Chapter 45 Student Spirit

When he said this, he had a nonchalant and carefree expression, just like a typical playboy.

“Now I understand,” Xia Qingwan turned her face to look him straight in the eyes and said softly, “You don’t want to be a vagrant, you want to be a tyrant.”

Ye Peixiu smiled, his gaze meeting hers steadily, "...Then what are you?"

"I?"

She tilted her head as if to think carefully, and after a few seconds, she came up with a very serious answer: "...I am the kind of seemingly kind and compliant, but actually a wicked concubine who fears nothing more than a peaceful world."

Although it was said in jest, the discussions about her in the industry were actually quite similar, only the words were a bit harsher.

Ye Peixiu looked at her intently, "Mine?"

She feigned surprise, feigning innocence, "Does a 'femme fatale' have to belong to only one person from beginning to end? Wouldn't that make her a virtuous concubine?"

Ye Peixiu laughed at her words and pinched her cheek, saying, "You little rascal."

"Would you like to walk with me?"

"Walk."

Ye Peixiu stubbed out his cigarette, patted her waist, and she smoothly got up.

The waiter was already standing at the door with coats, helping them put them on.

Walking through the alley under an umbrella, Ye Peixiu put an arm around her shoulder, lifted his hand off her shoulder, and pinched her cheek. "Do you have something to say to me, or do you just want to walk with me in the rain?"

Xia Qingwan looked up at him and said in a serious tone, "I have a question for you."

"ask."

Ye Peixiu looked ahead, then gently rubbed her shoulder, signaling her to relax and ask whatever she wanted.

She stopped in her tracks.

Ye Peixiu stopped in his tracks, looked down at her, and asked, "Hmm?"

Xia Qingwan put her hands through his coat and hugged his waist. She looked up from his embrace and blinked her eyes. "If I said... I could apply to move out of the dormitory next semester, would you welcome me to live in Ye Garden?"

It was rare for her to act so coquettishly with him. Her expression of innocence and expectation was so innocent that it almost made her heart stop.

Ye Peixiu held his breath and said, "...I didn't hear you clearly, what did you say?"

He clearly heard it!

Xia Qingwan simply put her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe, and got close to his face, speaking word by word, "I, say--"

At this point, Ye Peixiu had already touched her forehead provocatively, kissed her, and said, "Hmm? What did you say?"

His voice lowered and became husky, and his dark eyes fixed intently on her.

The look in his eyes was exactly the same as when he first saw her in Ye Yuan's study—a look brimming with unspoken tension.

Xia Qingwan didn't say anything, but tiptoed and kissed his lips.

Ye Peixiu turned his face to meet her kiss.

The man's gleaming leather shoes were half-stepping on the thin layer of water.

On a cold, rainy night, in a quiet, desolate alley, the yellow glow of streetlights reflected in the puddles on the road. The rain pattered down, shattering the city's dream.

-

It took two days to complete the check-out procedures.

When Xia Qingwan made up her mind to move to Ye Garden, she was a little uneasy. It felt a bit like knowing that there was a cliff not far ahead, but instead she started running wildly towards it.

After actually moving in and leaving the dorm, I didn't have time to worry about those things anymore.

My heart and eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation.

After the start of spring, the weather is still chilly despite the warming trend.

Lately, Ye Peixiu has turned down many dinner invitations. Work-related social obligations and personal relationships are unavoidable, so what he's giving up are the evening dinners with friends at the club.

Sheng Junchi joked in front of him, "Pei Xiu has been having a good time lately." He also had a pleasant expression, lit a cigarette, and said with a smile, "If you know, stop bothering me."

Her face was beaming with joy, as if she had returned to the age of 18.

Back home, Sheng Junchi brought this up with Lin Xiangyu, who sighed and said, "Qingwan is a very loving person." Although she herself hadn't received much love growing up, "She has a good temper and personality, and always speaks gently. She must have made Mr. Ye feel like he was in heaven! She also has refined taste and elegant manners. Mr. Ye must have lived like a god with her!"

As if remembering something, Lin Xiangyu added, her tone somewhat like someone watching a show, "I think Mr. Ye will probably have a hard time finding someone like Qingwan again in the future, and his life is going to be difficult."

These words made Sheng Junchi laugh out loud. "You're so wrong. Old Ye can't find anyone good? Everyone is just there to be chosen by him. Whether they work out or not, they'll all be completely obedient to him."

Lin Xiangyu glanced at him sideways, half-jokingly saying, "Yeah, people like you have no shortage of women, especially women who are well-behaved, obedient, and come from well-known families."

After this topic, both of them fell into a strange silence.

They probably thought of themselves.

Sheng Junchi then realized that he had said the wrong thing.

He sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette, while Lin Xiangyu stood beside the coffee table, looking down at his cell phone.

