NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17 - It’s Just a Meal, What Could Go Wrong?
Chapter 17: It’s Just a Meal, What Could Go Wrong?
“I’m your teacher, it was my duty to help you. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do more for you…” Wang Xueying said with a hint of regret.
The Liu family’s influence was overwhelming, leaving ordinary people like her powerless to resist.
“It’s okay. It’s all in the past now.”
Chen Mo suppressed his anger toward Liu Fei and smiled at Wang Xueying. Then, he extended the bouquet of vibrant roses in his hand.
“Ms. Wang, I have no way to repay your kindness, but please accept these…”
Looking at the flowers before her, Wang Xueying hesitated.
As a teacher, her actions reflected on the school’s reputation. How could she accept flowers from a student?
Yet, rejecting them might seem unkind.
After all, this young man had just been released from prison, his heart likely battered and fragile.
As she wavered, a warm and pleasant voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Are you Ms. Wang Xueying?”
Startled, Wang Xueying turned her head and saw a man with an air of mature charm standing nearby.
Relieved to find an exit from her dilemma, she quickly replied, “Yes, I’m Wang Xueying. And you are…?”
“I’m the father of Shiqing and Huayi,” Xu Hao said with a smile.
Noticing Wang Xueying’s subtle shift in expression, he added,
“I just dropped them off at school and was about to leave when I saw you.”
Hearing he was Shqing and Huayi’s father, Wang Xueying’s expression turned cold.
However, when she learned he had come to drop them off, her demeanor softened slightly.
The Xu sisters were among her most outstanding students, comparable only to Xia Qingge three years earlier.
In the past—
During weekends or holidays, Wang Xueying often saw the sisters staying on campus instead of going home. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she once asked why they didn’t return home.
Their answer?
“No one’s home; everyone is busy with work.”
Back then, Wang Xueying had been furious. What kind of parents were so engrossed in work that they neglected such brilliant daughters?
Work was more important than family?
At that time, Xu Hao—before recovering memories of his past life—had indeed prioritized work over everything else.
This led to Wang Xueying having no favorable impression of their parents.
“Parents like you really shouldn’t neglect your families, even when busy with work. Shiqing and Huayi are such wonderful children…”
“You’re absolutely right, Ms. Wang. I’ve realized my past mistakes and am now trying to make up for them,” Xu Hao replied with a repentant expression.
Seeing his sincerity, Wang Xueying felt slightly embarrassed.
“Just pay more attention in the future…”
“Of course. By the way, Ms. Wang, how are Shiqing and Huayi doing in school?” Xu Hao shifted the topic, noticing Wang Xueying preparing to leave.
He smoothly guided the conversation toward his daughters.
After all, to win a woman’s trust and attention, you needed a common thread to weave your story together.
Right now, his daughters were his perfect way to connect with this elegant teacher.
Talking about her excellent students energized Wang Xueying. She eagerly shared anecdotes, singing praises of the Xu sisters.
Xu Hao listened attentively, occasionally nodding and smiling in approval.
“Time’s getting on. I have a class soon, so I should get going…”
After enthusiastically recounting her students’ achievements, Wang Xueying glanced at her watch and prepared to leave.
“Wait a moment.”
Xu Hao stopped her and took out his phone.
“Ms. Wang, let’s exchange numbers. That way, I can keep track of Shiqing and Huayi’s progress. I might need your guidance in the future…”
Wang Xueying instinctively wanted to refuse, but his explanation convinced her.
“Alright…”
After all, the man before her had daughters in college. Exchanging contact information seemed purely for his daughters’ sake.
What ulterior motives could he possibly have?
***
“My name is Xu Hao.”
“What?”
Wang Xueying froze for a moment.
The moment Xu Hao appeared, he had given her a strange sense of familiarity.
When he said his name, she finally realized who he was.
Xu Hao—the head of the Xu Group.
An alumnus of their university in Shanghai, he had become a successful entrepreneur and often gave back to his alma mater. He was even a member of the university’s board.
“You… you’re Chairman Xu?”
As a board member, addressing him as “Chairman Xu” was perfectly appropriate.
Xu Hao nodded, placing a finger to his lips and winking at her, signaling for discretion.
Wang Xueying felt deeply embarrassed and inwardly screamed.
Oh no…
She had just scolded such a legendary figure!
Shiqing and Huayi could have mentioned earlier that their father was Xu Hao! They had led her astray.
Wang Xueying couldn’t help silently blaming her two outstanding students.
She knew about Xu Hao’s character—he had participated in numerous charity events and sponsored many Hope Schools.
Such a good man surely deserved understanding, even if he had been busy with work.
In her mind—
The reason she had questioned the sisters back then must have been because Xu Hao was too busy to spend time with them, and they had thrown a small tantrum as a result.
But… they should understand their father’s efforts.
Running a massive corporation worth billions was undoubtedly exhausting.
Moreover, from her conversation with Xu Hao just now, it was clear he deeply cared about his daughters.
“No, I have to find time to talk to them about this…”
Wang Xueying’s double standards were evident.
[Ding! Wang Xueying feels deeply ashamed. Emotional value +567.]
It had to be said that Xu Hao’s carefully crafted persona was working.
Had he not been so heavily involved in philanthropy, even being the wealthiest man wouldn’t have swayed the heroine’s thoughts.
“Chairman Xu, I apologize for earlier…”
“You weren’t wrong,” Xu Hao replied, waving it off.
“In the past, I was too focused on my career and neglected my family. That won’t happen again.”
“I should thank you, Ms. Wang, for putting up with my two daughters.”
“Oh no, not at all. Shiqing and Huayi are very well-behaved.”
“In that case… since you have a class, please go ahead. Let me take you to lunch later to express my gratitude,” Xu Hao said, revealing his true intentions.
Once he could spend time alone with her, more opportunities would naturally arise.
“Ah? No… that’s not necessary… Fine…”
Seeing Xu Hao’s firm insistence, Wang Xueying couldn’t refuse.
She didn’t overthink the lunch invitation.
After all, Xu Hao’s reputation spoke for itself.
He had only had two wives, his secretary was male, and there had never been any scandals surrounding him.
Why would she need to worry that he harbored ulterior motives for her beauty?