Chapter 13: Becoming Rivals in Love

Soon, they arrived at the school gate. Wang Xuemei subtly put some distance between herself and Chen Erpao; after all, there was nothing between them yet, and besides, this was the entrance to the school.

Just then, Wang Xing appeared, and upon seeing Chen Erpao—more precisely, seeing Chen Erpao riding with a stunning beauty—he was so excited that he rushed over immediately.

"Erpao, you really aren't playing fair! Last night, haha," Wang Xing glanced at Wang Xuemei and smiled brightly.

Wang Xuemei instantly understood what Wang Xing was implying. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she turned her head slightly away.

"You rascal, what nonsense are you spouting this early in the morning? Do you think everyone is as dirty-minded as you?" Chen Erpao retorted with exaggerated seriousness.

"Putting romance before friendship—but Erpao, let me remind you," Wang Xing leaned in close and whispered, "This girl seems pretty close to Li Ziyang. Be careful! Her father has some power and money in Hong Kong."

"Thanks, Xing, I know what to do." Chen Erpao gave Wang Xing a hearty slap on the shoulder, and with that, the bond between the two former soldiers grew even stronger.

After leaving the school gate, the motorcycle headed toward the parking lot. At that moment, Chen Erpao spotted a figure he wished he hadn’t seen. He was sure Wang Xuemei, sitting behind him, saw it too.

Li Ziyang had just parked his car and was about to leave when a familiar face caught his eye—it was his girlfriend, Wang Xuemei, whom he had tried and failed to seduce the night before.

"Xuemei, who is this?" Li Ziyang forced a dazzling, refined smile as he walked over to the motorcycle.

Wang Xuemei stared at his superficially gentlemanly, false smile, remembering his ugliness and depravity last night. Her suppressed anger surged up all at once.

"Li Ziyang, I'm breaking up with you right now. Please stop calling me Xuemei from now on, because from this moment, there is nothing between us. I’ll pretend last night never happened as long as you stop pestering me."

"What did you just say? Is it because of this man? Oh, I remember—you’re the guy who guards the gate, aren’t you? Xuemei, your taste is really something! You’d even go for a man like this?" Li Ziyang looked down on Chen Erpao, his eyes full of scorn.

Chen Erpao was unfazed and replied coldly, "So what if I guard the gate? At least I don’t rely on my father to go around causing harm."

"Erpao is right. He’s my boyfriend now. Even if he’s just a security guard, he’s better than a hypocrite like you!" Wang Xuemei chimed in at the right moment. Her cheeks reddened slightly as she spoke of Chen Erpao as her boyfriend.

Li Ziyang, always arrogant and self-important, was now thoroughly humiliated. His eyes no longer feigned affection but blazed with fury.

"Fine, fine! If you dare to go against me, you’ll regret it. You wretched woman, come back to me and maybe I’ll reconsider; otherwise, even if you beg, it’ll be too late!"

"Xuemei, let me take you to class. Don’t waste your time with a lunatic. Just look at him!" Chen Erpao took her soft, snow-white hand and headed for the teaching building. The warmth and smoothness made him grip it even tighter.

Wang Xuemei felt the gentle warmth in her hand, and instead of pulling away, she broke into a radiant smile. Chen Erpao, however, didn’t notice.

Li Ziyang watched as Chen Erpao and Wang Xuemei walked away hand in hand, his forehead veins throbbing in rage, his eyes burning with fury.

"If I don’t make you regret this, I’m not Li Ziyang."

After Chen Erpao escorted Wang Xuemei to the entrance of the teaching building and was about to leave, a rush of fragrance swept past him. He glanced up and saw a pair of snow-white legs clad in flesh-colored stockings. Looking higher, he saw Li Meili gazing at him with an enchanting smile.

"Good morning, Director Li," Chen Erpao greeted her first.

Li Meili’s expression changed instantly. She complained, "Why do you still call me Director Li? Didn’t I tell you to call me Meili when we’re together?"

"Meili, you look great today, and your outfit is very tasteful," Chen Erpao replied nonchalantly, immediately switching to her preferred name and complimenting her.

Li Meili’s smile grew tenfold at his words.

Seeing her reaction, Chen Erpao chuckled and continued, "Meili, I was busy last night and haven’t prepared my speech for the flag-raising ceremony. I’m worried I’ll mess up—could you speak to the principal for me?"

So it turned out Chen Erpao’s praise had another motive. Giving a speech was usually a trivial matter for someone like him; back in the army, he’d won awards and shouted speeches from the stage many times. This time, he only needed to be more gentle. But last night’s events disrupted his mood, and he feared he’d say something too sensational if he got on stage. Staying low-key seemed wiser.

"Erpao, the principal just said he wants to set you up as a model for our security staff and have you give an exemplary speech. I don’t think he’ll agree," Li Meili replied apologetically.

"In that case, it’s settled. I can do it—I’ll make sure to glorify Lingnan University’s security staff!" Chen Erpao declared with lofty ambition.

"Glorify?" Li Meili was momentarily puzzled, staring at his imposing figure as he walked away, murmuring to herself, "A different kind of man—his words are truly extraordinary."

Time passed quickly, and before long, the school broadcast blared: "All students, please proceed to the sports field immediately for the flag-raising ceremony." The announcement repeated several times.

Listening to the broadcast, Chen Erpao shrugged helplessly and strolled toward the field at a leisurely pace.