CHAPTER 542: 213 APPETIZER_2

He pressed his lips together, his expression growing colder: "My sister likes peace and quiet."

"I know."

Xue Qingfang showed him her WeChat messages: "I asked Sister An, and she agreed."

Luo Qian glanced at the screen.

It really was Shen You’an’s WeChat.

The conversation was simple.

——Sister An, congratulations on winning first place with the COM gold medal. You’re amazing, truly my role model. I want to learn from you. Can I visit you sometime? [Cute grin emoji]

The reply was concise—Thank you.

——Come over when you have time.

Luo Qian was at a loss for words.

"When did you add my sister’s WeChat?"

Xue Qingfang raised an eyebrow: "I’m not telling you."

"If I knew where Sister An’s house was, do you think I would bother asking you?"

Luo Qian finished his meal, picked up his tray, and left.

"Wait for me by the school gate after class."

But just as Luo Qian turned around, trouble found him.

"Clatter." The tray fell to the ground, and a boy grabbed Luo Qian by the collar, threatening fiercely: "You want to die?"

The cafeteria aisle wasn’t narrow; it could fit two people passing through. The boy had intentionally bumped into Luo Qian to stir up trouble under the pretense.

A few rowdy boys followed behind him, emanating an overwhelming sense of intimidation.

Everyone who witnessed the scene felt nervous for Luo Qian.

This boy was Guo Chen, a notorious figure at Third High. His father, a small-time businessman, had donated an experimental building to the school, and because of that, the school turned a blind eye to Guo Chen’s antics. No student dared to provoke him.

Luo Qian pressed his lips tightly together, meeting his adversary’s gaze with unwavering determination.

"You were the one who bumped into me first."

The boy laughed coldly, turning to the group behind him: "What do you think? Who bumped into whom first?"

One of the boys chuckled: "This kid walks with eyes closed. Brother Chen, don’t stoop to his level."

"What’s your connection to him? Why are you speaking for him? Brother Chen’s been playing ball all morning, his stomach’s growling. Damn, this brat bumped him so hard he flipped his tray. What, you want Brother Chen to starve?"

"Just have him buy Brother Chen another meal."

Luo Qian stubbornly replied, "You bumped into me first."

It’s not my fault. Why should I buy you a meal?

Guo Chen ground his teeth. "You’re f***ing asking for it."

His hand swung toward Luo Qian’s face.

"Guo Chen." Suddenly, Xue Qingfang slammed her chopsticks down and stood up.

"Broad daylight—what do you think you’re doing?"

When Guo Chen saw her, his smile grew colder. The slap turned into a light pat on Luo Qian’s cheek: "Quite the talent, huh? Even the school belle is hovering around you. Teach me—how do you pull that off?"

Luo Qian angrily slapped his hand away: "Don’t touch me."

"You’re f***ing asking for it!"

Guo Chen grabbed the back of Luo Qian’s collar, intending to smash his face into the floor, which was scattered with spilled food.

Xue Qingfang shouted furiously: "Guo Chen, don’t you dare."

Guo Chen sneered sinisterly: "What, you want to play hero and save the day? Sure, agree to be my girlfriend, and I’ll give you the chance."

Xue Qingfang had expected his dirty tricks. Clearly, he had set this up as a trap for her.

She spat: "Dream on. I’m warning you—lay a finger on him, and you’re finished."

Xue Qingfang’s tone carried an edge of schadenfreude.

Guo Chen scoffed: "You think your Brother Chen is scared of empty threats?"

Xue Qingfang crossed her arms calmly: "You know Chen Zun, right? He got beat up recently and has been stuck in the hospital ever since. Want to know why?"

Of course Guo Chen knew Chen Zun. He’d heard about the incident—rumor had it that Chen Zun had crossed some formidable figure, and even his brother Chen Shu couldn’t resolve it.

Guo Chen instinctively asked, "Why?"

Xue Qingfang tilted her chin toward Luo Qian: "Because of him."

Guo Chen looked at the frail, helpless boy beneath his grip—a kid who resembled a chick, yet carried a defiant gaze—and scoffed: "What kind of joke is this?"

Xue Qingfang smiled mildly: "Luo Qian himself doesn’t have that kind of power, but he has someone formidable behind him."

"Xue Qingfang," Luo Qian suddenly yelled, cutting her off.

Xue Qingfang raised an eyebrow: "In any case, if you dare smash Luo Qian’s face into the ground today, your ending will be even worse than Chen Zun’s."

Xue Qingfang took out her phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to Shen You’an.

Guo Chen’s pupils contracted: "What are you doing?"

"Take a guess."

Guo Chen hesitated, giving Luo Qian the chance to escape his grip. Luo Qian wasn’t someone who liked to provoke trouble, and he especially didn’t want to cause trouble for Sister An. At times, he preferred to tolerate things rather than let her find out.

Guo Chen thought about Xue Qingfang’s earlier words and ultimately didn’t chase after him.

"Brother Chen, Xue Qingfang is just bluffing. What background could that Luo Qian kid possibly have? His dad’s just a delivery driver, and his mom used to work at a supermarket. I saw him bring lunch to his mom with my own eyes. The Chen Zun incident was just a coincidence, that’s all."