The eccentric youth shrank back, seemingly intimidated by the handsome leader, and muttered softly to the icy beauty behind him, "Why does the boss always look so lifeless?"
"Still haven't had enough beatings, have you? Daring to badmouth the boss behind his back," the icy beauty glared at him.
"How could I? I was just saying how handsome the boss is..." the eccentric youth hastily explained. Despite the leader's harmless appearance, when it came to actual combat, he was utterly formidable. The youth had no desire to suffer another gratuitous thrashing.
"Really?" The tall youth on the left suddenly interjected, his tone dripping with amusement. "Why do I feel like you were saying something rather unpleasant about the boss?"
"Hey, Hei, what's that supposed to mean?" the eccentric youth retorted indignantly. He cast a sidelong glance at their leader and, seeing no reaction on his face, breathed a sigh of relief before turning back to the icy beauty. "Lan, didn't you take on a similar assignment last time? I heard that the brat you were guarding even tried to flirt with you?"
"That's right," the icy beauty replied coolly, her eyes flashing with murderous intent at the mention of "flirt." "But that brat won't be interested in women ever again."
A foreboding feeling swept over the eccentric youth. "No way… Don't tell me you..." He made a slicing gesture mid-sentence.
"Where is your mind wandering, idiot?" The icy beauty shot him another glare before continuing in an unnervingly casual tone. "I simply hypnotized him into becoming gay."
"Far worse than I imagined," the eccentric youth muttered, his face morphing into an expression of resigned acceptance. Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, he brightened. "Lan, why not try something new this time? Hypnotize this guy into thinking he's a dog. Who knows? It might lead to some unexpected entertainment."
"Idiot!" For the third time, the icy beauty glared at him. "You need to understand—our job is to protect him, not mess with him. If anything goes wrong, who will take responsibility?"
She paused, her expression turning contemplative. "Of course, if this new charge turns out to be as despicable as the last one, I wouldn't mind taking action again."
"Rest assured," the eccentric youth said with an air of confidence, "in my twenty-something years of experience, these pampered second-generation heirs can't help but misbehave around a beauty like you. When that happens, you'll have every reason to act—how thrilling!"
The icy beauty remained silent, her gaze growing colder. The eccentric youth was about to speak again when the handsome leader suddenly interrupted, "Have you all not caused enough trouble yet?"
The eccentric youth stiffened at once.
"I'll say this again: our mission this time is covert protection. Under no circumstances are we to interact with the target. Is that clear?" Though his tone remained as calm as ever, it struck his three companions like a bolt of lightning.
"Understood!" The three responded in unison.
"Good." The handsome leader nodded in satisfaction, taking a few more steps before adding, "Of course, if the target does have numerous flaws, I wouldn't mind if you helped him correct them."
The eccentric youth's spirits lifted at this. It seemed the boss wasn't entirely devoid of humanity. He eagerly patted his chest and promised, "Boss, don't worry! I love helping people fix their flaws. I guarantee he'll be completely satisfied!"
"It's you I trust the least..." The handsome leader halted, casting a cool glance at the eccentric youth before resuming his stride. Without turning back, he added, "If it weren't for your excessive methods last time, a task that simple wouldn't have dragged on for weeks. Tell me, how can I trust you now?"
"Boss, I know I was wrong that time, but that guy didn't even spare small children..." the eccentric youth began to protest, only for the leader to cut him off. "I don't need excuses. All I care about is efficiency. If the same problem arises again, don't expect to join me on future missions."
"Boss, I swear it won't happen again this time!" The eccentric youth clenched his fists tightly.
"Let's hope so," the handsome leader replied, quickening his pace.
After lunch, the group headed back to school for classes. The only thing that irked Xiang Ri was the presence of a certain girl named An, who had tagged along. Her excuse? She had no classes in the afternoon and found staying home alone unbearably boring. So, shamelessly, she decided to become a third wheel.
