The expression on Li Qingshan's face was clearly one of polite banter, mixed with reverence and a touch of surprise, followed by an evident desire to come over and strike up a more intimate conversation.
Chen Nuo's expression, however, was very straightforward: Stay the hell away from me!!
Li Qingshan's mindset was actually quite clear: after meeting Brother Haonan and his junior martial brother, Chen Nuo, that day, Hall Master Li miraculously recovered the use of his legs. Overflowing with astonishment, he also developed a greater reverence for Brother Haonan—more precisely, for this mysterious martial sect to which he belonged.
For an old hand like Li Qingshan, capitalizing on opportunities and finding his place was second nature—a lifetime's worth of instincts. Although he'd had some grievances with Brother Haonan in the past... but now those grievances have been resolved, haven't they? If I could befriend such a group of remarkable individuals and secure this powerful backer as a strong ally for myself...
His legs had recovered just two days ago, and he was thinking about finding an opportunity to cozy up to Brother Haonan once more.
And wouldn't you know it, the opportunity came today!
Although he didn't run into Brother Haonan, the Chen Nuo he met was Brother Haonan's fellow disciple.
If the senior brother has such great skills, the junior brother can't be much inferior!
Moreover... Li Qingshan thought that since he and Brother Haonan had had their disagreements twice before, it would be quite presumptuous of him to simply ingratiate himself, and it was uncertain if Brother Haonan would even give him the time of day.
But this junior martial brother named Chen Nuo had no prior grudges with him. During their last meeting, Chen Nuo left an impression on Li Qingshan as a greenhorn with no guile whatsoever, someone whose emotions were written all over his face—people like that are easier to deal with.
Having met him, how could I not make it a point to get on his good side?
A heaven-sent opportunity!
Chen Nuo's thoughts, on the other hand, were simpler: I should never have cured your damned leg!!
You could say Li Qingshan was an old fox, but at this moment, his excitement and exhilaration made him completely oblivious to the warning looks Chen Nuo was throwing his way.
Poor Hall Master Li, in his ignorance, had no idea that with every step he took towards Chen Nuo, he was also inexorably stepping back towards a wheelchair... and possibly a lifelong VIP membership at a hospital's rehabilitation center to boot.
"Haha, Mr. Chen Nuo, I recognized you from afar, and as I came closer, it truly is you."
Li Qingshan's smile was brimming with warmth, his facial wrinkles bunching up together.
Chen Nuo's face turned an ashen hue as he glared at Li Qingshan, took a half step forward, shielded Lu Xixi behind him, widened his eyes to the fullest, and desperately signaled to Li Qingshan with his gaze.
Li Qingshan continued to laugh heartily, then his eyes flickered past Chen Nuo and landed on Lu Xixi, prompting an inward sigh from him.
Li Qingshan had never seen Lu Xixi before, but his subordinates had whispered to him just now that this was the woman Wang Lao Tiger had brought back to Wind Shelter Hall.
Old Li took a careful look. She's indeed irresistible!
After seeing countless women over his decades, Li Qingshan had never encountered one so beautiful and seductive—it was no wonder Wang Lao Tiger lost his senses that day.
So she's Brother Haonan's woman... It makes sense that such a supreme femme fatale could infuriate Brother Haonan to the point of such rage.
"This lady is..."
Before Li Qingshan could finish his sentence, Chen Nuo hurriedly cut him off, "She's a friend of mine!"
With that, he frantically signaled to Li Qingshan with his eyes.
Finally, the old fox Li Qingshan, after Chen Nuo had winked at him more than a dozen times, got the signal—at this point, Hall Master Li was only half a step away from returning to his wheelchair.
Li Qingshan looked at Chen Nuo's peculiar expression with puzzlement, then subconsciously glanced at Lu Xixi again—she was squinting, a confused expression on her face as she looked at him.
Instantly, the old man drew a sharp breath!
HISS!!!
