't mess with that guy, not even in secret. Don't think I don't know your ways!" Wu Heyan's face darkened as he spoke.
"Are we just going to let it go? The Chu family made a prior agreement with us..." Wu Qianyun said, unwilling to accept defeat.
"Enough! This matter ends here. As for the Chu family... hmph, while our Wu family may not be as powerful as theirs, we are not so easily bullied. They haven't mentioned breaking off the engagement, which shows they still wish to maintain good relations. In a few days, I'll take the initiative to end the engagement. It will preserve our cooperation." Wu Heyan had already made up his mind.
"Father, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Seeing the matter was settled, Wu Qianyun prepared to retreat.
"Wait!" Wu Heyan called after him and handed him a photo.
"What is this?" Wu Qianyun recognized the woman in the photo immediately—it was the stunning Su Yu. "Father, do you mean...?"
"Exactly. She's far better than that Chu girl. Marrying her would not only bring in billions in capital, but she would also be a great help in managing the company. And she's beautiful, isn't she?" Wu Heyan painted a promising future for his son.
"Yes, yes." Wu Qianyun's eyes gleamed as he gazed at her breathtaking face, but then his expression darkened. "I've already tried asking her out several times, but she won't even give me the time of day."
"This time will be different! Haven't you noticed how she's been paying extra attention to young men lately? She used to be indifferent to everyone. Such a change must mean her heart has finally stirred. I don't believe that a woman her age wouldn't long for a man! You must try harder. Winning her over would be a huge boost for your career. Don't forget, you're my only son. The family fortune will be yours to inherit. But the way you are now, how can I trust you with the company? With her by your side, I can at least be half at ease."
"Alright, Father, just watch my performance! Even if it's not for myself, I will secure her for the sake of our Wu family." Wu Qianyun confidently patted his chest, making a promise.
"Let me make myself clear: do not resort to any despicable methods. If you cause trouble and end up in a scandal, I will not hesitate to skin you alive! Furthermore, sever all ties with those little starlets you've been involved with; no bringing them home or spending the night out with them. If I see any news about such matters in the papers, I will break your legs!"
"Understood, Father, I'm heading to the company now!" Wu Qianyun was somewhat impatient with his father's nagging.
As Xiang Ri entered the classroom, he was met with an enthusiastic reception from his classmates, who scrutinized him without reservation. Their eyes conveyed a mix of jealousy, disdain, contempt, disgust, and, most prominently, schadenfreude.
Xiang Ri couldn't decipher all the meanings behind their gazes, but he could distinguish genuine goodwill from ill intent; these people seemed to wish for nothing less than his demise—hoping he'd get run over by a car or struck by a falling brick.
Ignoring them once more, Xiang Ri walked to the back row and took a seat, only to find that the enchanting Chu Demei was absent. How peculiar; hadn't she mentioned returning to school first? Why had he arrived earlier than she did?
"Boss, we've finally been reunited!" Da Suantou exclaimed excitedly as he rushed over to sit beside him.
"What's wrong? Did a woman dump you?" Xiang Ri shot him a casual glance.
"Brother Kui, your words wound me deeply. I wanted to inform you of something, but now it seems…" Da Suantou teased, clearly enjoying himself.
"Hey, have you seen Chu Chu?" Xiang Ri dismissed him; he hadn't fallen for such childish antics in years.
"Are you talking about Sister-in-law? She was here a moment ago but left after answering a phone call," Da Suantou replied.
"She left? Who called her?" Xiang Ri inquired.
"Boss, do you think I'm some kind of oracle who knows everything? Um, I was a bit far away, so I didn't catch it all, but it sounded like a family member calling; I think I heard the word 'father,'" Da Suantou mused, feeling he was on the brink of becoming an oracle himself.
"Alright, that's enough from you. Don't disturb me; I'm going to take a nap," Xiang Ri yawned and rested his head on the desk.
"Brother Kui, how can you still be in the mood to sleep? A storm is about to hit!" Da Suantou felt frustrated; why wasn't he inquiring about that incident?
"What's there to fear about a storm? It's just rain!" Xiang Ri casually closed his eyes, seemingly unbothered by the prospect of being caught in the rain without an umbrella.
With no interest piqued, Da Suantou was out of ideas and resorted to baiting him: "Brother Kui, I'm not talking about the weather; I mean a stunning beauty just came looking for you."
"A beauty? Are you sure she isn't a dinosaur or an alien?" Xiang Ri opened his eyes, suddenly alert.
"Absolutely certain! However, I have a bad feeling about it," Da Suantou said with an odd grin.
"Bad feeling? With a beauty seeking me, why are you acting this way? Are you trying to jinx me?" Xiang Ri retorted.
"It's the Stone Woman who is looking for you!" Da Suantou declared directly, anticipating the shock and panic to wash over Xiang Ri's face.
Yet, to his disappointment, Xiang Ri responded calmly, "Stone Woman? Didn't you say beauty? How did it change to Stone Woman?"
"Boss, you can't possibly not know Shi Qing?" Da Suantou exaggerated his surprise.
"Shi Qing? Which Shi Qing?" Xiang Ri felt a flicker of interest.
"The number one beauty and expert in Taekwondo, the bane of lecherous men," Da Suantou chanted like he was reciting a spell.
"So what if she is?" Xiang Ri mused, envisioning a coldly beautiful figure dressed in a white training uniform.
"Brother Kui, did you just migrate from Mars? I'm amazed; Martians must look just like you."
"Get to the point. Stop beating around the bush; it's annoying," Xiang Ri replied, a hint of irritation in his tone.
"Alright, I'll tell you, but don't be scared. It is said, no, it is a fact, that anyone sought out by the Stone Woman has three reasons: one, you've flirted with her; two, you've flirted with her friends; three, she's preparing to flirt with you. The last point is merely wishful thinking, as it's highly improbable. The first two points are rather tragic; do you know what happens to those who attract her attention?"
"Enlighten me," Xiang Ri said nonchalantly.
"The best outcome is spending three days in the hospital; the worst lasts six months. Now do you understand why I mentioned a storm? Because it's your storm. Didn't you notice how everyone looked at you strangely when you entered? The Stone Woman might be on her way here right now. Brother Kui, I suggest you run away. But honestly, you dare to face the Stone Woman…"
"Is Xiang Kui here?" The classroom suddenly fell silent, interrupted by a cold female voice.
Da Suantou, who had been babbling away, immediately choked up, retreating a few steps to maintain a safe distance from the newcomer, his eyes darting around as if to proclaim, "I don't know him."
"I'm here." Xiang Ri rose from his seat and approached his newly appointed apprentice.
"Amen!" Da Suantou crossed himself, while the other classmates offered a silent tribute to Xiang Ri.
"Missing me after just a few hours? What's this? Did you promise to sleep over at my place tonight?" Xiang Ri casually draped his arm over his apprentice's shoulder and led her out of the classroom.
A hush fell over the classroom, thick with an eerie tension. Both male and female students stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, as if they had just seen a bird-man with wings sprouting from his back claiming to be a deity.
A shattering sound of glass echoed...
Da Suantou fell to the ground, foaming at the mouth, mumbling, "Big Brother, I'm willing to be your servant, just teach me a trick or two to charm the ladies!"