Volume Two: Those Years When I Was the School Bully
Roses Like Fire
When it came to the Gaokao, Wen Nuan was really just going through the motions; she had already chosen a university in M Country and would just head over when school started.
As for Song Ci, she planned to go to M Country with her, but the university Song Ci had chosen required Gaokao scores as an admission criterion. Wen Nuan knew of that university; it was also a top-tier university in M Country, just one street away from the one she had selected.
So, Wen Nuan had Zhao Zhenhai buy a house on that street, waiting for her and Song Ci to move in.
During the two days of the Gaokao, parents waited anxiously outside. Wen Nuan planned to just scribble whatever, but thinking of Zhao Zhenhai waiting for her outside, and not wanting to embarrass her dad too much, Wen Nuan seriously did a few questions, aiming for a score that would just meet the minimum standard for the first-tier university line.
When Zhao Zhenhai saw Wen Nuan was the first to exit the examination hall, he immediately waved. “Sweetheart, over here, Dad’s over here.”
Before Wen Nuan could even reach Zhao Zhenhai’s side, she was surrounded by a crowd of parents asking all sorts of questions.
“Student, were this year’s exam questions difficult?”
“Student, how come you came out so quickly?”
“Student, how did you do?”
…..
Wen Nuan waved her hand, putting on a nonchalant1 air. “This year’s questions were too easy. With my abilities, I think I can barely scrape into a first-tier.”
Everyone: “….”
Hearing this, Zhao Zhenhai said happily, “That’s my sweetheart for you! This confidence, she gets it from me, hahaha.”
Everyone: “….”
They thought this father-daughter duo was quite unreliable. Seeing someone else come out, they immediately swarmed over, asking the same questions.
The result was an answer even more pretentious than Wen Nuan’s.
“This year’s questions were very simple. With my abilities, I should be able to get Ningjiang City’s top score in the science stream2,” Song Ci said faintly.
Everyone: “….”
Seriously f*cking speechless.
Seeing Song Ci come out, Wen Nuan called, “Ah Ci, come over.”
Song Ci’s expression changed in an instant, and she ran over joyfully.
Everyone realized these three were actually a family. No wonder they were so good at bragging.
Truly, birds of a feather flock together3.
Seeing Zhao Zhenhai, Song Ci immediately bowed. “Hello, Uncle Zhao. I’m Song Ci.”
Zhao Zhenhai looked at the girl walking over. The young lady was slim and graceful, with delicate features and a very polite and appropriate demeanor.
“Hello, Song Ci. Wen Nuan has told me about you. How did you do on the exam?”
Song Ci smiled. “Quite well. I should be able to secure this year’s top score in the science stream.”
Zhao Zhenhai didn’t doubt her words. He had looked into Song Ci’s academic record; getting the top science score would be incredibly easy for her.
He patted Song Ci’s shoulder and praised, “Excellent! Come on, Uncle will take you girls out for some good food.”
“Thank you, Uncle Zhao.”
Wen Nuan pulled her along. “Let’s go.”
The three of them went for hotpot. Wen Nuan ordered a mushroom broth and a spicy mala broth.
Zhao Zhenhai had some business to attend to and stepped out to take a call.
She looked at Song Ci and strictly forbade, “If your chopsticks dare to reach into the spicy mala pot, see if I don’t do you in.”
Song Ci bit her chopsticks, her tone carrying a seductive allure. “How will you do me in? In bed!?”
Wen Nuan: “….”
Song Ci was wearing a floral print pleated long skirt today, with a short-sleeved blouse on top. Her jet-black hair cascaded down to her waist, like a serene white magnolia blooming in the sunlight, fresh and refined.
They were in a small private room, with walls on three sides and a floor-to-ceiling window on one. Zhao Zhenhai was outside the door, on the phone.
Such a private yet daring environment most easily bred the restless urge4 stirring deep within one’s heart.
