My System Forces Me to Live off Women-Chapter 135 - 129: Walking Right Into the Trap

4 PM, at Zhao Qingge's home in the Saint Elephant International District.

"Why didn't you even meet the boy your Uncle Wang introduced?"

A middle-aged, elegantly dressed woman with understated makeup and a resemblance to Zhao Qingge was speaking to her with some reproach in the study.

"Even if you didn't want to meet him, at least chat a bit on WeChat before rejecting him. Your actions were quite rude, leaving Wang Wei and that boy in an awkward position!"

Li Xin, the deputy dean of the School of International Trade at Yandu University of Finance and Economics, and Zhao Qingge's mother, had come to her daughter's house specifically for this matter today.

"Really? I've already apologized to him and will do so again if we meet."

Zhao Qingge replied casually, her eyes focused on the word document on the computer, which was the novel outline sent by Li Peifeng.

"Look at me!"

Seeing her daughter's attitude, Li Xin's tone turned colder: "You're getting more and more unreasonable. Is this how you dismiss me when I talk to you?"

Zhao Qingge glanced impatiently: "So what do you want me to do? I've rejected him, apologized, you've criticized me, I've admitted my fault; what else do you want? Should I write a ten-thousand-word pledge like before and submit it to you?"

"You!"

Li Xin glared, but Zhao Qingge ignored her and continued looking at the computer.

Moments later, Li Xin's expression softened slightly. She walked to her daughter's side and said gently: "Duoduo, have you recently started dating someone? Otherwise, you'd at least meet people in these situations before, and wouldn't be so disrespectful to your Uncle Wang."

"No."

Li Xin sighed softly: "If you're dating, so be it. There's no need to hide it. Your father and I were stricter before, but why was that? Wasn't it for you to achieve greater success in the future? You're older now, you should understand our intentions."

"..."

"I heard you've been doing a great job at work recently, and the student you're guiding, Li Peifeng, seems to be making you proud, right?"

"Your information is quite up-to-date."

Li Xin calmly said: "I remember that young man, handsome and mature, and I didn't expect him to have such talent. It's hard to find such talent; try to keep him with you for his PhD. Chen Shucheng told me that as long as he stays under your guidance for the PhD, it'll be a significant help when you pursue a higher academic title..."

Zhao Qingge interrupted: "It's very likely he won't pursue a PhD, and even if he does, he won't choose me as his advisor."

"Why?"

"He finds it too arduous to pursue a PhD. Plus, you know how many top literary figures are at Beihua Normal University of Arts and Sciences; they are all interested in him, all trying to poach him from me."

Li Xin emphatically said: "The fact that he's in demand shows how much people value him. You must try harder to keep him! Besides, Peifeng seems to be someone who values old connections. You've treated him well, just convince him and he won't easily change advisors."

"..."

Zhao Qingge didn't want to speak and continued typing vigorously on the keyboard.

Li Xin, concerned about her daughter's career, thought aloud: "Find some time to bring Peifeng to meet us. I'll have your dad introduce him to a few professors from Yandu University's Chinese Department. Through them, he could directly enter the National Writers' Association. After that... don't you think a teaching position at Yandu University would be better than at Beihua Normal University? Then he'll know who to choose as his advisor."

Zhao Qingge expressed disdain: "Fiefdom mentality!"

Li Xin spoke earnestly: "How can you say that? Duoduo, he's your student, even if he doesn't want you as his PhD advisor, you still have to help him as much as you can!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Zhao Qingge said blandly: "Do you have anything else? I'm working."

Li Xin glanced at the document on the computer screen and fell silent. Then she looked at the necklace around Zhao Qingge's neck, touched it, and said with meaning: "The necklace is beautiful. Did you buy it yourself?"

"...Hmm."

Zhao Qingge hurriedly covered it with her collar, feeling tense. Li Xin mentioned Li Peifeng first and then the necklace, making Zhao Qingge have to consider more.

"Really bought it yourself?" Li Xin asked with certainty: "A boyfriend didn't buy it for you?"

"No, as I said, I'm single!"

Li Xin's tone was calm: "Really? I'll give you another chance, choose your words carefully."

"..." Zhao Qingge remained silent while Li Xin was extremely disappointed: "Duoduo, you actually lied. Sun Yuanyuan has told me everything."

Exposed?!!

A thread seemed to snap in Zhao Qingge's mind, her eyes momentarily flustered, but she quickly calmed herself down: "What? I don't know!"

"She said you have an online boyfriend who is very tall, very handsome, and that he recently sent you two Cartier pieces worth over a hundred thousand yuan, which Sun Yuanyuan received on your behalf."

