Ning Shixuan's expression clearly darkened. I knew it wasn't because of a joke I’d made; we’d shared plenty lately, and if she got annoyed, she’d just playfully kick me, not genuinely fall silent like this. Had something unresolved come up between her and her boyfriend? Otherwise, why hadn't he visited her for so long? If I were her boyfriend, I certainly couldn't bear to leave such a stunning beauty stranded in this remote valley.

"I apologize. I must have touched upon a sore spot. Never again," I sincerely apologized upon seeing her look.

"No, it has nothing to do with you," Ning Shixuan replied. "I like that you're straightforward. Hand over your phone; I need to call my boyfriend. I want him to see what I look like now via video call."

"Sure," I readily agreed, pulling out my phone and handing it over, then stepping outside. "Toss it back into my room when you're done. I won't interrupt your private moment; no need for your boyfriend to see me in the frame and get the wrong idea."

"Little Zhao, Little Zhao, you're both here," Zhang Fengzhen called out, rushing down the stairs. "I’ve almost wrapped up your business. Chief Ke and Scar Face both agreed to come out for dinner tonight. Aren't you going to thank me?"

Chief Ke and Scar Face? Dinner? Damn it! I clapped Zhang Fengzhen on the shoulder. "Thanks for your trouble, Brother Zhang. I think this matter is settled now. Let's not waste money. You both saw nothing happened last night; they definitely won't bother Little Ning's uncle again. Dinner is unnecessary."

"Ah, Little Zhao, you don't understand at all..." Before Zhang Fengzhen could finish, Ning Shixuan interrupted him. "Don't listen to Zhao Qian's nonsense. We're going! I'll pay. I know Zhao Qian is tight on cash lately. This whole thing started because of my uncle, so the treat should definitely be mine, or I won't be happy. Brother Zhang, please handle the arrangements."

Zhang Fengzhen said, "Tonight, we're going to Liangshan Grand Hotel. Little Ning, try to bring enough cash. I'm afraid after dinner, they might want to go for showers, massages, singing, and so on. I have six hundred yuan on me; take it first, just in case things get messy later."

Ning Shixuan thanked him gratefully, "Brother Zhang, thank you so much."

Zhang Fengzhen replied, "You're welcome. Introduce me to a nice girl sometime, okay? Too bad you have a boyfriend, or I would definitely pursue you."

Ning Shixuan suddenly laughed, "I'm not married yet. It's your freedom to chase me or not."

Zhang Fengzhen scratched the back of his head, momentarily failing to grasp the meaning behind her words. I clarified for him, "Idiot, everyone swims their own stroke. Until she walks down the aisle with someone else, anyone has the right to pursue her, and of course, she has the right to refuse anyone."

Zhang Fengzhen exclaimed, "That’s right! We have the perfect time and place. Little Ning, I am now officially declaring my pursuit. You can't just flat-out refuse and give me no chance. At least let me demonstrate my capability."

"I count too!" Secretary Liu's voice came from behind me, where he had appeared unnoticed.

Any girl would secretly rejoice at being pursued by so many men simultaneously. Ning Shixuan smiled brightly, "While I don't know if I'll like any of you in the future, your courage pleases me greatly right now. Men should act like men—bravely say what's on their minds. Hey, Zhao Qian, aren't you planning to join the pursuit?"

I shook my head. "I solemnly announce to everyone that I will not pursue Little Ning. I hope you two can take her down with friendship first and competition second, and let that boyfriend who doesn't cherish her cry!"

"Good brother!" Zhang Fengzhen grasped my hand dramatically, but Secretary Liu seemed unmoved by my declaration. It seemed we truly had become romantic rivals. What a situation this had turned into.

Bang! A small foot kicked me. Ning Shixuan scolded playfully, "Zhao Qian! I hate you. They gave me so much confidence, but you instantly crushed it all."

I smiled at Zhang Fengzhen and Secretary Liu. "Hurry up, you two, say a few more mushy things to give her the courage to call her boyfriend. I’m heading back to the dorm to sleep. You two carry on."