Here we are, not a holiday or any special occasion, and it's nighttime... What on earth is Chen Nuo doing having dinner with his senior martial brother Haonan's wife? And furthermore... Chen Nuo is dressed in a casual sports hoodie, and Lu Xixi is wearing a sweatshirt hoodie. To make matters worse, both are unfortunately dressed in white. At first glance, they look like a perfect couple! And Chen Nuo's face is unmistakably ashen, his eyes frantic...
A terrifying thought suddenly flashed through the old man's mind!
Holy shit! Could it be that I've inadvertently stumbled upon some unspeakable affair?! Could it be... Could it be... That little bastard Chen Nuo... Is screwing! His! Senior Brother's! Wife!
Even with half a lifetime of underworld experience, Li Qingshan felt his legs weaken at this moment!
All the surprise and excitement he had initially felt, the urge to come over and make a good impression, now turned into a cold sweat on his back.
I... I fucking... Won't be silenced, will I? Brother Haonan is a baleful star, always breaking people's legs at the drop of a hat. This junior martial brother, Chen Nuo, for all I know, might be a killer star too. If this old man has witnessed his affair with his senior brother's wife... Would I fucking be okay?!
In an instant, countless thoughts raced through the old man's mind: Screwing his senior brother's wife... Defying all moral principles... Illicit love... Brothers turning on each other... Infighting within the sect... Silencing witnesses by murder...
Hall Master Li's legs gave out, and he nearly fell to the ground on his backside. Quick-thinking Lao Qi rushed over to steady Li Qingshan.
Li Qingshan looked at Chen Nuo, and Chen Nuo looked at Li Qingshan.
"This is a friend of mine," Chen Nuo exhaled sharply, staring intently at Li Qingshan.
"Oh... Oh... Ohhhh!!" Li Qingshan's body shook, and he didn't dare to glance at Lu Xixi again. He quickly averted his gaze and respectfully looked at Chen Nuo, lowering his head and said, "Mr. Chen Nuo, I was just passing by, just passing by. I saw you here, I was just passing by..."
Chen Nuo clenched his teeth. "It seems Hall Master Li's legs have healed."
"Ah... No! Not healed, not healed!!" Hall Master Li quickly shook his head. "My leg is still very weak. I just drank too much today and wandered around like a madman..."
"Since you're not well, go back and rest more. Don't run around for no reason," Chen Nuo narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, yes, you're right!" Li Qingshan wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I'll go back right now, lie down, and rest for a few days."
After a pause, Li Qingshan's face showed a pleading expression. "Mr. Chen, I really was just passing by. I saw you here and came over to say hello, with no other intention."
"Hmm, all done with the greetings?"
"All done, all done!" Li Qingshan stammered, "I'm leaving now."
He nudged Lao Qi beside him. "What are you still dawdling for!"
Understanding the cue, Lao Qi quickly let go of Li Qingshan and took a few steps to the counter, taking the bill from the server's hands.
Li Qingshan said with a nervous smile, "Chance encounters are a delight, so let this old man show a little appreciation by paying for the meal today."
Lu Xixi squinted curiously at Li Qingshan, not saying a word. Then she took a few steps forward, standing next to Chen Nuo to observe his expression.
Chen Nuo nodded and locked eyes with Li Qingshan. "Well, since Hall Master Li is offering, then thank you."
"Of course, of course!"
Li Qingshan hurriedly had Lao Qi pay the bill, then, nodding and bowing, quickly left with Lao Qi and the others in tow.
They hurried to the elevator, and seeing that it hadn't arrived, they didn't dare wait there and instead took Lao Qi and the others straight into the nearby emergency stairway.
Once inside the stairwell of the emergency passage, the fire door closed behind them, and Li Qingshan could no longer hold on. His legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed on the staircase.
Lao Qi caught Li Qingshan from behind. "Boss Li, what's wrong with you?"
"You, touch my leg. Are my legs still there?" Li Qingshan was beside himself.
"They are, Boss Li."