Song Ci slowly pulled her skirt up, took Wen Nuan’s hand, placed it on her smooth thigh, and gently caressed it, whispering, “Or… do me in right here?”
Wen Nuan pressed her cheek: “……”
Song Ci lightly kissed Wen Nuan’s jaw, saying aggrievedly, “You haven’t touched me at all recently. I miss you so much.”
With the Gaokao approaching, Wen Nuan had been worried about Song Ci’s grades, so she had been much more restrained.
“Be good, my dad’s still here. Wait until tonight, okay?”
Wen Nuan wanted it too. They had both been abstaining for this period. Now that the Gaokao was finally over, they naturally had to go wild.
Song Ci reined herself in, sat properly, and put on an appearance of a well-bred, pure and noble5 young lady, nodding. “Okay.”
Wen Nuan was truly captivated by Song Ci’s affected little act. Just moments ago, she was being incredibly wild6, and now, in an instant, she was feigning aloofness and indifference.
If not for the lingering stickiness7 on her fingertips, Wen Nuan would have been dazed, wondering just who that person who had been all over her, overflowing like a flood8, really was.
“You,” Wen Nuan picked up a cheese rice cake for Song Ci, “you’re quite smooth at playing your two little faces9, huh?”
Song Ci bit into the rice cake, saying coquettishly, “Well, do you like it?”
“I like it,” Wen Nuan leaned in, biting off the other half of the rice cake that hadn’t yet entered Song Ci’s mouth. “I’ve said it before, I like it when you’re proactive, whether in bed or out of it.”
Song Ci lowered her head, the corners of her lips turning up. The sweet cheese in her mouth exploded with flavor, incredibly sweet.
After the three finished their meal, Zhao Zhenhai took them to a mall, bought them some clothes and accessories each, and then immediately returned to his company to handle matters.
The two watched Zhao Zhenhai drive away, then exchanged a look with remarkable tacit understanding.
Wen Nuan put her arm around Song Ci. “Your place or mine?”
Song Ci thought for a moment. Recently, Song Minshu had been coming back frequently. Although she didn’t know what he meant by it, she didn’t want Song Minshu to affect her intimacy with Wen Nuan.
But going to Wen Nuan’s home was still somewhat inconvenient, as Wen Nuan’s father might also come home.
“How about a hotel?” Song Ci suggested.
Wen Nuan thought about it and agreed. “Okay.”
The two took a taxi to Ningjiang City’s best hotel, the Style Blue Hotel10.
Wen Nuan requested a king-sized bed room at the front desk, handed the room card to Song Ci, letting her go up first while she went to buy some things.
Although Song Ci was puzzled, she still took the room card and went upstairs to wait for Wen Nuan.
Wen Nuan walked into a shop selling adult products, looked at the goods on the shelves, and fell into deep thought.
Which one to buy?
The System suggested: 【Four types, get one of each, why don’t ya? I can even provide you with props, want some?】
“….” Wen Nuan bought one of each type, then fell silent for a moment. “Let me see the props?”
The System chuckled slyly: 【Honest with young and old11, trustworthy.】
Wen Nuan: “….”
She was truly speechless. For her to have reached this point, this unscrupulous System was definitely to blame.
Song Ci took a shower and sat on the bed in a bathrobe, waiting for Wen Nuan. There was red wine and aromatherapy in the room.
A huge floor-to-ceiling window overlooked the entire Ningjiang City, where the city lights were just beginning to twinkle, brilliant and beautiful.
The door opened. Song Ci didn’t turn around, quietly waiting for the fervent embrace from behind.
“What were you doing?” Song Ci asked.
Wen Nuan sniffed the scent on Song Ci. “Bought some fun things.”
Song Ci turned around, puzzled. “Fun things?”
Wen Nuan took the red wine from Song Ci’s hand, tilted her head back and drank it all, then pressed her lips against Song Ci’s, tasting her tongue, a hint of wickedness appearing in her eyes. “Things that can make you cry from being played, want to play?”
