Chapter 38
C38 – Yao Beier’s Pursuer
Yao Beier’s antics set off a wave of hearty laughter among the girls who had come with her, with a few of the bolder ones even speaking up on her behalf.
“Bei Er, weren’t you going to invite Wang Xiao to dinner as a thank-you for having your back in front of Instructor Lee?”
“Yeah, why haven’t you mentioned it yet?”
“A woman chasing a man is only separated by a thin veil—you’ve got to be proactive!”
The older girls teased her with knowing looks and playful banter, causing Yao Beier to blush furiously and hide her face in her hands.
They all understood that without a little nudge, Yao Beier, with her timid nature, would never find the courage to speak up.
“Big sisters, please, no more teasing.”
Despite their ribbing, Yao Beier’s face turned the color of a ripe apple as she bashfully addressed the girls.
Her shy demeanor triggered another round of giggles from the group.
“Do you want to take me out to dinner?”
Wang Xiao asked, touching his nose and giving Yao Beier an amused smile.
“Mhm…”
With her cheeks aflame, Yao Beier looked down, too shy to meet Wang Xiao’s gaze, and murmured her assent in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.
Without Wang Xiao’s keen hearing, he might not have caught her soft-spoken words.
“We’re about to grab a bite too. Why don’t you join us?”
Wang Xiao suggested casually, the hint of a smile on his lips.
He and Soong Ming were just about to head out for dinner.
“Actually, I just remembered I have something to take care of, so I’ll be heading out now,” Soong Ming interjected, coughing slightly and adopting a serious tone.
After giving Feng Lee a meaningful glance, he promptly turned and left.
“Third bro, I’m going to assist our eldest, so I’ll pass on dinner,” Feng Lee quickly caught on, coughing lightly and excusing himself to Wang Xiao before signaling Lin Hua.
“I’m good, I can stick around,” Lin Hua responded, oblivious to Feng Lee’s hint, his response accompanied by a guileless grin.
“Hmm?”
At that moment, the girls who had arrived with Yao Beier shot Lin Hua a fierce glare, their eyes brimming with a threatening intensity. They clenched their fists tight, ready to pounce.
Gulp…
Feeling the intense gaze of eyes seemingly ready to devour him, Lin Hua found it difficult to swallow. Panic spread across his swollen face as he turned to Wang Xiao and said in a feeble voice, “Mo, I’m worried Second Brother won’t be enough backup for the boss. I’ll go help out.”
Before Wang Xiao could reply, Lin Hua’s hefty frame shot off like a rocket, not wanting to stick around long enough to be shredded by Yao Beier’s protective entourage.
”Boss, Second Brother, Fourth Brother… You guys.”
Wang Xiao chuckled and shook his head as he watched Soong Ming and the others make their hasty retreats.
“Bei Er, we’ve got things to handle, so we’re heading out. You two enjoy your dinner.”
The girls, having successfully dispatched Lin Hua, turned to Yao Beier with smiles.
“Mhm…”
Yao Beier’s cheeks flushed a deep red as she nodded her head and murmured a response.
She was well aware that her ‘big sisters’ were engineering a moment for her, leaving her a mix of flustered and bashful.
The girls couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight of Yao Beier’s shyness before they left the scene, still chuckling among themselves.
With just Wang Xiao and Yao Beier remaining, the air filled with an awkward tension, amplified by Yao Beier’s extreme shyness.
“The cafeteria’s probably packed right now. How about we head to the food street by the school entrance instead?”
Wang Xiao suggested, noticing Yao Beier’s blushing and downcast face.
“Okay!”
Yao Beier agreed, her face lighting up with a soft nod.
Soon they reached the bustling food street outside the school and settled on a cozy Sichuan-style eatery.
“We’ll have a serving of boiled beef, one of boiled pork slices, and a cucumber salad, thanks.”
After placing the order, Wang Xiao turned to Yao Beier with a smile, “I wouldn’t have guessed you’re a fan of spicy food.”
“I’ve been really into spicy flavors since high school. They perk me up,” she replied.
Their conversation flowed more easily as they walked, and the atmosphere between them grew more animated. Yao Beier’s cheeks remained rosy, but she was now engaging comfortably with Wang Xiao.
The dishes arrived swiftly, and any remnants of Yao Beier’s shyness were forgotten in the presence of the savory meal. She blew on a steaming slice of boiled pork and dug in with gusto.
Her cheeks, already a bit plump, ballooned out after she bit into the spicy beef slices, making her resemble an adorable goldfish.
“Take your time eating; it’s not like anyone’s fighting you for it.”
Wang Xiao couldn’t help but smile at Yao Beier’s endearing way of eating.
For some reason, in Yao Beier’s presence, Wang Xiao felt an urge to pamper her, as a brother would his little sister.
