C13 I Was Once Pure and Innocent!

"Of course not. Why would I need to lie to you? Besides, isn't this common knowledge?" Lin Junxiong shook his head as he spoke. "Xiao Ge, don't tell me you're still so naive. In this world, money is everything. For the right price, people will sell anything – their wives, their parents, even their own bodies. Women sell themselves, men sell their kidneys. In comparison, selling a wife is trivial."

Xiao Ge murmured to himself, "My poor, innocent heart, corrupted just like that. I had imagined school to be a sanctuary of simplicity, a place for pure love."

"Simple? Innocence is a rare commodity these days," Lin Junxiong sneered, his voice dripping with disdain and mockery. "With money, you're surrounded by admirers; without it, you're left to your own devices. Money attracts women; no money, no women."

"Rub it against the mirror?" Xiao Ge looked at Lin Junxiong, surprised. "Really? Your tastes are quite unique. You actually face a mirror during your... solo flights?"

"Xiao Ge, I've said all I need to say. Are you in or out on this deal?" Lin Junxiong was losing his patience. Xiao Ge's verbal jabs were pushing him to the brink.

At that moment, Lin Junxiong's eyes betrayed his arrogance and scorn. He was convinced that a nobody like Xiao Ge couldn't resist the lure of cash. He was sure Xiao Ge would cave, just like the rest, and hand over Qin Feiya obediently.

But Xiao Ge's response was straightforward: "Not interested."

"Is the money not enough?" Lin Junxiong's face twitched, irritation bubbling within him. His usually foolproof tactic had failed?

"No, it's because I have principles. I won't stoop to something as vile as selling my wife," Xiao Ge declared earnestly.

"Innocent? Xiao Ge, are you freaking kidding me?" Lin Junxiong finally lost his temper, "Damn it, I'm discussing business with you as a sign of respect. You really think you're something special, huh? I'll have you know, you're nothing to me... Ah!"

Lin Junxiong's rant was cut short by a sudden yelp of pain as Xiao Ge landed a solid punch on his nose. Like Wang Fei before him, Lin Junxiong's nose gushed blood.

"In my eyes, you're nothing," Xiao Ge stated coolly, then sighed, looking remorseful. "I really dislike resorting to violence. Sadly, I lost my temper. Why is it that I always come across people like you who are just asking for it? So, this isn't on me. The problem is that you're just too punchable."

"Xiao Ge, you dare hit me?" Lin Junxiong clutched his nose, his voice sounding odd, his eyes seething with rage and disbelief.

Xiao Ge threw another punch. "Of course, I dare."

"Ah!" Lin Junxiong let out another cry of pain, then glared at Xiao Ge with venomous eyes. "I'm telling you, you're a dead man!"

"Business is business, but there's no need for such drama," Xiao Ge shook his head, reached out, and grabbed the cash-filled wallet. "Truth is, I am a pure soul. Sadly, you've just tainted my innocence. So, it's only fair that you provide some compensation. Let's call this hundred thousand yuan a settlement."

"Damn, playing the innocent card. At the end of the day, aren't you just after the money?" Lin Junxiong was livid.

"I was truly an innocent young man, up until a few minutes ago," Xiao Ge remarked, looking at Lin Junxiong. "Unfortunately, my innocence has been corrupted, and I might never be able to hold onto it again. Remember, Lin Junxiong, if one day I turn into a thug, make sure to tell people that once upon a time, I was innocent, too."

"Damn... Ah!" Lin Junxiong, unable to contain his anger, started to curse again, but he only got two words out before another fist flew at him, making swift contact with his head. After a brief cry, he passed out cold.

"I'm so tired of all this babble," Xiao Ge muttered under his breath. Clutching the leather wallet stuffed with cash, he stepped out of the car and casually continued his stroll down the street as if nothing was amiss.

A short while later, Xiao Ge halted in his tracks, talking to himself, "Looks like Qin Feiya has quite a few people after her. That Lin Junxiong clearly isn't planning on playing fair. Who knows how many others are scheming like him. Should I give Feiya a heads-up?"

Despite his desire to call off his engagement with Qin Feiya, the fact remained that it wasn't officially over, and she was still his fiancée. If someone as vile and shameless as Lin Junxiong got to her, wouldn't that make him, her betrothed, a cuckold?

If the engagement had already been broken off, Xiao Ge could wash his hands of the whole affair. But for now, he felt an obligation to protect Qin Feiya.

"Better head back to school," Xiao Ge decided on the spot, pivoting towards the direction of Ningcheng University.

Minutes later, Xiao Ge was back at Ningcheng University. He made a quick stop at his place to stash the hefty sum of over 100,000 yuan he had earned, keeping just 2,000 yuan in his pocket. After the second class ended, he made his way back to the classroom.

"Man, where've you been wandering off to?" Zhang Xiaopang asked with a hint of envy as he caught sight of Xiao Ge.

"Spill it all," Xiao Ge replied nonchalantly.

"The bad news is Teacher Su wants you to see her in her office after school," Zhang Xiaopang began, his face betraying his envy—not for the summons by Teacher Su, but for the attention from Qin Feiya. "The good news is, right after the first class ended, Qin Feiya was looking for you."

"Feiya was looking for me?" Xiao Ge was genuinely surprised. He had been planning to seek her out, yet it turned out she had taken the initiative.

"Yeah, she even spoke to me!" Zhang Xiaopang said, barely containing his excitement. "Oh, and she mentioned that you should look for her when you get back."

"Oh, did she mention where I could find her?" Xiao Ge inquired.

"I'm not sure. You don't have her WeChat?" Zhang Xiaopang countered.

"No, we're not close," Xiao Ge responded nonchalantly.

Zhang Xiaopang was incredulous. It was just inconceivable. How on earth did this guy manage to become Qin Feiya's fiancé?

"I'll try to find her after school," Xiao Ge added, seemingly unfazed.

"You're supposed to meet with Teacher Su after school," Zhang Xiaopang interjected, reminding him.

"I won't go," Xiao Ge stated bluntly.

Zhang Xiaopang paused, then raised his thumb in admiration. "You're bold!"

"You've only had two days of classes and you've skipped two already. You're on the fast track to getting kicked out!" Liu Xiaoyan chimed in, turning back to Xiao Ge with a smirk of schadenfreude.