In recent days, Xiang Ri had been enjoying a blissful existence, thanks to Chu Chu's unwavering willingness to fulfill his every desire. Whether it was day or night, in the kitchen or the bathroom, there was no request he made that she could decline. Of course, the consequences were severe; unlike a rogue with extraordinary stamina, Chu Chu found herself utterly exhausted, languishing in bed or sprawled on the couch watching television, having not set foot in school for days.
During this time, even her older brother, Chu Ci, who often regarded himself with a sense of superiority, paid a visit. Observing the couple's seclusion and affectionate bond, he could not help but deliver a lecture. He casually broached the subject of contraception, leaving Chu Chu blushing as bruises began to form on the rogue's arms and waist.
Xiang Ri lavished exaggerated compliments on this overbearing brother-in-law, showering him with praise as the dashing prince charming of countless maidens' dreams and the ultimate heartthrob of forlorn women. This flattery, directed at someone already prone to narcissism, led Chu Ci to believe he was destined to rescue every woman in distress, from newborns to centenarians. In his self-satisfied reverie, he ceased to question the couple's absence from class.
Thanks to Xiang Ri's enthusiastic efforts, Chu Ci was exceedingly pleased with his brother-in-law, and their conversations became increasingly uninhibited, prompting the bashful Chu Chu to retreat to the bedroom, leaving the two like-minded men to discuss their frivolities without reservation.
Once Chu Ci departed, Xiang Ri resumed his lavish, almost regal lifestyle, greatly gratified by the attentive service of his empress, Chu Chu. Life felt almost idyllic, except for the nagging obligation to attend classes, as he spent most of his time in this tender refuge.
The only source of frustration for Xiang Ri was that ever since he had uttered those fateful words to his apprentice, she had not sought him out again, leaving him uncertain if she still regarded him as her mentor. Remembering her gentle and serene voice only deepened his self-loathing. If only he had refrained from that impulsive outburst, she would undoubtedly still be by his side, seeking his guidance on matters of strength.
Alas, the weight of sadness and disappointment pressed heavily upon him!
"Wife, I don't have to go to class today, do I?" On yet another sunny morning, as they lay together in the bedroom, Xiang Ri turned to her, his tone light.
"No way!" Chu Chu shot him a glare, resolutely responding.
"Fine, I'll go to class, but you owe me some form of compensation."
"Go to hell!" Chu Chu retorted, swatting his hand away, her lips pouting. "I only agreed to one week initially, and that time has passed; I won't listen to you anymore."
"How cruel! Are you forcing me to seek companionship elsewhere?"
"Try it!" Chu Chu shouted, fury in her voice. "If you dare to pursue another woman, I'll kill you first and then take my own life!" As she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.
"Oh, dear girl, don't say that. Let's just pretend I misspoke, shall we?" Xiang Ri gathered her into his arms, feeling a wave of frustration that nearly choked him. Why was it that the protagonists in novels could have wives who never grew jealous? They often claimed, "As long as you love me, I wouldn't mind how many women you have." Such sentiments seemed to emerge only from the overindulgent musings of authors.
"Then are you going to class or not?" Chu Chu pressed, her tears of victory still glistening.
"With you acting this way, how could I possibly go?" Xiang Ri chuckled wryly.
"Hmph, as if you're the one suffering a great injustice," she retorted, pride evident on her tear-streaked face.
"Seeing me in such a pitiful state, how about granting me a kiss?" he suggested with a cheeky grin.
"In your dreams!" Chu Chu shot him a glare, then suddenly broke into laughter. "If you dare to bully me again, wait until your mother visits during the National Day holiday!"
"What do you mean by National Day?" Xiang Ri interjected nervously.
"Have you forgotten? When my mother called last time, she said she would come to see you during the National Day holiday. No, she's coming to see me!" Chu Chu proclaimed with pride.
"Did you mention this to me?" Xiang Ri was perplexed.
"Didn't I? Oh, I must have forgotten; my apologies!" She stuck out her little tongue, grinning mischievously, clearly having done so on purpose.
"How dare you play tricks on me! Just wait and see how I deal with you!" Xiang Ri said, leaning in for a kiss.
"Don't you dare bully me! I will definitely tell your mother!" Chu Chu warned, her eyes wide in mock threat as she pushed against his chest.
"Bully you? How have I bullied you?" he asked, grinning mischievously.
"You are bullying me!" Chu Chu's cheeks flushed crimson.
