Poor Director Qian was struck squarely in his vital spot by Su Chan’s kick; luckily, Su Chan hadn't used much force, or Director Qian truly would have been kicked until his anatomy burst.
Li Yundong watched Director Qian writhe and twist on the floor like a worm. Sweat drenched him, while a commotion broke out among the surrounding students, immediately drawing over the other teachers, who stared at the scene in utter shock.
What student dared strike a teacher? This was outrageous!
Li Yundong knew he was hovering on the edge of being expelled from school. A sudden idea struck him, and he quickly adopted a stern, admonishing posture, turning to Su Chan. “Are you insane? How dare you hit a teacher?”
Su Chan looked utterly bewildered, feeling wronged—you told me to kick him! She pouted, about to complain, but then caught Li Yundong giving her a series of frantic, meaningful winks.
Su Chan wasn't slow; she grasped the situation in her heart, though her cheeks puffed out, and she remained silent.
Seeing that the girl had finally refrained from saying anything more shocking, Li Yundong let out a breath of relief. He crouched down toward Director Qian. “Director Qian, I believe this must be a misunderstanding. Wouldn't you agree?”
Director Qian seethed inwardly. He never imagined this girl would turn on him with such vicious force. But the situation was one he dared not publicize. If Su Chan were to spill out everything he had just said, no one here was foolish enough to misunderstand his intentions. How could he possibly maintain his position at the school?
Director Qian gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed accusingly on Li Yundong, blazing with resentment. After a long moment, he managed to force a few words out between clenched jaws: “Mis-misunderstanding. This is just a misunderstanding.”
Li Yundong secretly relaxed, then turned to Su Chan. “Su Chan, apologize quickly!”
Su Chan stuck out her tongue at both Li Yundong and Director Qian, offered no apology, and bolted away.
Li Yundong froze, suddenly anxious. He could only manage a sheepish smile toward Director Qian. “Director Qian, perhaps I should accompany you to the hospital?”
Director Qian snarled through clenched teeth. “No need. You… get out!”
The last word seemed to pop out from between his teeth. Li Yundong heard it and felt instantly pardoned, leaping up and fleeing with his hands clasped over his head.
He ran quickly until he caught up with Su Chan just outside the school gates. He reached out to take the young girl’s hand, but she pulled away, turning with an angry glare. “Why should I apologize to him? He was obviously in the wrong!”
Li Yundong sighed. “Yes, of course that old pervert was wrong. The nerve to try and poach from my corner! I wish I could castrate the old dog!”
Su Chan, displaying the quick temper of a young girl, instantly shifted from anger to delight. “Good idea! But if you think that, why did you make me apologize?”
Li Yundong playfully reached out and pinched the flesh on Su Chan’s cheek. “You little rascal, if I get kicked out, I’ll have no money! Where am I supposed to find money to support a glutton like you? Is it easy for me?”
Su Chan cried out, batting away his hand from her cheek. She said with great seriousness, “You have hands and feet, you can do anything! If we truly run out of money, at worst, I’ll beg for food with you!”
Li Yundong burst into laughter, deeply moved. In this era, which beautiful girl wasn't materialistic? Dressed in gold and silver was common; sporting designer brands was a must. If you lacked a mansion and a sports car, every girl would rush to say goodbye!
How could there be a stunning beauty like Su Chan seriously telling such a useless guy like him: If we run out of money, I’ll go begging with you?
Li Yundong was overwhelmed with emotion. He reached out again to pinch her cheek. “You talk as if I’m already bankrupt! If we really end up begging, I’ll be the male beggar, and you’ll be the female beggar. We’ll be a male-female beggar duo, roaming the jianghu together!”
Su Chan giggled, twisting her body to evade his clutches, laughing and chastising playfully, “Shameless! Who said we’d be a male-female beggar duo? I’ve heard of male-female thieves, but never male-female beggars! Shameful, so pathetic!”
Li Yundong feigned anger. “Oh, so you dare mock me! Very well, watch out! Prepare for my Dragon Claw Hand that Grabs Milk!”
Seeing Li Yundong’s look of reckless abandon and exaggerated gestures, Su Chan shrieked and turned to flee, leaving behind a trail of silver-bell-like laughter as she ran.
Li Yundong took off after her. The young man and woman chased and played, their laughter attracting the curious glances of passersby.
In that moment, Su Chan forgot her intention to drain this boy dry, and Li Yundong forgot the danger of being expelled. They were mindlessly, joyfully free.
In the early summer of May, the sunlight flowed like a clear spring, illuminating two vibrant figures beneath the dappled shadows of the roadside trees: one stunning the world, the other softening the passing years.
...
The two played their way to a nearby supermarket, bought some groceries, and finally returned home.
Li Yundong carried the shopping bags, took off his shoes, and told Su Chan, “You rest; I’ll go cook.”
Su Chan nodded, sitting bored on the living room carpet, her bright, lively eyes rolling in their sockets.