After taking a few puffs, Sheng Junchi slowly looked her up and down, then playfully hooked her leg with his foot, saying, "Come here."

She dodged him and snapped, "Why can't you satisfy your hunger?"

She simply threw her phone on the sofa and said, "I'm going to take a shower."

Sheng Junchi sat down and continued to smoke a few more puffs of his cigarette, about half of it, then he put it out and went to the bathroom.

In the steaming shower room, he coaxed her gently, "I think Xiaoyu is also a girl who knows how to love."

Lin Xiangyu ignored him, feeling a pang of melancholy.

-

Because of the need to handle the property distribution procedures, Xia Qingwan had to meet with Xia Mingzhou almost every two days throughout March.

By the end of March, everything was finally sorted out, and all the relevant personnel gathered at the old house, sitting on the sofas as the lawyer explained the terms and details.

Grandma Xi has a share of the property, accounting for 10% of the total, which is also a considerable amount.

After reading the details, the lawyer closed the document and said, "If there are no problems, please take some time to come to the law firm this afternoon and sign and confirm together."

Of course, Xia Qingwan and Xia Mingzhou had no problem. Xia Changliu was silent for a moment and asked, "Where is my mother's jadeite bracelet?"

The lawyer immediately opened the documents and took out two photos. "...These two jade bracelets? One for you and one for Xia Changping. They were just read aloud."

"No," the two items mentioned in the detailed list were also of rare species, but only the jadeite and white jade bracelet was a family heirloom and had special significance. Xia Changliu looked at Xia Qingwan's wrist and raised his chin slightly, "...that one."

"Previously made gifts are not included in the details of this property distribution. If you have any objections, you can call Grandma Xia—"

The lawyer was about to explain when Xia Changliu interrupted, "Never mind, I was just asking."

When Xia Changliu got married, Xia Huiqing also gave her a lot of dowry. If you really divide it up carefully, it is not certain who got more.

Thus, after the signing in the afternoon, the distribution of the Xia family's property was finalized.

A few days later, Xia Mingzhou and Xia Changliu came several times to move things, including items from the old house, the bank vault, and some stocks and funds. In just two weeks, they completed all the necessary procedures.

The bridge is the bridge and the road is the road.

When Xia Qingwan returned to the old house after that, she found that almost all the antiques and furnishings had been moved out.

The back door leading to the backyard was open, and a breeze blew through, causing the corner of the calendar hanging in the entrance hall to curl up and rustle in the wind.

Following her grandmother's instructions, she transferred the payment for the villa in the suburbs of Shaoping to Ye Peixiu.

Ye Peixiu's phone popped up a notification when the transfer was received.

He lowered his eyes and looked at the lines for a while.

Before leaving get off work, he called Wang Jingzi to his office.

Wang Jingzi pushed the door open and saw Ye Peixiu standing in front of the French window with his back to the window, one hand in his pocket. The western sky outside the window was ablaze, a brilliant sunset spreading across the sky in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows... It was so lively that it seemed as if it were celebrating the peace of this prosperous era.

"Mr. Ye."

Ye Peixiu said, "Do me a favor."

He gave detailed instructions as he walked back, sat down on the sofa, and lit a cigarette.

He was halfway through smoking, his arm resting on the armrest, the cigarette burning quietly between his fingers. The reddish light was reflected in the afterglow outside the window through the clear window glass.

"Don't let her know now. Wait until," he paused for a moment before continuing, "...when that day comes, then you can go and personally hand all this to her and explain clearly to her that this is my sincere gift."

Logically, Wang Jingzi should have smiled and comforted Ye Peixiu at this moment, saying, "That's impossible, you're overthinking it." But such empty words would only sound jarring at this moment. He steadied himself and said, "...Okay, I understand, I will definitely do it."

Ye Peixiu raised the hand holding the cigarette and said, "Go get busy."

He seemed very tired.

-

After work, I went to Peking University Library to pick up Xia Qingwan for dinner.

The Maybach stopped outside the library. After a while, Xia Qingwan came out of the revolving door, looking around. When he came to her, Ye Peixiu smiled, held her face with one hand, and bent down to kiss her.

"Where are we going to eat today?"

She also seemed to be in high spirits and in a good mood.

The two were talking when they heard a clear voice from afar, "Wang Jingzi!"

The three people beside the car turned their heads and saw Pei Meizhu trotting towards them from the other end of the road, her long curly hair fluttering in the spring breeze.

That's really interesting.

The first time we met after the New Year, the person I called wasn't Xia Qingwan, my little sister, nor Ye Peixiu, my cousin, but Wang Jingzi, who was the most unrelated person to me.

A subtle meaning flickered in Ye Peixiu's eyes. He turned his gaze to Wang Jingzi, who immediately understood. He looked away and nodded slightly to Pei Meizhu, "Miss Meizhu."

"How many times have I told you, call my name!"

