America: I came here to study, not to show mercy.

Chapter 198 Frog Prince's New Opening

Under the spotlight, figures moved about, and swirling skirts rose and fell with the dance steps, like blooming flowers.

Under the watchful eyes of many, the two tall figures consciously moved towards the center of the stage, arriving at the spotlight's brightest position.

Before he could even notice the surprised looks from outside the stage, Li Xiaoen's lips twitched repeatedly as he gasped for breath.

"Sophie, we can slow down a bit."

Enduring the pain of being trampled on, Li Xiaoen sighed in relief, watching the girl lower her head and stomp her feet again and again, and couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

Activating the [Eye of Insight], the situation beneath his feet was reflected in his mind. Suffer's gaze was fixed on the spot where he was about to step down.

"..."

"Hey……"

Unable to resist offering a reminder, Li Xiaoen tightened his grip on the girl's soft hand, "Suffolk, I think I've figured it out. You're deliberately trying to step on my foot."

"Oh……"

Sophie looked up and said, "You're really smart."

Silently gazing at the girl's exquisitely beautiful face, which was feigning innocence, Li Xiaoen took a deep breath in exasperation. "Sufeier, I can let you step on me, but are you really going to waste this opportunity?"

I want to dance with you.

After silently scrutinizing the young man for a while, Suffer rolled her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally stopped looking down at her feet.

The melodious music suddenly turned rousing, and Li Xiaoen's movements quickened in sync with the rhythm. The two raised their clasped hands, and Su Feier spun around smoothly and naturally. Their hands then clasped again perfectly, and they began to dance together in close coordination and natural harmony.

It was only then that Li Xiaoen realized what was happening.

"So, you can dance."

Only after the dance ended did Li Xiaoen find a chance to speak, and she helplessly made a complaint.

"Humph……"

With a soft hum, before the young man could ask any questions, Suffer raised her hands and hugged his neck, speaking casually.

"Since Serafina's birthday party includes this kind of dance, of course I know it."

"That's right."

The girl's sudden intimate gesture startled Li Xiaoen. During their brief conversation, another soft melody began to play, and he realized what was happening, wrapping his arms around her slender waist.

"Even though that's what I say, I've always danced with female teachers before. You're the first male dance partner I've agreed to."

He murmured something and looked up at the young man, which made Li Xiaoen's breath catch in his throat.

"Um……"

Letting out a long breath, Li Xiaoen smiled and nodded, "Suffolk, it's my honor."

"Ah."

With her rosy lips pursed, Suffer moved closer with slow, dancing steps, lowering her head and burying herself in the young man's arms.

A strange feeling spread through Li Xiaoen's heart. He couldn't help but take a deep breath. His hands, which were holding Su Feier, began to tighten, but he still resisted the urge to hold her tightly in his arms. He carefully stroked the soft and silky fabric of the dress and felt the alluring softness beneath.

"Sean..."

A slightly languid whisper came from her arms, "I wish it would snow again tomorrow, not too badly, just a little bit, so we could stay indoors and play like before school started..."

Is it snowing again?

Li Xiaoen muttered to himself, repeating the same sentence, thinking about using the system's items again. Then, as if noticing something, he suddenly came to his senses.

"Sufeil..."

Li Xiaoen sighed, both amused and exasperated, "I really don't have the superpower to change the weather. I can only help you pray to God for your wish."

To be honest, he wasn't stingy with a system item, as long as it made Suffer happy, but this time he was sure that the girl was testing him.

"Oh, right, it's better to pray to other gods as well. Let's also pray to the Wind God who controls wind and rain in China."

He spoke eloquently, but all he got in return was a glare from the girl who looked up at him.

"I really don't have any superpowers. I've been honest with you and made that clear many times. Are you still going to test me?"

Li Xiaoen reluctantly met the girl's scrutinizing gaze, his hands stroking her slender waist.

"Okay, I wasn't testing you."

Sophie rolled her eyes and lowered her head in disappointment.

"Is your statement only valid for today?"

Based on previous experience, Li Xiaoen chuckled and asked another question.