Song Ci, suffused by the wine’s aroma, seemed slightly tipsy, her expression fervent and hazy. Her body was like a pool of soft mud as Wen Nuan placed her on the bed.
Her dark hair scattered on the pure white bed, the corners of her eyes tinged red, her eyes full of alluring emotion.
She licked the corner of her lips, her eyes glinting, smiling charmingly. “…Want to play.”
Night deepened.
Outside, the lights were still sparse, yet shimmering and splendid.
Fingertips fiercely clutched the crumpled bedsheets, sobs uncontrollable, the room filled with Song Ci’s hoarse cries and pleas for mercy, yet receiving not a shred of pity or sympathy from her tormentor12.
She tried to resist, but was ultimately ruthlessly devoured and submerged.
Wen Nuan held her slender ankle, the corner of her lips curled up, wickedness in her eyes, and pulled Song Ci back with one tug, teasing, “Where are you running?”
Song Ci’s eyes were swollen from crying, so tired she could barely speak evenly. “No, no more…”
She really felt like she was going to die.
The soul-consuming pleasure and stimulation had left her utterly exhausted.
“No more?” Wen Nuan smiled like a spring breeze13, but her actions remained swift and decisive14. “In your dreams. Don’t you quite like doing this kind of thing? Don’t run, let’s play to our heart’s content this time.”
Sunlight streamed through the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, falling on the two people embracing on the bed.
Song Ci, her eyes completely exhausted, looked at Wen Nuan before her. She wanted to hug her but found she had no strength.
“….”
Song Ci now somewhat regretted those reckless15 words she had said before. If it was going to be this crazy and stimulating every time, she was afraid she wouldn’t live long enough to keep playing with Wen Nuan.
Her waist tightened. Song Ci looked up; Wen Nuan lowered her head and kissed her. “Uncomfortable?”
Yesterday’s play had been a bit too unrestrained. Wen Nuan knew she had lost control several times, pushing Song Ci to the brink of collapse.
Song Ci’s body trembled. She pursed her lips. “It’s, it’s okay.”
“Let me see if anything’s wrong?” Wen Nuan touched her. “It seems… a bit swollen.”
She got up, picked up the bathrobe from the floor, put it on, then lifted Song Ci and walked towards the bathroom.
Song Ci’s eyes widened in shock. “Still, still more?”
Wen Nuan paused. “I’m not that inhumane.”
The System popped up, looked at the mess on the floor, and clicked its tongue: 【I was blocked for a whole night, your stamina is pretty fierce, huh?!】
The corner of Wen Nuan’s lips curled up, her tone lilting: “When it comes to the real deal16, I’ve never been afraid of anyone.”
The System looked at the scattered wrappers on the floor and silently gave a thumbs up: 【Impressive17!】
The two soaked in the bath for a while, played on the bed for a bit more, then Wen Nuan took Song Ci home and returned to Wutong Yayuan.
As soon as she got home, seeing Zhao Zhenhai’s knowing gaze, Wen Nuan smiled awkwardly. “Morning, Dad.”
Zhao Zhenhai glanced at his watch. “Not early anymore, it’s almost time for dinner.”
He looked at the mark on Wen Nuan’s neck. “Young ladies should be more careful, you know?”
Wen Nuan touched her neck, grinning playfully. “Okay.”
Song Ci had just lain down on her bed when she heard Song Minshu returning home. There was a knock on her room door.
“Song Ci?” It was Song Minshu. “Are you in?”
Song Ci sighed. “Yes.”
Song Minshu pushed the door open and came in. Seeing Song Ci looking weak, his brow furrowed. “Are you… sick?”
Song Ci sat up, shaking her head. “No, just a bit tired. Is something wrong?”
“The day after tomorrow, I have a dinner party with some friends. You should come with me.”
“I don’t want to go,” Song Ci refused.
Song Minshu’s face darkened. “You must go.”
Song Ci said coldly, “…Forcing me?”
