Life had returned to its tranquil rhythm. During the National Day holiday, Xiang Ri scarcely stepped outside, indulging in a period of undisturbed leisure. During the day, he would playfully tease his increasingly ambiguous disciple, while the nights were reserved for exploring the "meaning of life" with Miss Chu in their room.
However, this peaceful interlude came to an abrupt end on the morning of the 7th, thanks to Miss Chu. Eagerly anticipating a class reunion, she paid no heed to Xiang Ri's reluctance. After meticulously dressing herself, she impatiently urged the man still lounging in bed to escort her to the gathering.
"You're finally here," called out the fiery-tempered He Xiuxiu as she approached the moment they stepped out of the car. Her striking figure turned heads even from afar.
"We're not late, are we?" Xiang Ri, aware of Miss Chu's presence by his side, kept a respectful distance, refraining from paying attention to the allure of the other woman's sultry figure.
"Just barely," replied He Xiuxiu, her usual brashness tempered into a semblance of ladylike decorum, though her first words had already betrayed the act. Her eyes darted between the two exquisite women accompanying Xiang Ri, curiosity lighting up her gaze. "So, Flower Boy, which one is your girlfriend? They're both stunning!"
Clearing his throat, Xiang Ri stole a glance at Miss Chu, who was clinging to his arm. Seeing her expression remain serene despite the remark, he relaxed and introduced them. "This is my girlfriend, Chu Chu. And this," he added, motioning toward the disciple standing demurely to the side in a flowing dress, hands clasped over a delicate purse, "is my disciple."
"Hello!" He Xiuxiu greeted them with a smile, though disbelief filled her heart. The timid, cowardly classmate she once knew now had a breathtakingly beautiful girlfriend and a disciple with poise to rival a noblewoman?
"Hello," Chu Chu responded politely, evidently pleased with Xiang Ri's composed demeanor. Yet her fingers "accidentally" dug into his arm—a subtle punishment for the nickname "Flower Boy," which he had conveniently failed to mention.
Shi Qing merely offered a slight nod, her manner polite and reserved.
With introductions concluded, He Xiuxiu led them into the hotel. As luck would have it, the venue was none other than the same hotel where Xiang Ri had recently taught a certain "cousin" a lesson.
As He Xiuxiu guided the group toward the private room, she couldn't help but steal glances at their reactions. To her astonishment, the luxurious grandeur of the five-star hotel elicited no awe from them. Instead, they exuded an air of casual ease, as if strolling through a familiar space.
Though they had been classmates for only a year in high school, He Xiuxiu had some knowledge of Xiang Ri's family circumstances. A place like this—let alone a five-star establishment—was something he could scarcely have accessed, not even the more modest three- or four-star venues.
But now, his nonchalance suggested he was well accustomed to such opulent settings. How else could he remain so unaffected? If not for a benefactor footing the bill, she wouldn't have considered coming here herself; the cost was far beyond her means.
Her curiosity deepened as she observed the two women accompanying him. Their impeccable attire and the designer handbags they carried—items she had long admired in exclusive boutiques but could never afford—spoke volumes of their status.
"We're here," He Xiuxiu announced as they reached the private room. She cracked the door open slightly, and a burst of laughter and chatter spilled out. Someone inside shouted, "Another classmate has arrived!" A flurry of footsteps followed, and the door swung wide open.
"Xiuxiu's brought another classmate," said a short man wearing trendy purple-framed glasses. His lively eyes and energetic demeanor made him seem restless by nature.
Unfazed by his antics, He Xiuxiu retorted, "If you know classmates are here, Monkey, why don't you move aside?"
"Yes, yes," Monkey replied, but as he turned to step aside, his gaze fell on the two stunning women behind her. His eyes lit up. "Are they our classmates too?"
"Where's your sense of observation? They're not our classmates. This one is," He Xiuxiu replied, pulling Xiang Ri forward.
"Hello," Xiang Ri greeted politely, extending his hand. Though this man shared a name with a certain unkempt hooligan he knew, the coincidence sparked a faint sense of goodwill.
"Hello," Monkey responded with an awkward smile before blurting out, "And you are…?"
Before Xiang Ri could answer, He Xiuxiu cut in, playfully scolding, "You nosy monkey! Stop asking so many questions. I'll introduce everyone once we're inside."
