Chapter 29: Ahem, That Arc

The next morning!

He Tian kept up his routine, running ten kilometers as usual, then practicing his martial arts forms. As for everything that happened last night, including his conversation with Old Hu, He Tian decided to set it all aside for the moment.

He remembered what the Dragon Head had said: this was a long-term mission. It seemed the meaning behind those words was quite profound. Whether things would unfold as he suspected, He Tian couldn't be sure. But as long as clues appeared, he could track them down bit by bit. Sooner or later, the other side would slip up.

After his martial practice, when He Tian began to regulate his breathing and draw in the vital morning energy from the east, Wang Xinrou appeared at his side and resumed practicing the same move.

He Tian smiled slightly, no longer paying her any attention, and assumed a horse stance facing east, quietly adjusting his breathing. This was the key to his progress: seizing these precious moments in the morning to strengthen himself.

Once his breath work was finished, He Tian started coaching Wang Xinrou. Her improvement was remarkable. According to He Tian's estimation, if she kept up this pace, she’d fully grasp every subtlety of the move in less than a week—five days would be enough. Of course, He Tian wasn’t about to tell her that, lest she get cocky.

Aunt Qiu’s breakfast was hearty and delicious. He Tian ate a lot, as usual. Aunt Qiu knew his appetite well and now always prepared extra. Besides the improvement from his morning breath work, all of He Tian’s increase in internal energy came from the nutrients in his food. Hence, his voracious appetite.

Wang Xinrou and the others had long since gotten used to this. After breakfast, Old Hu drove Wang Xinmeng to the company as usual, while He Tian took Wang Xinrou to school. As for Chen Long and Hou Qiang, they were responsible for the villa’s security.

“Look, that’s the handsome guy!”
“He’s really skilled!”
“There’s a thread on the BBS—this is the guy who beat Qin Long a few days ago!”
“Isn’t he Wang Xinrou’s boyfriend? A flower blooming on a pile of manure!”
“Don’t be jealous just because you can’t have him!”
...

Walking across campus with Wang Xinrou, He Tian heard the students whispering all around. Clearly, he had become a campus sensation in a very short time. Especially after his impressive display yesterday, which had already made its way onto the school forum. It would be hard for him not to become famous now.

“You’re a celebrity now,” Wang Xinrou said, smiling softly.

“You’d better watch out,” He Tian teased. “Now that I’m famous, who knows how many beautiful girls are plotting to chase after me?”

“Go ahead, let them try. What’s that to me?” Wang Xinrou couldn’t stand He Tian’s narcissism when it came to women.

“Just admit it,” He Tian persisted. “If you like me, just say so. What’s the big deal?”

“Oh, please, He Tian—calling you ‘brother’ is just because I want to learn martial arts from you! Don’t get any funny ideas. I, Wang Xinrou, wouldn’t be interested in you!” Wang Xinrou exploded.

“All right, I’ll drop it,” He Tian said, recognizing he’d pushed far enough.

Still, he genuinely enjoyed seeing Wang Xinrou’s mix of disdain and hidden longing—it was a contradiction he found endearing. Given his keen observation, He Tian was sure Wang Xinrou already liked him. But he was honestly afraid she might confess her feelings. So he kept provoking her like this, hoping she’d keep them hidden, which made things easier for him.

After everything he’d experienced, He Tian wasn’t sure how things would turn out if he actually got involved with Wang Xinrou. He feared nothing—except matters of the heart, where he was especially cautious.

During class, Ouyang Bingbing, Lin Ying, and Li Yingying were nowhere to be seen. Clearly, they were busy with their startup. Wang Xinrou was quite pleased with this—she had He Tian sitting beside her, paying attention in class. But when other girls passed notes to He Tian, she found it extremely annoying.

Though she didn’t believe any girl in class, apart from Ouyang Bingbing, could compete with her, she couldn’t be careless. After all, even a great dam can be undermined by a tiny ant hole. Any attempt to draw He Tian away had to be nipped in the bud.

So, Wang Xinrou confiscated every note passed to He Tian. He didn’t even get a chance to see what was written.

“I protest! You can’t block my happiness!” He Tian whispered.

“Protest denied! You’ve already missed too many classes. Isn’t it time you focused? What are you thinking about all day? Pay attention!” Wang Xinrou replied sternly.

Wang Xinrou was conflicted as well. If she took the initiative and confessed to He Tian, would he look down on her? And if he rejected her, wouldn’t that be humiliating? Most importantly, if it led to her being unable to learn martial arts, wouldn’t that be tragic?

