The two ambled through the campus, devoid of any sense of urgency.
Ring, ring!
Ji Yongqiang called again, but Chen Jinzhao hung up directly.
Xu Nianqing chuckled, "Guess what Director Ji will say to us?"
Chen Jinzhao shrugged, "I can probably guess the same old speech. It hasn't changed one bit after all these years."
They exchanged a knowing smile.
Neither of them paid much attention to Ji Yongqiang.
Xu Nianqing turned to Chen Jinzhao, "I can tell that Qin Fengwu harbors a deep hostility towards you. What exactly did you do to him to offend such a prominent figure?"
"He's Mr. Yu's fiancé," Chen Jinzhao replied.
"That explains it..." Xu Nianqing marveled.
Chen Jinzhao met Xu Nianqing's playful gaze, and guiltily said, "I haven't been in much contact with Yu Mengzhi lately. You can check my phone if you don't believe me."
Xu Nianqing pouted, "Why would I check your phone? I'm not your wife!"
"Uh..."
Chen Jinzhao didn't know how to respond.
"You should be careful of Qin Fengwu. Being on the radar of such a big shot, he'll definitely want to make things difficult for you," Xu Nianqing said, tactfully changing the subject and reminding Chen Jinzhao to be cautious.
"Huh?"
"You don't seem worried at all?"
Xu Nianqing noticed that Chen Jinzhao's expression was calm, showing no fear, but rather a hint of excitement and anticipation.
Chen Jinzhao looked straight ahead and said nonchalantly, "I'm not a helpless little mouse to be slaughtered. Don't forget how I rescued you all from our enemies last time. If Qin Fengwu keeps to himself and doesn't cross me, I won't bother. But if he brings trouble to you, I won't let him off."
Xu Nianqing giggled.
Admittedly.
The innocent boy from years ago had now grown into a towering man. His broad shoulders could now be a place for Xu Nianqing to lean on.
As it turned out, her judgment was not wrong.
They walked and stopped, finally arriving at Ji Yongqiang's office. A full hour had passed since Ji Yongqiang made his first call.
Ji Yongqiang's face was grim. The excessively long wait had made him impatient, pushing him to the brink of fury.
"Close the door," he said.
Bang!
Chen Jinzhao locked the door from the inside.
Ji Yongqiang's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't overthink it.
Before he could speak, Chen Jinzhao pulled over a chair for Xu Nianqing to sit. This made Ji Yongqiang's anger surge. If it weren't for Xu Nianqing's status, Ji Yongqiang would have lost his temper long ago.
Suppressing his anger, Ji Yongqiang tapped on the desk, "Do you two know why I asked you to come?"
Chen Jinzhao stated directly, "We're not a fly in your belly, we can't read your mind. If you have something to say, say it. Don't put on airs. If it affects Professor Xu's experimental progress, can you bear the responsibility?"
Ji Yongqiang was speechless. "You..."
Taking another deep breath, Ji Yongqiang said with a somber face, "Fine, since you've put it that way, I'll be frank with you. You two are not suitable for a relationship. Do you understand the implications? Professor Xu is an outstanding young talent, the protégé of Professor Wen, and is destined to become a globally influential scientist in the future. And you, Chen Jinzhao, are just a security guard. If you truly care about Professor Xu, then don't drag her down."
"Letting go now is better for everyone."
Chen Jinzhao was so angry he laughed.
Xu Nianqing said expressionlessly, "Director Ji, I hope you won't say such things again."
"Why?" Ji Yongqiang asked displeased.
"Because my personal life is none of an outsider's business. That's all I have to say, so consider yourself warned." Xu Nianqing gave Ji Yongqiang no quarter, making him tremble with anger.
Chen Jinzhao watched the spectacle with amusement.
Ji Yongqiang couldn't swallow this insult, but he still had to be polite to Xu Nianqing. He said patiently, "Professor Xu, I'm not interfering with your personal life, but I think you shouldn't stoop to being with a security guard. What I mean is, you could spend more time with Young Master Qin. If things work out, your experimental projects won't lack funding."
"Heh!"
"Director Ji, aren't you just asking me to sleep with him? Why sugarcoat it so much!" Xu Nianqing was blunt, tearing off the last fig leaf.
Ji Yongqiang's face changed drastically.
They were all civilized people, how could she be so direct?
"If you really like him, then you go sleep with him, not me," Xu Nianqing said, crossing her arms.
Ji Yongqiang didn't dare to lose his temper with Xu Nianqing, so he redirected his anger towards Chen Jinzhao, "Chen Jinzhao, if you're a man, let go now. What's not yours will never be yours. Take a good look at yourself in the mirror, what makes you think you can compare to Young Master Qin?"
Chen Jinzhao twisted his neck and said to Xu Nianqing, "You go out first. I need to talk to Director Ji alone."
Xu Nianqing immediately understood Chen Jinzhao's intentions, and a smile appeared on her face, "I thought you were so patient. Your own girlfriend is being offered as a plaything, and you can still stay calm."
"Don't be too rough. Be reasonable."
"Okay, I get it. Why are you more nagging than my mom?" Chen Jinzhao said with a laugh.
Xu Nianqing got up and left the office.
The door closed again.
Ji Yongqiang realized something was wrong and secretly texted the security department to bring some people over.
Within the school grounds, Ji Yongqiang felt emboldened. If Chen Jinzhao dared to make a move, he wouldn't get away with it.
"What? Thinking of making a move?" Ji Yongqiang sneered.
Without Xu Nianqing, he truly didn't fear Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao walked to the desk, an icy aura inadvertently emanating from him, causing Ji Yongqiang's face to change slightly. He said slowly, "You, in front of me, asked my girlfriend to sleep with someone else. If I swallow this humiliation, wouldn't I become a joke?"
Gulp!
Ji Yongqiang swallowed hard, feeling immense pressure.
"Chen Jinzhao!"
"You, you don't be impulsive. We can talk things through!"
"Making a move within the school has serious consequences. You're still young, don't do something so foolish."
Slap!
Chen Jinzhao slapped Ji Yongqiang, sending him flying.
The latter flew off his chair and then crashed heavily to the ground. Before Ji Yongqiang could react, Chen Jinzhao bent down, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him into the air. Ji Yongqiang flailed his legs.
"Put me down!"
Ji Yongqiang's face turned red. He gritted his teeth and threatened Chen Jinzhao again.
Chen Jinzhao slammed him against the wall, then punched him in the abdomen. Ji Yongqiang cried out in pain. Before he could speak, Chen Jinzhao continued to punch, repeatedly striking Ji Yongqiang's stomach.
A sweet taste filled Ji Yongqiang's throat, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Stop hitting! Stop hitting! You're going to kill me!"
"Please, stop!"