C6 The School Belle Is so Excited!!

"Sir, Qin Shaotian is not someone you want to mess with."

The waiter offered a quiet word of caution after watching Qin Shaotian walk away.

Having worked there for three years, he'd heard numerous tales of Qin Shaotian's exploits. No one who crossed Qin Shaotian ever came out unscathed.

"Thanks, but I'll be fine. Go ahead and scan the code."

After all, wasn't Qin Shaotian just the biggest shareholder of Lerwick Industry? Now that he himself held that title, along with being the chairman, there was no need to fear some rich kid.

Xia Meng gazed at Zhang Xuan, her smile radiating sweetness.

Out of the blue, she felt a twinge of confusion. Was it her imagination, or did Zhang Xuan look even more handsome than he did back at the university entrance?

"No, I must make my move quickly. With his charming looks, he'll draw in countless admirers!"

Lost in her thoughts, Xia Meng's stare at Zhang Xuan grew hazy and distant.

It had been years since they last met.

She had held onto the memory of him all this time, yet that jerk Zhang Xuan hadn't even recognized her.

Not a flicker of recognition when he heard her name—how exasperating!

Feeling Xia Meng's intense gaze, Zhang Xuan internally scoffed. So much for the aloof school beauty.

She was acting like a complete fan girl!

He began to wonder if everyone at the University of Lerwick had been mistaken. Or was Xia Meng's aloof demeanor all just for show?

"Ding!"

The payment went through.

Xia Meng quickly grabbed the receipt, a wave of embarrassment washing over her as she saw the total.

Then, Zhang Xuan's phone buzzed with a notification.

"Construction Bank alert: Account ending in 0179 has received a transaction of 5 million yuan..."

The message brought a measure of solace to Zhang Xuan's bruised ego.

Well, he was inching closer to his modest goal.

"Junior, you're not upset about lending me so much money, are you?"

Xia Meng hadn't expected the three women to be so extravagant, racking up a bill of 5,000 yuan just like that.

She was aware of Zhang Xuan's financial situation. Surely he hadn't resorted to using credit for such a large sum?

Reflecting on the situation, Xia Meng couldn't help but feel a bit sheepish.

"Senior... I've suddenly become penniless. You've got to pay me back, and fast!"

Zhang Xuan's spirits soared with the unexpected windfall of 5 million yuan.

But as the words left his mouth, he realized that showing too much joy might give the campus beauty the wrong idea—that he was eager to lend her money.

Besides, he already had a girlfriend. Although he hadn't figured out how to handle that relationship yet, he wasn't about to stoop to dishonorable behavior.

"Is that so?"

Xia Meng feigned embarrassment, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.

Could this be the green light for her plan?

Would she now be able to dine with Zhang Xuan every day without needing an excuse?

"Huh?"

What in the world?

Zhang Xuan gave Xia Meng a perplexed look. What was with that expression on the face of the campus beauty?

Why did she seem thrilled to hear he was broke?

Could it be that she was a con artist?

Was this her tactic with every guy?

With so many male students at the University of Lerwick, borrowing from each could make her a billionaire.

The more he dwelled on it, the more convinced Zhang Xuan became of his theory.

"Senior, I've got to go. Enjoy your meal!"

No, it was time to put some distance between himself and such a woman.

What a cunning plan!

Without waiting for Xia Meng's response, Zhang Xuan dashed back to the private room.

"Hey..."

Watching Zhang Xuan flee in a fluster, Xia Meng sulked. Was she really that frightening?

"Hmph, well, with you out of money, I'll just see what you do. You'll end up right where I want you!"

With that thought, Xia Meng's lips curled into a smile, and she resumed her poised and genteel demeanor.

Back in the private room.

Faang Shiming looked at Zhang Xuan quizzically and asked, "Xuan, what happened to you? Did you get chased by a dog?"

"Pretty much!"

Privately reveling in his recent insight, Zhang Xuan couldn't help but feel a smug sense of pride, as if he were the only one awake in a world of drunks.

They never imagined the seemingly distant and unapproachable campus beauty could be that kind of person!

"What in the world happened?"

Seeing Zhang Xuan's demeanor, the trio's curiosity intensified.

"Let's just eat, there's nothing to worry about!"

Zhang Xuan hastily steered the conversation elsewhere. If these three clowns found out he had just encountered the campus beauty, they'd probably dash over in a heartbeat.

He'd been duped once already; he couldn't let his roommates fall for the same trick.

Meanwhile, Xia Meng strutted back to the private room with a smug air. Her three friends eyed her with suspicion, sensing that something was off with Xia Meng.

They exchanged glances, wondering if a new development had arisen.

Unbeknownst to Xia Meng, her image in Zhang Xuan's mind was now thoroughly tarnished. Contemplating her scheme, her eyes sparkled with anticipation, seemingly eager for what was to come.

Wang Xue and the others exchanged knowing looks. Now they were convinced: Xia Meng had definitely fallen head over heels.

Their eyes gleamed with excitement, burning with curiosity.

Who on earth could have thawed the heart of this frosty beauty?

...

Qin Shaotian stormed back into the private room, fuming more with each passing moment. In Lerwick, few dared to challenge his authority.

"Young Master Qin, how did it go? Was the campus beauty moved by your gesture?"

The question only fanned the flames of Qin Shaotian's rage.

Damn it, he couldn't let this slide.

"Young Master Qin, was there some kind of mishap?"

The group could tell from Qin Shaotian's expression that something had gone awry.

Yet, they weren't surprised. It would have been truly shocking if Qin Shaotian had managed to impress the campus belle.

Despite Qin Shaotian's immense family wealth, they still believed he wasn't a match for the campus belle.

Indeed, they thought no man could possibly be worthy of her.

Xia Meng maintained a deliberate distance from anyone who tried to get close. Her every gesture radiated an aura of inaccessibility.

Regardless of one's status, in the presence of the campus belle, he seemed like a mere mortal, while she was akin to a dazzling star suspended in the cosmos.

To everyone, Xia Meng was seen as an ethereal fairy, one who should remain untouched by the mundane world.

"Brother Bian, get over here!"

A thought struck Qin Shaotian: he and the hall manager were tight. After all the cash he'd dropped here, calling in a favor didn't seem unreasonable.

"Kid, you're going to learn what it costs to cross me," Qin Shaotian said, a cold smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

Zhang Xuan's attire didn't scream wealth, and Qin Shaotian knew myriad ways to deal with someone like that.

The sight of Qin Shaotian sent a chill through the onlookers in the room. Trouble was brewing for someone.

Just then, the door swung open and a figure stepped in.

Qin Shaotian whispered his scheme to the newcomer, then swiftly sent ten thousand yuan via WeChat.

With a confident thump to his chest, the man assured Qin Shaotian the problem was as good as handled and made his way to Zhang Xuan's room.