Chen Xuanqiu knew his current disguise wasn’t suited for wandering around.
However, he couldn’t directly refuse and offend them, so he could only look at his ‘parents’ with an inquiring gaze.
“Go on, but don’t stray too far. Just stay in the main hall.”
Chen Degao mused for a moment before speaking.
“Indeed, Mr. Fu, my daughter has a cold today. Please don’t let her run around.”
Melissa also cautioned him. Her primary concern was that her son’s identity might be exposed, while her secondary concern was his safety. In this disguise, outsiders couldn’t discern his true gender, making him vulnerable to being captured by the criminal organization.
“Uncle, Auntie, please don’t worry. My friends are right here in the main hall.”
Fu Yao offered a reassuring remark, then reached out, intending to take Chen Xuanqiu’s hand.
‘Don’t push your luck, big brother!’
A flicker of displeasure crossed Chen Xuanqiu’s mind. He subtly evaded the touch, then stood up on his own accord.
Feigning composure, Fu Yao led the way towards a corner of the hall.
Trailing behind Young Master Fu, Chen Xuanqiu soon found himself before a table of young people. He took a quick glance, observing three young men and two young women.
Their attire and demeanor clearly marked them as children from affluent families.
“Brother Fu!”
Upon seeing Fu Yao, the young men and women respectfully greeted him.
‘It seems this Fu Yao is not as simple as he appears.’
Chen Xuanqiu secretly mused. He knew these young people wouldn’t be easily impressed by mere family background, suggesting that this ‘Fu’ undoubtedly had some other venture.
“Xiaozhu, have a seat.”
Fu Yao, ever the gentleman, pulled out a single sofa for Chen Xuanqiu.
“Thank you!”
Chen Xuanqiu was unaccustomed to such attentive care. However, finding himself unable to refuse, he simply accepted the kind gesture.
“Allow me to introduce everyone. This is my girl… good friend, Chen Xuanzhu.”
Chen Xuanqiu subtly frowned, casting an unreadable glance at Young Master Fu. ‘What a cunning fellow,’ he thought. ‘Fortunately, I’m the one here. If my younger sister had come, she would surely have been at a disadvantage with someone like him.’
“Hello, Sister-in-law!”
As expected, the young people misunderstood and greeted him respectfully.
“No… no… I’m not…”
Chen Xuanqiu attempted to explain, but Fu Yao interrupted him.
“Xiaozhu, let me introduce you. This is He Yong; his family owns several farms. This is Luo Lao’er; his family runs a chain of supermarkets. And this is Yin Yue; her father is the CEO of our Donghui City’s largest agricultural company.”
Fu Yao first introduced the two men and one woman. Then, turning to the last pair of slightly younger individuals, he asked Chen Xuanqiu, “Do you know these two? They’re your classmates from First High.”
Chen Xuanqiu hesitated, unsure how to respond. He didn’t know if any of them were acquaintances of his younger sister. If so, that would be disastrous, as he certainly didn’t recognize them.
“Brother Fu, you jest. It’s only been half a month since school started; how could the great school beauty Chen possibly know us?”
One of the young men spoke up, coming to his rescue. He was tall and slender, with fair skin, clearly a person accustomed to a life of privilege.
“Exactly! Do you think everyone becomes a sensation the moment they step into school, like the great school beauty Chen?”
The girl also teased. She was quite pretty herself, with long, straight black hair, a delicate face, and a figure that, though not tall, was perfectly proportioned.
Her most striking feature was her slender waist, almost small enough to grasp with one hand. Despite appearing fragile, she possessed the supple allure of a beautiful snake, exuding charm.
“My apologies.”
Chen Xuanqiu could only offer an awkward apology. ‘Fortunately, there are no acquaintances of my sister here, or my cover would be blown,’ he thought.
“Alright then, let me introduce you. This is Zheng Chao; he’s a student in Class 4 of the third year at your school. His father is a high-ranking executive at Huawu Group. If anyone ever bullies you at school, you can go to him.”
