Leaving Xiao Yudui, I stood in the somewhat desolate autumn wind. In the dead of the quiet autumn night, I didn't know where to go for a moment. Better check on Hua Qingqing’s research progress; after all these days, has Xiao Xue still not settled into our lives?

Since our relationship was close, I didn't mind disturbing Hua Qingqing in the small hours and called her directly. The phone rang for a while before a lazy voice answered, "Kicked out of your warm bed by your wife, huh? What brings you to call me at this hour?"

"Yeah, can you take me in? It's cold outside."

"Nonsense, it’s not winter yet. Do you even know where I am? Just come over yourself."

"I know. Turn on the light, and I’ll find your room when I get there."

My limited-edition phone could use satellites to directly pinpoint her location based on the call signal. Hua Qingqing wasn't in the lab but at a villa in the outskirts of the capital. My body had fully recovered, and flying at supersonic speed at night wouldn't attract attention, so I arrived quickly at Hua Qingqing’s place.

I tapped on the window. Hua Qingqing, with her long hair down and wearing pajamas, opened the window for me. Her expression was one of deep languor. "What's going on? Are you up early, or did you not sleep at all last night?"

"I got up early to send Xiao Yudui and Xiao Hui to Country M. Pan-American Media has been acquired, and they're going over to take charge. It'll be a while before they return."

"Heh, your reach is getting wider and wider. You dare to acquire a giant corporation like Pan-American Media. Quite the appetite you have."

"Actually, I didn't expect the acquisition to go so smoothly at first. I thought it would take a year or two to achieve, but after colluding with other enterprises to stage a financial war, it unexpectedly facilitated the event."

Hua Qingqing lay back down on the bed. "Why don't you acquire my company too? That way, I can work for you peacefully. Otherwise, with all the worries I have every day, I have no time to attend to anything else."

I laughed. "No way. When you eventually marry into the family, and your father gets older, won't the Hua Group eventually bear the Zhao surname anyway? Why bother spending money and effort now? It’s much more comfortable to just hold you and sleep."

Hua Qingqing turned on her side in my arms, pinching my nose. "Aren't you ashamed? You're already thinking about my dowry. Be careful, or I’ll remain an old maid my whole life and simply refuse to marry you."

"If you truly have that resolve, I promise to support you with both hands raised. How has Xiao Xue been lately? Any progress?"

"You need to think of a way quickly. Although she trusts me, she absolutely refuses to transform or let me draw blood. We did X-rays, but they showed nothing different from a normal person."

"What other methods are there to think of? I can't exactly force her, can I?"

"I don't know either. In any case, you should spend more time with her in the future. Maybe it’s a case of like repelling like, and opposites attract?"

"You’re not suggesting I should pursue Xiao Xue, are you? You can even think of something like that?"

Hua Qingqing pinched my arm. "Who said you should pursue Xiao Xue? She’s so young. If you interact with her more, perhaps the relationship between us can advance further, and you can use that as an excuse to visit me often."

"But you won't let me sleep with you, so visiting you will just leave me frustrated."

"Who said I won't let you? Just for now. I want to have some fun with Xiao Rou, and breaking the ice too early ruins the excitement. Besides, I haven't made you suffer any injustice. What else do you want?"

"Heh, this is fine. How about letting Xiao Xue stay with me temporarily from now on? That would be conducive to deepening our affection, and maybe she'll trust me more."

"Mmm, fine. I want to sleep a little longer; you should too."

In the morning, Hua Qingqing took me to see Xiao Xue. She clearly remembered me, the person who had hurt her deeply before. She hid behind Hua Qingqing, sneaking glances at me, but when I suggested taking her out to play, she slowly stepped out from behind Hua Qingqing.

Hua Qingqing laughed. "It seems Xiao Xue was cooped up here with me too much. You can take her out to relax."

Hua Qingqing drove us back to school, with Xiao Xue in the car. On the way, I asked her to give Professor Chen four Snake Pearls to increase the number of Super Soldiers by another forty.

"Mmm, no problem. I've been researching the strange phenomena on Village Chief and Er Sha lately, hoping to discuss it with Professor Chen. Is he at the base or in Capital City now?"

"He’s at the base. I’ll send someone to bring him back. You have a lab there anyway; might as well use it."

"You really don't treat me like an outsider, do you? You have quite thick skin. I don't even understand why I fell for you. I explicitly swore I didn't like you back then, but now, if you don't call me for a day, I’ll think you don't like me anymore."

