Don’t Take It Seriously — Hire Male Escorts
After Lu Zheng finished showing Wen Qingli around the house, he changed into a tracksuit and went downstairs for a night run.
He had been working on cases for two straight days and had barely gotten any rest, yet he still had the energy to exercise.
Wen Qingli truly thought his stamina was far beyond that of an ordinary person.
She couldn’t help but wonder—if he had this much energy normally, he must be quite relentless in bed, wouldn’t he?
Just thinking about it made her legs feel weak.
Why was she letting her imagination run wild again?
She raised a hand and tapped herself lightly on the forehead. She had never thought she was this easily tempted before.
It must be because Lu Zheng had been appearing in front of her constantly these past two days, making it hard for her to resist his pull.
Wen Qingli put her own clothes away in the walk-in closet.
Just then, Mingtang called her via video chat.
“Good heavens! Qingli, have you heard the news? Professor Gu from the Literature Department is having an affair with Lin Weiwei! And Lin Weiwei isn’t missing—she’s dead! Can you believe how shocking this is?”
Before Wen Qingli could reply, Mingtang continued, her voice rising with excitement. “The police took Professor Gu away today, and he hasn’t been released yet. Do you think he’s the one who killed her?”
Official details of the murder case had not yet been released to the public, but rumors were already spreading like wildfire around the school.
Wen Qingli replied gently, “Let’s wait for the official statement from the police.”
“I’m so shocked I’ve got goosebumps! Professor Gu and his wife, Professor Su, always looked so loving and devoted. And he always carried himself with such refined dignity—who would have guessed he’s just a wolf in sheep’s clothing? He’s absolutely despicable.”
After they talked for a while about Gu Huaiyuan and Lin Weiwei, Mingtang changed the subject.
“Thank goodness I’ve decided never to get married. Men are all the same—hardly any of them are reliable.” Her tone turned bright and lively again. “By the way, I just got my bonus. Once the school anniversary is over, I’ll treat you to a night at the White Horse Club. I hear all the male escorts there are built like bodybuilders. And the best part? All female guests wear masks, so no one will recognize us.”
Wen Qingli was naturally soft and reserved, while Mingtang was bold, passionate, and outgoing.
Since college, Mingtang had dated at least eight or nine different men. Every time she started a new relationship, she would bring her boyfriend along for meals with Wen Qingli. After so many partners, Wen Qingli could barely remember what most of them looked like anymore.
“Qingli, you’re just too conservative! You’re twenty-six years old and still a virgin. You’ve never known the pleasure of being intimate with someone. Let me tell you—we women should live freely and enjoy ourselves. With men, just treat it as a casual fling, play around, and never, ever give your heart away.”
Wen Qingli murmured, “I know.”
“Don’t just say you know! You have to be like me—keep men wrapped around your finger, and make sure they serve us well. It’s settled then: after the anniversary, I’m taking you to pick out a male escort.”
“I don’t think—”
Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly sensed something off and spun around.
Lu Zheng had returned at some point, holding a shopping bag containing new bottles of body wash and shampoo.
Wen Qingli’s mind went completely blank.
By the time she recovered, Lu Zheng had already turned and walked away.
“Mingtang, I’ll talk to you more tomorrow once I get to school.”
Wen Qingli quickly ended the call and hurried after him.
Lu Zheng had already placed the new toiletries in the bathroom. When he came out, he found her standing by the door. She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Lu Zheng, did you finish your run?”
“I didn’t go running. I just went downstairs to buy body wash—jasmine scent. Is that alright?”
Wen Qingli nodded, twisting her fingers nervously. “Yes, that’s fine.”
She studied his expression. He didn’t seem angry, so hopefully he hadn’t heard Mingtang’s suggestion to take her to hire male escorts. Even if he had, he probably wouldn’t care, right?
Lu Zheng stepped aside to let her use the master bathroom.
After her shower, Wen Qingli came out wearing a simple set of light-colored cotton loungewear.
Lu Zheng hadn’t yet come into the bedroom. She picked up a glass and went out to get some water.
As she passed the guest bathroom, she heard the sound of running water inside.
Not wanting to linger, she quickly walked to the dining area. After drinking, she returned to the bedroom.
Ding—
Her phone on the nightstand suddenly lit up with a notification.
It was a WeChat message sent to Lu Zheng.
“Ah Zheng, I’m back in the country. See you at the school anniversary. Do you miss me?”
Wen Qingli glanced at the sender’s profile picture, then quickly pulled out her own phone and checked the contact she had saved.
They were exactly the same.
It was Bai Chuxue.
Bai Chuxue had always been bright, bold, and outspoken. Back in their student days, she had openly declared to every girl in their class that Lu Zheng belonged to her—and no one else could have him.
But wasn’t she supposed to be with Fu Wenzhou?
Why would she send such a message to Lu Zheng?
Lu Zheng came back to the bedroom after his shower. He was wearing dark gray pajamas, his hair still half-damp as he toweled it dry.
Wen Qingli was leaning against the headboard reading a book. Glancing at him from the corner of her eye and seeing his pajamas, she couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
It was quiet, but Lu Zheng’s sharp hearing caught it easily.
“Teacher Wen, what are you laughing at?”
Wen Qingli pressed her lips together to hold back her smile. “Nothing really—it’s just that this set of pajamas makes you look like a retired government official.”
Lu Zheng glanced down at himself, his voice calm and neutral. “I’m usually too busy to go shopping for clothes. My grandmother bought these pajamas—you know how older generations have their own taste.”
With that, he picked up his phone from the nightstand.
Wen Qingli’s slender fingers tightened slightly around her book, and her eyes drifted unconsciously toward him.
He must have seen Bai Chuxue’s message by now.
Would he reply and say he missed her?
While her mind raced with all kinds of thoughts, her own phone buzzed with a new notification.
She picked it up and saw: Transfer received: 100,000 yuan.
Her eyes widened in surprise. She looked back at Lu Zheng. “Why did you suddenly transfer this much money to me?”
After sending the transfer, Lu Zheng set his phone down and lay back on the bed. He turned his head to look at her, and their eyes met.
“Take some time to pick out a few decent sets of clothes for me. Use whatever is left over for household expenses this month. And if you see anything you like, you can buy it with the money too.”
Before Wen Qingli could respond, he added, “And Teacher Wen—no more refusing.”
There was a firm, commanding edge to his tone. It sounded as though if she turned it down again, he would be truly displeased.
After a moment of hesitation, Wen Qingli tapped to accept the transfer.
“Lu Zheng, what style of clothes do you prefer?”
“Just pick whatever you think looks good.”
Once the lights were turned off, the room fell into complete darkness.
Both lay down, staying close to their respective sides of the bed, with a fair distance between them.
Yet Wen Qingli could clearly smell the fresh, clean scent of his shower products, mixed with his own distinct masculine aura—crisp, pleasant, and subtly intoxicating.
On their first night sharing a bed, Wen Qingli found herself wide awake.
She didn’t dare move around much, afraid of disturbing him. Resting her hands beneath her cheek, her thoughts drifted back to distant memories.
When exactly had her feelings for him first begun?