Naughty Puppy Will Be Eaten by a Bad Woman - Chapter 24

She was eager to see how far Lu Zhao would go for her.

Lu Zhao wiped the table meticulously, as if it were stained with an indelible stain.

“You… Lu Zhao, what do you mean by this?” Zhang Jun’s expression twisted like he’d swallowed a fly. He was about to lash out when the fierce glare from the woman beside Lu Zhao startled him.

The woman possessed a strikingly beautiful face. She had originally been Huang Wenkai’s target, but Zhang Jun immediately sensed his chances were slim. Her elegant attire, commanding presence, and the Cayenne she drove made her seem unapproachable. He had only followed along for the spectacle.

Lu Zhao’s sudden appearance, however, was an unexpected stroke of luck.

The news of Lu Zhao becoming the provincial top scholar in the humanities had shaken the entire school. Zhang Jun immediately regretted joining Huang Wenkai in bullying Lu Zhao back then. Even then, anyone could see Lu Zhao’s future was limitless.

What if Lu Zhao rose to prominence and sought retribution? Even if Lu Zhao, fresh from college admission, decided to pursue the matter, both of them would be in trouble.

Fortunately, Lu Zhao seemed to value their classmate bond, or perhaps she feared something else, and didn’t pursue the matter further. During the summer break after the college entrance exams, Zhang Jun planned to ask Lu Zhao to meet up, ostensibly to “catch up with classmates.” If she still held a grudge, he could reluctantly apologize.

But since Lu Zhao didn’t bring it up, he felt justified in pretending nothing had happened. He casually drafted a message inviting her to meet.

However, after sending the message, he discovered Lu Zhao had already blocked him. Zhang Jun immediately felt resentful but helpless. After inquiring with classmates and teachers, he learned that Lu Zhao had already gone to the capital to prepare for university enrollment.

It was then that Zhang Jun truly realized Lu Zhao was no longer someone he could bully at will. She had moved far away to start a new life, and in a few years, with a degree from a prestigious university, her future would undoubtedly be limitless.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jun had only been accepted into an obscure vocational school in Qingcheng. Although he didn’t need to worry about his future—his family would always provide a safety net, allowing him to coast through the next few years—the gap between him and Lu Zhao had widened to an insurmountable distance.

Though Lu Zhao had gained some fame, her limp made Zhang Jun feel like he was back in the game. He’d coasted through college, failed to find a job after graduation, and landed a dead-end position at the neighborhood committee through family connections. He spent his days lounging around, sipping tea, and still managed to pocket nearly five thousand yuan a month—a stable, if uninspiring, life.

He noticed Lu Zhao had matured considerably. The malnourished, sallow-faced girl from high school had blossomed into a radiant, gentle-looking woman. Even with her limp, he figured it wouldn’t affect her fertility, so he could tolerate this minor flaw.

Considering how willing he was to overlook her shortcomings, Lu Zhao shouldn’t be so picky, right?

But Lu Zhao proved him wrong, showing no gratitude whatsoever. Since recognizing him, she hadn’t spared him a single glance. When he confronted her, she simply uttered a dismissive remark that made him seethe with anger:

“Wipe off the filth.”

After wiping her hands, Lu Zhao tossed the wet wipe into a nearby trash can. Zhang Jun’s anger surged at her indifference. He lunged forward, grabbing her arm to demand an apology.

Just as Zhang Jun reached out, his hand was unexpectedly slapped away.

Gu Xianyue stepped in front of Lu Zhao, her expression icy as she glared at him.

Zhang Jun winced in pain. “Damn it… Why are you always sticking your nose into other people’s business? Lu Zhao, what’s with the attitude? You’re just a cripple now—”

A sharp smack echoed as Gu Xianyue’s resounding slap sent Zhang Jun’s head snapping to the side, staggering him.

“Should I tell security you’re harassing her?” Gu Xianyue’s voice dripped with venom, each syllable carrying an undeniable sense of menace.

She pointed to the surveillance cameras under the streetlights. “This whole area is under surveillance.”

Huang Wenkai was the first to react, never having anticipated things escalating this far. He’d only come to flirt, not to end up in jail. He grabbed Zhang Jun’s arm and whispered, “Forget it. Let’s go.”

Zhang Jun opened his mouth to protest, but when he met Gu Xianyue’s icy, freezing glare, a shiver ran down his spine. He finally allowed Huang Wenkai to drag him away.

After Gu Xianyue got into the car, her mood turned gloomy.

Tch, she still lost her temper in the end.

Without warning, Lu Zhao grabbed her hand, the cool touch lingering between her fingers.

Gu Xianyue glanced sideways and saw Lu Zhao meticulously wiping her right hand with a wet wipe, her expression focused.

Gu Xianyue couldn’t help but smile, the gloomy mood from earlier vanishing completely.

Lu Zhao looked up, pursing her lips. “What’s so funny? Just wiping off the dirt.”

Gu Xianyue’s hands were slender and fair, with distinct knuckles—the hands of someone pampered and untouched by hardship. Lu Zhao felt it was a waste to slap someone like Zhang Jun with such hands.

Gu Xianyue turned her hand over and grasped Lu Zhao’s. “Were those two your classmates?”

“Yeah, from high school… we were in the same class,” Lu Zhao replied, using a different term to avoid associating herself with them.

“Did they ever do anything to you before?” Gu Xianyue asked.

Lu Zhao lowered her gaze, hesitating whether to answer. If she had a choice, she would never want to encounter those two again, especially not when she was with Gu Xianyue.

She had finally found the strength to move forward because of Gu Xianyue and had no desire to be held back by these past conflicts.

Nor did she want these two to affect Gu Xianyue’s mood.

Gu Xianyue squeezed her fingers. “Tell me honestly.”

