Ai Tutu's POV.
Watching Mu Bai leave with the director, Ai Tutu couldn't gather her thoughts. Could this cocky guy, who'd made her heart race, really have been toying with her all along?
It fit. He didn't hit on Mu sister not because he didn't like her, but because her friend wasn't an easy mark like Ai Tutu herself. And why he hadn't dishonored her yet? Mu Bai just didn't want responsibility or the Ai family's wrath.
Her eyes stung traitorously. Everyone discussed Mu Bai. Some called him the strongest first-year in university history and admired him. Others branded him a disgrace to manhood and spat at his name.
Opinions varied wildly, but one thing held: no one was indifferent. Some even started picking titles. One guy, eyeing the girls with washed-off makeup, laughed and suggested "Illusion Destroyer." Ai Tutu turned away; his fate looked pitiable.
Deep down, though, Ai Tutu agreed fully. Those painted hens always irked her. She itched to dunk their heads in water herself, then use the plastery runoff to seal their filthy mouths.
Over there, in the corner, clanless hot guys huddled, whispers hinting they planned to repeat Mu Bai's "feat" and eyed rich widows. Ai Tutu tuned them out; the topic grated now.
Ears caught floating titles: "Legendary gigolo," "Invisible peak," "World's priciest hooker." A guy with Russian roots even pitched "Matryoshka." Ai Tutu shook her head; she didn't want to think about it.
Familiar arms hugged her gently from behind. It was Mu Nujiao, her dear friend—and currently the only one she could pour her soul out to:
"Mu sister, am I an idiot?" Ai Tutu spun and buried her face in Mu Nujiao's chest. Thank the gods, amid the crowd, she didn't stand out; many girls hid their faces now.
"Yes, you really are an idiot." Mu sister nodded faintly, calm as ever.
Ai Tutu huffed indignantly into her cleavage, but her lips twitched upward on their own. Mu sister always knew how to cheer her.
"But even if I don't trust your brains, I trust my insight. And it tells me his warm looks your way this week were genuine." Mu Nujiao whispered in her ear.
"Maybe he does have something with this Tang Yue, but I know he really likes you. So just talk to him. He'll come out the side exit soon—closest to Director Xiao's office. I'll wait for you at home." Stroking her head tenderly, Mu Nujiao walked off calmly. The whole mess seemed not to faze her.
Ai Tutu wiped tears from her eye corners. Mu sister was right; she hadn't sensed falseness from Mu Bai. So if that old purse was holding him by force, she'd show her place. She'd nag her dad a whole month if needed. Even the Magic Tribunal wouldn't ignore the Ai family's sway.
Replaying scenarios of punishing the old cow poaching young meat, her spirits lifted a bit. Ai Tutu headed to the side exit to wait for Mu Bai.
About thirty minutes later, he emerged, clearly upbeat, clutching reinforced paper—like passes to key spots. She'd seen a few in her dad's office.
Shoving distractions aside, Ai Tutu mustered her pitifulest look. Easy: she just stopped bottling her raging emotions, and her eyes reddened instantly, nose tingling.
Stepping toward Mu Bai, she hit him with the two questions burning hottest:
"What's with you and Tang Yue? Were you just playing with me before?" Feeling the sniffle, she let out a pitiful one she'd learned from mom. Even her stern dad fell for it every time.
The guy's smile dropped, face paling. Mu Bai stepped right up, enfolding her in his arms. Nuzzling her hair, stroking her back, he gently led her away.
"Tut u, forgive me—it's not what you think. Let's go somewhere without prying ears. I'll explain everything there." His voice was firm yet tender, soothing her.
Watching Mu Bai cradle her in strong arms, hearing guilt-tinged words, feeling his slightly sweaty palms, Ai Tutu inwardly cheered. Now she was dead sure Mu Bai hadn't played her—she really mattered to him.
How else to explain why this guy bold enough to publicly rib a powerhouse like Director Xiao now fidgeted so?
Once in a cute little gazebo near their house, Mu Bai explained:
"Tut u, Tang Yue and I have nothing—I just needed her big name for cover..." Quickly laying out the basics, Mu Bai modulated his voice, drawing her into a gripping tale, washing away all negativity.
As the story unfolded, Ai Tutu wanted to sincerely apologize to the poor woman for mentally dubbing her an old cow and cursing her. Also, smack her... well, she'd call him her boyfriend in her head for now. Reality would confirm soon enough.
So, her boyfriend had brazenly extorted from poor Tang Yue—under a potent aphrodisiac—public rights to call her his sugar mommy, to legitimize his wealth and rapid gains. The poor thing agreed, clueless what she signed.
Silently praying for the late social rep of the woman, Ai Tutu asked clarifying questions to vet her boyfriend's wild tale. Dad taught her that when probing subordinates' spending. Some spun yarns wilder than Mu Bai's.
She skipped his secrets and wealth origins. Ai Tutu saw he didn't fully trust her yet and accepted it calmly. Hurt a tad, but they were still new. When ready, she'd wring every secret out. Curiosity burned!
"Tut u, you believe me?" Mu Bai asked, surprised. He truly found her quick trust odd.
"I always knew you were innocent. You can't fool my heart." Ai Tutu puffed her cheeks, then stuck out her tongue smiling. She'd tactfully omit Mu sister's nudge.
"...You're my real sun bunny, just as playful." Mu Bai grinned crookedly.
"Hey, when did I agree to be yours?" Ai Tutu puffed again, feigning anger.
Mu Bai chuckled warmly, ruffling her hair like a little girl. She lightly punched his gut in retaliation.
"Should I teach you how to claim a girl properly?" she asked expectantly. Her heart hammered faster than during his arena epics.
Grinning roguishly, Mu Bai hugged her tight, whispering "You asked for it," and drew her in for a tender kiss.
Now she could call him her boyfriend beyond thoughts. Thinking that, Ai Tutu met the kiss eagerly. Her first kiss.