“Brother Fu, you’re joking. Who would dare bully a beautiful girl like the great school beauty Chen?”
Zheng Chao complimented her.
“Boys might not dare, but what about girls? I’ve heard that girls’ jealousy can be quite strong.”
Fu Yao retorted.
“Well, I can’t control what other girls do, can I? It’s not like I’m going to bully them back. If a girl bullies her, she should go find Zeng Cai.”
Zheng Chao glanced at the young girl beside him as he spoke.
“Oh, right. If you get bullied by girls, go find the girl next to him. Her name is Zeng Cai, and she’s in Class 3 of the first year at your school. Her father is a shareholder of First High.”
Fu Yao said, looking at the remaining girl with the slender waist.
‘A shareholder? What kind of nonsense is that?’
Chen Xuanqiu was somewhat speechless. In his original world, First High was a public school; he never expected it to be a private institution in this world.
“Don’t worry, with me around, no one would dare bully her.”
Zeng Cai confidently pursed her lips.
“Now *that’s* a good friend of mine. Zheng Chao, you should learn from her. Even a girl like her is so loyal, unlike you who keeps making excuses.”
Fu Yao somewhat displeasedly chastised him.
“Brother Fu, you just don’t understand. This is gentlemanly conduct; I’m intentionally giving her a chance to prove herself.”
Zheng Chao declared proudly, immediately eliciting a burst of laughter.
Chen Xuanqiu, for once, also allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. Spending time with these young people, he found his worries unknowingly diminishing.
****
Meanwhile, Chen Degao had already received a call from Captain Bao. Just as he had anticipated, his daughter had indeed not left the house.
It was his son, Chen Xuanqiu, who had come tonight.
“Make sure you keep an eye on Young Miss. She’s not allowed to leave the house by even half a step without my permission.”
Chen Degao instructed once more before hanging up the phone.
‘It seems he has truly grown up.’
Chen Degao glanced at his son, who was seated in the corner, his gaze deeply complex. In his perception, his son had always been an extremely insecure and timid person due to his appearance.
He had never expected him to possess the courage to take his sister’s place and brave danger tonight.
****
Given the lively atmosphere, Chen Xuanqiu’s nerves began to relax. Because he was feigning a cold, no one urged him to drink alcohol, but he still consumed two glasses of soda.
As time passed, he began to feel the need to relieve himself.
Chen Xuanqiu initially intended to hold it in. However, with his ‘parents’ showing no signs of leaving soon, he found he couldn’t endure it any longer.
Awkwardly, he turned to Fu Yao beside him and asked, “Excuse me, where is the restroom?”
“Over there,” Fu Yao replied, pointing to an entrance in the corner of the hall. “Follow the corridor to the end, then turn right, and you’ll find the ladies’ room. Would you like me to accompany you?”
“No need.”
Chen Xuanqiu declined, feeling a twinge of guilt, then walked towards the entrance alone.
Chen Xuanqiu walked down the long corridor, spotting the restroom sign in the distance. He couldn’t help but quicken his pace.
Given his appearance and attire, Chen Xuanqiu naturally couldn’t enter the men’s restroom at this moment. He could only steel himself once more and enter the ladies’ room.
Having resolved his issue, Chen Xuanqiu quickly adjusted his skirt and emerged, fearing he might encounter someone midway.
Stepping out of the restroom, Chen Xuanqiu had only taken a few steps when he suddenly felt a strong hand grip his waist. Before he could even register what was happening, another hand, clutching a towel, immediately covered his face.
Chen Xuanqiu felt a strange odor invade his nostrils. Knowing something was terribly wrong, he struggled desperately. Yet, after only a few breaths, his head began to feel heavy and his eyelids drooped.
Though unwilling, Chen Xuanqiu couldn’t resist the overwhelming drowsiness, and gradually, he lost consciousness.
‘This is bad. It must be someone from that human trafficking organization,’ Chen Xuanqiu dimly surmised before succumbing to unconsciousness.
Oh dear.