Ten minutes later, Xiaowan sat on the balcony of a second-floor room in the villa, dangling her legs outside the railing, swinging them back and forth as she gazed down at the garden below.
Chen Xin approached Ye Chen, who was standing by the bushes in the garden, holding an ice pack given to him by a maid. Handing it to Ye Chen, he asked, "Feeling better?"
Ye Chen turned his head, glaring at him indignantly. "You try getting kicked in the crotch and see if you recover this quickly!"
Chen Xin apologized with a guilty expression. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect this to happen."
"Chen Xin, are you out of your mind? It wasn't you who kicked me—it was Lin Xiaowan! What are you apologizing for?"
Chen Xin hesitated to explain what had happened under the table earlier. That ambiguous moment was too awkward to put into words. So, he offered a vague excuse: "I can guarantee you that Xiaowan didn't do it on purpose. Please don't blame her."
But Ye Chen was unconvinced, grinding his teeth in frustration. "Not on purpose? Yeah, right! She definitely did it on purpose! When I arrived earlier today, she let your dog loose on me, aiming for my crotch! I dodged it, but apparently, she wasn't satisfied and kicked me under the table! You know what? Thanks to her, I can forget about hooking up with anyone for the next week! She's pure evil, man. Get rid of her, or I swear I'll consider cutting ties with you!"
Listening to his friend's incessant complaints, which grew more agitated by the second, Chen Xin felt his head pounding. Blushing slightly, he decided to come clean. "She wasn't aiming at you."
"What?"
"She… She was actually rubbing her foot against my leg. I tried to push her away, but it ended up hitting you instead," Chen Xin confessed awkwardly.
Ye Chen froze for a moment before realization dawned on him. His face twisted into even greater fury. "Damn it! So I took the hit for you?"
"I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean for this to happen."
Ye Chen sighed heavily, visibly calming down. "Fine, fine. I guess it wasn't your fault. But seriously, Chen Xin, listen to me: you can't handle a woman like her. Let her go before it's too late!"
"Why do you say that?"
"I'll put it simply for you," Ye Chen said, gesturing emphatically. "If dating were a game, you'd be a newbie who hasn't even left the starter zone, and Lin Xiaowan would be the final boss of the entire map. You're unarmed, unskilled, and you think you can take on the boss? You're asking for trouble. Give it up. Let me set you up with some easy targets to practice on first."
Chen Xin shook his head with a smile. "First of all, I don't agree with your analogy that compares love to a game. I don't think the two are comparable. Second, I don't believe in categorizing women or treating relationships as a way to 'level up.' Love is about emotional investment. Once you're truly in it, you won't care whether she's an easy target or a boss. And finally, even if I were to entertain your gaming analogy, bosses are rare and valuable. I'm not letting such a remarkable woman slip away. When you encountered a boss in a game, would you run away or try your best to defeat it?"
Ye Chen was momentarily speechless.
After a long pause, he reluctantly said, "Fine, but don't get too emotionally involved. Women like her don't have hearts. You'll only end up hurt."
"Xiaowan isn't heartless," Chen Xin countered. "She just pretends to be carefree. I can tell."
"You don't know a damn thing," Ye Chen grumbled. "You're just—"
Up on the balcony, Xiaowan squinted her eyes at Ye Chen's endless chatter and muttered, "Men who talk too much are the worst."
Removing an elastic band from her wrist, she took out a cigarette from her pocket and lit it. Placing the cigarette on the elastic band, she formed a makeshift slingshot, aimed it at Ye Chen's annoying head, and fired.
"So trust me on this, man. You can fool around with Lin Xiaowan, but don't fall for her, and definitely don't spoil her. She needs to know that only by listening to you will she get what she wants. Otherwise—"
Chen Xin, already half-distracted, suddenly noticed a spark on Ye Chen's head. He interrupted him urgently, "Your head's on fire!"
Ye Chen rolled his eyes. "What kind of excuse is that? I'm not done talking!"
"No, really! Your head is actually on fire!"
Still skeptical, Ye Chen was about to retort when he felt a burning sensation on his scalp. Yelping in pain, he realized his hair was singed. Thankfully, Chen Xin reacted quickly, using his shirt to extinguish the embers.
"What the hell just happened?" Ye Chen muttered, clutching his burnt patch of hair. He spotted a still-smoking cigarette butt on the ground. Since he hadn't been smoking, where could it have come from?
