Chapter 19: This Fellow Is Devious

"Uh, what is it?" Qin Xuan asked, a little bewildered.

"What is it? I'm inviting you to dinner, of course. I really have to thank you properly," Su Muqing replied with a smile.

Not far away, Zhou Xiaoyu was utterly shocked. "That rascal Qin Xuan actually claimed he doesn't know Su Muqing? He deserves a beating! She's even come to invite him to dinner, and it looks like he already turned her down once before? He must be cursed!"

The videos posted on the forum had all been filmed from a distance by curious onlookers, so naturally no one could hear what was said. Yang Weiyang hadn't told his lackeys to spread the news that Su Muqing had invited Qin Xuan to dinner, so hardly anyone knew about it. But now, things were different—at the very least, everyone in Class One of Business Administration had heard it with their own ears.

"Tonight? I…" Qin Xuan was about to refuse out of habit, but then it occurred to him that having dinner with a beautiful woman might not be so bad, especially since that Li Shihao had threatened him earlier.

"Alright, since it's the class advisor inviting me, it would be rude to refuse again," Qin Xuan said with a smile, accepting the invitation. Glancing over at Dongfang Qingwan, he noticed a circle of girls watching him curiously. He couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated—he really wasn't trying to draw attention to himself.

"Very good. Qin Xuan, give me your phone number and I'll call you later," Su Muqing said. Since Qin Xuan had only just bought his phone, she didn't know his number. After he gave it to her, Su Muqing waved to the students in the classroom, then left with a smile, her graceful silhouette leaving behind an impression both alluring and elegant.

"Hey, buddy, that's not cool. You said you didn't know Miss Su?" As soon as Su Muqing left, Zhou Xiaoyu hurried over.

"I really don't know her. My charm must be too great, that's why the class advisor wants to have dinner with me," Qin Xuan replied.

"Yeah, right. But hey, I need a favor. Do you know who Miss Su asked to notify everyone about this gathering?" Zhou Xiaoyu glanced toward a corner of the classroom, then lowered his voice.

Qin Xuan shook his head. Dongfang Qingwan had answered the phone earlier, and all he knew was that the message had been delivered by a guy—not Zhou Xiaoyu.

"That guy over there," Zhou Xiaoyu gestured toward a group of girls.

Qin Xuan looked over and saw a bookish young man with glasses chatting animatedly in the midst of the girls, his eyes drifting frequently toward Dongfang Qingwan.

"Listen, since Miss Su invited you to dinner, can't you help a brother out? Put in a good word for me with the class advisor, see if she'll let me be class president. Otherwise, I don't stand a chance. That guy with the glasses is such a snake—what kind of man hides out in a group of girls? If the class president is chosen by vote, all the girls will back him," Zhou Xiaoyu complained.

"Sorry, can't help you with that," Qin Xuan replied with a laugh, thinking to himself, Zhou Xiaoyu, you're destined to be my sidekick.

"Come on, man, you're my only hope!" Zhou Xiaoyu pleaded, face twisted in dismay. "Having my allowance cut in half is just not a life worth living…"

"I can try, but on one condition," Qin Xuan said.

"What condition?"

"You have to be my lackey."

"Pfft." Zhou Xiaoyu nearly choked, but after thinking it through, he nodded solemnly. "Fine, if I really do become class president, I'll admit you're the boss. Happy now?"

He wasn't keen on pledging himself to anyone, but the odds were stacked against him. Su Muqing had always used the glasses guy to pass along messages about gatherings—he had the class advisor's backing and was popular with the girls. Compared to him, Zhou Xiaoyu's chances were slim, especially since the girls made up more than half the class.

"I'll see what I can do then. Give me your number and wait for news," Qin Xuan said, taking out his phone to save Zhou Xiaoyu's contact. The gathering was winding down.

"Good luck, man. I'm counting on you. You have to give it your all—don't let that glasses guy win. We're on the same team now," Zhou Xiaoyu encouraged him on his way out.

He assumed the glasses guy was interested in Dongfang Qingwan, and figured Qin Xuan would want to take him down, too. Little did he know that Qin Xuan had no such intentions—he didn't care if someone wanted to pursue Dongfang Qingwan, as long as it was aboveboard. Of course, people with questionable morals like Yang Weiyang were another matter.

Qin Xuan nodded without explanation and left the classroom with Dongfang Qingwan. As the two walked together, the glasses guy watched from a distance, a shadow flickering in his eyes as he adjusted his glasses and left.

...

"Brother Qin, we're heading off now," Fu Ge said as he came to pick up Dongfang Qingwan at the school gate, smiling at Qin Xuan.

"Alright, go ahead," Qin Xuan replied.

Military training for the new freshmen would begin the day after tomorrow, and Dongfang Qingwan would move into the villa that night. Until then, Fu Ge would be driving her back to Qixia Manor. That meant Qin Xuan only had these next two evenings of freedom—after that, he’d be staying in the villa to protect Dongfang Qingwan.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

"Hello, is this Qin Xuan?" The voice on the other end was cool and pleasant—it was Su Muqing.

"Yes, this is he."

"Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

Qin Xuan checked the time—only half past four. He was surprised. "We're eating already?"

"Why not?"

"Uh, alright then. I'm at the school gate," he said, figuring he had nothing else to do, so he might as well eat early. He hung up.

There were plenty of students coming and going at the gate, and by now Qin Xuan was something of a celebrity. Anyone who frequented the campus forum knew that the freshman in the black long robe had put the arrogant sophomore Yang Weiyang in his place.

Qin Xuan had no idea that the forum had already given him a nickname. "Look, isn't that Dao-ge?" someone whispered. "It should be. Who else would dress like that without worrying about Yang Weiyang's revenge?"

Because a girl had replied on the second post of a hot thread, saying "This Daoist brother is so handsome," the nickname "Dao-ge" stuck. If Qin Xuan knew, he’d probably be both amused and exasperated—he was a swordsman, not a Daoist priest.

Soon, however, the students’ attention shifted away from Qin Xuan. Following their gaze, he saw a striking figure approaching, smiling and chatting—it was Su Muqing. Beside her was a tall young man, stylishly dressed with a brilliant, sunny smile—none other than Li Shihao.

"Is it him?" Qin Xuan thought, a little surprised. Wasn’t this supposed to be dinner with Su Muqing alone? Why was there someone else? Maybe they were just coming together by chance…

While he was thinking this, the two had already reached him.

With a bright smile, Su Muqing said, "Qin Xuan, let me introduce you. This is your senior, Li Shihao. He's currently pursuing a master's in Business Administration at Jinling University. If you ever need help with your studies and can't find me, you can ask him as well."

"Hello, I'm Li Shihao. I heard you saved Qingqing before—thank you so much," Li Shihao said warmly, extending his hand.

Qin Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly. Instinctively, he sensed: This guy is cunning!