Chen Yubing and Bai Yanxi blurted out almost simultaneously, their voices filled with a surge of impetuousness: "What's it to you!"
As soon as the words left their mouths, the two seemed to be choked by each other's unspoken understanding, their beautiful eyes widening.
Then, they both 'hmphed' in unison, turning their heads away simultaneously, neither looking at the other, their chins slightly raised, displaying an arrogant 'I wouldn't deign to bother with you' expression.
Lu Xuan leaned against the doorframe, watching the dramatic scene unfold before him, the curve of his half-smile deepening.
These two women, normally at Yanjing University, were both icy, aloof beauties and teachers, cherished by countless male students, like stars surrounded by the moon.
Now, for a trivial matter, they were acting exactly like two little girls in kindergarten fighting over candy, adorably childish.
"Alright, alright," Lu Xuan finally spoke, a trace of imperceptible amusement in his voice.
"How old are you two, still squabbling like little girls.
Come in first, why are you standing at the door like guardians?"
He lazily turned and walked towards the living room, tossing out a remark without looking back: "Remember to close the door."
Outside the door, Bai Yanxi and Chen Yubing exchanged glances, the air still crackling with what seemed like electric sparks.
Ultimately, Chen Yubing was the first to move.
She adjusted the hem of her fiery red short skirt and walked in with a 'clack-clack-clack' of her high heels, deliberately raising her chin as she passed Bai Yanxi.
Bai Yanxi was not to be outdone.
She took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and followed her in, closing the door with slightly more force than usual.
The two entered the living room one after another, yet both instinctively maintained a distance from Lu Xuan, their arms crossed over their chests, standing awkwardly in an "I'm very displeased" posture.
Lu Xuan sat down regally on the sofa, pulled a cigarette from the pack, lit it unhurriedly, took a deep drag, and then slowly exhaled a perfect smoke ring.
"I say," he flicked the ash, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, "you two will be good sisters who see each other constantly in the future.
Don't start squabbling like fighting chickens the moment you meet.
Besides, weren't you best friends before?
Is this really necessary?"
Chen Yubing heard this, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, her eyes darting towards Bai Yanxi with a hint of challenge.
"Here with me, Lu Xuan, there aren't so many convoluted rules, nor so many pampered lady tantrums."
Lu Xuan's voice suddenly deepened, the playful smile from before vanishing without a trace, replaced by an undeniable assertiveness.
"You two, listen carefully.
Either, from now on, you coexist peacefully and play your respective roles well for me.
Or," he narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing, "get out, now, immediately.
I don't have the time to coddle you two every day and mediate these petty squabbles."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the living room instantly chilled.
Chen Yubing pouted, muttering to herself: Who's good sisters with her, if it weren't for you... But she ultimately didn't dare to voice her thoughts, only a flicker of resentment in her eyes, which was quickly suppressed.
She knew Lu Xuan's temper too well; he was a man of his word, and if she truly angered him, she would definitely be the one to suffer.
Bai Yanxi's delicate body trembled slightly.
It wasn't the first time she had heard such a blunt and crude warning from Lu Xuan.
That domineering aura inexplicably tightened her heart, making her feel both a little afraid and vaguely an indescribable, strange sensation.
She secretly glanced at Lu Xuan, seeing his stern expression, not like he was joking, and quickly lowered her head, not daring to argue further.
"Come sit here, both of you."
Lu Xuan pointed to the space beside him.
Chen Yubing and Bai Yanxi exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of reluctance in the other's eyes, but they still shuffled over, sitting down on either side of Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, not bothering with pleasantries, and extended his long arms, directly pulling both of them into his embrace.
"Hiss..."
Bai Yanxi gasped, her body instantly stiffening, her cheeks flushing crimson like ripe apples.
Chen Yubing, however, appeared much more natural.
She merely twisted her body symbolically before obediently leaning against Lu Xuan's shoulder, a faint, almost imperceptible triumphant smile even playing on her lips as she provocatively glanced at the flushed Bai Yanxi.
"Remember this, both of you," Lu Xuan's voice resonated in their ears, carrying a hint of warning, "don't forget what your identities are now.
In front of me, play your roles well and don't give me any of that nonsense."
He pinched Bai Yanxi's delicate chin, forcing her to look up and meet his deep gaze, a wicked, charming curve on his lips: "Am I right, Xiaobai?"
Bai Yanxi was flustered by his gaze, her eyes darting away, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz, yet with a trembling obedience: "Yes... yes, Master... Xiaobai, Xiaobai knows she was wrong."
"Heh heh, good that you know."
Lu Xuan chuckled contentedly, releasing her chin, but his thumb gently traced her smooth, tender skin.
"Alright, we'll talk about serious matters later."
Lu Xuan patted their shoulders, changing the subject, "Today, we're going to do something interesting first.
Bing'er, just like you suggested before, let's... shoot a video together."
"Ah? Shoot a video?"
Bai Yanxi was stunned, looking blankly at Lu Xuan, then at Chen Yubing, who had an "I knew it" expression.
An ominous premonition rose in her heart.
"What do you mean? What kind of video?"
Lu Xuan's smile grew even more wicked: "Heh heh, you'll know in a bit."
...
An hour later.
Lu Xuan leaned contentedly on the sofa, holding his phone, fast-forwarding through a video.
"Hmm, not bad, not bad."
Lu Xuan nodded in satisfaction, handing the phone to Chen Yubing beside him.
"Bing'er, you and Xiaobai can enjoy it together and see how my filming skills are."
Chen Yubing took the phone, her eyes sparkling with charm.
She leaned in, watching with Bai Yanxi, who was also flushed and had a hazy look in her eyes.
"Wow, Lu Xuan, your filming skills... are really quite good, aren't they?"
Chen Yubing said with a coquettish laugh, her eyes darting towards Bai Yanxi with a hint of showing off and provocation.
Bai Yanxi was too embarrassed to lift her head, wishing she could bury herself under the covers.
"Alright, let's not talk about this for now."
Lu Xuan saw that the time was right, put away his phone, and his expression also turned serious, his tone becoming grave.
"The reason I called you two here today is to discuss an important matter."
Chen Yubing's excited smile also diminished, and Bai Yanxi instinctively sat up straighter, sensing that what Lu Xuan was about to say was no small matter.
Lu Xuan lit another cigarette, the bluish-white smoke swirling before his deep eyes, making him appear even more inscrutably mysterious.
He took a puff, slowly exhaled, his voice steady and clear:
"Chunan, the Lin Family."
He spoke each word distinctly, his gaze slowly sweeping over Bai Yanxi and Chen Yubing's faces.
"Have you heard of them?"