Chapter Sixty-five: Schemes of the Heart

“Who’s that kid?” A stylish guy with an Aaron Kwok haircut flicked his head and asked.

Another fellow flexed his muscular arms and said, “Damn, even some snot-nosed brat is out chasing girls now?”

“Nonsense, that’s Ziqing’s little brother, all right?” The fair-skinned, delicate man beside him chimed in, his eyes locked longingly, devotedly, and innocently on the direction Yu Ziqing had just gone.

“Daydreamer! Still going on about Ziqing, yet you don’t even dare say a word to her.” The athletic muscle guy smacked the lovesick youth on the back of his head, nearly knocking off his thick black-rimmed glasses.

No matter how much they fantasized, all that remained for them was the exhaust from the departing taxi.

Such is the fate of supporting characters. The ‘Three Kingdoms’ youth sighed mournfully, immediately drawing the others’ mock attacks. Luckily, he was quick on his feet and managed to escape unscathed.

The taxi had been driving for several minutes before Yu Ziqing finally calmed down. She turned to Jiang Xiwen and gave an apologetic smile. “Xiwen, both times I’ve met you, things like this have happened…”

Jiang Xiwen deliberately shook his head and sighed. “Looks like I’m your jinx, Ziqing. Bad things happen whenever you see me.” As he spoke, he noticed the driver glancing at them now and then in the rearview mirror.

Yu Ziqing blushed again at his words, but this time from anxiety. She hurriedly waved her hands. “No, no, you’ve got it wrong. I should be thanking you—I wouldn’t have gotten out of trouble either time without your help.”

Jiang Xiwen, thinking of how innocent she seemed compared to the girls of his previous life, couldn’t help but smile.

Noticing his mischievous grin, Yu Ziqing quickly caught on and mock-scolded, “You little rascal, already learned to tease people at your age?” She raised her hand as if to give him a playful swat.

Jiang Xiwen spread his hands, his gaze drifting to her legs. “Don’t hit me, don’t hit—such a beauty as you, it wouldn’t do to have anything accidentally exposed…”

Yu Ziqing was stunned for a second before realizing what he meant. She hastily pulled her coat over her legs, her face turning even redder. For a moment, the atmosphere was awkward. Though she was a university student and only a few years older than Jiang Xiwen, she found herself unexpectedly shy at his remark.

The driver in the front seat glanced at them again in the rearview mirror. This time, Jiang Xiwen stared right back, locking eyes with him, until the driver shifted his gaze away in a fluster.

Why look at an old man when you could look at a beautiful woman? Jiang Xiwen shrugged and turned his attention back to Yu Ziqing. Such a pure girl, and in this situation—it was amusing, as if watching an old movie unfold.

Ziqing, what’s gotten into you? He’s just a kid! Yu Ziqing thought to herself. What’s there to be afraid of? She bit her lip and suddenly looked up, meeting Jiang Xiwen’s gaze. Instantly, she felt her composure slipping again. There was a sharpness in his eyes, an appreciation for beauty, far beyond his years.

Seeing her discomfort, Jiang Xiwen decided not to tease her further. He adopted a serious expression and asked, “What’s wrong, Ziqing? Was there something you wanted to say?”

Yu Ziqing, eager to move past the awkwardness, quickly sought a new topic. “Xiwen, didn’t you say someone wanted to hire a tutor?” Even as she spoke, she couldn’t quite meet his eyes.

“It’s right in front of you,” Jiang Xiwen said with a grin.

“Where?” Yu Ziqing looked up at him, then instinctively lowered her head again, only to realize his eyes had returned to their earlier clarity. She finally relaxed and took a steadying breath, only to see that mischievous smile reappear.

“Oh? So you’re the one who wants a tutor?” Yu Ziqing said in realization. “You little brat—first you tease your sister, now you’re learning to lie.”

“When did I ever lie?” Jiang Xiwen feigned innocence. “I never said the person looking for a tutor wasn’t me.”

“You sly little thing, I’m done talking to you.” Yu Ziqing flicked him lightly on the forehead, using the gesture to dispel their awkwardness and reclaim her older-sisterly confidence.

Yu Ziqing had never thought of herself as shy. At Yangjiang Normal University, plenty of boys pursued her, some with slick tongues and brazen words. She’d always managed to drive them away with her anger. Yet today, faced with a boy barely in his teens, she’d suddenly grown shy. She was puzzled by her own reaction. Perhaps it was because he was just a kid; no matter how flippant his words, they seemed more sincere and less mocking than anything she’d heard before.

“I’m not sly…” Jiang Xiwen began, then noticed the driver sneaking another peek in the rearview mirror.

Something’s not right… Jiang Xiwen cut straight to the point. “Hey, uncle, why do you keep looking at us? Be careful, you might get a sty from seeing something you shouldn’t.”

“Uh…” The driver clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Xiwen to call him out. He gave a sheepish laugh, then pointed ahead. “There’s a clothing shop up ahead. If you need to buy pants, you can go there…”

Jiang Xiwen followed his finger. It was an Esprit boutique. Yu Ziqing’s youthful style would suit that brand well, so he said, “Stop right there.”

“That’s…” The driver hesitated for a while before finally saying, “It’s not convenient to park there. I can only stop across the street.”

“Hurry up, you have to pull over there. Can’t you see my sister’s having trouble?” Jiang Xiwen was annoyed and casually pulled out a fifty-yuan note, handing it to the front. “Keep the change.”

“Xiwen, what are you doing?” Yu Ziqing said anxiously. She was always frugal and felt uneasy seeing Jiang Xiwen spend money on her like this.

The driver didn’t take the money. He glanced in the rearview mirror, then finally stopped the car in front of the store. He handed the money back. “Please get out quickly.”

