Lu Xuan stood with his hands behind his back by the window; the high-rise view from Bāyī Jǐngyuàn Residential Complex was excellent, with Beijing's dazzling nightscape unfolding beneath him like a flowing river of stars.
He slowly turned around, his gaze falling upon Chen Yubing and Bai Yanxi, who sat on the sofa with varying expressions, a smile playing on his lips that was difficult to decipher.
"I just resolved that small issue with the Chu Nan Lin family, thanks to you two.
However," he changed the subject, his tone becoming a bit more relaxed, "actually, there's one more small matter that might require the help of you two beautiful teachers again."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yubing raised an alluring eyebrow, practically pressing herself against Lu Xuan.
Her boneless arm naturally wrapped around Lu Xuan's shoulder, her voice carrying a hint of lazy charm: "Xuan Xuan, your business is my business, why distinguish between us? Speak, what is it?" Her intimacy was as if Lu Xuan belonged exclusively to her.
Bai Yanxi, watching from the side, frowned slightly, muttering to herself that this woman was always showing off, but she wasn't to be outdone.
Clearing her throat, she tried to make her voice sound calm and reliable: "Lu Xuan, just say it, as long as we can do it."
Lu Xuan smiled and briefly recounted how his cousin's college entrance examination scores had been swapped, and despite Zhang Jianguo of the local Education Bureau's efforts, no irregularities could be found.
"Outrageous!" Chen Yubing exclaimed, her almond eyes wide, her previous lazy charm instantly replaced by a surge of anger.
"In broad daylight, in a clear world, such a despicable thing exists! Xuan Xuan, don't worry, I'll take care of this!"
As she spoke, she quickly pulled out her phone again, looking as if she was about to call her father, who held a high position in the Tianjin Military Region.
During the dialing interval, she didn't forget to cast a triumphant glance at Bai Yanxi, as if to say, "Watch me."
When the call connected, Chen Yubing's voice immediately switched back to that coquettish mode: "Dad! It's me again! Oh, there's one more thing, it's very, very important! My boyfriend's cousin's scores were swapped by someone, in a small place..."
She embellished and repeated the entire story, adding at the end, "Dad, you must investigate thoroughly and catch that scoundrel! Otherwise, your daughter won't be able to hold her head up in front of her boyfriend anymore!"
She laughed joyfully, her body swaying, at something said on the other end of the phone: "I knew Dad loved me the most! Hurry up then, I'm waiting for your good news!"
Seeing this, Bai Yanxi naturally couldn't fall behind.
She also dialed her father's number, her tone, though not as exaggerated as Chen Yubing's, carried a hint of seriousness: "Dad, it's me, Yanxi.
There's something I'd like your help with... Mm, it's my friend's cousin; there seems to be a problem with his college entrance exam scores, they were swapped, and the local authorities can't find results.
Do you think you could... Mm, thank you, Dad, I know you have a way."
After hanging up, Bai Yanxi slightly raised her elegantly contoured chin, looking at Lu Xuan, a hint of confidence on her cool face: "It's settled.
My dad said he'll personally look into it, and even if they can't find out who's behind it right away, your cousin's scores will definitely be restored, and his academic records will be properly handled."
She paused, casting a pointed glance at Chen Yubing, "Unlike some people, who speak too confidently; wouldn't it be embarrassing if they couldn't deliver?"
"Hmph!" Chen Yubing had just hung up when she heard Bai Yanxi's insinuating remark, and immediately retorted, "My dad is already arranging people to investigate; he's decisive and prioritizes efficiency!
Let's see who can get things done faster! Some people only talk big and move their lips!"
"You!"
"What about me?"
Seeing the two about to squabble over such a small matter again, Lu Xuan pressed his hand to his forehead, exasperated and amused: "Alright, alright, my two grandmas, you two are at it again.
Since you're so competitive and want to determine a winner," a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes, "why don't we... film another video to liven things up?
