Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

I took him with me.

Yan Xi's voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the surroundings.

She pulled the still somewhat dazed Li Chen along, ignoring the resentful looks from Wang Qiang and the others, and turned to leave.

A warm, delicate touch came from her wrist, and the familiar scent of fir trees lingered around her nose.

Li Chen's brain was still processing the adrenaline surge from the chaos just now, but his body had already instinctively followed her pace.

The crowd in the stadium automatically parted to form a passage.

All eyes were on the perfect couple, and complex emotions swirled in the air.

There was awe, envy, jealousy, and even more so, the excitement of the onlookers.

"Holy crap, this woman's aura is off the charts!"

Wang Qiang watched the two figures disappear into the distance and sighed in a low voice.

"Based on my observation, Senior Yan Xi's heart rate just spiked to at least 120, and her pupils dilated, indicating that she is under extreme tension and worry."

Chen Mo adjusted his glasses and calmly analyzed the situation.

Speak like a human.

Zhao Zixuan rolled his eyes.

"I feel sorry for you."

Chen Mo's words were concise and to the point.

Captain Lin Feng shook his head with a wry smile and said to the team members beside him, "Alright, everyone disperse. It seems the main character of our victory celebration has been taken away ahead of schedule."

As he watched Li Chen's retreating figure, he felt not only gratitude but also a profound sense of disorientation.

This seemingly lazy freshman not only possesses superb basketball skills, but also fights with unbelievable ferocity.

More importantly, he also managed to win over the most unattainable beauty at Linjiang University.

What a monster.

Stepping out of the stadium, the cool evening breeze brushed against my face, taking away the heat inside.

Li Chen's chaotic thoughts cleared up considerably.

He looked at the slender figure holding his wrist in front of him, the sunset casting a soft golden glow on her silhouette.

She walked quickly, her high heels clicking crisply and rhythmically on the concrete, as if expressing some kind of emotion.

Li Chen could feel the tightness with which she gripped his wrist.

"Um... senior?"

Li Chen tentatively spoke.

Yan Xi did not turn around, nor did she stop walking.

"Are we still going to Haidilao? What about Wang Qiang and the others...?"

"Shut up."

Yan Xi's voice came through, still in that cool tone, but Li Chen could detect a subtle tension in it.

Okay, looks like he's angry.

Li Chen's heart skipped a beat.

Is this the start of settling scores later?

He recalled the "three rules" that Yan Xi had set at the gym.

First, no injuries are allowed.

He wasn't injured, he just got a scrape on his shoulder.

Second, she is not allowed to use her charm on any woman other than her.

He swore he didn't, and those screaming girls had nothing to do with him.

Third, we must win beautifully.

He did it.

So what exactly is she angry about?

Was it because he ended up hitting someone?

But the other party provoked me first, so I was acting in self-defense, at most it was considered excessive self-defense.

Li Chen's mind raced, contemplating how to explain things to this auntie and appease her.

Yan Xi held his hand and led him through a large part of the campus to the artificial lake.

The place is secluded and deserted, with weeping willows by the lake swaying gently in the evening breeze.

She finally stopped and released Li Chen's wrist.

Li Chen moved his wrist, which was slightly red from being squeezed, and felt a little uneasy.

Yan Xi turned around and looked at him without saying a word.

Those beautiful eyes no longer held their usual playful banter or the coldness they had shown in the gymnasium.

Instead, it was a complex emotion, tinged with lingering fear, that Li Chen had never seen before.

"Li Chen".

She spoke, her voice a little hoarse.

"Um?"

"You're pretty good at fighting, aren't you?"

Li Chen was stunned for a moment, unsure how to answer.

Saying "yes" seems a bit too arrogant.

If you say "no," then how do you explain the scene where someone was sent flying more than ten meters away?

He chose to remain silent.

Jeet Kune Do?

Yan Xi asked again.

Li Chen was taken aback.

How did she know?

"That's what my dad said."

Yan Xi seemed to see through his thoughts and explained in a calm tone, "He said that the young man who could subdue Lao Zhang in one move had a kung fu style that was very similar to the lost Jeet Kune Do."

It turned out that his future father-in-law had sold him out.

Li Chen sighed inwardly.

"I know a little."

He gave a vague admission.

"You know a little?"

Yan Xi's tone suddenly rose, and she took a step forward, getting closer to Li Chen.

A powerful sense of oppression swept over us.

"Just because you know a little bit, you can send a 200-pound strong man flying with one punch?"