Lu Zhao had no choice but to carefully choose her words, trying to keep it simple and straightforward. “Just… things like tearing up my test papers.”

She picked the mildest example, hoping it wouldn’t be a problem. She cautiously glanced up to gauge Gu Xianyue’s reaction.

Gu Xianyue narrowed her eyes, her gaze dark and unreadable. “You said their names were Huang Wenkai and… Zhang Jun?”

Lu Zhao nodded, then gently tugged Gu Xianyue’s hand, shaking it slightly. “Yes. Can we please not talk about them anymore?” she whispered.

Gu Xianyue gazed at Lu Zhao’s pleading eyes, her usually radiant peach-blossom eyes now looking pitiful, long lashes curling upward. She was a completely different person from the icy figure she had been moments ago.

Gu Xianyue reached out and stroked the top of Lu Zhao’s head. The texture was wonderful, soft and fluffy, just as she had imagined.

Lu Zhao half-closed her eyes, letting Gu Xianyue continue stroking her hair.

“Don’t get mad just because I touched you, okay?” Lu Zhao swayed slightly from Gu Xianyue’s touch, her hair a little disheveled, but she still patiently allowed Gu Xianyue to continue.

Gu Xianyue’s palm was warm and surprisingly comfortable… Hmm.

Gu Xianyue stopped, her expression serious. “Who said I was angry?”

In truth, she had already decided to make these two pay. Knowing their names and the school they attended, it would be a simple matter for Gu Xianyue to track them down and teach them a lesson.

Lu Zhao smiled and nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you’re not angry.”

If Gu Xianyue said she wasn’t angry, then she wasn’t angry.

Gu Xianyue’s gaze fell on the wet wipes Lu Zhao was holding. “Where did you get these?” she asked. She remembered Lu Zhao not having them when they got out of the car earlier.

“Oh, these?” Lu Zhao replied. “After finishing the test, I went to the podium to wash my hands with sanitizer, but it ran out. The proctor gave me this whole pack—she’s so nice…”

Lu Zhao’s voice trailed off as she gradually noticed Gu Xianyue’s gaze growing colder.

What’s wrong? What did I say wrong? Lu Zhao thought frantically.

Before she could figure it out, Gu Xianyue snatched the item from her hand.

“Don’t just take things from strangers next time,” Gu Xianyue said, taking the remaining pack of wet wipes from Lu Zhao’s hand and stuffing it into the car’s glove compartment. She started the engine without looking at her again.

Confiscated.

Lu Zhao said guiltily, “Oh… okay.”

Damn it, I think I accidentally stepped on Gu Xianyue’s landmine. She had already realized that Gu Xianyue seemed to hate boundary-crossing behavior, so her actions just now definitely qualified.

Upon closer reflection, the wet wipes were likely the proctor’s personal belongings. Accepting them so casually was indeed inappropriate… But she had been in such a hurry to find Gu Xianyue that she hadn’t thought it through.

Lu Zhao fidgeted nervously with her fingers, trying to strike up conversation with Gu Xianyue on the way back. But Gu Xianyue seemed genuinely angry, giving her the cold shoulder and replying with curt phrases like “Hmm,” “Is that so?” and “I see.”

Aaaah, what do I do now…? She had made Gu Xianyue angry again—she had angered the good friend she had finally managed to make.

Hmm…? Again? Lu Zhao realized she had angered Gu Xianyue for a similar reason before, yet she hadn’t learned her lesson. Overwhelmed with regret, she mentally berated herself relentlessly.

By the time they reached the foot of Lu Zhao’s apartment building, Gu Xianyue remained aloof. Lu Zhao had truly exhausted all her resources, drawing upon every flattering word and apology she knew, yet nothing could lift Gu Xianyue’s spirits.

For the first time, she deeply felt the inadequacy of language.

Gu Xianyue unlocked the car door, raised her hand in a brief farewell gesture, and prepared to part ways.

Panic surged through Lu Zhao. Her mind raced.

If words have failed, then…

Just as Gu Xianyue was about to lower her hand, a soft, furry sensation filled the gaps between her fingers.

It was Lu Zhao’s head. She lowered her head, pressing it against Gu Xianyue’s hand, her peach blossom eyes gazing up at her with a pitiful, watery gaze.

Seeing Gu Xianyue’s stunned reaction, Lu Zhao pressed her advantage, nuzzling her head against Gu Xianyue’s palm again.

Gu Xianyue was completely caught off guard. She stared at the sensation in her palm, her eyes wide with astonishment.

If she had a heart rate monitor, the readings would undoubtedly be spiking wildly.

“Don’t be angry anymore, okay? I promise I won’t take other people’s things without permission again,” Lu Zhao’s voice softened, the clear, articulate broadcast voice she used on television now sounding like the gentle, lilting tones of Wu dialect, whispering softly in Gu Xianyue’s ear.

So obedient.

Gu Xianyue gazed at her without a word. The hand that had been resting on Lu Zhao’s head gently stroked her hair twice before sliding down the back of her neck, fingertips brushing lightly against her skin.

Lu Zhao, unsure what to make of this, remained still. Gu Xianyue’s touch sent a tingling sensation through her; the skin on the back of her neck was particularly sensitive, and the moment Gu Xianyue’s fingers brushed against it, a jolt of electric-like numbness surged up her spine and spread throughout her body.

What a strange and unfamiliar feeling. Lu Zhao felt her heart race again, but she didn’t dislike it.

Seeing Lu Zhao so obedient and eager to please, Gu Xianyue’s anger had already dissipated by more than half.

But then a mischievous thought struck her.

If I stay still, what else will Lu Zhao do to win me over?

She was curious to see how far Lu Zhao would go for her.