She also felt that she hadn’t known He Tian long enough. To declare anything now seemed too hasty—people didn’t get married this quickly, after all. So, Wang Xinrou focused both on driving away any rivals and keeping He Tian close.

She had the advantage, after all: He Tian needed to protect her, so he couldn’t leave her side. She intended to make full use of this.

He Tian, of course, had no idea what was going on in her head. His sharp observational skills failed him in matters of love—here, he was a rookie. His strategy was simply to avoid, and keep avoiding. Of course, he still enjoyed teasing Wang Xinrou now and then, or sneaking a few glances. He was a man, after all.

After class, Wang Xinrou and He Tian showed up at the girls’ dormitory again. Li Yingying and Lin Ying were absent; only Ouyang Bingbing was there, busy at her computer.

He Tian glanced at the screen—nothing but a tangle of lines and curves. He gave up immediately; it was beyond him.

Wang Xinrou, on the other hand, was curious but just as lost, so she asked, “Bingbing, how’s it going?”

“The campus network has limits, so I made a short-term investment, splitting funds among more than thirty stocks. Over twenty are showing profits already, the rest are basically even. If I cash out now, we could make a tidy three million,” Ouyang Bingbing explained with a smile.

“Wow, how long has it been, and you’ve already made three million?” Wang Xinrou was amazed.

She knew Ouyang Bingbing was gifted in this area, but hadn’t expected her to be this formidable.

“These are all stocks I’ve watched for a long time. Once this market wave passes, things won’t be so easy. Still, within three days, I’m confident we can turn fifty million into eighty million,” Ouyang Bingbing added, both modest and confident.

“Impressive, Bingbing! If the campus network’s no good, what should we do?” Wang Xinrou, ever practical, wanted to solve the problem without missing out on profits.

“For now, don’t trade on campus. We need to connect outside. It’d be best to rent a place off-campus,” said Ouyang Bingbing.

“Rent a place? What if we just start a company?” Wang Xinrou was thinking big.

“Now’s not the time. That would attract too much attention, and we don’t have enough capital yet. If any big players notice us, we’ll be in trouble. For now, it’s best to quietly diversify funds and build up our capital,” Ouyang Bingbing shook her head.

“Then let’s rent a place and get the best internet!” Wang Xinrou may not have fully understood, but she was determined to support Bingbing by providing the best conditions.

“I’ll go with you,” said Ouyang Bingbing, closing her laptop.

“You’re not keeping an eye on things?” Wang Xinrou asked, surprised.

“No need to watch constantly. For the next three days, nothing much will change unless there’s a major market shift. Our funds are so scattered, they won’t affect the overall market,” Ouyang Bingbing replied, visibly excited about the stock talk.

“I don’t get it, so I’ll leave it all to you!” Wang Xinrou grinned. She was smart enough to delegate what she didn’t understand, giving Bingbing her full trust and saving herself the headache.

“Thank you, Xinrou, for helping me do what I love,” Ouyang Bingbing said gratefully.

“Oh, come on. I’ll be investing even more in the future! You’re only earning the tip of the iceberg—I’m making the real money here!” Wang Xinrou joked.

Ouyang Bingbing just smiled. She didn’t seem to care much about the profits; it was the thrill of participating in the market and proving her predictions right that gave her satisfaction.

The three of them left Tianhai University and started looking for a place nearby. Wang Xinrou browsed listings on her phone and soon found several rental options. Near the university, rental housing was abundant—it was practically an industry.

She settled on a three-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom, totaling about 120 square meters. After negotiating with the landlord, the monthly rent was set at ten thousand—a high price, but the location was very close to Tianhai University, and the place was fully furnished and newly renovated. Everything was ready to go; all they had to do was bring their computers.

Without hesitation, Wang Xinrou paid a year’s rent up front and secured the apartment. Ouyang Bingbing called the telecom company herself to arrange for a high-speed internet upgrade.

When it comes to trading stocks, slow internet could spell disaster, so lightning-fast speed was a must.

“I declare this our new studio!” Wang Xinrou announced, spreading her arms with anticipation. “Until we’re strong enough to face any storm, this is our hideout!”

“Ahem… careful with those curves, you’re dazzling me,” He Tian said from the sofa, his gaze landing on her shapely chest—those curves were truly something.

“Shut your eyes!” Wang Xinrou fumed.