As they approached the gate of Yuzhou University, Qin Chaoyu asked Bai Jixi to stop the car about three or four hundred meters away from the entrance.
Nowadays, a common phenomenon at universities is the sight of luxury cars parked near the gates or outside female dormitories every night. Some cars even have one or two bottles of drinks placed on them, and some female students are openly kept as long-term mistresses. The more prestigious the university, the more prevalent this practice becomes. Wealthy businessmen, at a relatively low cost, get to enjoy the company of young, beautiful college girls, while the girls, in exchange for a bit of their time, gain access to designer bags, cars, and other luxuries that most people can only dream of. Universities have repeatedly tried to ban this, but how can they stop a transaction where both parties are willing participants?
Yuzhou University was no exception. Qin Chaoyu saw cars parked outside her dormitory every day, with girls occasionally getting into them. She didn’t judge whether this behavior was right or wrong—she wasn’t a moralist, nor was it her place to criticize. The world wasn’t that simple, and she wasn’t naive. Everyone had their own choices and would bear the consequences of their decisions. The most she could do was advise her friends not to succumb to temptation. If they couldn’t resist, there was nothing more she could do. She couldn’t control others; the only thing within her power was to distance herself from such friends and focus on her own path. Fortunately, the girls in her dormitory weren’t the type to chase quick gains.
Arriving at the university gate in a conspicuously expensive car might invite misunderstandings from those with less-than-pure intentions. After all, she had always kept a low profile on campus and never flaunted any privileged background.
She understood the power of rumors. Even though she had lived in this modern world for so long and no longer dwelled on her past, some things were ingrained too deeply to erase. At her core, she was still a woman raised in the traditions of ancient boudoirs. Modern teachings had taught her self-respect and independence, but reputation was something she couldn’t afford to disregard. In her view, a woman should maintain her dignity and protect her reputation—only then could she live freely and happily, no matter the time or place. So, unnecessary misunderstandings were best avoided whenever possible.
Bai Jixi didn’t ask questions. He simply complied with Qin Chaoyu’s request and parked the car at the designated spot.
If anyone who knew Bai Jixi saw how obediently he followed her instructions, they would think they were hallucinating. Few dared to order him around, and even if someone did, he was never the type to comply—whether the matter was big or small.
Once the car stopped, Qin Chaoyu gripped the door handle. Before opening it, she turned back and said to Bai Jixi, “Thank you. Goodbye.”
“No need. Consider it my good deed for the day,” Bai Jixi replied indifferently, his gaze fixed out the window on his side.
He wasn’t sure what had gotten into him today, offering a ride to a girl he’d just met. Though he had been slightly curious about her after hearing his sister mention her, that curiosity had long since faded amid his busy schedule. He had far too many things to deal with daily, and trivial matters like this hardly warranted his attention. Oh well—maybe today, he just felt like doing a good deed.
Qin Chaoyu stepped out of the car and walked straight toward the university.
Bai Jixi narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched her retreating figure. A gentle breeze lifted the hem of her white dress, the silver embroidery shimmering like fluttering butterflies. For some reason, his heart itched faintly, as if those silver butterflies had flown straight into his chest.
Shaking off the sensation, he started the car and sped away like an arrow released from a bow.
Back in her dorm room, Qin Chaoyu found it empty—her roommates were probably out having fun. Without a second thought, she collapsed onto her bed, startling Tuantuan, who had been napping there.
“Coo coo!” Tuantuan chirped indignantly, hopping up and down on Qin Chaoyu’s body to express its displeasure at the sudden disturbance.
Qin Chaoyu immediately recognized the sound as a complaint. After spending so much time together, she had learned to interpret Tuantuan’s emotions perfectly: cooing meant dissatisfaction, hissing signaled aggression, whimpering indicated contentment, screeching denoted fright, and snorting through its nostrils was a threat.
Tuantuan rarely got angry with her. Most of the time, it was soft, sweet, and incredibly obedient. She had first noticed these behaviors back in the forest when gathering herbs—whenever they encountered dangerous animals, Tuantuan would react this way. Over time, she had memorized each cue.
But right now, she was exhausted. She didn’t even want to open her eyes. Reaching out blindly, she pulled Tuantuan into her arms and patted its little head soothingly. “Be quiet, okay? Your owner is really tired. Let me rest for a bit.”
Tuantuan understood immediately and fell silent, staying perfectly still in her embrace. Even if the position was uncomfortable, it didn’t resist, patiently waiting for its owner to fall asleep.
Qin Chaoyu was unexpectedly well-behaved in her sleep—her face peaceful, her posture proper. The hand resting on Tuantuan gradually slid to her side as she settled into deep slumber.
Quietly, Tuantuan wriggled free and curled up beside Qin Chaoyu’s head, pressing close before closing its eyes and drifting off with her.
For a moment, all was peaceful.
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