"Do you need something from me?" They had just arrived at the campus park and sat down on a bench when Xiang Ri asked.
"Teacher, when will you start teaching me?" Shi Qing had recovered from her earlier embarrassment and looked directly into the man's eyes as she asked.
"Anytime, as long as I'm free," Xiang Ri answered vaguely.
"Oh..." Shi Qing responded softly, lowering her head, lost in thought.
"Is that the only reason you came to find me?" Xiang Ri looked at her in disbelief, as she didn't seem like the type to do something so trivial.
After a moment of silence, Shi Qing finally spoke up. "I've made up my mind about that willpower test you mentioned."
"Really?" Xiang Ri's heart suddenly began to race.
"Do you have an empty room?" Shi Qing didn't answer but asked with a look of anticipation.
"No," Xiang Ri shook his head. He had already moved out of the rented house and was now living with Chu Xiaoniu. So, probably not, right?
"Then I'll sleep on the floor, and you take the bed. How about that?" Shi Qing bit her lip, suggesting with hesitation.
Xiang Ri was taken aback. Did this girl really take his casual teasing seriously? If it were Chu Xiaoniu, she would have surely called him a pervert and a scoundrel before telling him to drop dead with mock gentleness.
Being around a beautiful woman was pleasant, but if she were an airheaded beauty, it quickly lost its charm. Chu Xiaoniu, with her fiery temper and sharp retorts, was much more his type. Teasing her and watching her shy and indignant reactions was an immense pleasure.
Xiang Ri stood up and patted the Taekwondo beauty on the head. "Go to class. I'm living with Chu Chu now."
"Oh, right. I forgot you two are dating," Shi Qing sighed in relief, her face flushing at the thought of almost becoming a third wheel in someone else's relationship. What was she even thinking?
Watching Shi Qing walk away, Xiang Ri couldn't quite figure out what he was feeling. The first time they met, her cold gaze and composed demeanor made him think she was a master of emotional control. But now it seemed that, apart from matters of physical strength and skill, nothing else caught her attention. Otherwise, how could she have seriously considered moving into a man's house over a casual joke?
Whatever, I should get to class too. I wonder if Chu Xiaoniu's back yet.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious villa in the eastern district of the city...
"Chu Chu, get over here!" Father Chu sat on the couch, glaring furiously at his daughter.
"I'm not coming!" Chu Chu, her hair disheveled, stubbornly hid behind a golden pillar, defiance written all over her face.
"You're driving me mad! Look at you now, neither human nor ghost!" Father Chu shouted in anger.
"I like it! I enjoy it!" Chu Chu made a funny face, "I'm done talking to you. I've got class to attend."
"Stop right there! You're not going anywhere this afternoon!"
"Why? I'm going to study, to get an education, and you won't even let me do that? I'll report you!" Chu Chu shrieked.
"Unbelievable! You ungrateful girl! Once I send you abroad for school, don't even think about coming back!" Father Chu jumped to his feet in a fury.
"I'm not going!"
"That's not your choice! I brought you into this world, I raised you, so you'll do as I say. I tell you to go, and you'll go! Unless..." Father Chu finally got to his real point. "Unless you agree to one thing, and I won't force you."
"What is it? If it's not too difficult, I might agree," Chu Chu replied cautiously, wary of falling into a trap.
"It's simple. Leave that man with the surname Xiang," Father Chu said coldly.
"You had me investigated?" Chu Chu's reaction was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, livid with rage.
"Hmph! I'm doing this for your own good! There are so many conmen in this world, and I won't stand by while my precious daughter gets duped and helps count the money afterward," Father Chu said matter-of-factly.
"Precious daughter? How exactly have you treated me like one? You arranged a marriage for me without my consent! If you want to get married so badly, why don't you do it yourself? Just the sight of that guy makes me sick!" Chu Chu became more agitated the more she spoke.
"You're passing judgment too quickly without even getting to know him. That Wu family boy is well-mannered, not bad looking, and from what I hear, he runs his own company. He's a young man with a bright future," Father Chu said, praising his ideal son-in-law.
"Dad, haven't you heard about his disgusting private life? One day it's a model, the next day a celebrity. I think you're just blind!"
"You've only heard rumors, not the actual truth. Even if it were true, it's perfectly normal for young men to have some minor flaws. After all, back in the day, your father... well, no matter how bad he was, he's still a thousand times better than that Xiang guy!" Father Chu desperately defended his future son-in-law.
