"I'm so mad! Cousin, you have no idea how awful that deadbeat is! Just thinking about his face makes me furious!"

That evening, back home, Lin Mengyao watched Xia Yining towel-dry her freshly washed hair. She punched the life-sized plush panda in her arms as if it were Jiang Fan himself.

"Oh right—you’re his English teacher, aren’t you? Quick! Let’s team up, flank him from both sides, and make that deadbeat regret ever crossing us!"

Suddenly remembering this, Lin Mengyao tossed the panda aside and leaned excitedly toward Xia Yining, who had just sat down.

Xia Yining sat primly on the sofa, knees together. Her loose sleepwear couldn’t hide her graceful figure. Fresh from the shower and not wearing a bra, two subtle silhouettes hinted beneath the fabric. Her long, slender legs lay bare in the air—a sight no man had ever been privileged to see.

After all, she was a staunch believer in staying single. Twenty-four years, untouched.

Holding a pink hairdryer on low setting, she gently blew through her dark tresses and replied with a wry smile:

"Now, now—what exactly did he do to you? Calling him ‘deadbeat’ nonstop... Jiang Fan never struck me as that type. Don’t pick on him just because he seems easygoing."

Jiang Fan stood out in her memory—not for fame or grades, but for dozing off in her class every other day. It wasn’t for attention; her English lessons always fell during the sleepiest hours. Even a young, pretty teacher couldn’t save him from his own exhaustion.

"Hah?! Easygoing? Cousin, you’re way off! He’s probably hitting on shady girls at some bar right now. ‘Easygoing’? Hardly!"

"Maybe it’s his family situation? Living alone at his age... The school turns a blind eye to his bartending job for a reason. Honestly, I wish *you’d* learn from him. Your dad’s been begging me to keep an eye on you—do you know how hard it is covering for you?"

Lin Mengyao bit her lip. No comeback came. She switched tactics.

"Cousin, you don’t get it! He acts quiet at school, but outside? Wild. He’s got a girlfriend, and today at lunch—I saw bite marks on his neck!"

She hopped off the sofa, bare feet slapping the floor. Crouching before Xia Yining, she yanked her collar down. "See? Right here! Bite marks! Still think he’s ‘easygoing’?"

Xia Yining blinked in surprise but showed no disgust.

"Hmm... I don’t endorse it, but young people today are... open. Some of my old classmates have kids in elementary school. As long as it’s consensual and safe, who am I to judge?"

Her years studying abroad had loosened her views. She believed in self-respect for women but wouldn’t impose strict rules on others.

She added firmly: "But *you*—don’t even think about it. If your dad finds out, I won’t be able to save you."

Lin Mengyao’s father was old-fashioned. Without Xia Yining’s cover, just visiting bars would have him flying back from overseas to scold her.

Lin Mengyao shrank back, remembering the consequences of reckless romance.

"I know that... But he’s got a girlfriend *and* works that job? I saw him flirting with girls! Isn’t that the definition of a deadbeat?"

(Though ‘flirting’ was misleading—he only smiled politely at customers who approached *him*. Outside the bar? He wouldn’t spare them a glance.)

"Then Shu Yue really should have a serious talk with him..."

Lin Mengyao’s eyes lit up. She’d almost threatened to expose his stolen first kiss—but it hadn’t come to that.

She grabbed Xia Yining’s hands earnestly:

"Exactly! Taking down deadbeats is everyone’s duty! Cousin, you’ve gotta step up!"

Xia Yining stared at her impulsive niece. Why was she so obsessed with that ordinary boy? Unless...

"Do you... like him? Why else care so much?"

Under that probing gaze, Lin Mengyao froze—then snapped:

"I’d rather die single than like that jerk!"

*Who’d even fall for someone so awful?*

Yet a whisper lingered in her mind: *Who’s his girlfriend? How could she ignore my charm...?*

*Hmph. Just another fool tricked by sweet words.*

---

That night, Jiang Fan had barely started his shift when Chen Jing tapped his shoulder. "You’re off duty. Someone’s waiting outside."

"Waiting for me?" He stepped out. As expected, Yelan stood by a familiar Ferrari in a sharp black suit, bowing slightly.

Only *he* would warrant Chen Jing’s phrasing.

Jiang Fan nodded back at her. "I’ll leave my uniform here."

"Hold on—change into this first."

*Change clothes?*

He opened the paper bag she handed him. Inside lay a brand-new suit. The price tag could pay off 1/30th of his debt. No guessing who sent it.

*That time again... Earlier than usual this year.*

"Understood. Give me a moment."

After changing in the locker room, Jiang Fan slid into the Ferrari’s backseat under Chen Jing’s watchful eyes. His girlfriend, Mu Yuli, sat quietly beside him, eyes closed in exhaustion.

"Here? Scoot over."

He saw the faint shadows under her eyes—last night’s activities plus a full day of work had drained her. He obeyed silently, pressing against the door.

Mu Yuli kicked off her black heels. Dressed in a mature office outfit, her legs sheathed in flawless black stockings, she looked nothing like a high schooler. She rested her head on Jiang Fan’s lap, curling up on the seat.

"Touch if you want. Just keep your legs still... Don’t wake me."