“Regardless of what you think it is, you have to go with me.” Song Minshu saw the mark on Song Ci’s neck. As someone who frequently indulged in worldly pleasures, he immediately recognized what that mark was.
He walked over, pulled open Song Ci’s collar, his brow tightly furrowed. “You have a boyfriend?”
Song Ci slapped his hand away, a scornful smile on her face. “Not a boyfriend, a girlfriend.”
Song Minshu’s face froze. “Break up.”
“Not breaking up,” Song Ci said sharply.
“What? Grown up now, dare to defy me?” Song Minshu pinched Song Ci’s chin. “Either break up on your own, or I’ll help you break up. Choose.”
Song Ci looked at Song Minshu coldly, saying word by word, “Not. Breaking. Up.”
Song Minshu assumed Song Ci was just going through a rebellious phase, shaking her off, and snorted with a laugh. “Suit yourself. If you just want to play around, your dad isn’t some stubborn old fool. Just don’t get serious. Remember to come to the party with me the day after tomorrow, or you’ll be sorry.”
Song Ci watched the closed door, her eyes gradually growing deep and icy.
These past two days, Wen Nuan and Zhao Zhenhai had been preparing the documents for the university in M Country, rushing around everywhere. They finally managed to get all the materials ready.
For these documents, Zhao Zhenhai had specially invited the Director of the Education Bureau for a meal to cultivate connections18 at Mingsong Grand Hotel19, which lasted until past eight in the evening.
Just as the two were about to leave the hotel, Wen Nuan suddenly noticed a table of guests in the lobby—two very familiar figures.
Lu Yi and Song Ci?!
And weren’t those Song Ci’s father and Lu Yi’s parents with them?
Zhao Zhenhai saw Wen Nuan stop, staring intently at the lobby. “What’s wrong?”
Wen Nuan handed the document bag to Zhao Zhenhai, rolled up her sleeves, and strode over, her tone unfriendly. “Someone’s trying to snatch your daughter-in-law.”
Hearing this, Zhao Zhenhai was instantly alarmed. “Well, I’ll be! Someone’s actually trying to snatch my daughter-in-law?!”
This dinner, ostensibly for mutual cooperation and benefit but in reality a blind date, was most awkward for Song Ci and Lu Yi.
The two calmly looked at each other, both seeing a trace of speechlessness and embarrassment in the other’s eyes. In contrast, their parents were chatting enthusiastically, as if they were about to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau the next second to get Song Ci and Lu Yi officially married.
“You and Zhao Wen Nuan… broke up?” Lu Yi asked in a low voice.
Song Ci shook her head. “No.”
“Then you were tricked into coming too?” Lu Yi’s parents had only told him they were coming for a meal, but it had turned into a blind date dinner.
Song Ci took a sip of tea. It was a bit bitter, and she frowned slightly. “Forced.”
“….” Lu Yi choked. “Then you’re worse off than me.”
Song Ci said faintly, “Is this really the time to compare who’s more miserable?”
Lu Yi saw the person behind her and gave a well-intentioned warning. “….Actually, if you think about it, you might be even more miserable next.”
Song Ci lifted her eyelids. “What do you mean?”
“Your girlfriend’s here,” Lu Yi sighed. “Caught red-handed20. You tell me, who’s more miserable now?”
“…..” Song Ci whipped around, watching Zhao Wen Nuan stride over menacingly.
She quickly stood up, explaining, “Wen Nuan, I… I….”
Lu Yi stood up, hands raised. “We were both unaware of this, so don’t involve the innocent, okay?”
Lu Yi’s father looked at Zhao Zhenhai, surprised. “President Zhao, why are you here?”
Song Minshu had also met Zhao Zhenhai before, as they had collaborated in the past. He stood up and greeted, “President Zhao.”
Zhao Zhenhai smiled. “Well, well, if it isn’t President Lu and President Song. What are you all doing…..”
Lu Ce21 looked at Song Minshu. “Friends getting together for a meal. And President Zhao is…?”
