Li Ruoshui’s words seemed to drift farther and farther away in Shen Fanyun’s ears.
His gaze was distant as he looked at the once-familiar sights of Hangcheng No.1 Middle School. He felt as if he had grown up overnight since the year he left.
In those naive days, I always fantasized about growing up.
Because growing up meant freedom, ample time, and boundless energy to squander.
Now that I look back, growing up wasn’t so great after all.
"Back then, all my classmates thought that Li Qiuchan and I would end up together," Shen Fanyun muttered to himself.
Once a rumor took hold, explanations became pointless. People only believe what they want to believe—what they hear and see. Explanations were dismissed as cover-ups, and a cover-up was always linked to a guilty truth.
At that stage, aside from Lu Feiyan, everyone—even Li Ruoshui, who was right beside him—unquestionably believed that he and Li Qiuchan had been in a relationship.
"Let’s go get something to eat." Shen Fanyun patted his stomach. After the intense battle that afternoon, he urgently needed to replenish his strength and vitality. Moreover, he had been running himself ragged between two beautiful women, Su Xiyang and Li Ruoshui. Although Shen Fanyun was young, he was clearly drained from the constant activity. A man, especially, has to take care of himself when he needs to!
Li Ruoshui nodded and asked, "What should we eat?"
"Lamb testicles," Shen Fanyun blurted out.
Li Ruoshui rarely ate barbecue. For one, she found the heavy smoke at food stalls overwhelming. For another, everyone’s tastes differ, so she was completely unaware of the fame lamb testicles held in the world of barbecue. However, the dish is literally called ’lamb testicles,’ and it has the word ’testicles’ in it... Could it be what I think it is?
"Ew, that’s disgusting!" Li Ruoshui exclaimed, shaking her head like a rattle drum. How could anyone eat that? How could I even bring myself to swallow it? Why would Shen Fanyun want to eat something like that? Isn’t that what sheep use to pee?
Shen Fanyun laughed heartily. "What’s so disgusting about it?"
"This is a great revitalizing food, you wouldn’t understand," Shen Fanyun boasted, talking more and more nonsense. Li Ruoshui could hardly stand to listen, especially with that smug look on his face.
It particularly reminded her of that time in the dormitory. To satisfy Shen Fanyun, she had reluctantly opened her cherry-red lips and, under his guidance, tried something she had never experienced before.
The texture was so strange.
"You jerk! You forced me to do that! You think I wanted to?!"
"I... I..."
Li Ruoshui’s face flushed crimson. This guy is inhuman! I made such a huge sacrifice for him, and not only does he not know how to be tender, he’s making fun of me for it with that disgusting grin!
"I’m going to kill you!" Li Ruoshui gritted her teeth. If it weren’t for the students occasionally passing by and her need to maintain a gentle and perfect image, she would have already pounced on him and taught him a lesson he’d never forget.
"Alright, alright, I was just teasing you," Shen Fanyun said, patting Li Ruoshui’s shoulder comfortingly.
Li Ruoshui scoffed. "Don’t even think about asking for my help next time. Or maybe I’ll find an opportunity and bite it off with one chomp!"
That’s a good idea. Nipping the problem in the bud is the best solution. One bite, and Shen Fanyun would be forced into monastic life, unable to be near women ever again. HEH HEH HEH, a permanent solution!
As she thought this, Li Ruoshui bared her pearly white teeth and deliberately ground them together.
Shen Fanyun suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. "My fault, my fault. Don’t be mad."
"I’m not eating that stuff. Let’s have Western food. I want steak and pasta," Li Ruoshui said, her arms crossed as she continued to pout.
Shen Fanyun feigned a difficult expression. "No can do. I need to recharge."
Li Ruoshui was speechless.
"What if you wear me out again tonight? My millions of brave soldiers will march out, but none will return. Sooner or later, I’ll be completely bankrupt!" Shen Fanyun declared with a straight face.
Li Ruoshui could see he was talking nonsense, so she ignored him and hailed a taxi. However, she was secretly quite happy. Wait, does this mean Shen Fanyun isn’t leaving tonight?
"At least you have some conscience, actually making time to keep me company," Li Ruoshui said as she sat in the car, hugging Shen Fanyun’s arm with a smile blooming on her face.
The taxi driver witnessed Li Ruoshui’s stunning beauty and saw her coquettishly nuzzling Shen Fanyun’s chin with her head, and he suddenly felt his own life had been a waste. There truly is a vast gap between people, especially between men. This young man is so damn lucky!
* * *
After Xu Bingqing went home, she was still bothered. Every time I think of Shen Fanyun’s detestable face, I feel physically ill. I have to tell Qiuchan. If that Shen Fanyun is still harboring ill intentions and is really after her, we need to take precautions. What if he suddenly shows up on Li Qiuchan and Han Feng’s wedding day, making a scene and threatening to die? If he ruins her wedding, the price would be too high. I also have to remind Li Qiuchan not to go soft on him or get involved with him again. In short, that scoundrel Shen Fanyun doesn’t deserve Li Qiuchan.
Xu Bingqing immediately dialed Li Qiuchan’s number and invited her out to eat.
Lately, Li Qiuchan had been completely absorbed in her wedding preparations, personally handling every detail and arrangement. Today was one of the rare days she had free.
「In a tea restaurant.」
Having waited for some time, Xu Bingqing finally saw Li Qiuchan approaching. She was dressed in a Chanel-style suit and carried a high-end handbag worth hundreds of thousands.
"Hey, long time no see," Li Qiuchan greeted her warmly.
She stood at least 1.7 meters tall, with rare nine-head body proportions and an exceptional face. Wherever she went, she was the undisputed center of attention.
Even Xu Bingqing, who was also remarkably beautiful, inevitably paled in comparison to Li Qiuchan.
The people around them chattered, their gazes all drawn to Li Qiuchan.
"She’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen such a gorgeous girl in my life."
"Hmm, she looks kind of familiar, doesn’t she? So elegant, she must be from a prestigious family."
"That’s Young Master Han’s fiancée! Their wedding photos are plastered everywhere. No wonder she looks familiar. I can’t believe I’m seeing her in person!"
Over the years, Li Qiuchan had grown accustomed to such praise, so she didn’t feel much. She knew she was beautiful enough to outshine all the other women in Hangcheng City!
"You’re absolutely glowing! It’s true what they say about happy occasions. Honestly, my friend, I’m so envious," Xu Bingqing smiled. Their long-standing friendship meant they could skip the formalities.
"Then you should hurry up and get yourself married off," Li Qiuchan teased.
Xu Bingqing propped up her chin and sighed. "There’s only one Young Master Han in Hangcheng City, and you’ve already beaten me to him. And since I’m not willing to settle for just anyone..."
"I’m afraid I’ll end up old and alone."
Li Qiuchan shook her head. "That’s because your standards are too high. If you lowered them just a little, the line of men chasing you would stretch all the way to the suburbs."