Chapter 232 Stubborn

Liu Minting took a deep breath, forced herself to stand straight and appear calm, subconsciously straightening her back and pushing out her chest a little, trying to reclaim some of her teacherly authority as she stubbornly insisted:

"Don't celebrate too early!"

"The stock market is unpredictable. It can drop as quickly as it rises. Just because it's up now doesn't mean it'll stay that way. It could plummet back down in the blink of an eye."

Lin Chen let out a scoffing laugh and took half a step forward, instantly closing the distance between them.

He could smell the faint scent of her perfume. His tone carried a hint of playful pressure:

"Oh? Still being stubborn?"

"Teacher Liu, don't forget what you promised me back then. Besides kissing me in public, I can also make any one request, and you have to agree. Does that promise still stand?"

Liu Minting's heart skipped a beat, and she tensed up instantly, taking half a step back.

Her cheeks flushed even redder, her eyes became evasive, and her voice grew softer:

"You... you better not try anything!"

"Kissing you in public is already outrageous enough. You can't make some absurd demand!"

Seeing her flustered and shy appearance, Lin Chen was inwardly overjoyed. He couldn't help but chuckle softly, then leaned in slightly,

bringing his mouth close to her ear, speaking in a whisper only the two of them could hear:

"I won't try anything."

"But my request is this: if you lose, you have to sleep with me for one night."

Liu Minting's whole body stiffened. Just as she was about to refuse, Lin Chen quickly added, his tone a mix of coaxing and a touch of grievance:

"Don't worry, we won't do anything. We'll keep our clothes on. I just want to hold you and feel you close. Is that okay?"

{pickup artist technique: Get her into bed first, otherwise where will the future opportunities come from? Take it step by step, and success will follow naturally!}

As soon as the class bell rang, before the classroom had even emptied, Xia Wanqing hurriedly sidled up to Lin Chen. She nudged his arm gently with her elbow, her tone carrying a mix of urgency and poorly concealed anticipation:

"Lin Chen, that thing you mentioned before, about making my sister and me shareholders in the company... how exactly did you manage that?"

Before she had even finished speaking, Xia Wanrou also moved closer to her sister,

leaning her head towards Lin Chen, her eyes sparkling as she chimed in quietly:

"Yeah, Lin Chen, you only gave us a rough idea over the phone, we didn't really understand it all. But we trust what you say. We already signed the shareholder agreement and mailed it to you yesterday."

The sisters' eyes were full of trust. Looking at Xia Wanrou's soft, gentle appearance,

Lin Chen couldn't resist reaching out to ruffle the top of her head. His fingertips brushed through her soft hair. His tone held a touch of affection mixed with casualness:

"Hey, it's not that complicated. I just started a new investment company, got my Hong Kong company to invest, along with a few other individual shareholders I know."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the sisters' faces. A mischievous grin curled at the corner of his mouth as he lowered his voice so only the three of them could hear:

"Those shares for you two... I specifically reserved them for you. Consider them a gift from me."

As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly, his warm breath brushing past the sisters' ears. His tone was both suggestive and direct:

"You two are my people. How could I forget you when I have a money-making opportunity? That would be too heartless."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than his hand casually slid down to the sisters' waists.

He gave a gentle squeeze. The soft sensation under his fingertips made Xia Wanqing's cheeks flush slightly pink. She instinctively tried to shift away but didn't actually push him off;

Xia Wanrou, on the other hand, lowered her head in shyness, the tips of her ears turning bright red, yet she couldn't suppress a small upward curve at the corner of her mouth.

Lin Chen withdrew his hand, his tone returning to casual as he scratched his head:

"But let me tell you guys something. I might be a bit busier from now on, might miss a few classes. If any teachers ask, you two cover for me, okay?"

Without waiting for their response, he stood up, slung an arm around each of their shoulders, and said cheerfully:

"Enough about that boring stuff. Come on, let's go get lunch. My treat. Order whatever you want."

The restaurant wasn't too crowded. The three of them found a table by the window. After ordering and while waiting for the food, Lin Chen took a sip of water. His gaze drifted over the sisters almost imperceptibly. His tone held a hint of suggestion without being overly blunt:

"Oh, right. I'm moving into a new place Friday night. Are you two free? I'll take you to see it."

Xia Wanrou's eyes immediately lit up. She nodded without hesitation, her voice full of surprise:

"Huh? You bought another place? Lin Chen, you're amazing! Yes, we're free! We'll definitely go!"

Xia Wanqing, however, wasn't so easily hooked. She looked up at Lin Chen, a glint of slyness in her eyes,

mixed with understanding. Her tone was leisurely, deliberately drawn out:

"Oh? Moving? You're not planning some new trick, trying to get us sisters to stay over..."

She left the rest unsaid, but the meaning in her eyes,

both Lin Chen and Xia Wanrou understood. Xia Wanrou shrank back behind her sister in embarrassment. Lin Chen, however, put on an innocent face, spreading his hands and acting nonchalant:

"What are you thinking? I didn't mean anything like that."

He leaned forward a bit, his tone turning more sincere, yet still hiding a trace of suggestiveness:

"I really bought a new house. It's decorated really nicely. I just wanted to show you. Of course I'd share something good with you two."

Xia Wanqing shot him a glance. Deep down, she was already interested, but she wouldn't give in easily. She let out a soft hum:

"Alright, alright. Since you're being so sincere, we'll go take a look. But if you try anything, you'll see how I deal with you."

A flash of triumphant amusement crossed Lin Chen's eyes, but he quickly agreed:

"Don't worry, I wouldn't dare."

He had already made up his mind. This new house was the little haven he'd prepared for the three of them. It was definitely not just for a simple visit.

Lunch was lively. Lin Chen spent the whole time looking after the sisters, serving them food, pouring drinks, keeping them smiling and happy.

After the meal, he walked them to their dorm building. He watched them go inside before turning and heading towards the faculty dormitory.

He had one more important person to see.

Su Qingran's single room was on the third floor of the faculty building. Lin Chen walked to the door and knocked gently, his voice soft:

"Qingran, open up."

Actually, during lunch, he had received a message from Su Qingran saying she had taken a month's leave and had just returned to work at the school today.

He knew Su Qingran had spent that whole month at the hospital taking care of her grandmother. She must be exhausted.

The door opened quickly. Su Qingran stood behind it, still wearing loose loungewear.

She held a white towel, gently drying her damp, long hair. The ends were still dripping, and her cheeks held a faint blush from her recent shower. Her eyes were as gentle as a pool of water.

"Come on in."

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of post-shower languor. She stepped aside to let Lin Chen in, casually draping the towel over her shoulder.