Hidden Motives

Gao Teng nodded, finally understanding why Liang Guofu was so polite to Teacher Chen.

"Actually, the reason I invited you to dinner today is that I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

Gao Teng suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "You don't like me, do you? You want me to be your boyfriend?"

Meng Yao rolled her eyes. "You wish. It's not even dark yet, so could you stop dreaming so early?"

"Then what is it?"

"It's just..."

Just as Meng Yao was speaking, the door to the private room was suddenly knocked, and the voice of a waiter rang out from outside.

"Please come in."

As Meng Yao spoke, several waiters pushed the door open and began placing dish after dish onto the table.

Upon learning that Meng Yao had arrived, all the head chefs at Hongshan Residence had personally taken to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Braised sea cucumber with scallions, yellow-braised shark fin, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, Longjing shrimp, braised lion's head meatballs...

They were a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

Meng Yao temporarily held her tongue, gesturing for Gao Teng to taste the dishes on the table.

Gao Teng didn't stand on ceremony; he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat, feeling that he was finally living the good life.

As for the dishes on the table, let alone this life, he hadn't even seen them in his previous one!

"Worth the trip, right?"

Seeing Gao Teng's satisfied expression, Meng Yao pursed her lips and said, "You didn't even want to come when I invited you; you really don't know what's good for you!"

Gao Teng swallowed a piece of soft, fresh, and fragrant sea cucumber and said, "You're right, it was me who didn't know what was good for me. Having a meal with such a beautiful and cute girl is truly the greatest honor of my life."

Meng Yao let out a "hmph" and picked up her chopsticks.

After eating a few bites, she continued what she hadn't finished earlier: "Gao Teng, do you want to take private tutoring lessons with me?

With one-on-one guidance, your grades will definitely improve quickly. You might even be able to get into a regular university."

"I don't have the money to hire a private tutor."

Meng Yao shook her head; she knew Gao Teng would have that concern.

She said, "You don't have to spend any money. It's free."

Gao Teng looked up at Meng Yao. "You're paying for me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Meng Yao said earnestly, "I don't like owing people. You saved me today, and I want you to have a better life in the future so you don't have to work so hard."

"You really are a good person."

"That goes without saying. Not only am I beautiful and cute, but I'm also kind-hearted. I am a very, very good girl."

Gao Teng smiled and then refused, "No need. I will improve my grades on my own."

Meng Yao frowned. "If you really had that kind of ability, your grades wouldn't be so bad."

"That was in the past. Now, I'm making rapid progress every day."

Meng Yao looked completely unconvinced.

Gao Teng couldn't be bothered to explain further, saying with a firm expression, "In any case, I don't want to rely on anyone. I want to walk my own path."

Meng Yao wanted to persuade him further, but meeting Gao Teng's exceptionally determined gaze, she had to swallow her words.

She thought for a moment. "Then is there anything you need my help with? Like debts or something?"

"Even less so."

Gao Teng refused without hesitation. He didn't want to owe Meng Yao too much, and if her family found out, it would likely lead to unnecessary trouble.

Right now, he just wanted to steadily grind for merit points and steal more cultivation from Zhou Xing.

"I think it's fine if we just stay as ordinary friends. You don't need to keep thinking about helping me; you don't owe me anything."

Meng Yao squinted at Gao Teng. "You're lying. How could you only want to be ordinary friends with a girl as beautiful and cute as me?

I think you're playing hard to get. You're intentionally ignoring me because you want me to see you in a different light."

Gao Teng put his hand to his forehead. "Can you not be so narcissistic?"

Meng Yao retorted, "It's not narcissism. I am a flawless treasure. Don't think you can win my attention by trying to put me down!"

"Heh."

"You're laughing again?"

Gao Teng shut his mouth; he'd better just stick to eating.

The private room fell silent for a moment until Meng Yao couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I am intentionally ignoring you, deliberately teasing your heart, making you restless, making you fret, and making you see me in a different light."

"Clap!"

Meng Yao slammed her chopsticks onto the table. "Mocking me again, aren't you?"

Gao Teng hurriedly changed the subject. "Actually, I was mentally rehearsing the Basic Eighteen Fist Forms. The college entrance exam is coming up soon; I can't afford to waste any time."

"Don't give me that!"

After finishing the noisy meal, the two of them walked downstairs.

Upon reaching the lobby, a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses and looking refined spotted them and immediately strode over.

"Yaoyao, you're eating here?"

Meng Yao said in surprise, "Uncle, why are you here?"

Lin Benqiang smiled and said, "I was passing by on business and decided to check on the shop's operations. And this is..."

In an instant, Gao Teng felt an aggressive gaze, as if it were trying to see through him inside and out.

Meng Yao said, "He's my classmate. He saved me today. So, to thank him, I invited him here for a meal."

"Saved you?"

"Yes."

Meng Yao recounted the events in detail, though she didn't forget Ma Wei's instructions; she didn't spill all the inside information just because Lin Benqiang was her uncle.

As Lin Benqiang listened to the events on Snake Island, his expression grew increasingly grim.

"I told you long ago that we must send people to protect you at all times, but you just wouldn't listen, and in the end, we were forced to follow your wishes. If someone had been protecting you today, how could you have been in danger? If Gao Teng hadn't saved you, you would have almost lost your life. Do you realize that?"

Meng Yao stuck out her tongue. "But I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? I didn't lose a single piece of skin."

"It would be too late once something happened!"

"I know, Uncle. I'll be careful from now on."

Meng Yao grabbed her uncle's hand and shook it back and forth, acting spoiled.

Lin Benqiang shook her off. "Don't try that with me. We are holding a family meeting today to discuss whether we should send people to protect you. You won't be allowed to be willful this time!"

Listening to their conversation, Gao Teng scratched his head.

They have to hold a family meeting for something like this?

No wonder Meng Yao has more of a child's temperament than a young girl's; she is truly too pampered!

"Gao Teng, thank you for today. Has Yaoyao caused you any trouble?"

"Not at all, she's been great."

Gao Teng waved his hand, exchanged a few polite pleasantries, and then bid the two of them farewell.

After he left, Lin Benqiang put away his smile. "When did you meet this classmate? How come I've never heard you mention him?"

"He only transferred to our class recently. He's a guy who really doesn't know what's good for him!"

"Hmm?"

Lin Benqiang's brow furrowed into a knot. Judging by Meng Yao's tone, she seemed to harbor a special kind of affection for Gao Teng.

"Yaoyao, you're young and haven't experienced the malice of the human heart. Be careful that someone doesn't have ulterior motives."

"Huh? You aren't talking about Gao Teng, are you?" Meng Yao said decisively, "He wouldn't. I wanted to help him today, but he refused everything."

Lin Benqiang asked curiously, "What did he refuse from you? Tell me about it."

Meng Yao didn't hold back and told him everything.

After listening, Lin Benqiang felt even more convinced that Gao Teng had ulterior motives.

Faced with help that could influence his future, Gao Teng actually refused?

This was clearly against common sense!