Let's see which of you two is more impressive in front of the camera, and who can satisfy me more."
"Oh, yes, yes!" Chen Yubing's face immediately lit up upon hearing this, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Bai Yanxi's cheeks instantly flushed, the color spreading from her face to her earlobes.
She gave Lu Xuan an exasperated glare, her eyes full of charming allure and a hint of shyness, yet she didn't explicitly refuse.
Another hour passed.
Lu Xuan leaned back contentedly on the sofa, holding his phone, repeatedly admiring the masterpiece he had just filmed, occasionally letting out a satisfied chuckle or two: "Hmm, not bad, not bad.
This one is clearly more expressive than the previous segment; the performing talents of you two teachers truly impress me."
Hearing Lu Xuan's "praise," Chen Yubing merely let out a soft snort and lightly punched Lu Xuan with her small fist, while Bai Yanxi, even more embarrassed, buried her face in Lu Xuan's arm, not daring to look at him.
The night was already very deep, and the neon lights outside seemed a bit tired.
Chen Yubing and Bai Yanxi had been playing around for most of the night and were now sound asleep, their breathing even and long.
Lu Xuan gently adjusted them to a comfortable position and covered them with a thin blanket.
Just then, an unfamiliar number called again.
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly and answered the phone.
"Hello... Lu Brother Xuan... It's me, Yining."
On the other end of the line, Zhang Yining's cautious, tearful voice came through.
She seemed to have deliberately lowered her voice, as if afraid of disturbing others, or perhaps afraid of startling Lu Xuan.
"My mom... My mom has already arrived in Yanjing! She said tomorrow... tomorrow she wants to meet you!"
"Lu Brother Xuan, she's coming on strong this time, and she even said... she said she wants to make you pay! You... you must be careful!"
Zhang Yining's tone was filled with worry and anxiety, as if she were the one standing on the same side as Lu Xuan.
Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan's lips curved into a playful arc, but his voice remained calm and unwavering: "Oh? Auntie arrived so quickly?
Since she's here, as a junior, I should properly receive her."
He paused, his tone becoming casual, "By the way, what's your mother's name? Do you have a photo of her? I need to know what Auntie looks like so I can prepare some 'special' gifts in advance to give her a surprise."
Zhang Yining on the other end of the line now fully believed Lu Xuan's words and never suspected that Lu Xuan was trying to extract information from her.
She quickly said, "My mother is Lin Zhiling; she... she used to be a singer.
You can find photos of her when she was young if you search online.
Lu Brother Xuan, do you... do you really want to see her? She's very difficult to deal with..."
"Lin Zhiling?" Lu Xuan repeated the name to himself, "Okay, I understand.
Send me the location of your agreed meeting place via green bubble."
"But... Lu Brother Xuan, you blacklisted me before..." Zhang Yining's voice carried a hint of grievance and anticipation.
"Oh, really? Alright, I'll unblock you now." Lu Xuan's tone was light and dismissive, as if it were a trivial matter.
After hanging up, Lu Xuan unhesitatingly typed "Lin Zhiling" into the search engine.
The next second, many pieces of information and photos of Lin Zhiling popped up on the screen.
He hadn't known until he searched, and upon searching, even Lu Xuan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly.
The photos of Lin Zhiling were mostly promotional shots and stills from her youth when she was a pure and innocent pop star.
With bright eyes and white teeth, she was pure and lovely, with a unique gentle and ethereal charm of a Jiangnan woman in her brows.
That face, even by Lu Xuan's discerning standards, had a beauty score of at least 95 points!
"Tsk, tsk," Lu Xuan rubbed his chin, a hint of playfulness in his eyes, "Zhang Yining's beauty score of 90 points, it seems she was really dragged down significantly by her father, Zhang Jianguo!
What kind of incredible luck did this Zhang Jianguo have to trick someone of Lin Zhiling's fairy-like caliber into his hands?"
He shook his head, thinking to himself: This Zhang Jianguo, he really deserves to die! He must die!