I didn't know what the three of them did outside, but not long after, Ning Shixuan pushed open my dorm door. I remarked, "Miss Ning, why aren't you knocking again? That habit is terrible."

Ning Shixuan completely ignored my question. She plopped down on the edge of my bed, speaking partly to herself and partly to me, "What exactly is wrong with me that makes his feelings for me grow colder? Tell me, why don't you like me?"

"Are you asking me, or are you asking your boyfriend?"

Ning Shixuan glared at me. "Of course, I'm asking you. Little Liu and Little Zhang like me; that proves I have feminine charm. Why are you and him different? I want to know the reason."

I tested the waters cautiously. "What did you talk about just now? I'm completely clueless about your affairs, making it hard for me to give you a clear answer."

Ning Shixuan seemed fully immersed in her emotions and answered my query with surprising candor. "I just said I missed him, asked if he missed me, then asked when he could come see me, then asked when he could decide to come to Liangshan to spend the rest of his life with me, then asked if he’d been flirting with other girls while I was away, and then asked if he was tired from work and needed to rest properly and not overexert himself..."

"Stop! Stop! Stop, Miss Ning, if you continue like that, you’ll only make yourself feel worse, and you’ll only confuse the two men who do like you. Do you really think you’re the perfect woman? Do you really think you’re the most enchanting girl in the world?"

Ning Shixuan nodded. "It's not that often. Is once a day too much?" As she said this, Ning Shixuan suddenly realized what I said and pinched my waist fiercely. "Ah! You said I was nagging! You said I was too demanding! Why aren't you afraid of me?"

I replied, "I'm just speaking an honest man's truth. If you don't want to hear it, forget it."

Ning Shixuan released her grip. "Fine. Probably in our entire county government, you're the only one who doesn't like me, and the only one who dares say anything straight to my face. Around them, I'm always full of confidence, but around you and him, I feel so insecure and pathetic."

What Ning Shixuan said actually caused a pang in my heart. "Little Ning, don't be like this. Men have a strange psychology; sometimes, the better you treat him, the more he might take it for granted. He might feel you’re too clingy and less desirable. You should sometimes show restraint. He needs to miss you a little. If you give him everything, he’ll have no reason to cherish you. Stop chasing him so hard. Let him feel your absence a little, and you will see a different attitude from him."

Ning Shixuan pondered for a moment. "Zhao Qian, you are absolutely right. Your words were like a sudden awakening. Thank you. But what if I deliberately distance myself and he misunderstands? I'm terrified our relationship will drift further apart."

I said, "If you can't even pass this small test, then you should just break up early. Forcing it together won't bring happiness anyway."

"Zhao Qian, you truly are an expert in relationships. Now I seriously suspect you came to Liangshan to escape a romantic debt. Were you caught cheating, and you had no choice but to flee for your life?"

I laughed. "I’m not just juggling two boats; I’m juggling more than ten! The apprentices I've trained are now all experts at wooing women. I told you I came to save thousands of suffering people. How could you describe it as fleeing for my life?"

Ning Shixuan laughed. "Stop fooling me. Alright, let's not talk about those things. I just want to ask you seriously one thing: why don't you like me? Is it because I’m not pretty enough, or not gentle enough, or not virtuous enough? Do you know? Because you don't like me, I’ve lost a lot of confidence in front of my boyfriend."

I shrugged. "No reason. It’s that simple."

"If you won't tell me, I have ways of finding out. Just you wait and see!" Smack! The door slammed shut, leaving me stunned in the dorm. A woman's heart is as deep as the ocean; who knows what they are thinking. Suddenly, bang! The door was pushed open again. Ning Shixuan poked her head in from behind the door and said to me, "From this moment on, I'm hiring you as my love consultant. Payment is wontons, stinky tofu, and grilled squid. You start immediately. I'm treating you to dinner tonight—saunas and massages are your men's favorite things!"