Chapter 26: Retribution from Lu Beiyuan

Final exams were approaching.

Shi Ran, after showering and applying skincare, was scooped up from behind by Lu Beiyuan, who kissed her earlobe. “Ranran.”

Shi Ran pushed him away slightly with her elbow. “Finals are coming, I need to study. Behave yourself.”

She’d started her period and had a stomach ache. Shi Ran reviewed art theory while rubbing her belly.

Suddenly, a pair of warm, large hands covered her stomach, gently massaging it.

Shi Ran didn’t object and continued reading.

Unbeknownst to her, the man’s gaze had already shifted upwards.

“Ranran, I want…”

Shi Ran slapped his hand away, looking vigilant. “Don’t even think about it.”

She added, “Don’t even think about it.”

She returned her attention to her textbook. Even as an art student, she couldn’t escape advanced mathematics.

And her teacher was notoriously difficult. The rumor was that in her class, there was only passing or retaking; no make-up exams. Anything below 80 was an automatic retake.

It was brutal, especially for art students.

Shi Ran was seriously struggling with a calculus problem; she’d been stuck on it for half an hour.

“Take the first derivative.”

Shi Ran’s eyes lit up. “You know how to do it?”

Lu Beiyuan looked arrogant. “Piece of cake.”

Shi Ran instantly grabbed his sleeve, like a lifeline. “Save me!”

“Don’t even think about it,” Lu Beiyuan stood up, flicking his sleeve.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Shi Ran pouted. “Such a grudge.”

She threw down her book, hugged Lu Beiyuan from behind, and said softly, “Yan gege, teach me.”

Unseen by her, Lu Beiyuan’s lips curled into a triumphant smirk, but he maintained his arrogant facade. “Don’t even think about it.”

Shi Ran was never a patient person.

The hands restraining her suddenly disappeared. Shi Ran picked up her book and silently gnawed on her pen.

Lu Beiyuan was stunned for a few seconds before reacting.

That’s it? She just gave up?

Women, couldn’t she coax me a little?

He wanted to leave, but glancing over, he saw the girl sitting on the soft carpet, her snow-white peaks rising prominently.

So he silently walked over and made a deal.

“Ranran, I’ll tutor you for a few hours, and then we’ll… do a few hours of… other things. Deal?”

Shi Ran’s face flushed instantly. What a scoundrel!

But looking at the problem she couldn’t solve, a problem with only a numerical answer in the solution, and thinking about having to face that terrifying teacher again next semester if she failed…

Her mood turned heavy.

Seeing that the girl didn’t refuse, Lu Beiyuan’s mood instantly brightened. He diligently tutored Shi Ran.

Of course, he was even more diligent in other things.

The next morning, Shi Ran looked at her torn clothes scattered on the floor, her heart still pounding.

Her eyes were heavy, and she regretted it a million times over. She shouldn’t have agreed to Lu Beiyuan’s deal. She’d reviewed her subjects, but her mental state was terrible!

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The playground after the exams was filled with a relaxed atmosphere.

Shi Keyue watched the laughing couple in front of her, furious. Her last plan had failed; she hadn’t managed to ruin Shi Ran, that despicable woman.

She took out her phone and snapped a few pictures.

Back home, Ruan Qing couldn’t stop smiling.

“Mom, I’m worried sick, how can you be so happy? Your last idea didn’t harm Shi Ran at all. She’s being kept by Lu Beiyuan and also flirting with that silly Lin Yue.”

Ruan Qing: “Oh, my dear, did you really think it had no effect? Your dad just called, telling you to dress up. Lu Beiyuan invited you to dinner!”

Shi Keyue’s eyes widened, then she became wary. “Lu Beiyuan invited me? No way? Isn’t this a trap because he found out I was behind that incident?”

Ruan Qing peeled an orange, sitting up straight. “Oh my, I paid off that boy who was beaten up; he didn’t reveal anything. Rest assured, Lu Beiyuan won’t find out it was us.”

She popped an orange segment into her mouth. “My daughter, you’re so beautiful, as sweet as this orange, which man wouldn’t like you?”

“Your father said Lu Beiyuan keeping Ranran is also a good thing. He doesn’t seem to be as averse to women as rumored. So he invited you because you’re prettier than that Shi Ran, he likes you!”

Shi Keyue wore her most expensive and beautiful haute couture dress, eight-centimeter heels, and meticulous makeup.

She went to the dinner in high spirits.

Arriving at the address her father sent, she realized Lu Beiyuan hadn’t just invited her. The room was full of people.

Upon seeing her, Lu Beiyuan nodded. “Come, sit here.”

Hearing his voice, everyone looked towards the door. A very glamorous woman walked towards them.

A man said, “Oh, this must be Lu’s newly announced girlfriend. This is the first we’ve heard of Lu having a girlfriend. Excellent taste!”

Lu Beiyuan smiled but didn’t speak.

Shi Keyue sat next to Lu Beiyuan; on her other side was a fat, sleazy-looking older man who hadn’t taken his eyes off her since she entered.

For half an hour, the business tycoons discussed work—which land was valuable, worth investing in.

“Old Yuan, you actually got that land in the west of the city. It wasn’t cheap, was it?”

The sleazy man next to Shi Keyue smiled, his wrinkles prominent. “That land wasn’t easy to get. Many people were eyeing it!”

The conversation centered on that piece of land; it seemed to be a hot commodity and the highlight of the dinner.

“Then I’m interested.”

A low, magnetic voice fell, silencing the room.

Throughout the dinner, Lu Beiyuan only drank tea, seemingly detached.

This was his only other words besides the “Come, sit” he said when his companion entered.

Everyone fell silent, anticipating his next words.

When Lu Beiyuan wanted something, others had no choice but to yield.

The situation became awkward; several men made excuses to leave, claiming they had things to do.

Only Lu Beiyuan, Shi Keyue, and the sweating Old Yuan remained.

Shi Keyue finally felt she had a chance. She wore a deep V-neck dress, showing off her legs and figure. Every man’s eyes were glued to her.

Except for Lu Beiyuan, the powerful man of City A, who looked at her as if she were an ordinary woman on the street, showing no surprise or admiration.

She tried subtly to get closer, her breasts brushing against him.

Lu Beiyuan remained unmoved.