Chapter 153: Defeated Without a Fight

Over there, Sheng Chao wore an expression of supreme patience. "Then let me give you a ride. I have a car anyway, it's much more convenient."

Shi Qingqing gritted her teeth inwardly. How could this guy be so clingy like a piece of stubborn plaster!

True, when Yang Yini had quarreled with her last time, he had helped her out and spoken on her behalf.

And he usually treated her quite attentively. But she genuinely had zero romantic interest in him.

"Senior Sheng, we aren't that close. As I said before, I don't want to think about getting a boyfriend or anything of the sort before getting into university. Please don't come looking for me anymore, Senior Sheng. I have no interest in you whatsoever..."

Shi Qingqing had been driven to this. Otherwise, she would never have uttered such words out in the open.

It was a huge blow to a young man's pride.

The surrounding students all pricked up their ears to listen. Such juicy gossip was a rare sight once in a blue moon.

They were all teenagers in the flush of youth, and gossip was their absolute favorite pastime.

Everyone expected Sheng Chao to look humiliated and lose face.

To everyone's surprise, Sheng Chao's smile didn't fade in the slightest. He blinked at Shi Qingqing and said, "Alright, Qingqing, I won't give you a ride then. But I'm not going to give up, oh!"

The surrounding crowd broke into hooting and catcalls.

With that, Sheng Chao walked away wearing his signature heart-throb smile.

Some of the nearby boys mischievously imitated Sheng Chao's tone, making funny faces at Shi Qingqing. "I'm not going to give up, oh..."

Give up your sister!

Pfft!

Zhang Xiaotu gazed wistfully from the side. "Hey, Qingqing, Senior Sheng is pretty nice to you. Why are you treating him so coldly? Even if you don't like him, you shouldn't be so indifferent to someone who likes you! He's your admirer, after all. If someone treated me like that, my heart would be bursting with joy."

"I just feel nothing for him. It's better to make things clear early on to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings," Shi Qingqing said dismissively.

"Confess honestly, are you actually thrilled on the inside while putting on a cold front and saying no, no?"

"Get lost! A guy like that isn't worth putting on an act for!"

Zhang Xiaotu caught on immediately. "You mean you've already met someone who *is* worth putting on an act for? Confession brings leniency, who is it?"

Shi Qingqing decisively pushed her away.

"I'm done talking nonsense with you. I have to go tutor. Gotta dash, bye-bye."

Right, time to tutor!

She'd better take the side school gate...

If she took the main gate with Zhang Xiaotu, this gossip addict, goodness knows what kind of wild fantasies she would cook up.

***

Taking half an hour to rationalize it to herself with all sorts of excuses, Shi Qingqing dawdled her way to Jade Emperor International anyway.

No matter how resolutely she spoke and thought about drawing a clear line between herself and Zhan Su.

The moment her phone ran out of battery.

She suffered a complete defeat at the very first hurdle.

She had mentally prepared herself for a barrage of brutal humiliation, harsh scolding, and utter contempt from Zhan Su today—she was even ready for him to set his dogs on her.

"Miss Shi, hello. Our Young Master is out today and not at home."

A bodyguard dressed in black stood guard at Zhan Su's doorway and spoke to Shi Qingqing.

"Ah?" Shi Qingqing involuntarily let out a massive sigh of relief.

Out? Not at home?

Fantastic!

She wouldn't have to face Zhan Su's wrath today.

As for where Zhan Su had gone? What he was up to?

She couldn't care less!

The world of a crown prince was not something an ordinary person like her could hope to comprehend. She would have found it strange if Zhan Su stayed home every single day.

Yet her face immediately fell again. If Zhan Su wasn't here, what was she supposed to do about charging her phone?

Her heart was full of bitterness, but she couldn't vent it!

The black-suited bodyguard handed over a brown leather business envelope. "Miss Shi, our Young Master asked me to give this to you."