"What I just told you, I wasn't lying to you, you really are my first male dance partner."

Instead, Suffer spoke softly about something else, and while Li Xiaoen was somewhat stunned, she said leisurely, "I'm being honest with you. If I ever find out you've been lying to me, you're dead!"

Li Xiaoen: "!!"

……

As they walked down from the center of the most dazzling stage, amidst countless gazes, Li Xiaoen returned hand in hand with Su Feier. Seeing the girls standing there dumbfounded, their eyes fixed on him, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the intriguing gaze that Suffer was giving him as he sipped his fruit wine. He suddenly realized what was going on and couldn't help but gasp in exasperation.

Sure enough, he couldn't let his guard down around this woman. She really had one trap after another, setting up traps for him to fall into. He should have been alerted when Su Feier hugged him tightly earlier.

But then again, once Suffer hugged him, there was no way he could push her away. So, he had to fall into this trap—thinking to himself, Li Xiaoen finally felt some comfort at this "battlefield defeat."

"what happened?"

After gathering his thoughts, Li Xiaoen leaned closer to Victoria and teased, "Are you so engrossed in watching that you want to jump again?"

"The Frog Prince is newly opened, and the only offer is one free trial. If you want to jump again, you'll have to pay me."

"You're so thick-skinned."

Coming to her senses, Victoria rolled her eyes and turned away, averting her gaze. "Not everything that glitters is gold. You should have heard that before."

"Ok."

This is a line from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," Li Xiaoen said with a helpless smile. "I should feel honored to dance with such beautiful ladies. This is the inner monologue of the prince who was cursed to be a frog."

Upon hearing this, Victoria glanced over and gave a soft snort. Before she could speak, a charming voice with a smile came from behind them.

"Oh, the Frog Prince? Hehe... Would you like to dance with me? I can pay whatever you want."

As soon as the words were spoken, the girls' expressions quickly changed, and they turned to look at the equally young and beautiful figure behind them. The woman wore a form-fitting silk evening gown that accentuated her curvaceous figure, revealing a deep, unfathomable cleavage at her chest. She held a wine glass in one hand and rested the other on her elbow; simply standing there, she exuded a captivating and alluring aura.

Unlike Sophie and Victoria, who were around nineteen years old, she lacked the youthful vigor and energy of a student. Instead, she possessed the air of a mature woman who had been tempered by society and had developed a worldly wisdom.

According to Li Xiaoen's "People Lens," she is only 23 years old.

Even under so many frowning and scrutinizing gazes, Catherine remained unfazed, chuckling as she moved to stand in front of Sean Lee.

"Handsome Frog Prince, may I ask what I may pay you for a dance?"

With her bright red lips slightly parted, Catherine looked up and smiled at her.

"If you're going crazy, please don't bother other people, okay?"

Before Li Xiaoen could speak, Su Feier, who had been silently watching the show since returning, interrupted.

"Sigh...why be so heartless?"

Catherine spoke in a sweet, melodious voice, glancing at Sophie like a woman confined to her chambers, "Clearly, not long ago our two families were working so closely together."

"You can cooperate with anyone at any time, but you can also turn against anyone at any time. Don't talk so intimately about it."

Sophie coldly refuted him.

"Regardless of what happened before, at least we're cooperating now, and we've helped you a lot."

Catherine chuckled, but her casual remark made Sophie frown and remain silent.

The other girls exchanged glances, opened their mouths, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

Is this what it means to control the news media and maintain relationships with other businesses and powerful families?

As soon as Catherine spoke her first words to Sophie, Sean Lee remembered what Sophie had said before the start of the semester about the media coverage of the snow-covered landslide, and couldn't help but think to himself.

Logically speaking, even if the media coverage is currently unfavorable to them, they should at least maintain some semblance of dignity considering potential future collaborations. However, judging from Suffer's attitude towards Catherine on both occasions, it doesn't seem like the kind of reaction a smart girl like her should have.

As Li Xiaoen was pondering this, Catherine turned around and stood in front of him.

"The Frog Prince..."

