After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

The cold water in the bathroom washed over my fingers.

Zhu Xun Chuan stared at himself in the mirror, his mind filled with the photo of his legs in that black, high-slit cheongsam that Jiang Yao had sent him. He'd be finished in less than ten minutes. These words, coming from the mouth of that sickly young lady who always carried a butterfly knife, were definitely not flirting; it was a death countdown.

He pulled out a paper towel, slowly dried his hands, and composed himself. Pushing open the door, he strode back into the panoramic glass-enclosed private room.

He pulled out a chair and sat down. Zhu Xun Chuan didn't pick up his knife and fork, but leaned back in his chair, letting out a very soft sigh, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

Across from her, Xia Wanying immediately stopped cutting the Kobe beef. She casually tossed her sterling silver knife and fork onto the porcelain plate, making a crisp clinking sound. The once nonchalant heiress's eyes instantly filled with tension.

She stood up abruptly, her long legs encased in white stockings striding forward to squeeze next to Zhu Xun Chuan.

"What's wrong?" Xia Wanying straddled Zhu Xunchuan's lap without any hesitation, the hem of her French white dress rolled up, and the top of her lace stockings clung to the fabric of his casual pants.

She cupped Zhu Xun Chuan's face in her hands, her eyes filled with anxiety. "Is the food not to your liking? Or did those old men bother you? I'll have someone shut this shop down right away."

Zhu Xun Chuan's heart skipped a beat. This was the style of a top-tier rich woman—smashing things without asking why.

He took Xia Wanying's soft, boneless hand in his own, cupping her warm palm in his own, and gently stroking the delicate skin on the back of her hand with his thumb.

"It has nothing to do with the food, this restaurant is pretty good." Zhu Xun Chuan sighed, looking directly into her watery eyes. "Just now, our counselor, Gu Qinghan, gave me a strict order."

Xia Wanying was taken aback: "Gu Qinghan? That old hag from the Gu family who's still unmarried?"

Zhu Xun Chuan was somewhat surprised: "You actually know my counselor?"

"I don't really know her, I've only heard of her. Everyone says that the Gu family is a scholarly family."

"Her grandfather is such a high-ranking official and comes from a scholarly family? Bah!" Xia Wanying pouted, looking disdainful.

Zhu Xun Chuan hadn't expected Teacher Gu to have another identity? It seems that his identity is one he can't afford to offend!

Zhu Xun Chuan smiled awkwardly, "Let's not talk about her grandfather anymore, let's talk about my matter first."

"I skipped one of her classes," Zhu Xun Chuan lied without batting an eye. "She told me to go to her office in the Faculty of Arts right now, saying she needs to talk to me alone and re-evaluate my scholarship and records. This woman is always ruthless."

Xia Wanying's face instantly turned cold. She straightened up from Zhu Xunchuan's lap, her full breasts heaving violently.

"She's gone too far." Xia Wanying sneered, her tone revealing absolute contempt for someone in a superior position. "She's just a lousy counselor, daring to threaten you with her file? Brother Chuan, don't go. I know her sister, I'll call her sister."

"Let me tell you a secret, she's a siscon, she's afraid of her little sister, hehe."

As she spoke, she reached into her bag for her phone.

Zhu Xun Chuan quickly reached out and pressed down on her waist. The flesh beneath the silk fabric was firm yet soft. He applied slight pressure with his fingers, pulling her back into his arms.

"Wan Ying, stop fooling around." Zhu Xun Chuan's voice deepened, carrying an undeniable force.

Xia Wanying paused, then looked up at him.

"I know you feel sorry for me." Zhu Xun Chuan looked directly into her eyes, his tone softening. "But I finally got into Kyoto University on my own merit. I want to spend four years here peacefully and experience the life of an ordinary university student."

"If you buy a building today and an academy tomorrow, the whole of Kyoto will know that I, Zhu Xun Chuan, am being kept by you."

He pinched the tip of her pert nose, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "I have a good appetite. Being a kept man is nice, but I still want to earn my own money to support you. I'll handle this myself. Give me some face as a man, okay?"

These words, a combination of rebuttal and attack, satisfied Xia Wanting's overflowing protective instincts while also naturally upholding male dignity.

Xia Wanying's eyes welled up with tears. No matter how strong-willed she was, she could only surrender to such words. She obediently nestled back against Zhu Xunchuan's chest, rubbing her head against him.

"Then promise me you won't suffer any injustice." Her voice was soft and sweet. "If she dares to say a single bad word to you, you must tell me."

"Don't worry." Zhu Xun Chuan patted her on the back. "I won't let myself be taken advantage of."

