Chapter 2

“Hmph.” Peng Yang cast a contemptuous glance at the boy standing silently behind the manager, then reached out to take Jiang Qiao away.

But when he turned around, he realized Jiang Qiao had already walked two meters away, leaving behind nothing but her cold, retreating figure. Peng Yang quickly ran after her. “Qiao, wait for me…”

Behind him, Ye Qingqing followed guiltily. As she passed by Lu Xun, she whispered, “Sorry about that.”

Lu Xun slightly lifted his eyelids. “It’s fine.”

The farce came to an end just as it was time for the shift change.

In the staff break room, Lu Xun silently packed up his things.

The manager followed him in, sat down on a bench, and looked at the bruising at the corner of Lu Xun’s mouth. He let out a sigh. “Anywhere else hurt?”

“No,” Lu Xun replied, shaking his head.

The manager patted his shoulder. “You know, you don’t seem the type to get involved in things. How did you suddenly turn righteous? Those rich young masters and ladies—what they do is all consensual. Rules are dead; people are alive. Sometimes you just have to turn a blind eye. We can’t afford to offend them. Going head-to-head, you’re the only one who’ll suffer.”

Lu Xun paused in his packing, then said after a while, “Mm.”

The manager, knowing Lu Xun’s temperament, just shook his head and stopped talking. “Alright, head on home. It’s getting late.”

He stuffed a few boxes of pre-packed fruit from a drawer into Lu Xun’s bag.

When Lu Xun tried to take them out, the manager pressed his hand down. “Even if you don’t finish it, it’ll get thrown out. Don’t be so stubborn.”

Lu Xun pursed his lips but didn’t argue.

In the private booth, a number of people had gathered—all regular rich second-gens.

Having invited Jiang Qiao, Peng Yang was in an especially good mood today. A group of half-grown teens started playing Truth or Dare.

Jiang Qiao “won” on the first round. Uninterested, she downed a glass of beer and used the excuse of feeling unwell to sit aside and play on her phone.

Ye Qingqing, who was well-liked, got the others to gang up and make Peng Yang drink. After finishing a can of beer, he crushed it and tossed it aside. “You guys didn’t see how arrogant that waiter was just now. Didn’t even dare fight back after I beat him.”

“Hahaha, Peng Yang, bullying people again? You’ve really mastered the art of being a rich punk.”

“You mean the new guy at the front desk? Looked pretty stuck-up. Be careful he doesn’t jump you in an alley one day.”

Peng Yang scoffed. “He doesn’t have the guts.”

Someone called Jiang Qiao over to join the game, but she waved them off and picked up an apple to munch on:
[“You systems are pretty twisted. You really enjoy watching the male lead get humiliated?”]

[“How can there be a rainbow without going through the storm!”] 166 replied righteously. [“This is a trial all Dragon Kings must endure!”]

Alright then, no understanding and no respect.

Now that the plot point had been fulfilled, there was no need to stay any longer.

Jiang Qiao finished her apple, wiped her hands with a wet tissue, then stood up. “Qingqing, come with me to the restroom.”

Ye Qingqing had just lost a round and was being forced to drink. Upon hearing that, she quickly agreed. “Coming… I swear I’ll be back. I promise I’ll drink when I get back…”

After much swearing and promising, the others finally let her go.

Once outside the booth, the world felt quiet again. Ye Qingqing took a deep breath and sighed, “That was actually pretty fun.”

“Fun?” Jiang Qiao looked at her. “Come on, let’s get out of here. Keep drinking and you won’t even know you’ve been sold.”

“Huh?” Ye Qingqing blinked. “Wait, weren’t we just going to the restroom?”

“Restroom, my ass.”

Ye Qingqing: “………………”

She muttered pitifully, “Qiao’er, you’ve gotten vulgar.”

When they were still a few meters from the front desk, Jiang Qiao suddenly stopped and sighed. “Stop hiding. The top student has already gotten off work.”

From behind her, Ye Qingqing instantly perked up. “Really?”

“Mm.” Jiang Qiao asked, “What are you feeling guilty about? If anyone should feel guilty, it’s me.”

“Oh, so you do know.” Ye Qingqing huffed, “Then why aren’t you feeling guilty?”

“I am guilty,” Jiang Qiao raised her eyebrows and shoved the bewildered Ye Qingqing into a taxi. “That’s why I’m going to check on the victim’s injuries now.”

“What do you mean by that? Jiang Qiao, explain it to me—!”

Ye Qingqing’s frustrated voice faded with the taxi’s exhaust as Jiang Qiao let out a soft laugh and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

Occasional cars passed on the street. Footsteps and the sound of bicycle wheels rolled faintly through the quiet night.

The boy stood tall, pushing a worn-out bicycle forward. The early autumn night already carried a chill.

Having changed out of his waiter’s uniform, he wore only a plain white T-shirt.

The streetlamp stretched his shadow long across the pavement. Suddenly, without warning, he stopped. The sound of the wheels ceased too.

“Did you have fun?” Lu Xun’s voice was cold, made even more desolate by the empty street.

Sigh, so alert—even with one ear, he still hears everything so clearly.

Jiang Qiao sighed and stepped out from behind a tree. “What a coincidence, we meet again.”

Lu Xun didn’t respond. His gaze brushed past her as he resumed walking.

Jiang Qiao: “……………”

Being ignored didn’t anger her. She continued following behind. As she got closer, she noticed the deflated rear tire of his bicycle—no wonder he was pushing it instead of riding.

“Are you angry?” Jiang Qiao deliberately moved closer to the boy who refused to even glance sideways, gripping the bike handle.

She approached suddenly—on the side of his damaged left ear. Lu Xun froze at first, then the warmth in his eyes dropped to freezing.

He reached out and firmly grabbed Jiang Qiao’s wrist, yanking her hand away without hesitation.

Her fair and delicate wrist instantly turned red. Seeing her beautiful brows knit in pain, her eyes misty with unshed tears, she whispered, “You’re really strong… That hurt…”

“……………”

Lu Xun had no experience dealing with girls, especially not ones who had indirectly caused him to get punched. His tone remained unchanged: “Serves you right.”

Jiang Qiao: “……………”

Is he always like this? No wonder he has no friends.

Ignoring the mocking voice of 166 in her mind, Jiang Qiao continued to act innocent. “Sorry for getting you hurt.”

“But…” she changed her tone and shot back his own words, “It still serves you right.”

“There were so many people—why did you only stop me, Lu Xun? Is it because you like me?”

She said it confidently, chin tilted up. Jiang Qiao thought she saw the corners of Lu Xun’s thin lips curl upward ever so slightly—was that a smile?

Before she could look more closely, his tall figure loomed over her. Looking down from above, he sneered, his bruised lips adding a wild edge. “I like dogs. I would never like you.”

His words were laced with malice.

Jiang Qiao froze, staring at him in disbelief. Her face flushed red with anger. She suddenly recalled the scene at the classroom door earlier, and a wave of frustration surged inside her.

“You like Song Qingying?” she blurted out.

Lu Xun didn’t deny it. “Think whatever you want.”

“But who I like—what does that have to do with you?” His voice was cold and indifferent.

Of course it matters! Jiang Qiao bit her lip hard.

She had her eyes on Lu Xun’s face—and that meant Lu Xun was hers. Yes, she was that unreasonable. She was that possessive!

“What does she have that I don’t?!” Jiang Qiao’s voice trembled as she threw down her threat: “Lu Xun, you’ll regret this.”