"Ah, yes, yes, please come in," Monkey stammered, stepping aside hastily to let them pass.
"Wow, beauties!" someone exclaimed as the newcomers entered, instantly redirecting all attention to the group. Gasps of amazement erupted as people took in Chu Chu and Shi Qing's breathtaking appearances. Their already exquisite features, accentuated by light makeup, left the crowd in awe.
"Xiuxiu, they can't possibly be our former classmates, can they? What a transformation—like swans from cygnets!" said a tall, handsome man as he stepped forward. Though he directed his question to He Xiuxiu, his eyes were fixed on the two dazzling women.
"Stop," He Xiuxiu commanded with a gesture, her gaze sharp and unwelcoming as she faced the tall man. "Boss Ma, don't get the wrong idea. They're not our classmates…" She paused, a mysterious smile playing on her lips, clearly enjoying the suspense. Even her closest friends, seated among the group, looked on in curiosity.
"Then who are they?" Ma Tianhao pressed, undeterred by her cryptic demeanor.
"Let's introduce our classmate first," He Xiuxiu replied, gesturing toward Xiang Ri, who had been largely ignored. "This is our high school classmate, Lan Xuan's former deskmate—the bookworm Xiang Kui!"
"What? He's the bookworm?"
"My goodness, the bookworm?"
"Why is he here? Isn't he uncomfortable in such a lively place?" The room erupted once more at the revelation, triggered by a fiery girl in the crowd.
"Enough, everyone," He Xiuxiu interrupted with a wave of her hand. "Now, let me introduce these two beauties." Her tone brimmed with pride as she reveled in the captivated attention of the room.
The promise of an introduction to two beauties immediately silenced the crowd, their ears straining for every word.
"This is Miss Chu Chu," He Xiuxiu said, pulling Chu Chu forward, whose face had turned crimson. Just as everyone was marveling at her beauty, He Xiuxiu dropped a bombshell. "She's the bookworm's girlfriend."
The revelation was like a boulder crashing into a serene lake, sending ripples of shock through the crowd.
All eyes turned to Xiang Ri, their expressions now layered with disbelief, as if witnessing a delicate flower inexplicably blooming in a barren wasteland.
Ignoring their reactions, He Xiuxiu pointed to Shi Qing and continued, "And this is the bookworm's disciple. Her name is…" She suddenly faltered, turning to Xiang Ri for assistance. "What's her name again?"
"Shi Qing," Xiang Ri replied calmly. Truth be told, he felt a touch exasperated by the vivacious He Xiuxiu. Yet, he couldn't muster any real anger—perhaps because he considered it beneath him to argue with a woman, or perhaps because the envy radiating from his former "classmates" as they glanced at his companions filled him with quiet satisfaction.
"Oh, Miss Shi Qing," He Xiuxiu announced loudly.
But by now, no one was paying attention to her words. Instead, their focus remained squarely on Xiang Ri, their eyes brimming with unconcealed envy.
Ma Tianhao's face darkened momentarily before he replaced it with a broad smile, stepping toward Xiang Ri. "Xiang Kui, it's been years. You've grown taller," he said, though his gaze deliberately flitted toward Chu Chu and Shi Qing standing on either side of him.
From the earlier interaction between the fiery woman and this man, Xiang Ri easily deduced that this was the same scoundrel surnamed Ma who, back in school, had bullied "him" mercilessly. Watching him leer at his female companions now only deepened Xiang Ri's disdain. While he was already planning to teach this man a lesson after the reunion, he knew better than to act impulsively with so many old "classmates" present. Masking his hostility with a false smile, he replied, "Ah, it's Ma! You've grown taller too."
Ma Tianhao froze for a moment, clearly not expecting this response. Recovering quickly, he scrutinized Xiang Ri with a contemptuous smirk that could make anyone bristle. "You've changed, Xiang Kui. You never would've dared speak to me like this before."
Sensing the tension, He Xiuxiu hurriedly intervened to diffuse the situation. "Alright, alright! Everyone's here now, so let's get started. I'm starving!" She deftly grabbed Chu Chu and Shi Qing—both visibly annoyed by Ma's tone—and led them toward the table with the most girls.
