School Beauty's Invincible Martial Expert

You should know that this is a way men often initiate confessions. It's a common trope in novels featuring overbearing CEOs. An overbearing CEO takes a fancy to a beautiful girl and then harasses her by trapping her against the wall. This method is full of dominance and exudes an aura of masculinity.

However, today Xiao Han found himself on the receiving end of a wall-trap by Liu Xiaolei.

Xiao Han's face was a picture of embarrassment as he quickly avoided Liu Xiaolei's gaze, saying, "I... I really didn't!"

"Hehe..." Liu Xiaolei chuckled and said, "Didn't expect you to be so shy? Tell sister, you're not still a virgin, are you?"

"I..." Xiao Han suddenly shut up, nearly blurting out his past with Li Xiaoya.

"Haha, I knew it!" Liu Xiaolei laughed even harder as she saw Xiao Han's blushing face, blooming like a flower. Explore more at empire

"Sister Xiaolei, if you keep this up, I might really leave." Xiao Han was getting annoyed; his image of Liu Xiaolei had always been that of a tomboyish girl. In the Fuxing Community, she had been notorious for her boyish bravado. After university, there had been no news from her, and to think, after all these years, this girl had turned into such an elegant beauty.

"Alright, alright, don't go!" Liu Xiaolei hastily waved her hand, saying, "I'll stop teasing you."

After that, Liu Xiaolei pulled Xiao Han to sit on the edge of the bed. She took off her boots, plopped down on the bed, and then expertly lit up a cigarette from a pack she had pulled from her pocket.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Xiaolei then turned to a stunned Xiao Han and asked, "Do you think I don't seem like a decent woman?"

"Smoking doesn't define a person's character!" Xiao Han shook his head.

"But your expression gave you away!" Liu Xiaolei laughed.

"I..." Xiao Han pursed his lips, saying, "I'm just shocked, that's all. You never used to be like this."

"Yes, I wasn't like this before," Liu Xiaolei nodded, her hand gently brushing her black hair, saying, "Who doesn't have a past?"

As she spoke, Liu Xiaolei took several deep drags.

After a moment of silence, she finally began, "In my senior year of high school, I dated a boy..."

The story was long and complicated. Liu Xiaolei narrated her story calmly. The boy was from LJ city, and they both got into Shuimu University together. But later on, the boy cheated, and Liu Xiaolei thus ended that long relationship. First love bearing bitter fruit, some people move on, some don't.

Although Liu Xiaolei was beautiful, she was a conservative person, steadfast in her belief not to engage in premarital relations. But in the end, men are creatures led by their lower half. That ultimately led to their breakup.

Liu Xiaolei let out a sigh and asked, "Xiao Han, do you think all men are such beasts? Why does a relationship have to be maintained through 'sex'?"

"I..." Xiao Han, with an embarrassed face, said, "I don't know!"

"Alas, it's always the woman who ends up losing," Liu Xiaolei heaved another sigh, then said, "Men can leave with their dignity intact, but women are left to fade away quietly, silently picking up the pieces of their lost love."

"Sister Xiaolei, there are so many good men in this world," Xiao Han pursed his lips, saying, "Why must you love only him? Why give up the forest for the sake of one tree?"

"You're right!" Liu Xiaolei nodded and then smiled, "The reason I've been unwilling to return is that I didn't want to run into him in LJ city. But now, I've decided to come back; I don't want a person unrelated to me to disappoint my parents."

"Right!" Xiao Han quickly agreed.

"Xiao Han, may I borrow your shoulder?" Liu Xiaolei extinguished the cigarette in her hand.

"Sure!" Xiao Han nodded.

Liu Xiaolei hurriedly threw herself into Xiao Han's arms. Xiao Han was a little at a loss but eventually embraced her. That woman, with her deep feelings, had spent years burying someone in her heart. She sobbed quietly, her tears silent, and finally, she fell asleep gently in Xiao Han's arms.

No one knows how much time passed before Xiao Han gently laid Liu Xiaolei at the head of the bed and covered her with a duvet.

The streetlight outside the window cast its glow into the room, and in the dim light, that delicate, graceful face seemed extraordinarily beautiful. The face he once knew so well had been refined over the years, becoming much more lovely. Even a light touch of makeup made her stunningly beautiful.

Xiao Han bent down and gave a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Sister Xiaolei, sweet dreams," Xiao Han said softly with a smile before he turned to leave.

The door to the room closed softly.

Liu Xiaolei opened her eyes, a determined look flashing through them, her eyes welling up with tears. It turns out there are good men in this world; not all are worthless. Xiao Han's maturity, his integrity, sparked hope in Liu Xiaolei's heart.

After giving up on men, Liu Xiaolei went to Shenzhen alone, working hard, striving to make a living.

