Monday at Qingya University is a source of joy for every student. It's the only day of the week when the cafeteria sells golden crispy fried chicken legs, and the taste is truly unparalleled in the world!
"Alas..." Qin Feng showed no interest in the dozen or so chicken legs in front of him and sighed repeatedly. Xie Bingxia, sitting opposite him, pushed the plate of chicken legs towards him. "Sorry for scaring you on Saturday."
Qin Feng was extremely aggrieved. His puppy - like eyes were so pitiful, as if he were saying, "I'm seriously hurt and need hugs, kisses, and to be lifted up high."
Xie Bingxia had no choice but to pat his head. "Just pretend I was bitten by a bug. Forget about it."
"I also want to be a bug." Qin Feng pouted. As expected, he received a disdainful look from Xie Bingxia. He let out a groan and lay on the table to heal his own wounds.
Li Duo had no idea what had happened between the two. He picked up a chicken leg and ate it with gusto, showing no courtesy at all. "Are you two dating?"
Hearing the word "dating", Qin Feng, who had been listless like a dead fish, bounced up. He grabbed a chicken leg and stuffed it directly into Li Duo's mouth. "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."
Li Duo's mouth was full of oil and he could only wail. He stared wide - eyed at Xie Bingxia and then at Qin Feng, and silently continued to munch on the chicken leg.
Xie Bingxia smiled and then asked Qin Feng, "Where's Yan Xiaoyi? What's the situation?"
The plan on Saturday was completely ruined by Gu Bei. She didn't know if Yan Xiaoyi had chickened out after seeing Gu Bei, but he didn't show up for the date that day. After leaving the Shanghao House, he went straight to the Internet café and played League of Legends all night. Qin Feng had told Xie Bingxia all this information.
Since the tryst last time had been unsuccessful, Yan Xiaoyi and Yuan Yiyun would surely continue to contact each other secretly. She still had a chance!
Unexpectedly, Qin Feng spread out his hands and said calmly, "I quit. I'm out."
"Why?" Xie Bingxia was puzzled. "Don't you want your brother to turn over a new leaf?"
"You have an ulterior motive." Qin Feng said sulkily. "Gu Bei isn't a fool. Doesn't he know what kind of person Yuan Yiyun is? Why do you insist on breaking them up?"
Xie Bingxia was momentarily at a loss for words. Qin Feng then asked, "Dare you say you don't have other feelings for Gu Bei?"
The two of them were sitting face - to - face. Students were bustling around, laughing and chatting, but the air around them seemed to be frozen. Qin Feng stared at Xie Bingxia. Although he pretended to be calm on the surface, he was extremely anxious inside. He was waiting for an answer from Xie Bingxia.
After a long time, Xie Bingxia avoided his direct gaze and stood up. "It's up to you."
Qin Feng was completely deflated. He hung his head in懊恼 and repeatedly rubbed the short hair on the back of his head. Li Duo couldn't stand it anymore. He spat out the chicken chunks in his mouth and tried to persuade Xie Bingxia to stay. "Don't go, goddess. Let's talk some more." Then he gave Qin Feng a hard pat on the back, which made Qin Feng lurch forward and hit his chin on the edge of the table.
"Hiss—" Qin Feng gasped in pain, and tears were about to well up.
Xie Bingxia looked at his pitiful appearance and sat back down opposite him. "I'll give you one more chance."
Qin Feng rubbed his chin and mumbled softly, "Anyway, I won't give you up. I just like you." Xie Bingxia didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She reached up and pulled his hand away. "Let me take a look. Is it bruised?" Qin Feng had been in a slump for a few days and was too lazy to shave that morning. He was afraid that his stubble would prick Xie Bingxia's hand, so he wouldn't let her touch it.
"What's wrong with taking a look?"
"It's okay. A real man doesn't care about a minor injury."
"It's not a minor injury. It's not even an injury at all."
"Ouch... It hurts!"
Their bickering sounded like sweet flirting to Li Duo's ears. He was so envious, jealous, and hateful that he bit the chicken leg so hard that it made a crunching sound.
"Bingxia? Is it really you?" The last voice she wanted to hear suddenly popped into her ears. Xie Bingxia wanted to roll her eyes again.
"Yuan Yiyun, what are you doing here?" Qin Feng was on high alert.
"Rude!" Yuan Yiyun deliberately tossed her hair on her shoulder and said coquettishly, "You should call me sister. Come on, say it. Otherwise, I'll tell Uncle Qin."
