Before dawn the next day, Zheng Xiye received a phone call while half asleep. The caller was Wu Sihai.
This man was something of a legend. It was said that he had no parents and grew up in the Shaolin Temple from a young age. When he grew up, he became a martial monk, possessed of genuine kung fu, muscles knotted all over his body, and formidable skills. By chance, he later met Jiang Jiancheng and was hired at a high salary as his personal bodyguard, a position he had held for decades.
Zheng Xiye answered the call and addressed him, “Uncle Wu.”
“Young Master Ye.” Uncle Wu was usually taciturn, and his speaking style was highly distinctive. If something could be explained in three words, he would never add even a single punctuation mark. “Old Jiang is waiting for you at the Four Seasons Teahouse on Jiuwan Street, third floor. Come alone.”
The message was concise and blunt, stating neither the reason nor the purpose, abrupt from start to finish.
After delivering the message, Uncle Wu hung up the phone on his own.
An empty, busy tone came from the receiver.
Zheng Xiye tossed the phone aside, wiped his face, casually grabbed the T-shirt draped over the back of a chair and pulled it on, then went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.
Just as he finished putting on his shoes, he ran into Jiang Zhi’ang coming out to use the bathroom.
Jiang Zhi’ang could barely open his eyes. He scratched his hair and asked, “Brother Ye, got work again this early?”
“Mm.”
Zheng Xiye did not say anything more. He turned around, pulled open the door, and strode out.
*
Jiuwan Street was located in the eastern part of Lingcheng. It was neither long nor short, just several dozen meters, with a narrow roadway and teahouses and small restaurants lining both sides. The regulars here were almost all elderly men and women in their sixties or seventies. Some carried birdcages, some held radios, humming Peking opera or Qinqiang while swaying their heads. They would casually step into a teahouse, drink tea, play chess, and chat idly, easily passing an entire day.
It was a paradise for the elderly, and young people rarely set foot here.
It was only a little past six in the morning. The sky was not yet fully bright, and the east had just begun to show a pale, fish-belly white.
Zheng Xiye drove to Jiuwan Street, parked the car, bought a cup of soy milk and two steamed buns downstairs at the Four Seasons Teahouse, then ate the buns at an unhurried pace as he went upstairs.
The name “Four Seasons Teahouse” sounded elegant enough. In reality, it was just a mahjong parlor. The building had three floors: the first floor was for drinking tea, the second floor was an open hall for playing cards, and the third floor had private rooms with automatic mahjong tables. It was not particularly upscale.
Despite the early hour, the teahouse was already noisy and lively.
“Self-draw, pure suit. I won!”
“Auntie Li, how are you so lucky? Did you go touch the Buddha for blessings the other day?”
“I’ll just collect a little rain money.”
“Play smaller, yeah? Two yuan is too much. How about one yuan a hand?”
…
Passing through the clamorous second-floor hall, Zheng Xiye had just reached the third floor when he saw someone standing at the stairway entrance. The man looked to be in his mid-fifties, about one meter seventy tall, solidly built, with a stern expression.
Slurp.
Zheng Xiye finished the last sip of soy milk, casually tossed the paper cup into the trash, and greeted him lazily, “Morning, Uncle Wu.”
Uncle Wu stood at the door of a private room named “Four Gentlemen” and nodded at him with a cold face. “Morning.”
Zheng Xiye walked over with long strides and glanced at Uncle Wu. “Inside?”
Uncle Wu nodded indifferently. “Mm.”
Zheng Xiye pushed the door open and went in.
The “Four Gentlemen” room was the largest private room in the entire Four Seasons Teahouse. It was a suite, with a living room, an inner room, and a separate bathroom. At this moment, the spacious living room was empty and unlit. The only dim blue light came from a Haier television set, which was playing a mindless soap opera at very low volume.
The door leading from the living room to the inner room was tightly shut. Faint sounds of mahjong tiles being shuffled and voices conversing could be heard from inside.