Scanning the area, his eyes landed on Xiaowan, who was waving at him innocently from the second-floor balcony.
"Lin Xiaowan, are you trying to kill me? I just got my hair cut!" Ye Chen shouted furiously.
Xiaowan replied nonchalantly, "Not my fault! A sudden gust of wind must have blown the cigarette butt onto your head. Even the heavens seem to disapprove of some people saying such awful things."
"What gust of wind? You threw it on purpose!"
"I already said it wasn't me. Besides, with a face like yours, does it matter if you have hair or not?"
"You—!"
As Ye Chen teetered on the verge of a breakdown, Chen Xin quickly intervened. "Alright, alright, it must've been an accident. She's so far away—how could she possibly throw it that far?"
Reluctantly, Ye Chen glanced at the distance and conceded. "Fine! But I can't stay here any longer. First, she kicks me; now, she sets me on fire. What's next—will she try to kill me?"
Xiaowan chimed in cheerfully from the balcony, "Quite possibly! So, you'd better leave. Don't let the door hit you on your way out!"
"You—!" Ye Chen seethed, pointing at her in frustration. "Lin Xiaowan, you just wait!"
"Waiting! Come bite me if you dare!"
"Hmph!" Ye Chen stormed off in a huff. Chen Xin gave Xiaowan a helpless glance before running after his friend to see him out.
When he returned, Chen Xin found Xiaowan lounging in her room. Pulling her to her feet, he chided her, "Didn't I tell you to wear more? Why are you still in a skirt?"
"Because, like your dear friend said, I'm just a gold digger fishing for men. Showing some leg is part of the bait," Xiaowan replied airily.
Chen Xin sighed, stepping closer to embrace her gently. "I know you're not like that. I can't change how others see you right now, but please trust me—I'll try my best."
Resting her head against his shirt, Xiaowan murmured, "You men are all the same, just good at sweet-talking."
"I'm not just talking," Chen Xin promised softly. Then, noticing a faint smell of smoke, he touched her face lightly. "Smoking's bad for you. Promise me you'll try to cut back, okay?"
"Nope," Xiaowan said, pouting. "Unless you kiss me."
Smiling, Chen Xin leaned down and kissed her. Xiaowan responded hungrily, her kisses bold and insistent.
Though inexperienced, Chen Xin learned quickly, and soon their kisses grew more heated. As they moved to the bed, Xiaowan straddled him, tugging at his shirt—only for him to stop her.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, frustration flashing in her eyes.
"Not yet," he said with a deep breath.
"Why not? You're a grown man—what's the harm in me sleeping with you?"
"I'd lose something valuable," he replied with a wry smile. "I know you, Xiaowan. You don't love me yet. If we do this now, you might lose interest in me afterward. Your desire is the only thing keeping you drawn to me. I can't let it go to waste, right?"
Xiaowan narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"Fine," she relented sweetly. "But can I kiss you one more time, Chen dear?"
He nodded.
Leaning in with a smile, she bit down hard on his neck, drawing blood.
"I'm warning you," she said, licking her lips as she got off him. "If you tease me like that again, next time I'll bite something else."
Watching her leave, Chen Xin sighed before breaking into a soft laugh.
Perhaps he was just a rookie, but who said rookies couldn't take down bosses?
[Ex(es)]
The next morning, Ye Chen sat in his office, scrolling through someone's Instagram profile on his phone.
The owner of this profile had an audacious username: "KittyOnlySleepsWithRichKids."
Even more audacious was her bio: "An experienced gold digger. Men with net worths under 100 million USD, don't bother messaging me. Be self-aware, thanks."
The first word that would come to anyone's mind upon seeing this bio would undoubtedly be "pretentious."
Ye Chen would have thought the same—if he didn't know the profile owner was Lin Xiaowan. But he did, and he was sure that Xiaowan didn't put this line in her bio for mere bravado.
To elaborate, Ye Chen had spent considerable effort last night tracking down Lin Xiaowan's Instagram. While he had recalled where he'd heard her name before, finding her online footprint proved difficult—likely because the men who'd interacted with her were exceptionally secretive about her.
Eventually, Ye Chen managed to piece together clues from a friend named Guo Xin, a fellow rich kid who was just as well-versed in womanizing. Guo Xin's family was in the automobile industry back in China, with assets on par with Ye Chen's family. Due to his years of mingling with women, he'd grown tired of ordinary relationships.