Xiang Ri couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment, his teeth practically itching with annoyance. The privilege of basking in the company of two beauties should have been his alone, yet An's unwelcome intrusion had robbed him of it. Watching her cheerfully chatting with Chuchu and his apprentice up ahead, he was already hatching plans in his mind to send her packing as soon as possible.
"Xiang Kui!" A familiar voice called out just as they stepped onto the campus grounds.
"Teacher Song?" Xiang Ri was slightly taken aback as he turned to see Song Qiuheng standing before him. Perhaps he had grown accustomed to his current identity, for addressing her now felt far less awkward than before.
Their exchange quickly caught the attention of the three girls ahead. Noticing that Xiang Ri was talking to a strikingly beautiful woman, they hurriedly turned back, feigning curious expressions as though eager to know what was happening.
"Oh, it's Teacher Song." Approaching closer, they recognized her as the school's renowned beauty. Chuchu and Shi Qing were momentarily surprised but also relieved to set aside their earlier concerns.
"Hello, everyone!" Song Qiuheng greeted the trio warmly.
"Hello, Teacher Song!" Chuchu and Shi Qing responded promptly, not daring to be impolite.
Only An Xin turned her head coldly to the side, ignoring the greeting entirely. For reasons she couldn't explain, a wave of unease washed over her heart the moment she saw this woman's mature, stunning face.
Song Qiuheng had no idea what she might have done to offend this tomboyish girl, but she wasn't bothered. She simply smiled and let it pass.
She was long accustomed to seeing various girls around this particular student. Privately, she acknowledged that he indeed possessed a unique charm, one that went beyond conventional good looks. There was something about him—a quality others didn't have—that naturally drew people in.
Moreover, he was always eager to help others. Just recalling the events at the hospital that day, she couldn't help but feel grateful. If it hadn't been for him, she might have fallen for that doctor's deceit.
Thinking of this, Song Qiuheng's heart grew restless once more, especially when she remembered the decisive action he had taken then. It was uncannily reminiscent of someone she could never forget.
"Teacher Song, is there something you need from me?" Seeing her lost in thought, Xiang Ri assumed she was troubled again and couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, no!" Song Qiuheng snapped out of her daze and immediately smiled with gratitude. "I came today to thank you, Xiang Kui, for your help the other day."
"It was nothing, really." Xiang Ri scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. In truth, he felt deeply indebted to the woman before him. If possible, he hoped to make up for his past shortcomings. "By the way, how's your younger brother doing?"
"He's much better now, thank you so much!" Song Qiuheng expressed her gratitude once again before adding as if she had just remembered something, "Oh, and I've already transferred my brother to another hospital. As for the money you lent me, I'll repay it as soon as possible."
"Oh, I'm in no hurry. Really, not the slightest bit. You can return it whenever you like—even ten or twenty years later, it's no problem," Xiang Ri said nonchalantly. He had initially intended to tell her she didn't need to repay him, but knowing her steadfast nature, he quickly opted for a different phrasing that conveyed the same essence.
"Thank you," Song Qiuheng replied, fully understanding the unspoken generosity in his words. She silently vowed to repay the money as soon as she had the means.
"Hey, Xiang Kui! Are you going to class or not? If you keep dawdling, you'll be late." Lady An, standing beside him, could no longer bear it. They had already spent far too long on this woman, and she had no intention of letting it drag on further.
"What's your rush? There's still plenty of time before class starts," Xiang Ri retorted with a glare. This girl had a knack for stirring trouble—didn't she realize that her words might drive the other person away?
And sure enough, Song Qiuheng offered a faint smile and said, "Since your class is about to begin, I won't keep you any longer. Goodbye!"
"Goodbye!" Xiang Ri waved after her, watching as her figure disappeared into the distance with a trace of melancholy in her step. Suddenly, he turned around, fixing An Xin with a fierce glare. "An Xin, get lost!"
Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the school, ignoring the tears welling in her eyes and the trembling of her entire body.
"Stop right there!" A shout came from afar as a group of burly young men rushed over, swiftly surrounding Xiang Ri.