Ling Tian was completely bewildered by the lively scene in front of the cafeteria. It was his first day on campus, and he had never witnessed such a commotion.
He casually grabbed a passing male student. "Classmate, what's going on here?"
"Tch, a rich second-generation trying to woo the campus belle. What's so strange about that?" the student replied dismissively. He was single and couldn't stand such displays.
"I see."
Ling Tian didn't want to get involved and was about to leave. However, at that moment, he froze. The two people at the center of the crowd were none other than Wang Bingxia.
Wang Bingxia looked anxious and impatient. Facing her was a tall man in a stylish suit, holding a large bouquet of flowers, who was chattering incessantly.
"Bingxia, from the moment I first saw you, I knew I couldn't live without you. Please, be my girlfriend. If you agree, I'll give you everything..."
The roses in his hand numbered over a hundred, clearly expensive. Many of the girls watching the spectacle had eyes filled with infatuated admiration.
"Zhao Shuai, get away from me. I've already told you, it's impossible between us! Besides, I already have a boyfriend!"
"Bingxia, stop making excuses. You're making up a boyfriend just to reject me. Is that funny?"
"That's right, Zhao Shuai is so handsome, rich, and the student council president. Just agree to him!" someone nearby egged her on.
"Exactly! If it were me, I'd register with Senior Zhao right away!" a fangirl chimed in.
Ling Tian immediately understood that Wang Bingxia was in trouble. He quickly pushed his way through the crowd.
The crowd was initially impenetrable, but as Wang Bingxia brushed past people, she released internal energy from within her. These people recoiled as if electrocuted, voluntarily clearing a path.
Wang Bingxia turned to head into the cafeteria. Zhao Shuai stepped forward, blocking her path with the bouquet.
Just then, a powerful force came from behind, knocking him off balance and nearly making him drop the flowers.
"You, don't you have eyes?" Zhao Shuai, embarrassed, roared in anger.
"A good dog doesn't block the way. This is the cafeteria entrance, why are you blocking it!"
As Ling Tian spoke, he stepped forward and took Wang Bingxia's hand.
"Bingxia, are you alright? Sorry, I'm late!"
Wang Bingxia's face flushed crimson. Although they had been inseparable for over a week, their interactions had been strictly formal. This was the first time Ling Tian had held her hand.
Wang Bingxia felt his hand was so warm. Ling Tian, on the other hand, sensed that Wang Bingxia's hand was ice-cold, an unnatural coldness.
If a normal person's skin temperature is around 36°C, Wang Bingxia's hand temperature was below 30°C, which was clearly abnormal.
At this point, the surrounding crowd erupted.
Wang Bingxia was quite famous at Jiangzhou University. Upon her arrival, she had immediately appeared on the campus belle rankings, compiled by students.
She had remained on the list ever since and was now one of Jiangzhou University's top three campus belles. Almost every student knew who Wang Bingxia was.
Her suitors were as numerous as fish in a river, yet without exception, they were all rejected by Wang Bingxia. She had also explicitly stated that she would not consider romantic relationships before graduation.
Today, in full view of everyone, Wang Bingxia had her hand grabbed by a stranger, and what was even more astonishing was that she hadn't resisted.
Zhao Shuai, standing opposite, was the president of the Jiangzhou University Student Council. His family was very wealthy; his mother was a director of an investment group in Jiangzhou, and his father's family was involved in politics with extensive connections.
He had secured the position of student council president through connections and financial influence.
From the day he first saw Wang Bingxia, he had harbored ulterior motives. On one hand, he coveted her beauty; on the other, he had his sights set on the Wang family's fortune.
Old Master Wang doted on his granddaughter immensely and intended to leave most of his future estate to his grandson-in-law, which was no secret in their circles.
Thus, Zhao Shuai had endured humiliation for years. He was originally a playboy but had to restrain himself, even refraining from having a girlfriend publicly, all to leave a good impression on Wang Bingxia.
However, Wang Bingxia had always ignored his advances.
He decided to be persistent, pursuing her relentlessly even after repeated rejections. After not seeing Wang Bingxia for over a month, he intercepted her at the cafeteria entrance today, offering flowers and confessing his love.
Wang Bingxia angrily refused him again. It was then that the impetuous man who had bumped into him appeared.
What shocked him even more was that this man had taken Wang Bingxia's hand.
"You, let go! Take your paws off Miss Bingxia's hand!" Zhao Shuai yelled, pointing at Ling Tian's nose.
"Why? I'm holding my wife's hand, it's not illegal!"
"What, say that again! You're taking advantage of Miss Wang! You must apologize to Miss Wang immediately! Take your paws off!"
At this moment, Wang Bingxia stubbornly held Ling Tian's hand and stepped forward. "Zhao Shuai, I've already told you, I have a boyfriend. This is my boyfriend, or more accurately, my fiancé!"
Zhao Shuai was stunned. The flowers fell from his hands, and he felt as if struck by lightning, utterly scorched. His prized cabbage had been snatched by another pig.
Ling Tian, still holding Wang Bingxia's hand, began to walk towards the cafeteria. Zhao Shuai's malice surged, and he shouted.
"You stop right there!"
Ling Tian turned around and gave him a dismissive glance.
"What do you want?"
"I'll give you money to leave Bingxia! One million, I'll give you one million!"
Ling Tian turned back, looking at Zhao Shuai mockingly.
"How about this, I'll give you one million, and you call me Dad, how about that?"
"You... I think you're asking for death! How dare you insult me!"
"Look at you, you're so hypocritical. But you were the one who insulted me with money first! I warn you, stay away from my girlfriend, or you'll regret it!"
"You're courting death!"
Zhao Shuai was completely enraged. He lifted his leg and kicked towards Ling Tian's abdomen.
This guy was a black belt in Taekwondo, having studied it since childhood with masters from Korea. He was also the president of the school's Taekwondo club.
If this kick had landed on anyone else, it would have likely caused a fracture.
However, his target was Ling Tian. Before his foot was even halfway to Ling Tian, he realized his target had vanished!