Chapter 29: The Real Trouble Makers |
"This has nothing to do with you! I’m not looking for you; I’m looking for her!" The yellow-haired girl was smart, avoiding confrontation with Zhou Yuwen, who was tall and imposing, and Liu Shuo, known for his loyalty and readiness to fight. Liu Shuo's friends quickly stood behind Zhou Yuwen, forming a more intimidating presence than the yellow-haired girl’s group.
The girl didn't dare to look at Zhou Yuwen and directly targeted Li Shiqi, trying to pull her from behind Zhou Yuwen. But Zhou Yuwen firmly blocked her, "What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? Anything related to her is related to me."
Zhou Yuwen’s resolute stance stirred Li Shiqi’s heart. Tall and protective, he seemed attractive. She had never imagined someone would protect her like this.
"So cool!" exclaimed Zheng Yanyan from the back, appreciating Zhou Yuwen’s heroic demeanor. She believed men should be brave and take responsibility.
However, Su Qing frowned, "Zhou Yuwen! No fighting!"
"Why are you saying that now?" Zheng Yanyan tugged at Su Qing, thinking it was inappropriate to say such things at this moment.
Su Qing was annoyed, seeing her husband stand up for another woman, even if it was the 18-year-old Zhou Yuwen. She believed conflicts should be resolved peacefully.
The yellow-haired girl noticed Su Qing’s reaction and asked, "Is she your girlfriend? Why are you so concerned about her?" referring to Li Shiqi.
"Whether she is my girlfriend or not is none of your business. Just tell me what you want. Do you want a card or not? If not, leave," Zhou Yuwen’s tone was harsh.
"?" Zhou Yuwen was taken aback, looking at Li Shiqi in disbelief.
Li Shiqi quickly denied it, "I didn't."
"Who’s your boyfriend?" Zhou Yuwen asked, wanting to clarify.
The girl’s boyfriend was pushed forward. He was a small, weak-looking guy with glasses who was clearly terrified of his girlfriend.
Li Shiqi explained that the guy was there to get a card but hadn't done so. The girl retorted, questioning why Li Shiqi was selling cards at their school, claiming her brother was the official agent there.
"Wait a minute, hold on," Zhou Yuwen interrupted the escalating argument, asking the yellow-haired girl, "Why are you here? Are you upset because she seduced your boyfriend, or because she’s taking your brother’s business?"
"She’s seducing my boyfriend."
"Okay, who’s more handsome, me or your boyfriend?"
"?" The girl was caught off guard by the question. She examined Zhou Yuwen, comparing him to her timid boyfriend, and blushed when Zhou Yuwen stared back at her.
He can't be serious, right? Is he hitting on me? she thought, remembering scenes from Taiwanese dramas she watched in 2013. Despite Zhou Yuwen’s good looks, she wasn’t swayed purely by appearance.
"You’re more handsome, but—"
"But what? I’m taller and better looking, right?"
"Yes, but—"
"Why would she go for your boyfriend if she has someone like me?" Zhou Yuwen interrupted again.
"???" The crowd was shocked, especially Liu Shuo, who was dumbfounded by Zhou Yuwen’s unexpected claim. Even Li Shiqi and Su Qing were stunned.
Su Qing felt a surge of anger. Was Zhou Yuwen cheating on her in the past life? Did he have a girlfriend back then? Her thoughts spiraled until Zheng Yanyan held her back.
"Any more questions?" Zhou Yuwen asked the girl.
She struggled to find a retort, thinking maybe Li Shiqi could be disloyal, but before she could speak, Zhou Yuwen added, "If you’re still mad, how about this? Give me your WeChat, and I’ll be your boyfriend."
"???" Zhou Yuwen's words left everyone speechless again. The girl, flustered and embarrassed, finally muttered "Let’s go" and hurriedly left with her friends, burying her face in her friend’s back seat.
As they left, Zhou Yuwen called out, "Hey, don’t leave. Don’t you like me?" causing the girl to blush even more. Fortunately, there was no Xiaohongshu (a social media app), or she would have posted about a “confident guy chasing me down.”
With the troublemakers gone, the atmosphere lightened. Zhou Yuwen's group dispersed, feeling awkward about the midday confrontation. Liu Shuo couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "Brother Zhou, since when were you and Li Shiqi together?"
This was also the question on Su Qing's mind. If Zhou Yuwen had a girlfriend then what did that make her in the past life? Was he cheating?
Luckily, before Su Qing could question him, Zhou Yuwen clarified, "Do you believe that? I was lying to get rid of them. Can’t you think straight?"
Realizing this, Su Qing calmed down, but Liu Shuo was slightly insulted, "Who’s not thinking straight?"
Zhou Yuwen rolled his eyes at Liu Shuo and then checked on Li Shiqi, "Are you okay?"
Li Shiqi, her face flushed, nodded and thanked Zhou Yuwen, her eyes sparkling with newfound admiration.
"It’s nothing. This wasn’t really about you," Zhou Yuwen said.
Li Shiqi didn’t fully understand but didn’t press for details.
With fewer people coming for cards at noon, Zhou Yuwen told everyone to take a break. In the afternoon, the crowd picked up again. Liu Shuo and his friends stayed to help, wanting to learn the business.
"You guys can be my agents for your school, and I’ll give you 50 yuan commission per card," Zhou Yuwen said.
"Thanks, Brother Zhou," they responded.
Li Shiqi also stayed, secretly observing Zhou Yuwen. She found him responsible, mature, and meticulous in his work, different from her high school impressions.
In the afternoon, Li Shiqi shyly approached Zhou Yuwen, "I don’t need the extra 200 yuan reward."
"Why not? You earned it by expanding our customer base," Zhou Yuwen replied casually.
The more Zhou Yuwen insisted, the more embarrassed Li Shiqi felt, her face reddening, "I don’t want it."
"You don’t want to make money anymore?" Zhou Yuwen teased.
Business was booming, with cash transactions piling up to 15,000 yuan. Handling the money felt satisfying.
Before Li Shiqi could explain further, another group approached. It was the same gang from the morning, but this time, they brought reinforcements. Leading them was a man who looked more mature and normal, about 20 years old, dressed in leather.
"You must be Zhou Yuwen," he said, recognizing Zhou Yuwen.
"Yes, that’s me."
"I’m the campus card agent for Jinken College, a senior here. Nice to meet you," the man said with a seemingly friendly smile.