Chapter Eight: Iron Will and Tenderness Entwined at the Fingertips (8)

Fortunately, Fan Sijin couldn’t hear Chen Chuchu’s inner thoughts; otherwise, if she knew that Chen Chuchu’s diligent studying was actually to attract men, she surely would have lost her temper and given her a good beating!

Why must her happiness depend solely on men? Hadn’t all the hardships and sufferings she endured in her past life been caused by men? Couldn’t those experiences have been enough for her to change herself in this life? When would a woman’s happiness stop relying on men?

After careful preparation, Chen Chuchu secured a rare opportunity to be an exchange student in the new semester following the Spring Festival. Together with a senior, she became one of the ten lucky students chosen in the entire school.

Her feelings toward the senior were complicated.

She vividly remembered the affection she once held, but having experienced marriage in her past life, she resolved not to repeat the same mistakes.

Though unresolved resentment lingered in her heart, when faced with the senior’s pursuit, she chose neither to accept nor reject him outright, even unconsciously taking advantage of his assistance.

Chen Chuchu came from a poor family and cleverly exploited the ambiguous relationship with the senior to accept his financial support without guilt, believing that he owed her.

But she had forgotten that the man who owed her was from her past life; this senior in the present life owed her nothing…

Upon arriving in the capital, Chen Chuchu immediately contacted Gao Dingzhong.

As for how she got his number, it was because she had repeatedly “helped out” at the Gao family under the pretense of kindness, secretly noting down the numbers from the phone book on Gao’s father’s desk when no one was paying attention.

She dialed Gao Dingzhong’s mobile from a public phone. In an era when mobile phones were still a luxury, Chen Chuchu had declined the senior’s gift of a phone.

“Hello… is this Da Gui Ge? It’s me, Chuchu!” she said, trying to evoke goodwill with an affectionate nickname.

The voice on the other end suddenly turned cold. “Oh, what is it?”

“Da Gui Ge… well—”

“My name is Gao Dingzhong.”

“Um… Dingzhong Ge…”

“Do you have something to say? If not, I’m hanging up.”

“Wait, Dingzhong Ge, I do have something—”

“If you have something, I can’t help you. Goodbye.”

Sensing he was about to hang up, Chen Chuchu quickly said, “Uncle Gao and Aunt Gao told me I could reach out to you here. You’re the only person from my hometown, Dingzhong Ge, you can’t treat me like this…”

“…”

Gao Dingzhong was puzzled as to how his parents had given out his number when Fan Sijin came out of the kitchen carrying a fruit platter.

He took the platter, put it down, kissed Fan Sijin’s hand lightly, silently told her who was calling, and activated the speakerphone.

“Dingzhong Ge… Uncle Gao said since I’m a girl here in the capital and don’t know many people, and since we’re all from the same village, they’re worried something might happen to me, so… Dingzhong Ge, please don’t blame Uncle Gao! If it’s inconvenient, I won’t bother you.”

Fan Sijin squinted, thinking, “So this is how someone tries to undermine me right in front of me!”

She gestured for Gao Dingzhong to agree.

Seeing Fan Sijin’s look, Gao Dingzhong trembled inside…

Though he really wanted no contact with Chen Chuchu, he had to yield to Fan Sijin’s silent pressure. “...Fine, tell me the address; I’ll come by later.”

“Okay, okay!” Chen Chuchu’s voice immediately brightened, her joy evident.

If it had been any other man, having a beautiful woman cling to him might have been flattering, but Gao Dingzhong only felt troubled and annoyed.

Chen Chuchu gave him an address, and Fan Sijin raised an eyebrow upon hearing it.

Then, perhaps worried he wouldn’t come immediately, Chen Chuchu added, “I’ll wait for you at the door,” before hanging up.

Gao Dingzhong casually tossed his phone onto the coffee table, wrapped his arms around Fan Sijin’s waist, rested his head against her chest, and complained, “A Jin, I don’t know how my parents gave her my number, really! I’m going to tell them right now we’re done with her forever!”

“I don’t think Uncle Gao would give her the number,” Fan Sijin said, thinking Chen Chuchu’s excuse was poor.

“And their school wouldn’t suddenly have an exchange student out of nowhere. Saying she’s unfamiliar with the place… Are the other exchange students and the senior and senior-juniors assigned to her all just invisible?”

She pushed Gao Dingzhong’s head playfully. “Alright, go start the car. I’ll grab your jacket, or your dear sister Chuchu will be impatient.”

Gao Dingzhong hurried to explain, “What sister Chuchu? I’m my parents’ only son; I don’t have any sisters.” Then he muttered, “Having you as my dear sister is enough.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, nothing at all.”

“What were you mumbling just now?”

“Oh, I was wondering, what exactly does she want to do?!”

“What she wants to do, you’ll know when you get there, Da Gui Ge,” Fan Sijin teased, mimicking Chen Chuchu’s tone.

“Ah—don’t imitate her,” Gao Dingzhong shivered as if from goosebumps. “Alright, I’ll get your jacket. Wait in the car and don’t forget your scarf and hat!”

Meanwhile.

Chen Chuchu had been shivering in the cold wind outside the school gate for half an hour, almost convinced Gao Dingzhong would stand her up, when finally she spotted a Mercedes-Benz slowly approaching from afar.

In these times, anyone who could afford a Mercedes was either rich or noble, and Chen Chuchu’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

Sure enough, the Mercedes stopped in front of her, the window rolled down, and Chen Chuchu gasped inwardly.

Good heavens! How much time had passed? Only about half a year since Mid-Autumn Festival when they last met, yet Gao Dingzhong looked like a completely different person!

Not only had his original rustic, simple demeanor vanished, but he now radiated a sharp, commanding aura that left a deep impression at a glance—the unmistakable air of a successful man!

All credit went to Fan Sijin.

Though Gao Dingzhong’s appearance in this era might not have been conventionally handsome, with technological advances, his rugged charm was becoming increasingly appealing.

Fan Sijin had always had high aesthetic standards and personally managed Gao Dingzhong’s wardrobe; he was no longer the unsophisticated boy of the past but a striking man who caught the attention of women wherever he went.

Moreover, appearances mattered, and the custom-made high-end clothes Fan Sijin chose for him accentuated his physique and temperament perfectly.

Chen Chuchu was clearly captivated by Gao Dingzhong’s newfound charm.

Whether in the past life or this one, she yearned to return to his side, for his family background and capabilities promised her a comfortable life and the chance to make those who once looked down on her submit. Though her heart favored the handsome senior, Gao Dingzhong’s masculine allure was beginning to shake her resolve.