She called softly, but Catherine couldn't help but lower her head, cover her mouth with her hand, and chuckle. Only her shoulders, which were covered by the thin straps of her dress, trembled.

"Sorry, sorry..."

Looking up at the young man, Catherine waved her hand with amusement, quickly suppressing her smile. "Tell me, what do you want me to pay for you to dance with me?"

"Um……"

Under the intense gazes of the other girls, Li Xiaoen frowned slightly and let out a long breath. "For others, it might be a matter of paying me, but for you, beautiful lady, I only want you to do one thing with me."

"Oh?"

Raising an eyebrow, Catherine couldn't help but glance at Sophie, then turned back and asked with a smile, "What is it? Just tell me, I'll agree to anything."

As she spoke, she placed her wine glass on the small table and raised her hand toward Li Xiaoen, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Sean Lee grinned, reached out and took Catherine's small hand. Just as she was about to turn and walk towards the stage, he twisted her wrist, took a glass of cocktail from the low table, and handed it to her.

Catherine felt a sudden weight in her hand and quickly gripped it tightly. Looking up, she saw the young man holding a wine glass, which he touched with his own, producing a crisp clinking sound.

"I think we should make sure we fulfill this promise first. This kind of atmosphere is perfect for drinking. How about you drink with me?"

Li Xiaoen chuckled, raised his glass in a gesture of respect, and took a sip.

Naturally, he couldn't go along with the other person's wishes and whisper while dancing. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the murderous gaze on him suddenly disappear.

He had no doubt that if he really took Catherine to dance on stage and secretly made some conditions, he couldn't even guarantee that he would be able to go to class on time tomorrow.

"Pfft..."

The other girls maintained a reserved smile, but Su Feier couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"You fool me?"

Catherine lowered her grip on the bottle, narrowed her eyes, and looked over. Her initial smile vanished, replaced by a cold, indifferent expression.

"What I'm talking about is drinking with me."

Li Xiaoen raised the glass in his hand and reiterated with a smile.

“Li Xiaoen…”

Looking up at her, Catherine took a deep breath, nodded repeatedly, and smiled. "You're interesting. I'll remember you."

After saying that, without waiting for anyone else to react, she put the wine bottle on the small table and turned to leave.

It seems he's offended another young lady from America.

Silently watching Catherine's departing figure, Li Xiaoen stroked his chin, feeling a bit of a headache—surely, this woman behind him wouldn't be like Suffer at the beginning of last semester, finding something to use against him to threaten him?
He thought that his relationship with Suffer had improved and that kind of life was gone forever, but now it seems that he has somehow returned to where he started.

There was nothing he could do about it. Given his relationship with Sophie, since Sophie disliked him, he shouldn't have danced intimately with her nemesis or even whispered to him in front of the girl. Besides, he really didn't like Catherine's two intrusive visits, which only disturbed and fueled the fire.

"Don't worry."

As if sensing his concerns, Suffer came to Li Xiaoen's side and reassured him, "Although they are adept at playing both sides, they also lack a staunch ally. I will keep an eye on her, so you don't need to worry."

"Um……"

Nodding seriously, Lee Shawn couldn't help but give a strange smile.

Why does this sound like someone living under someone else's roof, freeloading off a woman?

"Sean, if you want to refuse something like this in the future, just say so directly. Don't tease people like this."

Coming to her senses, Victoria felt a sense of relief, but still rolled her eyes and offered gentle advice.

"Well, I know what's going on."

Li Xiaoen nodded, and couldn't help but yawn.

He wouldn't waste his energy teasing someone he didn't know well, but considering Catherine's obvious provocative attitude on both occasions, he couldn't help himself.

After this commotion, the group lost interest in the games that followed. As the party reached its final prize draw, the atmosphere gradually became more lively.

Are you interested in the prizes at your birthday party?

Looking at Serafina beside him, who was looking over with excitement and anticipation, Lee Shawn couldn't help but ask.

"I didn't prepare the prizes for the raffle at my birthday party."

Serafina rolled her eyes and explained, "I heard from the housekeeper that the grand prize is a luxury car worth hundreds of thousands."

(End of this chapter)