Chapter 81: Why Are You Blushing?

That afternoon, after being picked up from school and halfway through dinner, Shi Runrun abruptly left someone at the table and hurried upstairs to delve into her case competition materials.

Tomorrow was the deadline for the top 32 to upload their debate scripts—she had to finish writing it tonight!

Meanwhile, a certain neglected man sat alone in the downstairs dining room, watching the petite woman rush upstairs, his handsome face darkening.

In these past few days, Xiao Xuezheng had finally figured out the truth—it was for some silly college competition that she was ignoring her own husband?!

The man felt his little wife was in dire need of discipline!

Just then, Aunt Li brought in the last course of soup. Noticing Shi Runrun's absence, she couldn't help but ask, "Hey, where did the young mistress go?"

Xiao Xuezheng didn't even look up as he muttered, "She went upstairs to work on her school's ridiculous competition, Aunt Li. Just ignore her."

Hearing the jealousy in her young master's voice, Aunt Li covered her mouth and giggled, "Young master, you’re getting more and more invested in young mistress these days! Well, I made this soup especially for her—I'll take it up later. It's supposed to help with conception!"

Conception, indeed!

Xiao Xuezheng stewed in his resentment—ever since this silly competition started, he hadn’t touched her in days!

What use was talk of conception…

Upstairs, Shi Runrun was bent over Xiao Xuezheng’s computer, drafting her debate script.

Suddenly, she felt a cold shiver run down her back and let out a sharp sneeze. She muttered to herself, Who’s talking about me behind my back?

As she wrote, she hit a snag—a segment requiring specialized financial knowledge she didn’t quite grasp. She’d searched online, but found nothing relevant.

Now, Shi Runrun was genuinely troubled.

Her hand on the mouse hovered, her whole body frozen with uncertainty.

At that moment, Aunt Li entered carrying a bowl of sweet soup for the evening. Seeing Shi Runrun slumped at the desk, she set the soup down and came over. "What’s wrong, young mistress? Something on your mind?"

Shi Runrun answered honestly, "I’m stuck on something I don’t understand. The debate script’s at a standstill."

Aunt Li peered over and, though she didn’t understand a word, stifled a laugh. "If you don’t know, why not ask young master? He manages such a huge company—I remember he also graduated with a finance degree! From a famous university overseas, too!"

Shi Runrun smacked her forehead. Of course!

How could she be so silly?

She remembered Aunt Li mentioning before that Xiao Xuezheng had a PhD in finance from Harvard.

Harvard!

He was bound to know far more than a novice like her!

She could just bring her questions to him—and have him look over her script.

With his help, wouldn’t her team breeze into the semifinals?

Giggling to herself, Shi Runrun grabbed her computer and excitedly dashed out of the bedroom, downstairs.

But the vast living room was empty. Puzzled, Shi Runrun asked Aunt Li, who winked at her.

"Young mistress, young master is swimming in the backyard! See that huge pool?"

Indeed, the villa’s backyard boasted an enormous swimming pool.

She’d noticed it the first time she entered the house, marveling at the extravagance—what a waste, building such a pool at home.

It was wasteful, yes, but so very Xiao Xuezheng’s style!

Shi Runrun went out back, and immediately spotted him in the pool.

He swam like a fierce merman, cutting through the moonlit water. He dove beneath the surface, then emerged, sending ripples across the pool—his taut, sculpted muscles gleaming in the moonlight, etching an unforgettable image in her mind.

Shi Runrun stared, entranced.

She knew he was athletic—how else could he have such a physique? She’d heard he played squash and golf, but she’d never seen him swim before.

She stood silently, watching him glide through the water.

The longer she looked, the more her cheeks flushed and burned.

Those distinct eight-pack abs, that firm chest… that perfect body, which had entangled with hers on previous nights…

Ahhh!

Shi Runrun set her laptop aside and cupped her reddened face, screaming inwardly.

No!

Shi Runrun!

You’re a good girl!

Don’t be like this!

No matter how tempting he is, you must restrain yourself! Stay calm!

Coming to her senses, she called out, "Xiao Xuezheng…"

He heard her voice, turned, and swam over, propping himself on the pool’s edge with both hands, his tone lazy. "What is it?"

Shi Runrun hesitated.

Watching the water streaming from his damp hair, tracing down his body, she couldn’t help but swallow, forcing herself to steady her trembling heart. "I have a question I’d like to ask you…"

"If you have a question, just ask. Why’s your face so red?"

You ask why… isn’t it because you’re so… so… alluring!

Shi Runrun hurriedly explained her dilemma with the financial knowledge. He only frowned slightly, then his lips curved into a knowing smile, as if the answer was already formed.

"So? Xiao Xuezheng, I really don’t get this part. Can you explain it to me? My debate script is due tomorrow—I have to finish it tonight!"

Hearing the urgency in her voice, Xiao Xuezheng felt a pang of annoyance.

If only you cared this much about your man…

He snorted inwardly, about to explain, but suddenly reconsidered. He turned his head away with a huff. "I’m not in a good mood these days, so I won’t tell you for now."

Shi Runrun was left speechless.

"If it’s nothing important, don’t disturb my swim! Go back to your room!"

He deliberately spoke coldly, then turned in the water, purposely splashing her.

Soaked from head to toe, Shi Runrun stood stunned.

Ahhh! You’re ruthless! You’re impressive! You’re so knowledgeable—so what!

Wiping her damp forehead, Shi Runrun fumed, cheeks flushed with anger—she was about to explode!

She bitterly regretted coming down at all! Not only had she failed to achieve her goal, she’d ended up drenched!

Fine! Just you wait!

She cursed him inwardly, wishing that next time he ate instant noodles, he’d find the seasoning packet missing.

Little did she know, the distinguished president never ate such cheap and unhealthy food.

Storming back to her room, Shi Runrun stewed in frustration. Without understanding this topic, the script was impossible to finish…

Annoyed and out of ideas, she gave up and went to shower off the pool water.

After her bath, she emerged in pajamas, towel-drying her hair—only to discover that her laptop on the desk had been moved, and the debate script she’d left unfinished was now, magically, complete.