Wu Ke

"Fine, fine, I was wrong, all right?"

When Uncle Wu saw the two heavyweights in the family joining forces to condemn him, he instantly surrendered.

Inside, Chu Chen excitedly picked up the phone. He had not seen Wu Ke in several years, so he was naturally somewhat stirred. Ever since he had moved out, he had rarely received calls from her, and he had to admit that he had missed her.

"Hello, is that Xiao Ke?"

"Hmph. I say, Xiao Chen, are you itching for a beating?" Chu Chen was very familiar with the voice on the phone. Though it was slightly distorted by the international call, he could still tell that it was exceptionally pleasant, truly as melodious as an oriole's song.

Hearing the trace of reproach in her voice, Chu Chen realized that something was wrong. He had gotten excited and used the wrong form of address. He hurriedly tried to make amends.

"Haha, a slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue. But my sweet and charming Sister Xiao Ke, surely you won't mind, right?"

"Xiao Chen, we haven't seen each other for years, and you've learned to flatter people? And you're even laying it on so disgustingly."

Hearing the trace of reproach in her tone, Chu Chen quietly relaxed. Otherwise, he would certainly suffer once she returned home. He grumbled inwardly, Having a friend like this must be punishment for something I did in my past life.

Back then, when Wu Ke first met Chu Chen, she had learned that he was a week younger than her and insisted that he call her "Sister." There was no need to explain what would happen if he refused. Chu Chen had been stubborn too, though. He could call her Sister, but he had to add "Xiao"; otherwise, they would not even remain friends. In the end, seeing that Chu Chen would not yield at all, Wu Ke had no choice but to agree.

From that incident, Wu Ke had also seen Chu Chen's stubborn side. After that, she no longer dared make any excessive demands of him. If she truly provoked him into losing his temper, they might really stop being friends, which went against her intentions.

At that moment, Aunt Wu's voice condemning Uncle Wu outside reached the room. Wu Ke had probably heard it too, because she asked him,

"What's going on outside? Why does it sound like my mom is scolding my dad?"

Chu Chen chuckled. "I made some money, so I bought them a few gifts. I was also planning to take them to a restaurant for dinner tonight, but Uncle Wu wasn't too happy about it. He said I'd just started earning money and was already spending extravagantly. Aunt Wu is probably lecturing him over that."

"My dad's an old stubborn fool. Don't mind him. But Xiao Chen, you're amazing. Without making a sound, you've become a millionaire. It's unbelievable when I think about it. That dirt-poor little brat from back then actually became a millionaire too!"

The environment in which Chu Chen had grown up was what people called a poor mountain region. Life there was indescribably difficult. His family had been somewhat better off because his adoptive father was at least a formally appointed teacher who drew a government salary. Sometimes, he could even buy a new outfit for New Year's.

As for the other families, it was not unheard-of for them to be so poor that they had to take turns wearing the same pair of trousers, let alone buy new clothes for the New Year. Having grown up in such an environment, how could Chu Chen's clothes not be simple?

Though Chu Chen dressed plainly, his clothes were always very neat. His adoptive father often taught him that a person could be poor, but could not be poor in spirit or lose their backbone. Someone without spirit or dignity would never earn others' respect.

Chu Chen had always kept those words in mind. Thus, although he was very respectful toward Zhao Qirui, he never fawned over him. Aside from polite honorifics, he generally spoke neither obsequiously nor arrogantly. Perhaps for this reason, Zhao Qirui had come to view him with newfound respect.

Chu Chen joked, "Who ever said that someone dirt-poor couldn't become rich? Sister Xiao Ke, your class consciousness is terribly serious. Back in the old days, you would have been paraded around and criticized for that."

"Oh? We haven't seen each other for years, and you actually dare lecture me now? Just wait until I get back—I'll teach you a lesson! But now that Xiao Chen has become rich, I'll have it much easier too. At worst, I'll mortgage myself to you."

"This..." Hearing Wu Ke say that, Chu Chen was at a loss for how to respond.

"What? Are you saying you look down on me?"

Hearing the displeasure in Wu Ke's voice, Chu Chen hurriedly said, "No, how could I look down on Sister Xiao Ke? But you'll be a master's graduate from a famous overseas university by then. How could you possibly be unable to repay such a little money? Besides, I was only helping you with it, so you don't need to pay me back."

"That won't do. Repaying a debt is only natural. I'm definitely going to pay you back. How about I become your secretary then?"

"How could that work? You're a master's graduate from a famous university. I couldn't possibly afford to have you as my secretary."

"I don't care. Are you going to agree or not? Hmm?!"

With a hint of pleading in his voice, Chu Chen said, "Let's wait until next year to discuss it, all right? Maybe you'll change your mind by then."

Wu Ke said firmly, "I definitely won't change my mind. I'll give you some time to think it over, but you must give me a satisfactory answer then, understand? But to thank you for paying my tuition, I'll offer you a first kiss from this young lady. Mwah!"