The two did not continue their meal. The owner personally escorted them downstairs, his attitude even more respectful than when welcoming foreign guests.

The Maybach Pullman's rear door closed. The dark soundproof partition between the front and rear seats slowly rose, leaving only the warm yellow starry sky ceiling lights and the scent of premium white tea in the cabin.

As soon as the car started, Xia Wanying couldn't contain herself any longer.

She stepped over the wide center console armrest and threw herself into Zhu Xun Chuan's arms. Her high heels had been kicked off at some point, and her white-stockinged legs straddled his body, her knees resting on the leather seat.

Xia Wanying wrapped her arms around Zhu Xunchuan's neck and lowered her head to seal his lips with her own.

It was a deep kiss, both aggressive and awkward. Her tongue, carrying the rich flavor of fine red wine, invaded Zhu Xun Chuan's territory without reservation.

"Brother Chuan, this is my first kiss."

Zhu Xun Chuan's breath hitched. His hands slid down naturally, supporting her lower back.

The Maybach drove smoothly along the winding mountain road, and every slight bump in the car caused Xia Wanying's body to rub even more closely against him. The lace edges of her white silk stockings constantly brushed against Zhu Xunchuan's casual trousers, the ticklish sensation almost unbearable.

Xia Wanying's body grew increasingly limp, her burning heat seeping through her clothes. Her hands began to wander restlessly down Zhu Xunchuan's chest.

Zhu Xun Chuan grabbed her mischievous little hand. If she kept going like this, things would get really messy.

"Wan Ying." Zhu Xun Chuan suppressed the fire in his heart, panting as he turned his head, his lips brushing against her earlobe, "If we keep rubbing against each other, things will really get out of hand."

Xia Wanying trembled, her cheeks flushed crimson. She bit her lower lip, her eyes filled with a seductive allure as she playfully scolded, "You're so annoying... you clearly wanted to too."

She didn't make any further moves, but simply nestled against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

"Let's prepare properly. I don't want to be so casual," Zhu Xun Chuan said, gently patting her firm waist to reassure her.

"You said it, you can't go back on your word."

Half an hour later, the Maybach came to a steady stop beside the tree-lined road outside the south gate of Kyoto University.

The car door opened, and the early autumn night breeze blew into the carriage, dispelling some of the lingering heat.

Zhu Xunchuan was about to get off the bus when Xia Wanying suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

She leaned forward and gently straightened his shirt collar, which had been rumpled. During this process, her gaze swept unobstructed over the area below his collarbone.

There, a band-aid with slightly curled edges was stuck on. And in the area not covered by the band-aid, a faint, ambiguous dark red mark was visible.

Xia Wanying paused for half a second as she adjusted her collar.

She said nothing. Her amber eyes remained calm, and she simply smoothed out the wrinkles at her collar.

"Go ahead. Be careful with the old woman, and go back to your dorm to rest early." Xia Wanying looked up and gave a flawless, sweet smile.

"Okay." Zhu Xun Chuan lowered his head and planted a kiss on her forehead.

He turned and got out of the car, closing the door behind him. Watching the pure white Maybach slowly disappear into the night, escorted by several black Phantoms, he finally let out a long sigh.

He didn't head towards the school gate at all, but instead turned and disappeared into the shadows on the other side.

The night breeze was cool. Zhu Xun Chuan took out his phone and glanced at the time.

The school is only a three-minute walk from that private club.

After walking through a quiet street lined with plane trees, a black building with a minimalist exterior but exuding an air of top-notch luxury came into view.

There was no signboard, only a heavy brass door.

Zhu Xunchuan walked to the door. Two burly men, each over 1.9 meters tall, dressed in black suits and wearing Bluetooth headsets, immediately blocked his way.

Zhu Xun Chuan remained expressionless as he pulled a pure black metal card from his pocket. The card had no patterns on its surface, except for a dark gold character "Jiang" printed in the lower right corner.

The two burly men's expressions changed drastically the moment they saw the black card, and they immediately stood at attention and bowed their heads.

The door slid open silently.

Zhu Xun Chuan strode into the magnificent private elevator, swiped his card, and pressed the top floor button.

"bite."

The elevator doors slowly opened to both sides on the top floor.

The moment the door opened, two black-clad bodyguards, both 1.9 meters tall and with suits stretched taut by their muscles, immediately pressed against him from either side.

Without a single wasted word, the two men simultaneously extended their large, black-gloved hands, clamping down on Zhu Xun Chuan's left and right arms like iron clamps.

"Mr. Zhu," the bodyguard on the left said in a cold, mechanical voice, "Miss has been waiting for you for a long time, and she's in a bad mood. Please come with us."