Chapter 31 - Striking Odd Poses, Doing Strange Things

Chapter 31: Striking Odd Poses, Doing Strange ThingsThe rhythmic tapping sound of the drawing tablet stopped abruptly and didn’t resume.

Liu Xiaofei was puzzled by Shaoyang’s sudden question. She wasn’t sure what he meant by it, but she knew it was something that required careful thought.

Initially, her plan was to accompany Shaoyang through his college entrance exams, see him off to university, and then move on. She had intended to find a new job, start fresh, and perhaps meet someone she liked—or someone who liked her—and rebuild a family.

However, as she spent more time with Shaoyang, those thoughts gradually faded. Especially after their relationship recently took a more profound turn, she had completely abandoned her initial plans.

But Shaoyang’s unexpected question tonight left her conflicted.

Rationally, she knew she should leave. Shaoyang would have a life of his own, one that might even be better without her involvement. Yet emotionally, she couldn’t bear to part from him.

Moreover, she didn’t fully understand Shaoyang’s intentions in bringing up this topic.

As Liu Xiaofei wrestled with her thoughts, Cao Shaoyang broke the silence.

“It seems that Xiao Ma hasn’t made up her mind about this yet. How about listening to my suggestion?” he said.

Liu Xiaofei didn’t know how to respond, so she decided to hear him out. Perhaps his words would reveal his attitude toward her.

“Shaoyang, go ahead. Xiao Ma is listening.”

Cao Shaoyang gently took her hand, noticing it felt a little cold. “Since you haven’t decided yet, why not come with me after my college entrance exams?”

“When I go to university, Xiao Ma, you can do whatever you enjoy. If you want to work, you can find a good job. If not, you can arrange your time freely—travel across the country, admire its breathtaking landscapes, or focus on painting. You can live as you please.”

“For the past three years, you’ve centered your life around me. When we move to a new city together, it’ll finally be time for you to relax and develop your own passions.”

“What do you think of my proposal, Xiao Ma?”

Cao Shaoyang’s words deeply moved Liu Xiaofei. The future he painted for her was alluring.

She didn’t question it or foolishly suggest that she could travel on her own without him. Both of them understood the true reason.

A weary bird needs a nest to return to—a home where it can rest in peace. By taking her along, Shaoyang was giving her a new home.

Reassured, Liu Xiaofei felt that her biggest unresolved dilemma had been perfectly resolved. She smiled—a smile of relief.

“Alright, Xiao Ma will follow Shaoyang’s lead.”

“But!” The warm atmosphere suddenly shifted.

“If Shaoyang wants to take Xiao Ma to a better city for a better life, then there’s no room for slacking off now! Only by getting into a good university can all those plans you shared with Xiao Ma come true.”

“You wouldn’t want your college entrance exam results to be mediocre, forcing you to attend some small-town university where Xiao Ma would have to share a pitiful life with you in a remote county, right?”

Liu Xiaofei had turned Shaoyang’s own rhetoric back on him, like a well-aimed boomerang.

The very words he once used to pressure her were now being skillfully thrown back at him.

Cao Shaoyang chuckled confidently.

“Challenge accepted!”

“Xiao Ma, rest assured. The college entrance exams are no big deal to me. Just wait to move to the Magic City with me!”

Xiao Ma tilted her head in confusion. “Why the Magic City? Are you really that confident?” Sёarch* The Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Confidence is a given! As for why the Magic City, I’ve already decided—I’m applying to the photography program at the University of Magic City.”

Xiao Ma gave Cao Shaoyang an encouraging look. “Then you’ll need to work hard. The University of Magic City isn’t easy to get into. So… you know what you need to do, right?”

Cao Shaoyang instantly slumped, looking defeated. Deep down, he understood Xiao Ma’s doubt. After all, based on his previous self’s academic performance, which was merely average in the class, applying to an elite arts program at the University of Magic City without having even taken the specialized arts exam would indeed be a long shot.

By pure ability, he admitted he didn’t stand a chance. But! He had his secret weapon.

Cao Shaoyang stormed off with determination. Just wait—when the exam results come out, he’d give Xiao Ma the shock of her life.

That night, Cao Shaoyang slept soundly.

What he didn’t know was that, on the same night, two women lay restless because of him, unable to sleep.

At home, the young woman Xin Chun Jiao had returned after a whirlwind evening. After recovering from her initial exhaustion, she took a shower. Emerging in a bathrobe, she felt inexplicably uneasy, as though a fiery restlessness burned within her, refusing to let her settle.

Lying in bed, she couldn’t stop her mind from replaying the night’s events. In a secluded, dark corner, she had obediently followed her master’s instructions, striking various poses and performing one strange act after another.