Xiang Ri arrived as promised at No. 58 of the Zhenlong Villa District. However, his timing was less than ideal, as entry to the event required an invitation.
Lacking one, he was unsurprisingly stopped at the entrance by two imposing security guards. Meanwhile, the elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies passing by cast him disdainful glances, their aloof expressions seeming to question how a beggar could possibly think of attending such a prestigious social gathering.
Anger simmered within Xiang Ri as he endured the contempt of these snobbish onlookers. At the same time, he couldn't help but blame Hao Meng for not informing him about the event or ensuring he had an invitation. His annoyance deepened as he thought about how this oversight had left him to be humiliated like a spectacle for others' amusement. Frustrated, he reluctantly took out his phone. Fortunately, the girl had called him the previous night, so he had her number saved.
Dialing her number, Xiang Ri tersely said he was outside, then hung up without another word.
It wasn't long before Hao Meng appeared, hurrying out in a snow-white princess gown. When she saw her teacher standing outside with a dark expression, she immediately bowed and apologized profusely. "Teacher, I'm so sorry. Please don't be angry, okay? It's my fault. Next time, I'll make sure to notify you beforehand. Will you forgive me this once?"
Seeing her pitiful demeanor, Xiang Ri, though aware of her feigned innocence, felt his anger soften. Still, he maintained a stern tone. "There won't be a next time. This is your last chance."
Hao Meng stuck out her tongue playfully. "Yes, yes, Teacher. Please come in." She bent slightly, gesturing for him to enter first with a playful curtsy.
Unperturbed, Xiang Ri strode inside. With the young mistress herself as his escort, the security guards dared not impede his entry, allowing him to pass unchallenged.
Those self-proclaimed members of the upper class, who had previously looked down on him, now watched with astonishment. Their curiosity was piqued by this seemingly shabby young man who could prompt the hostess herself to come out, bowing and apologizing. Their disdain quickly gave way to intrigue, though many inwardly scoffed at his apparent lack of decorum—attending such an event without changing into appropriate attire!
Hao Meng led her teacher directly to her room. Once she locked the door, she twirled around in front of him like a treasure on display. "Teacher, do I look beautiful now?"
Earlier, Xiang Ri had been too irked to notice, but her question prompted him to take a closer look.
The well-fitted snow-white gown perfectly complemented her natural cuteness, leaving no doubt about her charm. Hao Meng had applied light makeup, giving her face a more mature look that masked her youthful inexperience.
The dress hugged her form, accentuating her budding figure. What had once been a mere little girl now appeared as a lovely young lady.
Although Xiang Ri silently admired her transformation, he remained outwardly calm. "Yes, you look beautiful."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up with delight, her smile nearly closing her eyes.
But his next words quickly dampened her spirits. "However, I think the dress is more beautiful than you."
Her face fell instantly as she stared at him with a wounded expression. "Teacher, you're terrible at lying. You were clearly staring at my chest just now, and yet you still say such things to hurt me."
Xiang Ri was caught between laughter and exasperation. How sharp were her eyes? He had only glanced briefly!
Caution replaced amusement as he remembered just how shrewd this girl could be. Realizing he had been exposed, Xiang Ri decided not to deflate her any further. "Fine, I admit it—you are indeed beautiful."
"Yay!" She beamed again, clearly satisfied. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she asked, "Teacher, who do you think is prettier—me or Zeng Nan? You have to tell the truth!"
Xiang Ri pondered for a moment before answering impartially, "You're both equally beautiful."
"I knew you would say that." The little girl seemed to have expected him to say this. She looked at him with her bright dark eyes and said in a seductive tone, "Teacher, do you want to kiss me?" As she spoke, the little girl licked her lips.
Xiang Ri was momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained his composure. As his gaze fell upon the girl's vivid, crimson lips, he could not help but salivate. This girl was truly remarkable—so young, yet already skilled in the art of seduction. If she were to mature, she would undoubtedly be a force capable of bringing ruin to nations.
Before he could continue his musings, the girl spoke again, her voice playful. "Teacher, do you want it or not?"
