Qian Yu was the undisputed school beauty of her high school. Being a school beauty wasn’t just about looks—it required all-around excellence in academics, sports, arts, and character.
Qian Yu earned this title not only for her stunning beauty but also for her incredibly diverse talents. She was president of the martial arts club and held roles in the dance, track and field, literature, singing, and home economics clubs.
Coupled with her gentle personality, she was deeply admired by classmates. Naturally, such a person was immensely popular. Otherwise, no one would have formed a dedicated fan club for her.
So when students lingering at the school gate saw their school beauty holding hands with a handsome stranger, her face flushed red, the boys collectively erupted.
“What the hell! Who is this guy? Get lost! How dare you touch Goddess Qian Yu’s hand?”
“Exactly! Who do you think you are? How dare you hit on our school’s top beauty? Do you think good looks let you do whatever you want?”
“Damn it, I’m gonna beat him up! Don’t hold me back! Goddess Qian Yu is sacred and inviolable… Hey, wait, is no one stopping me?”
Some girls watched Xia Chuan with jealous glares.
“Tch, Qian Yu’s nothing special. Why would a handsome guy like that even look at her…”
“Do you think Qian Yu’s being kept by him…”
“If that’s true, I’d be willing too…”
School is a microcosm of society. No matter how hard Qian Yu tried, she couldn’t please everyone. Some would still envy her beauty and talents.
Xia Chuan didn’t notice the girls’ whispers, but the boys’ uproar was too loud to ignore. He explained with a wry smile:
“Students, don’t misunderstand. I’m not Qian Yu’s suitor or boyfriend. I’m her father. Thank you all for taking care of her at school.”
Beside him, Qian Yu’s pupils widened slightly. Her earlier shyness gave way to a hint of dejection.
The surrounding students were clearly stunned.
“Father? You?”
Looking at Xia Chuan’s face—which looked only in his twenties—they were utterly bewildered.
It wasn’t their fault. As the father of a high schooler, Xia Chuan looked far too young.
However, as modern students, they quickly accepted this reality.
The boys’ attitudes changed dramatically upon learning the truth.
“Ah, I thought it was someone else. Turns out it’s my… ahem! Uncle!”
“Uncle, you’re too modest. We’re the ones who should thank Goddess Qian Yu for her care.”
“Yes, yes! And please don’t take our earlier words to heart, Uncle.”
Watching their sudden enthusiasm, the corner of Xia Chuan’s mouth twitched slightly. He finally understood why Mr. Xiao’s father-in-law had wanted to beat him up so badly.
But he just gave a dry laugh. He had important business to attend to.
“Well, Qian Yu and I will take our leave. See you another time.”
“Mm, goodbye, Uncle! Come visit again when you have time!”
Xia Chuan smiled awkwardly and led Qian Yu toward the black BMW.
Some girls gossiped behind them.
“Wow, I never knew Qian Yu had such a young, handsome dad. And so rich too.”
“Qian Yu’s mom must be so happy…”
“A comfortable family with a perfect daughter like her… truly blissful.”
Though Qian Yu was famous at school, classmates knew little about her family. They couldn’t help but gossip.
Xia Chuan and Qian Yu had walked far enough not to hear them.
After a while, Qian Yu silently slipped her arm out of Xia Chuan’s grip.
Xia Chuan didn’t mind. He thought his rebellious daughter might dislike him holding her hand.
Soon, they reached the BMW. Xia Chuan pointed at it.
“Qian Yu, get in.”
Qian Yu looked at the car with obvious surprise.
“Xia Chuan, did you buy a BMW? Did you sell a kidney or something?”
She remembered his car was cheap, with unpaid loans.
“What BMW? I couldn’t afford that even if I sold a kidney.”
Xia Chuan was dumbfounded.
“Then what car are you telling me to get into?”
Qian Yu froze.
“Are you blind? Over there!”
Xia Chuan pointed again.
Qian Yu squinted and finally noticed an old-fashioned bicycle parked beside the BMW.
The flashy BMW made the shabby bike easy to miss.
“So this is your car…”
For a moment, Qian Yu was taken aback.
“Did you really think I could afford a BMW?”
Xia Chuan scratched his head awkwardly.
Seeing his embarrassment, Qian Yu snorted a laugh. Her mood began to lighten.
“Right… this shabby ride suits you perfectly…”
“Hey, what do you mean, shabby? This is low-carbon travel! I’m saving the planet. What do you know!”
Hearing his daughter scold him, Xia Chuan felt deflated. But as the saying goes, “Never show weakness even in defeat.” He couldn’t lose face verbally.
Qian Yu’s smile widened. She didn’t reply, just skipped around the BMW and hopped onto the bicycle’s back seat.
Sitting on the ordinary bike, she wore a warm smile. Her long ponytail danced gently in the breeze. She looked like the girl next door experiencing her first love.
She smoothed her hair and said softly:
“Driver Xia, I’m on board. Hurry up.”
Seeing her smile, Xia Chuan was momentarily stunned. He snapped out of it and chuckled lightly.
“Mm, coming.”
Xia Chuan sat on the saddle. Before setting off, he reminded her:
“If you feel unsteady, hold my waist or the back seat.”
“As if I need you to tell me… idiot Xia Chuan…”
After a second’s hesitation, her face flushed as she mumbled and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Feeling her warm body against his back, Xia Chuan’s face flushed with embarrassment.
He hadn’t expected her to grow into such a shapely young lady after all these years…
Xia Chuan dared not dwell on it. He silently chanted to calm his mind.
He took a deep breath and pedaled away.
Students at the gate watched in astonishment.
“Uncle, so that BMW isn’t yours! Why were you posing next to it? Aren’t you afraid the owner will come after you?!”
These words stayed in their hearts. They could only watch, utterly bewildered, as the bicycle faded into the distance.
With someone on the back, Xia Chuan didn’t ride too fast.
“By the way, Xia Chuan, don’t you have overtime today? Why are you free to pick me up?”
Qian Yu asked with a hint of confusion.
At her question, Xia Chuan froze for a few seconds.
Indeed, he had a reason for coming. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken half a day off.
His mind drifted back to Mr. Xiao’s plan from that noon…
“Old Xia, to help Qian Yu understand the charm of the opposite sex, we have no choice but to send you in.”
“Me? Are you kidding? I’m Qian Yu’s father…”
“Precisely because you’re family, it’ll be easier. Others would make her wary… Old Xia, don’t tell me you lack this awareness. Imagine if Qian Yu brings a girl home and calls you father-in-law…”
“Alright, alright! I’ll do it. But how exactly?”
“First, shed your identity as Qian Yu’s father. View her as a man would.”
“This… isn’t this like a perverted father…”
“This isn’t perverted. You and Qian Yu aren’t blood-related. Even if you really slept with her, it wouldn’t be… Ahh!!”
“Shit! If you bring up such topics again, next time it won’t be just a punch… Let’s get serious!”
“Old Xia, a gentleman uses words, not fists… Alright. This isn’t perverted fatherhood. Act like an excellent man in front of Qian Yu. Use your actions to subtly change her orientation.”
“So how exactly?”
“The most direct method is—dating.”
Recalling the conversation, Xia Chuan felt a headache coming on.
Seeing him silent, Qian Yu lightly punched his back and cooed:
“Idiot Xia Chuan, are you deaf? Talk!”
Xia Chuan snapped back to reality and apologized.
“Sorry, I zoned out… I actually came to take you out for fun.”
“Fun? Where to?”
Qian Yu realized they weren’t heading home.
Xia Chuan stared ahead for a while before saying softly:
“How about an amusement park?”
