Chapter 35 - 32: Left You Some Dignity

Early the next morning. After breakfast, Qiao Yuxian went to class. She left with Gu Yanjing and found only Shang Chen in the yard, with no sign of Meng Yan. "Hmm? Where’s Meng Yan?" Qiao Yuxian asked. Gu Yanjing’s eyes were soft: "He volunteered to go to F Continent to mine." "What?" Qiao Yuxian looked puzzled. Gu Yanjing said nothing more, and Qiao Yuxian didn’t ask further. She took out her phone and said, "I’ll call a car." "I’ll take you to school first," Gu Yanjing said. Qiao Yuxian was surprised again. Gu Yanjing simply said, "Get in the car." "Oh." Qiao Yuxian got into the car. Sitting in the car, Gu Yanjing said, "There are cars in the garage, and the keys are in the living room cabinet drawer." "I can’t drive," Qiao Yuxian said seriously. Gu Yanjing looked at her, saying nothing, but his gaze seemed to say: Who was it driving on the racetrack like crazy? Qiao Yuxian understood his look, batting her eyelashes, a bit embarrassed, and said, "I really can’t drive; I’ll speed." After a pause, she added, "Tried to change it, didn’t succeed." Gu Yanjing: "......" Qiao Yuxian chuckled twice. When they reached the school, Qiao Yuxian got off the car, walked a few steps, and then returned to Gu Yanjing: "Don’t pick me up in the afternoon, I have some things to do, will be back late. Don’t wait for me for dinner." Gu Yanjing glanced at her: "Okay." "I’m leaving." Qiao Yuxian walked toward the school. At this time, there weren’t many people at the entrance, and any cars parked there were quite conspicuous. As she approached the entrance, Qiao Yuxian felt someone watching her. She looked to the side and saw a car that had just driven away. Though it had driven away by the time she looked, she still recognized it. It was her father’s car. Qiao Yuxian paused slightly, then withdrew her gaze and entered the school. In the car, Gu Yanjing also looked in the direction she had been looking. He saw more clearly than her. He didn’t know Qiao Yu’s car, but he saw Qiao Yu inside. He said nothing, waiting until Qiao Yuxian entered the school. Then he let Shang Chen drive the car away. ... After the afternoon class, Qiao Yuxian planned to go directly to the dubbing studio. Last week they mentioned work for her, something she remembered. She packed up and left. While waiting for the elevator, Jiang Shouzhuo called out to her. Upon hearing the voice, Qiao Yuxian turned her head to look. Jiang Shouzhuo saw her look over and smiled slightly: "Can we talk?" Qiao Yuxian looked at him for two seconds and, sounding quite agreeable, said, "Sure." Jiang Shouzhuo led her to an empty classroom at the end of the corridor. The classroom was small and poorly lit, quite dark at this hour in the afternoon. She didn’t know what it was used for before, but since Qiao Yuxian came to Jing University, she hadn’t seen it used. Jiang Shouzhuo opened the door and let Qiao Yuxian in. After entering, Qiao Yuxian first felt a chill, then noticed a musty smell. But someone probably cleaned it, as it was quite clean, with no dust. Jiang Shouzhuo also entered and locked the door behind him. Hearing the locking sound, Qiao Yuxian turned to look at him and then at the lock on the door. Jiang Shouzhuo smiled: "Scared?" Qiao Yuxian looked at him again and did not answer his question. Instead, she asked, "What do you want to talk about?" "Have you seen the posts on the forum?" Jiang Shouzhuo sat on the desk. After a day and night, the posts had evolved from analyzing Jiang Shouzhuo to outright criticizing him. "I’ve seen some," Qiao Yuxian replied. "Don’t you have anything to say?" Jiang Shouzhuo asked. "Say what?" Qiao Yuxian countered. Jiang Shouzhuo looked at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "What to say? Isn’t the current situation on the forum because of you?" His tone was calm, yet it hinted at his anger. "How is it my fault?" Qiao Yuxian met his gaze, "Someone falsely accused me, and I clarified. Is that wrong?" "It’s not wrong. But you caused me a lot of trouble," Jiang Shouzhuo crossed his arms, "So, how about compensating me?" Qiao Yuxian frowned slightly, thinking this guy must have a big