This was almost two years ago when Guo Xin came to the U.S. for business. The two hung out daily, exchanging introductions to high-quality women. Ye Chen thought he was already quite the player until he realized Guo Xin was even better.
With his sunny, big-brotherly looks, Guo Xin was far more appealing to women than Ye Chen's cooler, more aloof demeanor.
During his month in the U.S., Guo Xin cycled through twenty women. Ye Chen advised him to slow down, but Guo Xin simply laughed, complaining: "You think I want to? I'm just not capable of commitment. No matter how great the girl is, it's boring after one night."
Ye Chen could only console him. Work got busy, and the two didn't see each other for three months. When they reunited, Ye Chen was shocked to find that Guo Xin seemed like a completely different person.
Guo Xin, who had always laughed heartily yet perfunctorily, now had a genuine glow in his eyes. He excitedly told Ye Chen he was in love.
Ye Chen thought he misheard and asked him to repeat himself. To his astonishment, Guo Xin earnestly admitted he had fallen for a girl and wanted to settle down, leaving behind his aimless lifestyle. Not only that, he urged Ye Chen to find someone and do the same.
Ye Chen's initial thought: Did this guy get struck by lightning this morning? His second thought: Who's the girl?
But Guo Xin nervously refused to reveal anything about her, afraid she'd be "stolen." Ye Chen, uninterested in his friend's romantic partner, didn't press further and genuinely wished him well.
However, people in love, no matter how hard they try to hide it, often can't help showing off. While scrolling Instagram, Ye Chen quickly noticed Guo Xin would "accidentally" include glimpses of a girl—her back, her hand, her bag—and accompany these posts with sweet, heartfelt captions. He never tagged her or mentioned her name, leaving countless women speculating in envy about her identity.
But how did Ye Chen eventually discover that Guo Xin's love interest was Lin Xiaowan?
Because of a single photo.
It was a picture of a birthday cake. A lavish multi-tiered cake with the words "Happy birthday to my beloved Xiaowan" written in Chinese, signed with Guo Xin's English name.
Ye Chen deduced that Guo Xin, caught up in his happiness, had finally slipped on Xiaowan's birthday, revealing her name.
This revelation caused an uproar. Armed with a name, jealous women quickly dug up Lin Xiaowan's history of dating rich men and flooded the comments, begging Guo Xin to leave such a "dirty woman."
Guo Xin's response? One simple sentence: "I knew all that from the beginning, but she's not as bad as you think. She's actually an angel. You've misunderstood her."
Ye Chen almost choked with laughter when he saw this, amazed by Xiaowan's skill in bewitching someone like Guo Xin. Naturally, he remembered her name.
But he never bothered to learn what Xiaowan looked like, as he wasn't interested in his friend's woman. The matter soon faded from memory—until last night when he recalled everything in the car.
He immediately opened Instagram and found that Guo Xin's account had been inactive for ages. The old photos of Xiaowan were still there, though the unmoderated comments section had turned into chaos. A bit of scrolling revealed many people tagging an account named "KittyOnlySleepsWithRichKids" and cursing her for ruining Guo Xin.
When Ye Chen clicked on the account, the profile picture stunned him. It was Lin Xiaowan—and someone else.
To be precise, it was Lin Xiaowan kissing a man with strikingly sharp and brooding features. She held a cigarette loosely in one hand while the man cupped her face passionately. The black-and-white aesthetic lent a decadent, melancholic vibe.
Ye Chen sneered as he flipped through her photos, noticing she rarely posted and frequently featured the man from her profile picture—likely her bandmate and, according to her bio, a drummer.
What amazed him, however, was her comment section. Despite her seemingly occupied relationship status, countless men left heartfelt messages like reminding her to dress warmly or advising her to smoke less.
What shocked him further? He recognized some of these accounts.
Many belonged to rich heirs he knew, some even more powerful than himself.
Feeling indignant, Ye Chen commented: "Step up to the mic, Lin Gold-Digger. Tell me, how do you bewitch so many men?"
Lin Xiaowan replied instantly: "Come back when your hair grows out, idiot."
Ye Chen fumed: "You're the idiot! Believe me, I'll send your profile pic to Chen Xin right now!"