Jiang Xiwen ignored Yu Ziqing’s protest, calmly opened the door, and reached out to help her.

Yu Ziqing frowned. “Xiwen, there’s no need. Let’s go back to school—I’ll return the money to you when I get back to the dorm.”

“Ziqing, how are you going to get from the school gate to the dorm in your current state? I’d love to carry you, but I doubt the girls’ dorm would let me in.” Jiang Xiwen grinned. “Don’t worry. As thanks for being my English tutor, it’s only right I buy you an outfit. The best thing now is to go in and change.”

After two encounters, Jiang Xiwen already understood her character. If he argued with her here, she’d only insist, and if they started pulling back and forth in the street, people would think he was harassing her. He’d been a hero a few times in his previous life, after all.

Yu Ziqing, hearing this, realized she had little choice but to get out. She’d just buy a pair of pants and repay him from her living expenses later.

The two entered the store one after the other, when a baritone voice called from behind, “Ziqing, what a coincidence! Out shopping?”

Yu Ziqing turned and, upon seeing the newcomer, frowned slightly before politely nodding. “Hello, Gao Jie.”

Jiang Xiwen sized up this Gao Jie—about six feet tall, dressed casually, a rather handsome young man.

Gao Jie’s gaze fell on the coat wrapped around Yu Ziqing’s waist. He paused, then turned to a sales assistant. “Please help my friend to the fitting room and select a few sets of clothes and pants that suit her figure.”

His words were thoughtful and considerate. Not only did he notice her torn pants without embarrassing her, he discreetly asked the saleswoman to assist. Anyone would feel at ease around such a person.

Yu Ziqing was no exception. Yet she seemed unaccustomed to such treatment and smiled awkwardly. “Just a pair of pants that fit, please. Nothing too expensive.”

The saleswoman, having heard Gao Jie’s instructions, had been delighted at the prospect of making several sales. Her face had been all smiles, but at Yu Ziqing’s words, her expression soured instantly. She turned to Gao Jie, hoping this wealthy customer would change her mind.

But Gao Jie only smiled agreeably. “Let’s do as my friend asks—just a well-fitting pair of pants.”

The saleswoman muttered under her breath, “Could’ve said you can’t afford it from the start, got my hopes up for nothing.”

Gao Jie gave Yu Ziqing a helpless smile, his gentlemanly demeanor tinged with youthful energy.

He had both poise and respect for a woman’s wishes—qualities that could charm any girl. But Yu Ziqing was different. She responded to his manner with the same politeness as before and followed the saleswoman toward the fitting room.

Jiang Xiwen admired Yu Ziqing’s reaction. If he hadn’t been so observant, he too might have been taken in by Gao Jie. When Gao Jie saw the coat around her waist, a fleeting smile had crossed his face, quickly replaced by a look of surprise—something Jiang Xiwen didn’t miss.

More importantly, while giving instructions to the sales assistant, Jiang Xiwen clearly saw in the shop’s mirror that Gao Jie made a subtle gesture to someone outside. Moments later, the taxi driver from before walked past the store in a huff, returning to his car.

Once the fitting room door closed, Gao Jie turned to Jiang Xiwen with a smile. “So, little classmate, you are…”

“Me? What business is it of yours?!”

It was obvious that Gao Jie knew the taxi driver. Jiang Xiwen didn’t know what kind of game he was playing, but he decided not to give him any face, hoping to force a slip.

Gao Jie frowned slightly, displeased, but the next moment regained his calm, elegant smile. “Is Ziqing your teacher? I heard she’s been looking for a job lately. She’s always been like this—very frugal, very stubborn. She doesn’t need to work, but insists on earning her own money, even when buying a simple pair of pants.”

Regardless of whether Jiang Xiwen was listening, Gao Jie rambled on, then called the saleswoman over. “Never mind the price—pick out the best pair of pants for my friend and give her the lowest price. Here’s some money; if it’s not enough, I’ll add more.”

Gao Jie took out his wallet and drew a thick wad of hundred-yuan bills—three or four thousand at least.

The saleswoman was delighted and counted the money. “That’s enough, sir! We have a new style this month, just 3,780. All sizes available—I’ll take them to the lady right away.”

Gao Jie watched her leave and shook his head with a smile. “Chameleon…”

He seemed to know exactly what Jiang Xiwen was thinking—the same label Jiang Xiwen had mentally given the saleswoman.

“Gao Jie!” Jiang Xiwen called him by name. “You’re a chameleon yourself—just better at hiding it.”

Jiang Xiwen couldn’t find a single flaw in Gao Jie’s behavior. The man was simply too perfect—so perfect it seemed unreal. Jiang Xiwen decided to be blunt and confront him.

“What do you mean? I don’t understand.” For a brief moment, a flicker of panic crossed Gao Jie’s eyes, but it was enough for Jiang Xiwen to catch it.

“Drop the act. You told the driver to bring us here, didn’t you? That tricycle driver who tore Ziqing’s pants—he’s in on it too, right?” Jiang Xiwen decided to test his theory, imagining Gao Jie as some kind of schemer.

“You?!” This time, Gao Jie lost his composure. He looked around; there was no one nearby.

There was only one Esprit store in Yangjiang, and though the brand was for casual wear, in 1993 few could afford it. Anyone shopping here was considered middle-class in the city. Even on weekends, the place was empty, which explained the saleswoman’s mercurial attitude.

“How did you know? Who exactly are you?!”

Damn, could it really be? Even Yu Ziqing’s torn pants had been orchestrated by this guy using the tricycle driver. Such a scheme was terrifyingly cunning. Jiang Xiwen was deeply impressed. He wasn’t usually this curious, but since this involved the beautiful and admirable Yu Ziqing, he had to get to the bottom of it.