Flirt First, Run Later [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 11

“It’s very rude to eavesdrop on others.” Liang Chu pulled the other’s hand off his buttocks, his expression unfriendly.

Xie Shenxing chuckled, knowing when to stop, and released him from the embrace, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Liang Chu stared at him for a moment, somewhat satisfied with the other’s attitude and speed in admitting fault. He waved his hand magnanimously, as if to say, “I won’t hold it against you,” then turned sideways to walk past him. But he paused and suddenly slapped Xie Shenxing’s buttocks in retaliation.

Xie Shenxing had almost no excess fat on his body. He must have saved the entire universe in his past life to have a butt that felt like slapping an elastic rock.

His palm tingled from the impact. Liang Chu clasped his hands behind his back and pinched his own buttocks, sighing inwardly—his own was soft and squishy.

Facing Xie Shenxing’s broad back, Liang Chu lectured, “I’m teaching you that a man’s butt isn’t something you can just touch casually.”

Xie Shenxing slowly turned around, his face devoid of any extra expression, his dark eyes fixed on Liang Chu like a deep, ancient well.

After being stared at for a while, Liang Chu felt the urge to touch his nose. He suddenly felt a bit intimidated. This wasn’t the first time he’d felt this way. He vaguely sensed that Xie Shenxing was becoming increasingly difficult to provoke. Even as a child, Xie Shenxing’s sharp features had lacked kindness, and now that his brows and eyes had fully matured, it was even more apparent. He was like an unsheathed sword, exuding an imposing aura even without speaking, making the air seem to slow and sending chills down one’s spine.

Feeling slightly cowed, Liang Chu’s voice softened. “I’m talking to you…”

As if sensing his unease, Xie Shenxing coughed lightly, withdrawing his piercing gaze, and coaxed calmly, “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Liang Chu breathed a sigh of relief. The words sounded nice, but strangely, he didn’t feel entirely reassured.

At some point, their dynamic seemed to have reversed. Although Xie Shenxing still obeyed him as before, something had clearly changed.

For instance, even though Xie Shenxing appeared as submissive as ever, Liang Chu no longer felt the same satisfaction in bullying him. Instead of being the one bullied, it felt more like Xie Shenxing was offering him a way out. If Xie Shenxing didn’t want to, he could easily refuse to give him face.

Regardless of the reality, at least on the surface, things remained harmonious. Liang Chu quickly changed the subject and said, “Let’s go down for dinner.”

Downstairs, almost everyone except Jing’s mother was already up. Jing Hongjie and Jing Weigang, father and son, were seated at the dining table having breakfast. When they saw the two coming down, Jing Weigang shook his newspaper, frowned, and said to Liang Chu, “You’re the only one in this family who causes trouble. We all eat the food the nanny makes, but you’re the only one who can’t? You haven’t learned anything useful. All you know is how to make things difficult for others.”

Liang Chu let out an indifferent “oh,” pulled out a chair, and sat down without saying another word. The remark wasn’t really directed at him anyway. Jing Weigang would pull this kind of act every few days, treating Xie Shenxing with courtesy and respect, a far cry from his previous attitude.

This was something Xie Shenxing had earned for himself. At a young age, he was sharp and formidable, and Jing Weigang had long since developed an intention to win him over.

Sure enough, Jing Weigang paid no further attention to Liang Chu and turned to Xie Shenxing instead. “This kid is becoming more and more useless as he grows up. I say, you don’t have to indulge him in everything. Food is food. If he’s picky, let him go hungry for a couple of meals, and he’ll learn. A gentleman should stay away from the kitchen. Time should be spent on proper matters.”

Xie Shenxing thought to himself, How would I dare? He’d practically stage a rebellion right on top of me. But aloud, he chuckled and said, “It’s no trouble at all.”

After a few more exchanges, which Xie Shenxing handled gracefully, the remaining two at the table looked visibly displeased. Liang Chu was thinking, The food is ready, and they still won’t let us eat? What kind of injustice is this? It’d be better if it weren’t cooked yet at least then we couldn’t eat it even if we wanted to. But now, it’s right here, and we still can’t have it. Jing Hongjie’s expression, however, was even darker. He rustled the newspaper in his hands loudly, his disdain for Xie Shenxing still evident.