"Hey, you must clarify how I've bullied you! Without evidence, my mother wouldn't believe you. Besides, isn't it said that older folks are always eager for grandchildren? Bullying you would only fulfill her wishes, wouldn't it? My dear wife, let's work hard together and aim to bring a little one into the world before she arrives."
"Isn't that too soon? You're so annoying! I can't have a baby yet; my classmates would make fun of me!" Chu Chu protested, her voice a mix of teasing and exasperation.
"What's there to fear? We could always arrange for a leave of absence."
"Go to hell! I won't! I've heard childbirth is painful. Do you think, considering what we've done, I might already be pregnant?"
"Surely that can't be the case?" Xiang Ri replied, uncertainty creeping into his voice. Noticing the tension etched on Chu Chu's face, he continued, "Isn't this a safe period for you? Rest assured, everything will be fine."
"That's a relief." Chu Chu exhaled, but suddenly pinched Xiang Ri hard and pushed him away. "Hurry to class, or you'll be late again."
"At your command, my lovely." In a flash, Xiang Ri planted a quick kiss on her lips and darted out of the bedroom before she could react.
Though he claimed to be heading to class, in truth, he merely sat in a daze in the classroom, occasionally exchanging pickup tips with his close friend, Garlic Head, who had already taken on the role of his sidekick.
Had it not been for Chu Chu's insistence, he would have found such mundane activities hardly worth his time, not to mention enduring Garlic Head's incessant chatter. At times, Xiang Ri even darkly contemplated forcing some repulsive substance into his mouth and then stitching his lips shut.
However, today was destined to be anything but ordinary.
As he strolled past the university, his eyes scanned for beautiful women entering or exiting the campus, but he unexpectedly encountered a familiar face—one that left him utterly astounded.
Clad in a fitted black professional suit, the tall, curvaceous figure boasted long, silky hair cascading gracefully over her shoulders. A pair of striking oversized black glasses perched upon her delicate nose, while her small, red lips were pursed ever so slightly, accentuating her exquisitely chiseled features.
The knee-length skirt revealed beautifully sculpted calves, their sun-kissed skin radiating an alluring glow. She wore high-heeled sandals that elevated her stature by several inches, showcasing her dainty feet.
She was an extraordinarily stunning woman, exuding an air of elegance and mystery. With a face reminiscent of an angel and a figure that rivaled that of a siren, her allure was potent enough to draw the attention of every passing man.
Yet, it was not merely her beauty that left Xiang Ri flabbergasted; he was taken aback to discover that this captivating woman was none other than the police officer, Tie Wan, whom he had once taken advantage of. It was hard to fathom that this capable and astute woman could also exhibit such grace and poise.
Clearly, Tie Wan recognized him as well, but she merely scoffed disdainfully before turning her head away.
Rubbing his nose, Xiang Ri approached her with a teasing smile, "Hello, Officer! You're looking especially lovely today. Surely you aren't here to seek me out?"
"Keep your mouth shut, and no one will mistake you for a mute," Tie Wan replied, her expression icy and her tone stern. "And don't call me Officer; refer to me as Teacher Tie."
"Teacher? You're becoming a teacher? Really? Isn't your career in law enforcement rather promising? Ah, I see—you're here to go undercover!" Xiang Ri concluded, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"Lower your voice!" Despite his quiet tone, Tie Wan swiftly covered his mouth with her hand.
Xiang Ri had always been one to seize an opportunity, so he leaned closer to her, feeling her soft body against his, inhaling the enticing fragrance that wafted from her. His expression turned almost indulgent.
In that moment, their intimate posture drew the gaze of passersby, who naturally assumed they were a couple in love. Several men, harboring hopes of winning over the beautiful woman, left dejectedly, unable to bear the blow.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tie Wan's face flushed with embarrassment as she pushed the rogue away from her.
"That question is more fitting for me to ask! Before I could speak, you were already crying foul? I was about to ask why you were holding me so close—are you hoping to become my wife? Fine! Just share your measurements with me and send over a few revealing photos. If I find them appealing..."
"Are you ever going to be quiet? Let me tell you, I have no time to indulge in your nonsense." Tie Wan interrupted him with a frown.
"See, you're stealing my lines again. Don't think playing a double agent makes you impressive; do you believe I won't create a scene that'll draw everyone's attention? While I'm not one for gossip, I share the same curiosity as anyone else. Why are you looking at me like that? Here's the deal: if you treat me to a meal, I might just forget about this little incident. As they say, 'A favor received is a favor owed.' And you could even part with a few of your police-issued gadgets for fun; I don't need much—just a handful of pistols would do. Simple enough, right?" Xiang Ri shamelessly pressed on, exploiting the situation for his gain.