Chapter 155: The Capital's Number One Kept Boy! (Part Two)

"W---what do you want?" Wenren Zhao had not expected such a turn of events, nor had he anticipated that this delicate, water-like girl would be so violent. Her pretty little face was drained of color in fright, and tears were welling up in her eyes.

"I just want to tell you: you can dislike someone, but don't insult someone casually. Especially when that person is the man I like," Wang Jiujiu said, releasing his head.

"I was only trying to help you," Wenren Zhao said, a red handprint standing out on his fair, tender face. It had to be said that this fellow's skin was exceptionally fine; Wang Jiujiu had merely pressed her hand against his face, yet it left such a distinct mark.

"Help me? How are you helping me?" Wang Jiujiu sneered.

"Didn't you say you like him? I can help you win him back," Wenren Zhao offered.

"Me liking him is my own business, what does it have to do with you? I will win him back. But again, what does that have to do with you?" Wang Jiujiu retorted.

She was well aware that if Wenren Zhao were willing to help her, it would be equivalent to having a hidden scout and spy on her side. If he were to reveal all her sister's flaws and background information to her, the probability of success would be quite high.

However, what meaning was there in a success achieved through such cheating?

She loved a man and would strive to win him over by her own efforts. Even if she failed, she would have no regrets. If fate was not meant to be, she would mend it in the next life.

To gain Qin Luo's love by relying on Wenren Zhao's betrayal and meddling was something Wang Jiujiu could not accept. A girl like her still held innocent and pure fantasies about love; she was unwilling to entangle love with too many conspiracies and schemes.

If she agreed, wouldn't she be setting a trap for Qin Luo?

Once he discovered the truth, how could she ever hope for his forgiveness?

"Do you think you can succeed relying solely on yourself? Do you know how many women he has? Lin Wanxi, Li Qingcheng, a female model from Taiwan—and my sister. With so many of them, every single one is no less than you. Are you certain you can compete against them?" Wenren Zhao asked with a sarcastic smile.

"You've been investigating him?" Wang Jiujiu's eyes flashed with fierce light, staring coldly at the pretty boy in front of her.

Fearing that Wang Jiujiu might throw another tantrum, Wenren Zhao took two steps back and said, "No. I've only read his profile."

"If I ever find out you dared to investigate him, you're dead," Wang Jiujiu threatened.

"------" Wenren Zhao opened his mouth, not daring to talk back. This was the women's restroom, and he truly didn't dare to offend this fierce female bandit who was capable of anything.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside.

Anxious, Wenren Zhao made a move to rush out.

At that moment, two elegantly dressed female guests walked in.

Their gazes swept across the faces of Wang Jiujiu and Wenren Zhao, and then they went about their own business—washing their hands and touching up their makeup in the mirror.

Whether it was because they were worldly-wise and had seen plenty of intimate encounters between men and women in restrooms, or because they simply failed to recognize that Wenren Zhao was actually a man—they showed not the slightest bit of surprise.

Wang Jiujiu gave him a mocking glance, implying: now you know who the pretty boy really is?

Ignoring him further, she walked straight out.

Overwhelmed with shame, Wenren Zhao followed right behind, fleeing the women's restroom.

When Wang Jiujiu returned to the back garden, Qin Yue happened to be walking over, smilingly inviting everyone to take their seats.

Thus, the group walked back toward the banquet hall. Wang Jiujiu maintained a stiff smile, feeling dazed as she moved amongst the crowd.

Zhang Yiyi, who had been chatting with someone about skincare and beauty, was quite surprised to see Qin Luo and Wang Jiujiu coming out together. She hurried over and asked, "Qin Luo, when did you get here?"

"I came with some friends," Qin Luo said with a smile.

"Haha, I was just talking about you with Jiujiu yesterday. You haven't been over to our house for a visit in ages. What, do you think my cooking isn't good?" Zhang Yiyi said warmly.

"No, how could that be? I've just been a bit busy with work lately," Qin Luo said, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Of course, Zhang Yiyi's cooking genuinely was not good.

"You must come more often from now on. We're all family, don't stand on ceremony with us. It's not good if we grow distant," Zhang Yiyi instructed.

"Alright," Qin Luo agreed.

Once everyone was seated, Zhang Yiyi pulled Wang Jiujiu's hand and asked softly, "Daughter, what happened?"

"Nothing. What could possibly happen to me?" Wang Jiujiu shook her head with a forced smile.

"Bulls**t. You expect to fool me with that kind of lie? Who am I? I'm your mother. Seeing that silly, forced smile on your face, I know for sure something happened." Zhang Yiyi maintained an appropriate smile on her face as she spoke. In an occasion like this, everyone was refined, polite, and full of grace.

"You can see right through it. Why bother asking if something's wrong?" Wang Jiujiu complained unhappily.

"I can see that something is wrong with you, but I can't tell what actually happened. Do you take me for an all-knowing deity?" Zhang Yiyi retorted. "Did Qin Luo bully you?"

"I wish he would bully me," Wang Jiujiu said dejectedly.

"What? Is he ignoring you?"

"He acknowledged me."

"My goodness, then what on earth is the matter?" Zhang Yiyi grew anxious as well.

"Maybe I'm just too inadequate. Teacher Qin doesn't seem to feel—anything for me at all," Wang Jiujiu said with a bitter smile.