On a sofa not far away, someone was asleep. The person lay curled up, brows faintly knit, as if trapped in an unpleasant dream, sleeping restlessly.
By the weak light of the television, Zheng Xiye recognized the person on the sofa as Xiao Qi. He did not look at her again and walked straight toward the inner door. However, just before he raised his hand to knock, Xiao Qi woke up.
“Brother Ye?” she called out in surprise, sitting up from the sofa.
Zheng Xiye’s expression was cold. He only asked, “Where’s Old Jiang?”
“He’s inside playing mahjong. Says it’s a game set up by old friends.” After saying that, Xiao Qi looked Zheng Xiye up and down, with worry on her face. “I heard from Old Qi that you nearly lost your life in Taicheng. How are you feeling now? Any better?”
Zheng Xiye had barely slept all night. A dull ache throbbed at his temples, and he did not feel like chatting. He pinched the bridge of his nose, did not look at her, and replied without much emotion, “I’m fine.”
Xiao Qi still looked anxious. “If you really can’t hold on, go to the hospital. Duoshou Fo has a virus lab over in Laos, specializing in researching all kinds of strange toxins. You fell into his trap. You can’t be careless.”
Zheng Xiye answered perfunctorily, still the same line: “I won’t die.”
Xiao Qi was Jiang Jiancheng’s goddaughter, and Zheng Xiye was one of Jiang Jiancheng’s trusted subordinates. Both were highly capable, and they had worked for the Jiang family together for many years. She knew this man’s temperament well. Once he set his mind on something, he was stubborn to the extreme, impossible to pull back, even with ten oxen.
Xiao Qi had no choice but to sigh softly and say gently, “If you won’t go to the hospital, then don’t. Take care of your own body.”
Zheng Xiye bent down and sat heavily on the sofa, legs spread, staring expressionlessly at the television screen for a while before picking up the remote control and changing the channel.
His attitude was cold.
It was obvious that he did not want to talk to her much and did not even want to bother with her.
“You…” Xiao Qi stood there as a living, breathing person, yet was completely ignored. She stalled for several seconds before her anger flared and she burst out, “Zheng Xiye, I just returned to the country and followed my godfather to Lingcheng to look for you. Do you know that I’m the one who cares about you the most?”
Zheng Xiye was still the same as always, unhurried and composed, yet keeping people at a distance. “Thank you for your concern.”
Xiao Qi: “……”
Xiao Qi was so choked by his response that she let out a laugh. When she spoke again, her tone turned faintly sarcastic and mocking. “Brother Ye, since you’re already someone with a girlfriend, didn’t that little girl teach you how to communicate politely and courteously with women?”
Zheng Xiye’s tone was cool. “That’s something between the two of us. Things that are only said behind closed doors probably aren’t appropriate to tell you.”
Hearing this, Xiao Qi was left speechless. Her face shifted between red and pale, and for a moment, she did not know what to say.
After a moment, she closed her eyes, then opened them, took a deep breath, and exhaled. She steadied her emotions, put on a calm and indifferent expression, and said stiffly, “The price of that document has already been settled. In addition, the buyer heard that we have people from the Blue An organization and is very interested. They want to sign a long-term cooperation agreement directly with us.”
Zheng Xiye asked, “What did Old Jiang say?”
Xiao Qi shrugged. “Old Jiang said that long-term deals bring high profits, but the corresponding risks are naturally higher. He can’t make this decision on his own. He still needs to ask for instructions from above.”
A few seconds later.
Zheng Xiye heard his own voice, as casual as usual, without the slightest anomaly. “You mean the Big Boss?”
“Yes,” Xiao Qi replied.
This wolf-hearted, innately bad sort was usually extremely indifferent, unconcerned about anything, looking perpetually uninterested, sparing with words to the point of stinginess.
It was rare for him to take the initiative to talk with her about anything. Xiao Qi felt an unconscious flicker of pleasure, her mood improving, and she continued, “With a deal this big, if my godfather made the decision alone and something went wrong, the Big Boss would definitely hold him accountable.”