"..." Li Qingshan sighed. "They are now, but I'm afraid that after tonight, they might not be anymore..."
Saying this, the old man glared at Lao Qi and cursed, "What the hell was I thinking, finishing dinner and not going home, wandering around for no damn reason! And you, you guys! Why didn't you stop me!!"
Lao Qi was dumbfounded, stunned for a few seconds, then awkwardly said, "Boss, what you're saying..."
"We're in trouble, we're in trouble..." Li Qingshan's forehead was covered in cold sweat. "We've stirred up a big mess! Damn it!!"
"Who was that old man just now?"
"Eh, a friend of mine," Chen Nuo gave a bitter smile.
Lu Xixi frowned and pondered for a moment. "Your friend is very generous, paying the entire bill."
"Yeah, he is quite generous."
"It's a pity, though. This meal was supposed to be my way of thanking you, and now he's paid for it."
Chen Nuo gave a bitter smile. "It's the same, it's the same. I appreciate the sentiment. It doesn't matter who paid."
Lu Xixi didn't speak, just stared into Chen Nuo's eyes for a few seconds, making Chen Yanluo feel uneasy all over. Then the woman suddenly broke into a smile. "Alright then, since you put it that way, we'll leave it at that."
Just as Chen Nuo's heart relaxed, he heard Yu Naitang next to him say, "Teacher, that old man kept staring at you just now. It was so strange."
"Not strange, not strange," Chen Nuo stoutly replied with a forced smile. "That guy has an old habit. He can't take his eyes off a beautiful woman. It just means Miss Lu is too attractive."
"Alright, Little Candy," Lu Xixi interrupted Yu Naitang, who seemed about to say more. "It doesn't matter if he looked a couple of times."
Yu Naitang still wanted to say something, but Lu Xixi hugged her with a smile and tousled her hair with both hands.
"There's just a bit of regret," Lu Xixi sighed. "Today's meal was not only to thank Mr. Chen Nuo for saving me but also to apologize for my disciple offending your friend before... Logically, I should have invited Miss Li Yingwan and your male classmate to have dinner together and apologize in person..."
"That really isn't necessary!" Chen Nuo quickly said.
"Oh? Isn't it necessary?"
"No need at all! My friends are all broad-minded and good-hearted people. A small misunderstanding like this can be cleared up with just a word from me. No need to trouble yourselves further."
"Really no need?"
"Really no need!"
Lu Xixi sighed, seemingly a bit disappointed. "Well... okay then."
The three of them took the elevator down to the first floor of the shopping mall. After leaving the mall, Lu Xixi said with a smile, "Our hotel is not far from here, so we'll just walk back. What about you, Mr. Chen Nuo?"
"I'm going home," Chen Nuo said hurriedly. "Then, this is goodbye."
"Okay then." Lu Xixi stood in place and smiled at Chen Nuo.
Chen Nuo felt awkward all over from Lu Xixi's stare and quickly made a gesture of farewell.
But he'd only taken two steps when Lu Xixi called out from behind him.
"Chen Nuo."
"Hmm?" Chen Nuo's body stiffened as he slowly turned around.
Lu Xixi had walked up to him.
"Is, is there something else?"
"Why do you seem so nervous?"
"Uh..." Chen Nuo laughed awkwardly. "It's because Miss Lu is so beautiful that I'm nervous."
Lu Xixi narrowed her eyes again, but it was just for a moment before she pulled out a hundred yuan from her pocket and stuffed it into Chen Nuo's hand.
"The hundred yuan for the taxi fare yesterday was loaned by you, so I have to pay you back."
"Eh? Oh! All right, all right!"
Chen Nuo hurriedly shoved the money into his pocket. "Well... if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
"Mhm, you can go."
Chen Nuo quickly left. After a few steps, still feeling uneasy, he couldn't help but look back at Lu Xixi again. He saw that Lu Xixi was standing still, waving goodbye to him.
Chen Nuo felt relieved and quickened his pace, soon disappearing around the corner.