A moment later, the clatter of pots and pans drifted from the kitchen. Su Chan couldn’t help but recall the delicious feast Li Yundong had made for her last time, and her mouth began to water. She felt a mix of anticipation and guilt: I eat his food, live in his place, wear his clothes, and in the end, I still plan to drain him dry? I might be letting this guy down?
Su Chan pondered for a moment and decided to go check on him.
She stood up, tiptoed to the kitchen, and saw Li Yundong, an apron tied around his waist, chopping meat.
Su Chan sneaked up behind him, ready to startle him, when Li Yundong suddenly spun around, brandishing the cleaver, and shouted loudly, startling Su Chan so badly her heart leaped into her throat.
Frightened, Su Chan shrieked and instinctively threw a punch, landing squarely on Li Yundong’s stomach.
With the protection of his Golden Core, Su Chan’s punch felt like a tickle. Li Yundong laughed so hard he doubled over, clutching his stomach.
Su Chan realized Li Yundong had tricked her and playfully hit him. “How did you know I was behind you?”
Li Yundong stifled his laughter. “Don’t you know you have a certain fragrance about you? The moment you stood behind me, I smelled it.”
Fox spirits naturally emit an alluring, exotic scent. While others could smell it clearly, they themselves often could not.
Su Chan blinked, lifted her arm, and sniffed, looking genuinely puzzled. “I don’t smell anything.”
Li Yundong said smugly, “I have a dog’s nose! Hehe, you failed to scare me just now, didn’t you?”
Su Chan looked sullen and stubbornly retorted, “Who was trying to scare you? I came to give you some comfort since you were working so hard. Hmph, who knew you wouldn't appreciate a good intention! I’m ignoring you, I’m mad!”
With that, Su Chan turned and walked away, hands clasped behind her back, glancing back every few steps—her expression clearly begging him to say, “Don’t go, stay!”
Li Yundong found it amusing but forced himself not to speak, turning back to continue chopping the meat.
Su Chan reached the doorway but saw Li Yundong hadn't called out to keep her. She felt both angry and annoyed, turning back to make a series of faces at Li Yundong’s back.
But after pulling all those faces with no one to see them, Su Chan became dispirited. She muttered about leaving but couldn't quite bring herself to go. Her eyes darted around, and suddenly, she let out a shriek so piercing and tragic it sounded like she was being violated: “Ah!!!”
Li Yundong thought something had truly happened to Su Chan. He flinched violently, his knife veered, and he sliced his own finger. Yet he seemed oblivious, rushing quickly toward Su Chan, staring wide-eyed as he scanned her up and down. “What’s wrong?”
Su Chan looked completely triumphant and burst into laughter. “Finally, I scared…”
Before she finished speaking, she saw the finger of Li Yundong dripping blood. Her eyes widened, and she screamed, “Ah, you’re bleeding!”
Li Yundong then noticed his bleeding finger. He put it to his mouth, sucked twice, and affectionately rubbed Su Chan’s head with one hand, smiling. “It’s nothing. I thought something had happened to you. You scared me.”
Su Chan looked deeply remorseful. She grabbed Li Yundong’s injured finger, pouted her bright red lips, and blew gently on the cut.
Li Yundong looked at the beauty before him—her hair like a waterfall, her lips like cherries, her teeth like pearls, her breath like orchids. Every part of her was captivating. His heart fluttered, and he instinctively lowered his head, intending to kiss her cherry mouth.
Seeing Li Yundong lean in, Su Chan, not understanding, looked up, and their heads collided with a solid thunk. They both yelped and ended up crouching on the floor.
Li Yundong clutched the side of his chin, his heart racing. He dared not look at Su Chan. Su Chan rubbed her forehead; by now, she realized the boy had intended to kiss her, and her own heart began to pound irregularly, her expression becoming slightly unnatural.
Li Yundong stood up, coughed deliberately to regain composure. “I’ll go cook. Why don’t you wait for me in the living room? If you’re bored, you can watch some television.”
Saying this, he avoided looking at Su Chan and hurried into the living room, turning on the plasma television mounted on the wall.
Su Chan followed him with her head bowed, nervously twisting the corners of her clothes, keeping her gaze low.
The atmosphere between them was awkward. Li Yundong scratched his head and said, “I’ll go cook now.” Then, he fled the living room as if running for his life.
Su Chan knelt back on the carpet, sneakily watching until Li Yundong left the room. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if she couldn't breathe while the boy was near her.
Su Chan felt a surge of frustration: This is bad. He really is starting to make moves to seek intimacy with me. But given his current condition, any such pursuit would surely result in him being drained of his life force, wasting not only his Yuan Golden Core but costing him his life. What should I do?
The little fox scratched her head in distress, thinking left and right but finding no solution. She finally resolved in her heart: I absolutely cannot let him continue like this. I need to keep some distance.