Lin Xiaowan: "Go ahead. Whoever doesn't do it is the real idiot."
Blinded by rage, Ye Chen actually sent it to Chen Xin and messaged her back: "Done. Just wait."
Lin Xiaowan: "Oh, how impressive. Let me return the favor with a picture of my own."
She promptly uploaded a photo of Ye Chen's handwritten apology from the night before, captioning it: "A waste of elementary school education. Looks like it was scribbled by a dog. Wait—am I insulting dogs?"
"Damn it!" Ye Chen exploded in fury and hurled his phone away—only for it to ring seconds later. It was Guo Xin.
He had a vague idea of what was going on. As soon as he put the phone to his ear, he heard Guo Xin shouting, "What did you do to Xiao Wan? Ye Chen, I swear to god, if you dare to hurt her, I'll kill you!"
"F**k!" Ye Chen retorted angrily, "Are you monitoring Lin Xiaowan's Instagram 24/7? Didn't you say you stopped using Instagram?"
"Don't try to change the subject! I'm asking you, what did you do to Xiao Wan?" Guo Xin asked anxiously.
Ye Chen sighed, rubbing his temples. "I didn't do anything to her. It's Chen Xin—she's got her eyes on him."
There was a brief silence on the other end before Guo Xin spoke again. "Chen Xin… Then why are you—"
"I'm standing up for my best friend, trying to stop him from falling into this woman's trap. And then she turned the tables on me," Ye Chen said helplessly. "You don't need to worry about anyone hurting her. Honestly, it's more like we need to worry about her not hurting others."
"Don't say that! Xiao Wan is the best girl in the world. She's an angel—"
"Yes, yes, an angel. You don't need to repeat it," Ye Chen interrupted, rolling his eyes. "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up now."
"Wait!" Guo Xin stopped him hurriedly. "Can you… can you tell Chen Xin to treat Xiao Wan well? She's had a tough life before."
"I don't care if she's had a tough life! All I know is that if she's with
"Genius"
After compressing a week's workload into three days, Chen Xin finally freed up time to accompany Xiao Wan to her classes.
However, when he went to wake her up that morning, she began making excuses.
"I stayed up watching movies until 3 a.m. last night. I'm so tired. Let me sleep a bit more. I'll go to school tomorrow," Xiao Wan mumbled in a sleepy voice, curling up under her silk camisole nightgown.
"No way. You've skipped school long enough. You have to go today," Chen Xin said firmly as he gently brushed her hair from her face. "Come on, Ellie made lots of delicious food for you."
Xiao Wan opened one eye, sniffed, and asked in a nasally tone, "Are there mango egg tarts?"
"There are."
"Vanilla cream puffs?"
"Yes, freshly made. They smell amazing—come downstairs and see for yourself."
"Then I also want a Birkin Himalayan."
"A Hermès? Sure, if you behave and go to class today, I'll order one for you."
"But I want it now!" Xiao Wan whined, pulling the covers tighter around her. "If you don't get it for me, I'll stay in this bed until the end of time!"
Chen Xin sighed. "Where am I supposed to find a Himalayan Birkin on such short notice? Can we settle for a regular one for now?"
"No! I don't care! No Birkin, no school!" Xiao Wan declared, burying herself deeper under the blanket.
Reluctantly, Chen Xin stroked her head through the covers and said, "Alright, wait here."
He left the room and made several calls to friends and business partners, eventually finding one whose wife had waited months for a Himalayan Birkin. By offering a hefty price, he persuaded them to part with it. The bag was delivered to him by their driver shortly after.
Returning to the bedroom, he announced, "Alright, your bag is here. Now get up, or you'll be late for class."
Xiao Wan yawned, reluctantly crawling out of bed. As she did, the strap of her black lace nightgown slipped down her smooth shoulder, revealing her fair skin. A delicate crescent-moon necklace rested near her collarbone, accentuating her flawless complexion.
Chen Xin flushed slightly and quickly adjusted her strap. "Go wash up. I'll wait for you outside."
But Xiao Wan grabbed his hand, placing it on her chest with a mischievous grin. "Want to touch? I'm a natural E-cup, you know."
"Stop fooling around!" Chen Xin scolded, retreating and shutting the door behind him.
Xiao Wan burst into laughter, rolling on the bed. "Teasing a shy virgin every day is just too much fun!"
