Chapter Twenty-One: You Look So Beautiful When You Smile

After dinner, the students planned to go singing.

I didn’t have much time and couldn’t follow them.

The group arrived downstairs at the restaurant, where an Audi A6L was parked at the entrance. A cold, aloof young man dressed entirely in black stood beside the car.

Seeing me come down, the young man immediately approached with a bow. “Brother Fan.”

This was Xiao Wu, the one who had driven me to the BMW earlier that afternoon.

Though he took off his sunglasses, his all-black attire and upright stance gave him an imposing presence.

I smiled in response, thinking how thoughtful Sister Yuan was.

The students nearby looked at me with envy.

“Wait here a moment. I need to talk to Ruohua,” I said, greeting the other students before pulling Qin Ruohua aside to a dimmer corner.

She glanced around shyly and whispered, “Brother Fan, what do you want to say?”

I took her hand gently and smiled, “How am I doing as your boyfriend tonight?”

“No need to pretend anymore. Why are you still holding my hand?” Qin Ruohua struggled slightly but didn’t pull away, then paused and whispered, “Actually, I regret it a bit. It’s all my fault for inviting you and making such a big deal. If I had known, I would’ve just refused them outright, even if it meant being a little embarrassed.”

“That won’t do. I’d get jealous,” I teased, squeezing her soft hand.

She chuckled softly, her large eyes sparkling in the dim light as she looked at me and murmured, “How long have you known me to get jealous already?”

I grinned, “I’ve actually known you for a while. Your brother kept talking about you every day, I heard so much it even seeped into my dreams.”

Qin Ruohua laughed, “But you didn’t even know what I looked like back then. How could you dream of me?”

“That's why in my dreams, you always had your back turned, never letting me see your face.”

She laughed lightly, then suddenly pulled her hand away and smiled, “You’ve taken advantage of me enough tonight. There won’t be a next time. If you act up again, I’ll tell my brother.”

Though she said this, I sensed she didn’t really mind, which made me secretly happy but also a bit puzzled.

Later, I learned that Qin Wei had sent her a message before the competition, formally introducing me and trying to match us up. Qin Ruohua had already entered a matchmaking mindset. Although her first impression of me wasn’t great, after the Maserati incident that morning, she had changed her opinion.

I smiled, “You’re so beautiful; you must have admirers everywhere. Why not let me keep playing the boyfriend role and protect you from all the pests?”

Qin Ruohua playfully tapped me, “My brother asked you to look after me. Are you trying to steal the watch while guarding it?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You tell me!” She smiled mischievously. “Alright, don’t keep the others waiting. You should head back. We’re going singing, and Xin Xin and I will be home early.”

The Xin Xin she mentioned was the girl with yellow curls, now sharing a rented apartment with her.

“Okay, make sure you get back early and remember to call me.”

“Why are you so naggy!” Qin Ruohua laughed and gave me a shove. “Hurry up!”

I smiled and turned to leave.

“Wait!” she suddenly called out.

Just as I turned around, a shadow lunged at me, and a faint floral scent wafted into my nose.

Qin Ruohua hugged me lightly and then let go, lowering her head with a smile. “You said you wanted a real hug when I was upset!”

“I want more!” I felt my heart flutter and reached to embrace her.

She giggled, twisted away, then pushed me gently, laughing, “Hurry up! Everyone can see us!”

“Alright! I’ll let you off tonight, but next time, you won’t escape.”

Joyful, I returned to the restaurant entrance.

Xiao Wu had already opened the rear door, waiting.

I waved and greeted the students before climbing into the car.

Qin Ruohua deliberately lagged a few steps behind, head lowered slightly, a faint smile on her lips.

The car sped away as the students remained standing at the restaurant entrance.

By the time I returned to Dongshan Group around eight in the evening, Xiao Wu greeted me briefly and left.

The entire office building was brightly lit but quiet, as only the online customer service staff were working late.

In Ling Xuan’s office, she was still busy at work.

I stretched out on the sofa, smiling, “President Ling, have you had dinner yet?”

“Mm,” Ling Xuan replied softly.

Grinning, I said, “President Ling, you said this afternoon you’d officially recognize me as your bodyguard. How much salary will that be?”

“How much do you want?” She paused her work and looked at me seriously.

