Hearing the young man's words, Luo Xiu was genuinely surprised. He turned his head toward Zhang Yi and chuckled. "I really didn't expect you to be the campus belle."

"Oh, stop." Zhang Yi stomped her foot bashfully, looking away. "They're just talking nonsense, that's not me at all."

Luo Xiu smiled. "Let's go inside. I'm hungry."

"Okay." Zhang Yi nodded happily. For the past few days, Luo Xiu had been her personal bodyguard, so she ate with him every day. What she loved most was watching him eat; she found it incredibly endearing.

"Hey! Hey, you!"

The young man couldn't stand being ignored any longer and cried out, his face etched with annoyance. He hated this feeling.

"Dude, are you pretending I don't exist? Do you have any idea who I am?" he warned. "You better stay away from Xiao Yi!"

Luo Xiu didn't even spare him a glance, asking Zhang Yi, "Do you know him?"

Zhang Yi nodded slightly. "His name is Chen Tao. He's a rich heir."

Luo Xiu asked, "Are you two close?"

Disgust filled Zhang Yi's face. "That guy harasses me every single day. Let's just ignore him and go inside."

Luo Xiu turned to glance at Chen Tao. "Look, little brother, I get what you're trying to do. But when someone clearly isn't interested, constantly harassing them is going too far."

"You don't know shit!" Chen Tao spat disdainfully. "Who the hell do you think you are? Who I pursue is none of your damn business! If you know what's good for you, you'll scram. What gives you the courage to show your face next to Xiao Yi, driving a piece-of-shit car that's barely worth a hundred thousand?"

Luo Xiu didn't bother wasting any more words. He walked up and kicked Chen Tao squarely, sending him sprawling to the ground. When dealing with trash like this, if words failed, it was time for action.

"Xiao Yi, let's go."

Left behind, Chen Tao sat on the ground, glaring with murderous rage at Luo Xiu's retreating back. "Damn you," he cursed through gritted teeth. "You bastard, how dare you hit me! I'll make you pay for this!"

He snatched out his phone and dialed a number.

"Dad, get to Xin Yu Restaurant right now! Someone just attacked me!"

「Meanwhile, in the restaurant.」

Zhang Yi led Luo Xiu directly into a luxurious private dining room, which she had booked that morning.

"Brother Luo Xiu, what would you like to eat?" she asked, handing him the menu.

Luo Xiu flipped through it for a moment before giving a wry smile. "This is all in a foreign language. I don't recognize a single word. You should order."

"Oh, really? Well, is there anything in particular you'd like, Brother Luo Xiu?"

"Anything is fine. I'm not a picky eater, as long as it's filling."

"Okay! In that case, I'll recommend a few dishes for you. They're absolutely delicious."

A moment later, after placing their order, Zhang Yi propped her chin in her hands, her large, watery eyes fixed on Luo Xiu, seemingly unable to look away. Sitting across from her, Luo Xiu began to feel a little awkward under her intense gaze. He rubbed his nose and said, "Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?"

"No, not at all." Zhang Yi's eyes crinkled into a smile. "I just think you're really handsome, Brother Luo Xiu. The more I look at you, the more attractive you become. I could never get tired of it."

Luo Xiu laughed heartily. "Well, I can't help that. It's not my fault I was born handsome."

"Pfft, you're so conceited. Give you a little praise and it goes straight to your head, doesn't it?"

Luo Xiu's expression turned serious. "By the way, have you felt uncomfortable at all today? Any abnormalities with your body?"

Zhang Yi shook her head. "Nope, everything's perfectly fine."

"That's good."

Zhang Yi pursed her lips, then suddenly asked, "Brother Luo Xiu, you don't actually want to be my escort, do you?"

"That's not it," Luo Xiu replied.

She looked down, a hint of guilt on her face. "I'm sorry. I've taken up so much of your time because of my situation, making you stay by my side every day." She looked up, her eyes sincere. "To be honest, for me, these past few days have felt like we were dating. They've been the happiest days of my life."

Luo Xiu gave her an odd look. "Really? I felt like I was looking after my little sister."

"I don't want to be your little sister," Zhang Yi pouted, then added, "Brother Luo Xiu, starting tomorrow, you don't have to stay with me anymore."

"Why not?" Luo Xiu asked.

Zhang Yi answered earnestly, "Because I talked it over with my parents last night... I've decided to become Li Chaoqun's disciple and go with him to the Proud Sun Sect."

