Chapter 423 I already told you, I've reformed.

"Try touching him!" a low growl came from behind.

Just then, Xibei arrived in time. Fueled by alcohol, she slammed an empty beer bottle onto the table, breaking the bottom with a crack. Holding the pointed bottle, she pointed it at the drunkard, her eyes sharp. "Today I'll show you what it means to be a woman who is just as capable as any man."

Xie Nanzhi quickly stepped forward, pulled the two terrified girls behind her, and gently comforted them, "Don't be afraid, we're here, we won't let anything happen to you."

Seeing that the other side had more people, and that Zhou Mubin looked like someone not to be trifled with, while Xi Bei seemed ready to fight to the death, the two drunkards, having sobered up considerably, hesitated to lower their bottles.

Zhou Mubin seized the opportunity to step forward, snatched the bottle from the drunkard's hand, and casually placed it on the table next to him. "Get out of here right now. If you really make me angry, you two will be in big trouble."

The two drunkards exchanged a glance, cursed, packed their things, and left.

Only after their figures disappeared from the barbecue restaurant entrance did Zhou Mubin turn to look at the two girls, and then asked one of them in a gentle tone, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

This girl was none other than Miao Miao, who was being sponsored by Zhou Mubin.

Miao Miao shook her head repeatedly and bowed gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Zhou, thank you, sisters. I really don't know what I would have done without you."

Xie Nanzhi immediately put away her fierceness and patted Miao Miao on the shoulder, "It's good that you're alright. Try not to stay out too late in the future, and don't get into conflicts with strangers."

Xibei also handed Miaomiao a tissue so she could wipe her tears.

After calming them down and sending them off, the three of them sat back down at the table, the atmosphere still tense from before.

Xi Bei broke the silence first, raising her beer bottle at Zhou Mubin, "Not bad, Attorney Zhou, that was cool just now, you got your kidneys for nothing."

Zhou Mubin rolled his eyes at her, picked up a grilled kidney and took a big bite. "That's right, I'm a real man, I don't rely on these things to put on a show."

Xie Nanzhi watched the two of them start bickering again and smiled helplessly, "Alright, stop joking around."

After a pause, Xie Nanzhi finally asked the question that had been on her mind, "Old Zhou, do you know that girl from earlier?"

Xi Bei then remembered and quickly put down his beer. "If Nan Zhi hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't have noticed. That girl called you Brother Zhou. So you know her? Could she be one of your many lovers?"

Zhou Mubin frowned. "What are you thinking? I've already told you, I've reformed."

Xie Nanzhi raised an eyebrow, sensing that things weren't so simple. She looked Zhou Mubin up and down. "Old Zhou, that girl's eyes and eyebrows are very similar to Cui Xiao's. You should think carefully about what you should and shouldn't do."

Xibei suddenly realized, "I knew she looked familiar! You know what, she really does resemble Cui Xiao. Old Zhou, you absolutely mustn't get any 'similar beauty' nonsense. Think about what happened to Nan Zhi's scumbag ex-husband, think about Jian Yao..."

Suddenly, Zhou Mubin had a sudden realization.

He looked at Xie Nanzhi expectantly, "Nanzhi, I really didn't mean to find a fake, let me tell you the truth..."

Zhou Mubin told them in detail how he met Miaomiao and everything that had happened between them.

After hearing this, Xibei exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, you even sponsored her schooling? Old Zhou, aren't you leaving yourself a way out?"

Zhou Mubin: "You're overthinking it. I don't think that way."

Xie Nanzhi: "You may not think that way, but that's what we think. What do you think Cui Xiao would think if she knew?"

Zhou Mubin became mute.

He downed a whole glass of beer, sorting out his thoughts. "Isn't this troublesome?"

Xibei complained, "Old Zhou, you're a womanizer, are you a peacock?"

——

Miao Miao's heart was still pounding all the way, the thrill of the previous encounter and the image of Zhou Mubin rushing out of the way kept replaying in her mind.

As soon as she entered the dormitory, her roommate, who had come with her earlier, crowded around her with gossip in her eyes. "Miaomiao, that handsome guy who saved you earlier was so manly! And good-looking too. Could he be your boyfriend?"

Miao Miao's face flushed red instantly, and she quickly waved her hands to deny it, "Don't talk nonsense, Brother Zhou is not my boyfriend, he... he is just a kind older brother who sponsors my schooling."

"The older brother who sponsors your schooling?" My roommate raised an eyebrow, leaned closer, and gave a meaningful smile. "I don't believe there could be such a kind man. He's not only spending money and effort, but he also risked his life to save you just now. He must have something on his mind about you. Maybe he's already had his eye on you and is deliberately using the guise of sponsoring you to get close to you. This 'hero saves the damsel in distress' act today was just to win your favor."

Miao Miao's cheeks flushed with anxiety, and she pushed her roommate away. "Don't think of him as such a dirty person. Brother Zhou is really a good person. He's just simple and kind. He has never made any demands on me."

“Not making any requests doesn’t mean he has no ideas.” My roommate leaned against the edge of the bed with her arms crossed, slowly analyzing, “Think about it, you’re so beautiful, and you’re the most beautiful girl in our department. So many boys are drooling over your looks. Isn’t it normal for him to be attracted to you? Besides, the way he looked at you just now was clearly caring, not the kind of politeness you show to ordinary recipients of financial aid.”

Miao Miao's heart skipped a beat at what he said, and Zhou Mubin's gentle appearance and his upright back as he stood in front of her just now involuntarily appeared in her mind.

She quickly shook her head to clear her mind of those thoughts. "Anyway, it's not what you think. Brother Zhou has his own career and must be surrounded by many outstanding heiresses. Why would he be interested in me?"

My roommate pursed her lips and didn't argue further, but just smiled and said, "Fine, I won't argue with you. But I think that handsome guy definitely has feelings for you. You should get to know him better in the future, maybe you can really develop a relationship. Don't miss out on such a good man."

Miao Miao didn't say anything, but silently walked to the desk and sat down, her mind a complete mess.

Her roommate's words were like a pebble, stirring up ripples in her heart.

Just then, her phone suddenly vibrated on the corner of the table. The words "Brother Zhou" flashing on the screen made her heart tighten, and she subconsciously answered the call.

Zhou Mubin's voice came through the receiver, completely different from when he stood in front of her at the barbecue restaurant. His voice was sharp, "Miaomiao, have you arrived at the dormitory safely?"

Miao Miao tightened her grip on the phone slightly and replied softly, "It's Zhou Ge's turn. Thank you so much for today."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. Zhou Mubin's voice carried a hint of hesitation, "Miaomiao, there's something I need to tell you. Starting this month, I won't be sending you living expenses anymore. If you have any difficulties with your tuition fees, I can help you apply for a scholarship."