Yu Naitang puffed up her cheeks and narrowed her eyes as she walked up to Lu Xixi and looked up at her teacher.
"You're acting strange."
"Hmm?"
The nine-year-old girl huffed, "I'm saying, you're acting strange, Lu Xixi."
She paused for a moment, thought about it, and added, "That Chen Nuo is also very strange! I always feel like he's hiding something from us."
"Hmm."
"You pretend not to notice... so that's even stranger!"
"Hmm."
Yu Naitang couldn't stand it anymore. "WAAH! Lu Xixi! You obviously have something hidden from me! And you're just hum-humming there! You don't even tell me the truth!"
Lu Xixi smiled sweetly, grabbed Yu Naitang directly into her arms, and nuzzled her face vigorously. "Children shouldn't ask so much. Too much curiosity can stunt your growth, you know."
"WAAH! Lu Xixi, you've started to beat around the bush even when talking to me!" Yu Naitang struggled desperately.
"Not at all. You're still my smartest disciple."
"No way! You're planning to take on another disciple, aren't you! Do you like other kids now?"
"Uh, that's not it at all."
"You're still lying to me. You're definitely hiding something from me."
"Not at all!"
"So love does vanish, right?!"
Chen Nuo returned home, heart pounding with fear. All the way home, Lu Xixi hadn't called or sent any more messages.
But Chen Nuo still felt an unsettling anxiety... There's something subtly off about Lu Xixi's behavior! At times, I feel that this woman's look is obviously tinged with a trace of peculiarity and playfulness. That look seems to say, "I'm just going to watch quietly as you put on your act." Has she discovered something? Or remembered something? Logically speaking... it couldn't be, right? If she really remembered that I conned her into being my wife for the past few days... and that I saw her naked... and that I was the "arsonist of passion"... Based on my understanding of Lu Xixi from our past life, this woman would already be on her way over on invincible wheels of fire to tear down my house. Why would she still be this polite?
Lu Xixi and Yu Naitang returned to the hotel. Since the little girl was still a child, she went to the fridge for some juice and then hopped off to take a bath.
After bathing, Yu Naitang ran back to the living room and found Lu Xixi leaning on the couch, watching the hotel TV with rapt attention.
On the screen, a local channel was playing a rather old TV drama.
"Huh? Lu Xixi, how come you're so engrossed in this old show all of a sudden?" Yu Naitang ran over carelessly, leaned next to Lu Xixi, picked up the remote control, and switched the channel.
"Don't move around," Lu Xixi patted Yu Naitang's forehead, snatched back the remote control, and switched the channel back.
On the screen, Bai Gu, in ancient attire and with only one arm, was embracing Li Ruotong, who was dressed in white.
"Gugu~"
"Guo'er, why aren't you holding me with both hands... Guo'er! Where is your right hand! Guo'er..."
Yu Naitang stared at the screen for a while and frowned. "I really don't understand what's so good about this."
Lu Xixi, eyes glued to the screen yet squinting, whispered softly, "But it is~ so nice to watch~"
This night, many people were unable to sleep, troubled by a mix of complex and entangled emotions.
For Chen Nuo, the night was filled with anxiety.
For Li Qingshan, the night brought fear and indecision: Should I flee overnight to another place to lay low?
And for Zhang Linsheng, it was a different kind of turmoil.
As for being kidnapped by a little girl, Zhang Linsheng wasn't troubled by it—in Brother Haonan's (Zhang Linsheng's) mind, as long as something involved Chen Nuo, no matter how bizarre, it could be accepted.
As for accidentally learning the extraordinary nature of the relationship between Chen Nuo and Li Yingwan, which seemed to implicate assassinations... some master... and even Chen Nuo's wife... But if Chen Nuo remained tight-lipped, Brother Haonan (Zhang Linsheng) could well afford to turn a blind eye. Even if I accidentally learned something I shouldn't have, if Mr. Chen Nuo told me to shut up, I would obediently close my mouth and pretend to be unaware. After all, I received the hush money.