hole in his head. Seeing her silence, Jiang Shouzhuo continued, "Yu Xian, I really like you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have pursued you for so long. But if you keep rejecting me, I don’t mind using some methods." Qiao Yuxian said nothing. Jiang Shouzhuo said, "If you accept me, I can let go of the forum issues. And... it would save you a lot of trouble." Qiao Yuxian chuckled: "Young Master Jiang, I’ve told you, I’m married. Accepting you is impossible. Also, you should know, there are certain things I’ve let slide, giving you face." Jiang Shouzhuo didn’t expect her to speak like this; he frowned suddenly. "Who hacked the end-of-corridor surveillance? Do you really think I can’t find out?" Qiao Yuxian spoke softly, "At the peak of the frenzy, what was your motive for having someone hack the surveillance? The post’s analysis isn’t wrong, right? I didn’t publicize it or report it to the school to give you face. Don’t take what’s given and then ask for more." "Qiao Yuxian, watch your words," Jiang Shouzhuo warned softly. Qiao Yuxian laughed again, her fox eyes raised, bold and uninhibited: "Young Master Jiang, this path is one you chose. You can always just claim ignorance about the forum insults. So why come find me? To test me? To threaten me?" Jiang Shouzhuo’s face turned cold. "I’ve told Young Master Jiang, I’m married. It’s also public, I have a partner," Qiao Yuxian added, "Young Master Jiang should have some self-awareness and keep a distance from me." "Who knows if what you say is true or false," Jiang Shouzhuo sneered, "Even if it’s true. Can that man compare to me? The status of the Jiang Family isn’t something the Qiao Family can reach even in ten years." Qiao Yuxian slightly raised an eyebrow, "Young Master Jiang, you’re quite confident." "If it weren’t for my liking you, the Jiang Family wouldn’t even consider a small house like the Qiao Family," Jiang Shouzhuo said loftily, "Qiao Yuxian, I’m the top man someone like you can reach, you better think clearly. People should aim high; nothing beats high status." Qiao Yuxian raised her eyebrow, not wanting to say more to him, simply stating: "A little reminder for Young Master Jiang. Women have legs and can walk themselves to greater heights. How high I want to stand, I decide." After speaking, she walked towards the door. Jiang Shouzhuo straightened and blocked her way. Qiao Yuxian stopped and looked at him. Jiang Shouzhuo said, "You want to leave?" "Move," Qiao Yuxian said coldly. "We stay here for an hour, and then you leave with messy clothes," Jiang Shouzhuo remarked leisurely, "I’ll send out the surveillance. You guess... what will people say?" Qiao Yuxian’s expression turned cold. "Two conditions. If you really have a boyfriend, break up, be with me. I’ll give you whatever you want. Or, if you’re truly married, spend one night with me, and you can name your price." Jiang Shouzhuo’s gaze fell on her chest. Qiao Yuxian rubbed the book in her hand, suppressing anger, saying, "Move." Jiang Shouzhuo grinned, "Pick one of the two, and I’ll move. Otherwise... it’s an hour from now. I can’t promise what might happen in that hour." As he spoke, he reached for Qiao Yuxian’s collar. Today, Qiao Yuxian wore a shirt with a small collar, open to the sides, revealing some collarbones. She stood there, watching Jiang Shouzhuo’s hand reach for her, and as he was about to touch her, she raised her hand to grab his wrist. Then she turned sideways and tugged hard, dislocating his wrist. Jiang Shouzhuo grunted in pain, immediately clutching his wrist: "Qiao Yuxian! Are you crazy!" Qiao Yuxian glanced at him, ignored him, and moved to open the door. Before her hand could touch the lock, Jiang Shouzhuo’s hand reached again: "Did I fucking say you could leave?" Qiao Yuxian turned sideways, lifted her leg, and kicked him out before he could touch her. With a series of loud crashes. Jiang Shouzhuo was kicked over, knocking down several desks in succession. He sat on the ground, clutching his stomach, trying to hold his waist. But with one hand dislocated, he grimaced, unable to care for anything: "You bitch! You dare hit me! Are you looking for death?"