Chapter Fifty-Six: The Ignorant Know No Fear, the Shameless Feel No Burden

As soon as Long Fei entered the classroom, he saw Liu Ruoyi still sitting in the seat she had occupied yesterday. Her gentle smile was particularly captivating, so naturally, Long Fei made his way over. He noticed his desk and chair had been wiped so clean they almost reflected his image. In a low voice, he said, “You’re quite diligent, aren’t you? Heh, thank you.”

Several of the boys nearby were also accompanied by girls today, each with a female classmate sitting beside them. Yet, just as Long Fei took his seat, those boys couldn’t help but cast him sidelong glances—looks of undisguised envy.

Long Fei never had the habit of bringing textbooks to class. The materials he’d picked up after registering were probably still in Ye Qian’s car. Not that it mattered to him; he wasn’t really here to study anyway. As long as a beautiful woman sat beside him, reading or not made little difference.

Liu Ruoyi placed her copy of “A History of Western Music” in the center of the desk, intentionally or otherwise shifting her body a bit closer to Long Fei. Long Fei responded just as eagerly, squeezing toward the middle as well, so that their thighs touched. Unfortunately, Liu Ruoyi reacted quickly; before Long Fei could contrive to rest his hand on her leg, she had already withdrawn.

Long Fei sighed with a hint of regret. It seemed that although Liu Ruoyi was somewhat interested in him, winning her over would still take time.

The revolution is not yet won; comrades must still strive.

He stole a glance at Liu Ruoyi’s chest—just as generous as yesterday.

Liu Ruoyi whispered, “Why didn’t you come to class yesterday?”

Long Fei quickly replied, “Oh, I went to rent an apartment off campus. By the way, whenever you’d like to visit, I’ll take you there and cook for you.”

A faint blush rose to Liu Ruoyi’s cheeks. Just last night, she’d overheard from an older classmate in her dorm that any boy who rented off campus was surely harboring ulterior motives toward a certain girl. By that logic, was Long Fei plotting something toward her? The thought made Liu Ruoyi’s heart pound wildly. Now she was torn: if Long Fei really did take her to his place, should she accept or refuse? She hardly dared to agree, but refusing felt equally unsatisfying.

“You can cook?” she asked quickly, seeing Long Fei staring at her.

Long Fei boasted shamelessly, “Of course! My cooking is better than any chef at a five-star hotel. If you don’t believe me, try it for yourself.”

Liu Ruoyi merely responded with a noncommittal “Oh,” thinking Long Fei was exaggerating. Seeing her disbelief, Long Fei became anxious and raised his voice, “I’m serious! You have to believe me!”

Long Fei and Liu Ruoyi were whispering together from the moment he sat down, which the silver-bearded old man at the lectern had endured as long as he could. Hearing Long Fei’s voice nearly drown out his own, the teacher finally stopped, looking straight at Long Fei. The entire class followed suit, turning to stare as well.

Liu Ruoyi’s face flushed deep red and she hurriedly bowed her head.

Long Fei, thick-skinned as ever, was unfazed by their murderous glares. He forced a grin and said, “Lovely weather today, isn’t it? And your teaching is excellent, sir!”

The old man frowned and said, “If you don’t enjoy my class, you’re free not to come. But since you’re here, please don’t disturb others. Some people are here to learn.”

Long Fei was taken aback, but quickly put on a show of contrition. His smile was a bit forced, and his eyes narrowed nearly to slits.

“Of course I like it, sir. Please continue with your lecture!” Long Fei chuckled.

Of course he liked it—he liked the beautiful Liu Ruoyi beside him, not this grumpy old man.

After that little scene, Long Fei didn’t dare continue his private conversation with Liu Ruoyi, and she was too embarrassed to speak with him further. After all, girls are often a bit more reserved.

Long Fei silently complained to himself—why must people from China waste time studying the history of European music? Just then, the bell signaling the end of class rang.

Clearly, he wasn’t cut out for academic life—at least not the classroom kind. The moment he sat down, Long Fei felt ill at ease. He’d grown too used to freedom over the years; being cooped up in a classroom was stifling.

He’d intended to step outside for some air, but hesitated at the door. He peeked out cautiously, not seeing any sign of Ye Qian. In fact, a woman like Ye Qian—though she hadn’t barged into the classroom to make a scene—might very well be lying in wait outside. Long Fei couldn’t afford to be careless.

It was a little surprising, but it put Long Fei at ease.

At lunchtime, Long Fei still took Liu Ruoyi with him, but to avoid Ye Qian, he chose a different cafeteria. Yet, Ye Qian seemed to know his thoughts perfectly. No sooner had they walked in than he spotted her waving from a table, where the dishes were already ordered: four courses and a soup, three bowls of rice. Clearly, she had anticipated Long Fei would bring Liu Ruoyi.

