Chapter Fifty-Eight: Playing the Fool to Catch the Tiger

Seeing Luo Chen’s pale face, Elijie couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. “Come on, Luo Chen, Joanna was just teasing you. You pick the place.”

Joanna pouted in protest, “I wanted to mess with him a bit longer, Lily, why did you have to expose me so quickly?”

Luo Chen patted his chest with relief. “Thank goodness, my chastity is safe!”

Joanna immediately retorted, landing a verbal blow. “I bet you couldn’t lose it even if you tried, or maybe you already gave it to your ‘five fingers’!”

Luo Chen was speechless, once again marveling at Joanna’s boldness. Shi Feng was dumbfounded—he hadn’t expected Joanna to rival even the most outspoken boys at Dallas Academy. At least, when it came to words, she matched them. The legendary disciplinary committee president who once stormed the boys’ restroom to drag out troublemakers—her reputation was certainly well-earned.

Elijie lowered her head and laughed quietly. Watching Joanna and Luo Chen bicker seemed to have become a small pleasure in her life.

In fact, Elijie knew there was a story behind Joanna’s notorious restroom incident. Their female disciplinary president was always so absorbed in enforcing rules that, upon seeing troublemakers flee into the bathroom, she followed them in without a second thought—only realizing later it was the boys’ restroom. Fortunately, no one else was inside at the time, but as she exited, several boys saw her. From then on, Joanna’s fame spread throughout Weston Academy. When people spoke of her, they’d say, “Bro, don’t mess around under Joanna’s watch—if even the boys’ bathroom can’t protect you, she doesn’t care about gender when enforcing discipline!”

Truthfully, Joanna wasn’t as fierce as her reputation suggested. Later, when she talked about it with Elijie, she confessed how terrified she’d been. If anyone else had been inside, she’d have died of embarrassment—or perhaps wished they would, instead!

Because Shi Feng staunchly opposed taking the two ladies to too humble a place, the academy’s snack bar was dismissed. In the end, dinner was set at a modest restaurant in Slo City—affordable enough for Luo Chen. He was in high spirits anyway; whichever academy he got into, he no longer had to worry about tuition and living expenses. Even if spending a little extra tonight hurt, it was worth it.

Weston Academy had closed management. Since it wasn’t the weekend, leaving campus required a leave request. However, all four were special students with guaranteed admissions and bright futures, so the academy generously issued a shared leave note. After the combat class, they were sweaty and grimy—entering the city in such a state was out of the question for the girls. They agreed to return to their dorms for a shower first, then meet at half past six.

Back in the tower, Luo Chen was in a great mood, humming to himself as he showered. “I love bread, delicious sweet bread; I love gold coins, shiny gold coins, so tempting; I love houses, spacious houses, so comfortable…”

Suddenly, the lyrics changed. From the characteristic duck-like voice, it was clearly Shi Feng. The tower’s restroom was communal, and so was the remodeled shower room. Occasionally, they showered at the same time—after all, they were both men, nothing to fuss about.

After a few lines, Shi Feng turned on the shower, letting cold water cascade down, sighing in pleasure. “Ah, this water’s so soft—like a beautiful woman’s touch.”

Luo Chen pointed at the faucet. “That looks even more like your favorite part of a beautiful woman—want to try it? I guarantee you’ll enjoy it.”

“Come on, you think I’m some sort of pervert? Messing with the faucet? What if it gets stuck? Besides, you’re seriously underestimating me!” Shi Feng thrust his waist forward to show off his assets, then said, “By the way, beast, have you noticed Elijie treats you differently?”

“How is it different? I think it’s normal. Does she have to act like Joanna for it to be normal? Elijie isn’t the type to hold grudges.”

“No, I mean something else. I’ve been here for years and almost never seen Elijie smile, but she laughs a lot around you.”

Luo Chen stroked his chin, boasting shamelessly, “That’s because I’m naturally witty and charming—everyone loves me, flowers bloom when I pass, even cars stop for me. Winning a beauty’s smile is nothing!”

Shi Feng scoffed, “Yeah right, keep dreaming! Don’t forget, Elijie never agrees to anyone’s invitations. Why only yours?”

“That was Joanna’s doing, wasn’t it? She’s determined to turn me into a gigolo!”

Shi Feng pressed on, “I’m telling you, she treats you differently. That’s my professional opinion—don’t argue, you innocent fool.”

Luo Chen rolled his eyes. “Fine, I admit—during the internship, I told her I know my own limits, and would never pursue her, so she doesn’t have to worry about me liking her or it affecting her studies. That’s why Elijie is more relaxed around me. Happy now?”

Shi Feng paused, then grinned lasciviously. “Tsk tsk, you sly fox. Playing innocent, making Elijie let her guard down, then swooping in and tossing her onto the bed, tearing off her clothes…”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Seeing Shi Feng about to venture into R-rated territory, Luo Chen quickly stopped him, dousing him with a bucket of cold water.

Soaked, Shi Feng gave a thumbs-up. “I really underestimated you. Turns out your tricks are even better than mine! But Elijie is too good, too excellent—you’ll fall for her. No matter how lush a single tree is, can it outshine a whole forest? Don’t be foolish, live carefree like me!”

Luo Chen was utterly lost for words. Explaining things to Shi Feng was pointless—it was better to save his energy.

After showering and resting a bit, with six o’clock approaching, Luo Chen donned a decent outfit and, together with Shi Feng, headed straight for the school gate.

[Only a thousand or so readers stand between us and the top of the new book rankings. That rival is my friend, but on the leaderboard, we’re competitors. Besides, he’s ‘stabbed me in the back’ before. Now it’s time to settle the score. Brothers, lend me your strength—let’s storm their fortress together, hahahaha…]