Who are you trying to show that attitude to? Liang Chu ignored Jing Hongjie and tapped the table, asking Xie Shenxing, “Where’s the food? Are we going to eat or not?”

Jing Weigang scolded, “From now on, don’t speak to Shenxing like that! Who do you think you’re ordering around?”

Liang Chu leaned back in his chair and said, “Well, I’m going to eat, no matter what.”

“My apologies,” Xie Shenxing said as he stood up.

Jing Weigang nodded. “Go ahead.”

Only after Xie Shenxing left for the kitchen did Jing Weigang’s smiling face fall. He lowered his voice and demanded, “Hongjie, what’s the matter with you?”

Jing Hongjie folded the newspaper and retorted, “Dad! Are you really giving that kid so much face?”

The Jing family only gathered for dinner; breakfast and lunch were usually eaten separately in their respective homes. Recently, Jing Hongjie had been summoned to the East Courtyard every morning for meals, as Jing Weigang wanted him to build a relationship with Xie Shenxing. Jing Hongjie had long been resentful. If the other person were truly a Zhuge Liang, he might have been willing to humble himself and make repeated visits. But who was this person he was being forced to meet? Was he even worthy?

Jing Weigang said sternly, “Who am I doing this for? It’s so he can work for the Jing Corporation in the future! I’ve handed the company over to you for so many years, and you still lack such insight? Xiao Xie is a talent. When has Yunxin No. 1 High School ever produced a fool? The college entrance exam is just around the corner. If you don’t secure his loyalty now and keep looking down on him, by the time he spreads his wings, you won’t even be able to find him!”

Jing Hongjie sneered, “What’s the use of studying? How many college graduates work under me? I think he’s just a bookworm—how capable can he be? Besides, Xie Shenxing eats and uses the Jings’ resources. Even if he does achieve something in the future, hiring him to work for the Jing Corporation is an honor. Countless people are scrambling to get into the Jing Corporation! Dad, you’ve said it yourself. You can’t praise someone too much, or they’ll forget their place.”

Jing Weigang was about to say more when Xie Shenxing pushed the door open and returned.

Breakfast was an unpleasant affair. Jing Weigang, feeling embarrassed, left the table early.

With his father gone, Jing Hongjie didn’t even bother to maintain appearances. He made no effort to hide his disgust for Xie Shenxing, treating him as a thorn in his side, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain. A country bumpkin from the boondocks, and he thinks he can sit at the same table as me?

Liang Chu, having witnessed the entire drama, found it hard to eat while facing Jing Hongjie’s self-important expression. What’s with that look? Xie Shenxing is my person. Even when you hit a dog, you have to consider its owner. Looking down on him is looking down on me. Liang Chu gripped his spoon, imagining smacking it right into Jing Hongjie’s face.

But Liang Chu, being a coward, only dared to think it. Sigh, he lamented inwardly. It’s understandable. Only those who’ve never studied would narrow-mindedly claim that education is useless. Jing Hongjie was a mess in school, but he was born lucky, with a rich dad. Sure, he has some business sense and made a bit of money, but now he thinks he’s superior to everyone else.

It was these experiences that gave him an over-the-top arrogance born of extreme self-confidence. Reasoning with someone like him was futile because he did possess some genuine ability. To truly put him in his place, one had to demonstrate real skill; otherwise, you’d just have to swallow your frustration.

However, Jing Hongjie’s pride and conceit were such that the higher he elevated himself, the more humiliated he would feel when he eventually discovered that someone he had once looked down upon came from a background ten times more influential than the entire Jing family. Everything he took pride in would be utterly insignificant in comparison, and that person would even outshine him academically a hundred times over. Only such a stark contrast could thoroughly make him feel ashamed beyond words.

Liang Chu shot him a glare like a wolfhound, stuffed the remaining bacon into his mouth, and chewed it fiercely. Standing up, he said to Xie Shenxing, “Why aren’t you finished yet? I’m heading to school.”

Without waiting for Xie Shenxing to respond, Liang Chu swiftly made the decision for him, grabbing the remaining buns. “I’ll take these buns for you. We can eat on the way.” Xie Shenxing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but Liang Chu had no time to notice his expression. He hooked his arm through Xie Shenxing’s and dragged him out.