Chapter Fifty-Three: Power and Women

Chapter Fifty-Three: Power and Women!

"Impossible," Lu Juntuo shouted.

Lu Juntuo was the vice president of Red Hawk. This kid from the You family coming in, ending up beneath him, was naturally something he’d resent. Making him vice president was a reluctant compromise, and before coming, he and Su Shan had already discussed it; one vice president was unavoidable.

The first request he could accept.

But when he heard the second—that Su Shan was to become his woman—he could never agree to it.

The short boy laughed, pointing at Su Shan, "You like her?"

Lu Juntuo replied coldly, "That's none of your business."

"You’ve never confessed to her, have you?" the short boy pressed.

"That’s none of your business either," Lu Juntuo said.

"You’re really pitiful," the short boy said. "The illustrious young master of the Lu family, likes a woman but hides and dodges. Sad. Regrettable. Why haven’t you confessed? Why not tell her directly how you feel? Is it because she’s too beautiful? Because she’s too outstanding? Because she’s your goddess? Or is it because you’re too concerned with your pride, afraid your face will be lost if she rejects you?"

"Whether I like her is my business. When I confess is my freedom. Youmu, this has nothing to do with you," Lu Juntuo said, his face darkening. He was truly angered.

"In that case, I want her to be my woman—she hasn’t answered yet, so how can you say no on her behalf? What, you think you can make decisions for her now?" The short boy’s words were sharp as a blade.

Lu Juntuo realized his earlier response was too hasty. He glanced at Su Shan, saw she wasn’t angry at his behavior, and retorted, "I said no—because you’re too greedy."

"What a hypocrite," the short boy said, shaking his head gently. His face was that of a grown man, but his small stature made the gesture seem like a child feigning cuteness. "Acting like this, you’ll never win her. You’re indecisive in front of her, you have no self, you always act according to her will—she won’t see you as a partner, just a helper. Only when you stop treating her as a goddess and see her as a woman, will you have a sliver of a chance."

He paused, then added, "Of course, that’s only a chance. Because by then, she’ll already be my woman."

"Dream on," Lu Juntuo sneered.

"You know," the short boy said, his eyes behind his glasses coldly fixed on Lu Juntuo, "I have two habits. First, I don’t like others taking what’s mine. Second—what others like, I like to take for myself."

He pointed at Su Shan, "If you like her, then she’s definitely mine."

Becoming a topic between two men, a commodity to be fought over, Su Shan felt no anger.

She knew exactly what she wanted. No matter how eloquent their words, what did it matter?

"I can agree to your first request right now. The second I refuse," Su Shan said.

"You don’t find me attractive?" the short man asked.

"Yes," Su Shan nodded. "You’re not attractive."

"You’re refusing because of my looks?" he asked again.

"No," Su Shan replied. "Compared to many handsome men, you’re more charismatic than they are."

The short man laughed, "Su Shan, you’re truly amusing. I must say, I rather like you."

"It’s my honor," Su Shan said calmly. "I’ve stated my terms. Please, Young Master You, consider them."

The short man shook his head. "If you won’t agree to the second, the first means nothing to me. If I’m not mistaken, Red Hawk is your economic organization, right? Using economics to influence politics, or leveraging political resources to achieve economic goals—you’ve done very well. Red Hawk doesn’t have many members, but each one is elite. Every member has tremendous power you can draw upon. And they’ve achieved resource synergy among themselves—I’m actually looking forward to seeing you soar after graduation, thanks to Red Hawk."

"But what does Red Hawk mean to me? What does a vice president position in Red Hawk mean to me?" The short man’s expression was arrogant. "People come to me for favors; I have no need to ask anyone for anything. If I join, I’m just a big piece of meat for them to share, or a springboard for you to leap and fly. I’m not so selfless."

"As I said, if I wanted, I could join whatever White Hawk or Black Hawk that’s more favorable to me, or I could just hatch a Little Hawk myself. If I wished, I could even poach all Red Hawk’s current members—why did they join Red Hawk? Isn’t it because of the power of the Su family and Young Master Lu’s living advertisement? If I can offer them more, would they still choose you?"

"You’re right. I admit everything you say is true," Su Shan said calmly. "That’s precisely why we want you in Red Hawk. If we can’t be rivals, we’d rather be friends."