“Yao Beier, what brings you here?”
Just then, a voice tinged with surprise and a hint of irritation sounded beside Wang Xiao.
Turning, Wang Xiao saw a bespectacled young man in camouflage gear approaching rapidly, his face a mix of astonishment and anger as he fixed his gaze on Yao Beier, then shot a hostile look at Wang Xiao.
Soon after, several other freshmen in camouflage joined him.
“What’s it to you why I’m here?”
Yao Beier’s smile vanished upon seeing the camouflaged newcomer, and she responded with a pout and a touch of annoyance.
“How can it not concern me? I’ve been pursuing you since high school, Yao Beier. If you were to get a boyfriend, I should have been the first in line. Who’s this guy?”
Lei Ji’s face darkened at her words, his eyes beneath the glasses glinting with a chilly light as he clenched his fist and pointed at Wang Xiao.
He had harbored feelings for Yao Beier since high school, and any boy who showed interest in her would be driven away by his aggression.
Now, having followed Yao Beier to Forest City University, he hoped to win her over by proximity.
But seeing her dining with another guy in camouflage on the very first day of school infuriated him.
“Ah, so we have a case of ‘straight male syndrome’ here.”
Wang Xiao pieced together the situation from the snippets of conversation between Yao Beier and Lei Ji, chuckling to himself.
“What’s that? Say it again if you dare!” Lei Ji’s face twisted with anger as he glared at Wang Xiao.
Unfazed by Lei Ji’s threatening demeanor, Wang Xiao’s lips quirked into a smirk. He coolly met Lei Ji’s gaze and said, “Looks like you’ve not only got a bad case of straight male syndrome, but you might be a little hard of hearing too. I spoke quite clearly, yet you seem to have missed it.”
“Kid, you’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’!”
Lei Ji’s expression turned stormy as he balled his fists, poised to strike Wang Xiao.
“Stop it!”
In that moment, Yao Beier stepped forward, shielding Wang Xiao with her body. Her beautiful face was etched with anger as she confronted Lei Ji, “Lei Ji, who I like or who I choose as friends is none of your business. We’re just regular high school classmates. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop interfering with my life from now on.”
Yao Beier was typically reserved and shy, so the fact that she spoke up so boldly was a testament to the courage she had summoned—and a clear sign of her ire.
“Yao Beier, you’re really going to stand up for this guy?”
Lei Ji’s voice was tinged with menace as he glared at her.
“Yes, I am!”
Yao Beier’s delicate features were set in a look of fierce resolve as she faced Lei Ji.
Seeing the girl he fancied defending another guy right before his eyes, Lei Ji felt a surge of rage ignite within him. His fists tightened with an audible crack, and his eyes blazed with fury. He was ready to lash out at Wang Xiao.
“Kid, if you’re so tough, stop cowering behind a girl and take me on, one-on-one.”
Lei Ji’s gaze was dark and piercing as he challenged Wang Xiao with icy contempt.
“Lei Ji, you’re trained in Taekwondo, and now you’re a red belt. Asking Wang Xiao to fight you is just plain bullying, isn’t it?”
Yao Beier’s face showed a flicker of concern as she spoke firmly.
“Kid, are you up for it?”
Lei Ji ignored Yao Beier’s comment, his intense stare fixed on Wang Xiao as he pressed for an answer.
“To be honest, I wouldn’t normally stoop to fighting a lowlife like you, but since you insist, I can’t very well say no.”
A smirk played at the corner of Wang Xiao’s lips. He casually rested his hand on Yao Beier’s shoulder and confidently said, “I’ve got this.”
“But…”
Worry creased Yao Beier’s brow at Wang Xiao’s response.
“Don’t worry. Remember Instructor Lee?”
Wang Xiao’s reassuring smile seemed to ease Yao Beier’s anxiety, hinting at some shared confidence.
Upon hearing the conversation, Yao Beier was reminded of Wang Xiao’s prowess; he had managed to defeat Instructor Lee, after all. Could Lei Ji, as formidable as he might be, truly surpass Instructor Lee?
“Then take care and stay safe,” she cautioned Wang Xiao, her voice laced with worry.
Wang Xiao acknowledged her concern with a nod.
Lei Ji’s face lit up with glee at the prospect of a match with Wang Xiao, but his expression soured upon noticing Yao Beier’s evident concern for his opponent. With a frosty tone, he warned Wang Xiao, “Humph, just make sure you don’t end up kneeling and begging for mercy when I’m through with you, kid.”
Wang Xiao simply offered a serene smile in response and told Lei Ji, “To avoid any claims of unfairness, I’ll fight you with one hand tied behind my back!”
Click to visit👉👈
OR download the app and search the book name directly👇
This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Com