After Dating the President O, I Turned Into a Puppy-Like Lover - Chapter 28

Friday night.

After her shower, Dan Sirou picked up her phone. Several messages from Zhou Tingchen awaited her.

Zhou Tingchen: Rourou, how about going to Dongshan Temple tomorrow?

We prayed there back in middle school. It’s been years—we should return to give thanks.

If you have other places in mind, I’m open to suggestions.

I’ll follow your lead.

Dan Sirou had no objections. She replied: Alright, let’s go to Dongshan Temple.

Perhaps because she responded so quickly, Zhou Tingchen called almost immediately.

She hesitated. Tonight she wasn’t in the mood for conversation, preferring quiet. But since he had called, she couldn’t ignore it.

As always, his voice was warm and enthusiastic. He asked if exams had tired her, how things were at home, if she needed help. Then he spoke eagerly about their outing tomorrow, his words brimming with anticipation.

Listening, Dan Sirou’s brows curved gently. Her freshly dried hair was tucked behind her ear. Reclining on the sofa, her pale feet crossed neatly, a cushion hugged to her chest, she looked utterly at ease.

She responded to everything he said. The conversation flowed pleasantly, even tenderly.

They agreed on the plan: meet at ten in the morning, have lunch at a private restaurant near her neighborhood, then head to Dongshan Temple in the afternoon.

Dongcheng was a city steeped in history. Natural scenery was scarce; most attractions were cultural relics. Dongshan Temple, once a royal site of worship, had survived centuries. It was the city’s most famous landmark.

The next morning.

At 7:30, Dan Sirou rose early to prepare food for her mother. Her mother’s diet was still light, so the dishes were simple, easy to reheat later in the microwave.

Then she turned to herself.

Her features were delicate, yet not purely innocent. Her face was so finely sculpted it seemed carved by a surgeon’s hand, flawless. Without makeup, she looked like a gentle beauty; with it, she could transform into something alluring.

With half an hour left before departure, she set out early toward the restaurant where she and Zhou Tingchen had agreed to meet.

At 9:00, Zhou Tingchen left his dormitory.

Just outside, beneath the shade of a tree, stood a girl in a simple skirt, humming softly, swaying to her own rhythm. When she saw him, her eyes lit up.

“Senior Tingchen!!” she called, waving brightly.

Surprised, he walked toward her without hesitation.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, noting her carefully styled appearance.

Qiao Zhi tilted her head up at him, eyes sparkling, her smile revealing two playful tiger teeth. “I heard you’re going to Dongshan Temple today.”

“Who told you that?” he asked coolly.

“I can’t say.” She giggled. “It was a secret. If I betray them, they’ll never share information with me again.”

“You don’t need to say. I know—it must’ve been Qi Fang.” He chuckled knowingly.

“Ah!” Qiao Zhi pouted. “You guessed it yourself, I didn’t say anything. If Qi Fang gets mad, you’ll have to explain for me.”

He shook his head, amused. “So why are you here so early?”

She blinked playfully. “Take me with you to Dongshan Temple.”

“School’s too boring,” she added. “And lately that Alpha, Li Jinming, keeps following me everywhere. I’m sick of him. Yesterday he even said he wanted to join my piano lessons.”

“Li Jinming’s handsome, well-off, and ranked high. Isn’t that good?” Zhou Tingchen asked.

“No!” she sulked. “I don’t like him. Our pheromones clash, and he keeps deliberately releasing his to bother me.”

“Please, Senior Tingchen, help me. I don’t want to stay at school. Take me with you.”

“No.” He refused instantly. “I’m going on a date. What would it look like bringing you along?”

“A date?” Her face fell. “With the same person you mentioned before?”

“Yes.”

“Take me too.” Her eyes sparkled. “I want to see the Omega who caught your eye.”

“No.” He was firm.

“Why not? Afraid she’ll be jealous? You said I’m like a sister to you. Sisters don’t make girlfriends jealous.”

He sighed, regretting his earlier words. “Even so, you’re still an Omega. My girlfriend doesn’t know you. What if she misunderstands?”

“She won’t.” Qiao Zhi stretched her voice, coaxing. “I’ll explain. She must be as kind as you. She’ll understand.”

His patience thinned. He tried again: “No. I can’t take you.”

But Qiao Zhi had no other tricks. Suddenly, she sniffled, then burst into loud tears. “You hate me! You say it’s about your girlfriend, but really you just don’t want me there. Why did you promise me favors when I fell? Why did you help me with that Alpha? Why be kind if you hate me?”

Her crying drew stares. Zhou Tingchen hated being watched like that. Helpless, he stepped closer, trying to calm her, but she only cried louder.

A passing classmate looked on curiously. Zhou Tingchen forced a smile. “She’s upset. I’m comforting her.”

Once they left, he sighed. “Stop crying. Everyone’s watching.”

“Then will you take me?” she sniffled.

“Fine.” He relented. “I’ll take you. Just stop crying. You’re too pretty to cry like this in public, it’s embarrassing.”

Instantly, her tears vanished. She beamed, clinging to him. “Senior Tingchen, you’re the best!”

He looked at her—crying one moment, laughing the next, nose red from tears. He chuckled, brushing her nose lightly. “You’re such a child.”

She laughed like a bell. “No, you’re the one bullying me.”

“Enough. We’ll be late.” He strode ahead.

She hurried after him, struggling to match his Alpha pace, nearly running. By the time they left the gate, she was breathless.

“I can’t keep up, Senior.”

He glanced back, then silently reached out, taking her hand.

In the taxi.

They sat apart, each by a window. Zhou Tingchen leaned on his elbow, watching the city blur past, wondering if bringing Qiao Zhi was a mistake.

He’d explain to Rourou. She would understand.

“Senior Tingchen,” Qiao Zhi piped up. “I heard your girlfriend’s famous at her school. Is she really beautiful?”

“Yes,” he answered absently. “Very.”

“How about compared to me?” she teased.

He only smiled mysteriously, saying nothing.

Qiao Zhi sulked. What does that mean?

She’d find out soon enough. She had never lost a beauty contest.

Dan Sirou checked her phone. It was past ten. Zhou Tingchen hadn’t arrived.

She decided to wait five more minutes before calling, just in case.

At 10:14, she finally saw him approaching through the cold wind. He smiled warmly. But beside him walked another girl.

At first, she thought it was coincidence—a passerby. But they came together.

Keeping a small distance between them, Zhou Tingchen explained quickly: “Rourou, this is a junior from my music club. I met her at the gate. She’s also going to Dongshan Temple, so I brought her along. More people, more fun.” He smiled, trying to sound convincing.

“Hello, Sister.” Qiao Zhi greeted sweetly, hands folded at her waist.

Caught off guard, Dan Sirou smiled faintly. “Hello.”

Seeing the two girls exchange polite words, Zhou Tingchen felt relieved. “Let’s go in. The wind’s strong.”

At the restaurant.

The décor was elegant, traditional. Round tables filled the room, large and small.

The three of them sat at a modest table, each on one side. The atmosphere was slightly stiff.

Dan Sirou lifted her teacup, sipping quietly. When she looked up, she found a pair of round, bright eyes studying her. She smiled kindly.

Qiao Zhi smiled back, but quickly turned away, sipping her juice, her gaze restless.

For the first time, she felt she had lost in a contest of looks.

Beauty was subjective, each with their own charm. But when the difference was absolute, insisting otherwise was only polite consolation.