Zheng Xiye glanced at her and asked casually, “Have you met the Big Boss?”
“Yes.” Xiao Qi said, “But the Big Boss is very cautious. Even my godfather rarely gets a chance to see him. I’ve only met him once…”
Xiao Qi had only spoken halfway when suddenly the door to the inner room opened. Laughter and voices surged out along with footsteps, like a crashing wave, forcibly cutting off her words.
A group of people walked out. The two at the front were the oldest, both already in their fifties.
Unlike Jiang Jiancheng, who was impeccably dressed in a suit with polished leather shoes, the middle-aged man beside him wore shorts and slippers, completely unkempt. A gold chain as thick as a thumb hung around his neck. He looked big and burly, and his voice was rough and loud.
The man with the gold chain laughed and said, “Old Brother Jiang, your luck has been booming lately. The God of Wealth has arrived, unstoppable. I’ve made you spend money on me!”
Jiang Jiancheng laughed as well. “Just a small change. Consider it your older brother treating you to tea.”
“Hahaha, generous and bold!” The man with the gold chain gave a thumbs-up. “I like playing cards with you, Old Jiang. It’s satisfying! Running into you here in Lingcheng this time was my good fortune!”
As he spoke, the man with the gold chain turned his head and noticed Zheng Xiye standing nearby. His pupils tightened slightly.
At his age, the man with the gold chain naturally knew how to judge people. Seeing that this young man carried himself with uncommon bearing and handsome looks, he was clearly no ordinary person. He could not help but look at Zheng Xiye a few more times and asked Jiang Jiancheng, “Old Brother, this young man is…?”
“He’s my godson.” Jiang Jiancheng held a cigar, curved his lips into a smile, and said to Zheng Xiye, “Ah Ye, this is an old friend of mine of more than twenty years. Call him Uncle Wen.”
Zheng Xiye gave a faint smile. “Hello, Uncle Wen.”
“Good, good!” Uncle Wen nodded in praise. “Old Jiang, you’re truly blessed.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Uncle Wen led his people away. Only Jiang Jiancheng, Xiao Qi, and Zheng Xiye remained in the private room.
Jiang Jiancheng flicked the hem of his suit aside and bent down to sit on the sofa. He leisurely crossed one leg over the other, lifted his gaze slightly, and looked at the two younger people in front of him.
His expression grew a bit serious as he said, “Qiqi.”
Xiao Qi answered obediently, “Godfather.”
“You child.” Jiang Jiancheng scolded her lightly. “Who told you to call Ah Ye over so early? He already has enough headaches handling all the matters in Lingcheng. You disturbed his sleep before dawn even broke. How can you be so inconsiderate?”
Xiao Qi muttered, “Uncle Wu made the call, not me.”
Jiang Jiancheng raised his hand and pointed at the air. “All you ever do is bully Uncle Wu, letting him take the blame for offending people.”
Xiao Qi stuck out her tongue playfully and made a face.
After lecturing his goddaughter, Jiang Jiancheng motioned for the two young people to sit. Then he turned to look at Zheng Xiye beside him and said with a tone of concern, “I’ve already heard about what happened in Taicheng from Old Qi. That old bastard Duoshou Fo still hasn’t learned anything after all these years. When he can’t win openly, he resorts to underhanded tricks. Ah Ye, you’ve suffered.”
Zheng Xiye tugged very lightly at the corner of his mouth and replied, “Old Jiang, we’re family. There’s no need for formalities. This is my responsibility. It’s nothing worth mentioning.”
“Good, my good child.” Appreciation showed in Jiang Jiancheng’s eyes as he nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry. I have seen all that you’ve contributed. The Jiang family will not treat you unfairly.”
At this moment, Xiao Qi reached out and grabbed Jiang Jiancheng’s sleeve, lowering her voice and acting spoiled. “Godfather, Brother Ye was injured in Taicheng. Why don’t I just stay in Lingcheng for a while?”
Jiang Jiancheng frowned. “What are you staying here for?”
