Chapter 3 Pride

Her aunt and uncle were indeed very busy; she didn't even know what time they returned. When she woke up the next day, the couple had already left again.

A breakfast was left on the table, and a message was left on the phone—

"Xiaxia! I'm sorry, your uncle and I are going to a neighboring province and won't be back until the day after tomorrow. I was planning to rest and spend time with you, but we've been too busy lately and don't have enough transportation capacity. I've left you some money, so ask Xie Sheng to go to the mall with you today to buy some daily necessities."

Pu Xia looked down at the two thousand yuan on the table, along with the hundred-yuan bills of varying condition, and put them away.

She remembered that her mother had said a few extra words when transferring money this morning, which was unusual for her, but really only a few words—

"Have we arrived? Don't neglect your studies, and make up for it in the college entrance exam."

It's not me who will bring you back; you have to find your own way back.

Then a cold, metallic text message notification sounded—

“Your account 1234 received a transfer of RMB 100,000.00 at 08:30 on August 26.”

Pu Xia sighed. You can't find warmth in a dictator.

She quickly tidied herself up, changed out of her pajamas, and prepared to go out shopping.

Before leaving, she glanced at the closed door of the room across the street, completely forgetting what her aunt had said.

The aura between people is a very mysterious thing.

It's rare to hit it off immediately, and it's even rarer for people like them to not get along at first sight.

Pu Xia no longer hoped for a good relationship between the two of them; he only wished for peace and tranquility.

There's not much to see in the shopping malls in the county town; the selection is limited and the styles are outdated, like relics from the last century.

But Pu Xia really lacked too many things. After buying everything on the list, she looked up at the time and realized it was already afternoon. Only then did she realize that she hadn't had lunch yet.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, her stomach growled.

In the past, she would have immediately taken a taxi home and ordered takeout, but the backward reality of Bai County ruthlessly shattered her dreams.

Carrying her bags, she decided to grab a quick bite at a noodle shop on the street.

Unexpectedly, she was so lucky that she bumped into Xie Sheng, who was also having lunch.

It seems her illegitimate brother is a gangster in Bai County, always surrounded by followers. Not only does he have company when watching porn, but he also has even more companions when eating out. Three boys sit on either side of him, and a girl with dyed red hair is propping her chin up and laughing as she talks to him.

"Young lady, you look unfamiliar. What would you like to eat?" the owner greeted her warmly.

This sound also drew the attention of the people at Xie Sheng's table. They initially only glanced at them, but once their eyes fell on Pu Xia, they couldn't look away.

Pu Xia is undeniably well-proportioned, and the short top and skirt she's wearing today... They don't know what kind of BM style it is, they only know that her narrow waist and long, straight legs are exposed, making her both sexy and alluring.

When someone like this appears in Bai County, he attracts attention wherever he goes.

She clearly saw them too; her beautiful, upturned eyes were filled with surprise and a hint of barely perceptible annoyance.

Xie Sheng didn't miss this point. He gave a mocking laugh and continued eating his noodles with his head down.

But the boys sitting next to him couldn't contain themselves.

"When did such a beautiful girl appear here?"

"Tsk, that body is fucking hot."

"Wait a minute, she looks familiar. Brother Sheng! Isn't that your cousin?!"

Upon hearing this, several people immediately looked at Xie Sheng with intense gazes, but since Xie Sheng remained silent, they dared not make any rash moves.

"Hmm..." but we're not familiar with each other.

They didn't give him a chance to finish speaking and immediately waved in Pu Xia's direction.

"Cousin, sit here!"

Xie Sheng: ......

A bunch of bastards.

Pu Xia never expected that this group would take the initiative to greet him, so he had to stop in his tracks as he was about to leave.

She stepped over, looked at the seat they had given up next to Xie Sheng, hesitated for a moment, and then sat down.

"What's your cousin eating?" the boss asked, still focused on his work.

“Beef noodles, please,” the boy who had seen her at home that day replied immediately. “Cousin, beef noodles are fine, right? Their beef noodles are the best.”

Pu Xia nodded and sat there quietly without saying a word, showing no discomfort at his overly enthusiastic attitude.

The advances of the opposite sex were already a habit for her; she was often fawned over and showered with attention—that was normal for her. In her eyes, Xie Sheng's disdain was what made her an oddball.

"Cousin, are you here to buy something? Why didn't you say so earlier? I know this place very well. My name is Zhou Yuhao, remember to look for me next time, okay?"

"You keep calling me 'cousin' so affectionately, but did Brother Sheng say anything?" Someone sneered from the side and elbowed him in the chest.

Xie Sheng had finished eating. He was leaning on the table with one hand and tapping the surface lightly with his fingers with the other, openly sizing up Pu Xia.

She sat with her back very straight and her hands on her knees, seemingly proper, but actually hiding a strong will, like the group of stray cats downstairs, creatures that remain proud even in their downfall, and whose claws might be revealed if you're not careful.

paw.

His gaze fell on Pu Xia's wrist. She must have been carrying something heavy, because there were several red marks on her slender arm. Perhaps because she was so fair-skinned, the marks were quite striking.

Xie Sheng suddenly thought of the bondage videos he had seen before, and couldn't help but stick his tongue against his back teeth, a surge of lust rising within him.

-

Being watched while eating is very stressful, especially with Xie Sheng sitting next to you.

Pu Xia only ate a couple of bites before putting down her chopsticks. "I'm full. I'm going back now."

"Hey cousin, will you be full from eating so little?"

That's why people say someone is thin.

"Maybe they're just used to good food and don't like the beef noodles you recommended." These words, laced with sarcasm, came from the red-haired girl who had been joking with Xie Sheng earlier.

She was already very dissatisfied with this cousin who had appeared out of nowhere, and then Pu Xia acted so indifferently, which made her even more disgusted.

I couldn't help myself and my words were a bit barbed.

Pu Xia doesn't cause trouble, but that doesn't mean she has no temper. Seeing that someone wasn't welcoming her, she wasn't flustered. She just glanced at the red-haired girl and said indifferently, "You're indeed used to eating good food."

Then she smiled at Zhou Yuhao and said, "But the beef noodles taste pretty good, thanks for the recommendation."

After saying that, she got up, paid the bill, picked up her things, and left without looking back.

"Brother Sheng, your cousin has a rather arrogant temper."

"She looks quiet and gentle, but she seems quite difficult to deal with once you get to know her."

"Just act like a little princess, and everyone has to fawn over you."

"Hehe, I don't think so. My cousin just smiled and thanked me."

......

Several people present couldn't help but roll their eyes after hearing this. That person was just smiling at you; it was purely out of politeness, okay?

Xie Sheng lazily propped his head up and listened to their conversation.

I thought to myself, "She's quite arrogant."

Her pointed, narrow chin seemed to be held high to the sky, and her upturned eyes were both beautiful and aloof. She could look people in the eye at eye level, but she always looked down at them.

As he thought about it, Pu Xia's delicate arm and the red marks on it that looked just like bloodstains appeared in his mind.

An indescribable impulse surged in his eyes. He touched his forehead with his hand and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

I don't know if she's difficult to deal with. But that haughty demeanor really makes you want to pull her down, then press her down hard, pinch her chin, and teach her what it means to look up to someone.

"Yeah, he really needs to be... disciplined."

He paused halfway through his sentence and then used a more polite word.