Chapter Sixty-Four: Forced to Keep the Appointment

Just as Long Fei had predicted, when he entered the classroom, Liu Ruoyi was already smiling and greeting him. Everyone was well aware of their relationship, and no one said anything. Even those who still harbored feelings for Liu Ruoyi, having heard about Long Fei’s prowess from others, no longer dared to provoke him.

Once again, Long Fei, the scoundrel, showed up without his textbooks—deliberately, of course. His aim was clearly to get closer to Liu Ruoyi, and she, fully aware of his intentions, chose not to expose him. It was a case of a wolf with designs and a willing beauty; mind you, it was a wolf, not a gentleman.

Long Fei was, by nature, a wolf—a ravenous wolf, especially in matters of the heart, always ready to pounce when hunger struck.

Unexpectedly, Wang Zigou made an appearance as well. This was Long Fei’s second time seeing him, the first having been on the very first day of class. Wang Zigou was still as tall as ever, yet after several days, there was still no sign of his head growing any hair. It seemed all the nutrients from his food had gone straight to his bones rather than his flesh. Standing at the podium, he truly resembled a clothes rack.

Wang Zigou began to smile, casting a suggestive glance at Long Fei and Liu Ruoyi. Long Fei couldn’t shake the feeling that this man knew something about his background.

“Classmates, today is the weekend. Next Monday, the school’s unified military training will commence. Be sure to prepare your necessary personal items and follow the transport to the training camp on the outskirts of Nanhui, where you’ll spend half a month. Remember this well. I believe that through military training, your lives will become even more vibrant and colorful.”

Dog nonsense.

What drivel.

Utter gibberish.

He must be insane.

While Wang Zigou lectured up front, Long Fei grumbled below.

Perhaps fearing Wang Zigou would overhear, Liu Ruoyi kept nudging Long Fei with her elbow. This only encouraged him; even if it was just their arms touching, it was better than nothing. Wasn’t this, in a way, a subtle intimacy?

At last, noon arrived. Long Fei had planned to invite Liu Ruoyi to lunch, but she insisted on treating him instead. He didn’t mind—being able to share a meal together was all that mattered.

Last time, they’d run into Ye Qian at the first cafeteria, so today Long Fei deliberately headed to the third. To his surprise, Ye Qian was there waiting, and as before, she had already ordered food for all three of them—five dishes and a soup, an even higher standard than before.

Long Fei saw through Ye Qian’s intentions—she clearly had something to say. Without ceremony, he picked up his bowl and began to eat.

Sure enough, Ye Qian, awkward yet seeking approval, said to Long Fei, “Oh, I announced in class today that I’m washing my hands of it all. From now on, I won’t play the boss, and I’ve disbanded the Pink Legion. I’m turning over a new leaf.”

Long Fei paused, glanced at her, and said nothing. He hardly believed it, and even if it were true, it had little to do with him.

“Hey, what’s with that attitude? You’re not even going to say a word to me?” Ye Qian, ignored, couldn’t help but pout.

Long Fei replied coolly, “So you’ve washed your hands of it? Good for you. But what’s it got to do with me? Why tell me? And why the sudden change of heart? It’s not like you.”

Ye Qian nearly slammed her chopsticks down but, remembering her resolve to turn over a new leaf, managed to hold her temper. Still, she said a bit petulantly, “Wasn’t it you who wanted me to do this?”

Long Fei was puzzled, pointing at himself in surprise. “Did I?”

“You never said it directly, but you were clearly unhappy about me being the boss,” Ye Qian replied, somewhat dejected, as if her efforts to change for Long Fei went unrecognized, let alone appreciated.

“Oh, maybe so,” Long Fei admitted with a sheepish grin. “But you don’t have to listen to me. Everyone has the right to live as they wish, right?”

Ye Qian’s eyes sparkled mischievously. She nodded and smiled, “That’s true. So I’ve made my choice. Long Fei, let’s be together. Will you be my boyfriend?”

Long Fei was startled. He saw Liu Ruoyi looking at him with a mix of surprise and tension, but he pretended not to understand. “We’re already friends, aren’t we?”

“I mean as a couple. I want you to be my boyfriend!” Ye Qian declared seriously.

“I’m full. Ruoyi, let’s go—I’ll walk you back to the dorm,” Long Fei said abruptly. Without a backward glance at Ye Qian’s protests, he dragged the not-yet-finished Liu Ruoyi out of the cafeteria.

Good heavens, this is bad. The girl’s gone mad. Or maybe she’s deliberately messing with me? Knows I’m trying to woo Liu Ruoyi and is purposely stirring up trouble?

Yes, very possible—highly likely!

Long Fei cursed inwardly: Ye Qian, you’re deviously cunning!

All afternoon, Long Fei was distracted, thoughts of Ye Qian swirling in his mind. He had no idea what she wanted with him that evening, but he could guess it wouldn’t be anything good. Liu Ruoyi, ever gentle and demure, noticed his absent-mindedness but kept her thoughts to herself.

As soon as the bell rang for the end of class, Long Fei bolted from the room. He’d already decided he would not keep tonight’s appointment with Ye Qian—he had a bad feeling about it.

But once again, Ye Qian was a step ahead. She was waiting outside, blocking his escape. Seeing his helpless expression, she said triumphantly, “Trying to run away?”

Since there was no way out, Long Fei decided to play along, giving a sly grin. “Run? Not at all! I was just about to call you. You said you wanted to talk, and I’ve been on edge—no, excited—all afternoon. I couldn’t wait, so here I am, right after class.”

“Very well then. Let’s go. I’ve already picked the place. Tonight, you’re coming with me.” She spoke with a hint of suggestion, but at this point, Long Fei had no energy for subtlety and submitted to being led away like a prisoner, following Ye Qian to the sports field.

Outside the classroom on the sixth floor, Liu Ruoyi watched quietly as Long Fei and Ye Qian walked off together. An uneasy feeling gnawed at her heart. She was keenly aware of Long Fei’s feelings, especially after he saved her and helped her deal with Ding Jun. Unconsciously, she had already been moved by him. She remembered her mother’s words upon entering Jiaoda: “Life is not easy for women. If you meet a good man, don’t let him go. If you’re going to love, love fiercely—even if you end up with nothing, never retreat.”

Liu Ruoyi understood that happiness was fleeting, like a summer storm—quick to come, quicker to go. Active and passive stances would lead to different outcomes, yet her nature made it impossible for her to take the initiative. Perhaps, deep down, she felt she could not compare to Ye Qian, which was why she remained passive, accepting Long Fei’s advances quietly.

A woman’s intuition is sharp and accurate. She had long noticed Ye Qian’s feelings for Long Fei. Until now, Ye Qian had never confessed, but today at lunch she had declared herself openly. Even if Long Fei refused to believe it, Liu Ruoyi could hear the sincerity and resolve hidden behind Ye Qian’s seemingly playful words.

That was why Liu Ruoyi now felt anxious. No matter how many times Long Fei assured her he would never fall for Ye Qian, no matter how often he explained that he and Ye Qian were nothing more than bodyguard and employer, she still worried—not that Long Fei would eventually love Ye Qian, for that was unimportant. What mattered was whether Long Fei loved her. But thinking of Ye Qian’s cleverness, her endless tricks to torment Long Fei, Liu Ruoyi began to fear that one day, Ye Qian would forcibly tear her and Long Fei apart.