It is Disrespectful to Refuse Again and Again

"She's a female taxi driver," Su Cheng answered truthfully, his tone laced with a hint of resignation.

To be honest, Su Cheng still struggled to fully accept the reality before him. This young woman exuded an unmistakable scholarly aura, yet she had somehow developed an obsession with online novels—even going so far as to ask to borrow more from him. It felt like watching something beautiful shatter before his eyes.

But upon reflection, her fascination with web novels wasn’t entirely surprising. He had been the same way once, devouring them day and night, unwilling to spare even a moment for sleep.

It was only later, under the weight of life’s pressures and the demands of work, that he had been forced to break free from that addictive habit.

So, seeing this wealthy young lady lose herself in web fiction, he could understand it.

Yet, despite having once walked the same path, he couldn’t bring himself to tolerate it—not when it was this innocent girl being led astray by something so frivolous.

Perhaps it was out of a special fondness for her, or perhaps it was his own lingering attachment to the idea of a "literary maiden."

"Are you really that interested in web novels?"

Su Cheng’s voice carried a stern edge, almost admonishing.

The sudden shift in tone caught Li Guanqi off guard. After a brief pause, sensing she might have reacted improperly, she replied cautiously, "For me, it’s a new experience... Is there a problem with that?"

To her surprise, Su Cheng lowered his head in dismay, his hands trembling slightly as he clutched The Fundamental Laws of Web Novel Protagonists. "This is my fault," he muttered in self-reproach. "I never should have lent you this book."

He took a deep breath, then slowly closed his eyes, as if steeling himself for a monumental decision.

Li Guanqi watched his every move, an uneasy premonition creeping over her.

Now she understood why "Who can help her?" on the exam paper hadn’t listed Su Cheng as an option—because far from helping, he would only stand in her way.

The realization made her take a few steps back, a faint trace of fear flickering in her heart.

Sure enough, the moment Su Cheng opened his eyes again, his expression was grave as he fixed her with a piercing glare.

"Um..."

Li Guanqi instinctively retreated another step, blurting out, "I... I should get back to class."

"Stop!" Su Cheng suddenly barked.

She froze mid-step, then turned back to face him, bewildered.

Seeing her like this, Su Cheng’s lips twitched, his expression conflicted. "You don’t need to be afraid of me," he said, his voice softening. "I just want to tell you the truth."

He inhaled sharply, enunciating each word with deliberate weight: "Reading these web novels is addictive. Once you’re hooked, your mind dulls, your emotions numb, your self-control crumbles, and you spiral into procrastination—until you rot from the inside out."

Li Guanqi: ".....?"

An awkward silence settled between them.

Annoyed by her unchanging expression, Su Cheng snapped, "Do you think this is funny?"

"I am listening," Li Guanqi replied, shaking her head—though her face remained as impassive as ever, betraying no emotion.

Su Cheng couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.

Because she still hadn’t shown a single flicker of reaction.

"This started because of me, so I can’t just ignore it," Su Cheng said firmly. "I won’t let web fiction ruin a girl like you!"

"Fine, I won’t read them anymore."

Li Guanqi conceded immediately.

But her deadpan promise was hardly convincing—if anything, it sounded more like a flippant remark.

Just as she turned to leave the parking lot, Su Cheng moved swiftly, pinning her against the wall with an arm on either side, trapping her completely.

Cornered, Li Guanqi had no escape. She could only tilt her head back stiffly, staring up at Su Cheng—who stood half a head taller and reeked of medicinal alcohol—with utter bewilderment.

She understood he meant well, but... why the wall slam?

"I want you to give up web novels."

Realizing he’d gone too far, Su Cheng quickly lowered his arms, adopting a gentler tone. "Otherwise, I’ll never forgive myself."

Li Guanqi’s large, luminous eyes brimmed with helplessness and vulnerability. After a hesitant pause, she gave a small nod.

"I believe in you!" Su Cheng cheered, finally relaxing.

Though his methods had been unexpected, Li Guanqi had gleaned one crucial clue: the book had been lent to him by a female taxi driver.

She quietly resolved to investigate this driver and trace the book’s origins.

Just as she was plotting, Su Cheng suddenly added, "Oh, about the cigarettes the other day—"

"Out of time," Li Guanqi cut in. "Class is starting. We’ll talk later."

Su Cheng blinked, pulling out his phone to check.

Seizing the distraction, Li Guanqi slipped away, leaving behind only a faint, soothing fragrance—a scent so refreshing it seemed to ease the mind’s restlessness.

By the time she returned to the classroom, the other students were already seated, waiting for the lesson to begin.

When Su Cheng entered, his gaze instinctively sought out Li Guanqi in the corner. She was absorbed in a book, her face as expressionless as ever, as if nothing had happened between them. It left him deeply puzzled.

Does this person just... not have a facial expression system?

Come to think of it, he’d never seen her display any other emotion. Only the evasiveness in her eyes earlier had betrayed that she did feel things—she was just exceptionally good at hiding them.

The first period passed swiftly.

The moment the bell rang, Su Cheng hurried to Zhao Yan, intent on returning the expensive bicycle he’d been given—such a lavish gift was beyond what he could accept.

"Su Cheng, you don’t really want to..."

But before he could even hand over the keys, Zhao Yan crossed her arms, smirking. "I only agreed to what you asked because you accepted my gift."

Su Cheng’s face twisted in humiliation. He knew he was facing a new breed of schoolyard bullying, but he still fought back weakly, "It’s too extravagant! I can’t possibly keep it!"

"No, everyone has different values."

Zhao Yan’s expression turned solemn. She leaned in, her swan-like neck elongating gracefully as she whispered by his ear, her breath warm and sweet, "What you’ve given me... can’t be measured in money. If your girlfriend’s background weren’t so illustrious, I might’ve even offered myself to you—heart, body, and soul."

Su Cheng instantly turned to stone, his face burning crimson.

In the end, all he could do was accept the bicycle, tears welling in his eyes as Zhao Yan’s silvery laughter rang in his ears.