"What do you mean, 'back in the day,' Dad? Haha, I've caught you now! When Mom gets back, I'm definitely telling her!" Chu Chu smirked triumphantly.
"You brat... Why aren't you off to class yet? Still hanging around at home, are you planning to skip? Let me tell you, I absolutely will not allow my precious daughter to skip class... Hey, wait a minute! At least fix your hair before you leave!"
"No need, I'll fix it with my hands on the way!"
Watching his daughter's retreating figure, Father Chu's expression wavered. He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, who is this?" A low voice answered from the other end.
"It's me!"
"Ah, Mr. Chu? Apologies for not recognizing you right away. How may I assist you?"
"Do you know which school my daughter attends?"
"Yes, of course. May I ask what this is about?"
"Give a warning to the young man she's hanging around with. His last name is Xiang. If he doesn't heed the warning, feel free to take some appropriate measures."
"Understood, Mr. Chu. Consider it done. I'll make sure you're satisfied with the outcome."
"Remember, don't go overboard. Just scare him a little, enough to make him stop pestering my daughter."
"Absolutely, Mr. Chu. Thank you once again for your generosity. As for the fee this time?"
"Same as usual."
"Ah, you're too generous! If there's nothing else, I'll go make the arrangements now. You'll hear from me by 9 p.m. at the latest."
"Good, that's all." Father Chu hung up the phone and sank back into thought on the couch.
Meanwhile, Xiang Ri had slept through two classes. There were about ten minutes left until the end of the last session. What's going on with that girl's family? Why hasn't she shown up yet?
As he was pondering this, a figure appeared at the door.
The old professor didn't seem to notice the new arrival and continued his lecture on complex theories.
"Watching romance films at home? Is that why you're late?" Xiang Ri nudged aside the guy sitting next to him and made space for the beauty, Chu.
"Go to hell. Can't you say something nicer? I spent two whole hours outsmarting my dad, and that's what you have to say to me? Don't even mention we know each other!" Chu Chu glared at him, clearly displeased.
"Little lady, are you talking to me?" Xiang Ri feigned ignorance.
"Who else would I be talking to, a ghost?" Chu Chu huffed, exasperated.
"Oh, I see! So, are you trying to flirt with me?" Xiang Ri smirked in a way that made you want to punch him.
"Get lost! As far away as possible. I don't want to see you," Chu Chu turned her head away, ignoring him.
"If I die, what will you do? Won't you be lonely every night? Or do you think watching romance movies is going to solve all your needs?" Xiang Ri teased, a wicked grin on his face.
"Pervert!"
"We've been together for so long, and you're still this shy? Haha..." Xiang Ri noticed the guy next to him eavesdropping and knocked him on the head. "Kid, are you seriously eavesdropping on our private conversation?"
"Hehe, just curious, that's all," the guy scratched his head, feeling awkward.
"Hey, Xiang Kui!" Chu Chu suddenly called out.
"What now?"
"Can you do me a favor?" Chu Chu whispered.
"Go ahead, but I might not agree. If you're asking me to sleep in the same bed with you tonight or take a bath together, I'll need at least 0.1 seconds to decide."
"Go to hell! Can't you be serious for once? I really need your help!" Chu Chu rolled her eyes.
"I'm always serious. I never do anything improper. Don't you dare accuse me! Even if we're close, I could still sue you for attempted harassment!" Xiang Ri grinned mischievously.
"Can you come to my house the day after tomorrow?" Chu Chu asked, exasperated.
"Aren't I already living at your place?"
"I mean my old home, the one with my parents and brother."
"Not interested! If I can't get any benefits from it, I'm not going!"
"Ugh! Is your head filled with nothing but dirty thoughts?" Chu Chu had the urge to kick him.
"Well, I wouldn't mind giving you some benefits too. Everything's negotiable!" Xiang Ri smirked, shamelessly.
"Aren't we good friends? Don't you have even a shred of compassion?" Chu Chu's eyes were almost brimming with tears.
"Fine, seeing how pitiful you look, I'll reluctantly agree. But I'm not doing it for free. You'll have to give me something in return."
"Anything you say, I'll do whatever you want." Hearing him agree, Chu Chu immediately forgot to hold back and practically sold herself.
"I have only one request: let me touch your backside."