Is that all?

Indeed, Sun Yuanyuan doesn't know Li Peifeng at all, nor does she know he's actually my student. Just based on these few descriptions, Li Xin absolutely couldn't have linked this person to Li Peifeng.

Zhao Qingge felt relieved but didn't respond.

Li Xin frowned: "Seems like she's right, you've started an online romance."

"Just an ordinary online friend."

To Li Xin, Zhao Qingge's explanation seemed completely to be missing the point, prompting even more misunderstanding: "You actually started an online romance? Duoduo, I don't understand. People online, you haven't even met them, know nothing about them, just through chat, you hastily establish a relationship with them?"

"An ordinary online friend!"

"And he can gift you jewelry worth over a hundred thousand?"

Li Xin asked, then nodded knowingly: "It's likely fake, have you checked it at a boutique?"

"It's real!"

Zhao Qingge's face was slightly flushed, her eyes somewhat angry: "If you're not busy, just leave. I don't want to argue with you!"

"Neither do I! But I do want to know my Duoduo's current emotional situation!"

Li Xin's expression turned serious: "Since the jewelry is real, it suggests the person is probably not a con artist. But honestly, a man who can gift a woman he's never met online jewelry worth tens of thousands seems a bit abnormal."

Zhao Qingge sneered: "So I should keep my distance from him, right?"

Li Xin shook her head gently: "Not necessarily. Yes, your parents have interfered before in your choice of partner, but it was only for your happiness in life. Now, however, the standards can be somewhat lowered. We have to consider the situation; you're not young anymore."

"So, I suggest you meet him and interact a bit. If you find him suitable, let us see how the young man is. By the way, do you know what kind of family he is from..."

We meet every day. You also know exactly what that young man is like!

Zhao Qingge's face turned somber: "Instead of pushing for marriage, why not be more concerned about my work situation."

"Work?"

Li Xin pondered: "Your dad wants to talk to you about this. Come home for dinner tomorrow evening, he has some things to say. Having guided a student like Li Peifeng, you could try taking on some administrative roles as well, he'll advise you..."

"I don't want to be a teacher anymore."

"Hmm?" Li Xin immediately stopped speaking, puzzled: "What did you just say?"

Zhao Qingge pursed her lips: "I want to change industries, I don't want to be a teacher anymore. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I suggest you take that statement back!"

Li Xin's face instantly turned icy, and the air around seemed to solidify.

Zhao Qingge grew nervous, feeling a bit regretful about her impulsiveness. Just as she was about to say something, the doorbell rang.

"Ding-dong~ ding-dong~"

Zhao Qingge discreetly sighed in relief: "Please answer the door for me first."

"Stop joking around, we'll talk when I get back!"

Li Xin frowned, glanced at her, and walked out of the study.

...

Around four in the afternoon, Li Peifeng left Huang Tianxuan's house. Instead of taking a cab home, he headed to the residential area where Zhao Qingge lived.

He wanted to deliver something to Old Zhao. What would that be?

Of course, it's flowers.

At that time, Li Peifeng gathered a large sack of ginkgo leaves, and made not just one bouquet of flowers.

Having given one to Huang Tianxuan, three bouquets remained, and he intended to give them away too; they shouldn't go to waste.

Old Zhao would likely receive them with gratitude, since these were not roses that blatantly represent love yet carry some subtle thoughts. They represent Li's feelings, as well as his respect.

They can be given to lovers, friends, or mentors, without causing Zhao Qingge to struggle between accepting or not.

Wonderful! Truly wonderful.

Along the way, Li Peifeng kept thinking about how Zhao Qingge would react when he suddenly appeared at her doorstep, rang the doorbell, and she opened the door to find him holding such a unique bouquet, personally crafted and personally delivered.

"How touched and surprised would my dear guide be?"

"Perhaps she'll invite me in to chat for a bit. As we converse, she becomes a bit sleepy, eventually dozing off on the sofa, and then..."

Although this possibility is low, it's not zero!

Therefore, Li Peifeng arrived at Zhao Qingge's doorstep full of anticipation and rang the doorbell.

"Ding-dong~ ding-dong~"

The wait wasn't long before the door opened.

"Click~"

As soon as the security door opened a crack, Li Peifeng quickly extended the flowers with his right hand, displaying a gentle smile, and with a melodic voice, he passionately spoke: "Guide..."

The door opened completely, and Li Xin stood at the entrance, sizing him up as if assessing something, her eyes deep and unfathomable: "Peifeng, what kind of show are you putting on now?"

This show, oh this show is called a little ghost meeting Celestial Master Zhang, walking into the net.