Chapter 40: Beguiled by Temptation

On the way back from the temple, she kept some words to herself and simply asked him to take her back to school.

"Carry me over, I need to change into my school uniform."

As soon as she spoke, the driver hurriedly pulled open the partition, fearing that the boss might gouge out his eyes.

"Why, Ah Hua, won't you let me personally help you change your dress?"

It was hard to imagine: he still carried the scent of incense, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and looked every bit the upright gentleman, noble and aloof—yet he uttered such brazen words with casual ease.

"Do you want to die?"

Fu Yanyan was startled by her glare, feeling a bit aggrieved, and quickly turned away.

Even the driver was frightened—perhaps after spending so much time with the boss, this young lady’s speech was becoming more and more like his.

But the driver didn’t know that Fu Yanyan had learned it from her first.

Maybe she’d been eating more lately; when she tried to put on a short skirt, the zipper suddenly wouldn’t go up.

"Turn around and zip this up for me."

Fu Yanyan turned his head and saw her, hips raised, delicate white hands reaching behind, fingers reddened from gripping the zipper.

He was strong, his arms broad; he simply swept her into his embrace, seized the zipper, and pulled it up.

"Let go. Did I permit you to touch me?"

Fu Yanyan let out a low, quiet chuckle and deliberately whispered by her ear, "My mistake~ How would you like to punish me?"

"When we get back, write ten thousand words about what it feels like to be with me, and include everything that’s happened these past few days."

The driver nearly lost control of the steering wheel—what was more terrifying was hearing Fu Yanyan quietly agree.

It was over; truly, one thing subdues another. The boss had been completely tamed.

"Ah Hua, from now on I’ll pick you up for dinner. The cafeteria food isn’t good, you’re much too thin."

"I’ve changed my mind. Make it thirty thousand words."

Fu Yanyan held her school tie; something that could be done in half a minute, he took his time for several.

"Three million words wouldn’t be a problem. Since you ask, I’ll do it no matter what. Back at school, if anyone bullies you, remember to tell me."

She ignored him.

Their interactions were becoming more and more like before.

Compared to their previous sibling-like dynamic, this was even more ambiguous.

Sometimes, Fu Yanyan had to set aside his usual coldness, become a devil to entice this utterly unromantic woman.

When she got out of the car, he deliberately brushed his hand against her thigh.

His hand was certainly cold.

Zhong Huayan assumed it was an accident.

But in his eyes, a subtle smile flickered.

She had probably been abroad for two days; arriving at school just as classes let out.

Fu Yanyan now had her on WeChat, and after these two days together, he no longer needed to worry so much.

He would slowly occupy every corner of her heart, leaving her unable to live or die, making her run only to him whenever trouble arose.

Though Ah Hua was strong and resolute by nature, he would still burn himself like a moth to a flame, using every means to ignite her.

At the time, Zhong Huayan paid no mind to his intentions; she was focused on revenge and fulfilling her dreams.

How to promote Chinese culture, how to leave something of value to society before dying—these were the things she ought to think about.

Revenge against the Xu family—Fu Yanyan was probably already following up, so that was comparatively easier.

But she could never shake the feeling that unless this grudge was avenged, she would be uncomfortable all over.

Just as she walked into her class, she saw everyone staring at her.

Then, with a rush, they crowded around, nearly knocking her over.

"Li Yanyan, you’re finally back! What’s your relationship with the chairman of the Fu Group? Damn, he looked so handsome and gentlemanly playing piano!"

"Li Yanyan, you’re amazing! Your life is legendary—not only did you humiliate Miss Xu, you also won over the city’s most aloof and abstinent idol!"

"Ahhh, do you know the whole university is talking about you? Your love letters have filled a whole drawer! The principal said whenever you enter campus, he’ll greet you himself! Your Kunqu performance has become a national focal point, boosting our school’s enrollment rate—now Capital University offers music, drama, and painting as core majors!"

When Zhong Huayan actually saw the drawer stuffed full of love letters, she realized quite a lot had happened these days.

But she looked toward Xu Yuan’s seat—she wasn’t here today?

She’d gone to Italy for a competition not long ago.

"Are you looking for Xu Yuan? She just got back, but she’s probably eating now."

"You didn’t film that embarrassing video of her, did you? Now lots of schools know about it. Maybe that’s why—when Xu Yuan showed up today, her eyes were swollen and she was limping."

Zhong Huayan was surprised. "How could that be?"

"Li Yanyan, the principal wants to see you!"

The homeroom teacher shouted from the doorway, and everyone cleared a path.

She went to the principal’s office.

"Oh my, a genius indeed! Having a student like you is the school’s greatest fortune! Come, don’t be shy, treat the school as your home!"

The principal looked slick, overweight, his beer belly prominent, but his smile carried an inexplicable warmth.

He didn’t seem like a principal at all—more like a businessman.

"No need. I’ve been here two years, surely you’ve heard other things about me?"

Her aura was nothing like a college student’s—more like the principal himself.

Zhong Huayan felt no need to be polite to these teachers, principals, or students; they were all bystanders. If any one of them had stood up to stop it, the original owner of this body, Li Yanyan, would not have suffered so much abuse, unable to speak, and ultimately died here.

The principal’s smile suddenly froze, flustered. "Li Yanyan, you know I’m principal, I deal with countless things every day. If other teachers don’t tell me, I know nothing."

He was entirely motivated by fear—fear of Fu Yanyan behind her.

If the Fu Group took notice, Capital Private University could be shut down in an instant by their capital maneuvers.

She sneered, "Do you really not know, or are you just pretending not to hear?"

The principal suddenly found this girl incredibly troublesome.

He admitted his guilt, "Li Yanyan, there’s a lot you don’t understand. I’ve poured most of my life into running this university; I truly can’t afford to offend the Xu family.

But I wasn’t the one who did those things to you. If you were me, you’d make the same choices. We’re not saints—we need to make money. You’re young, you don’t understand a lot."

Zhong Huayan had been a businesswoman; how could she not understand?

"Very well, then I’ll go discuss right and wrong with Fu Yanyan."

"Oh, don’t do that! It’s not good for our business to involve Mr. Fu."

"And it’s fine to involve the Xu family in my affairs?"

The principal was clearly anxious. "You’re forcing me."

"Yes, I am forcing you. Aren’t you clever in business? Xu Yuan can pressure you—why can’t I?"

The principal never expected Li Yanyan to become so forceful.

"Fine, I owe you. My lady, I was planning to give you an award and a bonus today. Could you please not make things difficult for me?"