Qin Feng ignored her. Xie Bingxia retorted, "Ms. Yuan, are you also here to eat the cafeteria's golden crispy chicken legs? Here, there are plenty. Don't be polite."
Yuan Yiyun looked at the greasy chicken legs disdainfully and changed the topic. "Actually, I'm here to work."
"Work? As a cleaning lady or a gardener?" Qin Feng just found it funny. Yuan Yiyun wasn't angry. She said slowly, "I went to Australia some time ago to complete my thesis and get my degree from the University of Sydney."
Xie Bingxia had heard a bit about this from Gu Bei. Yuan Yiyun was studying vocal music at the University of Sydney. As for whether she really had the ability to get the degree, well... everyone knew.
"Qingya University has specially invited me to teach vocal music here. I hope we can all learn from each other in the future." Yuan Yiyun raised her chin, looking extremely proud.
Qin Feng leaned over to Xie Bingxia and whispered, "Her father donated some money to the school. And..." His eyes were full of meaning, and Xie Bingxia immediately understood: the school was the perfect hunting ground for her, and becoming a teacher would give her even more power.
Xie Bingxia stood up. This time, she really intended to leave. She called to Qin Feng, "There's a fly buzzing in my ear. The chicken legs don't taste good anymore. Come on, I'll treat you to hot pot at the back street."
"Great!" Qin Feng couldn't have been happier. He followed Xie Bingxia and also took Li Duo, who had already eaten three chicken legs.
"Remember to take my vocal music class." Yuan Yiyun shouted behind them. The corner of her mouth that had been raised suddenly dropped. "Tsk, so annoying! One day, I'll crush you all like bugs!"
Of course, these barely audible and vicious words were drowned out in the noisy voices. No one but the people involved could hear them.
*
After enduring the afternoon's political lecture, Xie Bingxia heaved a sigh of relief. She didn't have to listen to the teacher talking about Marx and Engels anymore. The unpleasant encounter with Yuan Yiyun during the day was also forgotten the moment she walked out of the campus. She happily ran towards the car that was there to pick her up.
She opened the door of the front - passenger seat. Secretary Zhang was sitting upright, holding the steering wheel.
"Hey? Why is it you, Secretary Zhang, who's coming to pick me up today?"
Secretary Zhang quickly winked, indicating that there was someone in the back seat. Xie Bingxia let out a soft laugh. She turned around and saw Gu Bei holding an iPad. He patted the seat beside him.
Xie Bingxia had no choice but to obediently sit in the back seat. She couldn't resist complaining, "Boss Gu is so busy with business. You don't have to come and pick me up in person! Secretary Li is also great. He has good driving skills and is young..."
Gu Bei ignored her complaints and shoved the iPad in front of her. "I think it's necessary to set three rules for your behavior during your university years to ensure that you can receive a good education, not make bad friends, or waste your time on trivial things."
Xie Bingxia took the iPad and glanced at a few lines. "Again? How much do you like making rules?" Her dissatisfied lips immediately pouted. She pleaded, "I don't want them. I advocate freedom. I will never accept rules that violate human rights."
"Your opinion is overruled." Gu Bei took out a lollipop, unwrapped it, and stuffed it into Xie Bingxia's mouth, trying to silence her complaints.
Xie Bingxia rolled the lollipop from one side of her mouth to the other. Her puffed - out cheeks were extremely cute. As if she knew that her profile looked really good, she deliberately turned it towards Gu Bei and pleaded, "Boss Gu, can you not set the three rules?"
"I'll listen to you!" Xie Bingxia fluttered her long, crow - wing - like eyelashes. Her watery eyes glanced at Gu Bei and then dropped, as if trying to figure out his intentions. "Okay? Okay?"
Gu Bei was momentarily dazed. This cute scene of coquetry seemed familiar. The smiles and actions of the person in front of him slowly overlapped with the person hidden deep in his heart.
—— Xia Jingwei...
"Huh? What's wrong with you?" Xie Bingxia noticed that Gu Bei was in a daze and leaned closer. The rapidly shortening distance immediately woke Gu Bei up. He pushed Xie Bingxia away and whispered, "It's nothing."
"Memorize the three rules tonight. I'll check tomorrow." After giving the order, Gu Bei turned to look out of the window. No matter how pitiful Xie Bingxia pretended to be, he ignored her.