Chapter 10

Liu Xun took Li Qian to KFC, then transferred the 32,000-yuan advance to her bank account. He’d also intended to buy a “briefcase” that afternoon, but Li Qian firmly refused. He realized the day’s events had already pushed her close to the limit of what she could handle. Rushing would only backfire, so he changed plans and took her to an arcade instead. They played all afternoon, and he let her go at five thirty.

At the appointed time, Liu Xun headed to the Korean barbecue restaurant for the mixer. Li Lei had chosen well. All-you-can-eat Korean barbecue was becoming popular, but this restaurant served à la carte, with better-quality food. By university-district standards it was fairly upscale, with a pleasant setting and a hands-on meal well suited to breaking the ice.

Before Liu Xun could ask a server for directions, Li Lei leaned out of a private room and waved him over. The girls hadn’t arrived yet, and the three boys were terribly excited. Wang Guowei kept adjusting his hair in a little mirror; Wu Kai paced the small room, anxious and expectant.

Li Lei leaned close to Liu Xun and whispered with a grin, “Brother, dinner’s on me tonight. But later… heh.”

Liu Xun understood. Between the game skin and paying for dinner, Li Lei expected first choice. If he liked a girl, the others should do him the favor of staying out of his way.

“No problem. Generous of you, Lei!”

Li Lei breathed easier. As he saw it, Liu Xun was his only real competition in the room. He didn’t recognize the brand of Liu Xun’s clothes, but their quality looked expensive. More importantly, he thought Liu Xun was about as handsome as he was. If they went after the same girl, he might not win.

The door opened. A petite girl entered first, smiling brightly. “Hi, everyone! Sorry we’re late. There’s one more of us coming a little later.”

“No problem! No problem!” Li Lei and the other two sprang to their feet almost in unison.

Four girls came in one after another behind her. The second immediately drew everyone’s eyes. She was about five foot eight, wearing a tight tank top and an extremely short leather skirt that showed off long, straight legs. She radiated a bold, almost aggressive sexiness, like a lazy but dangerous leopardess.

Li Lei and the other two stared as if hooked. Wu Kai even shifted sideways, awkwardly trying to conceal an inconvenient reaction. They’d been told there was a beauty, but they hadn’t expected someone this wild.

She gave them a single indifferent glance, sat down, and looked at her phone. Liu Xun recognized her at once. Wasn’t she the future motorcycle influencer Li Lei had devoted himself to for more than ten years? She’d studied dance from childhood, with a figure and bearing to match. Beautiful and confident, she’d been named the Qing Institute of Science and Technology’s unrivaled campus beauty on its online forum soon after military training in his previous life.

The next two girls were ordinary-looking and left little impression. The petite girl explained, “One of us isn’t here yet. The counselor needed her for something, so she’ll be along later.”

“That’s fine!” the boys hastened to say.

Once everyone was seated, Li Lei stood first. His ears were red with nerves, though he spoke reasonably smoothly. “Hello, everyone. I’m Li Lei—Lei written with three stones. It’s an honor to dine with you beautiful ladies tonight!”

He addressed the room, but his eyes kept flicking toward the future motorcycle influencer. The instant he finished, Wang Guowei jumped up as if his seat were spring-loaded. He jumped so hard he knocked over his chair. His face turned dark red. “I… I’m Wang Guowei. Hello!”

Several girls covered their mouths, shoulders shaking with laughter. The petite girl smoothed things over. “All right, you sound like you’re answering roll call. You can introduce yourselves sitting down!” As she spoke, she stole a quick glance at Liu Xun. Her first impression of him was good; he sat there composed and at ease.

Wu Kai introduced himself next. Since he didn’t have to stand, he did better than the embarrassed Wang Guowei and got through it smoothly. When Liu Xun’s turn came, he gave a casual wave. “Hello. I’m Liu Xun, from Qingbei.”

The boys finished, and the girls’ turn immediately revived their attention. The petite girl went first. “Li Ying. Li Lei and I met playing games over the summer! That’s right, I’m a game addict!”

The others followed, giving their names one by one. They were young women just entering college, delighted by the novelty of it all. At last, everyone’s attention returned to the most striking girl. She was still looking down at her phone, occasionally scrolling with a long finger, apparently uninterested in the introductions.

Only when she noticed the brief silence did she lift her eyes. Her red lips parted, and she offered the briefest possible answer. “Shen Man.” Her tone was icy and remote.

Even so, the room visibly came to life. Everyone settled back into conversation about high school: desks piled with exam papers, cicadas outside the window, the head teacher’s face peering through the back door. One topic led to another.

At six thirty, the door opened softly. A slender figure stood there. “Sorry, everyone. Something came up with the counselor and delayed me.”

She had a quiet air, stood about five foot five, and wore long, smooth black hair over her shoulders. Her skin was fair, and her clear almond-shaped eyes held a gentle gaze. Her plain dress had no extra decoration, just a slight gathering at the waist. She was like a cup of warm water: not dazzling, but perfectly comforting.

Li Lei and the other two brightened. She might not be quite in Shen Man’s league, but she was certainly beautiful enough to be one of the prettiest girls in their college. Liu Xun, however, froze the moment he saw her face.

Wasn’t that Number 96? She really was a college student!