Chapter Forty-Three: Throwing Caution to the Wind

The weather in June shifts as quickly as a child’s moods. In the morning, the sky had been clear, radiant with sunlight, but by noon, clouds had gathered, threatening rain. Qiangzi drove at a leisurely pace, following Xiao Yu and her companions, when suddenly the sky darkened. Thunder rolled across the horizon, and raindrops, large as beans, came crashing down almost instantly.

“Catch up, quick!” Chu Dong, who had been half-reclining, sat up abruptly, watching the four ahead scramble in chaos, clearly unprepared for the downpour.

With a slight acceleration, the flower-decorated car drew up beside Xiao Yu and the others. Chu Dong flung open the door and leapt out. "Get in the car, hurry!"

“No, I won’t!” Xiao Yu was stubborn, clutching Xiao Rou’s arm, her lips pursed, refusing to move. Her bangs, drenched by rain, clung to her forehead, and her thin dress was soaked through.

Zhu Dawei exchanged a troubled glance with Four-Eyes. They longed for their leader, Xiao Yu, to be sensible, but seeing her resolve, they knew she was determined to stand her ground against Chu Dong.

“You can ride the bus. I think rain makes for a perfect excursion—it’s romantic.” Xiao Yu spread her arms, tilting her head back as if welcoming a baptism, clearly resolved to ignore Chu Dong.

With Xiao Yu’s decision, Zhu Dawei and Four-Eyes dashed toward the bus, which had stopped abruptly in the rain. Xiao Rou finally managed to find a sun umbrella in her bag, holding it over Xiao Yu, offering scant shelter from the wind and rain.

“Get in the car!” Chu Dong wiped rain from his face and shouted, worried for the little girl who had come with him. If she fell ill from the rain, Tan Xue would surely make him pay dearly.

“No, I won’t!” Xiao Yu heard the urgency in Chu Dong’s voice and ducked behind Xiao Rou.

Caught between conflicting feelings, Xiao Rou hesitated. Earlier, Chu Dong’s flirtatiousness had angered her, but her gentle nature left her uncertain how to reprimand him. Now, with the rain intensifying, she couldn’t leave Xiao Yu behind, nor could she bring herself to enter Chu Dong’s car. The small umbrella in her hand wavered helplessly in the storm; it protected only their heads, while her dress was already drenched.

Chu Dong, also soaked, felt a surge of irritation at Xiao Yu’s obstinacy. He strode forward and, with a sweep of his arm, lifted the huddled Xiao Rou and Xiao Yu and forced them into the car.

“Ah…” Xiao Rou’s startled cry was muffled by the rain. Her waist was gripped tightly by strong arms, leaving her powerless to resist. The masculine scent enveloped her, and her cheeks flushed deeply.

Xiao Yu, unconcerned, kicked and struggled, causing Chu Dong no small amount of trouble. As she was shoved into the car, she pinched his arm fiercely.

Once inside, Chu Dong shivered, soaked to the bone. He turned on the heater and, after some rummaging, produced a hair dryer as if by magic, handing it over.

Xiao Yu, still sulking, turned her back. Xiao Rou hesitated, her long lashes fluttering, stealing a glance at Chu Dong before quickly averting her gaze and accepting the hair dryer.

Of the three, only Xiao Yu’s upper half remained dry. Xiao Rou, having shielded Xiao Yu from the rain, was completely soaked; her pale blue dress now clung to her body, accentuating her graceful curves.

Chu Dong swallowed audibly, covertly studying the two women while they remained unaware of his appreciative gaze. He turned to the minibar, searching for a bottle of vodka to ward off the chill.

Xiao Rou hadn’t noticed Chu Dong’s gaze, but instinctively crossed her arms over her chest and shifted Xiao Yu’s body, intent on drying her clothes first.

“Let me do it, Teacher Xiao. I’m fine.” Xiao Yu rolled her eyes, glaring fiercely at Chu Dong’s back, took the hair dryer, and began drying Xiao Rou’s hair. Her long, slightly wavy hair shone with a glossy black, and Xiao Yu, carefree as ever, admired it. “Teacher Xiao, your hair doesn’t even have split ends.”

“Chu Dong, may I ask Teacher Xiao’s full name…” Much time had passed as the clothes dried, and Chu Dong, warmed by his own body heat, reached out to introduce himself to Xiao Rou.

“How old-fashioned. Do you think you’re charming?” Xiao Yu slapped his hand away, pulled Xiao Rou closer, and raised her chin in challenge.

Chu Dong, never one to feel embarrassment, leaned in. “Teacher Xiao doesn’t look very old…”

Xiao Yu realized her brother-in-law was not only flirtatious but thick-skinned. She sat herself firmly between the two, shoving Chu Dong toward the back. “Pig skin is thick all year round; I wonder if there’s anything besides skin on your face. Didn’t you see Teacher Xiao wants nothing to do with you?”

“So are we just going to sit here? The rain doesn’t seem to be letting up. Let’s talk about life, about dreams.” Chu Dong put on a serious face.

Xiao Rou looked out the window. The flowers on the glass had long since been washed away, and the rain drummed against the panes, merging into rivulets that made it impossible to see outside.

“I wonder how the other two cars are doing?” she said anxiously, knowing she bore responsibility for the students, most of whom came from influential backgrounds. Her brows knitted, her cheeks reddened further from Chu Dong’s earlier words.

“Just call them and find out, don’t worry.” Xiao Yu fished Chu Dong’s phone from his pocket, wiped off the water, and dialed Zhu Dawei.

“How’s it going over there? Any trouble?” The leader spoke with authority.

“All’s well. The driver says we’ll wait for the rain to stop before heading down the mountain.” Zhu Dawei recognized Xiao Yu’s voice and answered quickly.

“No need to worry, everything’s fine.” Xiao Yu smiled sweetly, then noticed Chu Dong had sidled over again and pushed him away. “Thick-skinned.”

Xiao Rou wasn’t local; after graduation, her skills earned her a position at this elite school. She rarely interacted with outsiders, and Chu Dong’s boldness and thick skin were entirely new to her. Now, sheltered under a roof, she could only blush and hold tightly to Xiao Yu’s hand, head bowed, silent.

Boring, utterly boring. Chu Dong reclined, hands behind his head, and sighed, “The beauty rolls her beaded curtain and sits deep, brows furrowed. Tears stain her face, but whom does her heart resent?”

Girls loved beauty. Chu Dong was not unattractive—tall and elegant, with a touch of charm. His earlier display, carrying them into the car, had been forceful but not overstepping, his mischief confined to words. Watching his exaggerated manner, Xiao Rou covered her mouth, turning away to hide a laugh. Her anger over his feigned unconsciousness had faded.

“One smile topples a city, and another—” Chu Dong continued, quoting poetry.

“Another, and you’d lose your soul. Teacher, since he’s performed well, let’s not take his life.” Xiao Yu interjected.