“Ah, I’m accompanying my daughter for a meal. And wouldn’t you know it, I saw my daughter’s girlfriend, so I came over to say hello.” Zhao Zhenhai looked at Song Ci. “Song Ci, ah, how’s the food? To your liking?”
Song Ci smiled shyly. “It’s fine, thank you, Uncle.”
“Why call me Uncle?” Zhao Zhenhai patted Song Ci’s hair, smiling smugly. “You’re going to marry Wen Nuan in the future, call me Dad!”
Song Ci: “…..”
Lu Yi: “…..”
Everyone: “…….”
Wen Nuan nudged Zhao Zhenhai and gave him a thumbs-up. “Dad, impressive.”
Zhao Zhenhai raised his eyebrows proudly, a corner of his mouth curled up. “Are you kidding? You think your old man has been navigating the business world22 for all these years for nothing? Just wait, Dad will get your wife back for you.”
As Song Ci’s father, Song Minshu felt he should say a few words to understand this complicated relationship.
“President Zhao, what you mean by that is….?”
“Oh, President Song, you still don’t understand?” Zhao Zhenhai patted Song Minshu on the back. “We’re going to be in-laws from now on.”
Song Minshu: “…..”
Was it the kind of “in-laws” he was thinking of?!
He thought of the hickey he had seen on Song Ci’s neck that day, then looked at the girl behind Zhao Zhenhai.
Very beautiful, with delicate features. Even wearing a simple gray and white tracksuit, it wasn’t hard to tell she had a good figure.
One hand in her pocket, an air of unbridled arrogance, looking rather cocky.
This girl was Zhao Zhenhai’s daughter, and also the girlfriend Song Ci had mentioned.
Song Minshu instantly weighed the pros and cons23 of everyone’s relationships in his mind and finally came to a conclusion.
He walked up to Zhao Wen Nuan and smiled. “You must be the girl Song Ci often tells me about. Uncle was thinking of meeting you and having a meal with you.”
Wen Nuan saw the calculation that hadn’t yet faded from his eyes and sneered, “What? Uncle Song clearly knew Ah Ci and I were already together, yet you deliberately brought Ah Ci to a so-called blind date. Could it be that Uncle Song is dissatisfied with me?”
“….” Song Minshu’s eyes narrowed. “How could that be? This isn’t some blind date, just Uncle Song having a meal and chatting with good friends.”
“Oh, is that so?” Wen Nuan gestured to Song Ci, who walked to her side.
She put her arm around Song Ci’s waist, looked at the others, and smiled. “In that case, Uncle Song, you continue chatting and eating with your good friends. I’ll take Ah Ci with me now, is that alright?”
Song Minshu’s smile froze. “…..Fine, you young lovebirds go have fun if you want.”
“Then thank you very much, Uncle Song.” Wen Nuan took Song Ci’s hand and turned to leave.
“Hey, take me with you.” Lu Yi walked up, looking at Wen Nuan. “Since it’s a gathering for the adults, there’s no point in me staying either.”
The corner of Wen Nuan’s mouth quirked up. “Beg me, and I’ll take you.”
Lu Yi: “….Are you taking advantage of the situation24?”
“Do you want to leave or not?” Wen Nuan grinned smugly.
“I beg you.” Lu Yi was adaptable25.
“Alright, let’s go.” Wen Nuan looked at Lu Yi’s parents. “Uncle, Auntie, we’re heading out to have some fun, so we’ll be leaving first.”
Lu Yi’s parents: “…..Okay.”
Zhao Zhenhai wrapped things up. “Then you all continue eating, have a good chat. Maybe we can even collaborate in the future.”
The two families’ eyes instantly lit up, and they hurriedly replied, “Yes, yes.”
To be able to collaborate with Zhao Zhenhai was no easy feat. They hadn’t expected to get a chance for collaboration just by having a meal; it was too worth it.
Once out of the hotel, Lu Yi left first. Zhao Zhenhai, not wanting to disturb the young couple’s date, also left.