After freshening up, she came downstairs and had breakfast with Chen Xin. Only after his repeated urging did she reluctantly get into the car to head to school.
The N City Academy of Arts and Media, located in the prestigious Upper East district, spanned a vast area. Despite it being winter, the campus's serene landscaping gave it the feel of a tranquil park.
The main entrance featured a grand marble staircase leading up to an open platform. On the platform stood a massive, abstract sculpture resembling twisted tree branches. The largest "branch" bore an inconspicuous inscription in elegant lettering: "N City Academy of Arts and Media."
Despite its quirky appearance, the school had recently produced numerous talented artists, screenwriters, and directors for Hollywood and beyond.
At around 9 a.m., students with no classes were scattered about the campus—some practicing instruments in shaded corridors, others collaborating on new compositions, or sketching the surrounding scenery. However, most appeared to be lounging around, idly smoking.
When Chen Xin's Koenigsegg pulled up at the marble steps, it immediately caught everyone's attention. Enthusiastic car lovers whistled, while some took out their phones to snap pictures.
After parking, Xiao Wan lifted her chin and ordered haughtily, "Little Cutie, come around and open the door for me."
"Sure." Chen Xin chuckled, stepping out to open her door.
When Xiao Wan stepped out, holding his hand, the boys around them whistled even louder.
She wore a retro black dress adorned with pearls around the collar, paired with a white mink coat. Her hair, styled in loose waves, cascaded over her shoulders, and she carried the Hermès Himalayan bag on her arm.
As she walked arm-in-arm with Chen Xin up the steps, a group of boys called out mockingly:
"Hey, Kitty! Another sugar daddy? Oh wait—this isn't the last one. How many have you gone through this semester?"
"Let me count—oh no, I've run out of fingers!"
Turning around, Xiao Wan shot them a seductive smile and flipped them off. "Even if I went through every man on earth, none of you would make the cut. Go dream about me tonight, losers!"
The boys clutched their chests dramatically, pretending to be wounded.
Rolling her eyes, Xiao Wan pulled Chen Xin along. "Let's go. Now you see why I hate coming to school?"
Chen Xin noticed the way the male students ogled Xiao Wan, their gazes a mix of admiration and disrespect, while the female students avoided her as if she were a contagious disease.
Squeezing her hand, he said gently, "Don't worry. I'm here."
"Who's worried?" she retorted, glaring at him. "I just despise people who look down on me, that's all."
With that, she suddenly kissed him passionately in front of everyone.
The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. Stunned, Chen Xin slowly wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss.
When she finally pulled away, she smirked. "Little Cutie, you should eat vanilla cream puffs every morning. Your lips taste amazing."
Blushing furiously, Chen Xin cleared his throat. "Ahem, let's go. Where's your class?"
Xiao Wan blinked. "I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"I haven't been to school in two months! Who remembers their schedule?" She scratched her head, then made a call to check her timetable.
Sighing, she said, "Why did it have to be today?"
"What's wrong with today?"
"Professional class. Ugh, I hate professional classes. Old Tom's lectures are so boring."
Chen Xin, however, was intrigued. "I really want to know what you're studying."
Pinching his cheek, she said, "Fine, fine. Since you've been so sweet today, I'll take you."
Their destination was a large classroom on the top floor of a teaching building. As they approached, Chen Xin heard a beautiful melody from inside.
She studies music? What instrument?
Before he could wonder further, Xiao Wan burst through the door, shouting, "Long time no see, everyone! I'm back!"
Inside, a dozen students sat beside large harps. Their faces lit up with anticipation when they saw her.
So, she plays the harp? Chen Xin was surprised. The vibrant, audacious Xiao Wan didn't seem like someone who would play such an elegant instrument.
The elderly white-haired professor at the podium frowned at her and shouted, "Why are you here? I've already filed for your expulsion with the principal!"
Xiao Wan cast a casual glance at him and, pulling Chen Xin into the classroom, said, "You wouldn't dare, Professor. Without me, who's going to check your sheet music?" Then she turned to the other students and announced, "By the way, this is my new boyfriend. Handsome, isn't he?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Super handsome!"
"Even better than the last one!"
"You two are a perfect match, Xiao Wan!"
Chen Xin, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "Maybe I should leave. You all can focus on your class without me disturbing you."