Xiao Qi glanced at the man beside her, worry evident in her eyes. “He’s sick and lying in bed, and there’s no one to take care of him.”
Zheng Xiye said, “Who says I don’t have anyone?”
Xiao Qi: “……”
Zheng Xiye continued, “My little girl can do everything. She’s good at everything.”
Mentioning this made Xiao Qi grit her teeth in anger. With Old Jiang present, she could not flare up and could only sneer, mocking, “That little brat is barely in her teens. What can she help you with? Help you write homework? I think it’d already be burning incense if she doesn’t cause you trouble.”
When the words fell, Zheng Xiye gave a faint smile, yet a trace of gloom surfaced in his eyes. He said evenly, “This is the first time. I’ll let it go after hearing it once.”
Xiao Qi was a little confused. “What do you mean?”
He finally turned his head to look at Xiao Qi. When the words left his mouth, each one was cold enough to chill to the bone. “It means that I’m territorial. I don’t like anyone joking about my girlfriend, and I don’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of my girlfriend. If there’s a next time, I won’t spare your face.”
Xiao Qi’s temper flared instantly. She snapped, “What, you’re going to fall out with me over her? You—”
“All right. Both of you, say less.”
On the tea table in front of them sat a blue-and-white porcelain ashtray. Jiang Jiancheng reached out and flicked some ash into it, then straightened his posture and said in a deep voice, “I didn’t call you two here today to listen to you argue.”
Xiao Qi fell silent.
Jiang Jiancheng’s gaze shifted slightly as he sized up Xiao Qi and said, “Qiqi, if I remember correctly, you’re twenty-four this year, right?”
Xiao Qi nodded.
“Twenty-four. A grown woman now.” Jiang Jiancheng sighed with emotion. “Girls grow up and can’t be kept at home.”
A surge of panic rose in Xiao Qi’s chest. She asked haltingly, “Why are you suddenly bringing this up?”
“Still playing dumb with your godfather?” Jiang Jiancheng said. “You’ve been by my side since you were six. I raised you myself, no different from my own daughter. Do you think I can’t see what’s on your mind?”
Xiao Qi glanced at Zheng Xiye.
The other party had a cold expression, idly toying with a lighter, looking completely uninvolved.
Xiao Qi grew even more irritated and bit down hard in secret.
“Forget it. I’m old. I don’t want to meddle in young people’s affairs, and I can’t manage them anyway.” At this point, Jiang Jiancheng paused slightly with the cigar between his lips. After a moment, his tone softened as he continued, “As for the buyer wanting long-term cooperation this time, I’ve already mentioned it to the Big Boss.”
Hearing this, Zheng Xiye’s fingers playing with the lighter suddenly stopped.
Xiao Qi’s pupils brightened. “What did the Big Boss say?”
In just a few seconds, the smile on Jiang Jiancheng’s face faded. He replied, “The Big Boss said he still needs to consider it. After all, there’s no precedent before, and the risk is too great. It requires extra caution. Get back to them and tell them to wait for news.”
Xiao Qi nodded. “All right.”
Jiang Jiancheng narrowed his eyes, fell silent for a moment, then said again, “Ah Ye.”
Zheng Xiye replied, “Yes, Old Jiang. Please give your instructions.”
Jiang Jiancheng said, “If the Big Boss agrees and nods in approval, when the time comes, you’ll go with me.”
At the side, Xiao Qi’s eyes widened noticeably in shock. All these years, no matter how valued Zheng Xiye was, Jiang Jiancheng had never let him touch the core business, let alone take him to meet the Big Boss.
Zheng Xiye was silent for half a second, then slightly curved his lips and said evenly, “As long as you trust me.”
Without warning, Jiang Jiancheng choked on a mouthful of smoke and began coughing violently. Seeing this, Xiao Qi hurriedly reached out to pat his back and help him catch his breath.
