Qi Chuyao's expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of displeasure.
Zhang Yanli.
Qi Chuyao's college classmate.
For a long time, Zhang Yanli had envied Qi Chuyao for her good looks.
She had once thrown herself at a campus heartthrob who secretly liked Qi Chuyao, and had even confessed her feelings to Qi Chuyao, only to be rejected.
This made Zhang Yanli bitterly resent Qi Chuyao, and she rarely missed a chance to mock and ostracize her in daily life.
When Zhang Yanli's boyfriend, Wang Zhi, saw Qi Chuyao, his eyes locked onto her like a wolf eyeing its prey.
This chick is gorgeous.
She's miles better than the slut I've got beside me.
"Chuyao, I heard your dad has been sick lately?" Zhang Yanli asked.
"That has nothing to do with you," Qi Chuyao said coldly.
Zhang Yanli said sarcastically, "It really doesn't have anything to do with me, but I remember your mom died a long time ago, didn't she?"
"If your dad dies now too, you'll be a complete orphan."
"How pathetic!"
Rage flared in Qi Chuyao's eyes, and she said with displeasure, "My dad's illness has already been cured, so don't you worry about it."
Zhang Yanli looked at Qi Chuyao with disdain and continued, "I've heard for a long time that your dad was on his deathbed and not far from the grave."
"And yet you still have the mood to go shopping. How unfilial."
"Are you doing this hoping to anger your dad back to life?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she covered her mouth and let out an unbridled, mocking laugh.
Consumed by fury and finally reaching her limit, Qi Chuyao snapped, "Zhang Yanli, watch your mouth!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yanli rolled her eyes and sneered, "I'll say whatever I want. What's it to you?"
Qi Chuyao's chest heaved with anger, and her fury surged.
Just then, Chen Xiao walked out of the fitting room, wearing a loose T-shirt and a baseball cap.
Zhang Yanli glanced at Chen Xiao and asked, "Don't tell me he's your boyfriend?"
"No, I'm her fiancé."
With that, Chen Xiao walked over to Qi Chuyao's side.
Zhang Yanli couldn't help sneering, "Qi Chuyao, your taste is abysmal."
"Such a scrawny little frame, all show and no substance. Turns out he's just a puny weakling."
Chen Xiao tilted his head and asked, "Chuyao, is she talking trash about me?"
Qi Chuyao said indignantly, "Yes, not only is she talking trash, but she also bullied me while you weren't here."
Hearing this, Chen Xiao's expression instantly turned ice-cold, and he cast an unfriendly glare at Zhang Yanli.
Zhang Yanli's heart skipped a beat, feeling that Chen Xiao's gaze was somewhat terrifying.
"Insulting me is one thing, but bullying my fiancé is going too far!" Chen Xiao said coldly.
Wang Zhi stepped up to Chen Xiao and said viciously, "This is my girlfriend, kid, you'd better behave yourself."
"Don't force me to get physical with you!"
Chen Xiao frowned and demanded, "Are you threatening me?"
Wang Zhi puffed out his chest, his bulging muscles looking quite intimidating.
"A scrawny little punk—yeah, I'm threatening you. What are you going to do about it?"
With that, he arrogantly poked Chen Xiao in the chest with his index finger.
Slap!
Chen Xiao delivered a fierce backhand slap across Wang Zhi's face.
In his presence, he would never tolerate anyone more arrogant than himself.
Wang Zhi clutched his face, nearly tumbling to the ground.
Without wasting words, Chen Xiao followed up with a kick to Wang Zhi's abdomen.
Before Wang Zhi could react, he went flying backward and crashed to the floor, unconscious.
Zhang Yanli and the surrounding sales assistants were all frozen in place, dumbfounded.
This guy is an absolute beast.
Seeing this, Qi Chuyao felt a great deal of satisfaction.
Having such a badass fiancé is wonderful.
When Zhang Yanli finally snapped back to her senses, she realized Chen Xiao was staring right at her, sending a chill down the back of her neck.