"Good thing I call or text you every day, or you’d scold me to death."

"I wouldn't bother scolding you. My workload is so heavy; when would I have the time? However, I’ve noticed a strange phenomenon. My previous research workload wasn't this heavy, yet I feel exhausted after a day now. But now, I don't feel tired at all; I don't even get dark circles under my eyes after staying up late. Plus, my skin and hair have seen tremendous improvement; it’s as if I’m getting younger the longer I live. I’m researching this phenomenon; it’s probably related to the blood flower juice I once drank. I’ve done a DNA analysis, and the results will be out in a few days."

I held Xiao Xue's hand. "It’s a pity Xiao Xue won't communicate with us; otherwise, we could ask her."

Hua Qingqing smiled. "Don't rush. It will happen one day. Are you in a hurry to marry that wife, Jingjing? I recall you saying you would marry her once her illness was cured."

I blushed slightly. "It's not as serious as you imagine. It was just kids playing games. Has the Hua Group's operation improved recently?"

"Of course. Do you think Susu and Chuchu are just names to look good? Find a replacement for me; I want to step away from the company to focus solely on research, as Susu and the others can't help me for too long."

"I'll keep an eye out. We don't need to go into the school; we can get out here."

The university students think campus life is dull, but they didn't expect Xiao Xue to treat it like a playground. All morning, I didn't attend classes and took her around the entire campus. I hadn't even fully explored the campus myself before.

Seeing so many colorful men and women excited Xiao Xue. She finally dared to hold my hand, moving away from her initial timidity toward me. The two of us wandered around excitedly. Leading a little girl who looked three or four years old naturally drew a lot of attention from classmates. I bet tomorrow's forum would feature a special topic about me, likely something like 'Molesting Devil Roaming Campus with Illegitimate Child.'

Approaching noon, I said to Xiao Xue, "Xiao Xue, big brother will take you to eat with the three older sisters, okay?"

Although Xiao Xue never spoke to us, she understood what we meant. She nodded, so I took her to Ouyang Qian's dorm, believing it would be more fun there because Su Xue would definitely like Xiao Xue.

The dormitory matron was quite familiar with me, so she didn't stop me, but when I knocked and opened the door, I found only Su Xue inside. Seeing Xiao Xue, Su Xue exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, Junior Brother, is this your daughter? She’s so beautiful and cute! Which of your wives bore her?"

"Can you not talk nonsense if you don't know? She’s an orphan we found in Africa with Qingqing. Her name is Xiao Xue, almost the same as your name, doesn't it?"

"You guys are so lucky to have found such an adorable baby. Come, Xiao Xue, let big sister hold you. You know, sister is also named Xiao Xue! We’re like two sisters."

Su Xue’s chubby, cute appearance also pleased Xiao Xue a lot. She voluntarily extended her little hands to be held by Su Xue. After Su Xue cooed at Xiao Xue for a while, she turned to me, "Come, you're looking for your wife, right? She ran off with another man. Don't come here again. That man is richer and more capable than you."

I sat on Ouyang Qian's bed and casually flipped through a book. "Nonsense. I have confidence in my wife. If she ran off with you, I’d believe it, but with another man? I wouldn't believe it even if you beat me to death."

"Heh, I guess I can't trick you. She went to the supermarket with Chenchen and will be back soon. Do you want noodles? We can boil some now, but I’m getting tired of eating noodles every day recently."

I asked Su Xue, "What do you want to eat?"

"Sea cucumber, abalone, bird's nest, shark fin, something like that would suffice. A whole roasted chicken or Peking duck would be nice too. A plate of Sweet and Sour Carp would also work..."

"Have you not eaten in ten years? Trying to gorge it all in one meal?"

"Junior Brother, don't be so stingy. I’m giving you Qianqian, yet you won't even treat me to a meal?"

"Su Xue, why are you speaking so unreasonably? Qianqian isn't yours, so why are you the one giving her to me? That's the result of our free love."

Su Xue said to Xiao Xue in her arms, "Xiao Xue, if your big brother won't treat us to a meal, then we won’t pay attention to him anymore, stingy ghost!"

Xiao Xue bounced happily in Su Xue's arms. I never expected her to enjoy being with Su Xue this much. Did Hua Qingqing’s theory of like repelling like and opposites attracting turn out to be wrong?

"Let's wait until my wife gets back. We'll eat whatever she says."