"Just because you know a little, you can take down a dozen people by yourself?"

She stretched out her slender fingers and poked Li Chen's chest hard.

"Li Chen, do you think you're so impressive? So handsome? Like a legendary hero?"

Li Chen was forced to retreat repeatedly by her provocation, his back pressed against the railing by the lake, with nowhere left to go.

"I don't……"

He offered a weak defense.

"No?"

Yan Xi gave a cold laugh, but her eyes unexpectedly reddened.

"Do you know what I was thinking when I saw that big, dumb guy charging at you?"

Li Chen's heart clenched as he looked at her reddened eyes.

He wanted to reach out and hug her, but he didn't dare.

"I was wondering, what if you got hurt?"

"What if you get knocked down?"

"When I saw you throw that punch, my legs went weak, you know that?!"

She practically yelled it out, her voice trembling with a hint of grievance.

That always calm and composed demeanor, as if he were in control of everything, completely crumbled at this moment.

She was no longer the aloof student council president, nor the fishing master.

She was just an ordinary girl who was terrified and afraid that her boyfriend would get hurt.

Li Chen's mind went blank.

All explanations and justifications seemed pale and powerless at this moment.

All he knew was that he had worried her.

He scared her.

A wave of intense guilt and heartache instantly overwhelmed him.

He reached out, clumsily yet firmly, and embraced the slightly trembling body before him.

Yan Xi's body stiffened for a moment.

She then buried her face in Li Chen's chest and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

"Fool……"

Her muffled voice came through, "You big idiot..."

"sorry."

Li Chen said softly, his chin gently brushing against the top of her head, "I was wrong, I made you worry."

"You did nothing wrong."

Yan Xi's voice remained muffled, "You're just protecting me, protecting the reputation of Linjiang University."

She looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen.

"But I'm just angry."

"I'm angry that you put yourself in danger."

"I'm angry that you have such great strength, but you never tell me."

"What's even more infuriating is..."

She paused, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes, "I actually thought the way you hit people... was kind of cool."

Li Chen was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh.

"You're still laughing!"

Yan Xi playfully punched him, but it wasn't very hard.

"Okay, okay, I promise, it won't happen again."

Li Chen raised his hand, making a vow gesture.

"Unless, someone else is foolish enough to anger you."

He added another sentence.

Yan Xi looked at his serious expression and finally burst out laughing.

Her smile seemed to melt away the ice and snow, illuminating the entire world.

"Glib-tongued."

She rolled her eyes at him, but the worry and fear in her eyes had disappeared, replaced by a familiar teasing.

She reached out, pinched Li Chen's chin, and carefully examined his face.

"Let me check if you're injured anywhere."

Her fingertips were icy cold and trembling slightly as she gently traced his cheek and neck.

Li Chen's heart began to beat faster again, much to his dismay.

"Reporting to senior, everything is intact."

He stood at attention, like a soldier awaiting inspection.

"Yeah?"

Yan Xi's gaze shifted downwards and landed on his shoulder where the "Iron Tower" had grazed him.

She reached out and gently pressed it through her T-shirt.

"And here?"

"It's nothing, it just brushed against me."

"Take it off."

Yan Xi's tone left no room for argument.

"what?"

Li Chen was dumbfounded. "Here?"

"Otherwise what? Where do you want to go?"

Yan Xi raised an eyebrow. "Or do you want me to go back to the dorm, get the first-aid kit, and examine you in front of your roommate?"

Li Chen imagined the scene and instantly felt a chill.

That wasn't an inspection; that was a public execution.

Resigned to his fate, he took off his T-shirt in the evening breeze.

His strong upper body was exposed to the air, with smooth and explosive muscle lines.

Yan Xi's gaze lingered on his abs and V-line for a second before shifting to the skin on his shoulder that showed no abnormalities.

She reached out her finger and touched it gently.

"Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt."

"That's a lie."

She took out a small tube of ointment from her bag, squeezed out a little, and carefully applied it to him with her fingertips.

The ointment felt cool and refreshing, which was very comforting.

But what truly captivated Li Chen was the warmth of her fingertips and her focused expression.

"alright."

After applying the ointment, she put it away and then gave orders like a queen.

"As punishment for your disobedience today."

"Tonight at Haidilao, you'll be in charge of peeling shrimp, blanching tripe, and mixing the dipping sauce."

"My job is just to eat."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Li Chen and a smug smile appeared on her lips.

Li Chen put on his clothes and looked at her adorable "settling scores" expression, his heart melting completely.

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Yes, Your Majesty."