After quite a while, Jiang Jiancheng recovered, leaned forward, and stubbed out the cigar in the ashtray. Then he gave a bitter smile. “You young ones. Angzi is my biological son, and Qiqi was raised by my own hands. But Ah Ye, you’re different. Counting everything, you’ve only been with me for less than four years. It’s not that I’m overly suspicious. It’s just that the Jiang family has had a hard road. Following the Big Boss, we not only have to bow and scrape, but also block knives and bullets for others. Only by being cautious can a boat sail for ten thousand years.”
Zheng Xiye said, “I understand.”
“All these years, you and Qiqi have helped me a lot,” Jiang Jiancheng said. “Later on, I’ll gradually hand all the core business over to you two to manage.”
Zheng Xiye did not respond. His thick, dark lashes hung low, concealing all his emotions.
Jiang Jiancheng forcefully patted Zheng Xiye on the shoulder, his expression solemn. “Ah Ye, I hope that after this old man passes away, you can continue to support Angzi as you supported me. Together, carry on our business, treat each other like brothers, and never betray one another.”
At the instant the words fell, the light in Zheng Xiye’s eyes turned abruptly cold.
At the juncture between night and dawn, the world was dim and hazy. A strand of residual light from an old lamp spilled into the room, illuminating a small patch of white wall.
The wall was peeling and dusty, yet overall still retained its snowy white base. In that corner illuminated by the light, by sheer coincidence, a spider was caught mid-web.
It crawled slowly and alone along the wall, spinning silk and weaving its web. The light formed an invisible cage that bound it. Unable to escape, against the white wall and the cold light, its world looked all the more desolate.
Zheng Xiye stared at that spider. After a long while, he slowly smiled.
Zheng Xiye replied, “All right.”
At the same time, dawn broke outside the window, and morning was about to arrive.
*
For her eldest uncle’s sixtieth birthday, Qiao Huilan ultimately gave eight hundred yuan as the gift money.
In this era, social obligations were commonplace. Eight hundred yuan was nothing in big cities, but in Lingcheng, this amount could be considered quite generous. Both the giver and the receiver would have plenty of face.
Of course, Qiao Huilan did not wrap an eight-hundred-yuan red envelope for the sake of appearances. She simply wanted to use this gift money to thank her elder uncle’s family for their help over the years.
Before ten in the morning, Qiao Huilan brought Xu Fangfei to her eldest uncle’s home.
When her eldest uncle was young, he was a barber. This trade was a bit different from today’s popular hairstylists. They did not perm or dye hair, nor did they do fancy styles. Their tools were just a pair of scissors and a pair of clippers. They could not produce many variations, but they could ensure that after a haircut, the boys all looked neat and sharp, and the girls all looked clean and capable.
Her eldest uncle worked as a barber for most of his life, only closing his shop and retiring a few years ago after developing cataracts and losing his eyesight.
When they knocked on the door, someone came to open it not long after.
Xu Fangfei obediently greeted them, “Eldest Uncle, Eldest Aunt.”
“You’re here.” Eldest Aunt greeted them with a beaming smile. When she lowered her head and saw the fruit gift box in Xu Fangfei’s hands, she immediately frowned again. “You two, really. Just coming is enough. Why bring things?”
“Big Brother turning sixty is such a good day. How could we come empty-handed?”
Qiao Huilan also smiled warmly, helping Eldest Aunt carry the items into the house, then followed her into the kitchen to lend a hand.
While Eldest Aunt was washing vegetables, Qiao Huilan slipped the prepared red envelope into the pocket of Eldest Aunt’s apron. Eldest Aunt exclaimed “aiyo” and tugged back and forth with Qiao Huilan for quite a while, trying to refuse it. Seeing that the other party had made up her mind and would not budge, she had no choice but to tuck it into her pocket and accept it.
That day, until lunchtime, Xu Fangfei did not see any sign of Xu Zhijie.
Not having to see that annoying cousin made her feel quite at ease. Sitting at the dining table, she listened to the adults chatting idly about household matters while eating, and her appetite even improved.
Eldest Aunt first asked Qiao Huilan about how the paper offerings shop was doing. After that, her attention shifted to Xu Fangfei.