"Yes!" The opportunity was too tempting to resist. Xiang Ri, though aware that taking it would come at a cost, was beyond caring at that moment.
As expected, the girl revealed her intention. "Then tell me, who do you think is more beautiful, me or Zeng Nan?"
"Of course, it is you," Xiang Ri said, his voice dripping with flattery, already anticipating his gain. However, just as he thought he was about to indulge himself, another voice rang out from across the room. "That doesn't count! You're cheating!" Suddenly, the wardrobe door creaked open, and another girl emerged, none other than Zeng Nan.
"Who said that? The teacher himself said I'm more beautiful than you!" Hao Meng retorted, clinging to her point with determination.
"You're cheating! If you hadn't said that, how could my brother have claimed you were prettier than me?" Zeng Nan's face was flushed with indignation.
"It's the truth! The teacher himself said it, you heard him just now."
"That's because you're cheating!"
"I'm not!"
"You are!"
Watching the two girls bicker relentlessly, Xiang Ri finally understood. He had been thoroughly outmaneuvered by these two little girls, and without a shred of anger to show for it.
The two girls likely sensed that their argument was futile. Suddenly, Hao Meng grabbed the still-dazed Xiang Ri, pointing at Zeng Nan. "Teacher, I'll kiss you now, and you'll say I'm prettier than her."
Zeng Nan, unwilling to be outdone, seized Xiang Ri's other hand and shot Hao Meng a sideways glance. "You think you're the only one who can do that? I can kiss Big Brother too." Turning to Xiang Ri, she added, "Big Brother, if you say I'm more beautiful, I'll give you two kisses."
"Hey, don't copy me. I said it first!" Hao Meng retorted, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Hmph," Zeng Nan huffed arrogantly, then suddenly leaned in and kissed Xiang Ri on the cheek. "Big Brother, I kissed you, now you must say I'm more beautiful than Hao Meng."
Furious, Hao Meng shot back, "Zeng Nan, you're the one cheating! How dare you accuse me of that! Shameless!" With that, she too pressed her lips to Xiang Ri's cheek, planting two quick kisses. "Teacher, I gave you one more kiss than she did, now say I'm prettier than her!"
"I'll give you three!" Zeng Nan wasn't ready to concede defeat. With a mischievous grin, she kissed Xiang Ri three times in quick succession.
Hao Meng: "I'll give you four."
Zeng Nan: "I'll give you five."
"...."
Xiang Ri felt as though he were lost in a haze. The competitive antics of the two girls had showered him with gentleness, but in the end, both his cheeks were dampened by their kisses.
However, being treated like an object, pushed back and forth between the two girls, left him with a twinge of discomfort. Seizing the moment when one of them was distracted, her lips busy planting kisses on his cheek, he suddenly pulled her into an embrace, turning his face to claim her lips in a kiss.
At first, the girl in his arms struggled slightly, but after a while, she seemed to surrender, her response awkward yet tender.
Only when she could no longer breathe did Xiang Ri pull away, his gaze falling upon the girl in his arms—Zeng Nan. Hao Meng, standing off to the side, looked on, wide-eyed and dazed. When their teacher turned his head toward her, a sense of foreboding rose within her, and she instinctively tried to flee.
But before she could escape, her arm was seized, caught in the act. Then, with no warning, a large face descended upon hers.
"Mm—" Another long kiss followed, and only when the girl could no longer catch her breath did Xiang Ri release her.
The two girls, faces flushed crimson, exclaimed in unison, "Big Brother, Teacher, you're taking advantage of us!"
"How dare you say that?" Xiang Ri feigned anger, "It was you two who took advantage of me first, and so many times at that. I only had one, is that fair?"
"Then tell us, who's more beautiful?" The two girls exchanged a sharp, challenging glare.
"Uh..." Xiang Ri appeared to be deep in thought. After a long pause, he finally made a painful decision. "Alright, here's the deal: each of you kiss me a thousand times, and then I'll tell you who's prettier."
Before he could even finish, the two girls, as if in perfect synchrony, each hurled a pillow at him.
Hao Meng: "Perverted teacher!"
Zeng Nan: "Bastard Big Brother!"