Chapter 16: Is This a Threat Against Me?

"Present this card at Tenglong International for purchases, and you'll receive a ten percent discount on everything." The young owner glanced at Dongfang Qingwan, who was seated beside Qin Xuan, and a flicker of admiration flashed in his eyes. "This must be Miss Dongfang, I presume? Indeed, your beauty is ethereal. No wonder that Yang Weiyang harbored such ill intentions."

Dongfang Qingwan disliked being looked at in that manner, so she did not reply. Instead, she turned her face to the side.

Zhao Long patted the young owner's shoulder. "Enough, Zhang Tianyu, I won't make things difficult for you. Let this matter end here. As for how to deal with those two, that's Tenglong International's concern now."

With that, he jerked his chin toward the middle-aged woman and the old man, making them even more flustered. They each began to plead their case.

"It was that red-haired young man who forced me to do it! I had no choice!" the middle-aged woman sobbed.

"Yes, yes, we really had no other way..." the old man echoed anxiously.

"That's enough. This has already drawn the attention of reporters. I'll be handing you over to the police—there's no other way to explain this," Zhang Tianyu said with a smile and a wave of his hand. He then turned back. "Brother Zhao, do you need my help dealing with Yang Weiyang?"

Before Zhao Long could reply, Qin Xuan shook his head. "No need. I can handle him myself. I just wonder—what is his father's position?"

Zhang Tianyu let out a hearty laugh. "Director of the Jinling City Public Security Bureau—nothing too extraordinary. Since that's the case, I'll stay out of it. Enjoy your shopping, today's expenses are on me."

Zhang Tianyu knew the pair had been interrupted halfway through their shopping, so he offered additional compensation. He and Zhao Long were both rivals and collaborators, and he did not wish to owe Zhao Long anything over this incident.

"Alright, thank you," Zhao Long replied with a smirk.

"Junior Qin, Miss Dongfang, keep shopping. Whatever the villa lacks, just take it—no need to be polite."

Qin Xuan was at a loss for words at Zhao Long's generosity. So casual? But perhaps it was for the best; after all, the lapse in mall security had almost led to Dongfang Qingwan’s abduction. In such circumstances, a free pass seemed warranted.

It was a pity, though, that the lingerie Dongfang Qingwan had chosen earlier had been thrown aside by Qin Xuan somewhere along the way, and would have to be selected all over again...

Two hours later, Qin Xuan emerged from the mall laden with bags, trailing behind Dongfang Qingwan. They returned to the villa to drop off their purchases before heading to the university.

Qin Xuan had picked up the hottest new iPhone 5 at the mall—after all, it was on the house, so he’d scored big. Dongfang Qingwan’s phone had been lost as well, but Zhao Long had already arranged for a new card with her old number—hardly a trifle for him.

On the way back to the villa, Dongfang Qingwan’s phone suddenly rang.

"Hello?" Dongfang Qingwan answered softly.

"It’s me... Alright, I understand. I’ll let him know."

She hung up soon after.

"Who was that?" Qin Xuan asked.

"A freshman classmate. Apparently, there’s a class gathering this afternoon. They want both of us to attend... Strange—how did they get my number? And how do they know you’re with me?"

Qin Xuan pressed a hand to his forehead. "Miss Beautiful, isn’t that your own fault?"

"My fault?" Dongfang Qingwan was puzzled.

"With a beauty like you, there are plenty of people investigating behind the scenes. Is it any wonder they found your number?"

Dongfang Qingwan finally understood and shook her head in resignation, feeling that those people had too much time on their hands.

"Junior Qin, that just means your responsibilities are all the greater," Zhao Long joked from behind the wheel.

"I’m not some chivalrous bodyguard. Unless they threaten her safety, I don’t care to get involved," Qin Xuan replied honestly. He was, after all, a swordsman destined to battle powerful demons and monsters—not to spar with a bunch of college kids. Although Dongfang Qingwan was stunning, Qin Xuan saw her as nothing more than a passerby along his journey and had no intention of meddling in matters outside his purview.

Zhao Long was surprised by his words. He thought to himself, "Junior Qin’s resolve in the way of the sword is unwavering and his progress swift. No wonder Master values him so highly..." But he said nothing aloud and kept driving.

After lunch, by the time the three returned to campus, it was already half past one—just thirty minutes before the class gathering.

Qin Xuan had no particular feelings about such events. Since Dongfang Qingwan wished to attend, he would simply accompany her.

"Business School, Business Administration Class One..." Zhao Long dropped them at the campus gate and drove off. Having just learned his class assignment, Qin Xuan was curious. "How many men and women are in the class?"

"You’ll see when we get there. Why do you ask?" Dongfang Qingwan looked at him suspiciously.

"I want to predict the level of competition between the boys, that’s all," he said with a laugh.

Dongfang Qingwan was speechless and walked gracefully into the campus. Just then, a young man, who appeared to be a senior, hurried over. He looked at Dongfang Qingwan with obvious admiration, but then turned toward Qin Xuan.

"You must be Qin Xuan?" the young man asked, looking down at him.

"Which Qin Xuan are you looking for?" Qin Xuan replied with an amused smile. Who was this and what did he want? Was this about Dongfang Qingwan again?

"You’re the one. Come with me—someone wants to see you. I suggest you go, or I won’t be responsible for any consequences," the young man said haughtily, tilting his head as he walked away.

Qin Xuan thought for a moment and said to Dongfang Qingwan, "Wait here. I’ll see who wants to talk to me."

He wasn’t afraid of trouble for himself, but he worried they might bother Dongfang Qingwan. Best to see who it was and be prepared. Could it be Yang Weiyang?

Qin Xuan immediately shook his head. That fellow had just been warned off—he wouldn’t dare come back so soon.

Dongfang Qingwan nodded gently and watched as Qin Xuan walked away.

"As long as she stays within two hundred meters, I’ll be able to sense her..." Qin Xuan kept his attention on Dongfang Qingwan as he walked. Soon, he saw a tall young man standing ahead with his back to him, as if waiting.

"Are you the one looking for me?" Qin Xuan asked, stepping forward.

"Yes," the tall young man replied, turning around. Qin Xuan saw that he was strikingly handsome, with a commanding presence and a strong build. Yet there was a hint of shadow in his eyes.

"You’re Qin Xuan?" the man asked, his tone playful yet certain. Qin Xuan’s long robe made him stand out, so it was no surprise he was recognized.

"Yes. What of it?" Qin Xuan replied indifferently, as if he didn’t take the other man seriously at all. Had it been Yang Weiyang, he would have been incensed by such an attitude, but the man before him remained calm, speaking slowly:

"It’s nothing—I merely wish to offer you some friendly advice. People are born different. Although you saved Su Muqing, you’d best not harbor any intentions toward her. The gap in your backgrounds is insurmountable. I heard you turned down her dinner invitation? Playing hard to get, are you? Let me warn you—Su Muqing is clever and won’t fall for your tricks. And I won’t tolerate any other man approaching her. Do you understand me?"

His words were gentle, yet unmistakably threatening.

"Is that a threat?" Qin Xuan’s lips curled into a faint, amused smile.