Xiang Ri cast Ma a meaningful glance before following them. To his pleasant surprise, He Xiuxiu had arranged a seat for him between Chu Chu and Shi Qing, a setup that satisfied him immensely. This small gesture also raised his opinion of the fiery woman.
Meanwhile, Ma Tianhao, now being ignored—especially by someone he had once bullied relentlessly—felt his anger and jealousy intensify. Seeing Xiang Ri flanked by two exceptional beauties only added fuel to his resentment. His forced smile faltered, and he stomped toward the same table, his expression stormy.
"Sorry! This table is full. You'll have to sit elsewhere," He Xiuxiu announced, cutting him off before he could get any closer.
"Can't I just swap seats with someone?" Ma Tianhao retorted, fixing his gaze on a scrawny young man.
The poor boy trembled, standing up despite He Xiuxiu's frantic attempts to signal him otherwise. Stammering, he said, "I'll switch with you, Brother Ma."
"Good," Ma Tianhao replied coldly, shoving the boy aside before taking his seat directly across from Xiang Ri.
"What exactly did I do to make him hate me so much?" Xiang Ri muttered, seizing a moment when the fiery woman was distracted. His voice was low, but with Chu Chu sitting between them, it was just audible.
He Xiuxiu glanced at the quiet girl beside her and said, "Back in high school, you were desk mates with Xiao Xuan. During one self-study session, he wanted to switch seats with you, but you refused. After that, he started giving you trouble every day."
"Is that so?" Xiang Ri turned his gaze toward the demure and delicate girl sitting nearby. She was the first to recognize him in the mall and was undeniably beautiful, with a fragile air that inspired protectiveness. No wonder that scoundrel had been so petty over a seating arrangement.
"Who's Xiao Xuan?" Chu Chu, ever attuned to their conversation, couldn't hide her curiosity at the mention of another woman's name.
Her voice was loud enough to catch Ma Tianhao's attention. Already straining to eavesdrop, he seized the opportunity to stir up trouble. "Xiao Xuan? Haha, you must mean Lan Xuan! Look, there she is—right next to the fiery one." He pointed toward the quiet girl with a smug grin. "She was Xiang Kui's girlfriend in high school."
"That's nonsense!" Lan Xuan, her face flushed with embarrassment, protested indignantly.
"Alright, Xiao Xuan, don't take his words seriously," He Xiuxiu said, pulling the flustered girl into a comforting embrace.
Xiang Ri clenched his fists, teetering on the edge of losing control. He was no longer just planning to teach Ma a lesson; he was ready to cripple him if given the chance.
Chu Chu, already disgusted by Ma's behavior, scoffed at his obvious attempt to sow discord. Her expression icy, she remarked, "I can tell what's true and what's false." The biting sarcasm in her tone was unmistakable. Then, turning toward the teary-eyed Lan Xuan, she offered a kind smile.
What Ma had intended as a calculated jab ended up backfiring spectacularly. Realizing he had humiliated himself instead, even his thick skin couldn't shield him from the shame. With a resentful glare at the woman who had insulted him, he rose and stalked away.
"The repulsive fellow is finally gone; now we can enjoy our meal in peace," He Xiuxiu announced without reserve, raising a glass of wine and exclaiming, "Cheers!" The table erupted in lively responses, the atmosphere immediately lightened and became far more enjoyable than it had been in the presence of a certain obnoxious individual.
Reluctantly, Xiang Ri raised his glass after a subtle pinch from Miss Chu. He lost count of the clinks before finally downing the drink in one go.
Originally, there were two men at this table, but one had already been scared off, leaving Xiang Ri as the sole male, and naturally, the prime target for the women's relentless attempts to get him drunk. Even Miss Chu joined in, urging him mercilessly to drink without a shred of compassion.
Xiang Ri suspected she hadn't entirely let go of the comment made earlier by a certain scoundrel. To dispel any potential schemes brewing in her mind, he resolutely drank every drop offered.
Fortunately, it was only beer, which for someone with his tolerance felt no different from water. However, a new issue emerged—his bladder, now painfully full from all the liquid intake, urgently demanded relief.
After notifying the tipsy Chu Xiaoniu, and taking the opportunity to "accidentally" brush against his obedient protégé's firm curves, Xiang Ri turned and left the private room. A passing waiter informed him that the restroom was located at the corner of the hallway.
