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nIt was not that he despised the girl.

nThe young lady was, after all, only a high school student. It was normal for her to be unable to solve it—just that he still held a little hope inside.

nHe was already old and could barely take a single step of improvement in the mathematics field even after years. He truly wanted to help nurture more talents for the country.

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nAs a paramount existence in the local mathematics field, he had met a mathematical genius many years ago. He had originally thought that he could pull that person into the mathematics field and bring the local mathematicians to greater heights. Alas, that person was much too secretive with their identity and had far too many responsibilities. It was impossible for that person to give up everything else and focus on only researching mathematics.

nWith pain in his heart, he gave up—cough, or he should say—he did not dare to go bother that person. After so many years, he thought that he had met another one.

nAfter all, anyone who could enter this group was not your average Joe.

nHe gave a self-deprecating smile when he realized he had driven himself into a dead-end again.

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n

nThe young lady had never claimed to be good at mathematics. It was he who was too desperate for a disciple and hence had given her a mathematical question to test her. She must already be excellent in piano, so how could her mathematics be good too?

nAfter the conference was over, he lowered down his head and was about to leave when a professor from the mathematics department of Huazhong University came over. “Have you heard of the first-place holder in the Math Star Competition this year?”

nHuaxia University and Huazhong University were the top two schools in the country. Both schools were situated in the capital. Competition and cooperation existed between the two.

nFeng Xingshen shook his head. “Isn’t there a first placer every year?”

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nThe other replied, “She scored 288 marks in the Math Star Competition!”

nTo Feng Xingshen, such competitions were third-rate and he never saw any importance in them. “That still cannot mean anything. We still have to look at the national competition.”

n…

n…

nBin City.

nThe weather turned colder in mid-September. It was cold from dawn to dusk. Hence, Xue Xi put on another school sweater when she went to school.

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n

nAs usual, she wore her white baseball cap and carried a heavy school bag as she alighted from the car in front of the provision store.

nAutumn was here, and the leaves along the roadside had tinges of yellow. At this timing, the shops on both sides of the street were all peddling their breakfast menus.

nXue Xi was beautiful. Hence, she was the focus of the crowd wherever she went. She pressed her baseball cap down lower, ignored the crowd’s gaze, and entered the provision store.

nThe moment she entered, she could feel that something was amiss.

nThe store was usually empty and void of any customers. Yet, there were seven to eight different men standing inside currently. They all had short, shaved hair and donned a variety of clothes, but when she entered, they all turned to look at her in unison.

nThe leader of the group was a scar-faced and fierce-looking individual. When he spotted Xue Xi, he was first momentarily stunned, then forced out an ingratiating smile at her.

nXue Xi was a little stunned.

nThese few people must be hooligans who collect protection fees along the streets. From this leader’s fierce expression, was he warning her to not stick her head into other’s business?

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nShe subconsciously turned to look at the counter.

nXiang Huai was still sitting in the darkness in a laid-back manner and holding a book. His posture was very elegant and noble-like. One who knew him would know that he was a provision store owner, but those who did not would even believe if told that he was from a wealthy family.

nHowever, currently, on his chiseled face, she saw that his sharp eyebrows were slightly furrowed together, his jaw was tense, and his brown eyes were dark. He did not seem happy.

nThat’s true. No one would be happy when asked to pay protection fee, right?

nUnder the gazes of the few men, she instinctively inched toward the shelves beside her, pretending to be buying something to show that she had nothing to do with him.

nShe did not notice what was on the shelves but peeked at Xiang Huai from the corner of her eyes.

nAn idea popped into her mind right at this moment.

nWhat if—only suppose—Xiang Huai got beaten to death by these hooligans? Would the curse on her be automatically dispelled?

nThe same moment her hazy eyes lit up, her heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly!

nThe pain was excruciating—more so than at any other time. It felt as though breathing itself was a painful act!

n…F*ck! As expected, that won’t work.

nNo matter how indifferent she was usually, she still could not help but spew vulgarities inside.

nHow could one simply watch as the person she loved died?

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nShe merely toyed with the idea a little and her heart was already in such terrible pain.

nShe took a deep breath. Despite seething in anger, she still stepped toward Xiang Huai and stood before him, asking, “You don’t have money to pay the protection fee?”

nXiang “God of Poverty” Huai: “?”

nSince he did not speak, she took it as a silent admittance. “…Leave it to me.”

nThe man, who was just about to explain, shut his mouth up tightly upon hearing this.

nHe then saw the little kid turn to face the few idiots in front of him and say in an indifferent voice, “My boyfriend is timid, so look to me if you have any issues.”

nRight after saying this, his little girlfriend took a half-step back with her right leg and arched her body forward slightly. She held up both fists and displayed, in all seriousness, an attacking position from the Army Boxing Style. Her small face was tensed up, as though she could rush at them at any moment.

nFrom his angle, he could see her side profile from under her baseball cap.

nHer small nose bridge, slightly-curled eyelashes, plump and moist cherry-pink lips… Every inch of her looked perfect.

nHe, who had just been raging because these idiots had messed up a task, instantly deflated. His dark expression softened and the corner of his lips even curled up into a light smile.

nMeanwhile, the supposed-hooligans standing before them: “???”

nTheir gazes flitted between Xiang Huai and the young lady. They were dumbstruck.

nHoly cow!

nWhat did we just hear? This young lady said that Boss is her… b-b-boyfriend?

nAnd that Boss is… timid?

nThey turned to look at Xiang Huai in fright, only to see the frightening and infamous “Black Yama” extend an arm to place on the table, then rest his head lazily on the same arm. In that instant, the alluring-looking man slowly said, “They are so scary.”

n“…”

n“Little kid, protect me well.”

n“…”

nThe crowd: Boss, how can you be this shameless?!

nWhile they were in a daze, Xue Xi instantly attacked after confirming that these people were here to collect protection fees!

nBang!

nScar-faced man was dealt with a heavy Army Boxing fist and fell onto the ground.

nThe rest of the group cowered backward in fear as they stared at the young lady walking toward them slowly and expressionlessly. Inside, they screamed: Sister-in-law, please listen to us. We are here to pay protection fees!

nIf they did not say it, Sister-in-law would pummel them.

nBut if they did say it, Boss would pummel them.

nAfter weighing the odds, they decided to run for their lives in the end.

nXue Xi rubbed her fists and worked her wrists, then said to Xiang Huai, “They ran away.”

nXiang “Gigolo” Huai was a conscientious person. With his eyes lowered, he sighed. “They will come again.”

n“…”

n“Can I call you?”

nXue Xi paused for a moment. “Fine.”

nShe then turned to look at the prepared breakfast on the dining table and said to him, “Let’s eat.”

nXiang Huai did not move from his seat.

nWhen Xue Xi looked at him quizzically, he “weakly” said, “I’ve been frightened.”

n“?”

n“My legs feel weak. I can’t walk.”

n“…”

nHis tone was amorous, yet also lazy, as he said, “Help me walk there.”

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