Wang Qiqi poured herself a cup of tea, exchanged a few pleasantries with Bai Ge, who was also pouring water, and then returned to her seat to tidy her things before heading to the cafeteria. "Daili Jun, are you eating dinner here this afternoon, or should I grab something for you?"

Daili Jun stared intently at his book, acting as if he hadn't heard. The handsome young man bristled at this aloofness, mentally cursing Daili Jun as completely obtuse. If a beauty had asked him that question, he would have answered instantly.

Wang Qiqi was accustomed to Daili Jun’s demeanor. It wasn't that he was being pretentious; it was just that when he was grappling with a problem, he couldn't afford to be distracted by anything else.

Daili Jun thought for a moment but still couldn't figure out the right course of action. He sighed, picked up a notepad, and wrote, "I have something tonight, so I won't be coming. Can you manage?" Daili Jun suddenly remembered that if he wasn't around in the evening, how would they get back?

His time spent with Wang Qiqi and the others was, up to that point, the longest he had ever spent in the company of women, outside of his sisters. It was also the happiest time. At least they didn't constantly say things that confused or troubled him. They were straightforward—what they thought was what they said. This gave Daili Jun an entirely different perspective on women; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so kind as to escort them back to their dorms.

Many people might call Daili Jun a bookworm, but Wang Qiqi knew he was actually a thoughtful young man. It was just that often, girls found him hopelessly dense. However, a man who was too good at sweet-talking women felt inherently unsafe. For Wang Qiqi, having experienced the likes of Gao Kai in her previous life, she felt no attraction to men like the one sitting beside her now. Instead, it was the dense, awkward type—the one she’d once dismissed—who made her feel secure.

For instance, even though Daili Jun had an errand to run, he still made a point to care about how the four of them would get back at night. "Don't worry. There are four of us, and I’ve studied Taekwondo. A shoulder throw won't be a problem." Wang Qiqi, worried that her stated capability might not be enough, clenched her fists to demonstrate her prowess.

Shi Man privately chuckled at Wang Qiqi's self-aggrandizement. Wang Qiqi had taken Taekwondo lessons—yes, for a few days right after the college entrance exams. But the reality was that if some truly immoral man decided to act on bad intentions, Wang Qiqi's level of martial skill likely wouldn't be enough, let alone for a shoulder throw.

Zhu Lina knew Wang Qiqi was saying this for the benefit of the man beside them. If she behaved this way, how many men would pursue her? Men preferred delicate, clingy women. Only effeminate men would possibly need a woman’s protection, but would Wang Qiqi even like such a man?

Jiang Xin, however, was genuinely startled by what Wang Qiqi said. Good heavens, Qiqi knew Taekwondo and could even perform a shoulder throw? That was so cool! "Qiqi, you're amazing!" Jiang Xin hadn't expected that someone who looked so soft and fragile could know such things. "It looks like our safety is guaranteed from now on."

Wang Qiqi nodded solemnly. "Relax. I can handle the usual riff-raff. For the safety of you three beauties, Daili Jun and I will complete this task both in quality and quantity."

Daili Jun reached up and adjusted his glasses, which he hadn't actually taken off. "Maybe just count me out. I'm just window dressing."

Jiang Xin shot a displeased look at the man she considered the most useless one there. "Relying on you? I'd be finished in this lifetime. By the way, Qiqi, aren't you worried that learning martial arts..." Oh my god, did Han Tao know Wang Qiqi practiced martial arts? If he did, Jiang Xin admired him immensely. Which man would willingly marry a woman whose fighting ability was high?

Worried? Wang Qiqi arched an eyebrow. "There are more and more shameless men these days. If I don't slightly boost my fighting capability, who knows what might happen."

The handsome young man watched Wang Qiqi, listening to her words, constantly trying to reassure himself that she was bluffing. In his mind, a girl this beautiful couldn't possibly do such things. "I think it's quite good for girls to know some self-defense skills."

Shi Man was surprised by how thick-skinned the newly joined boy was. Didn't he realize Wang Qiqi was saying that intentionally? "Alright, alright, I'm hungry. Let's go eat.