Pei Meizhu frowned and said something to him, then she found time to greet Ye Peixiu and Xia Qingwan.

Ye Peixiu looked at her, then at Wang Jingzi, and said with a cryptic smile, "...When did you become so familiar with Wang Jingzi?"

These words, seemingly directed at Pei Meizhu, were actually an interrogation of Wang Jingzi.

Pei Meizhu tossed her hair triumphantly, "This young lady is charming," she said, then winked at Wang Jingzi, "Little Wang Jingzi, I've got him!"

Wang Jingzi had a polite smile on his face.

A few people stood there and talked for a few words, sending the chattering Pei Meizhu away. As soon as they got in the car, Wang Jingzi turned around from the driver's seat and apologized to Ye Peixiu.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ye, Ms. Meizhu and I—"

He hesitated, then stopped abruptly, as if he didn't know what to say. Even Secretary Wang, who always acted with discretion and flexibility, sometimes ran out of words.

Ye Peixiu remained calm, glancing at him with a raised eyebrow, "What's going on between you and Meizhu?"

“We’re nothing. She didn’t dare to bother you, so she asked me to do things a few times.”

Ye Peixiu remained unmoved, and said with a cold laugh, "If there's nothing, why are you explaining?"

Xia Qingwan had never seen him so arrogant and cold before, and it felt extremely oppressive.

She held her breath and dared not move.

Wang Jingzi paused for a moment, then said, "I know what I'm doing, don't worry."

Ye Peixiu looked at his expression for a moment and said calmly, "...I know you know your limits, but Meizhu has no limits." He looked into his eyes, "...If my mother or the Pei family knew about this, I wouldn't be able to protect you either, you know?"

Ye Peixiu said this with the intention of testing the waters, so his words were inevitably a bit exaggerated.

Wang Jingzi nodded, "I understand."

This answer was exactly what Ye Peixiu had expected.

He didn't say anything more.

It was a dinner party with friends, and the same group of friends who had gathered for the last Chinese New Year were also there.

Sheng Junchi had instigated Ye Peixiu several times, threatening to "drag him out of his boudoir." A few days ago, a group of friends stormed into Ye's garden. At that time, Ye Peixiu and Xia Qingwan were kissing on the sofa in the living room. Upon hearing the report from the security guard at the door, Ye Peixiu simply said, "Tell them all to get lost."

After being turned away, the group decided to return the favor by inviting Ye Peixiu to a meal.

This time, none of the friends brought their girlfriends; Xia Qingwan was the only girl present.

Ye Peixiu was first forced to drink a few glasses of wine.

The meal was intermittent and was interrupted from time to time by urging people to drink.

Ye Peixiu temporarily left his seat, sat on the sofa, and lit a cigarette.

Xia Qingwan walked to his side with a water glass, and he pulled her around the waist and pressed her onto his lap.

There are so many people. She subconsciously glanced around the private rooms.

Ye Peixiu said with a smile, "We are all acquaintances, there is nothing to be afraid of."

He had a slight hint of drunkenness in his eyes and brows, making him appear even more dashing than usual.

Holding her waist with one hand, he leaned against the sofa, and rested his hand holding the cigarette on the back of the sofa. Occasionally he raised his hand to take a puff, exuding a sexy and intoxicated look.

She leaned over to his ear and whispered, "Just now in the car, you were so fierce."

Ye Peixiu paused for a moment, then smiled gently, "Is that so?"

People who are used to being high and mighty can scare others into silence with just a cold glance, just like just now at the dinner table, a friend was talking about gossip about someone in the circle, and he kept talking. Ye Peixiu just glanced over, and the person immediately stopped talking.

Yes, there is.

It was quite different from the time when he got angry at her in Beiguanfang Hutong.

That time, his emotions were revealed. He showed his anger very clearly, but just now when he was questioning Wang Jingzi in the car, he was calm and collected.

She had a feeling that perhaps the latter was more typical of his daily life.

She chose her words carefully and asked, "Is there anything going on between Wang Jingzi and Meizhu?"

"Maybe," otherwise Wang Jingzi wouldn't be so unnatural, "...but Wang Jingzi knows his limits and won't let things get out of hand."

"Because the Pei family won't agree?"

"Having a relationship shouldn't be a problem," Ye Peixiu said with a faint smile, "but Meizhu will definitely get scolded."

Xia Qingwan smiled at this moment and said lightly, "You're in the same situation, aren't you?"

Ye Peixiu paused, looked at her quietly, and did not respond immediately.

She was dressed very student-like today, in a black straight miniskirt, paired with thin stockings and small leather shoes, and a soft gray knitted cardigan. Her long hair was half tied up, her eyes were clear, and her temperament was gentle and calm.

When she looked at him, there was a subtle attachment, admiration and desire in her eyes, and her whole person seemed even more cold and lustful.

