Chapter 69: An Encounter

Li Bixian was tending to her wound, and when she happened to glance up, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she dabbed at the injury. The unexpectedly seductive scene startled her, and after a moment of surprise, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

“Thank goodness that brat Xiaofan has already left. If he’d seen this…”

“He’d probably lose control and just…”

She chuckled to herself at the thought.

Meanwhile, as Zeng Xiaofan rattled down the road on the family’s battered old motorcycle, the village’s resident doctor, Zhou Tingting, was already impeccably dressed and on her way out.

Half an hour earlier, she’d received a call from her current boyfriend, Xie Weifeng, who told her that the town mayor had invited a particularly distinguished guest for dinner, and all the prominent local officials were to attend. Zhou Tingting, as the village’s resident doctor, ordinarily wouldn’t have been eligible for such an event, but her boyfriend, a town official himself, wanted her to get some exposure to the higher-ups, so he’d called to invite her.

For the occasion, Zhou Tingting had carefully done her makeup and donned a fitted blazer and pencil skirt paired with a tailored short-sleeved blouse—an outfit she rarely wore. Her petite, shapely figure was accentuated by the ensemble, exuding the charm of an urban beauty. Her lips, painted a bold, flaming red, radiated a confident sensuality. Most striking of all were her feet, clad in black stockings and crystal high heels—a look seldom seen in the countryside.

The moment she stepped out, the men in the village couldn’t help but stare, their gazes heated.

“My, Tingting! You look stunning today!”

“I almost didn’t recognize you—thought some celebrity had come to our village!”

“Is that really Tingting? Looks just like a little fairy!”

“What a lovely young lady…”

The passing uncles all praised her, and Zhou Tingting’s heart swelled with delight. Of course, she thought to herself, how could I not be beautiful? But no matter how beautiful I am, I’m not the type for these country bumpkins! I’m a university graduate from the city—what would they know of real beauty?

She rolled her eyes inwardly but kept her tone modest as she replied with a polite smile, “Uncles, you’re too kind… It’s hot out at noon—don’t stay out here staring, or you’ll overheat. Know your place, gentlemen. Go home and appreciate your own wives.”

With that, she lifted her shapely leg and slipped into her sleek black Camry.

In the countryside, driving such a car marked a family as quite well-off. The uncles, embarrassed by her words, blushed and muttered among themselves.

“Tsk, tsk, look at her—so full of herself.”

“No kidding, just look at how pleased she is…”

“That little minx is so proud. Wonder what kind of man could ever tame her…”

“Ha! Didn’t Xiaofan used to date her back when he was at university?”

“Yeah, but after Xiaofan had his misfortune and lost his sight, she kicked him to the curb without a thought.”

“Turned right around and landed herself a town official boyfriend. She’s something else, that one.”

“Girls like her aren’t for the likes of us country folk to look at. Even a young stud like Xiaofan never stood a chance. In the end, it’s always the men with power who get to have their way with her.”

Their laughter and comments trailed behind as Zhou Tingting, oblivious to it all, turned up the air conditioning and music, driving contentedly toward town.

But as she reached the intersection at the edge of the village, a figure suddenly darted into her path. Zhou Tingting slammed on the brakes, and the force sent her soft chest crashing into the steering wheel, pain blooming through her chest and forehead, and even scraping a patch of her carefully applied powder.

“Who the hell—? Trying to get me killed?” she fumed, massaging her chest as she glared up—and saw that the culprit was none other than Zeng Xiaofan on his rickety old motorcycle.

Her temper flared. She rolled down her window and shouted, “Zeng Xiaofan! Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“If you want to die, go do it somewhere else! This car cost nearly two hundred thousand—could you afford to pay for it if you scratched it?”

“You’re nothing but a wretch—if you get yourself killed, that’s your problem, but don’t you dare dirty my car!”

Zeng Xiaofan shot her a cold glance. “Watch your mouth.”

“Is your backside itching for another lesson?”

Hearing that, Zhou Tingting immediately remembered the day she’d been spanked soundly by him outside Li Bixian’s house. She flushed with embarrassment and rage.

“You bastard! How dare you bring that up?”

“I checked in the mirror when I got home that day—my backside was swollen from your beating!”

“I haven’t even settled the score with you, and you dare mention it!”

Zeng Xiaofan’s expression remained indifferent. “Just a reminder. Don’t act up in front of me.”

“I won’t indulge you.”

“You look nice today, but if I start spanking you again, you’ll squeal just the same.”

“You—!” Zhou Tingting was so furious she could barely speak, but recalling his brutish temper, she dared not press her luck.

“You… you were driving recklessly, nearly hit my car, and I can’t even scold you?”

“You should be grateful I didn’t just floor it and run you over!” she retorted, fuming.

Zeng Xiaofan shook his head in exasperation, pointing at the road. “Miss Zhou, take a look. I’m going straight on the main road. You were merging from the side road.”

“Turning vehicles yield to those going straight—is that too hard to understand?”

“Did you buy your license?”

“I…” Zhou Tingting’s cheeks flushed even redder.

“I don’t care!” she snapped. “This is a country lane—who cares about traffic rules?”

“My car is better, more expensive. You’re in the wrong!”

“One of my wheels is worth more than your whole wretched bike—what are you acting tough for?”

“Useless bum!” She rolled her eyes and scoffed, “Honestly, I think you’re just jealous that I drive a nice car.”

“Or maybe you’re just trying to get my attention—don’t tell me you want to get back together?”

Her eyes suddenly lit up with mockery. “Oh! Zeng Xiaofan, is that it? You’re just looking for an excuse to bump into me and try to rekindle things?”

“Well, let me tell you—give up the idea! You think you deserve to get back with me?”

“The woman I am today is way out of your league! Don’t even dream about it!”

“Don’t think just because you spanked me that day and I seemed to enjoy it, I’d ever get back with you. Keep dreaming!”

At that, Zeng Xiaofan’s brows knit together.

“What?”

“You’re saying I spanked you, and you enjoyed it?”