Su Xue beamed, unable to close her mouth. "Fine, you listen to your wife, and your wife listens to me. Spinning around, you still have to listen to me, haha."

Su Xue let Xiao Xue onto her bed and threw her pile of dolls, teddy bears, and fleas onto the bed. I had never seen Xiao Xue so happy. Even wandering around the campus in the morning didn't excite her this much. Could it really be that one thing conquers another?

Soon, Xu Chen and Ouyang Qian returned. Xu Chen hid something behind her back when she saw me, but it was too late; I had already seen it—sanitary napkins for girls. It turned out her period had started, and Ouyang Qian had bought two packs. She certainly wouldn't be secretive with me, tossing a pack to Su Xue right in front of me.

"Xue'er, this pack is yours. Sister Qian paid for it; treat me to a meal later, okay?"

Su Xue picked it up and glanced at it. "Oh dear, I don't want this extra-long, extra-thick type; it feels so bulky and uncomfortable when worn. I want the ultra-thin, transparent type!"

Ouyang Qian said, "Didn't you say this time the flow was heavy and asked me to buy you durable ones? If I had known you were so difficult to serve, I wouldn't have bought them for you. Fine, I'll keep them for myself; buy your own next time."

Su Xue clutched the sanitary napkin. "Since it’s free, I'll reluctantly accept it. Little sister will have to put up with a little hardship."

Xu Chen and Ouyang Qian simultaneously noticed Xiao Xue in Su Xue's arms. "Hey, Xue'er, your little sister is here? Why didn't you tell us beforehand? We weren't prepared at all. She's so cute! She looks a lot like you."

Su Xue burst out laughing. "Qianqian, she should call you Mommy. That’s Junior Brother Zhao Qian’s eldest wife’s illegitimate child."

Ouyang Qian was startled. "Su Xue, when did you become Zhao Qian's eldest wife and secretly give birth to such a beautiful daughter? We had no idea."

Su Xue blushed deeply, pinching Ouyang Qian's bottom. "Who is the Junior Brother's eldest wife? When did I ever give birth? Have you ever seen a virgin give birth? The three of us always get our period at the same time every month; doesn't that prove my innocence?"

Even Xu Chen chimed in, "But she really looks like you. If you and Brother Zhao went out holding her, people would definitely think she was your child."

Su Xue was also shocked. "Really? I haven't really looked closely at my own appearance. What should I do? Will guys misunderstand me? I don't even have a boyfriend yet."

Ouyang Qian said, "In that case, just marry Zhao Qian together, since you already have a child."

Su Xue was so anxious she looked like she might cry. I picked up Xiao Xue. "Stop messing around. This is the orphan Qingqing and I brought back from Africa. She has nothing to do with Su Xue. Her name is Xiao Xue, a name Qingqing gave her. But now that you mention it, she really does resemble Su Xue a bit, heh. Look how similar the names are."

Su Xue murmured aside, "I’m changing my name. Don’t let her be with me anymore in the future, or people will misunderstand."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Xue extended both her chubby little hands, insisting that Su Xue hold her. Su Xue reluctantly took Xiao Xue and told us, "Oh dear, it seems the little one has taken a liking to me. Come, Mommy will hold you, and later Mommy will feed you milk."

Everyone laughed for a while. Ouyang Qian asked me, "Why didn't you go to class again?"

"No, I spent the morning taking Xiao Xue around the campus. Let's all go out to eat. Su Xue said she’s tired of noodles, and we can't shortchange Xiao Xue’s mother, can we?"

Su Xue said urgently, "Don't mention this again in the future, or the rumor will spread wider and wider. Soon the entire school will know I have a daughter, and that would be terrible; I really won't be able to marry."

Ouyang Qian went to hug Xiao Xue. "I wonder if Xiao Xue would agree to me being her mother. You should be content. With a child, your status rises. Maybe Xiao Xue will be a prodigy in the future, and then you, as her mother, will be set for life."

Su Xue tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "That's true. I'll adopt her as a goddaughter. If she becomes successful in the future, she won't just cast aside her godmother, right?"

I was the first to object. "No way! Qingqing and I are her elder brother and sister. If you suddenly become her godmother, how are we supposed to interact in the future? Are we supposed to call you Auntie?"

Su Xue laughed and replied, "Hey, good nephew, Auntie will buy you candy later."

