"What have you done to my daughter?" Shi Zhongzheng immediately lost his composure, grabbing an ashtray, ready to hurl it.
Xiang Ri met his gaze unwaveringly, wearing a smug expression. "Typically, the elderly tend to exhibit unusual thinking patterns, a phenomenon academically referred to as geriatric delusion syndrome. Old man, are you losing your mind? I'm merely inquiring; why the agitation? Rest assured, I haven't had the chance to lay a finger on Xiaoqing yet." After a pause, he added, "But who knows what the future holds?"
Just as Shi Zhongzheng was about to lower the ashtray, upon hearing this, he raised it high again. "I warn you, if you've done anything inappropriate with Qingqing, don't expect any mercy!"
"Mercy? What do you know of youthful affection? It's entirely normal for young people to occasionally lose control." Xiang Ri crossed his legs, showing no fear of the old man's threats.
"Hmph! Remember this! If Qingqing becomes pregnant before graduation, I'll cut off that thing of yours and feed it to the dogs!" Shi Zhongzheng put down the ashtray, speaking with fierce intent.
"Old man, your mind is clouded with filthy thoughts. Xiaoqing and I share a purely platonic teacher-student relationship. Besides, aren't there plenty of contraceptive options available now? You needn't worry; I won't allow Xiaoqing to have a child at such a young age." Xiang Ri boasted shamelessly.
"You little brat! If it weren't for that incident, I'd be done with you right now!" Shi Zhongzheng picked up a banana from the fruit bowl on the table, mimicking a gun gesture.
"Listen here, old man, don't think that just because you come from the military, you can act tough. I'm not easily intimidated!" Xiang Ri knew the old man had been a high-ranking figure in the military and had a notorious temper, often resorting to threats. However, he was no ordinary opponent; such antics wouldn't faze him.
"Since you're aware of my background, you should know I mean what I say!" Shi Zhongzheng replied coldly.
"Ah! This banana is quite impressive, golden and plump—was it prepared for me?" Xiang Ri pretended not to notice the old man's predatory glare and diverted the conversation. He then shamelessly snatched the fruit from Shi Zhongzheng's hand, peeled it, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"You..." Shi Zhongzheng instinctively reached for his waist, only to remember he hadn't been a commander for quite some time. Damn it, if it weren't for this brat making him furious, he wouldn't have resorted to a habit he had abandoned years ago.
"I must say, you make for quite a pathetic mayor. A few years ago, you nearly got blindsided, and now you're failing to do your job properly, encouraging your daughter to skip class and dragging a model student into the mix! Don't glare at me; have I said anything wrong? The facts speak for themselves. If I hadn't sent you the information I overheard, would you still be comfortably sitting here? You'd probably have been summoned for a chat at some bureau! I'm talking about you! The reason I'm here, missing class, is because of your pressure as mayor and your daughter's charm luring me here. You want to hurl that thing at me? Go ahead, I dare you!" Just as Xiang Ri intended to throw a few more barbs, the old man could no longer contain himself and swung the ashtray.
As he raised his hand to deflect the incoming weapon and prepared to counter Shi Zhongzheng's advancing kick, his obedient disciple appeared at the perfect moment. Seeing the scene unfold, she looked bewildered. "Teacher, Dad, what are you doing?"
"Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all. I heard the mayor was once quite skilled, so I couldn't resist a little sparring," Xiang Ri laughed, releasing his stance.
Shi Zhongzheng sat down, his face flushed, his wrist numbed from being grasped, and a vague pain radiated from his calf. Initially skeptical of his daughter's claim that her "teacher" could take on hundreds alone, his doubts had largely dissipated. After all, he had once been the foremost expert in the military, yet this young man had easily rendered him almost powerless with just a few holds—it was truly frightening. However, he couldn't help but wonder: didn't this little rascal understand the virtue of respecting one's elders? His grip had been far too harsh!
"So that's how it is. Teacher, did you win?" Since witnessing his remarkable skill of "piercing wood with his fingers," Shi Qing's admiration for him had reached an almost fanatical level, even disregarding her father's dignity.
Shi Zhongzheng let out a cold snort, visibly displeased with his daughter's apparent concern for outsiders. "Qingqing, why are you here? Have you finished with your mother?"
"The eel rice and other ingredients are all prepared; Mom said she could manage alone, so I came out," she replied.
"Xiaoqing, come sit over here." In stark contrast to Shi Zhongzheng, Xiang Ri was in high spirits, feeling triumphant over the old man.
"Okay, Teacher!" Shi Qing nodded obediently and took a seat beside him.
Xiang Ri shot a glance at the old man, mischief igniting within him. Suddenly placing his hand on his disciple's shoulder, he leaned in close, almost whispering in her ear, "Xiaoqing, did you try the method I taught you last time?"
Although Shi Qing felt somewhat awkward with his affectionate demeanor, this wasn't the first time, and she trusted her teacher had no ill intentions. "It's a bit challenging, but please don't worry, I'll keep persevering."
However, to Shi Zhongzheng, the implications were entirely different. Observing their closeness and his daughter's lack of resistance, he feared the worst had come to pass. Just moments ago, this brat had claimed not to have touched Qingqing—what utter nonsense! Damn it, he wanted to eliminate him!
Unable to contain his fury any longer, Shi Zhongzheng resolved to storm into his study and retrieve a trusty weapon he had kept for over a decade to deal with this insolent boy, when a knock at the door interrupted him.
"Qingqing, go open the door quickly." Shi Zhongzheng promptly abandoned his recently conceived plan and sent his daughter away.
"Alright!" Shi Qing stood up and hurried towards the door.
"You little rascal! Speak! Have you touched my daughter or not?" Shi Zhongzheng seethed through clenched teeth.
"No, absolutely not! I swear on my life, I haven't!" In truth, just a simple "no" would suffice, but Xiang Ri's intention was not to persuade the old man, but rather to lead him to misunderstand.
"Damn it," Shi Zhongzheng suddenly fell silent, not out of conscience, but because his daughter had entered with a young man.
"Dad, I'm going upstairs to read," Shi Qing said, bowing slightly to Xiang Ri before leaving.
Though he was uncertain of the specifics, Xiang Ri could see from his disciple's troubled expression that the new arrival was not particularly welcome.
Shi Zhongzheng, however, beamed with delight, ushering the newcomer to sit beside him and engaging him in enthusiastic conversation. Xiang Ri maliciously speculated that this young man might be the old man's new favorite, which only fueled his own suspicions.
The newcomer appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. While not handsome, he was not unattractive either; what stood out was his voice, rich and magnetic. As Xiang Ri would put it, somewhat "flashy," though that was tinged with a hint of jealousy.
Perhaps taken aback by such distinguished treatment from Shi Zhongzheng, the young man was initially startled but quickly regained his composure, cautiously responding to questions. Only when his gaze flickered toward Xiang Ri did a hint of wariness surface.
Xiang Ri noted this unusual behavior; given their lack of acquaintance, the young man had no reason to be so guarded. Suddenly, he recalled Shi Zhongzheng mentioning that many of his promising disciples had suitors. Could this young man be one of them? By that logic, he might just be his "love rival."