C10 10

"Hey, don't say I told you, but I just can't stand seeing Wantine bully Menghan," one of the guys in class said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood as he quickly walked away from Wang Qi, who looked like he was ready to explode. Wang Qi, fuming with anger, suddenly found it amusing. He never imagined he'd be the center of attention, with two beautiful girls clashing over him. Of course, Wang Qi didn't really believe he was that desirable; he knew he was just a pawn in Wantine's game to satisfy her possessiveness and showcase her charm. As he was pondering this, Qu Menghan emerged from the restroom. She paused, surprised to see Wang Qi standing by the door, but then quickly walked past him, pretending not to notice. "Hold on. Where do you think you're going?" Wang Qi's stern voice stopped Qu Menghan in her tracks, making her freeze with fear. Qu Menghan wanted to ignore Wang Qi, but his angry demeanor was genuinely intimidating. "Don't you want to talk?" Wang Qi demanded, staring her down. "I... I..." Qu Menghan stammered, too scared to meet his gaze or move, standing there unsure of what to do, her eyes welling up with tears. "All right, if you won't talk to me, I'll talk to you. Come with me." Wang Qi didn't care if Qu Menghan was crying or not. He grabbed her hand and quickly led her toward the classroom. They moved fast, and Qu Menghan had to jog to keep up, not daring to pull away. "Who told you to drink it?" As soon as they got back to the classroom, Wang Qi saw that Zhang Wantine had already opened the strawberry milk on the table and was drinking it. Seeing this, Wang Qi quickly stepped in front of Zhang Wantine and snatched the strawberry milk from her hand. Caught off guard, Zhang Wantine choked on the milk and started coughing uncontrollably. "I want to drink it, so what?" Zhang Wantine's spoiled attitude flared up as soon as she saw Wang Qi return with Qu Menghan. "If you want it, buy your own. This is mine, and without my permission, you have no right to take it. Do you understand English?" Wang Qi asked sharply, his tone icy.

Liu Chao nodded and quickly ran off. He could tell Wang Qi was angry. "Also, who I like or don't like is my choice, and it's not your place to judge. Our issues are between us, and you have no right to drag others into it. Not bothering others is basic decency. Do you understand?" "Yes, I used to like you, but now I regret ever having those feelings." "Now, apologize to Qu Menghan." Wang Qi glared down at Zhang Wantine with a cold expression, while she looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Wang Qi, let it go. I'm fine," Qu Menghan said. No one had ever stood up for her before, and she was unsure how to handle the situation, especially with Zhang Wantine in tears. Qu Menghan's heart softened. At the same time, Liu Chao returned with the milk. Seeing that Zhang Wantine had no intention of apologizing, Wang Qi let out a cold laugh and pulled Qu Menghan out of the classroom. "Ah," a sudden cry echoed from a hidden corner of the school building. "Do you know what you did wrong? Will you dare do it again?" With each question, Wang Qi delivered a slap. Qu Menghan struggled desperately, but she was no match for Wang Qi. "I... I understand. I won't do it again." After a moment, Qu Menghan, tears in her eyes, held her sore backside and looked at Wang Qi with a pleading expression, much like a wounded kitten. "Let this be the first and last time, understood?" Wang Qi looked at Qu Menghan with a stern face. "Uh-huh, uh-huh." The young girl was so frightened that she nodded quickly, afraid Wang Qi might hit her again. "That's better. You really scared me this morning." Seeing her reaction, Wang Qi suddenly smiled, gently wiping away the tears from the corner of the girl's eyes. "All right, go have breakfast. Remember to call me for lunch." With Wang Qi's permission, the girl hesitantly took a couple of steps before dashing off, leaving Wang Qi both amused and puzzled. Was he really that scary? After resolving the incident, Wang Qi could finally relax and catch up on some sleep. Except for getting up at noon to have lunch with Qu Menghan, he spent most of the time resting at his desk. After school, Wang Qi, unusually, did not go to the arcade with Liu Chao but headed straight home. "Mom, what's going on here?"

Wang Qi intended to ask his parents how the store viewing went today, but he was taken aback when he opened the door. In the already small living room stood seven or eight young women. If it were not for seeing his mother, Wang Qi might have thought he had walked into the wrong house. "Since your dad and I found a good location for the store and had some time, we went to the agency and picked out a few waitresses," Lee Fengxia said with a smile, pulling Wang Qi into the room. "So, what do you think, son? Are you satisfied?" "Wow, anyone would think you're holding a royal audition instead of a job interview," Wang Qi said, rolling his eyes at the group of young women in the room, all about the same age. His comment immediately amused a few of them, while the more bashful ones blushed. "Watch your mouth. These ladies are here to work in the city, and they are all older than you, so you should call them 'sister,'" Lee Fengxia said, giving Wang Qi a light smack on the back of his head as she introduced them. "Just follow the training I showed you. We'll do a quick assessment before we start, and if they pass, they can begin work. Where's Dad?" Wang Qi asked, nodding as he took off his jacket. "He's out talking to the renovation crew. He should be back soon. All right, ladies, let's continue. Welcome. How many in your party?" Lee Fengxia stood in front of the young women and continued the training session. "Mom, I have to say, your script sounds like something out of an old-time brothel," Wang Qi said with a chuckle as he watched her train the new hires. "You little rascal, what nonsense are you spouting? You're asking for trouble," Lee Fengxia said, raising her hand as if to swat him.

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