Ye Qian acted as if nothing unusual had happened, merely asking Long Fei if he planned to come home that evening. Long Fei nervously replied that he didn’t intend to, and Ye Qian didn’t press him further—she just smiled at him in a way that left Long Fei feeling even more uneasy.

Though the cafeteria was crowded, and people pointed at them from afar, the atmosphere at the table was oppressively calm—so calm it was frightening. Long Fei felt an urge to smash his bowl just to break the stillness.

Because of Ye Qian’s tranquil reaction, Long Fei barely touched his food and was distracted throughout the meal. Liu Ruoyi, sensing the tension, also ate poorly. Only Ye Qian seemed to eat heartily, but no one knew that every bite tasted like wax to her. She was torturing herself, though no one else could tell.

At noon, Ye Qian didn’t pester Long Fei but returned to her dorm alone. After escorting Liu Ruoyi back to her dorm, Long Fei didn’t dare go back to his rented apartment. He quietly called Yang Danni, learned she was already at the TV station, and though he felt a pang of heartache, he was proud of her. Long Fei didn’t like decorative women, and Yang Danni’s dedication to her work made him admire her all the more.

He cared for his woman, but a woman must be self-aware—attitude is everything.

Once you’ve tasted the forbidden fruit, you’ll crave it all the more. Ever since his escapade with the Dragon Maiden in India—last night had merely whetted his appetite—Long Fei spent the entire afternoon restless and expectant.

Though Ye Qian appeared calm, Long Fei knew this was just the quiet before the storm. If she had no tricks up her sleeve, she wouldn’t be Ye Qian. This knowledge left Long Fei unsettled.

Since he’d already asked Yang Danni to spend the evening with him, excitement and anticipation made time drag unbearably. Luckily, he had a beauty to tease, or he might have gone mad. Growing bolder by the day, Long Fei seized every opportunity to flirt with Liu Ruoyi—holding her hand, brushing her thigh, or purposely dropping his pen to steal a glance up her skirt. But Liu Ruoyi was always on guard; despite dropping his pen more than twenty times, Long Fei never managed to glimpse what color underwear she wore by the end of the day.

They say ignorance breeds courage, and shamelessness spares one from exhaustion.

But Long Fei thought that was nonsense. He was shameless enough, but by afternoon’s end, he was still dead tired. All that crawling under the desk—no, to be precise, in and out from under it—how could he not be exhausted?

Liu Ruoyi stifled her laughter at the sight of Long Fei’s dejected attempt to leave, and quickly stopped him, saying she wanted to treat him to dinner. Unexpectedly, Long Fei declined.

Seeing the hint of disappointment in her eyes, Long Fei could only silently chant a prayer of contrition. He still needed to buy groceries to reward Yang Danni later. Normally, it would be no big deal, but considering Yang Danni’s efforts the night before, if he didn’t treat her well tonight, he’d hardly be a man.

As he walked, Long Fei glanced around for Ye Qian’s car but saw no sign of her. She’d probably gone home. With Phoenix secretly protecting him, Long Fei felt reassured and hurried to the nearby market.

Even the best chef needs quality ingredients. After Long Fei carefully selected his purchases, dusk was falling by the time he returned to his rented apartment, only to find that Yang Danni had not come back yet.

He wandered through the rooms. The bedsheets were freshly changed. On the balcony, his clothes from the morning and Yang Danni’s lingerie from last night hung drying. The sheets from the previous night were nowhere to be seen.

He turned on the TV, hoping to catch Yang Danni’s news broadcast. Just as he did, he heard her elegantly bid the audience farewell. Still, Long Fei thought Yang Danni looked much more spirited today than yesterday—so much so that even through the screen, he could see the glow of spring on her face.

A boy becomes a man through many experiences, but a girl becomes a woman in a single night.

Humming a tune, Long Fei headed for the kitchen to cook, but at that moment, the doorbell rang.

Long Fei was startled. Yang Danni had just finished her shift; even if she flew home, she couldn’t arrive this quickly. Besides, he hadn’t told anyone else where he lived, and the rent was paid in advance for half a year. Who could it be?

He peered through the peephole but saw nothing, though the bell kept ringing.

He opened the door, intending to close it immediately, but it was too late. Ye Qian sprang up from the corner and slipped inside.

“Go ahead, try to close it!” Ye Qian said triumphantly, fixing her gaze on Long Fei, utterly unconcerned.

Long Fei replied awkwardly, “Guests are always welcome here. Why would I turn you out? Weren’t you going home? What brings you here? Is something wrong?”

Ye Qian shot him a look, wandered around the apartment with a smile, and said, “If I hadn’t said I was going home, how could I have followed you here? Of course I have something to discuss, but it can wait. We’ll talk when we have time.”

As she spoke, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks and she continued toward the balcony. Like a thief, Ye Qian moved ahead while Long Fei trailed behind like a little attendant. Seeing her head for the balcony, he grew anxious and quickly blocked her way, saying, “I think it’s best you head home now. Or shall I drive you back?”