Wen Nuan deeply felt that this father of hers was quite perceptive.
Song Ci looked at Wen Nuan, who hadn’t said a word, feeling somewhat panicked and scared.
She looked at Wen Nuan walking ahead of her, quickened her pace, and hooked Wen Nuan’s finger, her tone pleading, “Wen Nuan, are you angry?”
Wen Nuan deliberately ignored her, walking straight ahead.
Seeing her ignore her, Song Ci felt even more flustered. “I really know I was wrong. I didn’t expect my dad wanted me and Lu Yi to….”
Wen Nuan suddenly grabbed her hand. “Come with me.”
Song Ci paused. “Go?”
Wen Nuan said nothing, pulling Song Ci into a jewelry store and looking at the salesperson in front. “Hello, I’d like to see wedding diamond rings.”
The salesperson, seeing two girls, was stunned for a moment, then immediately greeted them, “This way, please. The diamond rings are all inside.”
Song Ci looked at the various sparkling diamond rings before her, her expression numb, looking at Wen Nuan in confusion. “This is….?”
“Pick one,” Wen Nuan pointed to the largest diamond in the display case. “My treat.”
Song Ci stammered, “For me?”
“Mhm, for you.” Wen Nuan had the salesperson take out a pinkish diamond ring and put it on Song Ci’s ring finger. The size was surprisingly a perfect fit.
She smiled. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m proposing to you.”
Song Ci’s eyes widened, looking at the diamond ring on her ring finger in disbelief, her voice trembling. “Pro-proposing?”
“Mhm, proposing. Although the proposal ceremony is a bit simple, we can buy the diamond ring first. I’ll make up the ceremony to you later, okay?” Wen Nuan felt this ring looked beautiful on Song Ci and immediately took out her bank card. “We’ll take this one.”
A pinkish diamond, it suited her very well.
Song Ci looked at the diamond ring on her ring finger, deeply moved. Seeing Wen Nuan only buy one, “…What about you?”
“You want me to wear one too?” Wen Nuan teased. “Are you going to buy me one?”
Song Ci nodded. “Mhm, mhm, I want to buy you one. Although I’m not as rich as you, I can still afford a diamond ring.”
She had saved up some living expenses over the past few years.
Wen Nuan propped up her forehead, a subtle smile appearing in her eyes, and tilted her chin up. “Then you go pick one. See which one suits me?”
“Okay.” Song Ci immediately went to another counter to choose, taking a while.
She walked back with a diamond ring, looked at Wen Nuan, and said mysteriously, “Hold out your hand.”
Wen Nuan cooperatively held out her hand. “What kind did you pick…”
She looked at the red diamond on her ring finger, her pupils trembling. “Why is it… a red diamond?”
Back then, she had wanted to ask her, why a red diamond?
Song Ci helped her put it on, lowered her head, and kissed her ring finger, smiling brilliantly. “….It suits you very well.”
It’s not that you suit this diamond ring, but when I first saw this red diamond, I believed it was born for you.
Like a gorgeous rose, passionate as fire, dazzling and eye-catching.
Quietly blooming in the bottom of my heart.
System: 【Blackening value decreased. Current female lead’s blackening value is 0.3!】
Wen Nuan smiled, her fingers tightly interlaced with Song Ci’s.
The author has something to say:
Zhao Zhenhai: Snatching my business is one thing, snatching my wife…
Wen Nuan: Hmm?
Zhao Zhenhai: Snatching my daughter-in-law is not okay!
Wen Nuan: Mhm!
✨ Unlock Early Access to Chapters! ✨
Choose your perfect membership at bamboopandatl.net:
📚 Full Access ($4.99)
• Advanced chapters of ALL ongoing novels
• Access to complete finished novels
• Ad-free reading experience
📖 Single Novel Access ($1.49)
• Advanced chapters of ONE specific novel
• Ad-free reading for chosen novel
PayPal is the only current payment option!