"But it seems you’ve rejected my offer of friendship," the short boy said, alluding to her earlier refusal.

"I want to leverage your strength. I want to be as strong as a mountain—" Su Shan said. "I’ve paid a lot for that. But my feelings are not among those costs."

"What a pity," the short boy said. "To me, power is a sword and a warhorse—able to kill enemies, open new territories, soar thousands of miles, rise to great heights. What I want, I get. What I wish to do, I accomplish. And women are the flowers in the pocket of my suit, the medals at my coronation—they’re adornment, embellishment, a symbol, the finishing touch—Compared to the flower, I prefer the brocade."

"I understand," Su Shan nodded. "Then I’ll take my leave."

With that, Su Shan nodded to him and walked out.

Lu Juntuo glanced at the short man, then followed Su Shan out of the library.

The short man watched their receding backs, chuckling quietly, "Those who wield the sword always seek a flower for adornment. And if they can’t have it, they’ll destroy the whole tree."

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Great teachers produce great students, and there’s reason for that.

Jiao Yuheng’s method of teaching psychological theory through real-life examples benefited Tang Chong immensely, deepening his love of psychology. He didn’t preach doctrine, nor did he recite psychological concepts and definitions. As he put it, those things were best left to the course instructors; there was no need for him to repeat them. He only discussed cases, analyzing them step by step. Layer upon layer, advancing with each step, like a master detective exposing the naked inner workings of the human mind.

Unconsciously, several hours passed.

Jiao Yuheng closed his notebook, "Alright, that’s enough for today. I’ve covered plenty. You should digest it carefully when you get home. What I gave you is only my analysis; I hope you’ll try analyzing things yourself—using your own methods and ways of thinking."

He paused, then said, "Tang Chong, come home with me for dinner."

Tang Chong quickly refused, "Teacher, maybe next time. Next time I’ll visit your wife at home."

He wouldn’t dare go to Jiao Yuheng’s home, that’d be playing on the away field. Who knew what crazy things Jiao Nanxin might do?

"Alright, next time then," Jiao Yuheng said. He realized the issue as well; Tang Chong and Jiao Nanxin at the same table would likely end in a fight, and then the old lady’s blood pressure would rise again.

Tang Chong bid farewell to Jiao Yuheng, politely greeted Jiao Nanxin, then left the dean’s office alone.

"Well?" Jiao Yuheng asked his cherished granddaughter, smiling.

"What do you mean, well?" Jiao Nanxin replied.

"Tang Chong," Jiao Yuheng said.

"Not much," Jiao Nanxin pouted.

Jiao Yuheng shook his head. "Your ability to absorb is strong because you’re my granddaughter. There’s bound to be some influence. You’ve loved psychology since childhood, and at my suggestion read plenty of books on the subject—But his absorption is no slower than yours, and his analysis is even stronger. That’s all his own intuition—or rather, he understands people. I remember he said his father was a prison warden. If he grew up in such an environment—it makes sense."

"I don’t think my analysis is weaker than his," Jiao Nanxin protested.

Jiao Yuheng smiled, "Come on, let’s go home for dinner. Otherwise, the old lady will call and urge us again."

When Tang Chong walked out of the office building, the sky had cleared, with only fine threads of rain drifting in the air, falling imperceptibly, not wetting one’s clothes. He crossed the rockery, walked down the lovers’ path, heading toward Mingli Lake.

Perhaps he wanted to see the post-rain scenery at Mingli Lake, or perhaps his heart held other expectations.

What youth doesn’t dream of love? What young man doesn’t feel desire?

Just then, his phone rang abruptly.

Tang Chong pulled out his phone, seeing Bai Su’s name and number on the caller ID.

He prayed silently that there wasn’t another task to do.

He pressed answer, "What is it?"

Bai Su hesitated for a moment, then spoke in her usual cheerful tone, "Tang Chong. Someone wants to meet you."

"A suitor?" Tang Chong asked.

"No," Bai Su replied with a laugh.

"Then who?"

"It’s—"

Before Bai Su could answer, Tang Chong interrupted, "Alright. I have things to do. Let’s leave it at that."

With that, he hung up.