That kiss instantly reminded Chu Chen of Wu Ke's adorable cherry-red lips. He felt a little flame stir in his heart, which made him somewhat alarmed. No way. How could I possibly have feelings for Xiao Ke? Is it because my hormones have been running too high lately? Yes, that must be it.

Although Chu Chen seemed cheerful now, deep down he was still somewhat withdrawn and found it difficult to accept other people's feelings. This was caused by what he had experienced as a child. The cheerful personality he displayed now was entirely the result of his adoptive father's painstaking guidance, which had taken tremendous time and effort to correct the somewhat twisted "personality" he had possessed back then.

When he had first gone to seek refuge with Uncle Wu, the entire Wu family had treated him warmly. However, during the first few months, he had not completely opened his heart to them. Only after spending more time together had he gradually accepted the family.

Of course, after several years living in the capital, Chu Chen also understood the drawbacks of his personality. Business depended on maintaining harmony and goodwill. If he gave customers the impression that he was keeping them at arm's length, he could forget about running a successful business. Thus, over the past few years, his personality had improved considerably.

But when it came to romantic feelings between men and women, Chu Chen still did not dare think about them at all. For one thing, he did not know what such feelings were supposed to be like. For another, he did not know how to handle them. He was completely blank in that regard, which was why Wu Ke often called him a blockhead.

Realizing that something was wrong with his state of mind, Chu Chen hurriedly changed the subject. "Sister Xiao Ke, do you know someone called Li Beibei?"

"Li Beibei? You mean that old Li family's dairy cow? Why are you asking about her?" Wu Ke's voice instantly rose in pitch.

Hearing her tone, Chu Chen immediately concluded that the two of them must have a grudge. He then briefly told her what had happened earlier (Chapter Six).

"Hehe, with her level of intelligence, of course she wouldn't dare trouble my dad." Wu Ke sounded extremely smug on the other end of the phone.

It turned out that the Wu and Li families were old acquaintances. Wu Ke and Li Beibei had known each other from a young age, but perhaps they had simply been born incompatible. From the time they met until now, they had never liked the sight of each other and would quarrel or fight at the slightest provocation.

The two of them each had their strengths. Wu Ke was better at arguing, while Li Beibei was better at fighting. However, once they grew older, it was no longer appropriate for two girls to fight, so Wu Ke gained a clear advantage.

Wu Ke did have one shortcoming: certain feminine features of hers were not particularly obvious. Li Beibei, on the other hand, was extremely well-endowed, and she often used that to mock Wu Ke. Though Wu Ke would retort and had nicknamed her "Dairy Cow," she was still sensitive about it deep down and came to dislike Li Beibei even more.

Before Wu Ke went abroad, Uncle Wu and Zhao Xueyi took her to visit Old Li, Li Beibei's grandfather. Li Beibei happened to be there with one of her young nephews. An idea struck Wu Ke, and with a little trickery, she bribed the boy. She then challenged Li Beibei to a contest of brain teasers.

Li Beibei was not actually stupid. Knowing that Wu Ke would be visiting that day, she had prepared several difficult questions in advance; otherwise, she would not have readily agreed to the bet. Her questions were indeed difficult, but they did not truly stump Wu Ke. To lull her into complacency, Wu Ke also asked several rather convoluted questions at first.

When she felt the time was right, Wu Ke immediately switched to a simpler question: "A male cow and a female cow—three characters." The question was genuinely very easy, but because of the misleading questions before it, Li Beibei hesitated.

At that point, Li Beibei's little nephew made his appearance. Pointing at her with his tiny finger, he said, "Auntie, you're so stupid. Isn't the answer 'two cows'? No wonder I always hear people say that big breasts mean no brains. Auntie, you seem to be exactly like that!"

Those words infuriated Li Beibei. Her face turned pale, then red, as she watched Wu Ke and the others struggle to hold back their laughter until their faces flushed. She wanted nothing more than to rush over and beat Wu Ke senseless, but with her elders present, that would clearly have been inappropriate. In the end, she could only run home with tears of fury in her eyes.

Laughing smugly, Wu Ke said, "Xiao Chen, tell me, isn't she exactly the type with big breasts and no brains? With just a little trickery, I sent her running home in disgrace."

Chu Chen's face twitched after hearing the story. How could a girl who had been teased so badly still have the nerve to trouble Uncle Wu? He guessed that if Li Beibei had not been broad-minded enough, she probably would not even have visited Zhao Xueyi again. Still, the matter had nothing to do with him, so after hearing it, he simply flattered her.

"Of course. Our Sister Xiao Ke was born with both beauty and intelligence."

"Do you really think so, Xiao Chen?"

"Absolutely. If I'm lying, may the heavens strike me with five thunderbolts!"

"Pah, pah, pah! Why are you making such an oath? I never said I didn't believe you!"