When he reached the designated spot, Xiang Ri was taken aback to find a queue stretching outside the restroom.
How was this possible? A line for the men's room? To make matters stranger, the queue consisted entirely of women. Yet Xiang Ri was certain the sign on the door clearly indicated it was the men's restroom. Were these women illiterate?
Uncertain of the situation, Xiang Ri hesitated, suspecting the hotel staff might have made an error.
After observing for a moment, he finally discerned the truth: these women weren't queuing to use the restroom. They faced outward, their expressions vigilant, exuding a distinct air of discipline and ferocity.
"Seriously?" Xiang Ri cursed silently. These women weren't ordinary; their stances betrayed professional training. Each exuded an aura of toughness that made their purpose clear—they were bodyguards.
It didn't take much imagination to deduce that they were likely the entourage of some wealthy, entitled scion. But having a group of female bodyguards stand guard outside a restroom—how excessive could one get?
"Excuse me, please move aside," Xiang Ri, now desperate, decided to breach their formation.
"Step back!" the lead bodyguard, a tall Black woman, barked in broken Mandarin.
"What did you say? I can't even use the restroom?" Xiang Ri retorted indignantly.
"Sir, if you do not leave, don't blame us for taking action," she threatened coldly.
"Oh? I'd like to see how you plan to stop me." No sooner had the words left Xiang Ri's mouth than a sleek, compact pistol was pointed at him. Its barrel, though smaller than usual, left no doubt about its lethal potential.
"Okay, okay, let's talk this out," Xiang Ri conceded immediately, raising his hands. "I'll leave, alright?"
Faced with a gun, there was little choice but to retreat. A pity he didn't have his own powerful weapon on him; otherwise, he'd have given them a lesson they wouldn't forget.
As he was preparing to back away, a seductive voice emanated from inside the restroom. "What's going on out there?"
"A woman?" Xiang Ri was stunned. It wasn't the lascivious man he had imagined, but rather a woman using the men's restroom?
The door opened, and out stepped a strikingly beautiful woman.
Clearly of mixed heritage, her black eyes contrasted with her golden hair cascading to her waist. Standing at over 1.7 meters, she was nearly eye level with Xiang Ri, though her shimmering silver heels made her seem even taller. Her figure was flawless—ample in all the right places and impeccably proportioned. Coupled with her angelic face, she exuded an irresistible allure.
She wore a sleeveless black silk top and silver shorts, exposing her slender, alabaster legs.
"Perfection," was Xiang Ri's immediate impression. The woman's age was hard to pinpoint; she seemed youthful, yet her mature charm was undeniable. Her oversized circular earrings added a touch of exotic elegance.
There was no mistaking it—she had indeed exited the men's restroom. Xiang Ri's eyes weren't deceiving him. The problem, therefore, lay with her. Could it be a peculiar fetish? Or was she... a transgender person? Xiang Ri speculated maliciously, oblivious to her curious gaze upon him.
"Sir, my apologies. Did my bodyguards offend you?" the blonde beauty asked with a slight smile.
"They most certainly did!" Xiang Ri replied bluntly, showing no courtesy.
The woman appeared momentarily taken aback by his unrefined demeanor but quickly composed herself. Suppressing her irritation, she said, "Then I sincerely apologize on their behalf."
"Forget it. I'm not in the mood to argue. Can you move aside now?" Xiang Ri responded magnanimously, as if granting her a favor.
"Please," the blonde woman said, stepping aside graciously. "Once again, I apologize for our rudeness."
"No problem, just leave," Xiang Ri waved them off dismissively before striding into the restroom. If not for the stunning woman's apology, he would never have let this go. Someone pulling a gun on him? He wouldn't have hesitated to settle the score later.
"Your Majesty, why did you lower yourself to that yellow-skinned monkey…"
"Shani!" a sharp rebuke cut her off. "Remember, this isn't our country. We must remain polite. And tell me, did you threaten someone with a gun again?"
"..."
The restroom door had yet to close completely, and Xiang Ri overheard their conversation. Though spoken in French, unfortunately for them, French happened to be his second language.
"Your Majesty?" Was she a queen? Perhaps even the ruler of a nation? And yet she had a penchant for using men's restrooms?