Chen Xiao raised an eyebrow, a look of disdain crossing his handsome face. “Did I hit a nerve? Can’t you take it?”

“Not really,” Wang Xiaoke responded with a forced smile, “I’m just curious how someone like you, with a brain full of holes, has managed to survive this long.” She clenched her fist, the knuckles cracking.

“Oh, what, are you actually planning to take a swing at me?” Chen Xiao said, seeing her stance as if ready to pounce. He quickly warned, “This is a public place. Try to touch me, and I’ll make sure you regret it.”

It did seem that way. With witnesses and evidence, she might actually end up in trouble. Wang Xiaoke rolled her eyes, took a deep breath, and reluctantly withdrew her fist, fighting the urge to beat the guy up.

Forget it. Don’t get angry. Be patient. Stay calm. Be gentle! Wang Xiaoke kept telling herself.

“Last time, I let my guard down, and you got one hit in. But do you really think I’m some soft pushover?” Chen Xiao sneered. “Just take a look at yourself. For someone like me to notice you, that’s your blessing. Don’t get too cocky in front of me.”

To hell with patience, calm, and gentleness! She had had enough of this unlucky streak!

“Slap!”

Wang Xiaoke delivered a crisp slap to his face. Chen Xiao’s head snapped back, his eyes spinning, and his once-perfect face quickly swelled up before anyone’s eyes.

“Wang… Xiaoke!” His words came out through clenched teeth, as if forced through his gritted teeth. Though he still sat upright like a mountain, maintaining his arrogant god-like pose, his eyes were already burning red with fury. He ground his teeth, “You actually dared to hit me.”

Wang Xiaoke rubbed her sore wrist and smiled gently at him. “How does it feel to be a big shot with a swollen face, Mr. Handsome Chen?”

“You’re asking for trouble,” Chen Xiao roared, using his height and long limbs to stand up as if to grab Wang Xiaoke by the collar.

“I advise you not to get too angry. Calm down. It’s very ungracious for a man to hit a woman,” Wang Xiaoke said, nimbly stepping back two paces. She kindly continued, “Look, the receptionist over there is watching you. She’s been staring at you for a while. It seems like she’s really interested in you. You wouldn’t want to leave her with a bad impression, would you?” Wang Xiaoke wore the expression of someone who was only looking out for him.

Chen Xiao glared at Wang Xiaoke with such fury that his expression looked like he had just swallowed a fly, utterly displeased.

Suppressing the rage that was about to explode, he slowly sat back down, though his tone was filled with barely contained animosity. “You better watch out. This isn’t over.”

“These are small matters, there’s plenty of time ahead,” Wang Xiaoke said with a grin.

Thanks to her unexpected move earlier, she had found his weak spot. She shamelessly leaned in again, “Mr. Handsome Chen, I know I was a bit too impulsive earlier. I just wanted to apologize and ask for your forgiveness. Can you forgive me?”

“Do you think I’m a three-year-old? Slap me and then give me a sweet treat? Just wait, you’ll regret this,” Chen Xiao said, his gaze dark, looking at her like she was an idiot.

“Actually, I didn’t expect you to forgive me,” Wang Xiaoke said nonchalantly, without a hint of guilt. “I just need a small favor from you, so I’m being polite. Don’t overthink it.”