Chapter 58: Playing the Villain for Once

A disastrously failed attempt at making the first move—Wu Xiang was almost labeled as a criminal by the teacher managing the archives room, but fortunately, Huang Yi—oh, Haiqing—let him off.

In truth, the reason Haiqing was so cold and distant towards Wu Xiang wasn’t simply because his attempt at improvising a scene had failed. The main reason was that she was afraid.

Yes, afraid. After filming "First Intimate Encounter," Haiqing returned to her hometown. She was a dutiful daughter, always spending any spare time with her parents, no matter what.

But this time, back in Nanjing, Haiqing found her mind was filled with thoughts of Wu Xiang. She tried to dispel his wicked image, but couldn’t manage it.

Her mind was haunted by the tall, gangly man—not just the ‘flesh and blood’ wet kiss, but even the smallest moments lingered in her memory. Especially when her mother would sometimes ask, “Why are you smiling like a fool?” At those moments, the tall, awkward figure would appear in her mind.

Haiqing was no fool, especially since she had just acted in a romance film. She knew she had fallen in love, unconsciously, with that wretched bamboo pole of a man!

This couldn't be allowed. Absolutely not!

Haiqing clearly remembered that before she started at the Film Academy, her mother had deposited fifty thousand yuan into her card, the intent being to warn her not to chase after wealthy men, and of course, not to get involved in messy romantic affairs.

A daughter must be raised well, so she can face money and temptation with equanimity.

While Haiqing didn’t think her situation with Wu Xiang counted as ‘messy,’ it was still a romantic entanglement. Fifty thousand yuan was no small sum in her family, proof of her mother’s resolve.

Her mother’s concern was justified. In just a few years at the Film Academy, Haiqing had seen many students who became increasingly adept at dressing up, more mature, and who eventually left in a luxury car parked outside the school gate, never to return.

This wasn’t a rare occurrence; there was never a shortage of luxury cars outside the gate, and their targets were always beautiful girls. Fortunately, Haiqing’s hearty appetite kept most of the predators at bay—but now, someone had finally taken an interest in her.

Haiqing could sense Wu Xiang’s feelings for her. If she couldn’t see it, then her intelligence would rival Forrest Gump’s. But the pressure from her parents and her own desire to study made it impossible for her to accept Wu Xiang.

Since childhood, she had attended professional dance schools, then joined a theater troupe. Truthfully, she had never attended school as a normal student, so she cherished the Film Academy’s atmosphere and didn’t want to squander this rare opportunity for study on a romance.

So Haiqing chose to retreat. She gave herself several reasons. First, Wu Xiang was clearly a ‘rich guy’ now, so she couldn’t possibly chase after him. Second, Wu Xiang was a pervert—he liked slim girls, so what if she gained weight again? Wouldn’t he dump her? Third…

Regardless, with or without reasons, she had to find a pile of excuses for herself. Only then could she feel better, only then could she justify keeping her distance from Wu Xiang—avoiding him as much as possible.

But Haiqing underestimated someone. She underestimated Wu Xiang's indomitable spirit, his cockroach-like resilience!

“Why are you avoiding me?” When Wu Xiang appeared on the path between the rehearsal room and the cafeteria, blocking Haiqing’s way like a hawk cornering its prey, he spat out the question with a foul temper.

“I—I’m not avoiding you.” Haiqing had no way out this time, and her confidence was wavering, as if her slimmer figure had dampened her boldness—her tomboyish aura seemed diminished.

“Anyone with eyes can see you’re avoiding me. Do you think I’m that stupid?” Wu Xiang blurted out a string of curses, acting like a street punk, especially with his dark circles making him look like he’d just done drugs.

Of course, don’t misunderstand—Wu Xiang would never touch that stuff. He just hadn’t slept a wink the night before, his mind tangled with thoughts of his situation with Haiqing. Why couldn’t he make sense of it?

“You—” Haiqing was furious. “How can you be so vulgar? You’re a college student! You’re still—” She wanted to say, “You’re still a cultured person,” but Wu Xiang didn’t let her finish.

“So what if I’m vulgar? I’m about to lose my mind because of you. Can’t I be a little vulgar?” Wu Xiang said, quite honestly.

“You—” Haiqing found him impossible to reason with. “Get out of the way, or I’ll call for help!”

She didn’t need to call for help—this was the Film Academy, and everyone was heading to the cafeteria, so there were plenty of people around. They were smart, though—Zeng Hui and Dini, Wen Zhengrong and Zhang Yanyan all kept their distance, since Wu Xiang looked terrifying.

At six foot two, combined with the fierce demeanor of a Northeasterner, what girl wouldn’t be intimidated? Perhaps only Haiqing wasn’t afraid of him.

Wu Xiang swept his gaze around with a wicked smile, then arched an eyebrow at Haiqing, as if to say, “Go ahead, call for help. There are plenty of people.” This infuriated Haiqing, but Wu Xiang spoke again.

“Come watch a movie with me. If you’re really hungry, I can buy you dinner.”

“No!” Haiqing’s cheeks flushed; she hadn’t expected this bamboo pole to be asking her out, though the method was…

“You have to go.” Wu Xiang’s voice wasn’t loud, but his tone was resolute, even threatening, “If you don’t, I’ll kiss you, right here, and I’ll kiss you hard.”

“You—” Haiqing felt her face burning. Was this man truly insane? “Even if you kiss me, I won’t go!”

Wu Xiang towered above her; they were so close he only had to lower his head to speak in her ear. He whispered, “If you won’t go even after I kiss you, do you believe I might do something even more outrageous?”

Even more outrageous? What did that mean? Haiqing’s mind spun—could this scoundrel really snatch a girl in broad daylight, with so many witnesses?

This was a well-governed socialist university! Did this bamboo pole think it was feudal society? Or some semi-feudal, semi-colonial era? He wouldn’t dare!

With this thought, Haiqing’s confidence surged. “Who do you think you are? A tyrant? Are you Ximen Qing or Lord Zhen Guanxi? Watch my lips!”

Haiqing stepped forward, chin raised in defiance like a proud seabird beneath stormy clouds.

“I won’t go!”

“Such spirit.” Wu Xiang smiled, genuinely admiring Haiqing at that moment—she was truly a heroine among women. But he was neither Ximen Qing nor Lord Zhen Guanxi; he was Wu Xiang!

“Ah! Put me down! Put me down!” Haiqing shrieked as Wu Xiang bent down and hoisted her over his shoulder, carrying her off.

“Woman, shut up!” Wu Xiang’s aura was imposing, like a tyrant brooking no dissent.

“You—” Haiqing was stunned, but only for a moment; she began to struggle fiercely, pounding Wu Xiang’s back and calling out, “Help! Somebody help me!”

A crowd of students was watching—Zeng Hui and Dini were there too—but…

“Yeah-ha!”

“Nice one, buddy! You’re awesome!”

“Kiss her, kiss her!” The crowd egged him on, some even applauding.

In this atmosphere, Zeng Hui and Dini dared not defy the masses; they could only give Haiqing helpless looks—unable to help.

“Oh no! Please, no!” Only now did Haiqing realize that even in these times, bullies still existed.