The longer the silence lasted, the faster Xia Qingwan's heart beat.

Panic and anxiety.

She started to get up and said, "I'll go get a glass of——"

Ye Peixiu put his arm around her waist and pulled her back. He put out his cigarette, laughed, and said, "I did get scolded by the old man a few times, but, Qingwan," he looked at her steadily and said, "Everything depends on human effort."

Xia Qingwan felt as if a wilderness wind was whistling through her heart.

She knew that for a man as upright and honorable as him, those four simple words were his promise.

She said half-jokingly, "Mr. Ye, you've taught me so many profound principles." She counted on her fingers, "...to enjoy the innocence of childhood, to do all the mundane things in life, and to believe that anything is possible with human effort."

"If you really want to say that," Ye Peixiu said in a serious tone, "I think you taught me all of this."

"So, we're each other's teachers then?" She immediately held out her hand, palm up, mimicking his gesture from before. "And the tuition?"

Ye Peixiu smiled and kissed her cheek, "I'll hand it over tonight."

Sheng Junchi, who happened to be walking by, overheard these two sentences.

He stopped in his tracks, a knowing smile on his face. "Oh, is it time to call it a day?"

Ye Peixiu raised his wrist to check his watch; it was indeed getting late.

Xia Qingwan was, after all, a young girl. How could she not be flustered and flustered when her friend overheard such romantic words? Her face was red, but she forced herself to remain calm and did not lose her composure. She drank the water from Ye Peixiu's cup from his hand.

"Hey, you can't drink this—"

Completely unprepared, she thought it was just water. The wine was very mild, so she gulped down a large mouthful, and the alcohol hit her immediately. Before Ye Peixiu could finish speaking, her face turned red at a visible speed, and she coughed while clutching her chest.

Ye Peixiu put down the wine glass and patted her on the back. Sheng Junchi immediately handed her a glass of water. Ye Peixiu took it and fed it to her.

She held it in her hand and drank it, then raised her eyes, her eye circles red from coughing, "Why is it wine?"

Ye Peixiu started cursing Sheng Junchi.

Like a parent who is overly protective of their child, if someone teases their child and accidentally makes the child cry, they immediately turn hostile and scold them.

Sheng Junchi clasped his hands together in apology, "It's my fault, it's my fault, I came at the wrong time."

Xia Qingwan is the kind of person who can get drunk even from beer. After half a glass of strong liquor, she immediately felt lightheaded and unsteady.

Ye Peixiu picked her up, put one hand under her legs and the other around her waist and back, and walked out of the private room.

Sheng Junchi felt guilty, so he trotted ahead to clear the way and opened the car door before Wang Jingzi, with one hand resting on top of the door.

Ye Peixiu carried Xia Qingwan from the front yard to the parking lot.

She leaned close to his neck and whispered, "Mr. Ye."

"You've had too much to drink and don't recognize me?"

Ye Peixiu smiled and lowered his head.

"know."

She spoke clearly and crisply, "I'm not drunk."

Ye Peixiu's smile deepened.

She was reflecting, her words sounding very clear and calm. "I was impulsive and lost my composure," she paused, "Besides, what difference would it make if someone heard me? It wasn't me who said those words..."

At this point, she realized, "Oh right, you said it yourself, you should be the one to drink the penalty shot."

Ye Peixiu laughed non-stop and coaxed me, "Okay, okay, go back and punish me by making me drink."

His Adam's apple vibrated when he laughed, and Xia Qingwan was attracted by it and reached out to touch it.

She looked up at him as if playing with a toy, "Say something, and I'll see if it moves?"

Ye Peixiu put her in the car and went around to the other side to sit down.

Before the car door was even closed, she had already twisted and climbed onto him, and Wang Jingzi in the front seat quickly reached out and raised the partition.

The Maybach drove onto the main road.

In the back seat, Xia Qingwan half-reclined in Ye Peixiu's arms, her hand stubbornly touching his Adam's apple again, expectantly asking, "Say something?"

Ye Peixiu lowered his eyes to look at her and said quietly, "I love you."

"Wow," Xia Qingwan exclaimed, "It's really vibrating."

She added, "Are you hot? I'm so hot."

"Take off a shirt?"

He discussed it with her in a low voice.

She nodded, and he helped her take off her cardigan, leaving her wearing only a tank top.

Her smooth, jade-like shoulders shimmered in the fleeting light outside the car window, and her curves were fully revealed as she nestled in his arms. Ye Peixiu pressed down and kissed her.

He slid his palm up the stockings inch by inch.

After drinking, her breathing became even more uneven during the kiss. When the kiss paused slightly, she grabbed his shirt collar, breathing softly. Her gaze met his eyes, and she smiled, her eyebrows curving, and sweetly called him, "Ye Peixiu."

-----------------------

The author has something to say: Qing Wan drinks too much and becomes a sweetheart