Eldest Aunt smiled until her eyes curved. “Feifei’s grades have always been pretty good, right?”
Xu Fangfei smiled as well and answered, “They’re okay.”
Eldest Aunt asked, “About how many points do you usually score?”
Xu Fangfei replied, “I scored over six hundred on the last final exam.”
“Oh! That high?” Eldest Aunt’s eyes widened in delight. “I’ve always heard that Feifei does well in school. This is really something to be proud of! Huilan, with Feifei being so promising, I truly envy you. In the future, you’ll just be waiting to enjoy life.”
Qiao Huilan curved her lips modestly at the side and said, “You can’t really tell anything until the very end.”
“Our Feifei has been smart since she was little. She’ll definitely get into a good university in the future,” said Eldest Uncle. He paused, then looked at Xu Fangfei. “Feifei, what university do you want to apply to in the future?”
Xu Fangfei shook her head and said, “I don’t really have any ideas yet.”
Eldest Aunt suddenly suggested, “Why not apply to a military academy!”
Qiao Huilan was taken aback. “A military academy?”
“Yes.” Eldest Aunt got excited and started talking animatedly. “There’s a distant relative in our production team whose child also had good grades and got into a military academy. They don’t charge tuition, and the state even subsidizes living expenses. After graduation, you can directly enter the military, and you don’t have to worry about finding a job. How great is that!”
After hearing this, Xu Fangfei’s eyes stirred slightly. She said, “That is to say, if you attend a military academy, you won’t need to ask your family for money for the entire university period?”
“Exactly. And also…” At this point, Eldest Aunt glanced somewhat awkwardly at Qiao Huilan, then leaned close to Xu Fangfei’s ear and lowered her voice. “And Feifei, you also know how hard your mother has had it these past years, supporting the whole family with that paper offerings shop. Your father passed away early. If you really can get into a military academy and graduate as a female officer, then who would still dare to bully your mother just because she doesn’t have a man?”
Xu Fangfei lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then said, “I understand, Eldest Aunt. I’ll think about it carefully.”
After that, the adults’ topic drifted elsewhere, rambling on about trivial matters with no clear focus, circling around things like which neighbor’s family had welcomed another pair of twins and how fortunate that was, or which family’s elderly member had fallen ill with some strange disease and how pitiful it was.
Xu Fangfei, however, no longer had the mind to listen closely.
A tiny seed had been planted in the young girl’s heart. Bathed in the morning sun and sweet rain of eighteen years old, carrying something unknown yet seemingly destined, it began to take root and sprout.
*
On the evening two days later.
It had rained for two consecutive days, and the entire small city was shrouded in a layer of murky fog. The air was filled with a salty, fishy dampness that invaded everyone’s nostrils and unsettled their breathing.
Even the old ladies sitting at the entrance of No. 9 Courtyard chatting idly had to raise their hands to fan the air and mutter disdainfully about the “damned weather.”
Yet Xu Fangfei was an exception.
She never disliked rainy days, nor did she dislike the smell of the air after rain. This lingering, drizzly weather even gave rise to a special kind of anticipation within her.
Because every rainy day had brilliant sunshine scheduled afterward.
This was a romance and optimism unique to being eighteen.
“Feifei, are you busy?” Qiao Huilan’s voice drifted out from the kitchen.
Xu Fangfei was sitting at her desk browsing webpages on her phone. Hearing this, she raised her voice and replied, “No. What’s wrong?”
“We’ve run out of soy sauce at home,” Qiao Huilan said. “Go downstairs and buy a bottle of light soy sauce.”
“Okay!”
After answering, she picked up her phone and went out.
She walked while scrolling through webpages. As she looked, she could not help but sigh that the internet was truly a magical world, encompassing everything. With just a flick of one’s finger, one could learn about anything one wanted to know.
Xu Fangfei wandered mentally while looking at her phone and did not hear the sound of a door opening downstairs. Focused on the lines of text on the screen, she went down the stairs on her own, her steps light. Unexpectedly, through a moment of inattention, when she passed the third floor, she ran straight into someone head-on.