"No, no, no!" Everyone immediately stopped him, pulling over a chair and gesturing for him to sit. "This seat is reserved for you. Stay right here. If you leave, Xiao Wan will get mad and leave too, and then we're doomed."
Perplexed, Chen Xin sat down. As he looked closer, he noticed a message scrawled in black marker on the chair's backrest: Belong to Kitty's boyfriend.
Next to it, someone had tallied marks in sets of five, totaling thirteen. Chen Xin had a sneaking suspicion the number represented Xiao Wan's previous boyfriends.
Meanwhile, the white-haired professor at the podium was still fuming. "As a student, you've skipped class for over two months! Do you even respect this school or me as your teacher? Do you realize how many renowned harpists this institution has produced? People who've graced the world with countless masterpieces! And here you are, wasting resources! This time, I will have you expelled!"
"Is that so?" Xiao Wan sat down next to her harp, running her fingers over its frame as she spoke, "If you really meant to expel me, Professor, why is my harp still here?"
The white-haired man flushed. "I… forgot to have it removed, alright?"
"Okay, okay, stop being so tsundere. Old men trying to act aloof aren't cute at all." Xiao Wan pouted and pulled a nearby classmate closer. "So, why's he in such a bad mood today? What did you guys do this time?"
The classmate answered, "Professor made us practice a new piece, but after more than a month, no one can play it perfectly. And with you skipping class, he's furious. He even threatened to quit teaching."
Xiao Wan giggled. "I've heard that threat over a hundred times. Alright, alright, where's the piece? Let me see."
The student handed her a tablet with the sheet music displayed. The professor immediately exclaimed, "You won't manage it this time! Even the best harpist from the Philharmonic Orchestra needed a week to master this!"
"Well, let's give it a shot." Xiao Wan skimmed the score quickly, placed her hands gently on the harp strings, and set her foot on the pedal. Glancing back at Chen Xin with a playful wink, she began to play.
The very first note sent a shiver through Chen Xin's heart. The piece had a lively tempo, and combined with the harp's crisp and elegant tone, it transported him into a magical garden full of singing birds and blooming flowers.
As Xiao Wan played, her demeanor completely changed. She glanced at the score briefly before setting it aside, her hands dancing deftly over the strings, her gaze lovingly fixed on the golden harp. It was as if she regarded the instrument as her most treasured possession. The harp, in turn, seemed to respond to her reverence, producing perfect, harmonious tones that resonated deeply.
The white-haired professor's anger dissipated as he listened. Watching Xiao Wan flawlessly perform a piece she had just seen for the first time, his eyes reddened slightly. It was the respect of a seasoned harpist for a prodigious talent, but also a tinge of regret—for this extraordinary student seemed increasingly disinterested in her studies.
When the piece ended, the classroom was enveloped in silence. Chen Xin sat frozen, unable to move. In his eyes, Xiao Wan now seemed to radiate an ethereal glow, as if she were the very embodiment of a songbird.
The professor finally sighed. "Alright, you played well. Only one mistake."
"That wasn't a mistake. I think it sounds better with an ascending note there," Xiao Wan countered.
"Really? An ascending note?" The professor asked cautiously.
"Yep. Try it yourself if you don't believe me." Xiao Wan suddenly realized something and teased, "Oh… so it's one of your original compositions again, isn't it? No wonder everyone's been struggling with it. Professor, why do you keep torturing us with pieces that are beyond our level?"
Her remark elicited quiet agreement from the other students, who seemed to have suffered under the professor's demanding standards for some time.
The professor glared at the class but replied earnestly, "Then how come you can play it? I just wanted to see if they… if they could—"
"If they could be as good as me?" Xiao Wan grinned smugly. "Of course, they can't. Didn't you say it yourself, Professor? I'm a genius."
Chen Xin had expected the other students to be annoyed by this comment. Instead, they all nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with admiration and envy.
The professor sighed in resignation. "I regret ever calling you that. Ever since I praised you as a genius, you've been skipping classes nonstop."
"That's not why I skip class…" Xiao Wan's expression dimmed slightly, as if recalling something sad. But she quickly hid it and playfully winked at the professor. "It's because your lectures on theory are so boring! Anyway, I've learned the piece. I'm off now. You guys carry on!"
"Wait—"
The professor tried to stop her, but Xiao Wan had already grabbed Chen Xin's hand and dashed out of the room.