Luo Xiu's brow furrowed slightly. "So you've decided to walk the Martial Way and give up on being a star?"

Zhang Yi rolled her eyes. "They don't conflict. Li Chaoqun already said that I can still attend school after I join the Proud Sun Sect. He'll even arrange for me to go to the best one." She continued, "You said it yourself before, either you watch over me, or I get taken to the Audit Bureau. I don't want to hold you up because of my problems, and I certainly don't want to be locked up in the Audit Bureau. So, going with Li Chaoqun to the Proud Sun Sect is the best choice."

Luo Xiu nodded and smiled. "That's a good plan."

Zhang Yi gazed at him. "Brother Luo Xiu, once I become a famous star, I'll come find you."

"Okay."

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded from outside, accompanied by angry shouts.

"You son of a bitch, get the hell out here!"

"You were so arrogant a minute ago! If you've got any guts, come out and face me!"

Inside the room, Luo Xiu recognized the voice as Chen Tao's.

The door to their private room had been left ajar. As Chen Tao stormed past, he instantly spotted Luo Xiu and Zhang Yi. Trailing behind him was a middle-aged man in a sharp suit who looked quite refined, yet his eyes held a glint of ferocity. His slightly unbuttoned collar revealed the edges of a tattoo.

Zhang Yi leaned in and whispered to Luo Xiu, "That's Chen Tao's dad, Chen Youzhi. He's a well-known entrepreneur in Henghai Provincial City. I heard he used to be in the underworld, working for Duan Chunfeng, but he went legit and started his own real estate company."

Luo Xiu calmly picked up his teacup and took a sip, completely unfazed. Zhang Yi wasn't worried either, knowing full well what Luo Xiu was capable of.

"Dad, that's the bastard who hit me!" Chen Tao yelled, pointing an angry finger at Luo Xiu.

Chen Youzhi's eyes narrowed. He strode into the room and stared coldly at Luo Xiu. "You're the one who hit my son?"

Luo Xiu put on an innocent expression. "I didn't hit him."

Zhang Yi chimed in, "Uncle Chen, I can testify to that!"

"Bullshit!" Chen Tao roared.

Luo Xiu smiled at Chen Youzhi. "Actually, I kicked him. A piece of trash like your son doesn't qualify to be hit by me."

At these words, Chen Youzhi's gaze turned glacial, and a powerful aura erupted from him. Luo Xiu realized the man was a Martial Artist.

"You little bastard," Chen Youzhi snarled. "I don't care if you hit him or kicked him. Since you laid a hand on my son, you're going to give me an explanation today."

Hearing this, Luo Xiu glanced down at the small trash can under the table. With a casual kick, he sent it flying through the air, where it landed perfectly over Chen Youzhi's head.

The room plunged into a deafening silence; you could have heard a pin drop. The atmosphere grew heavy and oppressive. Even Zhang Yi's jaw dropped in disbelief. She never imagined Brother Luo Xiu could be so audacious.

Into the stillness, Luo Xiu's voice cut through. "This trash can has a liner. Was *that* what you wanted? You can have it."

Suddenly, Chen Youzhi burst into furious laughter. "Hahahaha… Kid, you've got some nerve. I, Chen Youzhi, have clawed my way up in Henghai Provincial City for years, following Family Head Duan through hell and high water. I've never, ever seen someone as brazen as you!"

He reached up, removed the can, and dusted off his suit with a chilling smile. "Kid, leave an arm and a leg behind, and we'll call this matter settled."

Luo Xiu feigned terror. "Now, that seems a little excessive, don't you think?"

Chen Youzhi sneered. "Excessive? Go and ask around. In Henghai Provincial City, when I, Chen Youzhi, want to deal with someone, my word is law! You little scoundrel, you don't know your own limits, acting like you're some big shot. If you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll have someone help you. Today, that arm and that leg are mine! Not even the Heavenly Emperor himself could save you!"

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

Just as the tension reached its breaking point, a knock sounded at the door. A voice followed.

"Mister Luo, are you in here?"

Everyone turned toward the sound. To their astonishment, the newcomer was Duan Chunfeng.

Chen Youzhi's eyes widened in shock. He scrambled forward to greet him.

"Boss! What… what brings you here?"

---

I apologize, dear readers. I've been very busy with work recently, which is why the updates have been slow. Things will return to normal once my schedule is sorted out. Thank you for your understanding.

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