A strong, crisp male hormone rushed toward her.
By the time Xu Fangfei wanted to stop, it was already too late. Her forehead slammed heavily into the other party’s firm chest. The sensation was hard and solid, seemingly containing vigorous vitality, and the impact made her stagger back two steps.
Her hand slipped, and her phone fell to the ground with a sound.
Pa.
“…S-sorry.” Xu Fangfei was flustered. Rubbing her forehead, she stammered an apology. “Are you hurt?”
Zheng Xiye lowered his gaze to look at her.
The young girl’s skin was delicate and tender. After being hit once, a small patch of redness had already spread across her snow-white forehead, echoing the redness on her flushed cheeks and the roots of her ears. She must have been in pain. A layer of moisture gathered in her bright eyes, her small hand pressed to her head, yet she still did not forget to check on his condition.
Pitiful, and a bit silly.
Zheng Xiye bent down to pick up her phone for her. “You don’t watch where you’re going on the stairs. Aren’t you afraid of falling into a ditch?”
…Heavens.
This was too embarrassing, far too embarrassing.
Xu Fangfei’s face turned even redder. She practically wanted to dig a hole and dive into it. She lightly bit her lower lip and explained in a small voice, “I was looking at my phone just now.”
Hearing this, Zheng Xiye lowered his head and glanced at the phone screen.
The phone in his palm was an old model, and the screen had fine cracks. The signs of wear were obvious. It looked like a secondhand phone that had been used for many years.
At this moment, the screen was lit. In the webpage search bar, several conspicuous words jumped unhidden into Zheng Xiye’s view: [Requirements for applying to military academies]
“….”
Zheng Xiye lifted his brows slightly, raised his eyes to look at her, and asked with interest, “You want to apply to a military academy?”
It was as if some hidden secret had been discovered. Xu Fangfei quickly snatched her phone back and turned off the screen, mumbling, “I’m just looking into it, that’s all.”
Zheng Xiye’s gaze fixed straight on her, sweeping over her from head to toe.
The look was appraising and evaluative, like an eagle and like a wolf, filled with a beast’s savage, invasive intensity.
Being stared at like this made Xu Fangfei feel extremely flustered and unsettled. Two seconds later, she mustered her courage and asked, “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Military uniforms aren’t easy to wear.”
Zheng Xiye bent closer to her. His lips curved slightly, and there was an extra hint of softness between his brows and eyes. “Going to a military academy is very tough. Put aside things like national righteousness, the hope of the country, and the people’s expectations. Just the fact that you have to get up at six every morning to run drills and shout slogans, rain or shine, is already something most grown men can’t endure. Little girl, with your small build, you wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
Xu Fangfei’s whole head felt like a fully ripened tomato. Hearing this, she raised her head and looked at him oddly. “You make it sound like you know military academies inside out.”
Zheng Xiye: “……”
Two seconds later, he slowly straightened up and said indifferently, “Even if I haven’t eaten pork, I’ve seen pigs run. Look across the entire army. Where would you find a soldier as pretty and delicate as you? Small hands, small feet, thin skin, tender flesh. A gust of north wind could blow you straight up into a tree.”
Xu Fangfei: ……
Xu Fangfei: ???
Her small brows knitted into a tight knot. This time, she was genuinely angered.
She clenched her fists and, unable to hold it in any longer, snapped back, “You’re judging people by their looks too much. Don’t think I have a good temper. When I get fierce, I’m very scary too! There’s a saying, even a rabbit will bite when it’s cornered!”
Tick, tick. Two seconds slipped by.
Zheng Xiye paused for two seconds, then calmly rolled up his sleeve, revealing a section of cool, pale, lean wrist. He extended it straight out and brought it right up to Xu Fangfei’s mouth.
The little girl was completely confused. “What are you doing?”
“Bite me,” Zheng Xiye said. “Show me a bit of backbone first.”
Xu Fangfei: “……”