What troubled Zhang Linsheng was that he hadn't returned Qu Xiaoling's calls and texts yesterday. After being kidnapped for a day, she had sent several more messages. Later, when his phone died and he got home to charge it and turn it on, there were two missed calls.
Qu Xiaoling's messages grew increasingly anxious towards the end.
"Aren't you just refusing to deal with me?"
"Lin Sheng, can we talk it out?"
"Why did you turn off your phone?"
"I know you must be really angry. Can I apologize to you?"
It started like that. As time went on, not receiving any reply from him, Qu Xiaoling's subsequent messages began to reveal impatience and a change in emotion.
"Brother Haonan, I was really just having a meal with a client."
"Zhang Linsheng! It's just a meal—do you need to be so angry about it!"
"I've already debased myself begging and coaxing you. What else do you want from me!"
"As a woman earning money out here, dining with a client, I haven't done anything improper. Do you have to be like this!"
"I get it now! You've always looked down on me, so you're using this as an excuse to distance yourself from me, aren't you!"
"Zhang Linsheng, I didn't think you were this kind of person!"
"Zhang Linsheng, are you even a man!"
Perhaps after venting her anger, the woman regretted it again. Then, she sent a few more conciliatory messages.
"Brother Haonan, I was angry just now and lost my temper. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"Can't you just reply to my message, please? I was really wrong. I shouldn't have lost my temper at you."
"I'm really feeling terrible. Please don't be like this."
And then... not receiving a reply from Zhang Linsheng, the woman transformed yet again.
"Zhang Linsheng, can you stop being so childish! You are being too petty!"
"Fine! I get it! Then let's just stop contacting each other!!"
"Such a trivial matter, how can you not get over it? Fine, fine, fine! I won't bother you again! And you don't contact me anymore! If you've got the guts, then never contact me for the rest of your life!"
The above were the dozens of text messages Zhang Linsheng received on his phone once he got home, charged it, and turned it on.
It wasn't that I didn't reply to the messages... but I had been kidnapped by Yu Naitang. I didn't expect to receive so many all at once after turning on my phone.
Actually, upon seeing these messages, Zhang Linsheng's emotions were fluctuating, and he felt somewhat complicated.
After the night he drank with Brother Lei and bought the answers for eight thousand yuan, Brother Haonan (Zhang Linsheng) had roughly figured things out in his heart.
Having the answers, I actually planned to sort out my feelings and then have a serious talk with Qu Xiaoling. No hiding, no concealing, just an honest and sincere talk. Although I had no idea how to talk or what the outcome would be, at least, I was willing to confront the matter and the relationship, and have an honest conversation with Qu Xiaoling.
But unexpectedly, an accidental kidnapping disrupted the rhythm of this matter.
Receiving so many messages from Qu Xiaoling all at once, especially after she sent a few more in a fit of anger... Zhang Linsheng suddenly didn't know how to talk to this woman.
I wasn't really angry; after all, she must have been anxious not being able to find me, and that's why she lost her temper. Understandable. But seeing those angry texts, I did feel a bit awkward inside.
After a great deal of vacillation, that evening, Zhang Linsheng sat alone at home and finally took out his phone, composed himself, and dialed Qu Xiaoling's number.
Calculating the time, Qu Xiaoling shouldn't have gone to work yet.
The phone connected...
"The number you have dialed is switched off..."
Zhang Linsheng frowned and silently put down his phone.
Actually, there was another way, which was to go directly to Qu Xiaoling, whether to the KTV where she worked or to her house, places Zhang Linsheng was naturally familiar with. Especially the KTV, as Zhang Linsheng was planning to go there tonight since his mother would be getting off work late, and he was supposed to pick her up.
Well, maybe I'll handle it when I see Qu Xiaoling at the KTV tonight.
Zhang Linsheng made up his mind.
