Gu Tingzheng didn’t spare another glance at the howling Xu Deyou, as if he had merely swatted away a disgusting fly.
Xu Deyou’s female companion shrieked in fear, “Y-you dare hit someone?! Do you know who his father is?!”
Gu Tingzheng’s gaze swept over her lightly, carrying an undisguised indifference:
“The Department of Culture, a sinecure, right?”
That casual remark was like a bucket of cold water suddenly poured over Xu Deyou’s head, making him momentarily forget the pain, leaving only boundless fear.
The realization that his family background had been thoroughly investigated filled him with panic.
Gu Tingzheng pulled a few banknotes from his pocket and placed them on the table—more than enough to cover the meal.
He draped the coat in his hand over the girl’s shoulders, shielding her by his side.
His voice was not loud, yet it carried a chilling authority:
“I’ll say this one last time: stay away from my girl.”
He paused slightly, his gaze pressing down on Xu Deyou like a physical weight:
“Otherwise, next time, it won’t just be an arm.”
With that, he shielded Lin Xiaojiao and calmly walked out of the restaurant amidst the dead silence and countless stares.
It wasn’t until she was bundled into the jeep that Lin Xiaojiao slowly snapped back to reality.
Her heart was still pounding wildly, but her eyes shone with astonishing brightness.
“Uncle, you were so cool!”
Damn!
This is what they call crushing the scum and slapping them in the face—a Dimensionality Reduction Strike!
It felt so freaking amazing!
Gu Tingzheng looked at the little girl beside him, flushed with excitement, and a trace of helpless amusement flickered in his eyes.
“If he dares bother you again in the future, just hit back.”
“Remember, the sky won’t fall.”
He started the car, his voice so reassuring.
At least, that’s how Lin Xiaojiao felt.
But… he hit someone in front of everyone. Would there be any trouble…?
Thinking this, Lin Xiaojiao voiced her concern.
“What, is Jiaojiao worried about him?” The man kept his eyes on the road, making no extra movements, but Lin Xiaojiao seemed to detect a hint of displeasure in his tone.
She was worried about him, okay.
“It’s fine,” the man said flatly.
He didn’t clarify who was “fine.”
…
The car continued toward the school.
Lin Xiaojiao felt down.
This man really just… took her out for a meal.
As if completing a task.
And now he was sending her back.
She felt like someone who was only remembered temporarily—summoned at will and dismissed just as easily.
And here she was, eagerly waiting for his possible appearance.
Pouting, she turned her head toward the window, not even bothering to force a smile.
Gu Tingzheng didn’t seem to notice.
Or perhaps, his habitual silence concealed all his emotions.
The car soon stopped at the usual spot, under the parasol tree beside the dormitory building.
“We’re here,” he said, his voice as steady as ever.
Lin Xiaojiao murmured a low “Mm,” reaching to unbuckle her seatbelt.
She prepared to get out, even begrudging the words “thank you” and “goodbye.”
“Wait.”
Gu Tingzheng stopped her.
He leaned over, retrieved a palm-sized velvet box from the back seat, and handed it to her.
“For you.”
Lin Xiaojiao was stunned, instinctively taking it and opening it.
Even though she had braced herself, the contents of the box nearly blinded her—
Holy crap!
A Patek Philippe!
Looking closely, it was the same model as the one on his wrist.
Only smaller in size, more delicate and elegant.
She looked up at him sharply, her eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Gu Tingzheng’s gaze fell on the watch, his tone quite plain. “When I saw you wearing it last year, I thought the style suited you well. So I asked a friend to bring back a new one. It’s been with me… for a while. Today seemed like a good time to give it to you.”
Gu Tingzheng was telling the absolute truth.
At the time, he had genuinely thought the young girl looked… good wearing it.
But “a while” was an understatement—the watch had lain in his drawer for nearly half a year.
“It’s too valuable! I can’t accept it!” Without a second thought, Lin Xiaojiao immediately closed the lid and handed it back.
This gift far exceeded what an “uncle” should give, making her uneasy.
Gu Tingzheng didn’t take it.
He didn’t even give her a chance to refuse further. Instead, he took the box, removed the watch, and without a word, pulled over the girl’s left wrist.
As if he didn’t notice her instantly flushed cheeks and flustered gaze.
His movements were firm but not rough, his warm fingertips brushing against her cool skin.
Sending a shiver through her.
With a soft click, the watch clasp fastened.
The fit was perfect.
“Wear it. It’s not worth much, just some random brand.”
Lin Xiaojiao: “…”
Do you think I’m a fool?!
This is… a random brand?!
But! At this moment, she couldn’t exactly say she knew better!
How could a “country bumpkin” like her possibly recognize a “Patek Philippe”?!
Even the excuse “I read about it in a book” wouldn’t work.
In this era, there weren’t even luxury magazines in the country yet.
Lin Xiaojiao just sat there, holding up her wrist adorned with the famous watch, dumbfounded.
As if frozen in place.
“Silly!”
The man smacked her raised little paw.
Lin Xiaojiao shrank to the side, pouting.
Debating whether to get out of the car directly or take off the watch first.
Just then, the man beside her seemed to remember something. He pulled out a notebook with a kraft paper cover and a fountain pen from the storage compartment nearby.
With a few quick strokes, he wrote down a number, tore off the page, and stuffed it into her hand.
“Keep this. If anything happens, call the number on it to reach me.”
He paused, then added, “If I’m not around, you can look for Xu Li or Chen Cheng. They’ll help you.”
Lin Xiaojiao clutched the note, still warm from his handwriting, while on her wrist rested the priceless watch he had just put on.
What exactly… did he mean by all this?
Before she could sort out her thoughts, the man had already resumed his farewell demeanor. “Go on. I’ll come find you again next weekend.”
Lin Xiaojiao’s hand, poised to push open the car door, froze.
She turned her head, looking at his sharply defined profile.
Almost without thinking, the words spilled out, carrying a hint of coquettish complaint she hadn’t even realized was there:
“Instructor Gu, aren’t you going to ask if I’m free next weekend?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, the car fell silent, save for the low idle hum of the engine.
Gu Tingzheng clearly hadn’t expected her to ask that. His fingers on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
He turned his face to look at her.
The girl’s cheeks were slightly puffed, her eyes wide and round.
That hint of cautious dissatisfaction and testing was written clearly all over her face.
A flicker of amusement, almost imperceptible, passed through his eyes as he smoothly replied:
“Alright then. So, student Lin Xiaojiao, are you free next weekend?”
His deep voice betrayed no particular emotion, yet it carried an inexplicable hint of indulgence.
Lin Xiaojiao: “…”
Faced with his serious counter-question, she suddenly found herself at a loss for words, her cheeks burning bright red.
Could she really say she was busy?!
“Maybe… yes.” Lin Xiaojiao pushed open the car door as if fleeing in panic, “Goodbye, Instructor Gu!”
Watching the young girl’s nearly stumbling figure as she ran away, Gu Tingzheng finally let out a low chuckle, shook his head, and then drove off.