"What... what do you want?"
Pointing at Zhang Yanli's face, Chen Xiao said in a cold voice, "Chuyao, raise your hand and slap her face!"
"If she dares to fight back, I'll hit her!"
Zhang Yanli flew into a rage, and just as she was about to let loose a torrent of abuse, she caught sight of Chen Xiao's icy gaze and swallowed the words back out of sheer terror.
Qi Chuyao didn't hesitate. She marched angrily up to Zhang Yanli and delivered a resounding slap to her face.
Slap!
The sound was exceptionally crisp.
"That's for insulting me and my family..."
Clutching her burning cheek, Zhang Yanli shouted angrily, "Qi Chuyao, you..."
Chen Xiao crossed his arms, a cold flash passing through his eyes.
Feeling a piercing glare land on her, Zhang Yanli couldn't help shivering.
Too terrified to make a sound, she shut her mouth once more and hardly dared to breathe.
Shortly after, Chen Xiao and Qi Chuyao left the clothing store.
Staring at their retreating backs, Zhang Yanli said resentfully, "You couple of bastards! Sooner or later, I'll pay that slap back to you tenfold!"
Chen Xiao and Qi Chuyao strolled around the mall a bit longer, bought Chen Xiao a mobile phone along with some other daily necessities, and then left.
"Thank you for standing up for me just now," Qi Chuyao said gratefully.
Chen Xiao smiled lightly. "You're my fiancé, of course I have to protect you."
"From now on, I'm the only one allowed to bully you. Nobody else gets to touch you."
Hearing this, Qi Chuyao found it a little strange, but a warm feeling still blossomed in her heart.
Afterward, Qi Chuyao drove Chen Xiao back to her own place.
Qi Chuyao did not live with her father, Qi Zhenguo; their residences were not far apart.
As soon as they arrived home, Qi Chuyao found Qi Zhenguo sitting in the living room.
"Dad, why are you here?" Qi Chuyao asked with a puzzled look.
Qi Zhenguo chuckled and said, "Wasn't I waiting for you two?"
Qi Chuyao said with playful annoyance, "Dad, I think you were just waiting for your son-in-law to come back."
Qi Zhenguo gave an awkward laugh.
Chen Xiao and Qi Chuyao entered the living room and placed their bags temporarily on the coffee table.
"Son-in-law, just stay here with Chuyao. If there's anything you're not used to, let your father-in-law know," Qi Zhenguo said.
Chen Xiao glanced around and asked, "Where am I sleeping?"
Qi Zhenguo made a grand gesture with his hand. "Pick any room you like."
Chen Xiao blinked. "Can I share a room with Chuyao?"
"That is entirely fine by me," Qi Zhenguo nodded repeatedly, secretly delighted.
This kid knows how to play the game. As long as he and Chuyao sleep together, it locks things down tight—no need to worry about getting the marriage certificate!
If I speed things up a bit, by this time next year, I could be a grandfather.
But the next instant, Qi Zhenguo's expression suddenly darkened.
"No way, I won't allow it!"
Qi Chuyao glared warily at Chen Xiao.
Seeing this, Qi Zhenguo tried to persuade her, "Chuyao, be a good girl! The two of you should just stay together tonight."
Qi Chuyao stared at her father and said darkly, "Dad, I absolutely refuse this."
Pushing his own daughter straight into another man's bed.
Is this really a biological father?
"You ungrateful child..."
Qi Zhenguo pointed at Qi Chuyao in exasperation.
Qi Chuyao said solemnly, "Anyway, absolutely not right now. We've only just met, we'll talk about that later."
With that, she led Chen Xiao to find a room.
"You can sleep in this one."
Qi Chuyao assigned Chen Xiao the room right next to hers.
Chen Xiao walked into the room, took a shower, and went straight to bed.
Qi Zhenguo hadn't left yet. Seeing Qi Chuyao settle Chen Xiao into his room, he pulled her into the living room with a mysterious air.
"Dad, what are you up to now?"