Alone at home, he felt restless. Zhang Linsheng sat silently in the living room and practiced his qigong for a while, channeling his breath throughout his body, but his mind just couldn't settle down. He couldn't continue after a while and simply got up, went to the kitchen, opened a bottle of beer, and quietly drank two glasses by himself.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
He picked it up to see an unfamiliar number. After pondering for a moment, Zhang Linsheng answered the call.
"Hello~ Little brother~" A crisp and seductive voice.
Zhang Linsheng paused, frowning as he asked, "Who?"
"It's me! Xia Xia~"
"Which Xia Xia?"
"The 'Xia' of summer!" The woman on the other end of the phone complained with a coquettish tone, "You couldn't have forgotten me so quickly, could you? Am I really that unmemorable?"
Zhang Linsheng thought for a moment and then realized, "Oh. I remember now. How did you get my phone number?"
Over the phone, Xia Xia giggled. "That night, after you left, I was so confused! But later, when Brother Lei left after paying the bill, he discovered that you had left so many things in the private room."
"Oh, oh, oh," Zhang Linsheng nodded. "Yes, I did forget to take those things."
"I knew it," she said, her tone clearly flirtatious, "so I asked Brother Lei for your number, and here I am calling you. You're so heartless! I've been wanting to return your stuff these past couple of days, and here you've already forgotten who I am~"
Zhang Linsheng was silent.
Xia Xia laughed a few times and then asked coquettishly, "Little brother, do you have time right now? Shall I deliver your things to you?"
"...There's no need to trouble yourself. I'll pick them up from your company tomorrow."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. You gave me such a generous tip the other day! It's only right for me to deliver them to you."
"...Alright then."
Zhang Linsheng hesitated for a moment, gave an address of a street corner not too far from his home, and then arranged to meet in an hour.
After hanging up the phone, he slouched on the sofa for a while. My mind is actually a bit of a mess, not really pondering this girl named Xia Xia; I'm only thinking about how to talk to Qu Xiaoling tonight...
After some time, seeing that it was about time, Zhang Linsheng got up, washed his face, put on his coat, and went downstairs.
The agreed-upon location was a crossroads not far from Zhang Linsheng's residential area. There was a recognizable customs office building here, which made the place very easy to find.
Zhang Linsheng didn't ride a bike but walked over and then stood under a streetlight to wait.
A little while later, a white Elantra slowly drove up, stopped at the curb, turned off the engine, and parked.
The driver's door opened, and Xia Xia got out, waving at Zhang Linsheng with a smile from a few steps away.
The girl was obviously all dressed up. She wore a beige dress that hugged her figure, the kind that accentuated the curves of a girl her age... She had the allure of someone more mature than a young girl, yet with more youth than a mature woman. The exposed part of her legs beneath the hem of the dress was snow-white and straight, and the high-heeled shoes she was wearing made her calves look even more enticing.
There was no doubt that this girl was fully aware of her own physical advantages, and she was also very skilled at dressing and accentuating her strengths. She wore exquisite light makeup, devoid of any worldly air, bringing out a sense of innocence and charm. She looked youthful and vibrant, not at all like someone who worked in a nightclub but more like a college student or a young office worker fresh into society.
This girl named Xia Xia was naturally beautiful; otherwise, she couldn't have become a Red Card Fairy in the nightlife scene. This careful grooming really gave her a stunning appearance.
When Zhang Linsheng saw her at first glance, he was taken aback for a moment.
Xia Xia walked over with a coy smile, holding two shopping bags, and greeted Zhang Linsheng, "Little brother~ have you been waiting long?"
"... Uh, no, I just got here." Zhang Linsheng's face turned red, and he lowered his head, shifting his gaze away.
It was only as Xia Xia came closer that he noticed her dress's neckline was cut somewhat low, revealing a glimpse of her cleavage. Not deep, but sizeable. In the light, it looked a startling shade of white.