Xu Chen said, "Since Xiao Xue and Su Xue have fate, and both their names have 'Xue' in them, I don't think we need to fuss over seniority titles. Xiao Xue and Su Xue's relationship should be considered separately; we should stick to the original seniority ranking."

It was rare for Xiao Xue to meet someone she liked, so I readily agreed. "Deal. Whatever Su Xue wants to eat today, order anything you like; we'll treat it as Xiao Xue's godmother-recognition feast."

"Bring me everything I listed earlier!" Su Xue demanded without hesitation.

She really knows how to eat, this 'mother.' This meal alone will cost me several thousand yuan. Women are cash-burning machines, and men are money-making machines. I think I'll choose to be a woman in the next life.

It was unrealistic to go to Tianxin Restaurant near the campus entrance for sea cucumber and abalone, so we headed to Cai Bao'er's Haitan Hotel instead. Building a relationship there might get us a discount, and saving a little is better than nothing.

As expected, the waiters at Haitan Hotel recognized me. When it was time to pay after the meal, they insisted on not accepting any money, saying the Young Master had given orders that all my future meals would be free. But I felt too embarrassed. Everything ordered was expensive cuisine. If they kept giving free meals like this, they would bankrupt Cai Baozi in no time.

After negotiating with Cai Bao'er, the waiter finally settled the bill with an 80% discount. After leaving the hotel, Su Xue said to me, "Junior Brother, since they wanted to treat you, you should have given them face and let them, why insist on paying yourself?"

I said, "You're a child and don't understand. This Cai Baozi is very shrewd. I need to prevent him from using this to plot against me; nip it in the bud. Learn from me in the future."

"Tsk, Fatty Cai can't pull any tricks. He's full of oil and water, not an ounce of smarts in his head."

I startled Su Xue. "Be careful he overhears that and comes to bother you. He might just rape and kill you first."

Su Xue wasn't afraid at all. "With Qianqian here, what do I have to fear from him? Where are you two going to enjoy yourselves? Xiao Xue and I are heading back to the dorm to sleep. Eating our fill and then sleeping is the most comfortable thing."

Ouyang Qian said, "There's an election at the Student Union this afternoon; let's go together."

I asked, "Are you running too? If so, I'll go cheer you on."

Ouyang Qian nodded. "Chenchen is coming too. Let Su Xue go back to the dorm to soothe her daughter."

Xu Chen replied, "Okay, let's go cheer for you together."

It was my first time in the auditorium of Longteng University. It was indeed huge; the three tiers of viewing stands could accommodate over ten thousand people simultaneously. This scale was rare for me, but there weren't that many students competing or watching—only about one or two thousand.

Looking at their lecherous expressions, I guessed every one of them had ulterior motives—either to look at beauties or to pursue them, especially my two wives; they must be objects of eager observation.

"Zhao Qian, you're here too," I unexpectedly ran into He Yuqing.

I replied, "Yeah, I'm here to cheer for Ouyang Qian. Are you running for election too? I can cheer for you while I'm at it."

He Yuqing said, "No, Li Qi dragged me here. I don't have time for student council activities right now. By the way, you have several important emails in your inbox; don't forget to check them."

"You can reply to them on my behalf."

He Yuqing laughed. "They're very important; they're all company documents sent by your girlfriends. Go check them yourself. If I reply for you, they might get angry."

Ouyang Qian smiled. "I won't get angry anyway."

He Yuqing said, "You are you, but I don't want others to misunderstand."

Ouyang Qian retorted, "Aren't you Zhao Qian's secretary? What are you afraid of others misunderstanding?"

He Yuqing replied, "Even a secretary can't handle all of the boss's affairs, right? What would the boss be for then?"

We chatted while finding a decent spot to sit. He Yuqing explained the situation of this year's student council election to us. "The position of President is always designated by the school; this year, it has already been decided that Li Qi will continue to serve. The two Vice Presidents will be selected from the ministers of the old student council who have experience. All other department ministers and staff are elected based on merit. The school always places great importance on student council elections; a Vice Principal will be present today to preside over the elections, so the competition is expected to be fierce."

I told Ouyang Qian, "Don't worry about who is present; participate in the election with confidence. Even if you don't win Vice President, I'll appoint you President when we get back."

Ouyang Qian chided me playfully, "What good is an appointment from you? Besides, I don't want to run for Vice President; I still want to be the Minister of Propaganda."

I teased Ouyang Qian, "Oh, so you like the job of handing out condoms."