But Shenzhen is not an easy city to survive in. A year and a half of effort amounted to little savings. Now, with her mother sick and her father in poor health, Liu Xiaolei had to find a job after the New Year, to support herself and fund her mother's treatment. However, the income in LJ city was not high.

But Liu Xiaolei believed in the experience she had accumulated in Shenzhen for a year and a half. She was confident that she would find a job with sufficient income.

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............

It was New Year's Eve, and time to stay up late to usher in the new year.

Xiao Han and his mother were alone together. They had lit a stove full of charcoal at home. The fire was flourishing, with the charcoals burning bright red. The room was warm and cozy. The window was open, allowing the sounds of the gusting cold wind outside to be heard.

At home, there was an old 24-inch Konka color TV playing this year's Spring Festival Gala. Mother Xiao knitted shoe pads while chuckling at the sketches on the TV. Uncle Zhao Benshan's sketches always managed to bring genuine joy to Mother Xiao's heart.

After a year of hard work, the New Year was the only time when she could truly relax. Even during the New Year, Mother Xiao didn't want to idle away her time. She knitted shoe pads which she planned to sell after the festival for some extra income. Having lost her job, Mother Xiao had to think of ways to increase the household income.

After all, Xiao Han would soon be taking the university entrance exams. Tuition for university costs money, and after graduation, there are weddings, the birth of children, purchasing a house—so many things that all require money...

Therefore, Mother Xiao had no choice but to work hard and try to boost her income.

Xiao Han fiddled with his cell phone by the stove.

On New Year's Eve, Xiao Han received a few messages of well wishes on his phone— one from Chen Zihan, one from Li Dapang, and another from Yang Lu—all New Year's Eve blessings. Xiao Han immediately thought of Li Xiaoya—a divorced young woman with a six-month-old child. He guessed that tonight must be the most agonizing evening for her.

After much contemplation, Xiao Han ultimately picked up his phone and sent her a message of blessings.

It didn't take long for Li Xiaoya to reply with a message: Xiao Han, thank you.

Xiao Han could feel the warmth in Li Xiaoya's heart and quickly typed out a response: You're welcome, come to Linjiang for a visit whenever you're free.

After sending the message, Xiao Han felt it might have been inappropriate. After all, the two of them had a past together. Now, he was suddenly inviting her to visit Linjiang City. Wouldn't people find this strange? But by the time Xiao Han thought to retract the message, it was already irrevocable.

As Xiao Han hesitated, his phone vibrated: I might come over in a few days, and then I'll look for you!

Xiao Han was taken aback, then remembered that Li Xiaoya was from Linjiang City. It made sense for her to be coming back. Inside, he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation, wondering when exactly she would return.

The Spring Festival Gala was less impressive with each passing year, or perhaps, the expectations of the public were just becoming higher and higher. The pursuit of entertainment had intensified, leading people to greatly misunderstand and misconceive the Spring Festival Gala.

It wasn't that the Gala was getting worse each year, but rather the progress couldn't keep up with the demands of the people.

After the passing of New Year's Eve, Mother Xiao carefully took out a red envelope.

"Xiao Han, this is your New Year's red packet from Mom!" Mother Xiao said with a smile, "Buy whatever you want. I'm not sure what you need!"

"Mom, it's not necessary!" Xiao Han shook his head.

"Silly child, how can you not accept a New Year's red packet from me?" Mother Xiao lovingly looked at Xiao Han and said, "I know you're sensible. But that's no reason for you to miss out, is it?"

Reluctantly accepting Mother Xiao's insistent requests, Xiao Han could only take the red envelope.

A smile played at the corners of Mother Xiao's lips, "I'm going to sleep now. Remember to turn off the TV later."

"Okay!" Xiao Han quickly nodded.

Watching his mother's shaky steps, Xiao Han felt guilty. He already had the ability to support the family, so why must his mother still endure so much hardship?

Xiao Han felt quite upset.

Outside, the sounds of firecrackers popped from thousands of households, accompanied by the resounding booms of ceremonial cannons from the city square. The loud blasts tore through the pitch-black sky, unfolding into a burst of splendid, colorful fireworks, igniting excitement and elation in people.

Xiao Han turned off the TV and then retreated to his room.

............

The first day of the Lunar New Year.

Outside was a sea of red firecracker debris, and as early morning arrived, the sound of firecrackers began and continued for a very long time, noisy and lively. Yet, today was the first day of the new year, where the sound of firecrackers could only bring excitement and cheer.

Thump thump thump...

A round of knocking at the door echoed.

"Who is it?" Xiao Han was already dressed and ready to head out to give New Year's greetings.

Upon opening the door, Sister Xiaolei stood there, dressed in brand new clothes, looking stunningly beautiful. She wore a black long coat, her legs clad in black leather pants, feet in shiny boots reaching her knees. Atop her head was a chic black hat with round edges, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, her exquisitely beautiful face lightly made-up, revealing a radiant smile.

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