I remained relaxed, smiling, “I’m just working for you—I won’t make unreasonable demands. It’s up to you.”

Ling Xuan furrowed her brow. “Let’s set it at fifty thousand a month for now. How’s that?”

“That high?” I was slightly surprised and sat up straight.

She said calmly, “Putting everything else aside, you’re quite capable and conscientious.”

I laughed. “President Ling, it seems you do appreciate me after all. I thought you were cold-hearted!”

“Work is work. Private matters are private,” she said expressionlessly.

“Sigh, that’s no fun!” I sighed playfully. “Well, with a salary, I can live more freely. Next payday, I’ll take you out for spicy hotpot.”

Ling Xuan didn’t respond.

After a moment, she suddenly said, “This afternoon, someone delivered a package, but I haven’t shopped online recently. I suspect it’s from that assassin organization.”

“Where is it?” I stood up immediately.

Ling Xuan pointed, and I saw a package sitting on her desk, less than half a meter away.

The package was roughly the size of an A5 sheet, about ten centimeters tall.

“Miss, are you out of your mind? Leaving it right there in front of you?” I strode over, scolding her sharply.

“You... you’re scolding me?” Ling Xuan was startled and glared at me.

“Well, who told you to be so careless? What if there was a bomb inside?” I examined the package, which was wrapped in a courier bag with nothing unusual on the surface.

Ling Xuan bit her lip and lowered her voice, “I left it outside at first. Later, seeing nothing happened, I thought about opening it.”

“How long has it been?”

“Over an hour.”

I pondered. The assassin group had emailed us earlier that afternoon; it was unlikely they’d send a bomb. They wouldn’t use such a crude method—this wasn’t about blowing up a building.

But if I just threw it away, it might be some kind of signal.

After thinking for a bit, I decided to open it.

I smiled, “Miss, I’ll open it right here. Are you scared?”

Ling Xuan was momentarily taken aback but said with a serious face, “If you hadn’t come back, I would’ve opened it myself by now!”

“Good! Courageous!” I smiled, tearing open the plastic bag to reveal a cardboard box.

It looked ordinary.

I slowed my movements, gripping the lid and lifting it gently. It came up easily, which eased my mind somewhat.

Continuing, I fully lifted the lid.

Suddenly, the box trembled, and a black shadow leapt out.

I was shocked and quickly pressed the lid down.

“Ah! A snake!” Ling Xuan suddenly shouted, jumping from her seat and stomping her feet, frantically patting herself.

I rushed to her side, anxious, “Where is it?”

“In my clothes!” she cried, nearly in tears, shaking her body.

Without hesitation, I grabbed her shirt and tore it open forcefully.

With a rustle, her fair, delicate body appeared, clad only in a bra.

“Ah!” Ling Xuan screamed, covering her chest.

A black shadow fell from her clothes. Without thinking, I stomped on it.

A crack sounded, as if something hard had been crushed.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Whatever it was, it didn’t stand a chance under my foot.

Ling Xuan hurriedly grabbed the torn shirt, trying desperately to cover herself.

At that moment, I was stunned by her perfect figure but didn’t hesitate and immediately took off my jacket to cover her.

She clutched my jacket tightly and suddenly began to sob softly.

Well, this was indeed a bit awkward.

“Put on my jacket first,” I said as I squatted down to look at the object on the floor, then froze.

There was indeed a snake—though not a real one, but a black fake snake, crafted with remarkable realism. Its head was crushed under my foot, revealing some metal parts.

This was a threat from the assassin organization!

Ling Xuan hadn’t put on my jacket, only wrapped herself tightly and pressed her hands against her chest. Her face was a mix of anger and fear, tears streaming down.

I couldn’t help but smile, gently picking up the fake snake and waving it in front of her.

“Ah!”

Ling Xuan screamed, stepping back two paces and leaning against the wall, her face full of terror.

I waved it again, laughing, “It’s fake!”

She paused, eyeing the fake snake, then suddenly burst into laughter, the tears turning to smiles. She seemed utterly amused.

Her flawless pale face, still glistening with tears, now shone with a radiant smile like a pear blossom kissed by rain—stunningly beautiful.

I was momentarily speechless, then smiled, “Ling Xuan, you really are beautiful when you smile.”