Chapter 7: Inviting Me to Dinner?

Crystal-clear eyes, delicately thin lips, a straight, elegant nose, and gently quivering lashes—all these features unmistakably belonged to the beautiful, commanding woman Qin Xuan had rescued from Zhou Daqiang last time. Now, her expression was tinged with curiosity, as if she’d been drawn here by the cries for help coming from the lake.

Beneath her light gray skirt, her legs were long and fair, stirring thoughts best left unspoken. The slim white blouse she wore only accentuated her proud figure—the graceful curves of her chest, the slenderness of her waist—all of it made more alluring by the breeze that played with her lustrous hair, framing a vision of rare beauty.

Though Qin Xuan was reluctant to admit it, this elegant woman was undeniably a first-rate beauty, no less stunning than Dongfang Qingwan—each with her own unique charm.

Yet, what was she doing here at Jinling University?

“I’d better leave before I’m misunderstood again and accused of trying to hit on her…” Qin Xuan thought, intending to slip away. But just as he turned, her alluring voice called out to him.

“You, over there—stop right there!”

Qin Xuan froze, one leg still in the air, unwilling to turn around. If she recognized him, it might lead to more trouble.

“Just explain yourself,” Dongfang Qingwan whispered with a soft laugh, her hand at her lips. She wasn’t fond of people like Yang Weiyang either, and Qin Xuan’s lesson had been most satisfying. Still, since they’d been caught, it was only right to take responsibility—after all, he had thrown five people into the lake.

Qin Xuan shot a glance at Dongfang Qingwan, lowering his voice to consult her. “Will you explain?”

Dongfang Qingwan shook her head and stepped aside, clearly wanting to see how he would handle this on his own. Qin Xuan felt a twinge of dread—if he spoke, if he so much as turned around, the beautiful woman would surely recognize him.

Who was she, anyway, to appear here of all places?

“Weiyang, what’s going on?” the woman hurried over to the lakeside.

“Ms. Su, that guy threw all of us into the lake…” Yang Weiyang’s voice rose. Fortunately, his lackey had helped him out, or he would have swallowed even more water. Seeing Ms. Su arrive, he complained as if he’d seen his savior.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? How could you throw people into the lake?” Ms. Su’s voice grew closer, the sound of her footsteps clear and direct.

Qin Xuan winced. Ms. Su—a teacher? He hadn’t expected that at all. She looked so young, he’d taken her for an upperclassman.

“Exactly, Ms. Su! This guy’s a freshman, just arrived and already causing so much trouble. If we don’t handle this, who knows what he’ll do next?” Yang Weiyang, supported by his friend, seized the chance to complain. Since he’d been humiliated, he was determined to make Qin Xuan pay.

“They tried to throw me in first. I was just defending myself,” Qin Xuan said, seeing no way out.

“It’s you!” the elegant woman gasped in surprise.

The entire group, even Dongfang Qingwan, looked startled. Did they know each other?

Dongfang Qingwan knew that Qin Xuan was supposed to have been brought out of the mountains by her grandfather; logically, he shouldn’t know anyone here—least of all a teacher at Jinling University.

Her opinion of him slipped another notch. If Qin Xuan really knew Ms. Su, maybe he wasn’t from the mountains after all. Perhaps, as her brother claimed, he really was a fraud masquerading as a wandering priest.

Meeting someone just after coming out of the mountains seemed almost impossible to her.

“Oh? You know me?” Qin Xuan feigned ignorance, hoping to avoid trouble.

“Don’t play dumb. How many people in Jinling dress like you? You don’t remember me?” Ms. Su’s expression softened, a trace of reproach in her eyes.

“Um… I really don’t remember. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going…” Qin Xuan tried to leave, but her voice stopped him again.

“Wait. I owe you an apology for last time. How about dinner tonight, my treat?” Ms. Su smiled.

Yang Weiyang nearly jumped in shock. Ms. Su, inviting this guy to dinner? That was huge news! Ms. Su was a campus legend, ranked among the top three beauties at Jinling University, with suitors lined up from the dining hall to the dorms.

Yang Weiyang had never heard of her dining with a male student, let alone inviting someone herself. If word got out, this would cause a sensation!

Everyone looked at Qin Xuan with envy. But he only frowned slightly. “Tonight? I’m afraid I can’t. I have other plans.”

His senior brother was coming to fetch him this evening—he really didn’t have the time. Besides, she must have realized last time was a misunderstanding. After all, Zhou Daqiang had been arrested today, and even the university broadcast the news. There was no way he could have staged the whole thing.

To Ms. Su and Yang Weiyang’s group, his words could only be taken as a polite refusal.

“Did I hear that right, Boss? That guy just turned down Ms. Su’s dinner invitation?” one of Yang Weiyang’s companions asked, wide-eyed and shivering in his damp clothes.

“Looks like he did,” Yang Weiyang pinched himself just to be sure he wasn’t dreaming.

Even Dongfang Qingwan was a little surprised—a man refusing a beautiful woman’s invitation? Perhaps her grandfather had chosen well after all. Still, one incident wasn’t enough to judge his character. Besides, she knew he really did have plans tonight.

Ms. Su only smiled, showing no sign of offense. She glanced around at the group and changed the subject. “Yang Weiyang, did you say he’s a freshman at Jinling University?”

“Yes, he said so himself,” Yang Weiyang replied, as if answering Ms. Su was an honor.

“Let’s deal with this properly, then.” Ms. Su’s lips curved.

“You’re a student; I’m a teacher. You threw other students into the lake, so I have to handle this as your teacher. Come with me to the office. Yang Weiyang, go back to your dorm and get some rest—I’ll take care of this.”

“Yes, Ms. Su. Such a troublemaker deserves a severe punishment, or he’ll ruin the school’s reputation,” Yang Weiyang replied viciously, glaring at Qin Xuan before leaving with his friends. Despite the late summer heat, being thrown into the lake was more than enough for them; if they didn’t change clothes soon, they might catch a cold.

“Now then, which department are you in?” Ms. Su asked once Yang Weiyang and his group had left.

“Business School,” Qin Xuan answered truthfully.

“Oh?” Ms. Su’s smile deepened. “What a coincidence. I’m a lecturer in the Business School, too. I might even be teaching your class this semester.”

Qin Xuan felt a headache coming on. He glanced at Dongfang Qingwan, hoping to escape with her; the last thing he wanted was a trip to the office.

At that moment, Ms. Su’s gaze lingered on Dongfang Qingwan, her surprise evident. So, this young man had such a beautiful girlfriend—no wonder he’d turned down her invitation.

“Well, you two go ahead. It’s good to explore the campus when you’re new here—it will help you in the future,” Ms. Su said, waving them off.

“Huh? You’re not taking me to the office?” Qin Xuan asked, uncertain, seeing the smile on her face just as he was preparing to bolt.