Xue Dalong was befuddled.

Xue Changshan was befuddled.

Wang Jiafeng was utterly dumbfounded.

They had thought that things would change after Xue Wenbing's arrival.

But who could have believed it? The young master of the Xue Family, who strutted through Jinling City with impunity, was actually terrified of a filthy beggar. Judging by their conversation, Xue Wenbing had already been dealt with earlier that morning.

Watching Xue Wenbing's retreating figure, Xue Dalong, Xue Changshan, and Wang Jiafeng fell into complete despair. The three of them slumped to the ground together.

Lin Xiao didn't even spare them a glance.

"Bai Xiangqian, I'll leave this to you," he said.

"Yes, Mr. Lin. Rest assured, I'll handle everything," Bai Xiangqian replied with a smile.

When Xue Wenbing had first appeared, Bai Xiangqian had been somewhat worried. After all, the Xue Family in Jinling City was backed by the one from Jinhai City. If things truly escalated, the situation might not be easy to resolve. He never expected Lin Xiao to dismiss Xue Wenbing with just a few words.

Lin Xiao turned around, intending to speak with Pei Yanzi. But the moment their eyes met, an enticing blush spread across Pei Yanzi's fair cheeks, and she quickly lowered her head.

Lin Xiao looked at her with some confusion. "Yanzi, are you alright?"

"Brother... Brother Lin, I-I'm fine," Pei Yanzi's voice was barely a whisper.

Lin Xiao teased, "Then why are you blushing? Come on, let's go."

Yes, Pei Yanzi was blushing.

It wasn't because Lin Xiao had saved her once again, nor was it because he had so effortlessly resolved what had seemed to her an insurmountable problem.

She blushed at the memory of his smile as he told her everything was alright. She blushed because he had shielded her from start to finish. She blushed because, while standing behind him, she felt her heart skip several beats.

It was as if something was beginning to sprout in the depths of her soul.

Witnessing this, Bai Xiangqian smiled to himself. I never thought someone as smart as Lin Xiao could be so dense when it comes to matters of the heart!

Pei Yanzi gave a quiet acknowledgement, her head still lowered. She couldn't help it; not only was her face burning, but she also found it difficult to meet Lin Xiao's gaze.

The two of them left the clothing store, one after the other.

"Yanzi, do you still want to shop for clothes? If so, I can take you somewhere else," Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

Pei Yanzi quickly replied, "Brother... Brother Lin, no, that's not necessary!"

"Yanzi, you seem really nervous."

"No, no, I'm not. Brother Lin, I... I'm not nervous!"

She was stammering, yet she insisted she wasn't nervous.

Lin Xiao smiled and asked, "So, shall we go to your school for lunch? Or should we find another place? My treat, a big meal."

"L-Let's go to my school. I... I promised you."

"Alright, let's go then."

On the drive to Pei Yanzi's school, she sat silently curled up in the back seat. Staring out the window at the swiftly passing scenery, she seemed lost in thought.

Today's events must have hit her pretty hard, Lin Xiao thought, so he didn't press the issue.

Soon, they arrived at the school.

The two of them got out of the car and, with Pei Yanzi leading the way, headed toward the cafeteria.

Perhaps it was because Pei Yanzi was exceptionally beautiful while Lin Xiao's attire was decidedly out of place, but all along the way, people were pointing and whispering about them.

"Why did Campus Belle Pei bring a beggar here to eat?"

"I know, right? I've never seen her so close to another guy before!"

"Maybe she ran into a beggar, saw he had nothing to eat, and just brought him here out of pity. After all, Campus Belle Pei is kind-hearted. She even feeds the stray cats on campus."

"Yeah, that must be it. Why else would she be seen with a beggar!"

Hearing their whispers, Lin Xiao just smiled, unconcerned.

Pei Yanzi, however, was clearly upset.

She stopped in her tracks, her gaze slowly sweeping over those who were pointing at them.

"Brother Lin is not a beggar. He is my friend," Pei Yanzi declared emphatically.

The crowd quickly dispersed.

Lin Xiao smiled. "Don't be angry. There's no need to be."

"But Brother Lin, when I hear them say things like that about you, it really upsets me!"

"Good. Then channel that anger into your appetite and eat more later," Lin Xiao chuckled.

His words made Pei Yanzi laugh, revealing two charming dimples on her cheeks. The gloom on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a bright, captivating expression. Her alluring eyes sparkled, as if stars had just exploded within them.

Honestly, the girl was truly enchanting.

Seeing her smile, Lin Xiao added, "They're just gossiping out of curiosity, so you don't have to take it to heart. Just be yourself and don't worry so much about what others think."

Pei Yanzi nodded obediently.

Perhaps she really took his words to heart. When they entered the cafeteria and drew even more attention and whispers, she didn't get angry like before.

"Brother Lin, what would you like to eat?" Pei Yanzi asked listlessly.

Lin Xiao chuckled. "What's good here?"

"The spicy hot pot and the grilled fish are both good."

"Do you want those?" Lin Xiao asked in return.

Pei Yanzi nodded shyly.

"Alright, then let's get those!"

"Okay, Brother Lin. You find a table and sit down. I'll go get our food," Pei Yanzi said softly.

"I'll go with you."

"No, it's fine. Just sit and wait for me!"

Lin Xiao smiled. "Alright then."

He casually found a seat and waited quietly for Pei Yanzi to bring him food.

This was no big deal to Lin Xiao. For the many students who knew Pei Yanzi, however, it was explosive news.

The esteemed Campus Belle of Jinling University was diligently waiting on a beggar. It was enough to make jaws drop. After all, countless people tried to court Campus Belle Pei, but she never spared them a single glance.

After about twenty minutes, Pei Yanzi returned with their food.

"Brother Lin, I'm sorry to keep you waiting," she said apologetically.

Lin Xiao laughed. "For good food, I'm willing to wait even longer!"

Pei Yanzi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile, taking a seat opposite him. Without a word, she immediately placed a piece of fish on Lin Xiao's plate.

"Brother Lin, try this. Tell me what you think," she said, looking at him with anticipation.

The onlookers were stunned by this scene. It was one thing for Campus Belle Pei to buy a beggar food, but to personally serve him a portion?

In that instant, countless envious gazes fell upon Lin Xiao.

"If looks could kill, Yanzi, I'd be pierced by a thousand arrows right now," Lin Xiao joked.

Pei Yanzi, however, thought Lin Xiao was upset by all the pointing and whispering.

"Brother Lin, I... I'm sorry," she said, her voice filled with guilt. "I didn't know it would be like this!"

Seeing that she was on the verge of tears, Lin Xiao quickly said, "Yanzi, don't cry! I was just kidding. To be honest, I'm actually enjoying being the object of their envy and jealousy!"

Pei Yanzi stared at him for a moment.

"Brother Lin, do you... do you really mean that?"

Lin Xiao nodded. "Of course. You have no idea how many people are jealous of me right now," he laughed.

"Then... Brother Lin, do you like eating with me?"

"I do," Lin Xiao blurted out.

"Then... can I ask you to eat with me more often in the future?"

"Of course you can."

Instantly, Pei Yanzi was overjoyed.

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