Their family was different from others. In other households, children who fell in love during college would hide it and keep it under wraps. Wang Jiujiu had no such reservations; whenever something happened, she would tell Zhang Yiyi at the very first moment. And Zhang Yiyi would earnestly offer all kinds of suggestions and countermeasures—even though none of them were very practical.

"My foot!" Zhang Yiyi cursed. "You were born from me, how could I not know whether you're good or not? You've got the figure, you've got the face, a great personality, good at studying, and you can sing and dance—why on earth wouldn't he like you?"

"Mom, keep your voice down," Wang Jiujiu urged. Her mother's voice was getting louder and had already attracted the attention of others nearby.

"Does he have other women?" Zhang Yiyi asked.

Wang Jiujiu's expression darkened, and she said, "He does. She's wonderful. Much better than me."

Zhang Yiyi sighed as well, taking Wang Jiujiu's hand. "Sigh, daughter, let's leave it to fate. A forced melon is not sweet; matters of the heart cannot be forced."

Seeing Wang Jiujiu glaring at her with wide-open eyes, Zhang Yiyi quickly changed her tune. "Of course, if you insist on forcing it, it's not entirely out of the question. Mom can have Gao Shen bring people to abduct him, and you can consummate the relationship right then and there. Then I'll have your old man step in and force him to marry you—whoever dares snatch him gets executed on the spot."

Wang Jiujiu fumed, "Zhang Yiyi, can you stop being so unruly? What kind of ghost ideas are these?"

"I only changed my tune because I saw you glaring at me," Zhang Yiyi said, looking aggrieved.

"I glared at you because I didn't want to hear you tell me to give up. You're my own mother; if even you don't support me, who will?" Wang Jiujiu said.

"But right now—"

"Mom, let me try," Wang Jiujiu said, her expression desolate. "I really like him. Ever since the very first class he taught us. I never thought I would fall in love with my own teacher."

"Actually, falling in love with your teacher isn't bad either. It's quite thrilling."

"Will you let me finish first?"

"Fine, fine. You speak, you speak. I won't interrupt anymore." Knowing her daughter was in a bad mood, Zhang Yiyi didn't dare argue with her while she was going through heartbreak.

"Just losing like this—I am not reconciled. I want to try again. Try one more time. Even if he doesn't like me, I want to hear him say it to my face. For him to tell me: Wang Jiujiu, I don't like you. Once he says that, I will give up. Truly give up."

"Sigh, daughter, why must you wrong yourself so? With your conditions, what kind of man can't you find? Mom just has to say a single word, and all the men in Yanjing City would come running bare-ass like wild beasts just to stand at our front door for you to pick from. Why must you insist on liking him?"

"Does he even have that much charm? He has no money, he's just a teacher. He has no talent, can't sing, can't dance, and doesn't even have a proper higher degree—didn't he get kicked out of the school last time precisely because he lacked a degree? How embarrassing. He doesn't look like much either, all skin and bones, with a face as pale as a sheet of paper—and his taste in clothing is awful. The moment he steps through our front door, I'd be too embarrassed to take him out in public."

Wang Jiujiu glared at her mother. "Who was the one saying earlier 'go hit on him, hit on him, hit on him'? Who said his character was upright, his appearance refined, that he had two dimples when he smiled, and that he was a man who knew how to cherish his wife? Last time you said wearing a long robe showed culture and depth, and now you're saying his taste in clothes is terrible—"

Zhang Yiyi hadn't expected her daughter to remember every single word she had used to praise Qin Luo. Looking embarrassed, she defended herself, "Who told him not to like my daughter? I'm just running a smear campaign against him."

"Is that how a mother behaves?"

"My acting like this just proves I'm your biological mother," Zhang Yiyi said, pinching Wang Jiujiu playfully and speaking with feigned indignation.

As the two of them hid in a corner whispering privately, enthusiastic applause suddenly erupted throughout the hall.

Supported by Qin Zongheng, tonight's birthday star, Elder Qin, walked out with a radiant glow on his face.

Elder Qin waved his hand to signal that everyone didn't need to applaud. He walked over to the podium specially prepared by the hotel, took the microphone handed to him by Qin Zongheng, and said in a hearty voice, "At my age, I just wish time would move slower. Much slower. Because with every passing day, the time remaining grows one day shorter. Therefore, when the younger ones were planning this birthday banquet for me, I didn't object too strongly. Let them have their fun. You only turn this age once in a lifetime. If I were to hold a second such banquet, I'd become some sort of ancient monster."

"Many of you present are my old friends; it hasn't been easy for all of us to cross paths in this lifetime. No matter what, I'll be clinking glasses with you all later. There are also many outstanding young people who have come to attend this old man's birthday feast. There's no dance hall, nor any of those Western-style performances—I hope I haven't stifled you all too much."

A wave of good-natured laughter and applause rippled through the audience; Elder Qin's words made them feel warm and welcome.

"To be honest, I enjoy interacting with young people. It keeps my heart young as well. Seeing you allows me to catch a glimpse of our own past. Moreover, you are our future. I hope you will all surpass us and outdo your predecessors."

"Today, inviting everyone here is simply out of the hope that we can all sit together, happy and joyful. So, everyone must eat well and drink well."

Elder Qin glanced at Qin Zongheng beside him and said, "Taking advantage of this occasion, there is also a matter I would like to announce to everyone together."