Xia Xia deliberately raised her hand to brush her hair aside and leaned in closer, tilting her head as she looked at Zhang Linsheng. "What's the matter? Don't I look good today? Little brother, why don't you dare to look at me?"
Zhang Linsheng coughed. "That... Where's my stuff?"
"It's right here."
Xia Xia handed over the items to Brother Haonan (Zhang Linsheng), who said in a muffled, grumpy tone, "That... thanks for that. You've been a big help."
"It was no trouble at all~"
"About that... delivering my things so late, didn't it delay your work? Sorry about that."
"Not at all." Xia Xia pursed her lips in a smile, but her eyes were deliberately flirtatious. "You see, you really weren't paying attention to me that day! Didn't I say that I have been off for the past few days? It was just that day when I met a VIP like you that the manager called me to come over and keep you company. I've been resting recently, not working."
"Uh... Oh." Zhang Linsheng nodded mechanically, not knowing quite how to continue the conversation.
Xia Xia's eyes flickered. "Do you live nearby then?"
"Yeah."
"So... do you have anything else to do tonight?" Xia Xia asked with a sweet smile, even stepping closer and placing her hand on Zhang Linsheng's arm. "I haven't had dinner yet... How about I treat you to dinner? It's to say thank you for the generous tip you gave me the other day."
Zhang Linsheng thought it over for a moment—even someone as reserved as him, even someone who didn't usually interact much with girls. But Brother Haonan (Zhang Linsheng) was certainly no fool. Not only was he not a fool, but Brother Haonan's (Zhang Linsheng's) thinking was actually clearer than many. Otherwise, if he had been a naïve young man without any presence of mind, he would have been utterly terrified at his first meeting with Li Qingshan.
After pondering for a bit, Zhang Linsheng looked up, his expression now more steady. "Sorry, I've already had dinner, so I won't keep you company."
"Is that so." Xia Xia looked a bit disappointed and after some thought asked, "Do you have any plans tonight?"
"..." Zhang Linsheng looked at the girl.
Xia Xia squinted her eyes and smiled, a very enticing smile.
"I have something to do this evening," Zhang Linsheng replied firmly.
"... Uh."
Xia Xia was stunned. She hadn't expected the young man to give such a firm response.
Even a blind person could see that I'm hitting on you, okay!
"Thank you for making the trip to deliver this to me; it must have been a bother," Zhang Linsheng took a deep breath. "I really do have something else, so I'll be heading back now."
"Uh... Ah! If you don't live far, can I give you a lift back in my car? It's not far anyway, just a press of the accelerator."
Zhang Linsheng shook his head. "No thanks."
With that, Brother Haonan (Zhang Linsheng) waved at her and turned to leave.
Xia Xia couldn't hold back anymore and couldn't help but call out, "Hey! Little brother!"
"Hmm?" Zhang Linsheng turned around.
"Don't tell me you're not the least bit interested in me?" Xia Xia pouted.
"Hmm, sorry, I'm not interested," Zhang Linsheng shook his head.
"Am I not pretty?"
"You are pretty," Zhang Linsheng exhaled. "You are very pretty."
"Then... why?"
There's no 'why,' Zhang Linsheng shook his head. He knew exactly what he was thinking, but the words... suddenly got stuck.
No way, I've never rejected a girl in my eighteen years of life! In the eighteen years I've lived, I've never encountered such a situation: a beautiful girl throwing herself at me and me rejecting her? Never happened! It was always others rejecting me, okay!
At a loss for words, Brother Haonan (Zhang Linsheng) held his breath for a few seconds, looked at Xia Xia, and said in a dry, low voice, "That… I don't want to make friends right now."
"Huh?"
"I just want to focus on my studies right now."
"What?"
"Uh, you, you, you're a good person."
"......"
Brother Haonan (Zhang Linsheng) had used all of the most familiar rejection lines he'd encountered in his eighteen years of life in one go!
Then he turned and ran off as if escaping.
And the Red Card Fairy stood in the wind, her expression a complete mess.
I... Was I just friend-zoned???