The soft brush of her stockinged legs slid against his beneath the table, separated only by a thin layer of fabric.Then, slowly, her foot traced upward along his calf… a deliberate tease.
A public provocation.
Mu Qingxue was too focused on stirring milk into her drink to notice the silent storm brewing beneath the table.
Su Qingyu sat opposite her, a sweet smile on her face as if chatting idly with an old friend—but her gaze stayed fixed on Jiang Xun, watching, testing, hungry for any flicker of reaction.
Was he surprised?Was he enjoying it?Or was that calm mask just a show of resistance?
Nothing.
Jiang Xun's expression remained as placid as if he were watching a predictable, silent film whose ending he already knew.If anything, he found the whole thing faintly amusing.
This level of probing… it's like a level-one monster charging in with a wooden stick.He didn't even bother to counter.
Just as Su Qingyu's toes were about to graze the sensitive spot near his knee, Jiang Xun shifted his leg—barely an inch.It was enough.
Her confident foot met empty air.Su Qingyu froze.
Trying to maintain her elegant posture, her upper body stayed poised while her lower body tipped forward.The imbalance was immediate.
"Ah—!"
With a thud, chair and woman went sprawling backward in an ungraceful heap.
Her crimson dress flared mid-fall, revealing a flash of safety shorts as her long legs cut an awkward arc through the air before she landed flat on her back.
The room fell into stunned silence.
"Qingyu!"
Mu Qingxue jumped up, nearly spilling her milk as she rushed around the table to help her up."Are you okay? How did you even fall like that? The chair was fine just a moment ago!"
Su Qingyu grimaced, her face swinging between pale and crimson, humiliation burning behind her perfect makeup.
She had watched countless "feminine charm tutorials," but not one had prepared her for this.
"I—I'm fine…"
She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the dust on her dress, frantically smoothing her hair and hem as if dignity could be ironed back into place.
"Oh my god, these chairs are awful! Legs weak as noodles! And the floor's waxed like an ice rink—anyone would've slipped!" she muttered with a forced laugh, though her cheeks flamed hot.
When she dared glance at Jiang Xun's calm, handsome profile, she bit her lip hard.
That man… he did it on purpose!
Every trick of hers—he had seen right through.
And yet that realization only stoked her. A rush of something primal—humiliation, challenge, and fascination all tangled together—flared alive inside her chest.
Mu Qingxue helped her sit again, still worried. "You're sure you're not hurt? Should I call a doctor?"
"I'm fine, really. I'm tougher than I look."
Su Qingyu waved her off, straightened her back, and locked her phoenix-shaped eyes on Jiang Xun once more—bolder, sharper, almost defiant now.
Ding!Successfully resisted outside member "Su Qingyu's" temptation. Family Authority +300.
Jiang Xun dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his movements slow and deliberate, as if none of that had ever happened.
Breakfast ended.
A sleek black Cullinan idled outside the villa—massive and silent, like a waiting beast.
Mu Qingxue stepped forward, bowed slightly. "Sir, the school paperwork is complete, and the car is ready. We can depart anytime."
But Jiang Xun didn't move toward the door.Instead, he strolled to the vast floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out over the manicured lawn and mist-draped hills.
"I'm not taking the car," he said.
Mu Qingxue blinked. "Sir?"
He turned, amusement glinting faintly in his eyes.
"I've heard the subway in this world is quite something. Thought I'd experience a bit of… life."
Experience life?
Mu Qingxue's mind whirred into overdrive. A dozen thoughts collided in an instant.
This isn't a whim—it's another test!He's testing whether I understand the hardships of ordinary people, not just luxury!And he's assessing my ability to adapt and coordinate under pressure!A true family leader must not only ride in a Cullinan, but also stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the crowd. This is guidance—this is vision!
Understanding dawned.
She straightened, bowed deeply—ninety degrees—and said with solemn conviction,"Yes, sir! I understand! I'll immediately prepare the most comfortable and secure subway route for you!"
Pulling out her tablet, she began mapping Jinling City's metro lines with the precision of an engineer managing a billion-dollar project.
Su Qingyu, watching from the side, twitched her lips.
Experience life, huh?He's unpredictable… but maybe that's my chance to get closer.
"Hey, wait up!" she said brightly, stepping forward. "I'm coming too! Didn't drive today either—perfect timing, right?"
She leaned in with an easy laugh, her figure pressing forward just enough to make Mu Qingxue frown slightly.
Jiang Xun gave her a single glance—expression unreadable—but didn't refuse. That was permission enough.
Ten minutes later — Jinling City Subway Station.
It wasn't the chaos Jiang Xun had expected. Instead, the station operated with eerie orderliness.
At the entrance, a long red-carpeted lane, bordered with gold railings, stood apart from the regular turnstiles.
Over it hung a gleaming sign: MEN-ONLY LANE.
Beside it, another sign for the Men-Only Elevator.
Rushing female commuters instinctively avoided the area, choosing to squeeze into the crowded regular gates rather than cross the invisible line.
"This way, sir."
Mu Qingxue led him forward, pride flickering in her eyes.
Walking that red carpet, Jiang Xun felt less like a subway passenger and more like a celebrity at a film premiere.
By the vending machines, a few young women were paying via QR code.On the screen, a banner scrolled in bold red letters:
"Free Beverages for Male Citizens — Enjoy Your Journey!"
So the privilege runs this deep, huh? he mused silently, pressing the button.
With a soft clunk, a chilled cola dropped into the tray.
He twisted the cap, took a sip. Cold fizz slid down his throat—a small, guilty pleasure.
Nearby, one of the girls caught sight of him and froze.Her breath hitched, cheeks turning scarlet. She ducked her head and scurried off, clutching her drink like a shield.
On the platform, the contrast was even starker.
When the train arrived, one carriage bore a shining plaque: Men-Only Carriage.
Inside—wide leather armchairs, bright lights, perfect air-conditioning. Quiet, spacious, serene.
The neighboring carriage, in contrast, was crammed full of bodies—faces pressed against glass, limbs bent awkwardly like sardines in a tin.
Jiang Xun stepped into his exclusive car, sank into a window seat, stretched lazily, and closed his eyes in contentment.
The doors slid shut. The train began to move.
And then—
In the adjacent, overcrowded car, a young woman was struggling to hold her phone high above her head, pretending to take a selfie while secretly angling the camera toward Jiang Xun.
Her cheeks glowed pink, eyes bright with fascination.
Suddenly, a hand shot out of the crowd—lightning quick—grabbing her wrist.
"Ah!" she gasped.
A clear, cool female voice followed, sharp and impatient:
"Delete it."
Jiang Xun's eyes lifted, gaze cutting across the partition—And there she was.
Parting the sea of commuters stood a tall woman, presence so striking she was impossible to forget once seen.