Chapter 948: Agreement

“Mr. Song!” Zhang Zhonghui looked at Song Ziyi with a serious expression: “We welcome your return to invest in China, but your status as a foreign investor is not a license to act however you please.”

“Daring to flirt with female students at a university—whether you’re American or an alien, once you set foot on Chinese soil, you must obey Chinese law.”

Zhang Zhonghui had not a single ounce of fondness for Song Ziyi. His words earned applause from many, though mostly from the male students.

They had seen everything from start to finish; calling it flirting was a stretch, but openly trying to steal someone’s girlfriend right in front of her boyfriend—how brazen could you get?

Imagine some so-called elite, a returned overseas Chinese businessman, holding flowers, standing right before you, saying sappy things to court your girlfriend.

How utterly disrespectful of himself—he deserves to be beaten half-dead, and if you don’t do it, you’re just weak.

“How can you say such nonsense?” Song Zihui glared angrily at Zhou Anqin: “My brother merely admires you—how could that be called harassment?”

“This is China, a land with five thousand years of history and culture,” Zhou Anqin frowned slightly. “Not America, with its two hundred years of history and nothing but pirate culture.”

“Every one of them is a gentleman, but the savage pirate genes are woven into their blood—uncivilized, ignorant of propriety, shame, and righteousness…”

Zhou Anqin had been deeply influenced by her elder brother; her words were razor-sharp.

“Five thousand years of history and culture? Propriety, shame, righteousness? You Chinese are ignorant and backward—America is the origin of civilization.”

The moment Zhou Anqin uttered her “pirate genes” theory, Song Zihui exploded like a cat with its tail stepped on, screaming and flailing.

Song Zihui hadn’t realized that rebutting Zhou Anqin would ignite everyone’s fury.

“Bullshit!” a male student cursed. “Go back to your civilized American daddy.”

A thin, bespectacled boy sneered: “Someone who forgets their ancestors—that’s exactly what you are.”

“Enough!” Zhang Zhonghui said. “Come with me to the police station.”

Thanks to Zhou Anqin’s testimony, Song Ziyi knew he was going to take a beating for nothing—and likely face legal trouble too.

He’d been back long enough to understand China’s laws, especially the crime of hooliganism, which made him anxious.

“I need to make a phone call.”

He knew that without help, he wouldn’t get through this easily.

Zhang Zhonghui hesitated, then sighed inwardly and reluctantly nodded.

Song Ziyi’s status meant this matter would inevitably be smoothed over.

Liu Ran and Song Ziyi were taken away; naturally, Zhou Anqin, as the party involved, had to go with them.

Although Song Zihui was a bit foolish, she silently followed behind when her brother was arrested.

Right outside the art academy gate stood a phone booth; Song Ziyi made his call, then, with a swollen, pig-like head, was escorted by two officers toward the police station.

More than an hour later, Zhou Anqin and Liu Ran stepped out of the police station.

“Xiao Qin!” Liu Ran grinned and held out the flowers to Zhou Anqin.

“Stay away from me,” Zhou Anqin kicked him in the leg and turned away angrily.

Liu Ran was stunned—just inside the station she’d admitted she was his girlfriend, yet now she’d changed.

“Xiao Qin!” Liu Ran hurried after her. “Are you mad at me?”

The guy suddenly woke up—he wasn’t completely stupid.

Zhou Anqin’s face was expressionless. “Why would I be mad at you? Who are you to me?”

Liu Ran blinked. “You just said you were my girlfriend.”

“I said that just to help you—otherwise you’d be going to jail,” Zhou Anqin pointed at his nose. “Don’t come to campus looking for me again.”

Liu Ran was utterly dumbfounded. Watching Zhou Anqin walk farther away, he chased after her again.

“Xiao Qin, your brother promised—if I get into college, he’ll approve of us.”

Zhou Anqin kept walking. “Then wait until you get in.”

Liu Ran sprinted ahead and blocked her, panting: “I’m really studying—I took the college entrance exam this year too, but I didn’t do well. Don’t worry, I’ll pass next year, and I’ll apply to schools in Beijing.”

Zhou Anqin stared at him without speaking. He grew increasingly nervous, finally unable to meet her gaze and lowered his head.

After a long pause, Zhou Anqin reached out and tugged at his floral shirt, then kicked his plaid pants.

“Look at what you’re wearing,” she said, pulling again at his permed hair. “I hate men with permed hair.”

Liu Ran stood helplessly, watching Zhou Anqin leave. His hair had been permed before coming to Beijing, his clothes chosen by his close friends—he’d been quite pleased with them.

He never imagined this was exactly what Zhou Anqin hated. But hadn’t he worn the same style before? She’d never complained.

Just as Liu Ran felt hopeless, he saw Zhou Anqin return—and take the flowers from his arms.

“My dorm is too plain—I’ll take these back to decorate it.”

Liu Ran didn’t react at first. Only when Zhou Anqin walked far away again did he burst into a joyful shout, jumping high in place and startling an old woman passing by.

“Crazy!” the old woman cursed, quickening her pace.

Liu Ran sprinted after her, and as he passed her, suddenly turned back and grinned.

The old woman rolled her eyes, muttering another curse under her breath.

“Xiao Qin!” Liu Ran chased after her. “Wait—I’ll come back next year with my acceptance letter.”

Zhou Anqin sniffed. “If you don’t get in, never come see me again.”

“Agreed!” Liu Ran nodded solemnly. “I’ll keep my word—if I get in, I’ll come with the acceptance letter. If I don’t, I’ll never come back.”

“Deal!” Zhou Anqin extended her pinky finger.

Liu Ran extended his own. “Pinky swear—unchanged for a hundred years.”

“Goodbye!” Zhou Anqin waved and turned to walk into the school gate, a faint smile curling at her lips.

Watching Zhou Anqin vanish inside the gate, Liu Ran scratched his head, then let out a loud roar.

“I will get in!”

“That’s the spirit!” The old woman suddenly appeared before him. “Young man, work hard—if you don’t get in, such a beautiful girl will be snatched away by someone else.”

“Thank you!”

Liu Ran gave a sincere thanks, glanced once more at the art academy gate, and turned to leave.

His expression grew steadily more resolute—he had to work hard over the coming year, or he’d lose Xiao Qin forever.